Arkansas Veteran Benefits 2026

Income Tax Treatment

Arkansas has a state income tax.

Military Retirement Pay: Arkansas has fully exempted military retirement pay from state income tax since 2018.

Active Duty Pay: Active duty pay is fully exempt from Arkansas state income tax.

VA Disability Compensation: VA disability compensation is tax-free at both the federal and state level in all 50 states. Arkansas does not tax VA disability payments.

Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans in Arkansas

Type: Full exemption at 100%

Arkansas fully exempts a qualifying disabled veteran's homestead and personal property from all state property taxes if the veteran has a VA-awarded special monthly compensation for loss/loss-of-use of a limb, total blindness, or a service-connected 100% total and permanent disability.

• Income limit: None.
• Age requirement: None.
• Surviving spouse: An unmarried surviving spouse retains the full exemption so long as they remain unmarried; the exemption is reinstated if a subsequent marriage ends. Minor dependent children also qualify during their minority.
• Counts being paid at 100% via unemployability (TDIU)? No — TDIU/unemployability does not qualify; a 100% schedular rating is required

Source: Arkansas Code 26-3-306 and a second official source. Verified June 2026 against primary sources.

To apply, contact your county assessor's office or the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs. You will typically need your VA disability rating letter (and often your DD‑214) and proof that the home is your primary residence.

Real estate vs. personal property: this benefit applies to real-estate (home/homestead) property tax. Personal-property taxes — such as the annual tax some states levy on vehicles — are separate and generally still apply, even at a 100% rating, unless your state specifically exempts them.

Check your exemption by rating & state →

Vehicle & Registration Benefits

Sales-tax exemption for VA auto-grant vehicles: Arkansas exempts from gross receipts (sales) tax the sale of “motor vehicles licensed for use on the highway and motor vehicle adaptive equipment to disabled veterans who have purchased the vehicles or the equipment with the financial aid of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs” — the federal automobile and adaptive-equipment grant (cited in the rule as 38 U.S.C. §§ 1901–1905). An official letter from the VA verifying the grant is accepted as proof of entitlement. Source: Arkansas Gross Receipts Tax Rule GR-34 (26 CAR § 30-1109).

Blind veterans — one tax-free automobile every two years: Under the same rule, a veteran who furnishes a VA statement certifying that they were “blinded as the result of a service-connected injury” can buy one new or used automobile every two years exempt from Arkansas gross receipts tax. “Automobile” means a passenger car or pickup truck up to three-quarter-ton capacity; larger trucks and trailers do not qualify.

No general sales-tax exemption for a 100% rating: Arkansas does not currently exempt vehicle or other retail purchases from sales tax based on a 100% disability rating alone. HB1738 of the 2025 Regular Session — which would have created a sales and use tax exemption of up to $25,000 in purchases per year for veterans meeting the § 26-3-306 disabled-veteran standard — died in House committee at the May 2025 sine die adjournment and is not law. Ignore third-party sites describing a “DFA sales-tax exemption card” — no such program exists as of August 2026.

Free Disabled Veteran license plate: The Department of Finance and Administration issues the Disabled Veteran plate (white background, red lettering) at no charge to veterans the VA certifies as eligible under Act 7 of 1949 or Act 30 of 1979 — DFA’s listing notes that this free plate extends to veterans certified 100% non-service-connected disabled. An eligible veteran may receive one additional plate for $4.00, and one plate may be reissued to a surviving spouse for $4.00 (bring a marriage license and the veteran’s death certificate if the spouse is not already a joint owner of the vehicle). Required documentation: a VA letter verifying eligibility. A plate beginning “DV” or “DAV” also serves as proof of 100% disability for the state-park camping discount below. Source: DFA — Disabled Veteran License Plate (Free).

Recreation: Parks, Hunting & Fishing

Half-price camping year-round — 100% permanent & total: Under the Arkansas State Parks camping-discount rule, U.S. citizens with a 100% total and permanent disability — including veterans rated 100% P&T by the VA — are “admitted to campgrounds at one-half the regular campsite fee year round.” Bring current written proof: a VA award letter showing “permanent and total” or “100% disabled,” an Arkansas license plate beginning “DV” or “DAV,” or an America the Beautiful Access Pass (a disabled-parking placard alone is not accepted). The discount does not apply to rental camping facilities such as Rent-An-RV units, yurts, or camper cabins. Arkansas residents 62 and over separately camp at half price Sunday–Thursday and 25% off weekends and holidays. Sources: 22 CAR § 50-103 (camping discounts) and the Arkansas State Parks fee directive (PD 2000).

Lifetime hunting & fishing licenses for $1.50–$3 — 100% P&T resident veterans: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission issues Resident Disabled Military Veteran lifetime licenses to Arkansas residents who are 100% totally and permanently disabled (VA certification required) and can show at least one year of Arkansas residency: Lifetime Fishing (VLF) $1.50, Lifetime Hunting (VLH) $1.50, or Lifetime Combination (VLC2) $3.00. These are not free, but they are one-time fees for life. A trout permit, HIP registration, and federal waterfowl stamps must still be obtained separately. Apply through the AGFC Little Rock office or by mail. Source: AGFC — disability & military lifetime licenses.

70%+ rating (or 50%+ with a Purple Heart): Resident veterans with a service-connected rating of 70% or more — or 50% or more with a Purple Heart — and one year of Arkansas residency qualify for the Lifetime Combination License and Permit (VLL2) at $52.50, which bundles hunting, fishing, trout, and state duck stamp privileges. Available only through the AGFC Little Rock office with VA disability certification and residency proof.

Military retirees age 60+: With a military retirement ID, AGFC sells lifetime licenses at reduced one-time fees: fishing (MRF) $10.50, hunting (MRH) $25, combination (MRC) $35.50.

Education & Other Arkansas Benefits

Military Dependents’ Scholarship — free undergraduate tuition, fees, room & board: Arkansas waives in-state tuition, mandatory fees, and a room and meal plan (when provided in campus facilities) at state-supported and accredited private nonprofit Arkansas colleges, universities, and technical schools for the spouse and dependent children of an Arkansas veteran who, during active military duty after January 1, 1960, was declared missing in action, killed in action, a prisoner of war, or killed on ordnance delivery — or who is 100% totally and permanently disabled as a result of service-connected injuries or medical conditions (ADHE’s rules also require that the veteran be currently receiving special monthly compensation). The veteran must have been an Arkansas resident at entry into service or hold current official Arkansas residency, and the student must be a current Arkansas resident. Students must apply for the federal Dependents’ Educational Assistance program (DEA, Chapter 35); the scholarship pays charges that exceed the DEA allowance, or the full amount if the student is DEA-ineligible. Award terms: full-time undergraduate study (12+ credit hours), 2.0 cumulative GPA, renewable up to eight total semesters. Source: ADHE Military Dependents’ Scholarship rules (effective Oct. 31, 2024); apply through the Arkansas Division of Higher Education.

VA Healthcare in Arkansas

Arkansas has approximately 2 VA medical centers along with community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) throughout the state. Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare can receive care at any VA facility nationwide.

To find the nearest VA facility, visit VA.gov Facility Locator.

Official Arkansas Veterans Resources

• Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs
• Arkansas Game & Fish Commission — Disabled Veteran & Military Retiree Lifetime Licenses
• Arkansas DFA — Disabled Veteran License Plate
• Arkansas Division of Higher Education — Military Dependents’ Scholarship Rules (PDF)
• VA Facility Locator
• 2026 VA Disability Compensation Rates