- Veterans with a service-connected total disability who were honorably discharged are fully exempt from all ad valorem (property) taxes on their homestead — surviving spouses retain this exemption if unremarried.
- Military retirement pay is fully exempt from Mississippi income tax; VA disability pay and DIC are also tax-free.
- The Veterans Home Purchase Board offers low-interest mortgage loans up to $400,000 for eligible Mississippi veterans.
- State National Guard members receive up to $10,000 per year in tuition assistance at state institutions.
- Veterans with a 100% disability rating are exempt from hunting and fishing license requirements.
- Mississippi has five state Veterans Homes providing long-term care, and operates the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Newton.
Table of Contents
- State Tax Benefits
- Property Tax Exemptions
- Housing and Home Loan Benefits
- Education Benefits
- Employment Benefits
- Vehicle and License Plate Benefits
- Recreation and Hunting/Fishing
- Veterans Homes
- Mississippi Veterans Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions
Mississippi is home to approximately 170,000 veterans. The state’s benefit package is strongest in the tax and property tax categories — military retirement pay is fully exempt from state income tax, and 100% disabled veterans pay no property taxes on their homestead. The Veterans Home Purchase Board provides state-backed home loans that complement federal VA loan benefits, and the state’s five veterans homes provide long-term care options across the region. This guide covers all major Mississippi veteran benefits for 2026.
USMilitary.org is an independent educational resource, not affiliated with the Mississippi Veterans Affairs (MSVA), the VA, or any government agency. For official benefit information, visit msva.ms.gov or contact your local County Veterans Service Officer.
State Tax Benefits
Military Retirement Pay
Mississippi fully exempts military retirement pay from state income tax. Retirement income, pensions, and annuities are exempt from Mississippi income tax when the recipient has met their retirement plan requirements. This is one of Mississippi’s strongest veteran tax benefits, providing full relief for military retirees regardless of retirement date or disability status.
SBP and Survivor Benefits
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP), and Retired Serviceman’s Family Protection Plan (RSFPP) annuities are not taxed in Mississippi.
VA Disability Pay and DIC
Mississippi does not tax VA disability compensation or military disability retirement pay. DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation) paid to eligible survivors is also fully tax-free under Mississippi law.
Military Pay Exemptions for Active Duty and Guard/Reserve
Mississippi income tax exemptions for active military pay include:
- Pay received while serving in a designated combat zone
- The first $15,000 received by a reserve component service member for: inactive duty training (monthly or special drills), active duty training (summer camps, special schools, cruises), and state active duty (emergency duty)
All other military pay received by Mississippi resident service members is taxable in Mississippi. The $15,000 exemption applies to all Mississippi National Guard and Reserve members.
Military Spouse Tax Exemption
Under the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act (MSRRA), spouses of nonresident service members stationed in Mississippi are exempt from Mississippi income tax on wages earned in Mississippi, provided the service member and spouse share the same state of legal residence. Spouses must file a Mississippi Nonresident/Part-Year Resident Individual Income Tax Return and provide a copy of their dependent ID card and a State of Legal Residence Certificate.
Paid Leave for Mississippi State Employees
Mississippi state employees who are reserve component service members receive 15 working days of paid military leave per year without loss of pay, time, annual leave, or efficiency rating. Service members attending duty beyond 15 days are authorized leave of absence and are entitled to reemployment upon return.
Property Tax Exemptions
100% Disabled Veteran — Full Homestead Exemption
Honorably discharged veterans with a service-connected total disability are exempt from all ad valorem (property) taxes on the assessed value of their homestead property. This is a complete exemption with no income limit and no cap on home value.
Eligibility requirements:
- Honorably discharged from military service
- Service-connected total disability rating from the VA
- Property must be the veteran’s homestead (primary residence)
Unremarried surviving spouses of qualifying veterans are also eligible for the full exemption. To apply, contact your County Tax Assessor’s Office with your VA disability award letter, DD-214, and proof of homestead status. Annual refiling may be required — confirm with your local assessor.
Veterans Over Age 90
Honorably discharged veterans age 90 or older are also exempt from property taxes on their homestead, regardless of disability status.
