Rhode Island Veteran Benefits 2026: Property Tax Exemptions and Military Retired Pay Tax
The state benefits Rhode Island 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.
Rhode Island fully exempts military service pensions from state income tax for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023, with no age or income test, and the exemption also covers surviving spouses who receive the pension. Veterans' property tax exemptions come from R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-4 and are applied by each city or town. The default is a $1,000 assessed-value exemption for wartime or Cold War veterans and their unmarried surviving spouses, and the amount differs by town. The statute adds larger exemptions for totally disabled service-connected veterans, specially adapted housing, and former prisoners of war, and a full homestead exemption for a totally and permanently disabled veteran (or surviving spouse) in a homestead acquired or modified with a VA specially adapted housing grant. (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 Rhode Island
| Benefit | Who qualifies | Amount | How to apply | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic veterans' property tax exemption (R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-4(a)(1)) | Veterans who served in a listed war or conflict period, or in uniform during the Cold War (1947 through 1991), or in any conflict or undeclared war, and were honorably discharged or discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Also their unmarried widow or widower. Must be a legal resident of Rhode Island. No disability rating or income test. | $1,000 off assessed value by default. Many towns have a different statutory amount, for example Burrillville $4,000, Newport $4,000, Cranston up to $3,000, Lincoln up to $10,000, Glocester up to $30,000, Westerly up to $40,500, and North Kingstown a $200 tax credit. | File evidence of eligibility with the local tax assessor on or before the last day for filing sworn statements for that tax year. In South Kingstown the deadline is at least 5 days before the tax roll is certified. The evidence stays valid as long as your legal residence is unchanged. The exemption applies first in the town where you live, and any unused balance can be claimed in another Rhode Island town where you own property. | R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-4 |
| Additional exemption for totally disabled service-connected veterans (R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-4(a)(2)–(3)) | Honorably discharged veterans of the listed conflicts, or of any conflict or undeclared war, whom the VA has determined to be totally disabled through a service-connected disability. Must give the assessor a VA certificate of total disability, which stays valid as long as the disability continues. | An extra $1,000 off assessed value by default. Town variations include Central Falls up to $7,500, Cumberland up to $22,500, Lincoln up to $10,000, Warren up to $11,000, New Shoreham up to $36,450, and Westerly up to $46,500 (by ordinance). | Give the VA total-disability certificate to the local tax assessor. | R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-4 |
| Local-option $10,000 exemption for totally disabled service-connected veterans (R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-4(c)) | Veterans the VA has determined to be totally disabled through a service-connected disability, living in a city or town that has adopted this by ordinance. | $10,000 off real or personal property, and an exemption from fire and/or lighting district taxes for real property. Statutory variations include North Kingstown $11,000, Westerly $39,000, Cumberland up to $47,544, Narragansett up to $20,000 for real property or $12,000 for a vehicle, Cranston up to $250,000 (also extended to the unmarried surviving spouse), and Tiverton a tax credit of $200 or more. | Apply to the local tax assessor where the property is assessed. Available only if the municipality has adopted the ordinance. | R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-4 |
| Specially adapted housing exemption (R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-4(b)) | Veterans the VA has determined to be totally disabled through a service-connected disability who received VA help acquiring specially adapted housing, and the unmarried widow or widower of a deceased qualifying veteran. The home must be occupied as the person's domicile. In a multi-family building, only the owner-occupied part qualifies. | $10,000 off assessed value of real property, in addition to the basic exemption. Variations include Cranston up to $30,000, Newport $10,000 or 10% of assessed value (whichever is greater), Narragansett up to $50,000, and Westerly up to $40,500. | Give the local assessor satisfactory evidence that you received the VA specially adapted housing assistance. | R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-4 |
| Full homestead exemption for a specially adapted homestead (R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-4(i)) | Veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable (or honorably separated officers) whom the VA has determined to be totally and permanently disabled through a service-connected disability. The homestead must have been acquired or modified with a VA specially adapted housing grant, or bought with the proceeds of selling such a homestead. The surviving spouse also qualifies. | Full exemption from all taxation on the homestead. In Westerly the exemption is $46,500. | Apply to the local tax assessor with VA documentation of the permanent and total rating and the specially adapted housing grant. | R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-4 |
