Georgia Veteran Benefits

Nonresident military spouses do not have to pay Georgia income tax when they are stationed in Georgia. Who is eligible for the Georgia Income Tax Exemption for Nonresident Military Spouses? To be eligible nonresident military spouses must meet the following requirements:

The tax filing deadline for service members deployed to a combat area is extended until 180 days after their deployment ends.

Retired service members are eligible for the following state tax exemptions on military retired pay:

DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of military service members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-connected injury or disease.

SBP, RCSBP and RSFPP are treated as taxable income.

Georgia provides a tax credit for resident National Guard service members serving on active duty, or active duty for training in the U.S. Armed Forces for more than 90 consecutive days.

Georgia offers a homestead property tax exemption for eligible disabled Veterans, their surviving spouse or minor children. The amount for 2026 is $126,526. The value of the property that is more than of this exemption remains taxable. Georgia Department of Revenue, 2026 Homestead Exemption Amounts

Georgia offers a homestead property tax exemption to the surviving spouse of a service member who was killed or died as a result of any war or armed conflict. The amount for 2025 is $121,812. The value of the property that is more than of this exemption remains taxable.

Service members who die as a result of wounds, disease, or injury they received while serving in a combat zone while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, are exempt from all Georgia income taxes for the taxable year of their death.

A disabled Veteran who receives a VA grant for the purchase and modification of a specially adapted vehicle to accommodate their disability is exempt from paying the state sales tax on the vehicle (only on the original grant). Georgia Code 48-8-3

Certain disabled Veterans may be exempt from Ad Valorem taxes on one vehicle they own. Who is eligible for the Georgia Ad Valorem Tax Exemption? To be eligible the Veteran must have received an honorable discharge and have a disability rating from the VA that meets one of the following criteria:

Veterans who did not receive a high school diploma due to leaving high school to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, Korea, or Vietnam are eligible to receive a high school diploma.

The spouse of a former service member who served in the Georgia National Guard or a Georgia resident U.S. Armed Forces Reserves service member who was deployed outside of the U.S. for active duty service to a location designated as a combat zone.

Service members separated from the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents who meet one of the following requirements are eligible:

Combat Veterans attending a University System of Georgia institution can receive a waiver of all mandatory fees. This waiver does not apply to housing, elective food service, any other elective fees, special fees, or other user fees and charges (e.g., application fees).

The University System of Georgia offers full refunds of tuition, mandatory fees and prorated refunds of elective fees for students who are:

Georgia's Military Flagship School Award recognizes schools that show a major commitment to students and families connected to the U.S. Armed Forces. Military Flagship Schools provide specific outreach to military families and recognize and accommodate their unique needs.

Disabled Veterans are exempt from payment of occupational taxes, administration fees, and regulatory fees imposed by local governments for peddling, conducting a business, or practicing a profession or semi profession for 10 years.

A One-Time Veterans Hunting and Fishing License is available free to Georgia resident Veterans. This free license is valid for one year from date of issue.

Eligible service members and Veterans are offered a reduced rate Georgia Lifetime Sportsman License. The Military and Veterans Lifetime Sportsman's License fee is $603. The Lifetime Sportsman License includes these licenses:

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources offers a 25% discount for disabled Veterans on individual accommodations, recreation fees such as mini-golf and boat rental, golf fees and historic site admission.

State employees receive 18 days ofpaid leave per federal fiscal year when ordered to military duty and while going to and returning from their place of duty. Who is eligible for Georgia State Employee Paid Leave for Military Service? National Guard or U.S.

Georgia offers employment preference for state employment for certain Veterans and their spouses. Preference is given by adding points to passing pre-employment examination scores.

Georgia law authorizes a private employer to have a Veterans' hiring preference for honorably discharged Veterans who served on active duty. This preference can apply to hiring, promoting, or retaining a Veteran over an otherwise qualified applicant or employee.

Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of spouses, surviving spouses, or mothers of Veterans. Both a mother and a spouse (including surviving spouse) may be entitled to preference based on the same Veteran's service if they both meet the requirements.

