Louisiana Veteran Benefits 2026: Property Tax Exemptions and Military Retired Pay Tax
The state benefits Louisiana 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.
Louisiana exempts military retirement pay from state income tax, and veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 50% or more get an extra homestead exemption on top of the standard one: $2,500 more of assessed value at a 50-69% rating, $4,500 more at 70-99%, and full exemption from ad valorem tax (except certain municipal assessments) at a 100% rating. Veterans rated 50% or higher also get free hunting and fishing licenses, free specialty plates, free state-park day use, and free care in the five state veterans homes at a 70% or higher rating. (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 Louisiana
| Benefit | Who qualifies | Amount | How to apply | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disabled veteran additional homestead exemption, 50-69% rating | Veteran with a VA service-connected disability rating of 50% to 69%; applies to the veteran's homestead (primary residence) | The next $2,500 of assessed value is exempt, in addition to the standard $7,500 homestead exemption (constitutional amendment approved November 8, 2022) | Apply to the parish assessor with your VA rating documentation; your parish veterans assistance counselor (LDVA) can help | Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Disabled veteran additional homestead exemption, 70-99% rating | Veteran with a VA service-connected disability rating of 70% to 99%; applies to the veteran's homestead (primary residence) | The next $4,500 of assessed value is exempt, in addition to the standard $7,500 homestead exemption | Apply to the parish assessor with your VA rating documentation; your parish veterans assistance counselor (LDVA) can help | Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Disabled veteran homestead exemption, 100% rating | Veteran with a 100% VA service-connected disability rating; applies to the veteran's homestead (primary residence) | Full exemption: the home is exempt from all ad valorem taxation, except certain municipal tax assessments | Apply to the parish assessor with your VA rating documentation; your parish veterans assistance counselor (LDVA) can help | Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Special assessment level (assessed-value freeze) for disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses, at any age | Must meet the annual income limit, own and occupy the home with a homestead exemption, and be one of: a veteran with a VA service-connected rating of 50% or more; the surviving spouse of a U.S. armed forces or Louisiana National Guard member killed in action, missing in action, or a prisoner of war for more than 90 days; or a homeowner who is permanently totally disabled as determined by a final non-appealable court judgment or as certified by a state or federal administrative agency | Freezes the home's assessed value; the tax rate is not frozen, so millage changes can still raise the bill. The freeze stays in place while you own and occupy the home, unless construction or reconstruction raises the value by more than 25%. The income limit changes every year. | Apply at the parish assessor's office; the home must already have a homestead exemption | Jefferson Parish Assessor |
Is military retired pay taxed in Louisiana?
| Treatment | Amount or limit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fully exempt: military retirement benefits are exempt from Louisiana state income tax | No dollar cap | vetaffairs.la.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 Louisiana veteran benefits
Vehicles and license plates
| Benefit | Who qualifies | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free specialty license plates for disabled veterans | Veterans rated 50% or more: a disabled veterans plate or a military honors plate. Veterans rated 100%: the 100% DAV plate | Free (LDVA lists these as free specialty plates) | vetaffairs.la.gov |
| Flat vehicle use tax for veterans moving into Louisiana | Veterans and military retirees moving into Louisiana. The vehicle must be their primary personal vehicle, previously registered or leased in another state, and registered within 90 days of moving | $90 total in state and local use tax | vetaffairs.la.gov |
| VETERAN designation and fee discounts or waivers on driver's licenses and IDs | Veterans with proof of veteran status; fee waivers are arranged through a veterans assistance counselor (the waiver may not apply at privatized OMV offices) | Fee discount or waiver (amount not published) | vetaffairs.la.gov |
Hunting, fishing and other licenses
