An estimated 608,198 veterans live in Georgia, making up 7.2% of the state's population or the 21st-highest of the 56 U.S. states, inhabited territories and District of Columbia.
Georgia Military and Veteran Income Taxes
Military Retiree Income Tax
Military retirees younger than 62 may exclude up to $17,500 of retired pay, along with an additional $17,500, for those with more than $17,500 of earned income in the state. Exclusions of $35,000 for ages 62 to 64 and $65,000 for 65 and older exist for all Georgia retirees. The same applies to Survivor Benefit Plan payments.
Active-Duty Income Tax
Follows federal tax rules.
Georgia Veteran Property Taxes
Veterans who are 100% disabled or receive Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability for loss of vision or limbs, along with and their unremarried surviving spouses, receive an exemption of up to $121,812. Several factors determine the amount.
Georgia Military and Veteran Education Benefits
Military/Veteran Education
No state-provided benefits.
Military Dependent Education
No state-provided benefits.
Georgia Military and Veteran Employment Benefits
Veteran Hiring Preference
Hiring preference: War veterans receive a 5-point credit for state employment. Veterans with a VA disability rating of 10% or more receive a 10-point credit.
Firefighting: Military firefighter training fulfills the basic training requirement for full-time, part-time and volunteer firefighters, including airport firefighters.
Business licenses: Veterans with at least a 10% federal VA disability rating may receive an exemption from any occupation tax, administrative fee or regulatory fee imposed by local governments for peddling, conducting a business or practicing a profession or semi-profession for 10 years.
Military Spouse Employment
Spouses of disabled veterans whose disability disqualifies them from state employment, and unremarried surviving spouses of veterans who died during wartime, may receive a 10-point credit on their state exam.
Georgia Veteran Housing and Veterans Homes
Veterans Homes
Georgia's two veterans homes are in Augusta and Milledgeville. Honorably discharged state veterans with wartime service may apply.
The federal Aid and Attendance benefit may help offset the modest daily fee. Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 70% or higher, or whose admission is due to a service-connected condition, do not have to pay the fee, as the federal VA pays in full.
Homeless Veterans
No state benefits.
Adapted Housing
No veteran-specific benefits. Georgia's Home Access Program provides grants of up to $10,000 for patients with traumatic brain and spinal-cord injuries.
Georgia Veteran Financial Assistance
See "Business licenses" under "Veteran Hiring Preference."
Georgia Veteran Legal Assistance
The Military Legal Assistance Program, part of the Georgia Legal Services Program, connects service members and veterans with state bar members willing to provide free or reduced-fee legal services for legal needs related to military service.
Georgia Military and Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting/Fishing
Honorably discharged resident veterans who served 90 or more days on federal active duty may receive the One Time Veterans Hunting and Fishing License, a one-year license available only once; and receive a 20% discount on the Adult Lifetime Sportsman's License.
Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled may receive a discounted, three-year disability sportsman's license.
Honorably discharged resident veterans may purchase a Georgia Adult Lifetime Sportsman's License at a 20% discount.
Parks/Camping
State resident veterans with a service-connected disability and an honorable discharge may receive a discount card good for 25% off entrance fees to Georgia state parks, historical sites and recreational areas.
Georgia Veteran Transportation Benefits
Honorably discharged Georgia veterans may receive a free driver's license. A member or former member of the National Guard with 20 or more years of creditable service also qualifies.
Any member of the Georgia National Guard or a reserve component who is in good standing and has completed at least a year of satisfactory service may receive a free National Guard Driver's License.
The spouse of a qualified veteran whose disabilities preclude operating a motor vehicle may receive a free honorary driver's license. Unremarried surviving spouses of eligible deceased veterans are also eligible.
Georgia Veteran Burial Benefits
Veterans Cemeteries
Georgia's two veterans cemeteries are in Milledgeville and Glennville. Eligibility requirements are the same as for burial in a federal VA cemetery and require an other-than-dishonorable discharge.
More Information
Visit the Georgia Department of Veterans Service website for more information on any of these programs.
-- Additional reporting by Jim Absher.
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