Georgia State Benefits

Rating Based State Benefits

AD VALOREM TAX ON VEHICLES

This exemption applies to either the annual property tax or the title tax, whichever is applicable.

This exemption is for veterans who are verified by VA to be 100 % totally and permanently service-connected disabled and veterans rated unemployable who are receiving or who are entitled to receive statutory awards from VA for: (1) loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet; (2) loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands; (3) loss of sight in one or both eyes; or (4) permanent impairment of vision of both eyes to a prescribed degree.

The exemption is granted on ONLY one vehicle the veteran owns and upon which the free Disabled Veteran (DV) license plate is attached. Veterans who qualify for the Purple Heart or Medal of Honor specialty license plates are also exempt.

For more information on vehicle tax exemptions, contact your local County Tax Office.

BUSINESS CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION

Georgia veterans are eligible for a certificate granting exemption from any occupation tax, administrative fee, or regulatory fee imposed by local governments for peddling, conducting business, or practicing a profession or semi-profession for a period of ten years, if they meet these conditions:

  • discharged under honorable conditions
  • service-connected disability rating of 10% or more

Veterans should contact the GDVS Atlanta field office to begin their application and provide a copy of their DD Form 214 and a VA “Summary of Benefits” letter. Once verified, veterans should take their application to their local County Probate Court Office. The County Probate Court Office will issue a notarized letter confirming eligibility and send the letter to the Secretary of State’s Office.

DISABLED VETERAN HOMESTEAD TAX EXEMPTION

To qualify, the disabled veteran must own the home and use it as a primary residence. This exemption is extended to the un-remarried surviving spouse or minor children as long as they continue to occupy the home as a residence.

Available to:

Honorably discharged Georgia veterans considered disabled by any of these criteria:

VA-rated 100% permanent and totally disabled

VA-rated less than 100% disabled but entitled as 100 percent rate due to unemployability

Entitled to receive a statutory award from VA for:

  • Loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet
  • Loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands
  • Loss of sight in one or both eyes
  • Permanent impairment of both eyes *
  • Surviving, un-remarried spouses of qualified deceased veterans
  • Surviving minor children of qualified deceased veterans
  • * – Central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye (with corrective glasses) or central visual acuity of more than 20/200 if there is a field defect in which the peripheral field has contracted to such an extent that the widest diameter of visual field subtends on angular distance no greater than 20 degrees in the better eye.

Any qualifying disabled veteran may be granted an exemption of $50,000 plus an additional sum from paying property taxes for county, municipal, and school purposes.

The additional sum is determined according to an index rate set by United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The amount is $93,356 during FY 2022 per 38 U.S.C. 2102. The value of the property in excess of this exemption remains taxable

Available to:

  • Georgia veterans discharged under honorable conditions
  • Georgia residents on active duty
  • Surviving, unremarried spouses of qualified deceased veterans and active-duty service members

There is no registration fee, manufacturing fee, or annual fee for one of these specialty plates. An applicant is entitled to a second plate upon payment of a $25 manufacturing fee in addition to an annual fee.

RESERVE COMPONENT LICENSE PLATE

This plate has a U.S. flag background, the name of the reserve component, and the word RESERVE.

Available to:

  • Assigned or attached members of troop program units of any branch of the active reserve components of the United States inside or outside the State of Georgia
  • Retired members of any such component
  • Surviving, unremarried spouses of qualified deceased members who were killed while serving in a combat arena

There is no registration fee, manufacturing fee, or annual fee for one of these specialty plates. An applicant is entitled to a second plate upon payment of a $25 manufacturing fee in addition to an annual fee.

DISABLED VETERAN LICENSE PLATE

This license plate has a U.S. flag background, the International Symbol of Access, and the words DISABLED VETERAN. Plates are issued for the front and back of a vehicle.

A motorcycle version of this plate is available.

Note: This license plate is not issued for motor homes.

