Wyoming is one of only nine states with no state income tax whatsoever — which means military retirement pay, VA disability compensation, and all other income are completely tax-free at the state level. Add a property tax exemption for 100% P&T veterans, veterans preference in state hiring, University of Wyoming tuition benefits, and a state Veterans Home in Buffalo, and Wyoming becomes one of the most financially favorable states for veterans in the Mountain West.
Wyoming occupies a distinctive position among veteran-friendly states. With roughly 49,000 veterans in a state of about 580,000 people, Wyoming has one of the highest per-capita veteran populations in the nation — about 8.5% of residents are veterans. The state has historically honored that commitment with strong financial protections, including what is arguably the single most powerful benefit any state can offer: no state income tax at all.
Unlike states that specifically exempt military retirement or VA compensation, Wyoming simply doesn't tax income. Period. No carve-out needed, no application required. The same constitutional framework that protects Wyoming's reliance on mineral extraction revenue eliminates income taxation for every resident — including veterans receiving retirement pay, disability compensation, Social Security, and any other income.
On top of the income tax advantage, Wyoming provides a meaningful property tax exemption for 100% P&T disabled veterans under Wyoming Statutes W.S. 39-13-105, veterans employment preference under W.S. 19-14-102, University of Wyoming tuition benefits, a state veterans home in Buffalo, National Guard education assistance, and a range of license, plate, and recreational benefits. This guide covers all of it for 2026.
Wyoming has zero state income tax. Military retirement, VA compensation, and all other income are completely tax-free at state level.
Up to $3,000 annual property tax reduction for 100% P&T disabled veterans under W.S. 39-13-105.
Any honorably discharged veteran gets in-state tuition at UW and all Wyoming public colleges, regardless of residency duration.
Wyoming Veterans Home in Buffalo provides long-term care and skilled nursing for eligible Wyoming veterans.
Wyoming is one of nine states in the U.S. with no state income tax. The others are Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire (on wages), South Dakota, Tennessee (on wages), Texas, and Washington (on wages). Wyoming's no-income-tax status is not a temporary political choice — it is structurally entrenched in Wyoming's fiscal model, which relies on severance taxes from coal, oil, and natural gas extraction rather than income taxation. This makes it one of the most durable tax advantages available to military retirees considering relocation.
What this means in practice for Wyoming veterans:
To quantify this advantage: Wyoming has no income tax, so the comparison is against states that do. A military retiree receiving $45,000 in annual retirement pay in a state with a 5% income tax rate would owe $2,250 per year in state taxes. Over 20 years of retirement, that difference compounds to $45,000 — before considering inflation or investment growth on those retained funds. For an officer retiree receiving $80,000+ in annual retirement pay, the long-term advantage is significantly larger.
Combined with Wyoming's relatively low property tax rates (Wyoming has one of the lower effective property tax rates in the West), the overall tax environment for veterans and military retirees is among the most favorable in the country.
Under Wyoming Statutes W.S. 39-13-105(b), Wyoming provides a property tax exemption for veterans with service-connected disabilities. The primary benefit applies to veterans rated 100% Permanent and Total (P&T) by the VA, who receive a reduction on property taxes for their primary residence.
The Wyoming property tax exemption applies the first $6,000 of assessed value to a zero-tax rate for qualifying veterans. The actual dollar savings depends on your county's mill levy rate. At Wyoming's typical county mill levy rates, this translates to approximately $1,200–$3,000 per year in property tax savings for qualifying veterans. The exemption applies to the primary residential property occupied by the veteran.
To qualify under W.S. 39-13-105, a veteran must:
Additional tier: Wyoming also provides a modified property tax exemption for veterans with service-connected disability ratings below 100% P&T, subject to income qualification. Veterans who meet the income threshold should apply through their county assessor regardless of rating level — the Circuit Breaker-type program provides meaningful relief even at lower disability percentages.
The Wyoming property tax exemption extends to the surviving spouse of a veteran who qualified for the exemption, provided the spouse has not remarried and continues to occupy the property as their primary residence. The surviving spouse retains the benefit after the veteran's death.
