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Utah benefits for Veterans and families, each checked against an official Utah source and linked to it. Federal VA benefits work the same everywhere, and the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs can help you apply for them at no cost.
16 benefits from official sources1 unverifiedLast verified
How to read the labels:In effect confirmed on an official page. Not yet finalized announced or passed but not in force yet. Unverified — confirm with the agency we couldn't confirm it on an official page, so ask the agency.
Help from your state veterans office
Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs (UDVMA) and accredited VSOs
In effect
UDVMA gives free help with VA claims, applications and appeals through its accredited Veteran Service Officers. They meet in person, by phone or by video at regional offices. DAV, the American Legion and the VFW also have accredited representatives in Salt Lake City.
Veteran with a Disability property tax exemption (UCA 59-2-1903/1904)
In effect
Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 10%, their unmarried surviving spouses, and minor orphans can exempt part of the taxable value of their primary residence, plus non-business personal property such as vehicles. The amount is a percentage of the year's maximum that matches the disability rating, so 100% gets the full amount.
Who qualifies
Service-connected disability of 10% or more (no exemption below 10%), or the unmarried surviving spouse or minor orphan of such a veteran or of a veteran who died in the line of duty.
Amount or details
2025 maximum: up to $521,620 of taxable value (Tax Commission 2025 relief table), prorated by disability percentage. UDVMA's 2026 booklet lists $505,548. The 2026 figure was not confirmed on a Tax Commission page.
How to apply
File Form PT-25 with your county by September 1, with proof of service and a VA or military statement of disability percentage (proof needed with initial application only).
“The deadline for filing this application with your county of residence is September 1”
Active or reserve duty armed forces property tax exemption
In effect
Active or reserve members who served on active duty outside Utah for at least 200 days in a continuous 365-day period can exempt the full taxable value of their primary residence.
Who qualifies
Active or reserve armed forces member with at least 200 days of qualifying active duty outside the state in a continuous 365-day period.
Amount or details
Total taxable value of the primary residence. One exemption per qualifying period.
How to apply
File Form PT-22 with your county by September 1 of the year after the qualifying service, with orders. Reapply each year.
Utah gives a nonrefundable income tax credit equal to 4.5% of taxable military retirement pay, which effectively removes it from state tax. Survivor retirement pay also qualifies. You cannot claim it together with the general Retirement Credit.
Who qualifies
Taxpayer or spouse receiving taxable military retirement pay, including a survivor of a deceased service member. Excludes Social Security, 401(k)/IRA and non-military pensions.
Amount or details
Credit = taxable military retirement pay x 0.045 (TC-40A code AJ, 2025 tax year).
How to apply
Complete the Military Retirement Credit Worksheet and claim code AJ on TC-40A.
A return filed for a service member who died as a result of service in a combat zone on or after Jan. 1, 2010 gets a credit equal to the tax attributable to that service member.
Who qualifies
Active or reserve member of any branch whose combat-related death occurred on or after Jan 1, 2010.
Amount or details
Nonrefundable credit equal to the tax liability attributable to the deceased (TC-40A code 25).
Disabled Veteran license plate and veteran group plates
In effect
Utah resident disabled veterans can get a Disabled Veteran plate. It does not carry disabled-parking privileges, so a separate disabled windshield placard is needed for those spaces. A "UTAH HONORS VETERANS" group plate with branch decals is open to anyone. Form PT-32 also offers a veteran abatement of motor vehicle uniform fees and property tax.
Who qualifies
Disabled veteran plate: Utah resident disabled veteran (transferable to the surviving spouse). Honors Veterans plate: anyone who pays the contribution.
Amount or details
Honors Veterans plate: $25 initial contribution and $10 annual renewal. Disabled Veteran plate fees were not verified on a DMV page.
How to apply
Apply through the Utah DMV. File PT-32 with the county for the vehicle fee and tax abatement.
“As Utah tax code does not provide handicapped parking space privileges for the Disabled Veteran license plate, a disabled windshield placard must be obtained separately.”
Utah has several state programs. The Veterans Tuition Gap Program covers tuition, fees, books, supplies and housing when federal benefits are exhausted or unavailable (UCA 53B-13b-104). The Purple Heart Tuition Waiver covers public institutions up to a master's degree (53B-8e-103). The Scott Lundell Military Survivors Tuition Waiver covers dependents of members killed in action since 9/11 (53B-8-107). Veterans released within 12 months get in-state tuition (53B-8-102(8)). UDVMA is also the State Approving Agency for GI Bill schools.
Who qualifies
Varies by program, as described above.
Amount or details
See program descriptions.
How to apply
Contact the school's admissions office. SAA: 801-584-1973, utahsaa@utah.gov.
Veterans' preference in state and local government hiring (UCA 71A-2)
In effect
Every government entity in Utah, including the state, counties, cities and public schools, must give veterans' preference on initial application. Veterans and service members get 5 points or 5%. Disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients get 10 points or 10%. Spouses and surviving spouses get the veteran's percentage.
Who qualifies
Veterans and service members, disabled veterans (any percentage), spouses and surviving spouses, Purple Heart recipients, and military retirees.
Amount or details
5 points/5% or 10 points/10% of the total possible score, whichever is greater. Candidates must still meet all qualifications.