| Prisoner-of-war exemption (local option, R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-4(e)) | Veterans the VA has classified as former prisoners of war, and their unmarried widow or widower, in a city or town that has adopted this by ordinance. | An extra $15,000 off real and personal property. Variations include Westerly up to $68,000, Cumberland up to $47,544, Narragansett up to $40,000, and Tiverton a tax credit of $600 or more. | Apply to the local tax assessor where the property is assessed. | R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-4 |
| Partially disabled veterans exemption (selected towns only, R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-4(a)(4), (h)) | Honorably discharged veterans the VA has determined to be partially disabled through a service-connected disability, with a certificate of partial disability. Available only where the statute authorizes it: Warren, Barrington, Warwick and Bristol (in Bristol, also the unmarried surviving spouse). | Warren up to $8,250, Barrington $3,000, and Warwick $4,000 (by ordinance). Bristol's amount is set by town ordinance. | Give the certificate of partial disability to the local tax assessor. | R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-4 |
Is military retired pay taxed in Rhode Island?
| Treatment | Amount or limit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fully exempt. Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-30-12(c)(11), military service pension benefits included in federal AGI are subtracted on RI Schedule M, line 1v, for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023. There is no age or income requirement, and a surviving spouse receiving the military pension also qualifies. The same income cannot also be used for the separate pension and annuity modification (up to $50,000). | 100% of taxable military service pension income (as defined in 20 C.F.R. § 212.2), no cap; reported on RI-1040 Schedule M line 1v (Tax Year 2025 forms; provision applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023). | tax.ri.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 Rhode Island veteran benefits
Hunting, fishing and other licenses
| Benefit | Who qualifies | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| No-cost freshwater fishing and hunting licenses for 100% disabled veterans (RI DEM) | Veterans with a current 100% disability status from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, shown by the original final-decision document on agency letterhead. A hunting license also requires a prior RI or out-of-state hunting license, a hunter safety card, or an honorable discharge (DD-214). Such veterans are also exempt from needing a saltwater fishing license but must carry the decision document while fishing. | No cost; issued as a permanent license. | dem.ri.gov |
Common questions
Does Rhode Island have a property tax exemption for disabled veterans?
Rhode Island lists 7 veteran property tax benefits. The main one: Full homestead exemption for a specially adapted homestead (R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-4(i)). Who qualifies: Veterans discharged under conditions other than dishonorable (or honorably separated officers) whom the VA has determined to be totally and permanently disabled through a service-connected disability. The homestead must have been acquired or modified with a VA specially adapted housing grant, or bought with the proceeds of selling such a homestead. The surviving spouse also qualifies.. Amount: Full exemption from all taxation on the homestead. In Westerly the exemption is $46,500. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-4 – Veterans' exemptions).
How do I apply for the Rhode Island veteran property tax exemption?
Apply to the local tax assessor with VA documentation of the permanent and total rating and the specially adapted housing grant. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-3-4 – Veterans' exemptions).
Does Rhode Island tax military retirement pay?
Fully exempt. Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-30-12(c)(11), military service pension benefits included in federal AGI are subtracted on RI Schedule M, line 1v, for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023. There is no age or income requirement, and a surviving spouse receiving the military pension also qualifies. The same income cannot also be used for the separate pension and annuity modification (up to $50,000). Amount or limit: 100% of taxable military service pension income (as defined in 20 C.F.R. § 212.2), no cap; reported on RI-1040 Schedule M line 1v (Tax Year 2025 forms; provision applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023). (tax.ri.gov).
What other benefits do veterans get in Rhode Island?
No-cost freshwater fishing and hunting licenses for 100% disabled veterans (RI DEM) (dem.ri.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
Rhode Island senior property tax relief → Rhode Island 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 →