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Utah — 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 Utah
Status / Rating Headline Benefits Unlocked
Active Duty Full property tax exemption if deployed 200+ days out-of-state; in-state tuition for member and family (HB 142, 2025); driver license extension; DOPL occupational license fee waivers; hiring preference; CDL skills test waiver
Guard / Reserve Property tax exemption if deployed 200+ days out-of-state; State Tuition Assistance ($6,000–$7,000/yr) + State Tuition Waiver; federal FTA; DOPL fee waiver; hiring preference; ACE credentialing program; spouse license reciprocity
Military Retiree 4.5% nonrefundable Utah income tax credit on federally taxable retired pay (UCA §59-10-1043, code AJ) — effectively offsets the full Utah flat tax; SBP annuities receive same credit
Veteran (honorable, no rating) In-state tuition (within 12 mo of separation, plus family under HB 142); Veterans Tuition Gap Program if federal benefits exhausted; hiring preference (5%); DV plate; Utah state cemetery; VEOP expedited hiring; ACE; Utah@EASE pro bono legal aid
0% SC Same as no-rating veteran; DV plate with any SC documentation; 0% SC alone may not qualify for Honor Pass (requires any-percentage SC rating documentation)
10–20% Property tax exemption (10–20% of $535,459 maximum); DV plate; Veterans With Disabilities Honor Pass (any-% SC confirmed); all prior
30–40% Property tax exemption (30–40% of $535,459); all Tier 6 benefits
50–60% Property tax exemption (50–60% of $535,459); all prior
70–90% Property tax exemption (70–90% of $535,459); state veterans home at no cost (70%+); all prior
100% schedular Full $535,459 property tax exemption; vehicle sales tax exemption on one vehicle (UCA §59-12-104); discounted hunting/fishing/combo licenses (20%+ threshold, confirmed); all prior
TDIU Treated as 100% for property tax (unemployability classification per statute); vehicle sales tax exemption per policy; state veterans home at no cost; all 100% benefits
P&T All 100%/TDIU benefits; dependents receive undergraduate tuition waiver at Utah public institutions (§53B-8-107.5); surviving-spouse property tax exemption transferable
SMC (Housebound/A&A) Federal SMC cash only; no additional Utah state tier above 100% identified
Surviving spouse / dependents KIA/line-of-duty: full property tax exemption on primary home and personal property; Scott Lundell undergraduate tuition waiver (§53B-8-107, post-9/11 KIA); hiring preference (same as veteran); SBP annuity receives 4.5% nonrefundable tax credit

Taxes

1. Property Tax — Primary Residence

Utah resident veteran with service-connected (SC) disability of 10%–100%, unmarried surviving spouse of a qualifying veteran, or minor orphan. Primary residence plus up to 1 acre in the veteran's name as of January 1 of the application year. Minimum SC rating: 10%.

Authority: Utah Code §59-2-1104; §59-2-1104.1. Publication 36, Utah State Tax Commission (Rev. 04/26).

2. Property Tax — Vehicle / Personal Property

Same as Category 1 (10%+ SC disability). The $535,459 exemption pool applies to both real property and tangible personal property held exclusively for personal use (automobiles, RVs, boats, trailers). Veterans typically apply the exemption to the home first; any remaining unused exemption amount can offset vehicle property tax.

Authority: Utah Code §59-2-1104 (personal property included in statutory language).

3. Vehicle Sales / Use Tax

Veteran with a 100% service-connected disability rating — exempt from Utah state and local sales and use tax on the purchase of one motor vehicle.
Verify locally: Confirmed by multiple county assessor sources and veteran benefit aggregators; the sales tax exemption for 100% SC veterans is widely documented. **Action:** Obtain a VA letter confirming 100% SC disability rating. Confirm current procedures with the Utah State Tax Commission (tax.

Authority: Utah Code §59-12-104. Confirmed by multiple county assessor sources and veteran benefit aggregators; the sales tax exemption for 100% SC veterans is widely documented.

4. State Income Tax — Active Duty Military Pay

**Nonresident service members** stationed in Utah are not subject to Utah income tax on active duty military pay.

Authority: Utah Code §59-10-114; IRC alignment.

