An estimated 1,242,882 veterans live in California, making up 4.1% of the state's adult population or the 49th-highest per capita of the 56 U.S. states, permanently inhabited territories, and District of Columbia.
California Military and Veteran Income Taxes
Military Retiree Income Tax
Military retirement pay and Survivor Benefit Plan payments are taxed.
Active-Duty Income Tax
California active-duty residents do not pay state income taxes if stationed outside the state.
California Veteran Property Taxes
Veterans: Honorably discharged veterans or the spouses or pensioned parents of deceased, honorably discharged veterans receive a $4,000 real property (such as a home) or personal property (such as a boat) exemption. However, a person who owns property valued at $5,000 or more ($10,000 or more for a married couple or for the unmarried surviving spouse of a qualified veteran) is not eligible for this exemption.
Disabled veterans: California gives a property tax exemption for the home of a 100% disabled veteran or an unmarried spouse of a deceased disabled veteran. There are two levels of the Disabled Veterans' Exemption:
- Basic: The basic exemption, also referred to as the $100,000 exemption, is compounded annually by an inflation factor. For example, for 2018, the most recent year for which the state published an estimate, the basic exemption amount was $134,706.
- Low-income: The low-income exemption, also referred to as the $150,000 exemption, is available to qualifying claimants whose annual household income does not exceed a specified income limit. The amounts for both the low-income exemption and the annual income limit are compounded annually by an inflation factor. For example, for 2018, the low-income exemption amount was $202,060, and the annual household income limit was $60,490.
This exemption has no personal wealth restriction. The exemption is available only on a principal residence. The home may receive only one property exemption.
California Military and Veteran Education Benefits
Military/Veteran Education
The California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program covers all or a portion of costs at selected state institutions. Guard members must remain in an active status while attending school. There are some GPA, academic program and enrollment requirements.
Military Dependent Education
The spouse, child under age 27 or unmarried surviving spouse of a veteran who is either totally service-connected disabled or who has died of a service-connected cause may receive a waiver of mandatory systemwide tuition and fees at any State of California Community College, California State University or University of California campus.
California Military and Veteran Employment Benefits
Veteran Hiring Preference
State preference: Honorably discharged veterans automatically rank at the top of the eligibility list when they pass a test for state employment.
Business license fees: Honorably discharged veterans who hawk, peddle or vend any goods from a fixed location may receive a waiver of municipal, county and state business license fees as well as other taxes and fees. This doesn't apply to the sale of alcoholic beverages.
Driving: Service members and veterans who served in a military position requiring operation of a military motor vehicle equivalent to a commercial motor vehicle on public roads and highways may be exempt from the road test or written section of the licensing exam.
Contracting with the state: The Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise program helps small businesses that are wholly or partly owned by disabled veterans compete for state contracts.
Military Spouse Employment
The spouses of veterans or surviving spouses of 100% disabled veterans automatically rank at the top of the eligibility list when they pass a test for state employment.
California Veteran Housing and Veterans Homes
Veterans Homes
California's eight veterans homes are in Barstow, Chula Vista, Fresno, Lancaster, Redding, Ventura, West Los Angeles and Yountville.
Veterans ages 55 and above and discharged from active military service under honorable conditions are eligible to apply for admission. The age requirement is waived for disabled or homeless veterans needing long-term care.
Homeless Veterans
The Veterans Housing and Homelessness Prevention Program (VHHP) allocates funds for new affordable housing for veterans and their families with an emphasis on veterans who are homeless or have extremely low income.
Adapted Housing
No state benefits.
California Veteran Financial Assistance
The California Military Family Relief Fund (CMFRF) provides short-term financial assistance in the form of grants to state Guard members and/or families affected by mobilization and deployment.
California Veteran Legal Assistance
Through the CalVet Prop 63 Mental Health Grant Program, the Orange County Veterans Service Office (CVSO), Riverside CVSO and San Bernardino CVSO will each host a monthly free legal clinic for homeless and/or low-income veterans whose access to or maintenance of mental health treatment requires legal intervention, which clients could otherwise not afford.
California Military and Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting/Fishing
Any veteran with a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) service-connected disability rating of 50% or greater, not just California residents, may receive a discounted hunting or fishing license. Veterans must submit verification of their disability and honorable discharge, along with documentation of state hunter education requirements.
Parks/Camping
Honorably discharged resident war veterans with a 50% or greater service-connected disability, or who is a former prisoner of war or Medal of Honor recipient, may receive a free pass to all California state parks. This includes camping and day use but is not valid for special events, group campsites, commercial use or supplemental fees. There may be a convenience fee to make online reservations.
California Veteran Transportation Benefits
Medal of Honor recipients, former POWs, and some permanently and totally disabled veterans may be eligible for a waiver of registration fees and free license plates for one passenger motor vehicle, or one motorcycle, or one commercial motor vehicle of less than 8,001 pounds in unladen weight.
California Veteran Burial Benefits
Veterans Cemeteries
California's three veterans cemeteries are in Seaside, Igo and Yountville. The Yountville cemetery currently accepts only the interment of the Yountville veterans home residents and their eligible dependents.
More Information
Visit the California Department of Veterans Affairs website for more information on any of these programs.
-- Additional reporting by Jim Absher.
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