Available to:

  • Honorably discharged Georgia veterans considered disabled by any of these criteria:
  • VA-rated 100% percent totally disabled
  • VA-rated less than 100 percent disabled but paid at the 100 percent rate due to unemployability

Entitled to receive a statutory award from VA for:

  • Loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet
  • Loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands
  • Loss of sight in one or both eyes
  • Permanent impairment of both eyes *
  • Surviving, unremarried spouses of qualified deceased veterans
  • Surviving minor children of qualified deceased veterans

SPORTSMAN’S LICENSE

Veterans with a permanent and total disability rating from VA (or another government agency) for a physical or mental impairment are eligible for a 3-year disability sportsman’s license at a steep discount from regular license cost.

Veterans disabled for mental impairment may obtain a discounted disability fishing license.

EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE

A 5-point credit is extended to war veterans seeking employment with the State of Georgia. A 10-point credit is extended to veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating of 10% or more.

STATE PARK ENTRANCE FEE REDUCTION

Georgia veterans with a discharge from the U.S. armed forces under honorable conditions and a VA service-connected disability rating are eligible for a 25 percent reduction of the entrance fee to state parks, historical sites, and recreational areas.

To apply, bring DD Form 214, verification of service-connected disability, and proof of residency to a GDVS Veterans Field Service Office. A service officer will verify eligibility and forward the application to the GDVS Central Office. If approved, the state park discount card will be mailed.

All State Benefits

ABATEMENT OF INCOME TAXES FOR COMBAT DEATHS

Georgia law provides that service personnel who die because of wounds, disease, or injury incurred while serving in a combat zone as a member of the U.S. armed forces are exempt from all Georgia income taxes for the taxable year of death. Additionally, such taxes shall not apply for any prior taxable year ending on or after the first day served in the combat zone.

AD VALOREM TAX ON VEHICLES

This exemption applies to either the annual property tax or the title tax, whichever is applicable.

This exemption is for veterans who are verified by VA to be 100 percent totally and permanently service-connected disabled and veterans rated unemployable who are receiving or who are entitled to receive statutory awards from VA for: (1) loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet; (2) loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands; (3) loss of sight in one or both eyes; or (4) permanent impairment of vision of both eyes to a prescribed degree.

The exemption is granted on ONLY one vehicle the veteran owns and upon which the free Disabled Veteran (DV) license plate is attached. Veterans who qualify for the Purple Heart or Medal of Honor specialty license plates are also exempt.

For more information on vehicle tax exemptions, contact your local County Tax Office.

BUSINESS CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION

Georgia veterans are eligible for a certificate granting exemption from any occupation tax, administrative fee, or regulatory fee imposed by local governments for peddling, conducting business, or practicing a profession or semi-profession for a period of ten years, if they meet these conditions:

  • discharged under honorable conditions
  • service-connected disability rating of 10 percent or more

Veterans should contact the GDVS Atlanta field office to begin their application and provide a copy of their DD Form 214 and a VA “Summary of Benefits” letter. Once verified, veterans should take their application to their local County Probate Court Office. The County Probate Court Office will issue a notarized letter confirming eligibility and send the letter to the Secretary of State’s Office.

EXTENSION OF FILING DEADLINE FOR COMBAT DEPLOYMENT

The tax filing deadline for combat deployed military personnel (those who served on active duty as members of the U.S. armed forces in combat activities during a period designated by the President) is extended until 180 days after such deployment ends.

SALES TAX EXEMPTION FOR VEHICLE PURCHASE/ADAPTATION

A disabled veteran who receives a VA grant for the purchase and special adapting of a vehicle is exempt from paying the state sales tax on the vehicle (only on the original grant).

DISABLED VETERAN HOMESTEAD TAX EXEMPTION

To qualify, the disabled veteran must own the home and use it as a primary residence. This exemption is extended to the un-remarried surviving spouse or minor children as long as they continue to occupy the home as a residence.

Available to:

Honorably discharged Georgia veterans considered disabled by any of these criteria:

  • VA-rated 100 percent permanent and totally disabled
  • VA-rated less than 100 percent disabled but entitled as 100 percent rate due to unemployability

Entitled to receive a statutory award from VA for:

  • Loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet
  • Loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands
  • Loss of sight in one or both eyes
  • Permanent impairment of both eyes *
  • Surviving, un-remarried spouses of qualified deceased veterans
  • Surviving minor children of qualified deceased veterans
  • * – Central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye (with corrective glasses) or central visual acuity of more than 20/200 if there is a field defect in which the peripheral field has contracted to such an extent that the widest diameter of visual field subtends on angular distance no greater than 20 degrees in the better eye.