How to apply
Mark veteran status on the state application and upload your DD-214, VA letter or orders.
“Ten points or ten percent of the total possible score (whichever is greater), if the preference eligible is a veteran or service member with a disability or a purple heart recipient”
Veteran Employment Credit for employers (UCA 59-10-1031)
In effect
Utah employers get a nonrefundable income tax credit for hiring a recently deployed veteran who was discharged within the prior two years and was eligible for, or had exhausted, unemployment benefits.
Who qualifies
Veteran mobilized to active federal service with an honorable or general discharge within 2 years before hire. Must work at least 35 hours per week for 45 of 52 weeks.
Amount or details
Employer credit (TC-40A code 27). Monthly amounts were not captured.
Recently separated veterans (within 5 years) and current service members, including Guard and Reserve, can get a $2,500 grant toward their first home purchase in Utah.
Who qualifies
Separated within the last 5 years or currently serving, eligible for a VA Home Loan Certificate of Eligibility, and a first-time homebuyer. Dual-military couples get only one grant.
Amount or details
$2,500. Any conforming loan type is allowed (VA, FHA, Fannie or Freddie).
How to apply
Through a Utah-licensed lender, with eligibility established by UDVMA.
Discounted hunting, fishing and combination licenses for disabled veterans
In effect
Utah residents with a service-connected disability rating of 20% or more can buy discounted hunting, fishing or combination licenses.
Who qualifies
Utah resident with a service-connected disability of 20% or more, verified by a VA or armed forces letter, statement or card.
Amount or details
1-year resident disabled veteran fishing $12.00, hunting $25.50, combination $28.50. Multiyear licenses at the same per-year price, up to five years (DWR fee page updated Oct 8, 2026).
How to apply
Submit the disabled veteran application to DWR with your disability verification.
“— Purchase multiyear licenses at $28.50 per year (up to five years)”
State Parks Veterans with Disabilities Honor Pass and Veterans Adventure Pass pilot
In effect
Utah resident, honorably discharged veterans with a service-related disability get an Honor Pass for state park access. A pilot program also gives 1,600 eligible Utah veterans free day-use access to state parks for one year. UDVMA says a lifetime Veterans Honor Pass is pending federal approval. Until then, a VA Summary of Benefits Letter showing Utah residency and any disability rating works for entry.
Who qualifies
Utah resident, honorably discharged, with a service-related disability and a current VA summary of benefits letter.
Amount or details
Honor Pass available since May 4, 2022. Adventure Pass pilot: 1,600 veterans, free day use for one year.
How to apply
Pick up at Utah State Parks region offices and most parks.
“The Honor Pass will be available for veterans who (1) are a Utah resident, (2) were honorably discharged from their military service, and (3) have a service-related disability”
Four state veterans homes (Salt Lake City, Ogden, Payson, Ivins)
In effect
UDVMA oversees four veterans nursing homes run by a contracted provider: William E. Christoffersen (Salt Lake City), George E. Wahlen (Ogden), Mervyn Sharp Bennion (Payson) and Southern Utah (Ivins). Care is free for veterans with a 70% or higher service-connected disability. For other veterans, a VA per diem of about $120 a day subsidizes the cost.
Who qualifies
Veterans who served on active duty or deployed while in the reserves. Spouses and Gold Star parents are also eligible, but their care is not VA-subsidized.
Utah Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park (Bluffdale)
In effect
A state-operated veterans cemetery just north of Camp Williams in Bluffdale. There is no fee for a veteran's burial. A small fee, adjusted annually, applies for an eligible spouse or dependent child.
Who qualifies
Veterans, spouses and dependent children.
Amount or details
17111 South Camp Williams Road, Bluffdale, UT 84065; (801) 254-9036.
How to apply
Give the mortuary your DD-214. The mortuary sends it to the cemetery and schedules the service.
HB 124 (2026) Veterans Amendments: one-time application for the disabled veteran property tax exemption
Unverified — confirm with the agency
Not confirmed on an official page: Bill text verified on le.utah.gov. The final status ('not passed', March 6, 2026) comes only from third-party trackers (LegiScan/Legiplex) and was not confirmed on an official page.
HB 124 (2026 General Session, sponsored by Rep. Jill Koford and Sen. Calvin R. Musselman) would have clarified that a veteran generally needs to apply only once for the disabled or killed-in-line-of-duty property tax exemption.
We only publish what we could confirm on an official Utah source. These are the open questions from our latest review. Ask the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs about anything here.
Disabled veteran property tax exemption: the Tax Commission's 2025 table shows $521,620, while UDVMA's Aug 2026 booklet shows $505,548 (likely an older year). The 2026 maximum was not verified.
Only versioned PDFs and bill-compare PDFs could be reviewed.
Disabled Veteran plate fees and eligibility were not verified on dmv.utah.gov (the guessed URL returned 404).
No Utah state veterans bonus was found. Not marked none_offered because no official statement was located.
Utah does not exempt VA disability compensation by special statute (it is federally excluded); not separately documented.
Other 2026 General Session veteran bills were not individually reviewed.
This state page was last reviewed against official sources on November 1, 2026. Our watcher re-checks those pages automatically and flags any item whose quoted wording disappears.