Missouri State Veteran Benefits 2026: Complete Guide to Tax Exemptions, Education & State Programs

Key Takeaways

• Tax-Free Military Retirement: Missouri fully exempts military retirement pay from state income tax, plus active-duty pay and combat zone pay are also exempt
• Returning Heroes Education: Combat veterans pay only $50 per credit hour for undergraduate courses at Missouri public colleges—one of the lowest rates in the nation
• National Guard Tuition Waiver: Beginning 2025-2026, Guard members can receive tuition and fee waivers (after federal aid) for up to 120 credit hours at state institutions
• Property Tax Credit: 100% disabled veterans receive up to $1,100 in property tax credits ($750 for renters), subject to income limits
• Hunting/Fishing Exemption: Veterans with 60%+ disability or former POWs can hunt small game and fish without permits (deer, turkey, migratory birds still require permits)
• Seven State Veterans Homes: Missouri operates 1,238 skilled nursing beds across facilities in Cameron, Cape Girardeau, Mexico, Mount Vernon, St. James, St. Louis, and Warrensburg

Table of Contents

• Income Tax Benefits
• Property Tax Benefits
• Education Benefits
• Employment Preference
• Motor Vehicle Benefits
• Recreation Benefits
• State Veterans Homes
• State Veterans Cemeteries
• Legal Assistance
• How to Apply
• Frequently Asked Questions

Missouri is home to approximately 341,000 veterans, representing about 7.1% of the state’s adult population. The Show-Me State offers substantial tax benefits, including fully exempt military retirement pay, along with strong education programs and seven state veterans homes providing skilled nursing care. This guide covers all major Missouri veteran benefits with current 2026 information.

Income Tax Benefits

Missouri provides extensive income tax relief for military members and veterans, making it one of the more tax-friendly states for military retirees.

Military Retirement Pay Exemption

Military retirement pay is 100% exempt from Missouri state income tax. This includes retirement pay from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans can deduct their total military retirement benefits from their federal adjusted gross income when filing Missouri taxes using Form MO-A, Part 1, Line 10.

Active-Duty Pay Exemption

Service members serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces can deduct their military pay from Missouri taxable income, as long as that pay is included in federal adjusted gross income. This includes reserve component members during their annual training periods.

• Air Force Pay & Ranks
• Army Pay & Ranks
• Coast Guard Pay & Ranks
• Marine Corps Pay and Ranks
• Navy Pay & Ranks
• Space Force Pay and Ranks

Combat Zone Pay

Military pay received while serving in a designated combat zone is exempt from Missouri income tax. Service members deployed to combat zones also receive a 180-day extension to file and pay any owed income tax after returning from deployment.

Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Annuities

For the 2025 tax year, survivors receiving SBP, Reserve Component SBP (RCSBP), or Retired Serviceman’s Family Protection Plan (RSFPP) annuities may deduct up to $47,633 from their Missouri taxable income. Survivors who meet income limitations may qualify for 100% exemption of their annuities.

VA Disability Compensation

VA disability compensation and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) are tax-free at both federal and state levels in Missouri.

Military Spouse Exemption

Nonresident spouses of nonresident service members stationed in Missouri under military orders are exempt from Missouri income tax on wages earned in the state. Military spouses can choose Missouri, their state of legal residence, or the service member’s state of legal residence for tax purposes.

Property Tax Benefits

Missouri offers property tax relief for certain disabled veterans, though these benefits are more limited than some other states.

Property Tax Credit for 100% Disabled Veterans

The Missouri Property Tax Credit provides eligible 100% disabled veterans credit for a portion of real estate taxes or rent paid for the year:

• Maximum Credit for Homeowners: $1,100
• Maximum Credit for Renters: $750

The actual credit amount is based on the amount of real estate taxes (or rent paid) and total household income. Veterans with 100% service-connected disability do not need to include VA disability payments when calculating income for this credit.

Income Limits (for 100% disabled veterans):

• Renters and Part-Year Owners: $27,200 or less (single); $29,200 or less (married filing jointly)
• Full-Year Homeowners: $30,000 or less (single); $34,000 or less (married filing jointly)

Note: Veterans renting from a tax-free facility are not eligible for this credit.

Full Property Tax Exemption for Disabled POWs

Missouri residents who are former prisoners of war with a 100% total service-connected disability rating from the VA are eligible for a complete property tax exemption on their homestead. This benefit is established by Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2.

Note: As of 2025, Missouri does not offer a general full property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans who are not former POWs. Legislation has been proposed in recent years to expand this benefit.

Education Benefits

Missouri provides strong education benefits for veterans, combat veterans, National Guard members, and military dependents.

Missouri Returning Heroes Act

One of Missouri’s most valuable education benefits, the Returning Heroes Act limits tuition to just $50 per credit hour for eligible combat veterans attending Missouri public colleges and universities.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Served on active duty in a designated combat zone after September 11, 2001, for at least 30 consecutive days
• Combat zone must be documented on field 13 of your DD214
• Entered military service as a Missouri resident (documented on DD214)
• Must be pursuing an undergraduate degree
• Must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA
• Reserve or National Guard members qualify if called to active federal service for 30+ days in a combat zone

Graduate Students: Graduate students who qualify for the Returning Heroes Act pay 30% of the standard tuition and fees.

