Kansas is home to more than 210,000 veterans, with significant military infrastructure at Fort Riley (home of the 1st Infantry Division) and McConnell Air Force Base. The Sunflower State offers a full military retirement income tax exemption with no caps, a homestead property tax refund program for disabled veterans under K.S.A. § 79-201b, the Kansas Tuition Waiver for qualifying veterans and dependents (§ 76-744), employment preference under § 73-201, the historic Kansas Soldiers' Home in Fort Dodge, and free hunting and fishing licenses for qualifying disabled veterans. This is the complete 2026 guide.
Kansas has a long and proud military tradition. With Fort Riley — home of the legendary 1st Infantry Division ("The Big Red One") — and McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas has been at the heart of American military readiness for more than 150 years. The state's 210,000+ veterans benefit from a package of state benefits that is particularly strong on the income tax side: Kansas fully exempts all military retirement pay from state income tax, a policy that makes Kansas highly competitive for military retirees compared to states that offer only partial exemptions.
| Benefit | Who Qualifies | Kansas Law |
|---|---|---|
| Military retirement pay — full state income tax exemption | All Kansas military retirees — no cap, no income limit | K.S.A. § 79-32,117 |
| Homestead property tax refund (disabled veterans) | Disabled veterans meeting income and disability criteria | K.S.A. § 79-201b |
| Kansas Tuition Waiver / Dependents Scholarship | Dependents of veterans KIA or permanently disabled; resident vets | K.S.A. § 76-744 |
| Employment preference — state civil service | Veterans with honorable discharge; SC disabled vets (enhanced) | K.S.A. § 73-201 |
| Kansas Soldiers' Home | Eligible Kansas veterans; some dependents | K.S.A. § 76-1901 |
| Free hunting/fishing license | 30%+ SC disabled Kansas resident veterans | K.S.A. § 32-988 |
| KCVAO free claims assistance | All Kansas veterans | K.S.A. § 76-2002 |
This is Kansas's most significant financial benefit for veteran retirees: Kansas fully exempts all military retirement pay from state income tax with no dollar cap and no income limitation. Under K.S.A. § 79-32,117 and related provisions, military retirement income is subtracted in full from Kansas taxable income before the state's income tax is calculated.
Kansas has a graduated income tax system with rates up to 5.7% for income above $30,000 (married filing jointly). Here's what the full military retirement exemption is worth:
| Military Retirement Income | Annual Kansas Tax Savings (at 5.7%) | 20-Year Savings |
|---|---|---|
| $30,000/year retired pay | ~$1,710/year | ~$34,200 |
| $50,000/year retired pay | ~$2,850/year | ~$57,000 |
| $75,000/year retired pay | ~$4,275/year | ~$85,500 |
| $100,000/year retired pay | ~$5,700/year | ~$114,000 |
For a 20-year military retiree receiving $50,000 per year in retirement pay, choosing Kansas over a state with a 5% income tax (with no military retirement exemption) saves approximately $2,500 per year — and over $50,000 across a 20-year retirement. Combined with VA disability compensation (already federally and state exempt), Kansas's full military retirement exemption makes it a highly tax-efficient state for veteran households.
VA disability compensation is exempt from federal income tax under 26 U.S.C. § 104 AND exempt from Kansas state income tax. Military retirement pay is now also fully exempt from Kansas state income tax. A 100% disabled military retiree in Kansas receiving both VA compensation (~$47,000/yr at 100% P&T) and military retirement pay ($50,000/yr) pays $0 in Kansas state income tax on either source — a combined state tax savings of up to $5,500+ per year compared to states without these exemptions.
Yes. The Kansas military retirement exemption applies to retired pay from all components of the U.S. Armed Forces, including:
Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) payments, which replace a portion of military retirement with a tax-free stipend for combat-related conditions, are federally exempt from income tax and treated favorably in Kansas as well. Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) is generally treated as military retirement for tax purposes. Consult a Kansas tax professional or the Kansas Department of Revenue (revenue.ks.gov) for your specific situation.
Kansas provides property tax relief for disabled veterans through the Homestead Property Tax Refund Program under K.S.A. § 79-201b. This program offers a refund or reduction of property taxes paid on a veteran's primary residence, based on disability status and income.
