State file · ND
Veteran benefits in North Dakota
North Dakota exempts military retirement pay from state income tax, keeps park and license fees to a few dollars for disabled veterans, and funds a free college-prep training program. Here's the picture, category by category.
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Financial benefits
Military retirement pay exemption
Effective with the 2019 tax year, military retirement benefits are exempt from North Dakota income tax for retired military personnel and surviving spouses.
Federal active duty deduction
National Guard and Reserve members mobilized under Title 10 for federal active duty may deduct that federal active-duty compensation when calculating North Dakota taxable income.
Disability retirement pay
VA disability retirement pay is exempt if the member was entitled before September 25, 1975, was serving on September 24, 1975, has a combat-related injury, or is eligible for VA disability compensation. Dependency and Indemnity Compensation for survivors is also tax-free.
Renter's Refund Program
Provides eligible renters a partial refund on rent paid, up to a $400 maximum.
Sales tax picture
Statewide sales tax is 5.0%, with local additions of up to 3.5%; the average combined rate is roughly 5.73%.
Recreation
State park permits
Veterans with a 50% or higher disability rating and former POWs receive a free annual state park permit; other service-disabled veterans pay $20 per year.
Low-cost hunting & fishing licenses
Veterans rated 100% disabled can get a game license for $3.00 plus a $1.00 certificate fee, and veterans rated 50% or higher can get a fishing license for $5.00 plus a $1.00 certificate fee. North Dakota residents on active duty can hunt and fish without a license while home on leave.
Education programs
Veterans Educational Training (VET)
A free, state-funded program of study that prepares veterans for a certification program or a two-year or four-year college degree, including refresher training in English, computers, math, and study skills.
Dependent tuition waiver
Dependents of veterans who were killed in action, died from service-connected causes, or are totally disabled can attend any North Dakota state school without paying tuition or fees, for up to 45 months or 10 semesters.
Veteran housing
North Dakota Veterans Home at Lisbon
Provides care for honorably discharged veterans who are North Dakota residents; costs are based on income.
Employment & job training
State hiring preference
Honorably discharged veterans receive 5 points added to state employment examination scores; veterans with a service-connected disability receive 10 points. Private employers may also offer hiring preference to veterans and to spouses of permanently and totally disabled veterans.
USERRA protections
Federal law protects the civilian job rights and benefits of veterans and members of Reserve components.
Burials & memorials
Fargo National Cemetery
The national cemetery serving North Dakota, located in Harwood just north of Fargo.
North Dakota Veterans Cemetery
State cemetery eligibility follows National Cemetery Administration requirements; there is no charge for veterans and a small fee for spouses, and state residency is not required.
VA resources in North Dakota
Fargo Regional Benefit Office
The VA regional office serving North Dakota for benefits claims and questions.
Official siteBefore you apply
- First-time applicants generally need a copy of their DD-214 or discharge paperwork — keep certified copies somewhere safe.
- Most programs require a discharge under other than dishonorable conditions; a dishonorable or bad-conduct discharge may bar eligibility.
- “Active service” has a specific definition for many programs — training periods don’t always count. When in doubt, ask the agency directly.
North Dakota file open
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