5. State Income Tax — Military Retirement Pay

**Benefit:** Nonrefundable income tax credit equal to 4.5% of federally taxable military retirement pay, filed on TC-40A Part 3, code AJ. Because Utah's flat income tax rate is 4.55%, this credit effectively offsets nearly the entire Utah state income tax on military retired pay.

Authority: UCA §59-10-1043. Enacted by Utah SB 11 (signed March 11, 2021, retroactive to January 1, 2021).

6. State Income Tax — SBP Annuity

SBP survivor annuities are covered under Category 5. The same 4.5% nonrefundable credit (code AJ) applies to SBP annuity income included in federal AGI. No separate Utah state deduction or exemption beyond the credit.
Verify locally: Surviving spouses of service members who died while on active duty should also check the Military Survivor Benefits Credit (code AA) on TC-40A.

Authority: UCA §59-10-1043.

7. State Income Tax — General

**VA disability compensation:** Not subject to Utah income tax. VA compensation is excluded from federal AGI and therefore not taxed by Utah.

8. Sales Tax Exemption

Utah does not issue a general veteran sales tax exemption card usable at retail. The only vehicle-related sales tax benefit is the one-time vehicle purchase exemption for 100% SC veterans (Category 3). No blanket retail sales tax exemption card for disabled veterans exists in Utah.

9. Other State Tax Breaks

No additional Utah state tax breaks for veterans beyond Categories 1–7 were identified. The $535,459 personal property pool (Categories 1–2) covers tangible personal property held for personal use. No estate tax exemption specific to veterans and no intangibles exemption identified.

Vehicle, Travel & ID

10. Vehicle Registration Fee

**Purple Heart recipients:** Exempt from vehicle registration fees, license plate issuance fees, and related fees under Utah Code §41-1a-1206 and §41-1a-1211 (effective January 1, 2026). Only property-tax-based fees or age-based fees remain. A Purple Heart specialty plate must be obtained through the DMV to receive the exemption.

Authority: Utah Code §41-1a-1206; §41-1a-1211.

11. Disabled Veteran License Plates

Utah resident veteran with any service-connected disability. No minimum rating stated by statute; documentation from UDVMA, VA, or U.S. Armed Forces certifying service-connected disabled status is required. The plate may be obtained with even a very low SC rating as long as documentation exists.

Authority: Utah DMV (dmv.utah.gov/plates/license-plates/disabledveteran/).

12. Other Veteran / Military Specialty Plates

Utah offers branch-specific and service-designation specialty plates:

Authority: Utah DMV specialty plates catalog (dmv.utah.gov/plates/).

13. Toll Road / Bridge Exemption

No Utah state toll exemption for veterans or disabled veterans identified. Utah toll lanes and express lanes (I-15 express lanes, SR-201, etc.) operate under standard fee schedules. No veteran discount program exists as of research date.

14. Public Transit Discount

No statewide reduced-fare or free transit program specifically for veterans or disabled veterans in Utah. The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) offers reduced fares for persons with qualifying disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act; veterans with SC disabilities who meet ADA criteria may qualify for UTA's disability reduced fare separate from veteran status. Contact UTA (rideuta.com) to confirm ADA reduced-fare eligibility.

15. Disabled Parking Privileges

Any person with a qualifying disability (not limited to veterans). SC disabled veterans meeting the physical criteria qualify.

Authority: Utah Code §41-6a-1310; dmv.utah.gov/plates/disabled/.

16. Driver License / State ID Fee

**Veteran designation on DL/ID:** Honorably discharged veterans 21 or older may add a "Veteran" indicator to their driver license or state ID when applying in person (not available during online renewal). Requires DD214 or WWII separation records. Standard DL fees apply; the indicator itself carries no extra fee.

Authority: Utah Driver License Division (dld.utah.gov/military-veteran/); §41-1a-1206 for Purple Heart.

17. CDL Fee / Skills-Test Waiver

Honorably discharged veteran who received discharge within the previous 90 days AND operated a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for at least two years preceding discharge. Also available for actively drilling Reserve/Guard members who held CMV certification.