Applications are filed with the county assessor in the county where the property is located. The deadline is typically April 1 of the tax year for which you want the benefit. Contact your county assessor's office as early as January or February to get the specific deadline and required documentation (typically: VA award letter showing 100% P&T rating, DD-214, Wyoming driver's license or utility bill showing residency).
🎖️ Not Yet at 100% P&T? This Is Why It Matters
Wyoming's full property tax exemption requires 100% Permanent and Total. Professional nexus letters and medical opinions from REE Medical can help you establish or increase your VA rating — unlocking the full range of state and federal benefits you've earned.
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Wyoming provides solid education benefits for veterans and service members through a combination of federal GI Bill access, state policy on in-state tuition, and National Guard scholarship programs.
The University of Wyoming (UW) in Laramie provides in-state tuition rates to all honorably discharged veterans who enroll, regardless of how long they have been Wyoming residents. This policy is required under the federal Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (VACAA) for institutions receiving GI Bill funding, which UW does. Practically, this means a veteran who just moved to Wyoming can immediately access UW's in-state tuition rate without waiting the standard one-year residency period.
Wyoming's public college system includes:
All of these institutions participate in the Post-9/11 GI Bill program. Veterans using GI Bill Chapter 33 benefits receive tuition covered up to Wyoming's in-state rate, a monthly housing allowance based on their school's zip code, and an annual books/supplies stipend. Wyoming's relatively lower in-state tuition rates compared to coastal universities mean GI Bill benefits often fully cover costs.
The Wyoming Veterans Commission administers a Veterans Education Assistance Program that provides additional tuition assistance for eligible Wyoming veterans enrolled at Wyoming public colleges and universities. Funding availability varies by year — contact the Wyoming Veterans Commission at (307) 777-8152 or visit veterans.wyo.gov for current program status and eligibility criteria.
Wyoming National Guard members (both Army and Air) who maintain satisfactory drill attendance and military performance are eligible for the Wyoming National Guard Education Assistance (WGEA) program, which provides tuition assistance at Wyoming's public colleges. The program is administered through the Wyoming Military Department. Guard members should contact their unit education NCO or the Wyoming Military Department's State Education Services Officer (SESO) at (307) 772-5234 for current funding levels and application procedures.
Wyoming operates a State Veterans Home in Buffalo, Wyoming — the county seat of Johnson County in the northern part of the state. The Wyoming Veterans Home provides residential care, assisted living, and skilled nursing services to eligible Wyoming veterans.
Wyoming Veterans Home
700 Veterans Lane, Buffalo, WY 82834
Phone: (307) 684-5511
Website: wyomingveteranshome.com
There is also a satellite annex in Saratoga, Wyoming, serving veterans in Carbon County and surrounding areas with independent and assisted living options.
To be eligible for the Wyoming Veterans Home, a resident must:
The VA provides per diem reimbursements for eligible veterans residing in state homes, substantially reducing the out-of-pocket cost for qualifying residents. The Wyoming Veterans Home accepts all major insurances and assists residents in obtaining VA per diem funding.
Under Wyoming Statutes W.S. 19-14-102, Wyoming provides veterans preference in state civil service hiring:
Wyoming veterans preference applies to competitive classified positions in state government. To claim preference, veterans must submit documentation with their state job application — DD-214 for non-disabled veterans; DD-214 plus VA rating letter for disabled veterans.
The Wyoming State Human Resources Division administers the preference program. State job postings are listed at personnel.wyo.gov. Veterans applying for state positions should declare their preference status when submitting their application — the preference is only applied if properly claimed.
Wyoming National Guard and Reserve members who experience employment issues related to deployments or military duty are protected under the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and supported by the Wyoming ESGR committee. Wyoming has an active ESGR chapter that helps mediate employer disputes and educate employers on their legal obligations to Guard and Reserve members. Contact the Wyoming ESGR at wyoming.esgr.mil.
Wyoming Army National Guard and Wyoming Air National Guard members receive a combination of state and federal benefits that make Guard service financially meaningful beyond the drill weekend pay:
Wyoming resident veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 50% or higher are eligible for free hunting and fishing licenses from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. This applies to the general hunting license and fishing license. Contact the Wyoming Game and Fish Department at (307) 777-4600 or visit wgfd.wyo.gov. Apply at your nearest Game and Fish office with your DD-214 and VA rating letter.
