The breaks you are referring to are based on the status of your residence. Here, you can be Ordinarily Resident, Non-Resident, or "Resident But Not Ordinarily Resident" (RNOR). The thing your boyfriend is thinking of is the RNOR status.
To be RNOR, you have to be here for a limited period of time. There must be proof that your time is limited. And there's a host of other requirements.
If your boss sent you here, then you should check with your boss to see if they're handling your tax preparation - if they are, chances are they've done everything to ensure RNOR status, since a lower tax for you reduces their financial commitment to you (they pay you less, but you get the same after-tax take home pay). Everybody wins.
If they aren't arranging your tax preparation, then you should get some expert advice to determine your residency status.
