Missouri Veteran Financial Benefits
Missouri Department of Revenue Military Liaison:
The Missouri Department of Revenue offers a dedicated Military Liaison to support service members and their families with questions related to state income taxes and other tax-related matters.
Active Duty Military Pay Exemption:
Missouri allows active duty service members, including reservists on annual training, to deduct qualifying military pay from their Missouri adjusted gross income. This pay must be reported on the individual’s federal return to qualify.
Combat Zone Income Exemption:
Military earnings received while serving in a combat zone are exempt from Missouri state income taxes. Additionally, service members deployed in combat zones, contingency operations, or hospitalized due to related service injuries are granted a 180-day extension to file and pay state income taxes.
Exclusion of Military Retirement Pay from State Taxes:
Retired military pay is fully deductible from Missouri income, offering a substantial tax break for retirees. However, distributions from the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) are still subject to state taxes and may incur penalties if taken early.
Tax Deduction for Reserve Component Pay:
Missouri is gradually implementing a complete deduction for reserve component pay received for inactive duty:
- 60% deductible in 2022
- 80% deductible in 2023
- 100% deductible from 2024 onward
Again, this pay must be reported on federal income filings to qualify.
Income Tax Exemption for Nonresident Military Spouses:
Spouses of nonresident military personnel stationed in Missouri are exempt from Missouri income tax on earnings in the state. They are only required to file income taxes in their state of residence (if applicable).
Military Disability and Related Tax Exemptions:
Disability pay received as a pension or allowance due to injury or illness sustained during military service is excluded from Missouri taxable income. This includes:
- VA compensation and pensions
- Grants for specially adapted homes and vehicles
- Benefits from dependent-care assistance programs
Tax Treatment of DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation):
DIC benefits received by survivors of deceased service members or Veterans are not taxable in Missouri.
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) & Related Survivor Annuities:
Surviving spouses may qualify for a full exemption of survivor annuities under the Missouri Public Pension Exemption—based on income limits:
- Married, filing jointly: $100,000
- Married, filing separately: $85,000
- Single/Head of Household/Surviving spouse: $85,000
Property Tax Relief for Veterans:
- Full Property Tax Exemption: Available to Missouri residents who are 100% disabled due to service and were former POWs, applied to their primary residence.
- Property Tax Credit: Up to $1,100 for eligible 100% disabled Veterans or senior citizens who own and occupy their home all year; up to $750 for qualifying renters.
- Income Limits:
- Renters/Part-year owners: $27,200 (single), $29,200 (married)
- Full-year homeowners: $30,000 (single), $34,000 (married)
- Renters in tax-exempt properties do not qualify.
- Income Limits:
Sales Tax in Missouri:
- State Rate: 4.225%
- County/Local Rate Cap: Up to an additional 4.225%
- Average Combined Sales Tax Rate: 4.225% (varies locally)
Recreation
Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) Benefits for Service Members and Veterans:
The Missouri Department of Conservation provides a range of perks for Veterans and military personnel. Below is an overview of available programs:
Discounted Small Game Hunting and Fishing Permits for Missouri National Guard and Reserve Members:
Missouri residents serving in a U.S. Armed Forces Reserve unit or the National Guard who have been activated to federal duty within the last year may qualify for a discounted permit to fish, trap, and hunt small game. This special permit is available for just $5, compared to the standard $19 fee. Applications can be submitted through the MDC’s official website.
Complimentary or Discounted Fishing and Hunting Privileges for Veterans and Service Members:
Honorably discharged Veterans with a qualifying disability or eligible active duty members may hunt and fish without purchasing a permit (excluding trapping). However, they must still obtain required tags for deer, turkey, and migratory game birds, as well as any necessary stamps. To qualify, individuals must meet one of the following conditions:
- Have a service-connected disability rated at 60% or higher
- Be a former prisoner of war
- Be assigned to a Warrior Transition Unit, Brigade, or military hospital
Eligible individuals must carry appropriate documentation, such as VA eligibility verification or military orders, when participating in hunting or fishing.
Resident Pricing for Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Nonresident Military Members:
Nonresident active duty personnel stationed in Missouri, along with their immediate family members, are entitled to purchase Missouri hunting and fishing licenses at the resident rate.
Resident Rate Licenses for Missouri-Based Service Members Stationed Elsewhere:
Missouri residents on active duty but stationed outside the state, as well as their live-in dependents, may still purchase hunting and fishing permits at the in-state rate.
Reinstatement of Unused Permits After Military Deployment:
If a service member had to leave the state due to deployment and was unable to use their Missouri hunting, fishing, or trapping permit for the full season, they may qualify for a free reinstatement of their permit upon their return.
Camping Fee Discounts for Veterans and Military Families:
Veterans, active duty military personnel, and their immediate family members are eligible for a $2 nightly discount on campsite fees at Missouri State Parks year-round. To receive the discount, a valid form of military or Veteran identification—such as a CAC card, VA ID, or Missouri driver’s license with “Veteran” status—must be presented at check-in.
