Updated January 2026
North Carolina Veteran Benefits 2026
North Carolina offers several benefits for veterans and military retirees. Here is a summary of the key tax and property benefits available in NC for 2026.
North Carolina Highlights
- Full military retirement pay tax exemption
- $45,000 property tax exemption for P&T veterans
- Free specialty license plates
- NC National Guard tuition assistance
Income Tax Treatment
North Carolina has a state income tax.
Military Retirement Pay: Since 2021, North Carolina fully exempts military retirement pay for retirees who served at least 20 years or were medically retired — essentially all military pension recipients.
Active Duty Pay: Active duty pay earned by non-residents stationed in NC is exempt.
VA Disability Compensation: VA disability compensation is tax-free at both the federal and state level in all 50 states. North Carolina does not tax VA disability payments.
Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans in North Carolina
Type: Assessed-value exclusion
North Carolina provides a disabled-veteran homestead 'exclusion' that removes the first $45,000 of the appraised/assessed value of a permanent residence owned and occupied by a qualifying veteran (or unremarried surviving spouse). It requires a 100% permanent and total (P&T) service-connected disability OR receipt of specially adapted housing benefits under 38 U.S.C. 2101 — there are no graduated tiers below that and NO income limit. A 2025 bill (SB 660, 'Honoring Sacrifice: NC Veterans Relief Act') proposed raising the exclusion to $75,000 (2025), $125,000 (2026), and the lesser of $500,000 or 100% of value (2027), but as of June 2026 that bill was still in committee and NOT enacted; the current exclusion remains $45,000.
| VA disability rating / category | What you get |
|---|---|
| 100% permanent and total (P&T) service-connected disability, OR 38 U.S.C. 2101 specially adapted housing benefit | Exclude the first $45,000 of the appraised value of the permanent residence from taxation.Honorable (or under honorable conditions) discharge; veteran owns and occupies the residence; must be P&T (100% schedular alone may not qualify unless rated permanent and total). File Forms AV-9 and NCDVA-9 by June 1. |
- Income limit: None for the disabled-veteran exclusion.
- Age requirement: None.
- Surviving spouse: Eligible. An unremarried surviving spouse qualifies if the deceased veteran had the qualifying P&T disability or 38 U.S.C. 2101 benefit, OR if the veteran died as a result of a service-connected condition.
- Counts being paid at 100% via unemployability (TDIU)? Varies / not explicitly addressed — confirm with the assessor or state VA
Source: N.C. Gen. Stat. sec. 105-277.1C (Disabled Veteran Property Tax Homestead Exclusion). and a second official source. Verified June 2026 against primary sources.
To apply, contact your county assessor's office or the North Carolina 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 North Carolina
North Carolina has approximately 4 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.