Virginia lists 12 veteran benefits: 1 property tax, 2 income tax, 1 education, 3 employment, 3 vehicle, 1 recreation, 1 veterans home.
Full exemption from local real estate (property) tax on the veteran's principal residence and up to one acre of land (more if the locality exempts more acreage for others). Requires a VA rating of 100% service-connected, permanent and total disability (including 100% via Individual Unemployability that is also rated permanent and total). The non-remarried surviving spouse keeps the exemption if the veteran died on or after January 1, 2011. Filed via affidavit with the local commissioner of the revenue.
Subtract up to $40,000 of military retirement income (and Survivor Benefit Plan payments to surviving spouses) from Virginia taxable income. No age requirement. Income must be reported on the federal return. The cap is $40,000 for taxable years beginning on or after Jan 1, 2025 (Code of Virginia 58.1-322.02). Cannot be combined with another subtraction/deduction for the same income. Military retirement income is partly exempt, up to the cap.
VA disability compensation (and other qualified military benefits like DIC) is excluded from federal adjusted gross income, and therefore is never included in Virginia taxable income. Virginia does not tax VA disability pay.
Waives tuition and mandatory fees at Virginia public colleges/universities for spouses and children of service members who were killed, MIA, POW, or who became permanently and totally disabled (or rated at least 90% permanently disabled) due to qualifying military service. Up to 8 semesters (4 academic years). Tier 2 students may also receive a stipend for room/board/books subject to funding. Child must be 16-29; no age limit for spouse. Domicile requirements apply (Code of Va. 23.1-608).
Service-disabled veteran small business owners can obtain an SDVOSB designation in Virginia's SWaM vendor database, supporting state procurement preferences. Business must be at least 51% owned and both managed and operated by one or more service-disabled veterans.
The Commonwealth and Virginia localities give hiring preference to honorably discharged veterans (and, where applicable, surviving spouses and children) who meet the job's knowledge, skill and eligibility requirements. For non-examination positions, qualified veterans receive preference in the selection process, with additional consideration for veterans who have a VA service-connected disability rating. Code of Va. 2.2-2903.
Free state training and certification program helping Virginia employers recruit, hire and retain veterans; also provides transition services to separating service members and veterans. Run by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.
One set of Disabled Veteran special plates free, with annual registration fees waived, for a veteran who has lost or lost the use of a leg, arm or hand; is blind; or is rated permanent and total by the VA. Covers one personally owned/used vehicle. Personalization and emissions fees, if applicable, still apply.
One motor vehicle owned and used primarily by or for a veteran rated 100% service-connected permanent and total by the VA is exempt from local personal property (car) tax. Established by Code of Virginia 58.1-3668.
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or Virginia National Guard whom the VA has rated 100% service-connected permanent and total are exempt from Virginia motor vehicle Sales and Use Tax on the purchase of one vehicle used by or for the qualifying veteran.
Lifetime hunting and freshwater fishing license for resident veterans with a service-connected disability of 30% or more. Fee is tiered by VA rating: Totally & Permanently disabled = $0 (free) for both hunting and freshwater fishing ($15 trapping); 70% or more = $50 each; 50% to less than 70% = $75 each; 30% to less than 50% = $100 each. Hunting license equals the small game license (includes archery, muzzleloader, bear, deer, turkey). Some trout/forest permits cost extra. Authorized by Code of Va. 29.1-302.
Virginia operates state veterans care centers providing skilled nursing and dementia/memory care to eligible veterans: Sitter & Barfoot (Richmond, 200 beds), Jones & Cabacoy (Virginia Beach, opened 2023), Davis & McDaniel (Roanoke), and Puller (Warrenton, opening late 2025). Operated by the Department of Veterans Services.
Sources: law.lis.virginia.gov, tax.virginia.gov, dvs.virginia.gov, dmv.virginia.gov.
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