An estimated 160,437 veterans live in Iowa, making up 6.5% of the state's population or the 31st-highest of the 56 U.S. states, inhabited territories and District of Columbia.
Iowa Military and Veteran Income Taxes
Military Retiree Income Tax
Military retirement and Survivor Benefit Plan payments are tax free.
Active-Duty Income Tax
Active-duty pay is tax free.
Iowa Veteran Property Taxes
Veterans receive a reduction in their assessed home value for property tax purposes of $4,000. The veteran must have served on active duty during a period of war or for a minimum of 18 months during peacetime.
The Disabled Veteran's Homestead Tax Credit provides a total exemption from property taxes for 100% service-connected disabled resident veterans and recipients of Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
Iowa Military and Veteran Education Benefits
Military/Veteran Education
Iowa National Guard members in good standing are eligible for up to $9,034 per academic year for 2024-2025. Guard members who mobilize receive a tuition refund.
Military Dependent Education
The Branstad-Reynolds Scholarship Fund provides post-secondary scholarships for children of deceased service members who died while in an active military status after Sept. 11, 2001.
Iowa Military and Veteran Employment Benefits
Veteran Hiring Preference
Veterans may receive 5 preference points for jobs with the state and local governments. Veterans with a service-connected disability may receive 10 preference points.
Military Spouse Employment
State agencies issue licenses without examination to military spouses licensed in good standing in another state, provided the military spouse has no disqualifying criminal history. The spouse must have met the minimum experience and education requirements and passed required exams in the prior state and must pay all required fees.
Iowa Veteran Housing and Veterans Homes
Veterans Homes
Iowa's one veterans home is in Marshalltown. Cost is based on need. Spouses may be eligible for admission. Veterans must have an honorable discharge.
Homeless Veterans
No specific benefits.
Adaptive Housing
No specific benefits.
Iowa Veteran Financial Assistance
Emergencies: The Iowa Veterans Trust Fund provides help with vehicle repairs, housing repair and transitional housing in an emergency. Trust-fund expenditures are approved through the Iowa Veterans Commission.
Homeownership: The Military Homeownership Assistance Grant is worth $5,000 and available to veterans buying a home in the state. Members must have served on or after Sept. 11, 2001, or at least 90 days between Aug. 2, 1990, and April 6, 1991; and purchased a home after March 10, 2005.
Injured veterans: The Injured Veterans Grant Program provides up to $10,000 to service members or discharged veterans who sustained serious or very serious combat-related injuries in a combat theater of operations after Sept. 11, 2001.
Iowa Veteran Legal Assistance
No state-funded legal services.
Iowa Military and Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting/Fishing
Resident former POWs and veterans with a service-connected disability may receive a lifetime combination hunting and fishing license for $7. Other resident veterans may receive an annual license for $7.
Parks/Camping
No benefits.
Iowa Veteran Transportation Benefits
County veterans offices coordinate most veterans transportation services.
Iowa Veteran Burial Benefits
Veterans Cemeteries
The Iowa Veterans Cemetery is west of Des Moines, near Van Meter. The cemetery is available to all veterans, their spouses and dependent children for burial. Honorably discharged veterans will be interred at no charge, and spouses/dependents will be buried for a $300 fee.
-- Additional reporting by Jim Absher.
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