Education Programs
Missouri Education Benefits for Veterans, Service Members, and Their Families
Wartime Veteran’s Survivors Grant Program:
This annual grant supports the spouses and children of Veterans whose death or permanent disability resulted from combat-related service. Each year, up to 25 eligible individuals may receive this grant, which can be used until a bachelor’s degree is earned.
Funding covers:
- Actual tuition costs (up to the rate at the University of Missouri, Columbia)
- Up to $2,000 per semester for room and board
- $500 per semester for books
Missouri National Guard State Tuition Assistance (STA):
The STA program offers tuition support for eligible Missouri National Guard members working toward an undergraduate degree or lower. Benefits include:
- Up to 39 credit hours per state fiscal year (July 1 – June 30)
- Coverage up to the tuition rate at the University of Missouri, Columbia
- A lifetime cap of 150 undergraduate credit hours
- Students must first use federal tuition assistance before STA
Missouri Returning Heroes Act:
Missouri’s Returning Heroes Education Act limits undergraduate tuition to just $50 per credit hour for combat Veterans at public colleges and universities. For graduate studies, eligible Veterans pay only 30% of standard tuition and fees.
Missouri Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (MIC3):
This interstate agreement helps ensure educational continuity for children of military families. It streamlines enrollment, class placement, participation in activities, and graduation requirements when families move due to deployment. It promotes coordination between school districts and military families to reduce academic disruptions.
Missouri Purple Star School Program:
Schools that demonstrate outstanding support for military-connected students may earn the Purple Star designation. Requirements include:
- Appointing a trained military family liaison
- Educating faculty on the unique needs of military students
- Hosting a dedicated webpage with military family resources
Designated schools receive a special Purple Star emblem for display.
“Operation Recognition” Honorary Diplomas:
Missouri awards honorary high school diplomas to Veterans who left school before graduating to serve during wartime.
Eligibility:
- Must have received an honorable discharge
- Must be a current or former Missouri resident
Family members may apply on behalf of a deceased Veteran. Proof of service (DD214 or equivalent) is required, and applications are submitted through the Missouri Veterans Commission.
Missouri Residency and Tuition Policies for Military-Affiliated Students
Educational Residency for Service Members, Veterans, and Dependents:
Missouri offers in-state residency for tuition purposes to:
- Honorably discharged Veterans who move to Missouri with intent to reside (must live in the taxing district if attending a community college)
- Active Missouri National Guard or U.S. Armed Forces Reserve members, who receive in-state or in-district tuition depending on institution type
- Dependents of active-duty personnel stationed in Missouri, eligible for in-state rates if enrolled continuously in a degree program
Waiver of Residency Documentation for K–12 Students:
Children who relocate due to a parent’s active-duty orders may attend school in the district where they reside with extended family or a support network. If orders end during the academic year, the student may complete the school year in that district.
Housing: Below are the locations of facilities for Veterans’ residential care.
Missouri Veterans Homes: The state of Missouri operates seven nursing homes offering affordable long-term skilled nursing services to eligible Veterans.
- Missouri State Veterans Home at Cameron
- Missouri State Veterans Home at Cape Girardeau
- Missouri State Veterans Home at Mexico
- Missouri State Veterans Home at Mt. Vernon
- Missouri State Veterans Home at St. James
- Missouri State Veterans Home at St. Louis
- Missouri State Veterans Home at Warrensburg
Each Missouri Veterans Home operates under a licensed nursing home administrator and maintains 24/7 coverage by registered nurses. The following services are provided:
- Physician oversight
- Therapy services (physical, speech, occupational, and recreational)
- Prescription medications
- Hair and grooming services
- Support from maintenance, housekeeping, laundry, and dietary staff
- Medical equipment and personal care essentials
- Social work assistance
Eligibility for Missouri Veterans Homes:
To be considered for admission, a Veteran must:
- Qualify for VA healthcare benefits
- Have resided in Missouri for at least 180 consecutive days before applying
- Either currently reside in Missouri or provide proof of homeownership in the state
- Not be listed on any sex offender registry
- Have no criminal convictions or pleas (guilty or no contest) for Class A or B felonies in any state
- Require round-the-clock skilled nursing care
- Have a condition that the facility is equipped to manage
Veteran Employment & Job Training Benefits in Missouri
Paid Military Leave for State Employees
- Missouri state workers in the National Guard or Armed Forces Reserves are entitled to up to 120 paid military duty hours per federal fiscal year—with no reduction in pay, leave, or performance evaluations. This leave is governed by Missouri Revised Statutes § 105.270, which mandates non-discrimination and retention of all employment benefits during service.revisor.mo.gov
- For extended duty beyond this limit, permanent state employees may take unpaid, job-protected leave under state law (§ 41.942) and USERRA.cdn.ymaws.comWikipedia
Professional Licensing Accommodations
- Military training and experience must be accepted by all Missouri licensing boards toward license qualification.
