North Dakota's approximately 53,000 veterans are entitled to a property tax credit under N.D. Cent. Code § 57-02-08.8, a 50% tuition waiver at NDUS public colleges for 100% P&T veterans, full military retirement income tax exemption (in effect since 2019), free hunting and fishing licenses, and employment preference — administered through the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs. Here is every benefit, every threshold, and how to claim each one in 2026.
North Dakota is home to approximately 53,000 veterans — a significant population for a state with fewer than 800,000 residents. The Peace Garden State has consistently ranked among the top states for veteran-friendly programs relative to population, with a combination of property tax relief, education benefits, income tax exemptions, and outdoor recreation privileges that meaningfully offset the cost of living for disabled and retired veterans.
The North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs (NDDVA) serves as the primary state agency for veteran benefits administration, operating under N.D. Cent. Code § 37-19.1-01 et seq. The NDDVA coordinates with county veterans service officers across the state's 53 counties to ensure veterans can access both state and federal benefits from anywhere in North Dakota — including the state's more rural western regions.
What makes North Dakota stand out in 2026 is the combination of three powerful benefits that interact with your federal VA disability rating: the property tax credit scales with your disability percentage, the 50% tuition waiver unlocks at 100% P&T, and the full military retirement income tax exemption applies regardless of disability status. Together, these programs can save a 100% P&T veteran with a mortgaged home and college-age children tens of thousands of dollars over time.
North Dakota's property tax credit for disabled veterans is established under North Dakota Century Code § 57-02-08.8 and provides an assessed-value reduction on a veteran's primary residence. Unlike some states that offer full exemptions at 100% P&T, North Dakota's benefit is a partial credit that scales with disability percentage — making it available to a broader range of service-connected disabled veterans.
| VA Disability Rating | Assessed Value Reduction | Estimated Annual Savings* |
|---|---|---|
| 50–69% service-connected | $4,500 | $140–$225 |
| 70–99% service-connected | $6,750 | $210–$340 |
| 100% permanently and totally disabled (P&T) | $9,000 | $280–$450 |
| Surviving spouse of qualifying veteran | Continued at veteran's level | Varies |
*Estimated savings vary by county mill levy. Average ND effective mill levy approximately 310–450 mills per $1,000 assessed value. Actual savings depend on your county's levy rate and your property's assessed value.
To receive the property tax credit under § 57-02-08.8, a veteran must:
Surviving spouses of veterans who died from service-connected causes, or who were receiving the credit at the time of death, may continue the credit as long as they occupy the property as primary residence and do not remarry.
Note: The property must be the veteran's primary residence. Second homes, rental properties, and investment properties do not qualify. Veterans who rent their primary residence do not receive this benefit — it applies to owned property only.
North Dakota's benefit is a credit (assessed-value reduction), not a full exemption. Even at 100% P&T, you will still owe property tax — the credit simply reduces your assessed value by $9,000 before the mill levy is applied. This is different from states like Idaho (full exemption at 100% P&T) or Texas (full exemption at 100% P&T). If maximizing property tax relief is a priority, compare ND's credit against neighboring states' benefit structures.
Effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2018, North Dakota fully exempts all military retirement pay from state income tax. There is no income cap, no phase-out based on other income, and no minimum service requirement. All retired pay from the U.S. Armed Forces — including reserve component retirement, disability retirement pay, and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments — qualifies for the exemption.
This was a landmark change for North Dakota, making it one of approximately 30 states that fully exempt military retirement pay. Before 2019, military retirees in North Dakota paid the same income tax on their retirement pay as any other income. The full exemption means a military retiree receiving $40,000 per year in retired pay saves approximately $2,000–$2,800 per year in state income taxes, depending on their marginal rate and deductions.
The exemption is reported on your North Dakota state income tax return (Form ND-1). Military retirement pay is reported on Line 14 or the applicable other income line, then subtracted on the Military Retirement Pay Exemption line. If you use tax software, enter your 1099-R income normally and indicate it is military retirement — the software will apply the subtraction automatically.
Veterans should note that VA disability compensation is already federally and state tax-exempt — you do not pay income tax on VA disability payments at either the federal or North Dakota level. The ND military retirement exemption applies to retired pay received separately from VA disability (i.e., the retirement pay reported on Form 1099-R from DFAS).
A 100% P&T veteran in North Dakota who is also a military retiree can receive their full VA disability compensation and full military retirement pay completely free of ND state income tax. Combined with the federal income tax exemption on VA compensation, the total state tax burden on these income streams can be zero.
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Get Free Claim Help →One of North Dakota's most valuable and underutilized state benefits is the tuition waiver available to 100% permanently and totally disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. Established under North Dakota Century Code § 15-10-18.4, this waiver provides a 50% reduction in tuition at any North Dakota University System (NDUS) institution.
