Arkansas Veteran Benefits 2026: Property Tax Exemptions and Military Retired Pay Tax
The state benefits Arkansas gives veterans and their surviving spouses: property tax exemptions, how the state taxes military retired pay, and other benefits, each with who qualifies, the amount, how to apply and the official source.
Arkansas fully exempts the homestead and personal property of veterans rated 100% permanent and total, or receiving VA Special Monthly Compensation for loss or loss of use of limbs or total blindness. The exemption extends to qualifying surviving spouses and dependent children. Military retired pay, military disability retirement pay and VA disability compensation are fully exempt from Arkansas income tax. Other state benefits include $1.50 lifetime hunting and fishing licenses, the Military Dependents Scholarship, a 5- or 10-point state hiring preference and two state veterans homes. (sources)
Official sources Checked against official sources on November 4, 2026. This page lists only benefits confirmed on an official state or federal page; counties and cities may offer more.
Property tax exemptions for veterans in Arkansas
| Benefit | Who qualifies | Amount | How to apply | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disabled veteran homestead and personal property tax exemption (Ark. Code § 26-3-306) | Arkansas resident veterans rated 100% permanent and total service-connected, or receiving VA Special Monthly Compensation (loss or loss of use of limbs, or total blindness). Surviving spouses and dependent children may also qualify. Eligibility is recertified annually. ADVA lists no income limit. | Full exemption from state taxes on the homestead and on personal property | Apply at your local county collector's office; recertify each year. | Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs: State Benefits |
Is military retired pay taxed in Arkansas?
| Treatment | Amount or limit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Military retired pay is fully exempt from Arkansas income tax. VA disability compensation and military disability retirement pay are also excluded from taxable income. Claim the exemption on the Arkansas income tax return. | Full exemption, no dollar cap | veterans.arkansas.gov |
For the dollars this treatment adds to (or saves on) a retiree’s state tax in 2026, see the military retirement tax by state study; for the pension itself, the military retirement pay calculator.
Other Arkansas veteran benefits
Vehicles and license plates
| Benefit | Who qualifies | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disabled Veteran license plate (Ark. Code § 27-24-203), plus Purple Heart, free first Medal of Honor and free Gold Star Family plates. There are 19 military and veteran plate designs in all. | Arkansas resident veterans who show proof of service (DD214, NGB 22 or VA ID) at a revenue office. The Medal of Honor plate first needs an ADVA certification letter. | The first Medal of Honor plate and the Gold Star Family plate are free. ADVA does not list fees for the other plates. | veterans.arkansas.gov |
| Sales tax exemption on specially adapted vehicles or equipment | Veterans who buy a specially adapted vehicle or equipment with VA assistance for a service-connected disability. | No state gross receipts (sales) tax on the vehicle or equipment | veterans.arkansas.gov |
Hunting, fishing and other licenses
| Benefit | Who qualifies | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifetime hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans | Arkansas residents rated 100% permanently and totally disabled | Fishing $1.50, hunting $1.50, combination $3.00 (all lifetime) | veterans.arkansas.gov |
| Lifetime combination hunting and fishing license for partially disabled veterans | Arkansas residents rated 70% or more, or 50% or more with a Purple Heart | $52.50 lifetime combination license | veterans.arkansas.gov |
| Discounted lifetime licenses for military retirees | Arkansas resident retired service members age 60 or older | Discounted lifetime licenses (ADVA does not state the price) | veterans.arkansas.gov |
Education
| Benefit | Who qualifies | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Military Dependents Scholarship (MDS) | Spouses and children of veterans who were killed in action, missing in action or prisoners of war, or who are rated 100% permanent and total | Waives tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board at Arkansas public colleges, after federal DEA benefits are applied | veterans.arkansas.gov |
| Arkansas National Guard tuition waiver | Eligible Arkansas National Guard members. Apply each semester. | Tuition waived for up to 120 credit hours, or until a bachelor's degree, at Arkansas public colleges | veterans.arkansas.gov |
| In-state tuition for veterans and service members | Eligible nonresident veterans, service members and their dependents | In-state (resident) tuition rates | veterans.arkansas.gov |
Employment
| Benefit | Who qualifies | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| State hiring preference | Veterans, eligible Guard and Reserve members and surviving spouses get 5 points. Disabled veterans and certain spouses get 10 points. | 5 or 10 points added to passing scores for state hiring, promotion and retention | veterans.arkansas.gov |
State veterans homes
| Benefit | Who qualifies | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State Veterans Homes in North Little Rock and Fayetteville | Eligible veterans and family members | Skilled nursing, hospice, and physical, occupational and speech therapy. ADVA does not list costs. | veterans.arkansas.gov |
Common questions
Does Arkansas have a property tax exemption for disabled veterans?
Yes: Disabled veteran homestead and personal property tax exemption (Ark. Code § 26-3-306). Who qualifies: Arkansas resident veterans rated 100% permanent and total service-connected, or receiving VA Special Monthly Compensation (loss or loss of use of limbs, or total blindness). Surviving spouses and dependent children may also qualify. Eligibility is recertified annually. ADVA lists no income limit.. Amount: Full exemption from state taxes on the homestead and on personal property (Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs: State Benefits).
How do I apply for the Arkansas veteran property tax exemption?
Apply at your local county collector's office; recertify each year. (Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs: State Benefits).
Does Arkansas tax military retirement pay?
Military retired pay is fully exempt from Arkansas income tax. VA disability compensation and military disability retirement pay are also excluded from taxable income. Claim the exemption on the Arkansas income tax return. Amount or limit: Full exemption, no dollar cap (veterans.arkansas.gov).
What other benefits do veterans get in Arkansas?
Disabled Veteran license plate (Ark. Code § 27-24-203), plus Purple Heart, free first Medal of Honor and free Gold Star Family plates. There are 19 military and veteran plate designs in all. (veterans.arkansas.gov); Sales tax exemption on specially adapted vehicles or equipment (veterans.arkansas.gov); Lifetime hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans (veterans.arkansas.gov); Lifetime combination hunting and fishing license for partially disabled veterans (veterans.arkansas.gov); Discounted lifetime licenses for military retirees (veterans.arkansas.gov); Military Dependents Scholarship (MDS) (veterans.arkansas.gov); Arkansas National Guard tuition waiver (veterans.arkansas.gov); In-state tuition for veterans and service members (veterans.arkansas.gov); State hiring preference (veterans.arkansas.gov); Arkansas State Veterans Homes in North Little Rock and Fayetteville (veterans.arkansas.gov). Who qualifies and the amounts are in the tables above.
Sources
Every row above is copied from the official page linked beside it. Benefits change with new laws and local decisions, so confirm the amount and the deadline with the office that runs the program before you apply. QuantCalc is calculation software, not legal, tax or benefits advice. Last updated November 4, 2026.
Related
Arkansas senior property tax relief → Arkansas state income tax for retirees → Veteran benefits in every state → Military retirement tax by state 2026 → Military retirement pay calculator → 2026 VA disability rates → Military retiree and VA COLA 2027 → VA loan limits 2026 →