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Arizona — Veteran Benefits

Complete reference covering 58 benefit categories across 14 service tiers. Verify current eligibility with your County VSO before filing.

At a Glance — What Unlocks by Status / Rating

Veteran benefits unlocked at each service status and disability rating in Arizona
Status / Rating Headline Benefits Unlocked
Active Duty No AZ income tax on military pay; vehicle VLT exemption (deployed, up to 2 vehicles); resident hunting/fishing rates; 50% off state park day-use; CDL skills waiver; driver license extension; pro license fee waiver and expedite
Guard / Reserve State Tuition Reimbursement (STR) up to $5,250–$6,500/yr; no AZ tax on Guard pay while on orders; SSLI life insurance; 5-pt hiring preference; Purple Heart tuition waiver (Guard PH post-9/11)
Military Retiree 100% exemption of military retirement pay and SBP from AZ income tax (since 2021); 50% off state park day-use; veteran DL designation; 5-pt hiring preference; pro license expedite; 26 specialty plates
Veteran (honorable, no rating) 50% off state park day-use; veteran DL designation; 5-pt hiring preference; pro license fee waiver and expedite; CDL skills waiver; honorary diploma; Purple Star schools; veteran court access
0% SC Same as no-rating tier plus DES employment services priority
10–20% Prorated property tax exemption ($4,873 base × disability %); reduced hunting/fishing combo ($42); 50% off state park day-use; 10-pt hiring preference
30–40% Prorated property tax exemption grows with rating; 10-pt hiring preference; 50% off state park day-use
50–60% Same as above; Purple Heart + 50%+ rating qualifies for tuition waiver; higher prorated property tax exemption
70–90% Larger prorated property tax exemption (income/value limits still apply); 10-pt hiring preference; 50% off state park day-use
100% schedular Full property tax exemption on primary residence (HB 2792, eff. 2026); free vehicle VLT + registration (1 vehicle); free hunting/fishing combo license; free state park day-use pass; vehicle sales tax relief on VA-adapted vehicles; 10-pt hiring preference; state veteran home priority
TDIU Treated same as 100% SC for all AZ programs; full property tax exemption; all 100% benefits
P&T All 100%/TDIU benefits plus surviving spouse may continue full property tax exemption; vehicle VLT exemption passes to unremarried surviving spouse
SMC (Housebound/A&A) All P&T benefits; state veteran homes (SNF care) accept SMC-level needs; MFRF emergency financial assistance available
Surviving spouse / dependents Continue full property tax exemption (unremarried, primary residence); vehicle VLT exemption until remarriage; free burial in state cemetery; tuition waiver for unremarried spouse and children under 30 if servicemember KIA

Taxes

1. Property Tax — Primary Residence

Full exemption on the entire assessed value of the primary residence. No income cap, no assessed-value cap. Effective tax year 2026 under HB 2792 (signed February 12, 2026, emergency clause). TDIU veterans are treated as 100% SC for this purpose. Surviving unremarried spouse continues the full exemption until remarriage or death.
Verify locally: This is the confirmed 2026 county-assessor adjusted amount (up from $4,476 in 2025); the statutory base in A. Confirm the current-year figure with your county assessor each January. This cap is adjusted annually — confirm the current-year figure with your county assessor each January.

Authority: A.R.S. § 42-11111; HB 2792 (57th Legislature, 2nd Regular, eff. Feb 12, 2026).

2. Property Tax — Vehicle / Personal Property

**Benefit:** Vehicle license tax (VLT) exemption for one personally owned vehicle is available to 100% SC disabled veterans. Any unused VLT exemption from the property tax category may also apply against vehicle taxes under Title 28. See also Category 10 (Vehicle Registration).

Authority: A.R.S. §§ 28-5802, 42-11111.

3. Vehicle Sales / Use Tax

**VA-Adapted Vehicle:** Veterans who receive VA financial assistance for a specially adapted vehicle are exempt from Arizona's vehicle license tax on that vehicle. This covers both the transaction privilege tax (TPT) equivalent and VLT components.
Verify locally: **General 100% SC Purchases:** Unconfirmed — multiple aggregator sites report a sales tax exemption of up to $24,000/year for 100% SC veterans (effective July 2026, excluding tobacco, alcohol, vehicles), but this figure does not appear in any Arizona statute, SB 1749 text, or ADOR publication reviewed as of 2026-05-30. Confirm current status with ADOR before claiming (azdor.

Authority: A.R.S. § 28-5802(A)(1).

