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Benefits for Georgia Veterans Exemptions
From Taxation A. Homestead Tax: Certain disabled veterans and certain
widows/widowers, or minor children are allowed the maximum amount which may be granted under Section 2102 of Title 38 of the
United States Code. B. Sales Tax on Vehicles: 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).
C.
Ad Valorem Tax on Vehicles: Exempt are veterans who are verified by VA to be 100 percent totally and permanently service-connected
disabled and veterans 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. Exemption is granted on the vehicle the veteran
owns or leases and upon which the free Handicapped Veterans (HV) Motor Vehicle license plate is attached.
D.
State Income Tax: The period of time military personnel served on active duty as members of the armed forces of the United
States in combat activities during a period designated by the President plus the next 180 days thereafter are disregarded
in determining whether any filing requirement has been performed within the time limit prescribed for filing. For individuals
who are hospitalized as a result of an injury or confined as a prisoner-of-war, the period of service in the combat zone,
plus the period of confinement and the next 180 days there after shall be disregarded in determining whether any filing requirement
has been performed within the time limit prescribed for filing. A. Certificate of Exemption:
Disabled veterans are exempt from payment of occupational taxes, administration fees, and regulatory fees imposed by local
governments for peddling, conducting a business, or practicing a profession or semi profession upon meeting the following
eligibility requirements: (1) be discharged under honorable conditions from the armed forces of the United States; (2) have
10 percent disability for certain wartime veterans or a 25 percent service-connected disability for peace time-only veterans;
and (3) have an income that is not liable for state income taxes. B. Hunting and Fishing Licenses: Any veteran
who is a legal resident of Georgia, who files with the Game and Fish Division, Department of Natural Resources a letter from
VA or a certificate from the Social Security Administration, Medicaid, Medicare, Railroad Retirement System or a unit of federal,
state or local government recognized by the Board of Natural Resources by rule or regulation stating that he/she is a totally
and permanently disabled veteran, is entitled to a lifetime honorary hunting and fishing license allowing the veteran to fish
and hunt within the state without the payment of any fee. Persons who are at least 65 years old or who are rated totally blind
also qualify.
C.
Veterans Drivers' Licenses: Issued free to veterans who were residents of Georgia at the time of enlistment or commissioning
and are residents at the time of application for the license or who have been residents of Georgia for at least two years
immediately preceding the date of application for the license. Individuals must have served on active duty in the armed forces
of the United States or on active duty in a reserve component, including the National Guard, during wartime or any conflict when personnel were committed by the President, except
for periodic transfer from reserve status to active duty status for training purposes, and who were discharged or separated
under honorable conditions. The individual need not have been assigned to a unit or division which directly participated in
such war or conflict. Additionally, any member or former member of the National Guard or reserve forces who has 20 or more
years creditable service is entitled to a free driver's license. D. Honorary Driver's License: Issued free
to: (1) any Georgia resident who is the surviving spouse of a veteran who was eligible for a veteran's license, so long
as the surviving spouse does not remarry; or (2) any resident of Georgia who is the spouse of a veteran who would qualify
for a veteran's license were it not for the veteran's permanent disabilities which preclude the operation of a motor
vehicle.
E.
Medal of Honor Tags: Special license plates are issued free to a veteran who is a legal resident of Georgia and who is a Medal
of Honor recipient. Two distinctive license plates will be issued to be placed on the front and rear of the motor vehicle
owned by the Medal of Honor recipient. F. DV Tags (Automobile/Motorcycle): Provided free of charge to: (1) any veteran
who was separated under honorable conditions and who served on active duty in the armed forces or on active duty in a reserve
component, including the National Guard, and who is receiving or entitled to receive a statutory award from VA for (a) loss
or permanent loss of use of one or both feet; (b) loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands; (c) loss of sight in
one or both eyes; or (d) permanent impairment of both eyes to the extent that there is central visual acuity of 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 an angular distance no greater than 20 degrees in the better eye; or (2) any veteran separated under honorable
conditions and verified by VA as receiving or entitled to receive compensation at the 100 percent rate as a result of being
totally disabled permanently or totally disabled nonpermanently. G. POW Tags: One free license plate will be
issued free to any veteran who is a former prisoner-of-war, who was discharged under honorable conditions, and who is a legal
resident of Georgia. Former prisoners-of-war are exempt from paying ad valorem taxes for state, county, municipal and school
purposes on the vehicle on which they place the free POW license plate. Additional plates may be purchased upon payment of
the appropriate taxes and registration fees. A widow/widower of a deceased former POW is eligible for the issuance of a free
POW tag so long as they remain unmarried. H. Purple Heart Tags: Recipients of the Purple Heart medal are entitled to one free
license plate. Additional tag(s) can be obtained by paying the regular license fees plus a manufacturing fee.
