Kansas Veteran Benefits

Military retired pay that is included in federal adjusted gross income is not taxed in Kansas.

Military pay received by resident service members that is federally taxed is also taxable by Kansas.

Veterans who have service-connected disability rating may be eligible for an additional Kansas state tax exemption of $2,250. For tax year 2025 and after this exemption increases to $2,320.

A nonresident Service member's Spouse may be exempt from paying Kansas taxes on income earned while stationed in Kansas. Who is eligible for Kansas Income Tax Exemption for Nonresident Military Spouses? A nonresident military Spouse must meet the following requirements to be exempt from Kansas incom

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.

Survivor annuities are not taxed in Kansas.

The Kansas Department of Revenue (KDOR) follows IRS guidelines for deployed resident Service members by extending income tax deadlines for 180 days after deployment for filing returns, paying taxes, filing claims for refunds, and taking other actions. IRS Combat Zones for Tax Purposes

The Kansas Department of Revenue offers a Homestead Refund for Disabled Veterans, their Surviving Spouse and the Surviving Spouse of a Service member killed in the line of duty.

Service members serving in the U.S. Armed Forces who are preparing to mobilize or will be deploying outside the U.S. for at least six months, may elect to defer paying all or part their property taxes on their principal place of residence.

Social Security benefits that are included in federal adjusted gross income are not subject to Kansas income tax.

Beginning on 1 July 2026, honorably discharged Veterans who have a 100% service-connected total and permanent disability rating, or are declared unemployable, are exempt from paying Kansas sales tax on purchases up to $24,000 per year.

Kansas public educational institutions will waive tuition and required fees for former Prisoners of war (declared a prisoner after 1 January 1960) and the spouse, Unremarried surviving spouse and dependent children of resident service members or Veterans who meet the following requirements:

All Veterans eligible for federal education benefits, as well as all current members of the U.S. Armed Forces are charged in-state tuition rates at all Kansas public postsecondary colleges and universities regardless of time spent in Kansas.

The Kansas Military Service Scholarship will pay tuition and fees at a Kansas public institution of higher learning for Veterans and Service members who served in an area where they were eligible for hostile fire pay .

The Kansas National Guard Educational Assistance program provides eligible Kansas National Guard Service members up to 100% of tuition and required fees at an accredited Kansas educational institutions.

Kansas "Operation Recognition" will award honorary high school diplomas to Veterans who left high school prior to graduating to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II (WWII), the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts.

Kansas considers military spouses who are forced to leave employment due to their service member spouse's military orders as an involuntary separation from work and are eligible to file a claim for Kansas unemployment insurance. Kansas Statutes 44-706

Kansas offers a motor vehicle tax exemption on two vehicles for Kansas Resident Service members serving in an active or reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces. For more information Service members should contact the county treasurer in their county of residence.

A Veteran's military discharge record must be kept confidential and cannot be released without the Veteran's authorization. Upon the death of the Veteran their discharge records may be released to the Veteran's next of kin or their designated representative.

Kansas National Guard service members or Kansas resident U.S. Armed Forces Reserve Service members and their Families can request financial assistance to help them make ends meet for emergency situations when all other options have been exhausted.

Kansas offers free hunting and fishing licenses for Service members serving in the Kansas National Guard and honorably discharged resident Veterans who have a 30% or greater service-connected disability rating.

Nonresident active duty Service members stationed in Kansas can purchase all annual Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks licenses, permits and stamps for resident prices.

Active duty Service members who were Kansas residents at the time of entering the U.S. Armed Forces and their immediate Family members who live with them may purchase resident licenses, permits and stamps, except lifetime licenses.

U.S. Armed Forces Service members in Kansas who receive permanent change of duty station (PCS) orders prior to the first day of hunting season, that prevents them from using their permit, can receive a refund of all fees.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks offers Military Elk Permits to Service members Stationed at Fort Riley. For more information, please call 833-587-2164.

State employees who are service members serving in the National Guard or the U.S. Armed Forces Reserves are eligible for up to 30 days of paid leave for military duty within each 12-month period, beginning October 1 and ending September 30 of the following year.

Kansas offers Veterans' preference whenhiring for state employment. Eligible Veterans or Spouses who q ualify for Veterans' preference are guaranteed an interview and to receive consideration for the position they apply for. The Veterans' preference does not guarantee the applicant a job.

10 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.

Kansas state employees who are Service members serving in the National Guard or the U.S. Armed Forces Reserves are eligible to receive the difference between their state employee pay and their military pay and allowances when they are called to active duty for 30 days or more.

Kansas state employees who are serving in the National Guard or the U.S. Armed Forces Reserves are eligible for a onetime activation payment of $1,500 when they are called to active duty service for 30 continuous days or more.

Members can purchase year for year of active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces and one quarter year of service credit for each year the member serves in a reserve component.

The spouse of a service member or honorably discharged Veteran is exempt from all professional licensing fees for initial and renewal applications. Spouse Application Fee Exemption Information

Kansas has set a goal to award 3% of all state contracts to disabled Veteran owned businesses. For a business to be eligible it must meet the following requirements:

Private employers in Kansas are authorized by law to have a Veterans Hiring preference. An employer's Veterans preference must be in writing and must be applied uniformly in all hiring decisions for initial employment.

The Kansas Hilton Honors Military Program helps make the career transition from service in the U.S. Armed Forces to civilian employment easier for current and former service members. The Hilton Honors Military Program provides hotel accommodation for required employment related travel.

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 Kansas Office of Veterans Services has four Veterans cemeteries that offer a dignified final resting place for Veterans and their eligible family members.

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

Kansas offers a VETERAN designation on Kansas driver's license and ID cards for honorably discharged Veterans. Veterans must provide a copy of their DD214 or other official documentation to verify they received an honorable discharge.

Active duty resident Service members and their dependents stationed outside of Kansas can request a replacement, a six month extension, or renew their Kansas driver's license by mail or email.

Service members who return from a deployment are offered a seven day grace period to renew their expired vehicle registration.

Service members and Veterans who have been discharged within the past 12 months may have some or all their Kansas CDL testing waived, based on their military training and experience.

Kansas has 19 license plate designs to honor the service and sacrifice of eligible service members, Veterans, retired service members and family members.

Kansas residents who were awarded the Medal of Honor are eligible for the Kansas Medal of Honor license plate. In addition, nonresident Service members stationed in Kansas who received the Medal of Honor are also eligible.

Kansas residents awarded the Purple Heart are eligible for the Kansas Purple Heart license plate. In addition, nonresident Service members who are stationed in Kansas are also eligible.

The Kansas Disabled Veteran license plate may be issued to eligible resident Veterans and eligible nonresident Service members who are stationed in Kansas.

Kansas Resident Veterans who served at least 180 days on active duty and received an honorable discharge and currently serving resident Service members are eligible for the Kansas Veteran license plate.

The Kansas Gold Star Mother license plate is offered to a resident mother, stepmother, or foster mother (in loco parentis) of a Service member who was killed while serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Priority for admission is given to Veterans who do not have adequate means of support. Within this group, priority will be based on the severity of medical care required and their ability to receive care.

Kansas maintains military service files for Veterans released from the U.S. Armed Forces who listed Kansas as their home of record.

A certified copy of birth, marriage, divorce, fetal and death certificates are provided free of charge for Veterans and their eligible family members when requested through the KOVS for VA purposes only.

The Kansas Vietnam War Era Medallion Program provides a medallion, medal and certificate of appreciation to Kansas Veterans who served during the Vietnam Era. Who is eligible for the Kansas Vietnam War Era Veterans Medallion Program? Veterans who meet the following requirements are eligible:

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