Massachusetts

$400 property tax exemption for veterans with a 10% or higher service-connected disability rating. Municipalities may vote to double this amount.

$750 property tax exemption for Purple Heart recipients. Municipalities may vote to double this amount.

$1,250 property tax exemption for veterans with loss of one hand, foot, or eye. Municipalities may vote to double this amount.

$1,500 property tax exemption for veterans with loss of two hands, feet, or eyes. Municipalities may vote to double this amount.

$1,500 property tax exemption for veterans who received the Congressional Medal of Honor. Municipalities may vote to double this amount.

$2,500 property tax exemption for veterans with 100% disability, total blindness, or loss of two or more limbs. Municipalities may vote to double this amount.

Full property tax exemption for veterans rated 100% permanently and totally disabled by the VA. Unremarried surviving spouses may also claim.

Massachusetts does not exempt military retirement pay from state income tax. It is subject to the standard 5% flat rate.

Massachusetts is one of the states that fully taxes military retirement pay. Active duty pay earned while stationed outside Massachusetts is exempt.

Pay earned while on active duty outside Massachusetts is exempt from state income tax.

Disabled veterans with DV plates are exempt from the annual motor vehicle excise tax.

DV plates available for veterans with a service-connected disability. Veterans with 100% disability receive free plates and are exempt from registration fees.

Free license plates for Purple Heart recipients.

Specialty plates available for veterans including Veteran, Medal of Honor, POW, Gold Star Family, and branch-specific designs.

Veterans with 100% service-connected disability, Purple Heart recipients, and Medal of Honor recipients are exempt from the annual motor vehicle excise tax.

Full tuition waiver at any Massachusetts public college or university (UMass system, state universities, community colleges). One of the strongest state education benefits in the country.

100% tuition and fee waiver at Massachusetts public institutions for active National Guard members.

Tuition waiver at Massachusetts public institutions for children and spouses of veterans who died in service, are MIA, or are 100% permanently disabled. Also available to Gold Star families.

Veterans using the GI Bill receive in-state tuition at Massachusetts public institutions regardless of residency status.

Additional financial aid resources for veterans through the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority.

Massachusetts grants absolute preference for veterans in civil service hiring — veterans go to the top of the list. Disabled veterans receive additional preference. One of the strongest veteran hiring preferences in the country.

Priority of service for veterans at MassHire Career Centers statewide with dedicated DVOP specialists and LVER staff.

Massachusetts provides expedited professional licensing for veterans and military spouses, crediting military training and experience toward licensing requirements.

Massachusetts offers procurement preferences for veteran-owned small businesses through SDO (Supplier Diversity Office) certification.

Free hunting and fishing license for Massachusetts resident veterans with 60% or higher service-connected disability or who meet the state's disabled veteran definition including Purple Heart recipients.

Paraplegic veterans receive free sporting licenses and special hunting permits.

Active duty military stationed in Massachusetts qualify for resident hunting and fishing license rates.

VA healthcare through the VA Boston Healthcare System (West Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, Brockton campuses), Bedford (Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial), and Leeds (VA Central Western Massachusetts).

State-run long-term care facilities at Holyoke (Soldiers' Home in Holyoke) and Chelsea (Soldiers' Home in Chelsea) providing long-term care, domiciliary care, and outpatient services.

Vet Centers in Boston, Brockton, Hyannis, Lowell, New Bedford, Springfield, and Worcester providing readjustment counseling, PTSD services, and MST counseling.

Multiple CBOCs across Massachusetts including Fitchburg, Framingham, Gloucester, Haverhill, Hyannis, Lowell, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Plymouth, Quincy, Springfield, and Worcester.

Veterans who do not qualify for VA care may be eligible for MassHealth under Massachusetts expanded Medicaid covering low-income adults.

Free parking at Massachusetts state parks for disabled veterans with DV plates. Veterans with 100% disability receive free parking passes from the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Massachusetts offers a veteran designation on driver's licenses and ID cards. Requires DD-214 verification at the RMV.

Massachusetts provides cash bonuses to veterans who served during certain conflicts. Amount varies by service period and location (combat zone vs. stateside).

Needs-based financial assistance for veterans including housing, food, fuel, and medical expenses. Administered by city/town Veterans' Service Officers. Massachusetts reimburses 75% of costs to municipalities. One of the most comprehensive municipal veteran aid programs in the country.

Honorably discharged veterans receive a free initial driver's license or state ID card from the RMV.

Free VA claims assistance through city/town Veterans' Service Officers. Every municipality in Massachusetts is required to have a VSO, creating a statewide network coordinated by the DVS.

Free burial for eligible veterans and dependents at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

State veterans' memorial cemetery in Agawam for eligible veteran burials.

Massachusetts has veterans treatment courts in multiple counties that connect veteran offenders with VA services, treatment, and mentors.

Massachusetts state employees receive up to 17 days of paid military leave per year, with additional unpaid leave provisions for extended deployments.

Veterans can reduce their property tax by volunteering for their municipality — up to $1,500 abatement for up to 125 hours of work.