Authority: Utah DLD (dld.utah.gov/military-veteran/); Utah Code §53-3-407.

18. Veteran Designation on DL / ID

Covered in Category 16. Available to honorably discharged veterans 21+. Added at in-person DL/ID application or renewal. No extra fee for the indicator (standard DL fees apply).

Outdoor Recreation

19. Hunting License

Utah resident veteran with 20%+ service-connected disability rating. Verification: official written letter, statement, or card from the VA or a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces certifying 20%+ SC disability.

Authority: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (wildlife.utah.gov); Utah Code §23A-4-202.

20. Fishing License — Freshwater

Utah resident veteran with 20%+ SC disability.

Authority: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (wildlife.utah.gov); Utah Code §23A-4-202.

21. Fishing License — Saltwater

Utah is landlocked; no saltwater fishing license exists.

22. Combination Hunt/Fish License

Utah resident veteran with 20%+ SC disability.

Authority: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources; Utah Code §23A-4-202.

23. Trapping License

**Status uncertain** — The 20%+ SC discount program applies to hunting, fishing, and combination licenses per Utah DWR. Trapping/furbearer licenses are not explicitly listed in the discount program language. Contact Utah DWR (wildlife.utah.gov) to confirm whether the discount extends to furbearer/trapping licenses.
Verify locally: gov) to confirm whether the discount extends to furbearer/trapping licenses.

24. State Parks — Day Use / Entrance

Utah resident who is honorably discharged and has a service-connected disability rating of any percentage (expanded from the original 50% threshold when the program was created in 2016). VA documentation of any SC disability required.
Verify locally: **Eligibility (confirmed 2022 expansion):** Utah resident who is honorably discharged and has a service-connected disability rating of any percentage (expanded from the original 50% threshold when the program was created in 2016).

Authority: Utah State Parks (stateparks.utah.gov/resources/military/veterans-with-disabilities-honor-pass/); S.B. 108 (2022 expansion).

25. State Parks — Camping

The Veterans With Disabilities Honor Pass does not cover camping fees. No separate veteran camping fee waiver identified in Utah State Parks programs.

26. State Parks — Annual / Lifetime Pass

**Veterans Adventure Pass (pilot program):** Annual pass providing day-use access. Eligibility: Utah veteran who possesses the federal Interagency Military Lifetime Pass (not the Military Annual Pass). Only 1,600 passes available per calendar year through this pilot. Not valid for camping fees.

Authority: Utah State Parks (stateparks.utah.gov/resources/military/veterans-adventure-pilot-program/); S.B. 108.

27. Boat / Watercraft Registration

No veteran-specific boat registration fee waiver identified in Utah. Standard registration fees apply ($45.50–$65.50 depending on vessel length and type; a Boating Grant Tax took effect January 1, 2026). The DWR disability license discount does not extend to vessel registration.

Education

28. In-State Tuition

**Active duty stationed in Utah:** Member and their dependents receive in-state tuition at all Utah public degree- and certificate-granting institutions.

Authority: Utah Code §53B-8-102; 38 U.S.C. §3679; HB 142 (2025 General Session).

29. Tuition Waiver — Disabled Veteran

**No standalone tuition waiver** exists in Utah based solely on disability rating for the veteran themselves (contrast with Purple Heart waiver in Category 34, which covers the recipient).

30. Dependent Education Benefit

**Disabled Veterans' Dependent Tuition Waiver (§53B-8-107.5):**

Authority: Utah Code §53B-8-107.5 (enacted by HB 109, 2023).

31. Spouse Education Benefit

**Disabled Veterans' Dependent Tuition Waiver (§53B-8-107.5):** Spouses of P&T 100% SC veterans are eligible for the dependent tuition waiver (same conditions as Category 30 above — undergraduate tuition, resident student, USHE institutions).
Verify locally: **Active duty spouse:** Most Utah public institutions extend in-state tuition rates to the active duty member's spouse (verify with individual institution).

