Missouri Veteran Benefits 2026: Property Tax Exemptions and Military Retired Pay Tax
The state benefits Missouri 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.
Missouri has no general property tax exemption for disabled veterans. A full homestead exemption exists only for former prisoners of war with a total service-connected disability. 100% service-connected disabled veterans can instead claim the Missouri Property Tax Credit (up to $1,100 for owners, $750 for renters) without counting their VA benefits as income. Military retirement pay is fully subtractable from Missouri income. (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 Missouri
| Benefit | Who qualifies | Amount | How to apply | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homestead property tax exemption for totally disabled former POWs (Missouri Constitution) | Missouri citizen who is a former prisoner of war with a total service-connected disability; applies to real property used as the homestead | Full exemption from property taxes on the homestead | Not administered by the Department of Revenue; apply through the County Assessor's office | Missouri Department of Revenue |
| Missouri Property Tax Credit (circuit breaker) for 100% service-connected disabled veterans | Veteran of the U.S. or Missouri Armed Forces who is 100% disabled as a result of military service. Tax year 2025 household income limits: owners who lived in the home all year $30,000 single / $34,000 married filing combined; renters and part-year owners $27,200 single / $29,200 married filing combined. VA payments are not counted for a 100% service-connected disabled veteran. Renters of a facility that pays no property tax are ineligible. | Up to $1,100 for owners and up to $750 for renters; the actual credit depends on property tax or rent paid and household income | File Form MO-PTC (or Form MO-PTS attached to the MO-1040 if you must file an income tax return), check Box B, and attach a VA letter showing a 100% service-connected disability. You can also file online through MyTax Missouri. | Missouri Department of Revenue |
Is military retired pay taxed in Missouri?
| Treatment | Amount or limit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fully exempt. You can subtract all military retirement benefits reported on federal Form 1040/1040-SR line 5b from federal AGI, using Form MO-A Part 1 line 10. Survivor Benefit Plan annuities do not qualify for the military retirement subtraction but do qualify for the public pension exemption. | 100% of military retirement benefits, with no income cap stated | dor.mo.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 Missouri veteran benefits
Vehicles and license plates
| Benefit | Who qualifies | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disabled Veteran license plates | Veteran who receives a service-connected disability rating from the VA | One set free; additional sets cost the regular registration fee | dor.mo.gov |
| Military Award Placard for free parking at meters (with local approval) and in public college or university lots and garages | Veteran awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross, Coast Guard Cross, Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Silver Star, Navy Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star or Bronze Star Valor, or a former POW | No fee for the placard | dor.mo.gov |
Hunting, fishing and other licenses
| Benefit | Who qualifies | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunting and fishing permit exemption | Honorably discharged veterans or active personnel with a service-related disability of 60% or more, former POWs, or patients assigned to a Warrior Transition unit or military medical center | No permit needed to fish or to hunt (except deer and turkey); trapping still requires a permit. Qualifying nonresidents may buy resident permits for deer, turkey, migratory bird or Conservation Order hunts. You must carry VA proof of eligibility. | mdc.mo.gov |
Education
| Benefit | Who qualifies | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri Returning Heroes' Education Act tuition cap | Combat veteran (combat theater service, combat medals, or imminent danger/hostile fire pay) discharged under honorable conditions who is a Missouri resident or eligible to vote in Missouri, attending a state-funded public institution. The undergraduate cap requires a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. | Tuition capped at $50 per credit hour for up to 10 years after last discharge. Master's and doctoral tuition is capped at 30% of tuition and fees for 20 years after discharge; professional degrees are excluded. | revisor.mo.gov |
| Wartime Veteran's Survivors Grant | Children (natural, adopted or step; under 25 and dependent at the time of death or injury or within five years after it) and spouses of veterans who served after September 11, 2001 and whose death resulted from combat action, or who became at least 80% disabled from combat injuries. The veteran must have been a Missouri resident on entering service or at the time of death or injury. Students must be enrolled at least half-time as undergraduates at a participating public school; renewals need a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Awards are limited by statute to 25 students per year and depend on funding. | Per semester (fall and spring only): tuition up to the University of Missouri-Columbia resident rate, plus up to $2,000 for room and board and up to $500 for books | dhewd.mo.gov |
Employment
| Benefit | Who qualifies | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veterans' preference in the state merit system | Veterans, disabled veterans, surviving spouses of veterans, and spouses of disabled veterans | Preference on competitive exam registers, and preference in appointment when other job-related factors are equal; honorably discharged members also get exam credit for relevant military training or experience. The statute assigns no point values. | revisor.mo.gov |
State veterans homes
| Benefit | Who qualifies | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri Veterans Homes (7 homes: Cameron, Cape Girardeau, Mexico, Mt. Vernon, St. James, St. Louis, Warrensburg; 1,238 skilled-nursing beds) | Meets VA criteria for veteran status, Missouri resident for 180 consecutive days before applying, physician-documented need for 24-hour skilled nursing care, not on a sex offender registry, and no Class A or B felony conviction | 2026 monthly rate of $2,773, covering nursing, physician care, therapies, medications management, meals and more | mvc.dps.mo.gov |
Common questions
Does Missouri have a property tax exemption for disabled veterans?
Missouri lists 2 veteran property tax benefits. The main one: Homestead property tax exemption for totally disabled former POWs (Missouri Constitution). Who qualifies: Missouri citizen who is a former prisoner of war with a total service-connected disability; applies to real property used as the homestead. Amount: Full exemption from property taxes on the homestead (Missouri Department of Revenue - Military Reference Guide (Property Tax Exemption for Certain Veterans)).
How do I apply for the Missouri veteran property tax exemption?
Not administered by the Department of Revenue; apply through the County Assessor's office (Missouri Department of Revenue - Military Reference Guide (Property Tax Exemption for Certain Veterans)).
Does Missouri tax military retirement pay?
Fully exempt. You can subtract all military retirement benefits reported on federal Form 1040/1040-SR line 5b from federal AGI, using Form MO-A Part 1 line 10. Survivor Benefit Plan annuities do not qualify for the military retirement subtraction but do qualify for the public pension exemption. Amount or limit: 100% of military retirement benefits, with no income cap stated (dor.mo.gov).
What other benefits do veterans get in Missouri?
Disabled Veteran license plates (dor.mo.gov); Military Award Placard for free parking at meters (with local approval) and in public college or university lots and garages (dor.mo.gov); Missouri Returning Heroes' Education Act tuition cap (revisor.mo.gov); Wartime Veteran's Survivors Grant (dhewd.mo.gov); Hunting and fishing permit exemption (mdc.mo.gov); Missouri Veterans Homes (7 homes: Cameron, Cape Girardeau, Mexico, Mt. Vernon, St. James, St. Louis, Warrensburg; 1,238 skilled-nursing beds) (mvc.dps.mo.gov); Veterans' preference in the state merit system (revisor.mo.gov). Who qualifies and the amounts are in the tables above.
Sources
- Missouri Department of Revenue - Military Reference Guide (Property Tax Exemption for Certain Veterans)
- Missouri Department of Revenue - MO-PTC Qualification Chart (tax year 2025)
- revisor.mo.gov
- dhewd.mo.gov
- mdc.mo.gov
- mvc.dps.mo.gov
- revisor.mo.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
Missouri senior property tax relief → Missouri 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 →