State file · MT
Veteran benefits in Montana
Montana has no sales tax, offers partial exemptions on retirement income, and backs tuition waivers for veterans and surviving dependents through the Board of Regents. Here is how the benefits line up.
Back to the state mapMontana file
Financial benefits
Retirement income taxes
Montana taxes pension and retirement income received while residing in the state to the extent it is taxable federally, but exemptions of roughly $4,070 to $4,700 per individual apply depending on income and filing status. Joint filers with combined federal adjusted gross income of about $33,910 or less can exclude up to roughly $8,140 total.
Survivor compensation
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of service members who died in the line of duty.
Veterans' organization property exemptions
Buildings owned by organizations of honorably discharged military personnel used for educational, fraternal, benevolent, or charitable purposes qualify for a property tax exemption, and certain property held by legal guardians of incompetent veterans derived from VA payments is exempt.
No sales tax
Montana levies no statewide sales tax and counties cannot levy one either; the gasoline tax is about 51.15 cents per gallon.
Recreation
Hunting & fishing license discounts
Montana veterans with a disability rating may be eligible for a discount on hunting and fishing licenses.
Education programs
Board of Regents tuition waivers
Tuition waivers are offered for veterans, war orphans, and surviving dependents of deceased National Guard service members, continuing as long as reasonable academic progress is maintained.
Grateful Nation Montana
An organization created to facilitate college educations for the children of service members killed while on active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Veteran housing
Montana State Veterans Homes
State veterans homes at Columbia Falls and Glendive serve veterans discharged under other than dishonorable conditions who require skilled nursing care; spouses may be eligible, and residents pay based on need.
Employment & job training
State hiring preference
Honorably discharged veterans receive 5 points added to state employment examination scores, and veterans with a VA service-connected disability receive 10 points.
Paid military leave
Public employees who have served at least 6 months receive 15 workdays of paid military leave per year, with carryover limited to 240 hours in any calendar or academic year.
USERRA protections
Federal law protects the civilian job rights and benefits of veterans and members of Reserve components.
Burials & memorials
National cemeteries in Montana
Options include Yellowstone National Cemetery in Laurel and the Fort Missoula Post Cemetery in Missoula.
VA resources in Montana
Fort Harrison Regional Benefits Office
The VA regional office serving Montana for benefits claims and questions.
Official siteMontana VA Health Care System
VA medical care across the state, including the Miles City VA Clinic and Community Living Center.
Official siteBefore you apply
- First-time applicants generally need a copy of their DD-214 or discharge paperwork — keep certified copies somewhere safe.
- Most programs require a discharge under other than dishonorable conditions; a dishonorable or bad-conduct discharge may bar eligibility.
- “Active service” has a specific definition for many programs — training periods don’t always count. When in doubt, ask the agency directly.
Montana file open
Questions about what applies to you?
Programs are one thing — your situation is another. Tell us where you are and we'll help you get oriented, in plain language.