State file · WI
Veteran benefits in Wisconsin
Wisconsin exempts military retirement pay from state income tax and runs one of the most generous state education benefits anywhere — the Wisconsin GI Bill's full tuition remission — alongside three state veterans homes and a refundable property tax credit.
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Financial benefits
Military retirement pay exempt
Payments received from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service for military retirement pay are not taxable in Wisconsin.
Veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit
Eligible veterans and unmarried surviving spouses receive a refundable property tax credit for their primary in-state residence and up to one acre of land, claimed through the state income tax return.
Assistance to Needy Veterans Grant
Provides limited financial assistance for specified health care and subsistence needs to veterans who have exhausted other sources of aid, up to maximum grant limits.
Sales tax picture
The statewide sales tax rate is 5.0%, with county additions of up to 0.6%; the combined average is roughly 5.458%.
Recreation
Free and discounted licenses
Disabled veterans with a 70% or higher rating get a free fishing license, and active duty members on leave get free small game and fishing licenses with military ID. Recently returned resident veterans can receive a one-time free small game, archery, gun deer, or annual fishing license, and Purple Heart recipients can buy spring turkey harvest authorizations without entering the drawing and get Conservation Patron licenses at reduced fees.
State park fee waivers
Disabled veterans with a 70% or higher rating may receive fee waivers for state park vehicle admission and trail passes.
Education programs
Wisconsin GI Bill tuition remission
Remits full tuition and segregated fees for eligible veterans and their dependents for up to eight full-time semesters or 128 credits, whichever is greater, at University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Technical College System schools. Military experience may also qualify for academic credit through the campus veterans' coordinator.
Interstate Compact for military children
Wisconsin participates in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, easing enrollment, placement, scheduling, grading, and graduation for military-connected students.
Veteran housing
Wisconsin State Veterans Homes
Wisconsin operates veterans homes at King, Union Grove, and Chippewa Falls. An honorable discharge is required and Wisconsin residents receive priority; spouses, surviving spouses, and Gold Star Parents are eligible, with monthly fees.
Employment & job training
State hiring preference
Veterans receive competitive preference in classified state service: honorably discharged veterans get 10 points added to examination scores, veterans with a disability rating under 30% get 15 points, and those rated 30% or higher get 20 points.
Occupational license fee waivers
Thirteen state agencies grant initial professional and occupational license fee waivers to qualified veterans.
Veterans retraining grants
Unemployed or underemployed veterans in financial need may receive up to $3,000 per year for a maximum of two years while retraining.
Burials & memorials
State veterans cemeteries
Wisconsin's state veterans cemeteries charge no fee for veteran burials and a small fee for dependents.
National cemetery sites
Wood National Cemetery in Milwaukee serves the state, along with national soldiers' lots at Forest Hill Cemetery (Madison), Forest Home Cemetery (Milwaukee), Fort Winnebago Cemetery (Portage), Fort Crawford Cemetery (Prairie du Chien), and Mound Cemetery (Racine).
VA resources in Wisconsin
Milwaukee Regional Office
The VA regional office serving Wisconsin 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.
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