| Benefit | Who qualifies | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free hunting and fishing licenses | Veterans with a permanent VA service-connected disability rating of 50% or more | Free; the licenses expire each year and must be renewed | vetaffairs.la.gov |
Education
| Benefit | Who qualifies | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Title 29 in-state tuition exemption for veteran dependents | Children of eligible living veterans; spouses of POW/MIA veterans; surviving spouses and children of deceased veterans. The veteran must meet residency requirements, which differ for living and deceased veterans. Eligibility is decided by an LDVA veterans assistance counselor | Title 29 in-state tuition exemption; can be used together with GI Bill benefits | vetaffairs.la.gov |
| In-state tuition rates for veterans and their families | Veterans, their spouses and children, and active-duty members who are eligible for federal education benefits | In-state tuition rate | vetaffairs.la.gov |
Employment
| Benefit | Who qualifies | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) and Local Veteran Employment Representatives (LVER) | Eligible veterans looking for work, through the Louisiana Workforce Commission | Free employment case management and outreach to employers | vetaffairs.la.gov |
State veterans homes
| Benefit | Who qualifies | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five state veterans homes (Jackson, Monroe, Bossier City, Reserve, Jennings) | Honorably discharged Louisiana veterans with 90 days of active duty (wartime or peacetime), eligible National Guard and Reserve members, spouses of veterans, and Gold Star parents | Free for veterans rated 70% or more, or admitted for a service-connected diagnosis. Otherwise $2,424/month for veterans rated below 70%, and $5,500/month for spouses, Gold Star parents and Guard/Reserve members (fees change each year). Free medications for veterans rated over 50% | vetaffairs.la.gov |
Other benefits
| Benefit | Who qualifies | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free day-use entry at state parks (Disabled State Park Pass) | Veterans with a VA disability rating of 50% or more who apply for the Disabled State Park Pass | Day-use entrance fee waived | vetaffairs.la.gov |
| Military Family Assistance Fund | Eligible veterans and Louisiana National Guard or Reserve members with financial need | Up to $10,000 per 12-month period for housing, utilities, some medical services and other essential expenses | vetaffairs.la.gov |
Common questions
Does Louisiana have a property tax exemption for disabled veterans?
Louisiana lists 4 veteran property tax benefits. The main one: Disabled veteran homestead exemption, 100% rating. Who qualifies: Veteran with a 100% VA service-connected disability rating; applies to the veteran's homestead (primary residence). Amount: Full exemption: the home is exempt from all ad valorem taxation, except certain municipal tax assessments (Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs - State Benefits).
How do I apply for the Louisiana veteran property tax exemption?
Apply to the parish assessor with your VA rating documentation; your parish veterans assistance counselor (LDVA) can help (Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs - State Benefits).
Does Louisiana tax military retirement pay?
Fully exempt: military retirement benefits are exempt from Louisiana state income tax Amount or limit: No dollar cap (vetaffairs.la.gov).
What other benefits do veterans get in Louisiana?
Free specialty license plates for disabled veterans (vetaffairs.la.gov); Flat vehicle use tax for veterans moving into Louisiana (vetaffairs.la.gov); VETERAN designation and fee discounts or waivers on driver's licenses and IDs (vetaffairs.la.gov); Title 29 in-state tuition exemption for veteran dependents (vetaffairs.la.gov); In-state tuition rates for veterans and their families (vetaffairs.la.gov); Free hunting and fishing licenses (vetaffairs.la.gov); Free day-use entry at state parks (Disabled State Park Pass) (vetaffairs.la.gov); Five state veterans homes (Jackson, Monroe, Bossier City, Reserve, Jennings) (vetaffairs.la.gov); Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) and Local Veteran Employment Representatives (LVER) (vetaffairs.la.gov); Military Family Assistance Fund (vetaffairs.la.gov). Who qualifies and the amounts are in the tables above.
Sources
- Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs - State Benefits
- Jefferson Parish Assessor - Seniors Special Assessment (statewide constitutional program administered by parish assessors)
- vetaffairs.la.gov
- vetaffairs.la.gov
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
Louisiana senior property tax relief → Louisiana 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 →