- Service members on active duty are exempt from continuing education requirements, and upon return, they are not required to make up missed training.
- Individuals with valid out-of-state or military professional licenses (held for at least one year) can apply for a corresponding Missouri license.
- Qualified nonresident military spouses stationed in Missouri may receive temporary courtesy licenses, with priority processing offered by licensing boards.
Job Placement Support for Veterans
- Missouri’s Division of Workforce Development employs Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVER) and Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists to assist Veterans and spouses through career counseling, job search help, skills assessment, and more—all free in Career Centers statewide.
Veteran Hiring Preferences (State Level)
- On state job exams, most Veterans receive 5 extra points, while:
- Disability-rated Veterans receive 10 points.
- Points increase during layoffs: 4 points for Veterans, 8 for disabled Veterans.
- Eligibility includes those with wartime service, honorable discharge, disability, or being a surviving spouse under specified conditions.
Private Sector Preferences
- Missouri private employers may choose to offer hiring and promotion preferences to Veterans, their disabled-spouse, or surviving spouse.
Service Credit for Retirement (MOSERS)
- Veterans and reserve component members can purchase up to four years of military service credit toward Missouri public retirement, provided certain conditions are met.
- Time spent on military leave while employed in state service may count toward service credit, and benefits like insurance remain available with continued premium payments.
Show-Me Heroes On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program
- This Missouri initiative provides full-time OJT roles for Veterans and spouses and reimburses 50% of wages for up to 1,040 hours.
- The program also maintains a roster of employers actively recruiting Veterans.
Federal Veterans Hiring Preferences
- Federal employment offers 5 or 10-point veterans’ preference on competitive exams. Eligibility depends on service timelines, campaigns, disability status, and more—aligned with federal Veterans’ Preference rules.Wikipedia
Burials and Memorials
It’s important to document your wishes regarding burial in a national cemetery and the use of a VA-provided headstone, and to keep this information with your personal documents and medical records.
The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) honors eligible Veterans and their families by offering a dignified final resting place and a permanent memorial that reflects the Veteran’s service to the country.
VA burial benefits include a gravesite at any national cemetery with available space, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government-issued headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate—all provided at no cost to the family. In certain cases, Veterans may also qualify for a burial allowance. Cremated remains are treated with the same honor and respect as casketed remains and can be buried or placed in national cemeteries.
These benefits also extend to eligible spouses and dependents. They may be buried with the Veteran, and their gravesite receives the same perpetual care. The spouse’s or dependent’s name, along with their birth and death dates, will be inscribed on the Veteran’s headstone at no charge. Notably, spouses and qualifying dependents can be laid to rest even if they predecease the Veteran, and they are not required to be buried in the same national cemetery.
National Cemeteries include:
Jefferson City: Jefferson City National Cemetery
Kansas City: Union Confederate Monument Site
Springfield: Springfield National Cemetery
St. Louis: Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery
Missouri VA Support Resources
Veterans in Missouri have access to a District Benefits Office and a Regional Benefits Office, in addition to VA Medical Centers across the state.
Missouri VA District Benefits Office
- St. Louis: Northeast District
Missouri VA Regional Benefits Office
- St. Louis: St. Louis Regional Office
Missouri VA Medical Centers
- Columbia: Harry S. Truman Memorial
- Kansas City: Kansas City VA Medical Center
- Poplar Bluff: John J. Pershing VA Medical Center
- Saint Louis: VA St. Louis Health Care System – Jefferson Barracks Division
Essential Details on Missouri Veteran Benefits
Veterans applying for VA benefits for the first time must provide a copy of their DD 214 (discharge document). This form verifies your discharge classification, full legal name, Social Security number, service branch, and active duty dates. Veterans with honorable or general discharges are typically eligible for the majority of VA benefits.
It’s important to store your discharge documents and medical records securely, in a place where you and your family can easily access them. Ideally, they should be kept in a fireproof safe or other protected location to prevent loss, damage, or tampering.
Eligibility for most VA benefits depends on a discharge status that is not dishonorable. Active duty refers to full-time service in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard—or as a commissioned officer in the Public Health Service, Environmental Services Administration, or NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
Veterans who received a dishonorable discharge as a result of a general court-martial may be disqualified from receiving VA benefits. However, incarcerated Veterans and those on parole may still be eligible for certain types of assistance. VA regional offices can help clarify benefits eligibility for individuals with complex discharge histories or those currently involved with the justice system.
Information current as of November 2023.
Veteran Benefits in Missouri
Disabled Veterans in Missouri with a VA disability rating of 90% or below may qualify for extra support and resources. Vital Veterans Consultants offers a complimentary, no-obligation consultation to review your case. Allow our team to assess your claim and help determine if you’re entitled to additional benefits.
