Benefits by state

Tennessee veteran benefits

Tennessee has no state income tax on wages or retirement pay. Disabled veterans can get property tax relief on a home worth up to $175,000, and the state runs veterans homes in several cities and cemeteries in Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis and Parkers Crossroads.

Military retirement payTennessee has no general state income tax, so military retirement pay and Thrift Savings Plan withdrawals are not taxed by the state.
Property taxDisabled veterans and unremarried surviving spouses who own and live in their home can get property tax relief calculated on up to $175,000 of market value. You qualify if you have a service-connected permanent and total disability, paraplegia, loss or loss of use of two or more limbs, legal blindness, or a 100% rating as a former POW. Apply through your county trustee, or the city collecting official if you live inside city limits.
Property tax relief for disabled veterans
Taxes		State-funded relief on property tax for a home up to $175,000 in value; apply with the county trustee.
Tennessee State Veterans Homes
Health & Homes		Homes in Murfreesboro (140 beds), Humboldt (140), Knoxville (140), Clarksville (108) and Cleveland (108), with an Arlington home listed as opening soon.
State veterans cemeteries
Burial		Cemeteries in Nashville, Knoxville (two), Memphis and Parkers Crossroads. No cost for the plot, opening and closing, government marker or care.
Helping Heroes Grant
Education		$1,000 a semester for 12+ hours ($500 for 6 to 11 hours) for post-9/11 veterans with an expeditionary medal and one year of Tennessee residency.
STRONG Act for the Guard
Education		Reimburses 100% of in-state tuition for Tennessee National Guard members, up to 130 undergraduate or 40 graduate hours.
$10 lifetime hunting and fishing license
Recreation		Residents rated 100% total and permanent, or 30%+ from wartime service, pay a one-time $10.
Military and veteran plates
Vehicles & ID		Tennessee offers 64 military and veteran plates; the first Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Disabled Veteran and Gold Star plates are free.
Paid leave for state employees
Jobs		State employees who are Reserve members get 20 days of paid military duty leave; veterans rated 30%+ get 36 hours of leave for VA appointments.

Last checked 2026-11. State rules change often; confirm with Tennessee Department of Veterans Services before you rely on any benefit.

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