Texas Veteran Benefits

A+

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

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How Texas compares

Texas ranks near the top nationally thanks to standout tax relief and strong support across Property Tax, Income Tax, Education, Employment.

Quick categories

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

🏠 Property Tax

7 tracked items

100% Disabled Veteran Homestead Exemption

Rating: 100% or TDIU

Complete exemption from all property taxes on the veteran's homestead. Also applies to veterans rated as individually unemployable (TDIU).

Eligibility: Veterans with 100% service-connected disability or TDIU rating. Must be the veteran's homestead. Source

Disabled Veteran Partial Exemption - DV1 (10-29%)

Rating: 10-29%

$5,000 reduction of assessed value on any property owned by the veteran (not limited to homestead).

Eligibility: Veterans with 10-29% service-connected disability rating. Source

Disabled Veteran Partial Exemption - DV2 (30-49%)

Rating: 30-49%

$7,500 reduction of assessed value on any property owned by the veteran.

Eligibility: Veterans with 30-49% service-connected disability rating. Source

Disabled Veteran Partial Exemption - DV3 (50-69%)

Rating: 50-69%

$10,000 reduction of assessed value on any property owned by the veteran.

Eligibility: Veterans with 50-69% service-connected disability rating. Source

Disabled Veteran Partial Exemption - DV4 (70-100%)

Rating: 70-100%

$12,000 reduction of assessed value on any property owned by the veteran.

Eligibility: Veterans with 70-100% service-connected disability rating. Source

Disabled Veteran Age 65+ Enhanced Exemption

Rating: 10%+

$12,000 property tax exemption for disabled veterans aged 65 or older with at least 10% disability.

Eligibility: Veterans 65+ years old with at least 10% service-connected disability. Source

Surviving Spouse Homestead Exemption

Rating: Inherits veteran's rating level

Unremarried surviving spouse of a 100% disabled veteran retains the full homestead exemption. Surviving spouses of partially disabled veterans retain the partial exemption.

Eligibility: Unremarried surviving spouse of a disabled veteran. Source

💰 Income Tax

1 tracked item

No State Income Tax

Rating: None

Texas has no state income tax. All military retirement pay, VA disability compensation, SBP payments, and TSP distributions are state tax-free.

Eligibility: All residents. Source

🎓 Education

3 tracked items

Hazlewood Act Tuition Exemption

Rating: None

Up to 150 semester credit hours of tuition exemption at Texas public colleges and universities. Excludes living expenses, books, and supply fees.

Eligibility: Texas resident at time of entry into service and currently. Minimum 181 days active duty. Honorable discharge. Must exhaust federal VA education benefits first. Source

Hazlewood Legacy Act (Dependent Transfer)

Rating: None

Veterans can transfer unused Hazlewood Act hours to their dependent children. One child may use benefits at a time.

Eligibility: Biological, step, or adopted child of eligible veteran. Must be Texas resident. Age 25 or younger at semester start. Must meet GPA/academic progress standards. Source

100% Disabled Veteran Dependents Education

Rating: 100%

Spouses and dependent children of 100% permanently disabled veterans receive up to 150 credit hours tuition exemption at state institutions.

Eligibility: Spouse or dependent child of veteran with 100% permanent and total service-connected disability. Source

💼 Employment

3 tracked items

State Agency Veteran Hiring Preference

Rating: None

All Texas state agencies must interview qualified veterans first and select the veteran when finalists are equally qualified. Goal of 40% veteran employment.

Eligibility: Honorably discharged wartime veterans. Source

Military Service Retirement Credit

Rating: None

Non-retired state employees may purchase up to 60 months of active-duty time toward state retirement.

Eligibility: State employees who are veterans and not receiving military retirement. Source

Military Spouse Occupational License Transfer

Rating: None

Military spouses holding occupational licenses in other states may transfer their license to Texas.