32. National Guard / Reserve Tuition Assistance

**State Tuition Assistance (STA) — Utah National Guard:**

Authority: Utah National Guard Education Services (guard.utah.gov/education-services/).

33. K-12 Support

**Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3):** Utah is a member. Eases K-12 enrollment, course placement, graduation requirements, and record transfers for military-connected children.

Authority: Utah Code §53G-6-806; MIC3 Compact.

34. State Student Loan / Scholarship

**Purple Heart Tuition Waiver (§53B-8-104.5 / Title 53B Chapter 8e):**

Authority: Utah Code §53B-8-104.5; Utah Purple Heart Recipients' Tuition Act (Chapter 8e).

Employment & Licensing

35. Veterans Hiring Preference

**Points preference (Utah Code §71A-2-102):**
Verify locally: Must check veteran status on application and upload documentation.

Authority: Utah Code §71A-2-101 through §71A-2-106.

36. Professional License Fee Waiver

**Active duty service members:** - Processing fees for initial license applications and renewals waived. - Inactive license conversion fees waived. - Licenses expiring during active duty/deployment automatically extended 90 days after last day of service; renewal during that window at no cost.

Authority: Utah Code §71A-8-103; DOPL Military Resources (commerce.utah.gov/dopl/military-resources/); Administrative Rule R156-1-305.

37. Professional License Reciprocity — Military Spouse

**Military spouses stationed in Utah:** May practice their licensed profession using an active out-of-state or territorial license without obtaining a Utah license. DOPL provides a verification letter to help spouses demonstrate this exemption to employers. License must be active in another U.S. state or territory.

Authority: Utah Code (military spouse reciprocity provisions); DOPL Military Resources (commerce.utah.gov/dopl/military-resources/).

38. Business License Fee Break

No Utah state veteran business license fee waiver or state-level procurement set-aside program for veteran-owned businesses identified. Federal SDVOSB certifications apply to federal contracting only. Utah does not have a parallel state set-aside identified.

39. Civil Service / Retirement Credit

**Military service credit:** Active duty military service may be credited toward Utah Retirement Systems (URS) retirement benefits. Purchased military service credit is available.

Authority: Utah Retirement Systems (urs.org); Utah Code §49-11-501 et seq. (purchase of military service credit).

Housing & Financial

40. State Home Loan / Down-Payment Assistance

First-time homebuyer in Utah who is either (a) a recently separated veteran within 5 years of separation or (b) a currently serving active duty, Reserve, or Guard member living in Utah. Must be eligible for a VA Home Loan Certificate of Eligibility. Dual military couples receive one combined grant. - **2026 status:** The program is **closed for FY2026 — all funds depleted**. Expected to reopen August 3, 2026. Applications accepted from approximately August 1 through June 20 each year, or until funds are exhausted. - **Process:** Apply through Utah Housing Corporation (UHC) / UDVMA. Loan can be VA or any conforming product. - **Contact:** UDVMA 801-326-2372; veterans.utah.gov/first-time-homebuyer-grant/.

41. Financial Assistance / Emergency Relief

**Utah@EASE pro bono legal assistance** (see Category 49) addresses debt, predatory lending, and financial legal issues at no cost to eligible veterans.

42. State Veteran Bonus

Utah does not have a state military service bonus program for any conflict era (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, or post-9/11). No state bonus legislation identified.

43. Specially Adapted Housing — State Supplement

No Utah state-funded adapted housing supplement identified. Federal VA programs apply:

44. Utility / Heating Assistance

**No dedicated veteran-only utility or heating assistance program** in Utah. Veterans may access:

Health & Support

45. State Veterans Home / Nursing Home

Veteran who served more than 180 consecutive days on active duty, OR served in a Reserve component, OR has a service-connected injury/disability regardless of active duty days. Wartime veterans receive admission preference. Spouses of veterans and Gold Star parents also eligible (no VA cost subsidy for non-veteran admissions).
Verify locally: Verify the current rate directly with UDVMA or the individual facility.

Authority: Utah Code §71A-5-101 et seq.; veterans.utah.gov/veterans-homes/.

