The state of Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts.
Income Tax: Military retirement pay is tax-free.
Property Tax Exemption: Veterans who have a disability rating may be eligible for a property tax exemption of $400 to $1500. Spouses and surviving spouses may also be eligible for the exemption.
To qualify, all Veterans must:
be at least 10% disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
be legal residents of Massachusetts
be occupying the property as his/her domicile on July 1st in the year of application
have lived in Massachusetts for at least six months prior to entering the service (spouses exempted)
have lived in Massachusetts for five consecutive years immediately prior to filing for a property tax exemption
Vehicle Sales Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans: Disabled Veterans are eligible for a motor vehicle sales tax exemption (applicable only to one motor vehicle owned and registered for personal, non-commercial use).
Disabled Veteran Annuity: An annuity in the amount of $2,000, which is payable biannually on August 1st and February 1st in two installments of $1,000 each is available for Veterans who have a 100% disability rating, along with their spouses. This also includes Gold Star Parents as well.
Welcome Home Bonus: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides a bonus to Veterans who lived in Massachusetts immediately prior to entry in the armed forces. In case of the death of a Veteran, the spouse and children, mother or father, brother or sister, or other dependents of the deceased Veteran (in that order) are eligible for a bonus.
State Tax Benefits for those in a Combat Zone: Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) follows the federal rules for granting an extension of time to file income tax returns and to pay taxes due for those serving in a combat zone, or who are hospitalized as a result of such service, during the period designated as the period of combatant activities. This extension applies to members of the Armed Forces, as well as individuals serving in support of the Armed Forces, serving in a combat zone. The extension period is for the time of service in the combat zone area or hospitalization attributable to such service plus 180 days. The extension of time to file returns also applies to Spouses of personnel serving in combat areas if a joint return is filed. Certain combat pay of military personnel serving in a combat zone is excluded from federal gross income and therefore is not subject to federal income tax. Massachusetts income tax law incorporates the provisions of the Federal Tax Code so that combat pay will be excluded from Massachusetts income to the extent that it is excluded from federal income.
Sales Tax:
Statewide: 6.0%
Counties: cannot levy an additional sales tax
Common exceptions at the state level:
Prescription medicines are exempt
Unprepared foods are exempt
Resident Hunting/Fishing Licenses for Non-Resident Military Personnel: Non-resident military personnel stationed in Massachusetts may apply for and receive hunting and fishing licenses at the resident rate.
Free Fishing or Hunting License for Disabled Persons: Disabled Massachusetts residents (blind, paraplegic) may qualify for a free freshwater fishing license. Disabled Massachusetts residents (paraplegic) may qualify for a free hunting license.
Free State Park Parking for Disabled Veterans and Purple Heart Recipients: Day-use parking fees are waived for vehicles bearing a disabled Veteran license plate/placard or Purple Heart Recipient License plate. (Not valid for camp fees or at Quabbin Reservoir Boat Launch Areas, Squantum Point, North Point, or Draw Seven Commuter lots.)
Categorical Tuition Waiver for Veterans and Active Duty Members: Tuition waiver available at any Massachusetts state or community college or university campus for Veterans and active duty service persons who are permanent and legal residents of Massachusetts.
Tuition and Fee Waivers for Guard Members: 100% tuition and fee waiver for Massachusetts National Guard service members attending a state college, university, or community college program (up to 130 semester hours, good academic standing required).
UMass Boston and Suffolk University, Veterans Upward Bound Program: Provides Veterans of all ages access to college and career information, academic skills training for higher education entry, and opportunities to obtain a high school diploma equivalent.
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Eligibility for admission:
Veterans must have an honorable discharge
Veterans must have served in the Armed Forces for 90 consecutive days during wartime
All honorably discharged Veterans can have 5 points added to any state employment examination scores. Veterans with a VA service-connected disability receive 10 points. Spouses and surviving spouses of certain disabled or deceased Veterans may also claim the 10-point preference.
Veterans who score 70% or higher on civil service exams are placed at the top of the list, with disabled Veterans given top priority. Additional benefits:
2 points added to promotional exam scores
Veterans’ preference in provisional appointments (when no exam exists)
Exempt from exams for labor force positions and placed at the top of the list
Eligible Veterans may be buried at no cost in a national cemetery. A nominal fee applies for spouses and dependents.
National Cemeteries include:
Massachusetts provides Veterans with a Regional Benefits Office and VA Medical Centers.
Massachusetts VA Regional Benefits Office
Boston: Boston Regional Office
Massachusetts VA Medical Centers
Important Information for Massachusetts Veteran Benefits
For Veterans applying for VA benefits for the first time, you must submit a copy of your DD 214 (discharge paperwork). This shows your discharge status, full name, SSN, branch of service, and service dates. Honorable and general discharges qualify for most VA benefits.
You should always keep your paperwork and medical records in a safe place where family can access them.
Eligibility Notes:
Most VA benefits require discharge under conditions other than dishonorable.
Dishonorable discharges due to general courts-martial may bar VA benefits.
Prisoners, parolees, and Veterans with multiple discharges under different conditions may still be eligible for certain VA benefits (case-by-case basis at VA Regional Offices).
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.