Homestead Exemption Tiers for Other Residents
Mississippi’s standard homestead exemption program offers tiered relief that may also benefit veterans:
- Tier 1 (Regular): Up to $300 credit against property taxes for qualifying homeowners
- Tier 2 (Age/Disability): Homeowners over age 65 by January 1, or classified as totally disabled, receive a property tax exemption on the first $7,500 of assessed value
Housing and Home Loan Benefits
Veterans Home Purchase Board (VHPB)
The Mississippi Veterans Home Purchase Board works with eligible Mississippi veterans to obtain VA-backed mortgages with favorable terms. The program offers low-interest mortgage loans of up to $400,000 for the purchase of a single-family residence in Mississippi.
Eligible applicants:
- Mississippi veterans
- Current active duty military personnel
- Current members of the Mississippi National Guard or Reserves with more than six years of service
This is a state-level program that works alongside federal VA loan benefits. Contact MSVA or the Veterans Home Purchase Board directly for current interest rates and application procedures.
Federal VA Home Loan Benefits
All eligible Mississippi veterans can also access federal VA home loan benefits — $0 down payment, no PMI, and competitive rates — through VA-approved private lenders. Mississippi’s full property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans makes VA loans even more financially advantageous in the state. See our VA Loan guide for eligibility and application details.
Ready to Use Your VA Loan Benefit?
Compare rates from top VA lenders and find the best fit for your home purchase.
Compare VA LendersFree quotes – No obligation – Takes 2 minutes
Education Benefits
National Guard Tuition Assistance
Mississippi National Guard members receive tuition assistance at state institutions to the extent allowed by available funds, up to a maximum of $10,000 per year for full-time undergraduates. Contact the Mississippi Military Department for current program availability and application procedures.
In-State Tuition for Veterans
Veterans who are present in Mississippi pay in-state tuition at state institutions, regardless of formal residency status.
Want updates when benefit rates change?
Join thousands of service members who get our free weekly briefing.
Children of POW/MIA Veterans — Eight-Semester Scholarship
Children of veterans who were prisoners of war or missing in action may receive an eight-semester scholarship at a Mississippi state institution at no cost, excluding books, food, supplies, and extracurricular activity fees. Contact MSVA for eligibility requirements and application procedures.
Honorary High School Diploma
Mississippi school boards may award honorary high school diplomas to veterans of World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam Conflict who were unable to complete their education due to military service. Eligible veterans must be honorably discharged and Mississippi residents. Contact your local school district for application procedures.
Military Family Education Protections (MIC3)
Mississippi participates in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (MIC3), protecting children of military families from educational disadvantages caused by frequent moves and parental deployments.
Employment Benefits
State Employment Veterans Preference
The Mississippi State Personnel Board grants:
- 5 preference points to fully qualified veterans over other applicants for initial or promotional state government appointments
- 10 preference points to disabled veterans
- 4 retention points to veterans during layoffs
- 8 retention points to disabled veterans during layoffs
Veterans who indicate veteran status on their state employment application are listed at the top of the eligible applicant list, with disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients at the very top. Be sure to note your veteran status when applying for any Mississippi state position.
Reserve Component Reemployment Rights
Reserve component members who leave Mississippi state employment for military duty or training are entitled to be restored to their previous or similar position upon return, in the same status, pay, and seniority, provided they meet eligibility criteria including timely application for reemployment and honorable discharge.
Military and Spouse Professional License Expediting
Military members and spouses who move to Mississippi due to an active duty transfer may more quickly obtain licenses for many professions. Contact the relevant Mississippi licensing board for your occupation.
Vehicle and License Plate Benefits
Disabled Veteran Vehicle License Plate — $1
Eligible disabled veterans can purchase one motor vehicle license plate or motorcycle tag for their resident county for $1. This is one of the most affordable disabled veteran vehicle benefits in the country.
Former POW Exemption
Resident former prisoners of war can obtain one annual motor vehicle plate or tag exempt from all motor vehicle registration fees and privilege taxes. The plate can be used on a private passenger vehicle or pickup truck in their county of residence. Unremarried surviving spouses can also receive this exemption.
