An estimated 615,440 veterans live in North Carolina, making up 7.3% of the state's population or the 18th-highest of the 56 U.S. states, inhabited territories and District of Columbia.
North Carolina Military and Veteran Income Taxes
Military Retiree Income Tax
Military retirement and Survivor Benefit Plan payments are tax free.
Active-Duty Income Tax
Active-duty pay follows federal tax rules.
North Carolina Veteran Property Taxes
Honorably discharged resident veterans rated 100% permanently and totally disabled by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may receive up to a $45,000 deduction in the assessed value of their home for property tax purposes. A surviving spouse who receives Dependency and Indemnity Compensation from the VA is also eligible.
North Carolina Military and Veteran Education Benefits
Military/Veteran Education
State National Guard members receive tuition reimbursement at state institutions.
Veterans discharged from active duty and living in the state receive in-state tuition.
Military Dependent Education
Children of service members who were KIA or POW, or died or became at least 20% disabled from service-connected causes, receive free tuition, room and board allowances, and exemption from certain mandatory fees at public institutions for four academic years; or $4,500 per nine-month academic year to pay for private and junior colleges.
North Carolina Military and Veteran Employment Benefits
Veteran Hiring Preference
Wartime veterans receive preference in state government employment.
Military Spouse Employment
Spouses of disabled veterans and surviving spouses of disabled veterans or of veterans who died in action or as a result of service-connected disability receive preference in state government hiring.
North Carolina Veteran Housing and Veterans Homes
Veterans Homes
North Carolina's four veterans homes are in Black Mountain, Fayetteville, Kinston and Salisbury. Honorably discharged North Carolina resident veterans are eligible. They must be referred by a doctor or be otherwise disabled. There is a fee.
Homeless Veterans
No state benefits.
Adapted Housing
No state benefits.
North Carolina Veteran Financial Assistance
No personal loan or grant programs.
North Carolina Veteran Legal Assistance
No state-funded legal services.
North Carolina Military and Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting/Fishing
All 50% or more disabled veterans can get a lifetime hunting-fishing license for $10 to $110, depending on the type of license.
Residents on active duty outside the state and home on leave for 30 days or less do not need to buy a license.
Parks/Camping
Veterans with service-connected disabilities may receive a free annual pass to state parks, which includes discounted equipment rentals.
North Carolina Veteran Transportation Benefits
The state will provide transportation to federal VA medical centers that are within range of certain state VA facilities.
Disabled veterans are exempt from paying the highway tax on vehicles that are specially adapted by the VA to accommodate their disabilities.
North Carolina Veteran Burial Benefits
Veterans Cemeteries
North Carolina's four state veterans cemeteries are in Black Mountain, Goldsboro, Jacksonville and Spring Lake. Honorably discharged resident veterans can be buried for free. There is a modest charge for spouses.
More Information
Visit the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs website for more information on any of these programs.
-- Additional reporting by Jim Absher.
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