Any qualifying disabled veteran may be granted an exemption of $50,000 plus an additional sum from paying property taxes for county, municipal, and school purposes.

The additional sum is determined according to an index rate set by United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The amount is $93,356 during FY 2022 per 38 U.S.C. 2102. The value of the property in excess of this exemption remains taxable

VETERAN DRIVER’S LICENSE AND PERSONAL ID CARDS

This special version of a Georgia driver’s license or personal ID card includes a U.S. flag and the word VETERAN prominently displayed on the front.

Any honorably discharged veteran is entitled to a free veteran driver’s license. A member or former member of the National Guard who served on active duty and received a DD Form 214 also qualifies.

Veterans must be a current resident of Georgia to apply for a veteran driver’s license.

In order to obtain a veteran’s driver’s license, the applying veteran must take their DD Form 214 and proof of residency, together with all required identifying documents (birth certificate or passport; Social Security card; two documents showing residential address; and, if applicable, name change documentation), to a Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) office.

NATIONAL GUARD DRIVER’S LICENSE

Any member of the Georgia National Guard or Reserve who is in good standing and has completed at least one year of satisfactory service is eligible for a free National Guard Driver’s License.

HONORARY DRIVER’S LICENSE – SPOUSE

The spouse of a qualified veteran, whose disabilities preclude operating a motor vehicle, is eligible for a free honorary driver’s license.

The surviving un-remarried spouse of an eligible deceased veteran may also receive a free honorary veteran driver’s license.

You must be a current Georgia resident to qualify.

LICENSE PLATES

A Georgia veteran’s license plate featuring the word Veteran and the US Army seal.

This plate has a U.S. flag background, the seal of the veteran’s branch of service, and the word VETERAN.

Available to:

  • Georgia veterans discharged under honorable conditions
  • Surviving, unremarried spouses of qualified deceased veterans

There is no registration fee, manufacturing fee, or annual fee for one of these specialty plates. An applicant is entitled to a second plate upon payment of a $25 manufacturing fee in addition to an annual fee.

WOMAN VETERAN’S LICENSE PLATE

This plate has a U.S. flag background, the seal of the veteran’s branch of service, and the words WOMAN VETERAN.

Available to:

  • Female Georgia veterans discharged under honorable conditions
  • Surviving, unremarried spouses of qualified deceased veterans

There is no registration fee, manufacturing fee, or annual fee for one of these specialty plates. An applicant is entitled to a second plate upon payment of a $25 manufacturing fee in addition to an annual fee.

RETIRED MILITARY LICENSE PLATE

This plate has a U.S. flag background, the seal of the veteran’s branch of service, and the word RETIRED.

Available to:

  • Georgia veterans who retired from active duty
  • Surviving, unremarried spouses of qualified deceased veterans

There is no registration fee, manufacturing fee, or annual fee for one of these specialty plates. An applicant is entitled to a second plate upon payment of a $25 manufacturing fee in addition to an annual fee.

COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE LICENSE PLATE

This plate has a U.S. flag background, the seal of the veteran’s branch of service, the name of the conflict, and the campaign ribbon.

Available for:

  • World War II
  • Korean War
  • Vietnam War
  • Desert Storm
  • Global War on Terrorism
  • War in Iraq
  • War in Afghanistan

Available to:

  • Georgia veterans discharged under honorable conditions
  • Georgia residents on active duty
  • Surviving, unremarried spouses of qualified deceased veterans and active duty service members

There is no registration fee, manufacturing fee, or annual fee for one of these specialty plates. An applicant is entitled to a second plate upon payment of a $25 manufacturing fee in addition to an annual fee.

MILITARY MEDAL AWARD LICENSE PLATE

This plate has a U.S. flag background, the name of the veteran’s branch of service, and the name and image of the medal.

