The state of Idaho offers many veteran benefits for service members and Veterans that have served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. These benefits include income and property tax exemptions, financial exemptions, education and training programs, hunting and fishing licenses, vehicle registrations, and assistance with employment. Your residency, military career, and disability status may result in certain differences in what benefits you may be eligible for. The following are benefits for the state of Idaho.
Resident Service Member Military Income Not Taxed when Stationed Outside Idaho: When stationed outside the State of Idaho, active duty military are exempt from Idaho state income tax. The full-time duty must be continuous and uninterrupted for 120 consecutive days or more.
Idaho Retired Military Pay Income Taxes: Retirement benefits paid by the United States to a retired member of the U.S. Military or the un-remarried Surviving Spouse of such member if the recipient is age 65 or older or disabled and age 62 or older are deductible. The amount deducted must be reduced by retirement benefits paid under the Federal Social Security Act and the Federal Railroad Retirement Act.
Idaho State Taxes on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Dependency and Indemnity Compensation: Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of military service members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-related injury or disease.
Military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)/ Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP)/Retired Serviceman’s Family Protection Plan (RSFPP) Idaho State Tax Benefits: Retirement benefits paid by the United States to an un-remarried Surviving Spouse of a Service member if the recipient is age 65 or older or disabled and age 62 or older are deductible.
Idaho Military Spouses Residency Relief Act: The earned income of qualifying Spouses of Idaho Service members is no longer subject to Idaho income tax due to the federal Military Spouses Residency Relief Act (SR 475, HR 1182) passed in November of 2009.
Idaho Property Tax Reduction (Circuit Breaker) Program: The Property Tax Reduction (Circuit Breaker) Program reduces property taxes for qualified applicants. The amount of the reduction is based on income from the previous calendar year. If you qualify, the property taxes on your home and up to one acre of land may be reduced by as much as $1,320. You may qualify if you meet the following requirements:
Owned and lived in a home or mobile home in Idaho that was your primary residence
Had income of $30,050 or less for 2018
Met one or more of the following status requirements:
Age 65 or older
Surviving Spouse
Blind
Fatherless or motherless child under 18 years of age
Former prisoner of war/hostage
A Veteran with at least 10% service-connected disability or receiving VA pension for a non-service-connected disability
Disabled as recognized by the Social Security Administration, Railroad Retirement Board, or Federal Civil Service. If you’re not covered by the listed agencies, then disabled as recognized by a public employee retirement system.
Sales Tax:
Statewide: 6.0%
Counties: can levy an additional sales tax of no more than 3.0%
Current average sales tax (with local taxes included): 6.037% (prescription medicines are exempt)
Idaho State Parks Veterans Pass: Idaho resident 100% service-connected disabled Veterans get free access and camping at Idaho State Parks.
Hunting & Fishing Licenses: Resident disabled Veterans may be eligible for reduced fees for licenses and tags. Nonresident disabled Veterans with a VA disability rating of at least 40 percent are eligible for nonresident DAV reduced fees for licenses and tags.
Idaho National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program: This program will pay up to $4000 per state fiscal year to attend any public or private institution of higher education in Idaho, a vocational education school, or a community college. Courses can be reimbursed if they are not paid for by any other funding or educational program.
In order to be eligible for reimbursement students must:
Be a member of the Idaho National Guard
Be a graduate of Basic Military/Combat Training
Have more than 2 years remaining of military service obligation at the start date of the class
Maintain an active and satisfactory status in the Idaho National Guard throughout the course
Apply with all required documents to the respective Idaho Army/Air NG Education office prior to the class start date
Submit proof of satisfactory course completion (minimum grade of C) within 30 days of completion or no later than 10 days prior to the end of the State fiscal year (June 30), whichever comes first
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Eligibility for admission:
Applicants may be peacetime or wartime Veterans, and their spouses, with wartime Veterans
receiving priority admission status
Must have served at least 90 days
Must be honorably discharged
Must be a resident of the State of Idaho
Spouses or widows of Veterans (eligible for nursing care only) must provide proof of marriage
Veterans may be admitted without regard to their financial status
Must apply for and be eligible for Medicaid benefits or must pay a monthly fee
Idaho state employment gives preference points for active duty Veterans. Honorably discharged Veterans get 5 preference points, disabled Veterans get 10 preference points. Un-remarried surviving spouses can get the same points as the Veteran.
Idaho Professional License Benefits for Service Members and Spouses: All persons holding occupational or professional licenses issued by the State of Idaho and who are serving in the Armed Forces of the United States, shall be exempt from the payment of any professional or occupational license or renewal fee required during their service. Licenses remain in good standing without the need for renewal for six months following discharge. Boards may also expedite applications for Service members or Spouses, and military training may count toward qualifications.
Idaho State Employee Leave for Military Duty: State employees who are members of the National Guard or Reservists are entitled each calendar year to 120 hours of military leave of absence without loss of pay, time, or efficiency rating while engaged in ordered or authorized military duty.
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA): Protects civilian job rights and benefits for Veterans and members of Reserve components.
Please note that your preference regarding burial in a national cemetery and use of a headstone provided by VA should be documented and kept with your paperwork and medical records. The eligibility requirements for burial at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery follow the National Veterans Cemetery eligibility requirements and Idaho law. There is no requirement to be a resident of the state of Idaho.
National Cemeteries include:
Idaho provides Veterans with a Regional Benefits Office and a VA Medical Center.
Idaho VA Regional Benefits Office
Idaho VA Medical Centers
Important information for Illinois Veteran Benefits:
For Veterans applying for VA benefits for the first time, you must submit a copy of your DD 214 (discharge paperwork). This will provide your discharge status, along with your full name, social
security number, branch of service, and dates for which you served. Honorable and general discharges qualify a Veteran for most VA benefits.
You should always keep your paperwork, along with your medical records, in a safe place where you and your family can have access to them. It is imperative to have it in a location where it cannot be destroyed or tampered with, which includes a safe.
Your eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable conditions. Active service means full-time service as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, the Environmental Services Administration or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Any Veteran discharged from the military under the conditions of “Dishonorable” due to bad conduct discharges issued by general courts-martial may bar VA benefits. Veterans in prison and parolees may be eligible for certain VA benefits. VA regional offices can clarify the eligibility of prisoners, parolees, and individuals with multiple discharges issued under differing conditions.
State veteran benefit programs and eligibility requirements change regularly due to federal and state government updates. This information serves as general guidance. Contact us for current program details and personalized benefits assistance.