Kansas's approach differs from states that provide outright exemptions (like Texas's 100% exemption with no cap). Instead, Kansas operates a refund-based model where qualifying disabled veterans receive a refund of a portion of their property taxes after they've been paid. The program's parameters include:
Kansas also administers a separate property tax exemption under K.S.A. § 79-201b for veterans who are 100% disabled (service-connected or non-service-connected) in certain circumstances. Additionally, counties may offer supplemental property tax relief programs. Contact your county assessor's office and KCVAO to identify all programs for which you may qualify — many veterans only apply for one and miss additional relief.
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Get Free Claim Help →Kansas provides education assistance for veterans and their families through programs established under K.S.A. § 76-744 and related statutes. The primary benefit is the Kansas Dependents Scholarship Program, which provides tuition waivers at Kansas public institutions for qualifying dependents of veterans.
The Kansas Dependents Scholarship provides tuition assistance at Kansas public institutions of higher education for qualifying dependents of veterans who:
Qualifying dependents (children and surviving spouses) of veterans in these categories may receive free or reduced tuition at Kansas state universities, community colleges, and technical schools. The program is administered through the Kansas Board of Regents (kbor.org) in coordination with KCVAO.
Kansas resident veterans using the federal Post-9/11 GI Bill at Kansas public institutions pay in-state tuition rates under the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 (codified at 38 USC § 3679), regardless of residency duration. This federal right applies at all Kansas Board of Regents institutions.
Additionally, the Kansas Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and various Kansas Education Enhancement programs provide support for active-duty service members, reservists, and guardsmen pursuing education at Kansas institutions. Contact your institution's veterans services office for current program availability.
Kansas public institutions where state education benefits apply include:
The optimal strategy for veterans using Kansas education benefits:
The Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs Office (KCVAO) is the state agency responsible for administering Kansas veterans benefits programs, coordinating the Kansas Soldiers' Home, and providing free VA claims assistance to Kansas veterans and their families. KCVAO is your starting point for all Kansas state veterans services.
KCVAO maintains VA-accredited county veterans service officers throughout Kansas who provide free assistance with:
KCVAO county service officers are available in: Sedgwick County (Wichita), Shawnee County (Topeka), Wyandotte County (Kansas City), Johnson County (Overland Park), Douglas County (Lawrence), Riley County (Manhattan — Fort Riley area), Saline County (Salina), and many more. Contact KCVAO at (785) 296-3976 for your nearest county office.
The Riley County Veterans Service Office in Manhattan serves the Fort Riley community — one of the most active military communities in the nation. If you're transitioning from Fort Riley to Kansas veteran status, contact KCVAO early. Veterans transitioning from active duty often qualify for conditions they didn't pursue claims for while on active duty — start the process before your ETS/retirement date.
The Kansas Soldiers' Home is one of the most historic veterans care facilities in the nation, with roots dating to the post-Civil War era. Located in Fort Dodge, Kansas (Ford County), it is operated by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) in coordination with KCVAO and the VA.
714 Sheridan Street, Fort Dodge, KS 67801. Phone: (620) 227-2121. Provides skilled nursing, long-term care, and domiciliary (independent residential) services for eligible Kansas veterans. VA-certified facility.
Domiciliary care: Independent living support for veterans who can perform daily activities with some assistance.
Skilled nursing: Full medical care for veterans requiring nursing-level care.
VA per-diem: VA contributes toward daily costs for service-connected veterans.
Contact the Kansas Soldiers' Home at (620) 227-2121 for admissions information, current bed availability, and application procedures. Contact KCVAO at (785) 296-3976 for assistance navigating the application process.
Kansas provides meaningful advantages to veterans competing for state government positions. Under K.S.A. § 73-201, Kansas's veterans' preference system awards additional points or ranking advantages in the state civil service system:
Veterans with an honorable or general discharge under honorable conditions receive preference in state civil service hiring — including additional points on competitive examinations and priority in ranking among equally qualified candidates.
Veterans with a service-connected disability receive enhanced employment preference under K.S.A. § 73-201 — additional scoring advantage over non-disabled veteran applicants for state positions. Provide DD-214 and VA rating letter.
Kansas provides excellent hunting and fishing license benefits to disabled veterans — one of the most accessible thresholds among states that offer free licenses:
| Disability Rating | License Benefit | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|
| 30%+ Service-Connected Disabled | FREE Combination Hunting & Fishing License | KDWP office with VA award letter + KS ID |
| Any SC Disability (under 30%) | Reduced-cost licenses available | KDWP office with VA award letter + KS ID |
| Non-SC veterans | Standard rates apply | Standard KDWP purchase |
Kansas's 30% threshold for free hunting and fishing licenses is one of the lowest among states offering this benefit — meaning many more Kansas veterans qualify compared to states with a 60%+ threshold (like Colorado). Kansas offers world-class deer, turkey, pheasant, and waterfowl hunting, and excellent fishing in its lakes and rivers. Apply at any Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) office with your VA award letter and Kansas driver's license or state ID. Contact KDWP at (785) 532-2151 or ksoutdoors.com.