Available for:

  • Medal of Honor *
  • Distinguished Service Cross (Army)
  • Navy Cross
  • Air Force Cross
  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal
  • Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal
  • Distinguished Service Medal (Army)
  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal
  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
  • Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
  • Silver Star
  • Defense Superior Service Medal
  • Legion of Merit
  • Distinguished Flying Cross
  • Bronze Star Medal
  • Purple Heart *
  • Air Medal
  • Soldier’s Medal

* – Special tax provisions apply to these plates; see the Tax Exemptions section

Available to:

  • Georgia veterans discharged under honorable conditions
  • Georgia residents on active duty
  • Surviving, unremarried spouses of qualified deceased veterans and active-duty service members

There is no registration fee, manufacturing fee, or annual fee for one of these specialty plates. An applicant is entitled to a second plate upon payment of a $25 manufacturing fee in addition to an annual fee.

RESERVE COMPONENT LICENSE PLATE

This plate has a U.S. flag background, the name of the reserve component, and the word RESERVE.

Available to:

Assigned or attached members of troop program units of any branch of the active reserve components of the United States inside or outside the State of Georgia

Retired members of any such component

Surviving, unremarried spouses of qualified deceased members who were killed while serving in a combat arena

There is no registration fee, manufacturing fee, or annual fee for one of these specialty plates. An applicant is entitled to a second plate upon payment of a $25 manufacturing fee in addition to an annual fee.

DISABLED VETERAN LICENSE PLATE

This license plate has a U.S. flag background, the International Symbol of Access, and the words DISABLED VETERAN. Plates are issued for the front and back of a vehicle.

A motorcycle version of this plate is available.

Note: This license plate is not issued for motor homes.

Available to:

  • Honorably discharged Georgia veterans considered disabled by any of these criteria:
  • VA-rated 100 percent totally disabled
  • VA-rated less than 100 percent disabled but paid at the 100 percent rate due to unemployability

Entitled to receive a statutory award from VA for:

  • Loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet
  • Loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands
  • Loss of sight in one or both eyes
  • Permanent impairment of both eyes *
  • Surviving, unremarried spouses of qualified deceased veterans
  • Surviving minor children of qualified deceased veterans

LICENSE PLATES: MOTORCYCLE

Specialty veterans license plates are available for motorcycles.

A Georgia veteran’s license plate featuring the purple Heart medal.

The same rules apply as for passenger vehicle versions. Due to space limitations, specialty veterans license plates for motorcycles include simpler designs than full-size plates.

CHOSIN RESERVOIR CAMPAIGN OF 1950 LICENSE PLATE

Georgia veterans of the U.S. armed forces who participated in the Chosin Reservoir Campaign of 1950 in North Korea are eligible for this specialty license plate.

The surviving spouse of a qualified deceased veteran is also eligible as long as not remarried.

There is a $25 manufacturing fee. There is a $20 annual fee. An applicant is entitled to a second plate upon payment of a $25 manufacturing fee in addition to an annual fee.

GOLD STAR LICENSE PLATE

Georgians who are family (spouse, mother, father, step-parent, child, sibling or sibling’s spouse) of a service member killed in action while serving in the U.S. armed forces are eligible for this specialty license plate.

There is no registration fee, manufacturing fee, or annual fee for the first plate issued to the spouse, mother, and father who were Georgia residents at the time of death of the service member. An applicant is entitled to a second plate upon payment of a $25 manufacturing fee in addition to a $20 annual fee.

For all other family members, including family members who were not Georgia residents at the time of the service member’s death, a $25 manufacturing fee and an annual fee apply to the first and any subsequent plates.

NATIONAL GUARD LICENSE PLATE

Members of the Georgia National Guard are eligible for this specialty license plate.

The surviving spouse of a member of the National Guard who was killed while serving in a combat arena is also eligible as long as not remarried.

There is no registration fee, manufacturing fee, or annual fee for this plate. An applicant is entitled to a second plate upon payment of a $25 manufacturing fee in addition to an annual fee.

PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR LICENSE PLATE

Georgia veterans of the U.S. armed forces who survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor are eligible for this specialty license plate.

The surviving spouse of a qualified deceased veteran is also eligible if not remarried.

