- Wisconsin offers a full, refundable property tax credit for 100% service-connected disabled veterans and surviving spouses — one of the most generous in the nation.
- Military retirement pay is fully exempt from Wisconsin state income tax.
- The Wisconsin GI Bill remits full tuition and segregated fees at UW campuses and technical colleges for eligible veterans, spouses, and children — up to 8 semesters or 128 credits.
- Wisconsin National Guard members can receive up to 100% tuition assistance at UW-Madison equivalent rates for up to 8 semesters.
- Wisconsin has three state Veterans Homes offering long-term skilled nursing care for veterans and eligible family members.
- Veterans with disabilities receive free or discounted DNR licenses for hunting, fishing, and state parks access.
Table of Contents
- State Tax Benefits
- Property Tax Credit
- Education Benefits
- Employment Benefits
- Housing and Veterans Homes
- Recreation and Hunting/Fishing
- Vehicle and License Plate Benefits
- Wisconsin Veterans Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions
Wisconsin is home to approximately 340,000 veterans. The state offers a strong benefit package anchored by a full property tax credit for 100% disabled veterans, complete exemption of military retirement pay from state income tax, and a state-funded GI Bill that covers full tuition for veterans and their dependents at University of Wisconsin and technical college campuses. This guide covers each benefit category, eligibility requirements, and how to apply.
USMilitary.org is an independent educational resource, not affiliated with the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA), the VA, or any government agency. For official benefit information, visit dva.wi.gov or contact your County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO).
State Tax Benefits
Military Retirement Pay
Wisconsin fully exempts military retirement pay from state income tax. Retirees do not pay Wisconsin income tax on retired pay, regardless of retirement date or disability status. SBP (Survivor Benefit Plan), RCSBP, and RSFPP annuity payments are also fully exempt from Wisconsin state income tax.
Active Duty Military Pay
Military pay received by Wisconsin resident service members is taxed in Wisconsin unless it falls into an exempt category. Exemptions include:
- Combat pay: Military pay exempt from federal taxes under combat zone exclusion rules is also exempt from Wisconsin income tax.
- National Guard and Reserve active duty orders: Pay received by a reserve component service member called to federal active duty or special state service under 32 USC 502(f) is not taxed in Wisconsin. Note: This exemption does not apply to drill pay or pay received for two-week annual training.
- Death Gratuity: DoD Death Gratuity paid to surviving dependents of active duty service members who die in the line of duty is exempt from Wisconsin income tax.
Social Security Benefits
Wisconsin does not tax Social Security benefits — a meaningful financial advantage for older veterans receiving both Social Security and military retirement pay.
Combat Zone Tax Filing Extension
Any extension of time allowed under federal law for filing a federal income tax return also applies to Wisconsin income tax returns. Service members deployed to a combat zone receive the same extension for state filing purposes.
Property Tax Credit for Disabled Veterans
Wisconsin’s Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit is one of the strongest in the country — a fully refundable credit equal to 100% of the property taxes paid on a primary residence and up to one acre of land.
Eligibility
To qualify, veterans must meet all of the following:
- Served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and received an honorable discharge
- Were a Wisconsin resident at time of entry into service, or lived in Wisconsin for any five consecutive years after entering active service
- Are currently a Wisconsin resident for purposes of receiving veterans benefits
- Have a service-connected disability rating of 100%, or a 100% rating based on individual unemployability (IU)
Unremarried surviving spouses of qualifying veterans are also eligible. The credit is refundable — meaning if the credit exceeds the veteran’s tax liability, the remainder is paid as a refund.
How It Works
The credit is claimed on the Wisconsin state income tax return. Before claiming for the first time, veterans must obtain a verification certificate from the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA). This certificate must be attached to the state return in the first year — it is not required in subsequent years unless eligibility status changes.
Key details:
- Covers primary residence only — not vacation homes or rental properties
- Covers up to one acre of land with the residence
- If property is jointly owned, only the veteran’s ownership percentage may be claimed
- Dual veteran households may file jointly or separately
- Veterans paying property taxes as part of rent may also qualify with proof
Contact your County or Tribal Veterans Service Office (CVSO/TVSO) to begin the certification process. Find your local CVSO at dva.wi.gov.
Education Benefits
Wisconsin GI Bill — Tuition Remission
The Wisconsin GI Bill is a state-funded program entirely separate from federal GI Bill benefits. It remits (forgives) full tuition and segregated fees for eligible veterans, their spouses, and children at:
- Any University of Wisconsin campus
- Any Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) institution
Coverage: Up to eight full-time semesters or 128 credits, whichever is greater. Students may attend full- or part-time, and the benefit applies to all degree levels (associate, bachelor’s, graduate). The Wisconsin GI Bill and federal GI Bill may be used simultaneously — the state benefit covers what the federal benefit does not, up to the program limits.
Veteran eligibility: Honorably discharged Wisconsin resident veterans who served on active duty, with a minimum service period. Reserve component members with at least six months of active service as a Wisconsin National Guard or U.S. Armed Forces Reserve member are also eligible for in-state tuition rates.
