Updated January 2026
Massachusetts Veteran Benefits 2026
Massachusetts offers several benefits for veterans and military retirees. Here is a summary of the key tax and property benefits available in MA for 2026.
Massachusetts Highlights
- Full military retirement pay tax exemption
- Graduated property tax exemptions
- Free RMV services for disabled veterans
- Massachusetts Soldiers' Homes
Income Tax Treatment
Massachusetts has a state income tax.
Military Retirement Pay: Massachusetts fully exempts military retirement pay, treating it like other exempt contributory government pensions.
Active Duty Pay: Active duty pay is fully exempt from Massachusetts income tax.
VA Disability Compensation: VA disability compensation is tax-free at both the federal and state level in all 50 states. Massachusetts does not tax VA disability payments.
Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans in Massachusetts
Type: Fixed-dollar reduction
Massachusetts grants fixed-dollar tax reductions (not value exclusions) to disabled veterans under graduated 'Clause 22' subcategories of M.G.L. c. 59, sec. 5. Amounts range from $400 (10%+ disability) up to a full exemption for paraplegic/blind veterans. These are statewide statutory minimums; under the 2024 HERO Act (Clause 22J) municipalities may locally vote to DOUBLE the amounts, and (Clause 22I) tie them to CPI. Eligibility is generally set as of July 1 of the tax year; applies to the domiciliary homestead.
| VA disability rating / category | What you get |
|---|---|
| 10% or greater service-connected disability (under 100%) | $400 reduction (Clause 22). Also covers Purple Heart recipients, Gold Star parents.Min 10% VA service-connected disability rating; MA domicile/ownership as of July 1; not dishonorably discharged. Municipality may double to $800 under Clause 22J. |
| Specific losses / decorations / POW (Clause 22A) | $750 reductionService-connected loss/permanent loss of use of one foot, one hand, or one eye; OR Congressional Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Air Force Cross; OR former POW. |
| Loss of two limbs/eyes (Clause 22B) | $1,250 reductionService-connected loss/loss of use of two extremities (any combination of feet, hands) or both eyes. |
| 100% disabled w/ specially adapted housing (Clause 22C) | $1,500 reductionTotal (100%) service-connected disability AND receiving/received VA assistance for specially adapted housing. |
| Surviving spouse of service death / KIA / MIA (Clause 22D) | Full (total) exemptionUn-remarried surviving spouse of a service member who died from a service-connected injury/illness or is MIA and presumed dead. Disability-rating not the trigger; service death is. |
| 100% disabled and incapable of working (Clause 22E) | $1,000 reductionVA-certified 100% service-connected disability and permanently incapable of working (this is the clause that captures 100% schedular/TDIU/unemployable). Municipality may double to $2,000 under Clause 22J. |
| Paraplegic or blind (Clause 22F) | Full (total) exemptionVA-certified paraplegia OR 100% service-connected blindness; extends to surviving spouse. |
- Income limit: None for the disability-based veteran clauses (Clauses 22-22F have no income/asset test). Income/asset limits apply only to certain non-disability clauses (e.g., WWI/surviving-spouse Clause 22 estate limits), not to the disabled-veteran tiers.
- Age requirement: None for disability clauses.
- Surviving spouse: Yes. Un-remarried surviving spouses generally inherit the veteran's clause exemption; Clause 22D (service-death) and Clause 22F (paraplegic/blind) provide full exemption to the surviving spouse. Eligibility ends upon remarriage.
- Counts being paid at 100% via unemployability (TDIU)? Yes — being paid at the 100% rate via Individual Unemployability (TDIU) qualifies
Source: M.G.L. c. 59, sec. 5, Clauses 22, 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, 22E, 22F (plus 22I/22J local options added by 2024 HERO Act) and a second official source. Verified June 2026 against primary sources.
To apply, contact your county assessor's office or the Massachusetts 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.
VA Healthcare in Massachusetts
Massachusetts 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.