Georgia Veteran Benefits

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Benefits organized by category so you can quickly compare tax relief, education support, recreation perks, and more.

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How Georgia compares

Georgia offers a solid middle-tier package with 14 tracked benefits and decent support in Property Tax, Income Tax, Education, Employment.

Quick categories

🏠 Property Tax 💰 Income Tax 🎓 Education 💼 Employment 🎣 Recreation 🚗 Vehicle 🏥 Healthcare ⭐ Other

🏠 Property Tax

2 tracked items

Disabled Veterans Homestead Exemption

Rating: 100% or TDIU or qualifying loss

Homestead property tax exemption of $121,812 (2025 amount) for qualifying disabled veterans, surviving spouse, or minor children.

Eligibility: Georgia resident veterans with honorable discharge and 100% service-connected disability, or TDIU, or qualifying loss (loss of use of feet, hands, or vision). Source

Surviving Spouse of KIA Homestead Exemption

Rating: N/A (KIA/died in service)

Homestead property tax exemption of $121,812 (2025) for surviving spouse of service member killed or died as a result of war or armed conflict.

Eligibility: Surviving spouse of service member KIA/died from war or armed conflict. Source

💰 Income Tax

2 tracked items

Military Retirement Pay Exclusion

Rating: None (higher exclusion for disabled/older)

From tax year 2026, up to $65,000 of military retirement pay is excluded from Georgia income tax at ANY age (HB 266, signed May 2025). Before 2026 the exclusion was $17,500 under age 62 (plus up to $17,500 more with earned income). Does not cover SBP or USPHS/NOAA retirees.

Eligibility: Retired military personnel. Amount varies by age and disability status. Source

Disability Retirement Pay Exemption

Rating: Any service-connected disability

Military disability retirement pay received as pension, annuity, or similar allowance for service-connected injury/sickness is not included in taxable income.

Eligibility: Veterans receiving military disability retirement pay. Source

🎓 Education

2 tracked items

HERO Scholarship

Rating: None (combat deployment required)

Up to $8,000 for equivalent of four academic years. Must apply within two years of gaining eligibility; renewal application required each year.

Eligibility: National Guard/Reserve members deployed to combat zones, and their spouses and children (Categories 1, 3, or 4). Source

In-State Tuition for Veterans

Rating: None

Veterans and dependents eligible for in-state tuition rates at Georgia public colleges and universities.

Eligibility: Veterans and their dependents. Source

💼 Employment

1 tracked item

Veterans' Preference in State Employment

Rating: None for 5-pt; 10%+ for 10-pt

5-point credit for war veterans; 10-point credit for veterans with 10%+ VA disability rating on state employment exams.

Eligibility: War veterans (5 pts); disabled veterans 10%+ (10 pts). Source

🎣 Recreation

1 tracked item

Disability Sportsman's License (P&T)

Rating: Permanent and total

Georgia veterans rated permanently and totally disabled can get a 3-year disability sportsman's license (hunting and fishing) at a steep discount. Apply by mail; it cannot be bought online.

Eligibility: Veterans with 20%+ VA disability rating. Source

🚗 Vehicle

4 tracked items

Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Tax Exemption

Rating: 100% P&T, TDIU, or qualifying loss of use

Exemption from all ad valorem taxes on ONE vehicle (the one with the free Disabled Veteran plate) for veterans rated 100% P&T, rated unemployable, or receiving VA statutory awards for loss/loss of use of hands, feet or sight. Purple Heart and Medal of Honor plate holders are also exempt.

Eligibility: Disabled veterans who are Georgia citizens and residents. Source

Adapted Vehicle Sales Tax Exemption

Rating: Varies (VA grant eligible)

Exemption from state sales tax on vehicles purchased with a VA grant for specially adapted vehicles (original grant only).

Eligibility: Disabled veterans receiving VA vehicle grant. Source

Free Veteran License Plates

Rating: None

Multiple free veteran plate options: Veteran's, Women Veteran's, Retired Military, Commemorative Service, and Military Medal plates. Requires DD-214 and Form MV-9W.

Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans. Source

Free Driver's License

Rating: None

Free driver's license for qualifying veterans.

Eligibility: Qualifying veterans. Source

🏥 Healthcare

1 tracked item

Georgia War Veterans Homes

Rating: None (70%+ waives fees)

State-operated veterans homes with nominal daily fee. Veterans with 70%+ service-connected disability or admission due to service-connected condition pay no fee.

Eligibility: Honorably discharged Georgia veterans with wartime service. Source

⭐ Other

1 tracked item

State Veterans Memorial Cemeteries

Rating: None

Two state cemeteries in Milledgeville and Glennville. No charge for gravesite, government marker, vault, and committal chapel use.

Eligibility: Veterans with other-than-dishonorable discharge (same as VA cemetery eligibility). Source
⚠️ Verify Before You Rely: State veteran benefits change frequently. The information above is summarized for general guidance and may not reflect the most current laws, amounts, or eligibility requirements. Always verify with your state VA office or state Department of Veterans Affairs before making financial decisions. Last reviewed: April 2026.