1. Property Tax — Primary Residence
Authority: RIGL §44-3-4; §44-3-4.2; §44-3-5 (Gold Star parents)
Complete reference covering 58 benefit categories across 14 service tiers. Verify current eligibility with your County VSO before filing.
| Status / Rating | Headline Benefits Unlocked |
|---|---|
| Active Duty | Military pay exempt from RI income tax for nonresidents stationed in RI; MSRRA spouse income exemption; CDL skills-test waiver; Military Family Relief Fund grants; RIPTA free Memorial Day; family military leave protections |
| Guard / Reserve | STAP: up to 5 free tuition classes/semester (CCRI/RIC/URI); STEP: 1 free summer course; differential pay for RI state employees; Military Family Relief Fund; family military leave (15–30 days unpaid depending on employer size) |
| Military Retiree | Military retirement pay 100% exempt from RI income tax (eff. 2023); SBP/RCSBP/RSFPP fully exempt; property tax exemption via §44-3-4 (wartime service); veteran plate; veteran DL designation (free) |
| Veteran (honorable, no rating) | Property tax exemption via §44-3-4 (municipal; state floor minimal); free veteran DL designation; veteran specialty plate (no service/transfer charge); +5 civil-service points on state exam; hunting/fishing license valid 6 months post-discharge; RI Veterans Memorial Cemetery eligibility; RIPTA free Memorial Day; military records recorded free |
| 0% SC | Same as veteran no-rating tier; no additional state benefits specifically tied to 0% rating |
| 10–20% | Free tuition waiver at CCRI/RIC/URI (tuition only; FAFSA must be filed first; financial aid applied against tuition before waiver); +10 civil-service points if wartime service with campaign ribbon |
| 30–40% | Same as 10–20%; $400 property tax credit (state minimum for partially disabled veterans, §44-3-4) |
| 50–60% | Same as 30–40% |
| 70–90% | RIPTA half-fare pass ($25 ID card, 5-year validity); RIPTA no-fare if also below 200% FPL; personal care attendant rides free with no-fare pass |
| 100% schedular | Free vehicle registration + free disabled veteran plates (1 vehicle ≤12,000 lbs); free DL/ID permanently; disabled parking placard; free admission + parking at all RI state parks/beaches; free permanent hunting + freshwater + saltwater fishing license; free Goddard Park golf; property tax: $10,000 off assessed value (state floor §44-3-4); free tuition waiver at public colleges |
| TDIU | Same benefits as 100% schedular for most RI programs; §31-6-8 expressly includes "individually unemployable" for free vehicle registration and DL; hunting/fishing qualifies |
| P&T | Same as 100% schedular; permanent status eliminates renewal requirements on disability pass and licenses; surviving spouse retains property tax exemption and purple heart plate transfer |
| SMC (Housebound/A&A) | No separate RI state tier beyond 100%/P&T unlocks; SAH grant recipients receive additional $10,000 off assessed value (stacks with totally-disabled exemption; $20,000 total) |
| Surviving spouse / dependents | Unmarried surviving spouse: same §44-3-4 property tax exemption as veteran; Gold Star parent: $3,000 off assessed value (§44-3-5, state floor; municipalities may exceed); Gold Star NG children (ages 16–21): free tuition up to 4 years at RI public colleges; Gold Star NG surviving spouse: free tuition up to 4 years; free RI Veterans Memorial Cemetery burial; purple heart plate transfers to unremarried surviving spouse at no cost; CHAMPVA for dependents/spouses of P&T veterans |
Authority: RIGL §44-3-4; §44-3-4.2; §44-3-5 (Gold Star parents)
Authority: RIGL §31-6-8; §44-3-4
Rhode Island imposes a 7% state sales and use tax with no general veteran-specific exemption. VA automobile adaptive-equipment grants are federally tax-free under federal law, but no standalone RI statute exempts veteran vehicle purchases. ⚠️ Verify with RI Division of Taxation (401-574-8955) if purchasing a specially adapted vehicle using a VA grant.
Authority: RIGL §44-30-12; MSRRA (federal); SCRA (federal)
Authority: RIGL §44-30-12 (as amended by P.L. 2022)
Authority: RIGL §44-30-12
Rhode Island does not issue a veteran sales tax exemption card. No general veteran sales tax exemption exists in RI law.
Authority: RIGL §31-6-8; §31-3-53
Authority: RIGL §31-3-53; §31-6-8; RI DMV
Authority: RIGL §31-3-53; RI DMV Military/Veteran Plates
Authority: RIPTA Reduced Fare Program regulations (840-RICR-00-00-1); RI Office of Veterans Services
Authority: RIGL §31-6-8; RI DMV
Authority: RIGL §31-10-48; RI DMV
Authority: RI DMV CDL Military Skills Test Waiver program
Authority: RIGL §31-10-48
Authority: RIGL §20-2-31; RI DEM
Authority: RIGL §20-2-31; RI DEM
Authority: RIGL §20-2-31 (RI DEM interpretation); RI DEM
Authority: RIGL §32-1-17; RI State Parks
Authority: RIGL §32-1-17; RI State Parks
Authority: RIGL §30-30.1-1
Authority: RIGL §30-3-40.5; RI Office of Veterans Services; RI ARNG educational benefits policy
Authority: RIGL §30-3-40.3; RI Adjutant General / RI OVS
Authority: MIC3 compact; RI DESE
Authority: RIGL §36-4-19
No confirmed RI veteran-specific business license fee waiver or reduced-fee program identified. Veterans may access the SBA and the RI Veterans Business Outreach Center for business development assistance, but no statutory fee break exists. ⚠️ Verify with RI Secretary of State for any recent enactments.
Authority: RIGL §30-11-6; USERRA (federal)
Authority: VA Home Loan Guaranty (38 U.S.C. §3710); RIHousing; RIGL §45-25-18.10; §45-26-12
Authority: RIGL §30-3-41; RIMFRF statute
Authority: RIGL §44-3-4; §44-3-5
Authority: RIGL §30-3-40.5; RI ARNG
Authority: RIGL §30-25-14; 180-RICR-20-00-1