4. State Income Tax — Active Duty Military Pay

**Benefit:** Arizona does not tax military pay received by active duty or reserve component service members while on active orders. Applies to both resident and nonresident service members on active duty in Arizona.

Authority: A.R.S. § 43-1001 et seq.; MSRRA; azdor.gov Military Tax Filing page.

5. State Income Tax — Military Retirement Pay

**Benefit:** 100% exempt from Arizona state income tax as of tax year 2021 forward (signed June 30, 2021, retroactive to January 1, 2021). Applies to both spouses independently if both receive retired pay. TSP distributions from a military retirement account remain taxable as ordinary income.

Authority: A.R.S. § 43-1022(26) (as amended 2021).

6. State Income Tax — SBP Annuity

**Benefit:** SBP, RCSBP, and RSFPP annuity payments are not subject to Arizona income tax (treated identically to military retirement pay following the 2021 amendment).

Authority: A.R.S. § 43-1022(26); azdor.gov Military Tax Filing.

7. State Income Tax — General

**Authority:** A.R.S. § 43-1022; 26 U.S.C. § 104.

Authority: A.R.S. § 43-1022; 26 U.S.C. § 104.

8. Sales Tax Exemption

Arizona has no confirmed blanket veteran sales tax exemption card program as of 2026-05-30.

9. Other State Tax Breaks

- **Vehicle license tax exemption (deployed):** Active/reserve component deployed in support of worldwide contingency operations — VLT exemption on up to 2 vehicles for the deployment year (see Catego

Vehicle, Travel & ID

10. Vehicle Registration Fee

**100% SC / TDIU / P&T veterans:** Vehicle license tax (VLT) and public safety fee waived on **one** personally owned vehicle. Exemption must be renewed annually with a current VA certification letter showing 100% disability. Surviving unremarried spouse continues until remarriage or death. Purple Heart honorably discharged recipients also qualify.

Authority: A.R.S. § 28-5802; Arizona ADOT MVD.

11. Disabled Veteran License Plates

**Benefit:** Arizona offers Disabled Veteran license plate variants. Initial fee: **$25** + $25 annual renewal. Personalization adds $25. The plate and the VLT fee waiver (Category 10) are distinct — fee waiver is not contingent on having the specialty plate.

Authority: A.R.S. § 28-2402; Arizona DVS Veteran License Plates page.

12. Other Veteran / Military Specialty Plates

Arizona offers **26 total military/veteran specialty plate designs** including Army Veteran, Navy Veteran, Air Force Veteran, Marine Corps Veteran, Coast Guard, POW/MIA, Purple Heart, and others. All: **$25 initial + $25 annual renewal**. A portion of proceeds supports Arizona veterans programs. Transferable to spouse, parent, child, or sibling of eligible veteran. Motorcycles eligible.

Authority: A.R.S. § 28-2402.

13. Toll Road / Bridge Exemption

Arizona has no state law exempting veterans from toll charges. No veteran-specific toll exemption program was confirmed as of 2026-05-30.

14. Public Transit Discount

No confirmed statewide veteran free/discounted transit pass program. Note: as of early 2026, Tucson's Sun Tran system is fare-free for all riders under a city policy (confirm current status at suntran.com). Valley Metro (Phoenix) has no confirmed veteran-specific discount as of 2026-05-30; confirm with Valley Metro (valleymetro.org).

15. Disabled Parking Privileges

**Benefit:** Arizona issues disabled parking placards and plates through ADOT MVD based on a physician's certification of qualifying mobility limitation. There is no VA disability rating requirement — eligibility is medical, not veteran-specific. Disabled veterans with qualifying mobility impairments are fully eligible. No fee for the placard.

Authority: A.R.S. § 28-884.

16. Driver License / State ID Fee

**Veteran Designation:** No fee to add a veteran designation to an Arizona driver license, permit, or state ID card. Acceptable proof: DD-214, DD-215, DD2, VA Statement of Honorable Service, American Legion/DAV/VFW ID, VA Medical card, and others.

Authority: A.R.S. § 28-3166.

17. CDL Fee / Skills-Test Waiver

**Benefit:** Qualified veterans may waive the CDL skills tests (knowledge tests still required). Eligibility: honorably discharged within the last year AND operated a commercial motor vehicle of the same class for at least 2 years immediately before discharge; no disqualifying convictions; not more than one serious traffic violation in the past 2 years. Also available to currently active duty members meeting the same CMV experience criteria.