This tuition reduction is applied before federal and state student aid, meaning veterans can stack this benefit with GI Bill and other assistance. For more information, visit the Missouri Department of Higher Education.

National Guard Tuition Assistance and Waiver

Missouri offers two education assistance programs for National Guard members:

State Tuition Assistance (STA):

• Up to 39 semester hours per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30)
• Covers tuition up to the rate charged at the University of Missouri-Columbia (approximately $346 per credit hour)
• Lifetime limit of 150 undergraduate credit hours
• Can be used in conjunction with Federal Tuition Assistance

Tuition and Fee Waiver (Beginning 2025-2026):

• Covers tuition and fees remaining after federal aid and other scholarships
• Available for up to 120 credit hours
• Requires FAFSA completion
• Must maintain satisfactory academic progress
• Only available if state appropriations maintain funding levels

Wartime Veterans Survivors Grant

This annual grant supports children and spouses of combat veterans who died or were severely injured since September 11, 2001:

• Covers tuition (lesser of actual tuition or University of Missouri-Columbia rate)
• $2,000 per semester housing allowance
• Book stipend included
• Veteran must have been a Missouri resident when entering service or at time of death/injury
• Limited to 25 recipients per year
• Recipients must be under age 25

In-State Tuition

Missouri extends in-state tuition rates to:

• National Guard members and U.S. Armed Forces Reservists at public institutions
• Dependents of nonresident active-duty service members stationed in Missouri (remains eligible as long as continuously enrolled)
• Veterans using GI Bill benefits (per federal law)

Operation Recognition

Missouri’s Operation Recognition program provides honorary high school diplomas to veterans who left school before graduation to serve in the military. Veterans must be at least 60 years old and must not already have a high school diploma. Family members may apply on behalf of deceased veterans.

Employment Preference

Missouri provides employment preferences for veterans seeking state jobs and supports workforce development for all veterans.

State Employment Preference Points

• Veterans: 5-point preference on state employment applications and exams
• Disabled Veterans: 10-point preference for those with service-connected disabilities
• Eligible Spouses: May also qualify for the same preference points as the veteran

State Employee Military Leave

Missouri state employees who serve in the National Guard or Armed Forces Reserves receive a leave of absence with pay for 120 work hours per federal fiscal year for required military duty.

Veterans Employment Programs

The Missouri Division of Workforce Development provides:

• Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVER): Job placement assistance and employment opportunities
• Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP): Case management and career development for veterans with service-connected disabilities

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Waiver

Active-duty and retired military can waive the skills testing portion of a CDL if they have:

• Minimum 60 days of active-duty experience driving commercial motor vehicles for the military
• Experience occurred within 2 years of applying for the waiver
• Still required to complete knowledge examinations

Motor Vehicle Benefits

Disabled Veteran License Plates

Missouri offers Disabled Veteran license plates with the following benefits:

• First set of plates: Free (no specialty, transfer, processing, or replacement fees)
• Additional sets: Subject to standard fees
• Personalization available at no extra charge
• Requires VA documentation showing service-connected disability (no more than one year old)

Veterans with permanent disabilities from the VA are exempt from the four-year recertification requirement for disabled license plates or placards.

Veteran Designation on Driver’s License

Missouri veterans can add a “Veteran” designation to their state driver’s license or ID card at no additional cost (standard processing fees still apply). This designation can help access veteran discounts and verify status for various benefits.

Military License Plates

Missouri offers over 40 distinctive military license plates honoring various service branches, awards, and service types. These include plates for each branch, Purple Heart recipients, disabled veterans, Gold Star families, and various campaign medals.

Recreation Benefits

Hunting and Fishing Permit Exemptions

The Missouri Department of Conservation provides permit exemptions for qualified disabled veterans:

Eligible Veterans (60%+ disability, POWs, or Warrior Transition Program participants):

• May hunt small game and fish without a permit
• Still need permits for: deer, turkey, migratory birds, and trout
• May purchase required permits at resident prices (even nonresidents)
• Must carry VA eligibility letter while hunting or fishing

Active-Duty Members:

• Active-duty members and families stationed in Missouri can purchase permits at resident rates
• Missouri residents called to federal active duty (or within 12 months of service) qualify for a $5 combination permit for hunting small game, fishing, and trapping

Permit Reinstatement: Service members who purchase a permit but deploy out of state before using it qualify for free reinstatement upon return.

State Park Camping Discount

Service members, veterans, and family members of active-duty service members receive a $2 per night discount on camping fees year-round at Missouri State Parks. Show a Military Common Access Card, Uniformed Services ID, VA ID, or Missouri driver’s license with “Veteran” designation to receive the discount.

