State Benefits
Arkansas military retirement pay is exempt from state taxes: Act 141 of Arkansas’ 91st General Assembly exempts Military Retired Pay from Arkansas State Income Taxes effective 1 January 2018. The full text of Act 141 can be accessed HERE.
Homestead and Personal Property Tax Exemption: Arkansas' disabled veterans who have been awarded special monthly compensation by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the loss of, or the loss of use of, one (1) or more limbs, for total blindness in one (1) or both eyes, or for service-connected one hundred percent (100%) total and permanent disability shall be exempt from payment of all state taxes on the homestead and personal property owned by the disabled veteran. Surviving spouses, so long as they remain unmarried, and dependent children, during their minority, continue this entitlement. Entitlement is also available if the veteran was killed or died within the scope of his military duties, is missing in action, or died from service connected causes as certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs. If subsequent marriage is terminated, surviving spouse may be reinstated. In all cases, annual re-certification of continued entitlement by the VA is required. In all cases, annual re-certification of continued entitlement by the VA is required. (AR Code 26-3-306 et. seq.) (The Arkansas Attorney General's opinion on tax exempt status - Opinion No. 2009-054)
Gross Receipt of Tax Exemption: Gross receipts or proceeds derived from the sale of a new automobile to a veteran who is blind as a result of a service-connected injury. Registration will require an entitlement letter from the VA and will be limited to one new vehicle every two (2) years. This exemption defines automobile as a passenger vehicle or pickup truck but does not include trucks with a maximum gross load in excess of three-quarter (3/4) ton and does not include any trailer. (AR Code 26-52-415 et. seq.)
Gross receipts or gross proceeds derived from the sale of motor vehicles and adaptive equipment to disabled veterans who have purchased the motor vehicles or adaptive equipment with the financial assistance of the Department of Veterans Affairs as provided under 38 U.S.C. §§ 1901 - 1905. (AR Code 26-52-401(6) et. seq.)
Income Tax Exemption: Arkansas military retirement pay is exempt from state taxes: Act 141 of Arkansas’ 91st General Assembly exempts Military Retired Pay from Arkansas State Income Taxes effective 1 January 2018. The full text of Act 141 can be accessed HERE.
Arkansas State Parks:The Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism provides Arkansas resident veterans, who have a permanent service connected 100% disability rate, the ability to camp for half price in Arkansas State Parks. Proof of 100% status is required. For veterans, this should be a copy of the Awards letter (dated within the last two years) from the Veterans Administration Regional Office or an Arkansas license plate with the letters DV. The discount offered to senior citizens and disabled citizens does not apply to winter rates or Rent-A-Camp options.
Hunting and Fishing License: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission provides discounted hunting and fishing licenses to Arkansas veterans who are 100% totally and permanently disabled or military retirees over the age of 60. Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Fishing License ($1.50) Appliction details.
Entitles totally and permanently disabled veterans the privileges of the Resident Fisheries Conservation License. A Resident Trout Permit also must be purchased to retain trout or to fish in certain waters. Holders of this license, along with another licensed individual to assist, may fish at Family Fishing locations. Veterans must be 100% totally and permanently disabled with certification from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Proof of 60 days Arkansas residency is required. This license is available from the AGFC Little Rock office and by mail. Call (800) 364-4263 or (501) 223-6388 in the Little Rock area, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, for details.
Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Hunting License ($25)
Entitles totally and permanently disabled veterans the privileges of the Resident Sportsman's License. Annual Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration is required to hunt migratory game birds. To hunt waterfowl, state and federal waterfowl stamps also are required. Veterans must be 100% totally and permanently disabled with certification from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Proof of 60 days Arkansas residency is required. This license is available from the AGFC Little Rock office and by mail. Call (800) 364-4263 or (501) 223-6388 in the Little Rock area, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, for details. Application details
Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Combination License ($35.50)
Entitles totally and permanently disabled veterans the privileges of the Resident Sportsman's License (hunting) and the Resident Fisheries Conservation License (fishing). Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration is required to hunt migratory game birds. To hunt waterfowl, state and federal waterfowl stamps are also required. A trout permit must be purchased to fish in certain waters. Veterans must be 100% totally and permanently disabled with certification from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Proof of 60 days Arkansas residency is required. This license is available from the AGFC Little Rock office and by mail. Call (800) 364-4263 or (501) 223-6388 in the Little Rock area, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, for details. Application details
Resident Military Retiree Lifetime Fishing License ($10.50)
Entitles military retirees the privileges of the Resident Fisheries Conservation License. A Resident Trout Permit also must be purchased to retain trout or to fish in certain waters. Military retirees must be 60 years of age or older and provide proof of military retirement (Military ID Card). Proof of 60 days Arkansas residency is required. This license is available from all AGFC Regional Offices and by mail. Call (800) 364-4263 or (501) 223-6300 in the Little Rock area, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, for details. Application details
Resident Military Retiree Lifetime Hunting License ($25)
Entitles military retirees the privileges of the Resident Sportsman's License. Annual Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration is required to hunt migratory game birds. To hunt waterfowl, state and federal waterfowl stamps also are required. Military retirees must be 60 years of age or older and provide proof of military retirement (Military ID Card). Proof of 60 days Arkansas residency is required. This license is available from all AGFC Regional Offices and by mail. Call (800) 364-4263 or (501) 223-6300 in the Little Rock area, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, for details. Application details
Resident Military Retiree Lifetime Combination License ($35.50)
Entitles military retirees the privileges of the Resident Sportsman's License (hunting) and the Resident Fisheries Conservation License (fishing). Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration is required to hunt migratory game birds. To hunt waterfowl, state and federal waterfowl stamps are also required. A trout permit must be purchased to fish in certain waters. Military retirees must be 60 years of age or older and provide proof of military retirement (Military ID Card). Proof of 60 days Arkansas residency is required. This license is available from all AGFC Regional Offices and by mail. Call (800) 364-4263 or (501) 223-6300 in the Little Rock area, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, for details. Application details
Educational Benefits: The Arkansas Department of Higher Education has the authority to provide free tuition and fees at any state supported college, university, technical school, or vocational school; to the spouse and children of any Arkansan who has been declared to be Prisoner of War or placed in a missing-in-action status since January 1, 1960. The same provisions apply to the surviving spouse and children of any Arkansas resident killed in action since 1960. The Arkansas Department of Education is located at 4 Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, phone 501-682-4475. (AR Code 6-82-601 et. seq.)
In State Tuition
Regardless of residence, a state-supported institution of higher education, trade schools, or vocational schools shall classify a student as in-state, in-county, in-district, or resident for the purpose of tuition and fees applicable for all programs of study, including distance learning programs, if the student is a:
- (1) Veteran who was discharged or released from a period of not less than ninety (90) days of active duty in the military, naval, or air service within three (3) years before the date of enrollment in a program of study;
- (2) Dependent of a veteran under subdivision (1) of this 2 section;
- (3) A member of the armed forces
- (4) A spouse of a member of the armed forces (AR Code § 6-60-205)
License Plates: The Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration Office of Motor Vehicle will provide (upon receipt of proper certification letters) a number of special privileges and benefits for Arkansas residents, including special license plates. Call your revenue office to be sure that office has the plates. Most of these plates will require DD214, a letter from the regional office in Little Rock or statement of benefits letter. Statement of benefits letters are usually mailed January through February from the VA. If you cannot locate your DD 214 or statement of benefits letter, contact your County Veteran Service Officer or District Veteran Service Officer. Your county veteran service officer or district veteran service officer can assist you in obtaining a regional office letter also.
ADVA is working with DFA Motor Vehicles to get samples of the required "VA letters" to bring precision to the online instructions.
Armed Forces Reserves Retired License
Congressional Medal of Honor License
Disabled Veteran License (at least 30 percent )
Disabled Veteran License (100 percent and a member of the DAV)
Employment: The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services provides employment counseling and referral services tailored to the special needs of veterans. They also maintain an ongoing program of job development designed to create jobs and preferences for all veterans, through the Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVER's) and the Disabled Veterans Outreach program (DVOP).
Diplomas for Veterans: High School Diplomas can be obtained for WWII veterans as well as Korean and Vietnam veterans who were called up for active duty service before finishing high school. Qualifying veterans should contact their school superintendent or the Arkansas Department of Education.
