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Mississippi Veterans Benefits

Beyond your federal VA disability compensation, Mississippi offers its own benefits for veterans — property tax, income tax, education, employment, vehicle, recreation, veterans home, financial. Here's what Mississippi veterans can claim, who qualifies, and how to apply.

11 state benefits · Property Tax, Income Tax, Education, Employment, Vehicle, Recreation, Veterans Home, Financial · Last verified 2026-06-16

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Property Tax

  1. Disabled Veteran Homestead Ad Valorem Tax Exemption100% P&T
    Full exemption from ad valorem taxes on homestead assessed value

    Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rated PERMANENT AND TOTAL by the VA (or 100% based on individual unemployability rated P&T), honorably discharged, are exempt from all ad valorem (property) taxes on the assessed value of their homestead. The exemption also extends to unremarried surviving spouses.

Income Tax

  1. Military Retirement Pay ExemptionAll veterans
    Military retirement fully tax-exempt (no cap)

    Military retirement pay is fully exempt from Mississippi state income tax under Miss. Code Ann. 27-7-15, which excludes all qualified retirement income (including military pensions and Survivor Benefit Plan payments) regardless of amount or age.

  2. VA Disability Compensation ExclusionAll veterans
    VA disability compensation fully tax-exempt

    VA disability compensation and military disability retirement pay are not subject to Mississippi state income tax; such payments are excluded from gross income consistent with state administrative code and federal law (38 U.S.C. 5301).

Education

  1. In-State Tuition for Veterans / VA Benefit RecipientsAll veterans
    Resident (in-state) tuition rate

    Veterans and recipients of VA education benefits are authorized in-state (resident) tuition rates at Mississippi public institutions regardless of residency status.

  2. MS National Guard State Education Assistance Program (SEAP)All veterans
    Up to $10,000 per state fiscal year

    Pays tuition for actively serving Mississippi National Guard members attending accredited Mississippi institutions for undergraduate and career/technical study. Requires good standing, MS voter registration, completed Basic Training, and 2.0 GPA. Up to $10,000 per state fiscal year for colleges/universities. Applies to current Guard members, not veterans generally.

  3. POW/MIA Dependent ScholarshipAll veterans
    Eight-semester full tuition scholarship

    Children of Mississippi veterans who are prisoners of war or missing in action receive an eight-semester scholarship, without cost, at state-supported universities and colleges (does not cover books, fees, or materials).

Employment

  1. Veterans Employment / Re-employment and Licensing PreferenceAll veterans
    Re-employment rights, expedited licensing, permit fee waivers

    Mississippi guarantees re-employment rights restoring service members to their previous positions, and provides expedited professional licensing reciprocity for military members and spouses (teaching, nursing, engineering, real estate, etc.). Service-connected disabled veterans and law-enforcement/combat-trained veterans receive concealed-carry permit fee exemptions.

Vehicle

  1. 100% Disabled Veteran License Plate100%+ rating
    $1.00 total cost per plate (one auto/truck, one motorcycle)

    Veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled may obtain one special motor vehicle/pickup truck license plate (and separately one motorcycle plate) for a total cost of $1.00.

Recreation

  1. Disabled Veteran Hunting & Fishing License Exemption100%+ rating
    No license purchase required (Disabled Exempt license)

    Resident veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rated by the VA are not required to purchase a hunting or fishing license. Must carry proof of residency and disability status while hunting/fishing unless an exempt license is obtained.

Veterans Home

  1. Mississippi State Veterans HomesAll veterans
    Skilled nursing care; reported no-cost for single 70%+ or 100%/IU ratings

    Mississippi operates state veterans homes (locations include Collins, Jackson, Kosciusko, and Oxford) offering skilled nursing, pharmacy, rehabilitation, and social services. Eligibility: Mississippi residents with an other-than-dishonorable discharge; spouses may also qualify; out-of-state veterans admitted if no MS residents are waiting. Reported no-cost care for veterans with a single rating of 70%+ or those rated 100%/unemployable, but this specific cost tier could not be confirmed on a live official page at research time.

Financial

  1. Veterans' Home Purchase Board (VHPB) Loan ProgramAll veterans

    State home-loan program helping eligible veterans purchase a home. Eligibility: Mississippi resident immediately prior to entering service, or two consecutive years of MS residency before applying; other-than-dishonorable discharge; Reserve/Guard with 6+ years or extended Title 10 activation; unremarried surviving spouses; requires a VA Certificate of Eligibility. Specific loan amount and interest rate were not published on the eligibility page, so the dollar value is not stated here.

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Common questions

What benefits do Mississippi veterans get?

Mississippi offers veteran benefits across property tax, income tax, education, employment, vehicle, recreation, veterans home, financial. Highlights include Disabled Veteran Homestead Ad Valorem Tax Exemption, Military Retirement Pay Exemption, VA Disability Compensation Exclusion. Eligibility varies — some benefits require a VA disability rating, 100% P&T status, or combat service.

What property tax exemption do disabled veterans get in Mississippi?

Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rated PERMANENT AND TOTAL by the VA (or 100% based on individual unemployability rated P&T), honorably discharged, are exempt from all ad valorem (property) taxes on the assessed value of their homestead. The exemption also extends to unremarried sur

Does Mississippi tax military retirement or VA disability pay?

Military retirement pay is fully exempt from Mississippi state income tax under Miss. Code Ann. 27-7-15, which excludes all qualified retirement income (including military pensions and Survivor Benefit Plan payments) regardless of amount or age.

Do I need a VA rating to claim Mississippi benefits?

Many state benefits are tied to your VA disability rating — the higher your rating, the more you may qualify for. Use the free VA Ready calculator to confirm your combined rating, then check which state benefits you've earned.

State benefit rules, amounts, and eligibility change and vary by county or municipality. Estimated values are approximate. Always confirm current details with the state agency or the official source linked above before relying on a benefit. VA Ready is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any state agency, and this page is not legal, tax, or financial advice.