Eligibility: Spouses of active-duty service members with valid out-of-state license. Source

🎣 Recreation

2 tracked items

Free Super Combo Hunting & Fishing License

Rating: 50%+

Free Super Combo hunting and fishing license package for qualifying disabled veterans.

Eligibility: Veterans with 50%+ service-connected disability or loss of foot/leg. Source

State Parklands Passport (Free State Park Access)

Rating: 60%+

Free admission to all Texas state parks via the State Parklands Passport.

Eligibility: Veterans with 60%+ service-connected disability or loss of lower extremity. Source

🚗 Vehicle

4 tracked items

Free Vehicle Registration

Rating: 50%+

One free vehicle registration for personal use vehicle with qualifying disabled veteran plates.

Eligibility: Veterans with 50%+ disability or 40%+ due to amputation of lower extremity. Source

Disabled Veteran License Plates

Rating: 50%+

Specialty license plates for disabled veterans. Most fees waived except plate cost.

Eligibility: Veterans certified by VA with 50%+ service-related disability or 40%+ due to lower extremity amputation. Source

Toll Road Exemptions (TxDOT)

Rating: Varies by plate type

TxDOT waives tolls for veterans with qualifying license plates: Congressional Medal of Honor, Legion of Valor, Purple Heart, and Disabled Veteran plates. Note: not all local toll authorities participate.

Eligibility: Veterans with qualifying specialty plates (Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Legion of Valor, Disabled Veteran). Source

Free Driver's License

Rating: 60%+

Free driver's license or state ID for qualifying disabled veterans.

Eligibility: Veterans with 60%+ service-connected disability and honorable discharge. Source

🏥 Healthcare

1 tracked item

Texas State Veterans Homes

Rating: None

Ten nursing/assisted living facilities in Amarillo, Big Spring, Bonham, El Paso, Floresville, Fort Worth, Houston, McAllen, Temple, and Tyler. Costs based on income.

Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans, spouses, unmarried surviving spouses, and Gold Star parents. One year Texas residency. Source

⭐ Other

5 tracked items

Free LLC Formation for Veteran-Owned Businesses

Rating: None

Waiver of the $300 state filing fee for new veteran-owned LLCs formed in Texas. Must be 100% owned by honorably discharged veterans.

Eligibility: New businesses formed Jan 1, 2022 - Jan 1, 2026 that are 100% owned by honorably discharged veterans. Source

Franchise Tax Exemption for Veteran-Owned Businesses

Rating: None

Qualifying new veteran-owned businesses exempt from Texas franchise tax for initial five-year period. Also exempt from filing Public Information Reports.

Eligibility: New veteran-owned businesses 100% owned by honorably discharged veterans. Must obtain Veteran Verification Letter from TVC. Source

Veteran Entrepreneur Program

Rating: None

Texas Veterans Commission provides free consultation, business planning, financing guidance, and marketing assistance for veteran entrepreneurs.

Eligibility: All veterans. Source

State Veterans Cemeteries

Rating: None

Five state veterans cemeteries in Abilene, Corpus Christi, Killeen, Mission, and Lubbock. Free burial for veterans, spouses, and dependent children.

Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans and eligible dependents. Source

Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans

Rating: None

Pro bono civil legal assistance program for veterans and their families.

Eligibility: All veterans and family members. Source

🏘️ Housing

3 tracked items

Veterans Land Board Home Loan

Rating: None (30%+ for discount)

Competitive fixed-rate home loans up to $806,500 with 15/20/25/30 year terms. Veterans with 30%+ disability qualify for discounted interest rates.

Eligibility: Qualified Texas veterans. Discounted rates for 30%+ disabled. Source

Veterans Land Board Land Loan

Rating: None

Land loans up to $150,000 with 5% down payment and 30-year terms.

Eligibility: Qualified Texas veterans. Source

Veterans Land Board Home Improvement Loan

Rating: None (30%+ for discount)

Home improvement loans up to $50,000. Veterans with 30%+ disability qualify for discounted rates.

Eligibility: Qualified Texas veterans. Discounted rates for 30%+ disabled. 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.