46. Behavioral / Mental Health Programs

**SafeUT National Guard:** Free access to licensed mental health professionals for Utah Army and Air National Guard members and their families.

47. Dental / Vision / Health Programs

**New Smiles for Veterans:** Utah-based nonprofit addressing dental care gaps not covered by VA. Not a fully funded state entitlement program. Contact: newsmilesforveterans.org. Availability and eligibility vary.

48. Long-Term Care / Aid & Attendance Supplement

**State veterans homes** (Category 45) are the primary state long-term care benefit. Veterans with 70%+ SC receive care at no cost; below 70%, the federal VA per diem (~$120/day) partially offsets cost.

Authority: 38 U.S.C. §1521–1523 (federal); Utah Code §71A-5-101 (state homes).

49. Free Legal Aid / Veteran Treatment Courts

Honorably or generally discharged veterans, or currently serving service members. Must be referred by a VSO (for veterans) or judge advocate (for service members). - **Covered:** Powers of attorney, wills/trusts, consumer fraud, predatory lending, debt, landlord/tenant rights, SCRA, USERRA. - **Excluded:** Criminal matters, family law, personal injury, VA claims, and legal actions against government entities. - **Contact:** attorneygeneral.utah.gov/utah-at-ease/

50. Concealed Carry / Firearms Fee Waiver

**Active duty and Active Guard/Reserve (AGR) service members and their spouses:** Renewal fees for concealed firearm permits are waived.

Authority: Utah Code §53-5-707; §53-5a-312.

51. Vital Records / Notary Fee Waiver

No veteran-specific fee waiver for vital records (birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates) identified in Utah. Standard fees apply (approximately $30 per certificate as of recent schedules). Some counties may have local assistance programs; verify with the Utah Office of Vital Records (vitalrecords.utah.gov).

Legal & Administrative

52. Unique State Programs

**Veterans Service Officers (VSO) — Free claims assistance:** UDVMA maintains accredited VSOs statewide providing free help with VA claims, appeals, C&P exam preparation, and state benefits navigation. Appointments in-person, phone, or video. Call 801-326-2372 or visit veterans.utah.gov/regional-offices/. Partner organizations at UDVMA offices include DAV (801-326-2375), American Legion (801-326-2380), and VFW (801-326-2385).

Survivor Benefits

53. Surviving Spouse — Property Tax

**KIA / Died in line of duty:** Unmarried surviving spouse or minor orphans receive exemption on the full assessed value of the primary residence and all personal property held for personal use. No cap applies — full exemption regardless of the veteran's prior disability rating.

Authority: Utah Code §59-2-1104.

54. Surviving Spouse — Education

**Scott Lundell Military Survivors Tuition Waiver (§53B-8-107):** Surviving spouse of a qualifying deceased military member (killed/died from wounds on active duty, post-9/11, Utah resident or UT National Guard) receives full undergraduate tuition waiver at USHE institutions. Does not cover fees, books, or housing.

Authority: Utah Code §53B-8-107; §53B-8-107.5.

55. Dependent / Survivor State Benefit

**Hiring preference:** Surviving spouse of a qualifying veteran receives the same preference points (5% or 10% depending on the veteran's status) in Utah state government hiring (Utah Code §71A-2-102).

Memorial & Burial

56. State Veterans Cemetery

Veterans (honorably discharged), their spouses, and dependent children. - **Cost:** No charge for the eligible veteran. A small fee may apply for dependent burials; verify current fee schedule directly with the cemetery. - **Scheduling:** 801-254-9036. - **Authority:** UDVMA (veterans.utah.gov/burial-benefits/).
Verify locally: A small fee may apply for dependent burials; verify current fee schedule directly with the cemetery.

Authority: UDVMA (veterans.utah.gov/burial-benefits/).

57. Burial Allowance / Plot

**Federal VA burial allowance (applicable to Utah veterans):**

58. Headstone / Memorial / Honors

**Federal benefits (administered for Utah veterans):**

Authority: VA National Cemetery Administration (cem.va.gov); 38 U.S.C. §2306 (headstones/markers); §2301 (burial honors).