Special Veteran Hunts

Missouri State Parks partners with the Missouri Veterans Commission to offer annual deer hunts exclusively for veterans:

• Hero Hunt: Mark Twain State Park
• General Crowder Hunt: Crowder State Park
• 35 veterans selected annually for each hunt

Veterans Free Fishing Days

Missouri’s trout parks host free fishing events specifically for veterans:

• Bennett Spring: Usually third Saturday in April
• Roaring River: Usually a Saturday in mid-September
• Montauk: Usually the Saturday after Labor Day
• Maramec Spring: Contact park for dates

State Veterans Homes

Missouri operates seven state veterans homes providing long-term skilled nursing care with a total of 1,238 beds. These facilities are among the most extensive veterans home systems in the nation.

Locations

• Cameron: 1101 W 1st St, Cameron, MO 64429 | (816) 632-2176
• Cape Girardeau: 2400 Veterans Memorial Dr, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 | (573) 290-5870
• Mexico: 1 Veterans Dr, Mexico, MO 65265 | (573) 581-1088
• Mount Vernon: 1600 S Hickory, Mount Vernon, MO 65712 | (417) 466-7103
• St. James: 620 N Jefferson, St. James, MO 65559 | (573) 265-3271
• St. Louis: 10600 Lewis and Clark Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63136 | (314) 340-6389
• Warrensburg: 1300 Veterans Rd, Warrensburg, MO 64093 | (660) 429-4605

Eligibility

To qualify for admission to a Missouri Veterans Home:

• Meet VA criteria for veteran status
• Require 24-hour skilled nursing care
• Be a Missouri citizen who has maintained physical residency for 180 consecutive days immediately prior to application
• Honorable or general discharge
• No criminal history involving Class A or B felonies

Cost of Care

Veterans with a 70% or greater service-connected disability rating receive care at no cost—the VA covers 100% of expenses. For other veterans, costs are determined based on income and assets, with the VA providing a daily per diem. Missouri does not use Medicaid spend-down rules that require veterans to deplete their assets.

State Veterans Cemeteries

Missouri operates five active state veterans cemeteries, ensuring that every Missouri veteran has reasonable access to a veterans cemetery. All services are provided at no charge to eligible veterans, spouses, and dependent children.

Locations

• Springfield: 5201 S Southwood Rd, Springfield, MO 65804 | (417) 823-3944 | Capacity: 30,000 gravesites
• Higginsville: 20109 Business 13, Higginsville, MO 64037 | (660) 362-6111 | Capacity: 24,000 gravesites
• Bloomfield: 17357 Stars and Stripes Way, Bloomfield, MO 63825 | (573) 568-3871 | Capacity: 27,000 gravesites
• Fort Leonard Wood: 15303 Engineer Trail, Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473 | (573) 774-3496
• Jacksonville: 1479 County Road 1675, Jacksonville, MO 65260 | (660) 372-6024

Note: The cemetery at Missouri Veterans Home – St. James is not open to new interments.

Services Provided

• Opening and closing of grave or niche
• Gravesite or columbarium niche
• Government-furnished headstone or marker
• Committal shelter for interment services
• Perpetual care of gravesite

Eligibility

Eligibility mirrors federal national cemetery requirements—veterans with other-than-dishonorable discharges who completed the required period of service are eligible. There is no residency requirement for Missouri veterans cemeteries. Pre-registration for future planning is available.

Note: Veterans convicted of federal or state capital crimes are barred from burial, including those who avoid conviction due to death or flight.

Legal Assistance

DEFENDERS Program

The Missouri Attorney General’s DEFENDERS Program provides free legal assistance to service members and their dependents:

• Free legal representation for Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) claims
• USERRA employment claims assistance
• Protection against predatory business practices targeting military communities
• Legal representation for National Guard members with state active-duty employment claims
• Referrals to qualified affordable legal counsel

How to Apply for Missouri Veteran Benefits

Missouri Veterans Commission

The Missouri Veterans Commission has Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) throughout the state who provide free assistance with benefits claims and applications. Find your local VSO at the Missouri Veterans Commission website.

Central Office Contact:

• Phone: (573) 751-3779
• Email: movets@mvc.dps.mo.gov
• Website: veteranbenefits.mo.gov

Department of Revenue Military Liaison

For questions about Missouri income tax and other revenue-related matters, service members can contact the Department of Revenue’s Military Liaison:

• Email: military@dor.mo.gov
• Phone: (816) 236-9440

Key Application Resources

• Property Tax Credit: File Form MO-PTC with Missouri Department of Revenue
• Returning Heroes Education: Apply through your school’s financial aid office
• National Guard Tuition Assistance: Apply through the Missouri National Guard Education Office before each semester
• Disabled Veteran Plates: Submit Form 4601 with VA documentation to Department of Revenue
• Veterans Home Admission: Contact the admissions coordinator at your preferred home location
• Cemetery Pre-Registration: Contact the nearest veterans cemetery or submit the pre-certification application online

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer: This article is provided by USMilitary.org, an independent educational resource. We are not affiliated with the Department of Defense, VA, or any government agency. For official benefit information, please visit the Missouri Veterans Commission or contact your local Veterans Service Officer.