New Hampshire Veteran Benefits 2026: Property Tax Exemptions and Military Retired Pay Tax
The state benefits New Hampshire 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.
New Hampshire gives veterans property-tax CREDITS that come straight off the tax bill, and each town chooses the amounts within ranges set by state law. Veterans with a total, permanent service-connected disability get at least $700 a year (a town can set up to $5,000), and those with a VA-adapted (SAH/SHA) home are fully exempt. Military retired pay is not taxed: the state has no tax on wages or pensions, and its interest and dividends tax was repealed effective January 1, 2025. (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 New Hampshire
| Benefit | Who qualifies | Amount | How to apply | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard or Optional Veterans' Tax Credit (RSA 72:28) | Veteran who has lived in NH for at least 1 year before April 1, served at least 90 days of active service in a qualifying war or armed conflict listed in the statute, and was honorably discharged or is still serving. Also covers veterans discharged for a service-connected disability, their spouses or surviving spouses, and the surviving spouse of a resident who suffered a service-connected death. No age or income limit. | $50 standard credit off the tax bill. A town that adopts the optional credit sets an amount from $51 to $750 (tax year 2026), which replaces the $50. The optional ceiling rises to $1,000 from April 1, 2027. | File the permanent application (DRA form PA-29) with your town or city selectmen or assessors by April 15 of the first year you claim it (RSA 72:33). | RSA 72:28 Standard and Optional Veterans' Tax Credit |
| All Veterans' Tax Credit (RSA 72:28-b, local option) | NH resident (1+ year before April 1) who is a veteran with at least 90 days of active service, honorably discharged or still serving, but did NOT serve in a qualifying war period and so is not eligible for the RSA 72:28 or 72:35 credit. Also covers the spouse or surviving spouse. Applies only in towns that have adopted it. | The same amount as the town's standard or optional veterans' credit under RSA 72:28 ($50, or $51 to $750 for 2026). | Permanent application (PA-29) filed with the town or city assessors by April 15 (RSA 72:33). | RSA 72:28-b All Veterans' Tax Credit |
| Tax Credit for Service-Connected Total Disability (RSA 72:35) | Honorably discharged veteran (or honorably separated officer) whom the VA rates totally and permanently disabled from a service-connected condition, or who is a double amputee or paraplegic because of a service-connected injury. Also covers the surviving spouse. Applies to the home that is the veteran's (or surviving spouse's) principal residence. No age or income limit. | $700 a year standard credit off the property tax bill. A town may adopt an optional credit from $701 to $5,000, which replaces the RSA 72:28, 72:28-b, 72:28-c and 72:36-a benefits. | Give the town assessors VA certification of the total and permanent service-connected rating with the permanent application (PA-29), filed by April 15 (RSA 72:33). | RSA 72:35 Tax Credit for Service-Connected Total Disability |
| Certain Disabled Veterans Exemption: specially adapted homestead (RSA 72:36-a) | Veteran who owns a home specially adapted through a VA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) or Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grant, or a home bought with the proceeds from selling such a home, AND who is 100% permanently and totally disabled, is a service-connected double amputee or paraplegic, or has service-connected blindness in both eyes (5/200 or less). Also covers the surviving spouse. | Full exemption from all property tax on the homestead. | Give the town assessors proof of the service-connected disability with the permanent application, filed by April 15 (RSA 72:33). | RSA 72:36-a Certain Disabled Veterans |
| Surviving Spouse Tax Credit (RSA 72:29-a) | Surviving spouse (not remarried) of a service member who was killed or died while on active duty in a war, conflict or combat zone listed in RSA 72:28. Must live in the town where the credit is claimed. | $700 credit on the surviving spouse's real and personal property in that town, residential or not. A town may adopt an optional amount from $701 to $2,000. | Permanent application filed with the town or city assessors by April 15 (RSA 72:33). | RSA 72:29-a Surviving Spouse |
| Optional Tax Credit for Combat Service (RSA 72:28-c, local option) | NH resident who is a member of the NH National Guard or a reserve component, is called to active duty, and serves in a combat zone, support area or contingency operation that earns hostile-fire or imminent-danger pay during the tax year. Applies only in towns that have adopted it. | $50 to $500 off the tax bill, as set by the town. It replaces the RSA 72:28 and 72:28-b credits and is not added to them. | Apply to the town assessors with your military orders at any point during the tax year of combat service (RSA 72:33, I-b). | RSA 72:28-c Optional Tax Credit for Combat Service |
Is military retired pay taxed in New Hampshire?
| Treatment | Amount or limit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Not taxed. New Hampshire has no personal income tax on wages, pensions or military retired pay. Its only individual income tax, the interest and dividends tax under RSA 77, was repealed effective January 1, 2025. | Full exclusion. No income tax applies to military retired pay. | gc.nh.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 New Hampshire veteran benefits
No other state veteran benefits are listed for New Hampshire on this page yet: only benefits checked against official sources are shown.
Common questions
Does New Hampshire have a property tax exemption for disabled veterans?
New Hampshire lists 6 veteran property tax benefits. The main one: Certain Disabled Veterans Exemption: specially adapted homestead (RSA 72:36-a). Who qualifies: Veteran who owns a home specially adapted through a VA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) or Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grant, or a home bought with the proceeds from selling such a home, AND who is 100% permanently and totally disabled, is a service-connected double amputee or paraplegic, or has service-connected blindness in both eyes (5/200 or less). Also covers the surviving spouse.. Amount: Full exemption from all property tax on the homestead. (RSA 72:36-a Certain Disabled Veterans).
How do I apply for the New Hampshire veteran property tax exemption?
Give the town assessors proof of the service-connected disability with the permanent application, filed by April 15 (RSA 72:33). (RSA 72:36-a Certain Disabled Veterans).
Does New Hampshire tax military retirement pay?
Not taxed. New Hampshire has no personal income tax on wages, pensions or military retired pay. Its only individual income tax, the interest and dividends tax under RSA 77, was repealed effective January 1, 2025. Amount or limit: Full exclusion. No income tax applies to military retired pay. (gc.nh.gov).
Sources
- RSA 72:28 Standard and Optional Veterans' Tax Credit
- RSA 72:28-b All Veterans' Tax Credit
- RSA 72:35 Tax Credit for Service-Connected Total Disability
- RSA 72:36-a Certain Disabled Veterans
- RSA 72:29-a Surviving Spouse
- RSA 72:28-c Optional Tax Credit for Combat Service
- gc.nh.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
New Hampshire senior property tax relief → New Hampshire 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 →