I.
DV Tags: Disabled veteran tags are available to veterans who were separated under honorable conditions and who meet the same
degree of disability which is required for the issuance of HV tags, but are unable to qualify for a free license plate. DV
tags are not issued free but may be purchased at regular license plate rates. J. Pearl Harbor Tags: Veterans
of the armed forces of the United States who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor are eligible to receive a special and distinctive
vehicle license plate upon application and payment of an additional fee. K. ID Cards: Personal identification cards
are available to veterans who do not have a motor vehicle driver's license and who would, otherwise, be entitled to issuance
of a free veteran's driver's license. L. Reduced Fees for Disabled Veterans: Any service connected disabled veteran who
was discharged under honorable conditions can visit/use state parks historical sites and recreational areas at reduced rates. M. Veterans License Plates:
Retired personnel of the U.S. Armed Forces or individuals who served during WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Operation
Desert Shield/Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom are eligible to purchase special and distinctive
vehicle license plates. All requests must be accompanied by payment of the appropriate taxes, registration fees and manufacturing
fees. Motor Vehicle owners who retired from active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States shall be issued one free
tag upon applications. Special
Provisions: A. Handicapped Parking: Holders of DV license tags are authorized to park their
vehicles displaying such tags in parking areas designated for the handicapped without obtaining special handicapped parking
area permits. This does not apply to federal parking areas. B. Motor Fuel Service to Handicapped:
When there is an option on the price of fuel at a full-service/self-service facility, a station employee, upon request will
dispense fuel at the lower price from the self-service pump into vehicles bearing HV or DV license tags if: (1) the handicapped/disabled
veteran is driving the vehicle into which fuel is to be dispensed; and (2) the veteran is not accompanied by a person at least
16 years of age who is not blind or has impaired mobility. C. Abatement of State Income Taxes: Georgia law provides
that service personnel who die as a result of wounds, disease or injury incurred while serving in a combat zone as a member
of the armed forces of the United States, are exempt from all Georgia income taxes for the taxable year of his or her death,
nor shall such taxes apply for any prior taxable year ending on or after the first day he/she served in the combat zone. D. Employment Preference: Extended to war veterans
employed under the State Merit System. E. Guardianship: The Uniform Guardianship Act provides
for appointment of a guardian for incompetent veterans and for veterans' children when VA benefits are involved. These
appointments are made on the basis of certificates issued only by VA. F. War Veterans Homes: Treatment is provided
all honorably discharged war veterans in the Georgia War Veterans Home, Milledgeville, and in the Georgia War Veterans Nursing
Home, Augusta. The term "war veteran" for this benefit means any veteran who served on active duty in the armed
forces of the United States, or on active duty in a reserve component, including the National Guard, during wartime or during
the period January 31, 1955, through May 7, 1975. G. State Veterans Memorial Cemeteries: Locations
in Glennville and Milledgeville. Eligibility crieria are the same as federal law. H. Vital Statistics: Veterans,
dependents, VA or veterans' organizations, may obtain copies of marriage, divorce, birth and death documents without charge,
through the Department of Veterans Service, provided the copies are to be used for establishing disability or death claims
with VA, and the request is in writing. I. Service Records: There is no charge for recording of veterans' discharge
certificates (DD Form 214) in county Superior Courts. J. Where to go for Assistance: All Georgia veterans
and their dependents are urged to visit the nearest office of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service for complete information
on benefits for which they may be eligible as well as professional assistance in obtaining them. |
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