The following NDUS institutions honor the 50% tuition waiver:
The waiver applies to tuition only — it does not cover mandatory fees, housing, meal plans, or textbooks. At NDSU, for example, tuition for a full-time undergraduate runs approximately $9,000–$10,000 per year; the waiver would reduce this to approximately $4,500–$5,000. This can be combined with federal GI Bill benefits (such as Post-9/11 GI Bill or Chapter 31 VR&E) to potentially result in near-zero out-of-pocket tuition costs.
For a state with over 700 miles of shoreline, abundant waterfowl habitat, and world-class pheasant hunting, North Dakota's free hunting and fishing license for disabled veterans is one of the most practically valuable benefits on offer. Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 50% or greater qualify for free annual combination hunting and fishing licenses.
North Dakota's outdoor recreation benefits extend beyond hunting and fishing. State parks offer reduced-fee or free entry for 100% P&T veterans and permanently disabled individuals — contact the ND Parks and Recreation Department for current policies. Several state wildlife management areas also provide accessible hunting and fishing opportunities designed for veterans with mobility limitations.
Under North Dakota Century Code § 37-19.1-02, veterans receive preference points on state civil service examinations — a meaningful advantage in state government hiring. North Dakota's veterans preference applies to initial employment (not promotions) in state classified positions.
Veterans who served on active duty and received an honorable or general discharge under honorable conditions receive 5 preference points added to their passing civil service examination score.
Veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating of 10% or greater receive 10 preference points — double the standard veteran preference. This applies to any passing score on a state civil service exam.
Unremarried surviving spouses of veterans who died from service-connected causes may claim veterans preference on state civil service examinations under § 37-19.1-02.
North Dakota National Guard members who have served honorably may qualify for veterans preference if they meet the active duty service requirements. Consult the NDDVA for current eligibility criteria.
When a state agency scores civil service exams, a disabled veteran with a score of 80 becomes effectively 90 (80 + 10 preference points). An honorably discharged non-disabled veteran with a score of 85 becomes effectively 90 (85 + 5 points). The preference points are added to passing scores only — a failing score does not become passing with preference points.
In practice, North Dakota state agencies are required to give preference in hiring from eligible lists. If a veteran and a non-veteran have the same score, the veteran must be selected first. State agencies must document reasons for not selecting the highest-scoring veteran on a certification list.
The North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs (NDDVA) is the state agency responsible for coordinating veterans benefits and services under N.D. Cent. Code Chapter 37-19.1. The NDDVA's primary mission is connecting North Dakota veterans with both state and federal benefits — and its VA-accredited Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) provide free claims assistance that can be the difference between a denied claim and thousands of dollars per month in compensation.
For veterans in western North Dakota, county veterans service officers (CVSOs) provide local support without requiring a trip to Fargo or Bismarck. The NDDVA website maintains a current list of CVSOs by county. In rural areas, the NDDVA also coordinates with the Fargo VA Medical Center's outreach team to conduct Veterans Service Van visits in remote communities.
The North Dakota Veterans Home in Lisbon provides long-term skilled nursing care, memory care, and domiciliary care for eligible North Dakota veterans. The facility operates under the NDDVA and offers a community setting where veterans can receive medical care among fellow veterans who understand military service and culture.
The ND Veterans Home is not free — costs are partially offset by VA Aid and Attendance benefits, Medicaid for income-eligible veterans, and personal funds. Veterans who are 100% service-connected or receive VA pension with Aid and Attendance should apply for those benefits first, as they can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs at the Veterans Home.
Veterans with service-connected disabilities receive care for those conditions at no cost through the VA healthcare system (Priority Group 1 at 50%+), which may reduce the scope of care needed at the Veterans Home.
The Fargo VA Health Care System is the primary VA medical center serving North Dakota veterans, providing full inpatient and outpatient services including mental health, primary care, surgery, and specialty services. The Fargo VAHCS coordinates with Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) located throughout North Dakota to ensure veterans across the state's large geographic area can access care without unreasonable travel.
| Priority Group | Qualification | Copay Status |
|---|---|---|
| Priority Group 1 | 50%+ service-connected disability; or former POW; or Medal of Honor recipient | No copays for any care |
| Priority Group 2 | 30–40% service-connected disability | Minimal copays (service-connected care free) |
| Priority Group 3 | 10–20% service-connected; or Purple Heart; or POW; or WWII/Korean War veteran | Small copays for non-service-connected care |
| Priority Groups 4–8 | Lower disability ratings or income-based enrollment | Standard copays; some income limits |
Veterans in rural western North Dakota should also know about the Veterans Choice Program / Community Care, which allows eligible veterans to see community (non-VA) providers when VA facilities are more than 30 miles away or have excessive wait times. Contact the Fargo VAHCS to determine community care eligibility for your location.