Health and pension plan coverage for service members is provided for by USERRA. Individuals performing military duty of more than 30 days may elect to continue employer sponsored health care for up to 24 months; however, they may be required to pay up to 102% of the full premium.

The VA provides valuable life insurance benefits to Veterans, active and reserve component service members and their families to provide financial security given the extraordinary risks involved in military Service. The VA provides the following life insurance benefit programs:

TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based plan, available worldwide for Selected Reserve, (U.S. Armed Forces Reserve and National Guard service members) and their families who meet the following qualifications:

The Georgia Department of Veterans Service (GDVS) has two skilled nursing care homes that provide high-quality care for wartime Veterans while seeking to improve their quality of life and overall health.

Georgia Veterans Treatment Courts help Veterans who are involved in the Georgia court system. Veterans Treatment Courts use a combination of drug court and mental health court principles to promotes sobriety, recovery, and stability. Georgia Veterans Treatment Courts Directory

The VA National Cemetery Administration maintains two national cemeteries in Georgia. Please see the local location listing for the nearest cemetery.

U.S. Armed Forces service members and their dependents who have a Georgia Driver's license or ID card who are stationed outside of Georgia can renew their documents by mail.

The Georgia Department of Driver's Services (DDS) offers eligible Veterans a free Veteran designation on Georgia driver's licenses or ID cards. Who is eligible for the Free Veteran Designation on Georgia Driver's License and ID Card? Georgia resident Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S.

The Georgia Department of Driver's Services (DDS) offers a free honorary version of a Georgia driver's license for the eligible spouse or surviving spouse of a Veteran.

Service members serving in the Georgia National Guard in good standing and have completed at least one year of satisfactory service are eligible for a free Georgia driver's license.

Georgia offers CDL testing waivers to service members and honorably discharged former service members (discharged within the past year) based on their military training and experience.

Georgia offers a six-month grace period for service members whose Georgia driver's license expires while they are serving on active duty outside Georgia. This grace period is not added to the expiration date.

Georgia offers 186 distinctive license plates to honor the service and sacrifice of eligible service members, Veterans, retired service members, and certain family members. Specific eligibility and documentation requirements apply.

Recipients of the Medal of Honor are eligible for a free set of Georgia Medal of Honor license plates. Eligible Veterans are exempt from vehicle Ad Valorem taxes on one vehicle they own that has Medal of Honor license plates. Only one additional set of plates may be issued.

Recipients of the Purple Heart may apply for a free set of Georgia Purple Heart license plates. Eligible Veterans are exempt from vehicle Ad Valorem taxes on one vehicle they own that has Purple Heart license plates. Only one additional set of plates may be issued.

Georgia offers a free set of Disabled Veteran license plates to eligible Veterans. These license plates authorize parking in disability accessible parking spaces. Eligible Veterans are exempt from vehicle Ad Valorem taxes on one vehicle they own that has Disabled Veteran license plates.

Honorably discharged Army Veterans are eligible for a free set of Georgia Army Veteran license plates. Only one additional set of plates may be issued.

The Georgia Gold Star Family license plate is offered free to the immediate family members of a service member who died in the line of duty while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Georgia resident family members are eligible for two sets of free license plates.

When a gasoline station offers both full-service and self-service, a station employee, upon request, will provide full-service at the self-service price to a disabled Veteran under the following conditions:

The Georgia Uniform Guardianship Act authorizes the appointment of a guardian for an incompetent Veterans and for the Veteran's children when VA benefits are involved.

Veterans and their families can request free copies of marriage, divorce, birth, and death documents, when they are used for establishing disability or death benefits claims. For assistance, please contact the Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of Vital Records at 404-679-4702.

The Georgia Women Veterans Office provides information, advocacy, outreach and support to Georgia women Veterans and their families.

The VA has numerous resources and locations throughout the state available to assist Veterans and family members. To find a VA location in Georgia enter Georgia in the location field and choose the facility type you are searching for from the drop down menu at the "Learn more…" link below.