Washington Veteran Benefits 2026: Property Tax Exemptions and Military Retired Pay Tax

The state benefits Washington 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.

Washington has no individual income tax, so military retired pay is not taxed by the state (a 9.9% tax on adjusted gross income above $1 million takes effect Jan. 1, 2028). There is no stand-alone disabled-veteran property tax exemption: veterans rated 40% or more (or paid at the 100% rate) qualify at any age for the income-limited senior/disability exemption, and qualifying unremarried surviving spouses can get a state property tax assistance grant. Other benefits include a license-fee exemption for veterans rated 100%, reduced-fee hunting and fishing licenses and a free lifetime state parks pass at 30%+, tuition waivers, four state veterans homes, and hiring preference points. (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
Military retired pay tax
Other veteran benefits
Common questions

Property tax exemptions for veterans in Washington

Washington property tax benefits for veterans and surviving spouses (checked November 4, 2026)
Benefit	Who qualifies	Amount	How to apply	Source
Senior Citizen and Disabled Persons Property Tax Exemption (disabled veteran eligibility path)	Veteran of any age entitled to and receiving VA compensation at a combined service-connected evaluation of 40% or higher, or at the 100% rate for a service-connected disability (RCW 84.36.381(3); DOR exemption page). Note: DOR's PT0017 brochure (9/23/2024) and Form 64-0002 (rev. 9/17/24) still show the older 80% figure. Must own and occupy the home as a primary residence and meet the requirement by Dec. 31 of the assessment year. Combined disposable income must be at or below the county's Income Threshold 3 (tax years 2024-2026: e.g., King $84,000, Snohomish $75,000, Pierce $64,000, Clark $62,000, Spokane $50,000; tax years 2027-2029: King $101,000, Snohomish $91,000, Pierce $85,000, Clark $85,000, Spokane $74,000). VA disability compensation and DIC are excluded from disposable income.	Three levels based on income. Level 3 (at or below Threshold 3): exempt from excess (voter-approved) levies and Part 2 of the state school levy. Level 2 (at or below Threshold 2): same, plus exempt from regular levies on the greater of $50,000 or 35% of assessed value, capped at $70,000. Level 1 (at or below Threshold 1): same, plus exempt from regular levies on the greater of $60,000 or 60% of assessed value. The residence's taxable value is also frozen at its value in the first year you qualify.	Apply to your county assessor with Form 64-0002 and the Combined Disposable Income Worksheet, plus proof of the VA rating. Applications are due by Dec. 31 of the assessment year; the assessor may accept late applications. Refunds can be claimed for taxes due within the prior 3 years (separate application per year). The assessor notifies you when a renewal is due.	WA Department of Revenue
Property Tax Assistance Program for Widows or Widowers of Veterans (RCW 84.39)	Unremarried widow or widower of a veteran who is 62 or older by Dec. 31 of the tax year, or unable to work because of a disability. The veteran must have died from a service-connected disability, been rated 100% disabled for at least 10 years before death, been a former POW rated 100% disabled for at least 1 year before death, or died on active duty or in active training status. Must own the home by Dec. 31 of the prior year and occupy it more than six months a year. Combined disposable income must be at or below the county's Income Threshold 3 (see dor.wa.gov/incomethresholds).	A state grant equal to the regular and excess property taxes on the difference between the value exempted under the senior/disabled exemption and the first $200,000 of value (income at or below Threshold 1), $150,000 (Threshold 2), or $100,000 (Threshold 3). Assistance for any part of the year you stop living in the home before Dec. 15 must be repaid.	Apply for the senior/disabled exemption with the county first, then send Form 63-0023 and the Combined Disposable Income Worksheet with supporting documents to the Department of Revenue (not the county) by March 31; DOR can accept late applications. Renew every year. Phone: 360-534-1400.	WA Department of Revenue

Is military retired pay taxed in Washington?

Washington state income tax on military retired pay (checked November 4, 2026)
Treatment	Amount or limit	Source
Not taxed. Washington does not currently have an individual income tax, so military retired pay is not subject to state income tax.	No limit; the full amount is untaxed. DOR says a new 9.9% income tax on individual and married-joint adjusted gross income above $1 million takes effect Jan. 1, 2028, with first returns due April 2029.	dor.wa.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.

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Other Washington veteran benefits

Vehicles and license plates

Washington: vehicles and license plates for veterans
Benefit	Who qualifies	Amount	Source
Disabled American Veteran license plates with license fee exemption	Washington vehicle owner who served in the U.S. armed forces, Reserves, or National Guard, has a qualifying discharge, and has a VA eligibility letter showing a 100% disability rating expected to last more than one year.	Exempt from license fees on 1 vehicle per year (passenger vehicle, motorcycle, motor home, or personal-use truck). Plates are valid for the veteran's lifetime. Does not include disabled parking privileges.	dol.wa.gov

Hunting, fishing and other licenses

Washington: hunting, fishing and other licenses for veterans
Benefit	Who qualifies	Amount	Source
Reduced-fee hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans (RCW 77.32.480)	Honorably discharged veteran (resident or nonresident) with at least a 30% service-connected disability, or age 65+ with any service-connected disability, verified by VA letter. Apply by mail to WDFW Licensing Division, PO Box 43154, Olympia, WA 98504, with the one-page VA rating letter.	Reduced-fee license. The WDFW eligibility page does not list current prices.	wdfw.wa.gov

