Georgia Veterans Benefits

Homestead property tax exemption for honorably discharged Georgia veterans who are VA-rated 100% totally disabled, OR rated less than 100% but paid at the 100% rate due to individual unemployability (TDIU), OR entitled to VA statutory awards for loss/loss of use of feet, hands, or sight. Exempts the assessed value up to an indexed cap; value above the cap remains taxable. Extends to the un-remarried surviving spouse or surviving minor children who continue to occupy the home. Applied for through the county tax officials.

HB 266 (2025 session, signed by Gov. Kemp May 13, 2025) raises the military retirement income exclusion to up to $65,000 regardless of age and removes the earned-income requirement. Applies to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2027 — NOT the 2026 tax year despite some news reports. Cannot be combined with the general retirement-income exclusion. Each spouse receiving military retirement may claim.

For the current 2026 tax year, Georgia excludes military retirement income on a tiered basis: up to $17,500 for retirees under age 62 (plus an additional $17,500 if they have at least $17,500 of Georgia earned income); ages 62-64 use the general retirement exclusion up to $35,000; age 65+ up to $65,000. Each spouse may claim separately if both receive military retirement.

VA disability compensation is not taxed by Georgia. Georgia uses federal adjusted gross income as its starting point, and VA disability compensation is excluded from federal AGI, so it is effectively exempt from Georgia income tax. There is no separate GA statute taxing it. (No dedicated GDVS page states this explicitly; treatment is inherited from federal AGI conformity.)

Service-cancelable loan for eligible Georgia National Guard members covering up to 100% of the in-state undergraduate tuition rate, for up to 120 semester hours, at Georgia public colleges/universities (applicable to certificate through doctoral programs). Two years of good-standing Guard service cancels the loan. Administered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC).

Scholarship/financial aid for qualifying Georgia National Guard members and U.S. military Reservists, their spouses, and dependent children, where the servicemember was deployed overseas on active duty on or after February 1, 2003 to a designated combat zone. Administered by GSFC.

Veterans applying for State of Georgia employment receive a 5-point credit (active duty during a period of armed conflict, or Guard/Reserve called to active duty for specified operations). A 10-point credit goes to veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating of 10% or more, veterans over 55 receiving disability pension/compensation, qualifying spouses of disabled veterans, and un-remarried widows/widowers of deceased veterans of any armed-conflict period. Points add to a numerically scored pre-employment assessment, or equivalent preference where no scored test is used. Documentation must be submitted to the hiring agency HR.

Veterans verified by VA as 100% service-connected disabled (or rated unemployable and receiving/entitled to VA statutory awards for loss or loss of use of feet/hands/eyesight) are exempt from ad valorem (motor vehicle) taxes on one vehicle.

Free disabled-veteran license plates (U.S. flag background, International Symbol of Access, 'DISABLED VETERAN') for up to two passenger vehicles or motorcycles for personal use, with no registration fee, manufacturing fee, or annual fee. Eligibility: honorably discharged Georgia veteran VA-rated 100% totally disabled, or paid at the 100% rate due to unemployability, or entitled to VA statutory awards for loss/loss of use of feet, hands, or sight. Extends to un-remarried surviving spouse and surviving minor children. Apply via county tax commissioner with a VA letter/certificate.

Free one-time full-privilege sportsman's (hunting & fishing) license for Georgia resident veterans who served on active federal duty 90+ days and were honorably discharged on or after July 1, 2005. Valid one year from issue; may be issued only once. Includes all state-paid recreational hunting and fishing privileges. Apply with DD-214 and a DNR application via the GA DNR Wildlife Resources Division.

Georgia-resident veterans with an honorable discharge and a VA service-connected disability rating receive a 25% discount on Georgia State Parks fees — including entrance/parking, individual accommodations (camping/cabins), recreation fees (e.g., mini-golf, boat rental), golf, historic site admission, and the Annual ParkPass. Requires a GDVS-issued Certificate of Eligibility card (apply through a GDVS Veterans Field Service Office with DD-214 and disability verification). Annual ParkPass discount must be purchased in person.

Two state skilled-nursing homes for eligible war veterans (Milledgeville and Augusta). Eligibility: domiciled in Georgia and resided in GA at least 2 consecutive years (or 5 of the last 15) before applying; wartime active-duty service; discharge under other-than-dishonorable conditions; VA-approved as eligible for skilled nursing care; free of contagious disease and certain behavioral/medical conditions. A nominal daily fee is charged; veterans rated 70%+ service-connected, or admitted for a service-connected condition, have the daily fee paid in full by VA. Aid & Attendance may offset the fee for others.

A 10-year certificate exempting a qualifying disabled veteran from any local occupation tax, administrative fee, or regulatory fee for peddling, conducting a business, or practicing a profession/semi-profession (per O.C.G.A. Title 43, Ch. 12). Eligibility: honorable discharge and a VA service-connected disability rating of 10% or more (25% for peacetime veterans). Apply with VS Form 40-025, ID, DD-214, and VA Summary of Benefits letter via County Probate Court.