There is no registration fee, manufacturing fee, or annual fee for this plate. An applicant is entitled to a second plate upon payment of a $25 manufacturing fee in addition to an annual fee.

FORMER PRISONER OF WAR LICENSE PLATE

Georgia veterans who are former prisoners of war with a discharge from the U.S. armed forces under honorable conditions are eligible for this specialty license plate.

The surviving spouse of a qualified deceased veteran is also eligible as long as not remarried.

For purposes of this specialty license plate, “prisoner of war” is defined as a veteran who was captured and held prisoner by forces hostile to the United States while serving in the U.S. armed forces in World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War.

There is no registration fee, manufacturing fee, or annual fee for this plate. An applicant is entitled to a second plate upon payment of a $25 manufacturing fee in addition to an annual fee.

HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES

A One Time Veterans License is available free to Georgia resident military veterans who served on active Federal duty for 90 or more days and were honorably discharged on July 1, 2005, or later. This free license is valid for one year from date of issue, is available to Georgia residents, and may be issued only once.

The One Time Veterans Hunting and Fishing License is a full privilege sportsman’s license and includes all state paid recreational hunting and fishing privileges (some additional no-cost state licenses may be required).

After the One Time Veterans Hunting and Fishing License expires, veterans may apply for a discounted full privilege veterans lifetime license.

DISCOUNTED LIFETIME LICENSES

Honorably discharged resident veterans may purchase a Georgia Adult Lifetime Sportsman’s License at a 20% discount ($600, ages 16 – 49).

Veterans may purchase a Senior Discount Lifetime License beginning at age 60 ($315), or an Older Adult Lifetime License at age 50 ($375).

PERMANENTLY AND TOTALLY DISABLED

Veterans with a permanent and total disability rating from VA (or another government agency) for a physical or mental impairment are eligible for a 3-year disability sportsman’s license at a steep discount from regular license cost.

Veterans disabled for mental impairment may obtain a discounted disability fishing license.

TOTALLY BLIND

Eligible for a free lifetime honorary fishing license.

AGE 65 AND OLDER

Seniors born before July 1, 1952 are eligible for a free senior lifetime sportsman’s license.

Seniors born on July 1, 1952 or after may purchase low cost lifetime or annual licenses.

DRIVING LICENSE RENEWAL EXTENSION FOR COMBAT DEPLOYED

Military personnel on active duty can request a Georgia driver’s license/ID card renewal through the mail. Georgia also allows a six-month grace period for a service member whose Georgia driver’s license expires while on active duty outside the state.

EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE

A 5-point credit is extended to war veterans seeking employment with the State of Georgia. A 10-point credit is extended to veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating of 10 percent or more.

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS FOR CERTAIN WAR VETERANS

A veteran who failed to receive a high school diploma due to an interruption of education by service in World War II, Korea, or Vietnam is eligible to obtain the diploma. Apply at the board of education of the school district where the veteran attended high school.

MOTOR FUEL SERVICE FOR DISABLED VETERANS

When a gasoline station offers both full-service and self-service, a station employee shall, upon request, provide full-service at the self-service price to a disabled veteran, provided: 1) the disabled veteran is driving a vehicle bearing Disabled Veteran license plates, and 2) the disabled veteran is not accompanied by a person capable of pumping fuel (16 years or older and not disabled).

PARKING FOR DISABLED VETERANS

If a Disabled Veteran license plate is properly displayed, the veteran is authorized to park in parking areas designated for persons with disabilities. (No additional parking permit is required.)

STATE PARK ENTRANCE FEE REDUCTION

Georgia veterans with a discharge from the U.S. armed forces under honorable conditions and a VA service-connected disability rating are eligible for a 25 percent reduction of the entrance fee to state parks, historical sites, and recreational areas.

To apply, bring DD Form 214, verification of service-connected disability, and proof of residency to a GDVS Veterans Field Service Office. A service officer will verify eligibility and forward the application to the GDVS Central Office. If approved, the state park discount card will be mailed.

VITAL STATISTICS

Veterans and their families may obtain copies of marriage, divorce, birth, and death documents without charge, provided the copies are to be used for establishing disability or death claims.