North Dakota provides specialty disabled veteran license plates for qualifying veterans. 100% P&T disabled veterans may receive reduced registration fees. Apply through the ND Department of Transportation with your VA rating letter.
The Homestead Property Tax Credit (separate from the disabled veterans credit) is available to ND homeowners 65+ or those who are permanently disabled, including veterans. Combines with the veterans credit if both are applicable. Contact your county equalization office.
North Dakota provides a preference for veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) in state procurement. SDVOSBs (service-disabled veteran-owned) receive additional consideration. Register through the ND Department of Commerce.
North Dakota State Parks and Recreation offer reduced-fee annual passes for 100% P&T veterans and permanently disabled individuals. ND has 13 state parks covering more than 20,000 acres. Contact ND Parks & Recreation at (701) 328-5357.
The NDDVA emergency financial assistance program helps North Dakota veterans facing acute financial crises. Aid covers essential needs including food, utilities, housing costs, and medical expenses. Contact NDDVA at (701) 239-7165 to begin the application process.
All honorably discharged veterans — regardless of how long they've lived in North Dakota — qualify for in-state tuition rates at NDUS institutions from day one of residency. This eliminates the typical 12-month residency wait for veterans new to ND.
Members of the North Dakota Army National Guard and North Dakota Air National Guard have access to additional state-level benefits beyond those available to veterans generally:
Every North Dakota state benefit that has a disability threshold — the property tax credit tiers, the tuition waiver, the free hunting/fishing license — is directly tied to your VA service-connected disability rating. If you're currently rated at 30%, you don't qualify for any of these rating-triggered benefits. At 50%, you unlock the first tier. At 70%, you move up. At 100% P&T, you unlock the maximum level. The single most impactful thing most North Dakota veterans can do is ensure their federal VA rating is accurate — and that they've claimed every condition they're entitled to.
Every North Dakota state benefit threshold is tied to your VA rating. If you're under-rated, you're missing out on property tax credits, tuition discounts, and more. claim.vet connects you with VA-accredited attorneys for a free claim review.
Get a Free Claim Review →No. The assessed value reduction amounts ($4,500 / $6,750 / $9,000) are set by state law under § 57-02-08.8 and are the same statewide. However, the actual dollar savings depend on your county's mill levy rate. Counties with higher levies (more urbanized areas like Burleigh, Cass, or Grand Forks counties) may produce greater dollar savings from the same assessed value reduction than rural counties with lower levies. Contact your county director of tax equalization for the precise dollar impact in your location.
Potentially yes, depending on your age and circumstances. The disabled veterans credit under § 57-02-08.8 and the Homestead Property Tax Credit (for seniors 65+ or permanently disabled individuals) are separate programs with different eligibility criteria. Contact your county equalization office to determine if both apply to your situation and whether they can be stacked.
CRSC payments are treated similarly to VA disability compensation — they are not subject to North Dakota state income tax. CRSC is paid by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) and is excluded from federal taxable income; North Dakota conforms to the federal treatment. If you receive CRSC, you should not include it in your ND taxable income.
Most North Dakota state veterans benefits are conditioned on residency. If you move out of North Dakota, you lose eligibility for the property tax credit, the NDUS tuition waiver, the NDDVA emergency assistance, and the free hunting/fishing license. Your federal VA disability compensation and military retirement pay are not affected by state residency. If you're considering relocating, compare benefits between ND and your destination state — some states offer significantly more generous benefits for 100% P&T veterans.
As an unremarried surviving spouse of a North Dakota veteran who died from service-connected causes: you retain the property tax credit at the level your spouse was receiving, you may qualify for the NDUS 50% tuition waiver under § 15-10-18.4, and you may claim veterans employment preference under § 37-19.1-02. You should also apply for federal DIC (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation) through the VA and Survivors Pension if income-eligible. Contact NDDVA at (701) 239-7165 for a complete surviving spouse benefit assessment.
The tuition waiver under § 15-10-18.4 applies to tuition at NDUS institutions. Check with your specific graduate institution — the waiver is generally available for degree-seeking programs at NDUS schools, which include graduate programs at UND and NDSU. Some continuing education or non-degree certificate programs may not qualify. Contact the veterans affairs office at your graduate institution for confirmation.
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Editorial Standards: This article was written by Sarah Henley, a veterans benefits writer specializing in state-level programs. Content is verified against North Dakota Century Code, 38 CFR, and NDDVA guidance. Last reviewed: June 2026. Not legal advice.
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