Authority: A.R.S. § 28-3221; FMCSA military skills test waiver provisions.

18. Veteran Designation on DL / ID

**Benefit:** "VETERAN" designation printed on Arizona driver license or ID at no charge. Acceptable proof includes DD-214, DD-215, active military ID, and veteran organization IDs (see Category 16).

Authority: A.R.S. § 28-3166; Arizona DVS Veteran Driver License page.

Outdoor Recreation

19. Hunting License

**100% permanent SC (Arizona resident 1+ year):** Free combination hunting/fishing license. Plastic card option: $4 additional. **Any SC rating below 100% (Arizona resident 1+ year):** Reduced fee combo license: **$42**. **Purple Heart recipient (Arizona resident 1+ year):** Reduced fee combo license: **$28**. **Nonresident active duty stationed in AZ:** Hunting at resident rates.

Authority: A.R.S. § 17-254; Ariz. Admin. Code R12-4-202.

20. Fishing License — Freshwater

Combined with hunting under the Arizona combination license (see Category 19). Same tiers and fees apply — no separate freshwater-only benefit structure for veterans.

Authority: A.R.S. § 17-254; Ariz. Admin. Code R12-4-202.

21. Fishing License — Saltwater

Arizona is landlocked; no saltwater fishing license exists.

22. Combination Hunt/Fish License

The veteran discount is administered as a combination hunting and fishing license. See Category 19 for full fee schedule and eligibility.

23. Trapping License

The disabled veteran combination license (see Category 19) covers all hunting and fishing privileges granted by a standard combination license, which includes trapping of predatory, nongame, and furbearing mammals under Arizona regulations. No additional separate trapping license is required for eligible disabled veterans. (Source: Ariz. Admin. Code R12-4-202; AZGFD Special Licenses page.) Confirm current year scope with Arizona Game and Fish Department (602-942-3000).
Verify locally: ) Confirm current year scope with Arizona Game and Fish Department (602-942-3000).

24. State Parks — Day Use / Entrance

Exclusions: Kartchner Caverns cave tours, Riordan Mansion tours, special-use/program/event fees, reservation fees, camping fees, overnight parking fees.

Authority: Arizona State Parks veteran/military discounts policy; azstateparks.com.

25. State Parks — Camping

Camping and overnight fees are explicitly excluded from all Arizona State Parks veteran discount programs. The day-use pass (free or 50% off) does not apply to campsite fees, overnight parking, or reservation fees. No informal camping discount was found on the official azstateparks.com policy page. Contact Arizona State Parks (602-542-4174) to confirm whether any park-specific programs exist.

26. State Parks — Annual / Lifetime Pass

**100% SC disabled veteran (Arizona resident 1+ year):** Free annual day-use pass (renewable).
Verify locally: The bill passed the Senate (March 18, 2026, 19-7) and the House Government Committee (March 26, 2026, 6-0), but as of 2026-05-30 a final House floor vote and governor's signature had not been confirmed. Confirm current status with Arizona State Parks (azstateparks.

Authority: Arizona State Parks; SB 1050 (57th Legislature, 2nd Regular, 2026, pending enactment).

27. Boat / Watercraft Registration

No general veteran or 100% disabled veteran boat registration fee waiver was confirmed for Arizona as of 2026-05-30. Standard fees: $20–$66/year depending on vessel length (Arizona residents). Confirm with Arizona Game and Fish Boating Division (602-942-3000) whether any veteran-specific waiver has been added.

Education

28. In-State Tuition

**Veterans using VA education benefits (Ch. 30, 31, 33, 35):** Immediate in-state tuition status regardless of residency duration. Must establish domicile intent (register to vote, obtain AZ driver license, register vehicle, etc.) within the term.

Authority: A.R.S. § 15-1802.01; Choice Act / MISSION Act conforming provisions.

29. Tuition Waiver — Disabled Veteran

1. U.S. Armed Forces member (Arizona resident OR stationed in AZ at time of qualifying injury) with Purple Heart citation AND VA disability rating of 50% or higher (A.R.S. § 15-1808(A)(3)). 2. Arizona National Guard member medically discharged for a service-connected disability (A.R.S. § 15-1808(A)(4)). 3. Arizona National Guard member awarded Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001 (A.R.S. § 15-1808(A)(2)).

Authority: A.R.S. § 15-1808.

30. Dependent Education Benefit

Unremarried surviving spouse and children under age 30 of a service member who was an Arizona resident OR stationed in AZ, AND was killed in the line of duty or died from injuries suffered in the line of duty.