Specialty Veterans License Plates
Mississippi offers 18 different specialty veterans license plates with varying tag fees. Visit the Mississippi Department of Revenue’s website for the full list and current fee schedules.
Recreation and Hunting/Fishing
100% Disabled Veterans — License Exemption
Mississippi resident veterans with a 100% VA disability rating are not required to obtain hunting or fishing licenses. Veterans must carry proof of age, Mississippi residency, and their 100% service-connected disability rating while hunting or fishing. A Disabled Exempt License ($5 annual fee) serves as a single proof document — it is not required but is a convenient option.
Hunting and Fishing Discount for Other Veterans
Veterans with disability ratings below 100% may qualify for reduced-cost licenses. Contact the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for current license schedules and eligibility tiers by rating.
Veterans Homes
Mississippi operates five state Veterans Homes providing long-term skilled nursing care across the state. All homes are operated by the Mississippi Veterans Affairs:
- Collins Veterans Home — Collins, MS (Covington County)
- Holly Springs Veterans Home — Holly Springs, MS (Marshall County)
- Jackson Veterans Home — Jackson, MS (Hinds County)
- Kosciusko Veterans Home — Kosciusko, MS (Attala County)
- Oxford Veterans Home — Oxford, MS (Lafayette County)
Admission is based on clinical need and availability. Contact MSVA at (601) 576-4850 or toll-free at (877) 203-5632 for eligibility, admission criteria, and payment assistance information.
Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery
Mississippi operates the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Newton, MS. The cemetery is open to honorably discharged veterans and their eligible spouses. Contact MSVA for burial eligibility and scheduling information.
Mississippi Veterans Resources
- Mississippi Veterans Affairs (MSVA): msva.ms.gov — (601) 576-4850 or toll-free (877) 203-5632
- County Veterans Service Officers: Free assistance with federal and state benefits — find your local VSO through MSVA
- Mississippi VA Medical Centers: Jackson (G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery VA Medical Center), plus community-based outpatient clinics in Biloxi, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Meridian, Tupelo, and more
- Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) Veterans Services: mdes.ms.gov
- Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988, then press 1
For a full overview of federal VA benefits available to all veterans regardless of state, see our VA Benefits guide and VA Loan overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — Mississippi fully exempts military retirement pay from state income tax. There is no cap on the exemption amount, no minimum service requirement, and no income limit. SBP and survivor benefit annuities are also fully exempt. VA disability compensation and military disability retirement pay are similarly tax-free under Mississippi law.
Honorably discharged veterans with a service-connected total disability rating from the VA qualify for full exemption from all property (ad valorem) taxes on their homestead. Unremarried surviving spouses of qualifying veterans also receive the exemption. There is no income limit and no cap on home value. Veterans over age 90 also qualify regardless of disability status. Contact your County Tax Assessor to apply — you’ll need your VA disability award letter, DD-214, and proof of homestead residency.
Mississippi veterans have access to two home loan programs. The Mississippi Veterans Home Purchase Board (VHPB) offers state-backed low-interest mortgage loans up to $400,000 for eligible veterans and National Guard members. Separately, all eligible veterans can access federal VA home loan benefits through VA-approved private lenders — $0 down payment, no PMI, and competitive rates. These programs can complement each other. See our VA Loan guide for federal benefit details.
Yes. Mississippi National Guard members may receive tuition assistance at state institutions up to $10,000 per year for full-time undergraduates, subject to fund availability. Additionally, Guard and Reserve members called to federal active duty or state active duty may qualify for the $15,000 military pay income tax exemption on qualifying duty pay. Contact the Mississippi Military Department for current tuition assistance availability.
Contact the Mississippi Veterans Affairs (MSVA) at (601) 576-4850 or your local County Veterans Service Officer for free assistance navigating both state and federal benefits. For property tax exemptions, contact your County Tax Assessor directly. For the VHPB home loan program, contact MSVA or the Veterans Home Purchase Board. The MSVA website at msva.ms.gov provides statewide contact information and current program details.