Dependent eligibility: Spouses and children of qualifying veterans are also eligible for the Wisconsin GI Bill. This includes dependents of veterans who died in service, from service-connected causes, or who have a 30% or higher service-connected disability rating. Dependents must be Wisconsin residents and accepted at a qualifying institution.
Wisconsin National Guard Tuition Grant
Wisconsin National Guard members — warrant officers and enlisted members in good standing — may receive grants paying up to the equivalent of 100% of tuition at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, for a maximum of eight semesters. The program covers UW campuses, WTCS schools, and schools in neighboring states under Wisconsin tuition reciprocity agreements. Beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year, reciprocity arrangements are handled by the UW System.
Interstate Compact for Military Children (MIC3)
Wisconsin participates in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, which protects children of military families from educational disadvantages caused by frequent moves and deployment. Benefits include timely enrollment, protection from placement disadvantages, and graduation flexibility.
Employment Benefits
State Employment Veterans Preference
Honorably discharged veterans receive preference points on Wisconsin civil service examinations and competitive state employment processes. Disabled veterans receive additional preference. Contact the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development for current point values and application requirements.
Veterans Employment Programs
The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs coordinates with the Department of Workforce Development on veteran employment assistance, including the Veteran Job Retraining Grant program. This grant helps veterans acquire job skills in demand occupations. Contact WDVA for current grant amounts and eligibility requirements.
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Housing and Veterans Homes
Wisconsin Veterans Homes
Wisconsin operates three Veterans Homes providing long-term skilled nursing care for veterans and eligible family members:
- Wisconsin Veterans Home at King — King, WI (Waupaca County)
- Wisconsin Veterans Home at Union Grove — Union Grove, WI (Racine County)
- Wisconsin Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls — Chippewa Falls, WI (Chippewa County)
Admission is based on clinical need and eligibility. Contact WDVA at dva.wi.gov for admission criteria, availability, and payment assistance information.
WDVA Home Loan Program
The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs offers below-market interest rate home loans to eligible Wisconsin veterans. This is a state-funded program separate from the federal VA home loan benefit. Veterans may be able to use both programs. Contact WDVA for current rates, loan limits, and eligibility requirements.
Recreation and Hunting/Fishing
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers several benefits for veterans:
- Purple Heart Recipients: Free annual licenses and permits for hunting and fishing
- Returning Veterans: Free annual hunting or fishing licenses for veterans returning from active duty deployment (within 365 days of return)
- Disabled Veterans and Former POWs: Free or reduced-cost licenses depending on disability rating — contact the DNR for current eligibility tiers
- Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserves: Discounted licenses while on active duty status
State parks and trail passes are available at reduced cost or free for veterans with qualifying disability ratings. Contact the Wisconsin DNR at dnr.wisconsin.gov for current license schedules.
Vehicle and License Plate Benefits
Wisconsin offers numerous specialty veterans license plates recognizing different categories of service. Plates are available for veterans, disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients, Medal of Honor recipients, former POWs, and more. Contact the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for current plate options and fee schedules.
Disabled veterans may qualify for disability parking placards and plates through the Wisconsin DMV. Contact your County Veterans Service Officer for documentation assistance.
Wisconsin Veterans Resources
- Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA): dva.wi.gov
- County/Tribal Veterans Service Offices (CVSO/TVSO): Free assistance with benefits applications — locate your local office at dva.wi.gov
- Wisconsin VA Medical Centers: Madison (William S. Middleton Memorial), Tomah, Milwaukee (Clement J. Zablocki)
- Wisconsin DVA Veterans Benefits Field Offices: Statewide locations — contact WDVA for the nearest office
- 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
Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating (or 100% based on individual unemployability) who are Wisconsin residents qualify for the full property tax credit on their primary residence. Unremarried surviving spouses of qualifying veterans also qualify. The credit must be claimed on the Wisconsin state income tax return, and a verification certificate from WDVA is required for the first year. The credit is fully refundable — if it exceeds tax liability, the difference is issued as a refund.
No. Wisconsin fully exempts military retirement pay from state income tax. SBP, RCSBP, and RSFPP annuities are also exempt. However, regular active duty military pay (for Wisconsin residents not in a combat zone or called to federal active duty) is subject to Wisconsin income tax.
Yes. The Wisconsin GI Bill and federal GI Bill (Post-9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill) are separate programs and can be used concurrently. The Wisconsin GI Bill covers remaining tuition and segregated fees not covered by the federal benefit, up to the program’s limits (8 semesters or 128 credits). This combination can effectively reduce out-of-pocket education costs to near zero at UW and WTCS institutions.
Yes. Wisconsin National Guard members in good standing (warrant officers and enlisted) are eligible for the National Guard Tuition Grant, which covers up to 100% of UW-Madison equivalent tuition for up to 8 semesters. Guard members also qualify for in-state tuition rates at UW and WTCS schools after six months of qualifying active service.
Start with your County or Tribal Veterans Service Officer (CVSO/TVSO) — they provide free assistance navigating both state and federal benefits applications. Find your local CVSO at dva.wi.gov. For the property tax credit, contact WDVA directly to begin the certification process before filing your state return.