Members of the Kansas Army National Guard and Kansas Air National Guard may access federal National Guard Tuition Assistance (TA) — up to $4,500 per fiscal year for approved undergraduate and graduate coursework. Additionally, Kansas Guard members may access the Kansas National Guard Scholarship Program, which provides supplemental funding for Kansas public college tuition. Contact your unit's education officer or the Kansas Adjutant General's Department for current program availability.
Kansas operates the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery Program through KCVAO, with state veterans cemetery facilities providing no-cost burial for eligible Kansas veterans and their immediate family members. In addition, Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery (federal VA) serves the northeast Kansas region. Contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117 for national cemetery scheduling; contact KCVAO for state cemetery information.
Kansas veterans with a service-connected disability of 50% or greater may qualify for free or reduced motor vehicle registration. Under Kansas law, a 100% service-connected disabled veteran may receive a free license plate for one vehicle. Contact the Kansas Division of Vehicles at (785) 296-3671 for current eligibility requirements and application procedures.
Kansas veterans with a service-connected disability may qualify for reduced or free annual passes to Kansas state parks. Contact Kansas State Parks at ksoutdoors.com or (785) 296-2281 for current veteran access policies and pass options.
The Kansas Military Family Assistance Fund provides emergency financial grants to Kansas National Guard members, reservists, and their immediate families during and after deployments. Grants cover emergency expenses including housing costs, utilities, food, and medical bills. Contact KCVAO or the Kansas Adjutant General's Department (ksadjutantgeneral.us) for current grant availability and eligibility.
Beyond the military retirement exemption, Kansas veterans should be aware of:
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Yes. Kansas fully exempts all military retirement pay from state income tax with no dollar cap and no income limit. This applies to all branches, all components (active, reserve, guard retirement), and all Kansas military retirees regardless of income level. The exemption is claimed on your Kansas income tax return (Form K-40) as a subtraction from Kansas adjusted gross income. This is one of the most valuable veterans benefits Kansas offers — worth $1,700–$5,700+ per year depending on your retirement income level.
K.S.A. § 79-201b provides a homestead property tax refund for disabled Kansas veterans. The refund amount is based on disability status (50%+ service-connected) and household income. Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability may qualify for enhanced relief. File Kansas Form K-40H annually by April 15. Contact KCVAO at (785) 296-3976 for free application assistance — many veterans qualify but never apply because they don't know about this program.
Kansas provides the Dependents Scholarship Program (K.S.A. § 76-744) — free or reduced tuition at Kansas public colleges for dependents of veterans killed in action, 100% permanently disabled, or MIA/POW. Veterans themselves pay in-state tuition rates at Kansas public institutions when using the GI Bill (federal right under 38 USC § 3679). Kansas National Guard members have access to federal and state tuition assistance programs. Contact your school's veterans services office and KCVAO for current program eligibility.
Under K.S.A. § 73-201, veterans with an honorable discharge receive preference in Kansas state civil service employment, including additional scoring advantage in competitive examinations and priority ranking among equally qualified candidates. Service-connected disabled veterans receive enhanced preference. Provide your DD-214 and VA rating letter when applying for state positions. Contact the Kansas Department of Administration at da.ks.gov for guidance on specific positions.
The Kansas Soldiers' Home (714 Sheridan Street, Fort Dodge, KS 67801; phone: 620-227-2121) is a state-operated, VA-certified veterans care facility providing skilled nursing, long-term care, and domiciliary services for eligible Kansas veterans. Eligibility requires Kansas residency, active-duty service with other-than-dishonorable discharge, and a need for the level of care provided. Financial eligibility applies. VA per-diem contributions reduce costs for service-connected veterans. Medicaid may apply for qualifying residents.
Yes. Kansas veterans with a service-connected disability of 30% or greater receive a free combination hunting and fishing license from Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) — one of the most accessible thresholds among states offering this benefit. Apply at any KDWP office with your VA award letter and Kansas driver's license or state ID. Contact KDWP at (785) 532-2151 or ksoutdoors.com.
Tax-free military retirement is Kansas's biggest benefit — but the right VA rating unlocks property tax relief, free licenses, and more. Connect with a vetted VA attorney for a free review.
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