Wyoming offers several specialty license plates for veterans, including:
Contact the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) at (307) 777-4710 or dot.state.wy.us for current fees and application procedures.
Wyoming operates a State Veterans Cemetery in Cheyenne (3501 Sparks Road, Cheyenne, WY 82001; (307) 632-5831). Eligible veterans, their spouses, and certain dependent children are entitled to burial at no charge for the plot, opening/closing fees, and a liner. Veterans seeking pre-enrollment or burial information should contact the cemetery directly or the Wyoming Veterans Commission at (307) 777-8152.
Wyoming offers accelerated professional licensing for veterans and military spouses transitioning to civilian careers. Under Wyoming Statutes W.S. 33-1-117 and related provisions, veterans and active duty service members with equivalent military training may receive expedited evaluation of their licensing applications. Relevant professions include commercial drivers, nurses, contractors, real estate agents, and others. Contact the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services for guidance on specific professions.
Because Wyoming has no income tax, veterans do not need to take any action to protect VA compensation or military retirement from state taxation — it's simply not taxed. This also means veterans moving to Wyoming from states that partially or fully tax military retirement can experience an immediate, significant financial improvement. The calculation is straightforward: if you were paying $3,000/year in state income tax on military retirement elsewhere, moving to Wyoming saves you exactly $3,000/year, every year, permanently.
The key insight for Wyoming veterans: the state's biggest benefit (no income tax) requires zero action, but the property tax exemption, employment preference, and hunting/fishing benefits require claiming. Here is a strategic approach:
No. Wyoming has no state income tax at all. Military retirement pay, VA disability compensation, Social Security, and all other income are completely exempt from state income taxation in Wyoming. No form to file, no exemption to claim.
Under W.S. 39-13-105, veterans with 100% Permanent and Total service-connected disability receive a property tax exemption on their primary residence worth approximately $1,200–$3,000 per year depending on county mill levy rates. The exemption applies to the first $6,000 of assessed value. Apply at your county assessor's office; the deadline is typically April 1.
Yes. Under VACAA and state policy, any honorably discharged veteran who enrolls at UW or other Wyoming public colleges receives in-state tuition rates regardless of how long they've been a Wyoming resident. GI Bill benefits at Wyoming's in-state tuition rates typically cover the full cost of public college tuition.
The Wyoming Veterans Home is at 700 Veterans Lane, Buffalo, WY 82834 (phone: 307-684-5511). It provides residential care, assisted living, and skilled nursing for eligible Wyoming veterans. There is also an annex in Saratoga. Contact the home directly for admission criteria and availability.
Under W.S. 19-14-102: non-disabled veterans receive 5% added to passing civil service exam scores; disabled veterans (10%+ service-connected) receive 10%. Declare your preference when applying for state positions at personnel.wyo.gov and include your DD-214 (and VA rating letter if disabled).
Yes, for Wyoming resident veterans with 50%+ service-connected disability rating. Apply at a Wyoming Game and Fish office with your DD-214 and VA rating letter. Contact Game and Fish at (307) 777-4600.
Wyoming National Guard members may receive tuition assistance at Wyoming public colleges through the WGEA program, administered by the Wyoming Military Department. Contact your unit education NCO or the SESO at (307) 772-5234 for current funding and eligibility.
The Wyoming Veterans Commission provides free accredited VSO assistance with VA disability claims. For conditions with insufficient documentation, a nexus letter or IMO from REE Medical can establish or strengthen service connection and improve your rating. A higher federal rating directly unlocks Wyoming's property tax exemption and higher employment preference — the compounded value is significant.
🎖️ Maximize Your Federal Rating to Unlock State Benefits
Wyoming's best benefits — property tax exemption, maximum employment preference — require specific VA rating thresholds. REE Medical's nexus letters and IMOs can help you get to the rating your conditions warrant.
Explore Rating Increases with REE Medical →claim.vet may receive a referral fee. Veterans never pay more.
Wyoming veterans often qualify for more federal and state benefits than they're currently receiving. Our free screener tells you where you stand.
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