Education

Washington: education for veterans
Benefit	Who qualifies	Amount	Source
Tuition and fee waiver for eligible veterans and National Guard members (RCW 28B.15.621)	Eligible veterans or National Guard members as defined in RCW 28B.15.621, attending a Washington public college or university.	Each school may waive all or a portion of tuition and fees, so the waiver varies by school.	dva.wa.gov
Tuition waiver for dependents of veterans rated 100% disabled or who died as a result of military service	Dependents of eligible veterans who are 100% disabled or who died as a result of military service.	Full waiver of undergraduate tuition and fees, up to 200 quarter credits or the semester equivalent, plus a book stipend of up to $500 per academic year if the legislature funds it.	dva.wa.gov

Employment

Washington: employment for veterans
Benefit	Who qualifies	Amount	Source
Veterans' preference in state civil service exams (RCW 41.04.010, RCW 73.16.010)	Eligible veterans. Surviving spouses or domestic partners of eligible veterans, and spouses or partners of veterans with a service-connected permanent and total disability, are also eligible.	10% added to passing scores for a veteran who served during a period of war or armed conflict and does not receive military retirement. 5% for a veteran who did not serve in a war or armed conflict, or who receives military retirement. Neither applies to promotional exams. 5% for a veteran called to active duty from state employment, usable on promotional exams until the first promotion.	careers.wa.gov

State veterans homes

Washington: state veterans homes for veterans
Benefit	Who qualifies	Amount	Source
State veterans homes (4)	Washington residents who served in any branch, including the National Guard, with an honorable discharge or federal VA benefit eligibility. Spouses of residents, widows of eligible veterans, and Gold Star Parents also qualify.	Washington Soldiers Home in Orting (128 beds), Washington Veterans Home in Port Orchard (240), Spokane Veterans Home (100), and Walla Walla Veterans Home (80). The federal VA may pay for nursing care for veterans rated 70-100% service-connected. Medicare, Medicaid, insurance, and private pay are also accepted.	dva.wa.gov

Other benefits

Washington: other benefits for veterans
Benefit	Who qualifies	Amount	Source
Lifetime Disabled Veteran Pass (state parks, WDFW and DNR lands)	Washington resident veteran with a combined service-connected disability rating of 30% or more (VA award letter required).	Free ($15 replacement). Free day-use parking, boat launch, trailer dump, camping and moorage at state parks, plus free day-use parking and all Discover Pass privileges on WDFW and DNR lands. Excludes extra-vehicle and overnight unattended vehicle fees, dockside utility hook-ups, roofed shelters (cabins, yurts), vacation homes, group camps, day-use shelters, and Sno-Parks.	parks.wa.gov

Common questions

Does Washington have a property tax exemption for disabled veterans?

Washington lists 2 veteran property tax benefits. The main one: Senior Citizen and Disabled Persons Property Tax Exemption (disabled veteran eligibility path). Who qualifies: Veteran of any age entitled to and receiving VA compensation at a combined service-connected evaluation of 40% or higher, or at the 100% rate for a service-connected disability (RCW 84.36.381(3); DOR exemption page). Note: DOR's PT0017 brochure (9/23/2024) and Form 64-0002 (rev. 9/17/24) still show the older 80% figure. Must own and occupy the home as a primary residence and meet the requirement by Dec. 31 of the assessment year. Combined disposable income must be at or below the county's Income Threshold 3 (tax years 2024-2026: e.g., King $84,000, Snohomish $75,000, Pierce $64,000, Clark $62,000, Spokane $50,000; tax years 2027-2029: King $101,000, Snohomish $91,000, Pierce $85,000, Clark $85,000, Spokane $74,000). VA disability compensation and DIC are excluded from disposable income.. Amount: Three levels based on income. Level 3 (at or below Threshold 3): exempt from excess (voter-approved) levies and Part 2 of the state school levy. Level 2 (at or below Threshold 2): same, plus exempt from regular levies on the greater of $50,000 or 35% of assessed value, capped at $70,000. Level 1 (at or below Threshold 1): same, plus exempt from regular levies on the greater of $60,000 or 60% of assessed value. The residence's taxable value is also frozen at its value in the first year you qualify. (WA Department of Revenue - Property tax exemption for seniors, people retired due to disability, and veterans with disabilities).

How do I apply for the Washington veteran property tax exemption?

Apply to your county assessor with Form 64-0002 and the Combined Disposable Income Worksheet, plus proof of the VA rating. Applications are due by Dec. 31 of the assessment year; the assessor may accept late applications. Refunds can be claimed for taxes due within the prior 3 years (separate application per year). The assessor notifies you when a renewal is due. (WA Department of Revenue - Property tax exemption for seniors, people retired due to disability, and veterans with disabilities).

Does Washington tax military retirement pay?

Not taxed. Washington does not currently have an individual income tax, so military retired pay is not subject to state income tax. Amount or limit: No limit; the full amount is untaxed. DOR says a new 9.9% income tax on individual and married-joint adjusted gross income above $1 million takes effect Jan. 1, 2028, with first returns due April 2029. (dor.wa.gov).

What other benefits do veterans get in Washington?

Disabled American Veteran license plates with license fee exemption (dol.wa.gov); Reduced-fee hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans (RCW 77.32.480) (wdfw.wa.gov); Lifetime Disabled Veteran Pass (state parks, WDFW and DNR lands) (parks.wa.gov); Tuition and fee waiver for eligible veterans and National Guard members (RCW 28B.15.621) (dva.wa.gov); Tuition waiver for dependents of veterans rated 100% disabled or who died as a result of military service (dva.wa.gov); State veterans homes (4) (dva.wa.gov); Veterans' preference in state civil service exams (RCW 41.04.010, RCW 73.16.010) (careers.wa.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.

Washington senior property tax relief → Washington 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 →