Authority: A.R.S. § 15-1808(A)(1).

31. Spouse Education Benefit

**KIA surviving spouse:** Unremarried surviving spouse of a servicemember killed in the line of duty receives full undergraduate tuition waiver at Arizona public universities and community colleges (see Category 30 — spouse and children qualify under the same A.R.S. § 15-1808(A)(1) provision). No age cap on spouse; children capped at under 30.
Verify locally: **Veteran spouses (general):** No additional non-KIA spouse scholarship program has been confirmed under state law beyond the KIA waiver above.

Authority: A.R.S. § 15-1808(A)(1).

32. National Guard / Reserve Tuition Assistance

**Arizona National Guard State Tuition Reimbursement (STR):**
Verify locally: **Arizona National Guard State Tuition Reimbursement (STR):** | Component | Rate | Annual cap | Semester cap | |---|---|---|---| | Army NG | $250/semester hour | $5,250 | — | | Air NG | $250/semester hour | $6,500 | $2,156 (fees cap $500/semester) | **Transfer to dependents:** Confirmed — DEMA publishes a separate STR application for spouses and dependents (Form GAO-618). Confirm current transfer caps with the AZNG Education Services Office (602-267-2445).

Authority: A.R.S. § 26-179; DEMA STR Program.

33. K-12 Support

**Purple Star School Program:** Arizona schools earn Purple Star designation by appointing a trained military liaison and maintaining a dedicated military family resource page. Assists military-connected children with enrollment, grade/course transfers, attendance and grading, extracurricular participation, and on-time graduation.

Authority: Arizona MIC3 enabling statute; Arizona Department of Education.

34. State Student Loan / Scholarship

No separate Arizona state veteran scholarship or bond-backed state loan program beyond the 120-day deferment was identified as of 2026-05-30. Contact the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education (acpe.asu.edu) for any additional programs.

Employment & Licensing

35. Veterans Hiring Preference

**5-point preference:** Veteran with honorable discharge and more than 6 months active duty; OR former reserve component member eligible for military retirement. Added to passing exam score.

Authority: A.R.S. § 38-492.

36. Professional License Fee Waiver

**Benefit:** Arizona licensing boards shall waive application fees and expedite issuance for: - Active duty service members and their spouses. - Honorably discharged veterans within **2 years** of discharge.

Authority: A.R.S. § 41-1093.01.

37. Professional License Reciprocity — Military Spouse

**Benefit:** Military spouses holding a professional license from another state may expedite transfer to Arizona. Licensing boards shall give expedited processing and fee waivers to military spouses.

Authority: A.R.S. § 41-1093.01.

38. Business License Fee Break

**Benefit:** Veterans may qualify for procurement preferences in state contracting through Arizona's veteran-owned small business program administered by the Department of Administration.
Verify locally: Confirm current figures and certification requirements with the Procurement Office (sppo.

39. Civil Service / Retirement Credit

**USERRA protections:** Full reemployment rights after military service (up to 5-year cumulative limit with exceptions); pension plan continuation; health insurance continuation (up to 24 months at 102% premium for service exceeding 30 days).
Verify locally: **ASRS military service credit:** Confirmed — ASRS allows members to purchase active-duty or reserve/Guard military service credit, provided the member was honorably discharged and is not already receiving a military retirement based on that service.

Housing & Financial

40. State Home Loan / Down-Payment Assistance

Arizona does not operate a state-run veteran home loan program comparable to CalVet. Veterans in Arizona use the federal VA Home Loan (zero down, no PMI; 2026 conforming limit $832,750 for all AZ counties).

41. Financial Assistance / Emergency Relief

**Arizona Military Family Relief Fund (MFRF):** - One-time emergency assistance: up to **$3,000**; lifetime limit: **$20,000**. - Eligible expenses: rent, vehicle payments, utilities, basic living costs. Ineligible: VA debts, education, child support, credit cards, legal fees. - Program authorized through December 31, 2026. - Eligibility: honorably discharged veteran OR active duty with Arizona connection (home of record, AZNG at deployment, deployed from AZ installation, or 12+ months continuous AZ residence); hardship caused by military service; survivors of those KIA/wounded in combat zone or hazardous duty area also eligible. - Required docs: DD-214, 2 months bank statements, 2 months pay stubs, past-due or upcoming bills, VA decision letter.

Authority: A.R.S. § 41-608; Arizona DVS financial assistance pages.

