Montana

Veterans with 100% service-connected disability from a combat injury receive a property tax rate reduction of 50-100% on their primary residence, depending on income and marital status. Income limits for 2026: single $62,598, married $72,229, surviving spouse $54,573.

This is a rate reduction, not an exemption or credit. The tax rate applied to the home's value is lowered by 50%, 70%, 80%, or 100% depending on marital status and income level. Must be combat injury-related disability.

Up to 50% of military retirement income may be exempt from Montana state income tax. Requires Montana source income from wages, business, or farming for 5 consecutive years.

Montana has no general sales tax, benefiting all residents including veterans on everyday purchases.

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

Montana offers specialty plates for veterans including Veteran, Purple Heart, POW, branch-specific, and Gold Star plates.

Former prisoners of war receive free license plates and vehicle registration in Montana.

Wartime veterans with an honorable discharge who served in a recognized campaign receive a tuition waiver at Montana University System schools.

Veteran must have been a Montana resident at time of entry into service or for at least one year prior to application.

Fee waivers are available for dependents of Montana veterans killed in action or who died of service-connected causes.

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

Active Montana National Guard members are eligible for state tuition assistance at Montana public institutions.

Honorably discharged veterans and disabled veterans receive preference in Montana state government hiring.

Veterans receive priority of service at Montana Job Service offices with access to dedicated DVOP specialists and LVERs.

Montana recognizes military training and experience toward professional licensing and offers expedited licensing for veterans and military spouses.

Veterans with 70%+ service-connected disability receive free resident conservation license, fishing license, and deer/elk combination license.

Must be a Montana resident with VA disability documentation.

Active duty military personnel stationed in Montana may purchase hunting and fishing licenses at resident rates.

Montana offers a reduced-fee combination hunting/fishing license for all veterans at a rate lower than the standard fee.

The VA Montana Health Care System based at Fort Harrison in Helena provides comprehensive healthcare services to veterans with CBOCs across the state.

Community-Based Outpatient Clinics located in Anaconda, Billings, Bozeman, Cut Bank, Glasgow, Glendive, Great Falls, Havre, Helena, Kalispell, Lewistown, Miles City, Missoula, Plentywood, and Sidney.

Montana operates two state veterans homes: the Montana Veterans' Home in Columbia Falls (105 intermediate/skilled-care beds plus 12 domiciliary beds, including a 15-bed Alzheimer's unit, operating since 1896) and the Southwest Montana Veterans Home in Butte (60 beds in five 12-bedroom skilled nursing cottages, opened 2021). Both are Medicare/Medicaid and VA certified.

Free readjustment counseling services available at Vet Centers in Billings and Missoula for eligible veterans and their families.

Honorably discharged veterans can get a free "VETERAN" designation added to their Montana driver's license or state ID by presenting DD-214 at an MVD office.

Montana does not charge entrance fees at most state parks, making them free for all residents. Disabled veterans may also receive reduced camping fees.

Montana Veterans Affairs Division provides free VA claims assistance through Veterans Service Officers located in counties across the state.

The Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Helena provides free burial for eligible veterans, their spouses, and dependents.

Specialized veterans treatment court programs are available in multiple Montana judicial districts for veterans involved in the criminal justice system.

Montana state employees receive 15 days of paid military leave per year for military service obligations.