Privilege Tax 

Persons who are 65 or older, blind, deaf, dumb, or with loss of hand or foot, or loss of use of the hand or foot or who can provide documentation that they are 50% disabled to perform physical labor and whose annual gross income is $900.00 or less are exempt from payment of privilege tax for specified businesses. 

Honorary High School Diploma 

The school board of a local school district may award an honorary high school diploma in a form prescribed and supplied to school districts by the State Board of Education to Veterans of World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam Conflict who were unable to complete their education due to their military service. The honorary diploma is available to any honorably discharged Veterans residing in Mississippi who was (a) scheduled to graduate between 1941 and 1955 but was inducted into military service before completing the necessary graduation requirements, or (b) was scheduled to graduate between 1963 and 1973 but volunteered for military service and received the Vietnam Service Ribbon. 

Authorization of In-State Tuition for Nonresident students who are United States Veterans or Person entitled for Veterans’ Educational Assistance 

Any Veteran, as defined by Title 38 of the United States Code, or a person entitled to education benefits under Title 38 of the United States Code is authorized in-state tuition 

Educational Assistance 

Children of any member of the armed services whose official home of record and residence is within the State of Mississippi and who is officially reported as being either a prisoner of war or missing in action can receive an eight-semester scholarship, without cost, exclusive of books, food, school supplies, materials and dues or fees for extracurricular activities at any state-supported college or university within the State. Miss. Code Ann., §37-108-1 

The Adjutant General of Mississippi is authorized to pay the tuition for certain members of the active Mississippi National Guard who are enrolled within the state of Mississippi in an accredited institution of higher learning, vocational education school or junior college. Miss. Code Ann., §33-7-405 and §33-7-407. Military personnel stationed in Mississippi are classified as state residents for the purposes of payment of tuition at state colleges and universities 

Recording and Retrieving Documentation 

The Mississippi Dept. of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics is to furnish, without charge, copies of birth and death certificates when they are needed to establish claims for dependency, disability, or survivors benefits for any Veteran who is a legal resident of the State of Mississippi or their claimants. 

The State Bureau of Vital Statistics is to furnish, at no expense, and immediately upon application a certified copy of birth certificates for any person volunteering for service in one of the Armed Forces of the United States. Miss. Code Ann. 

Concealed Weapon Training, State Residency Exemption 

Concealed-carry permit qualification requirements have been revised to authorize any member, honorably retired member, or Veterans of any active or reserve component branch of the United States of America Armed Forces having completed law enforcement or combat training with pistols or other handguns as recognized by such branch after submitting an affidavit attesting to have read, understand and agree to comply with all provisions of the enhanced carry law 

Concealed Weapon Permit Fee Exemption for Service-Connected Disabilities 

Any Veterans having a service-connected disability shall be exempted from concealed weapon permit fees and renewal fees. The Veteran must be a resident of the state for 12 months or longer immediately preceding the filing of the application. However, this residency requirement may be waived, provided the applicant possesses a valid permit from another state, is active military personnel stationed in Mississippi, or is a retired law enforcement officer establishing residency in the state. 

Concealed Weapon Permit Fee Exemption for Active-Duty Military 

Active-duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States shall be exempt from the payment of concealed weapon permit fees and renewal fees 

Use of Support Animals 

Any Armed Services Veterans that are blind, mobility impaired, diagnosed with PTSD or hearing impaired that uses a support animal specifically trained as a guide, leader, listener or for any other necessary assistance in day-to-day activities shall be entitled to the full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities and privileges of all public conveyances, hotels, lodging places, businesses open to the public for the sale of any goods or services and all places of public accommodation, amusement, or resort and other places to which the general public is invited, and may take the support animal into conveyances and places, subject only to the conditions and limitations applicable to all persons not so accompanied, except that: the support animal shall not occupy a seat in any public conveyance, the support animal shall be upon a leash or otherwise sufficiently restrained in a manner appropriate for the animal while using the facilities of a common carrier. Support animal trainers shall have the same rights of accommodations, advantages, facilities, and privileges with support animals-in-training as the Veteran 

Re-employment 

Any person who is a member of any reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States who, in order to perform duties or receive training with the Armed Forces of the United States or of the State of Mississippi leaves a position, other than a temporary position, in the employ of any employer, and who shall give evidence of the Satisfactory completion of such duty or training, and who is still qualified to perform the duties of such position, shall be entitled to be restored to his previous or a similar position, in the same status, pay, and seniority. Such period of absence for military duty or training shall be construed as an absence with leave but may be without pay. 

Professional License Reciprocity 

As passed by the Mississippi Legislature (2013 Regular Session) and Signed into law by the Governor: Senate Bill 2419 provides that Military and Military Spouses who are moving or have moved to Mississippi due to an active duty transfer may more quickly obtain licenses for many professions such as teaching, accounting, cosmetology, engineering and real estate brokerage. Licenses for physicians, nurses, dentists, dieticians, and other medical jobs are also included. The bill also provides that individuals with military training may (subject to guidelines set by licensing boards) count their experience toward requirements for various job licenses, certifications, and registrations. State licensing boards can grant either a permanent or temporary occupational license. People with temporary licenses can start working while applying for permanent ones.