42. State Veteran Bonus

Arizona does not have an active deployment or wartime service bonus program as of 2026. Historical programs have lapsed and no 2026 legislation creating a new bonus program was identified. Contact ADVS (602-255-3373) or DEMA (dema.az.gov) for any future legislative changes.

43. Specially Adapted Housing — State Supplement

No confirmed Arizona state supplement to the federal VA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) or Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grant programs as of 2026-05-30.

44. Utility / Heating Assistance

No Arizona veteran-specific utility/heating grant program separate from MFRF or LIHEAP was identified.

Health & Support

45. State Veterans Home / Nursing Home

**Four Medicare-certified skilled-nursing / long-term care facilities:**
Verify locally: Confirm current resident cost schedule with ADVS Admissions (602-234-5678).

Authority: A.R.S. § 26-261 et seq.; Arizona DVS State Veteran Homes; NASVH directory.

46. Behavioral / Mental Health Programs

**Arizona Veterans Courts:** Collaborative diversion programs in Phoenix, Tempe/East Valley, Tucson, and other jurisdictions for veterans involved in the criminal justice system. Addresses PTSD, TBI, anger, substance abuse, and domestic violence; charges may be dismissed upon successful completion.

47. Dental / Vision / Health Programs

Arizona has no separate state-funded veteran dental or vision program beyond access to VA healthcare and TRICARE.

48. Long-Term Care / Aid & Attendance Supplement

No confirmed Arizona state cash supplement to the federal VA Aid and Attendance pension benefit as of 2026-05-30.

49. Free Legal Aid / Veteran Treatment Courts

**Veterans' Advocacy Law Clinic — University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law (Tucson):** Pro bono legal services for veterans and their families. law.arizona.edu.

50. Concealed Carry / Firearms Fee Waiver

**Constitutional Carry:** Arizona requires no permit for any person 21+ who may legally possess a firearm (A.R.S. § 13-3112). Veterans benefit from this baseline without any additional requirement.
Verify locally: Contact AZ DPS (602-223-2000) to confirm whether any discount applies.

Authority: A.R.S. § 13-3112.

51. Vital Records / Notary Fee Waiver

No Arizona state-level veteran-specific fee waiver for certified copies of birth/death certificates was confirmed as of 2026-05-30. Standard fee: $20 per certified copy from ADHS Bureau of Vital Records (602-364-1300). Some county recorders may offer free copies for service-related needs — confirm with your specific county recorder's office.

Legal & Administrative

52. Unique State Programs

**Arizona Gold Star Military Medal:** Awarded to families of Arizona residents killed in action on or after February 13, 1912 (statehood). One medal per family (next-of-kin). Apply: ADVS, 3839 N 3rd Street, Phoenix AZ 85012.

Survivor Benefits

53. Surviving Spouse — Property Tax

**100% SC (P&T):** Surviving unremarried spouse continues the full property tax exemption (no assessed-value cap) on the primary residence until remarriage or death. If the veteran first received the 100% exemption in 2026 and dies during 2026, the surviving spouse may begin claiming the full exemption starting January 2027.

Authority: A.R.S. § 42-11111(B); HB 2792 surviving spouse provision.

54. Surviving Spouse — Education

**Tuition waiver:** Unremarried surviving spouse of a servicemember killed in the line of duty (Arizona resident or stationed in AZ) receives full undergraduate tuition waiver at Arizona public universities and community colleges. No age cap on spouse. Must apply — no automatic enrollment.

Authority: A.R.S. § 15-1808(A)(1).

55. Dependent / Survivor State Benefit

**Burial:** Veteran's dependent children and unmarried spouse are eligible for burial in Arizona State Veterans' Memorial Cemeteries. One-time fee: **$780** per family member. Veteran's own plot, opening/closing, liner, and marker are free.

Memorial & Burial

56. State Veterans Cemetery

Honorable discharge; OR died on active duty; OR 20+ years National Guard/Reserve with military retirement eligibility; OR activated reserve component (not active duty for training only); OR dependent spouse and unmarried children (under 21, or under 23 if full-time student, or disabled with pre-age-21 disability).

Authority: A.R.S. §§ 26-261, 26-263; Arizona DVS Cemeteries.

57. Burial Allowance / Plot

No separate Arizona state cash burial allowance beyond the free state cemetery burial and the federal VA burial allowance described above.

58. Headstone / Memorial / Honors

**Government headstone/marker:** Provided at no cost by the federal VA for burial in any cemetery. Flat markers (granite, marble, bronze) and upright headstones (granite, marble) available.