VetTOC · Veteran benefits reference
Find a VA-accredited representative: www.va.gov/get-help-from-accredited-representative/find-rep
The Lake County Clerk & Recorder (Kendra Steele, Courthouse room 214, 106 4th Avenue East, Polson) records military discharges (DD-214s) with "no fee" under its October 1, 2025…
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office takes a Military Discharge Form DD-214 as proof of weapon training certification for a concealed weapons permit, in place of a hunter safety or…
Every Montana county must pay up to $500 toward interring a veteran who lived in the state, plus up to $100 to ship and raise a federal headstone.
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0100/chapter_0020/part_0050/section_0010/0100-0020-0050-0010.html
A 100, 80, 70 or 50 percent cut in the tax rate on the primary residence of a veteran rated 100 percent or paid at the 100 percent rate, on an income test.
Gate: A 100 percent service-connected rating; Paid at the 100 percent rate is an express alternative
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0150/chapter_0060/part_0030/section_0110/0150-0060-0030-0110.html
Five years of free conservation and resident fishing or combination sports licences for a Guard or Reserve member who spent two months outside Montana on a contingency operation.
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0870/chapter_0020/part_0080/section_0170/0870-0020-0080-0170.html
Half-price deer and antelope tags for a veteran whose combat-connected injury leaves them substantially mobility-impaired.
Gate: A separate 70 percent route for a donated licence
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0870/chapter_0020/part_0080/section_0170/0870-0020-0080-0170.html
A medallion and a joint resolution of the Legislature for the family of a Montana service member killed or missing in action since 1939, and a commemorative coin for the family…
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0100/chapter_0020/part_0080/section_0030/0100-0020-0080-0030.html
Resident tuition waived at Montana University System campuses, but only after the GI Bill has run out.
A Purple Heart recipient fishes and hunts game birds on a conservation licence alone, a Legion of Valor member fishes on one, a veteran residing in a VA hospital fishes with no…
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0870/chapter_0020/part_0080/section_0160/0870-0020-0080-0160.html
Active duty salary is exempt from Montana income tax, but only for a resident who entered active duty from Montana. Guard pay is exempt on federal orders and on some Title 32 duty.
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0150/chapter_0300/part_0210/section_0200/0150-0300-0210-0200.html
Grants of $250 a dependent, up to $2,000 for hardship, and $2,000 for a combat injury, for Guard and Reserve families.
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0100/chapter_0010/part_0130/section_0050/0100-0010-0130-0050.html
120 hours of paid military leave a year for a public employee, banking to 240, and a state reemployment right for Guard members on state duty.
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0100/chapter_0010/part_0100/section_0090/0100-0010-0100-0090.html
Half of a military pension comes off Montana taxable income, but only up to the veteran’s Montana wage income, for five years, and only for a retiree who moved to Montana after…
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0150/chapter_0300/part_0210/section_0200/0150-0300-0210-0200.html
Around two dozen plate designs, a $10 cemetery fee on each veteran set, and a DV plate that carries disabled parking.
Gate: A 100 percent rating for the DV plate; Paid at the 100 percent rate is an express alternative; A Purple Heart with a 50 percent rating
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0610/chapter_0030/part_0040/section_0580/0610-0030-0040-0580.html
A $50,000 state payment to the beneficiary of a Guard member who dies in the line of duty on state orders.
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0100/chapter_0010/part_0120/section_0010/0100-0010-0120-0010.html
An enlisted Guard member called out by the Governor is paid double the federal rate for the grade, with no day limit since 2025. An officer is paid the ordinary federal rate.
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0100/chapter_0010/part_0050/section_0020/0100-0010-0050-0020.html
Tuition waived at Montana University System campuses for a serving Guard member, undergraduate or graduate.
Montana boards must count military training toward licence requirements, must license a qualified spouse or member moving in from another state, and must stop charging fees and…
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0370/chapter_0010/part_0010/section_0450/0370-0010-0010-0450.html
A private employer in Montana may lawfully adopt a policy of preferring veterans in hiring.
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0390/chapter_0290/part_0020/section_0030/0390-0290-0020-0030.html
The same rate reduction on the surviving spouse’s own income table, which is lower than the veteran’s.
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0150/chapter_0060/part_0030/section_0110/0150-0060-0030-0110.html
A $1,000 scholarship for a Montana student who holds the Purple Heart or a higher combat decoration.
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0100/chapter_0020/part_0010/section_0180/0100-0020-0010-0180.html
Half off overnight camping fees at Montana state parks for a resident veteran, with no rating and no discharge test in the statute.
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0230/chapter_0010/part_0010/section_0050/0230-0010-0010-0050.html
Four state cemeteries where a veteran is interred at little or no charge and a spouse pays an opening and closing fee.
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0100/chapter_0020/part_0060/section_0010/0100-0020-0060-0010.html
Up to half of a Survivor Benefit Plan annuity comes off Montana taxable income, and unlike the retiree’s version it is not capped at the survivor’s Montana wage income.
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0150/chapter_0300/part_0210/section_0200/0150-0300-0210-0200.html
Tuition waived for the spouse or child of a Montana National Guard member killed in the line of duty on state active duty.
All motor vehicle registration fees waived on two non-commercial vehicles for a 100 percent disabled veteran, a former prisoner of war, or several categories of surviving spouse.
Gate: A 100 percent service-connected rating; Paid at the 100 percent rate is an express alternative; A Purple Heart with a 50 percent rating
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0610/chapter_0030/part_0040/section_0600/0610-0030-0040-0600.html
An employer gets $1,500 a year for a registered apprentice who is a veteran, double the ordinary amount, for up to five years.
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0390/chapter_0060/part_0010/section_0090/0390-0060-0010-0090.html
A "veteran" mark on a Montana licence or ID card, free to add but only at an issue, renewal or replacement, so the ordinary card fee applies.
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0100/chapter_0020/part_0130/section_0010/0100-0020-0130-0010.html
A property tax exemption for a veterans’ organization clubhouse, which survives running a bar in part of the building, and a separate 1891 exemption for property held by the…
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0150/chapter_0060/part_0020/section_0030/0150-0060-0020-0030.html
Five points for a veteran and ten for a disabled veteran or eligible relative in public hiring, plus retention in a layoff.
Gate: A 30 percent rating for retention in a layoff
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0390/chapter_0290/part_0010/section_0010/0390-0290-0010-0010.html
A 30-year fixed mortgage at one percent below the Board of Housing’s posted rate, with no income, asset or purchase price limit.
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0900/chapter_0060/part_0060/section_0030/0900-0060-0060-0030.html
Three state homes at Columbia Falls, Glendive and Butte for nursing and domiciliary care.
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0100/chapter_0020/part_0040/section_0010/0100-0020-0040-0010.html
Undergraduate tuition waived for a child aged 25 or under of a Montana service member killed in action or dead of a combat-related cause.
Montana has at least three working definitions of "veteran" and they disagree about discharge character, length of service and whether a serving Guard member counts.
mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0100/chapter_0020/part_0010/section_0010/0100-0020-0010-0010.html
79 federal benefits apply here as well and are left off this page; the place page lists them.