An estimated 318,150 veterans live in Maryland, making up 6.6% of the state's population or the 29th-highest of the 56 U.S. states, inhabited territories and District of Columbia.
Maryland Military and Veteran Income Taxes
Military Retiree Income Tax
The first $15,000 is tax free for ages 55 to 64. That amount increases to $20,000 for those 55 or older. Same for the Survivor Benefit Plan.
Taxpayers who are 65 or older, totally disabled or have a completely disabled spouse can exclude up to $39,500.
Active-Duty Income Tax
Military personnel can deduct up to $15,000 of military pay if stationed outside the continental United States, depending on total military income.
Maryland Veteran Property Taxes
Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled from service-connected causes are exempt from property tax on their primary residence. Upon the veteran's death, the exemption passes to their spouse.
The surviving spouse of active-duty military personnel who died in the line of duty, as well as the surviving spouse of a totally disabled veteran or a spouse who receives Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, may also receive an exemption.
Maryland Military and Veteran Education Benefits
Military/Veteran Education
The Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to U.S. veterans of Afghanistan or Iraq and their children or spouses who enroll in a state post-secondary institution.
The Edward T. Conroy Memorial Scholarship provides aid for tuition and other educational expenses to veterans and their family members who are attending an institution of higher learning within the state borders.
Military Dependent Education
Children of service members KIA, or who died or became totally disabled from a service-connected cause, or were POW or MIA in Vietnam, receive aid for tuition and other educational expenses.
Also see the Veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts Scholarship Program and Edward T. Conroy Memorial Scholarship above.
Maryland Military and Veteran Employment Benefits
Veteran Hiring Preference
The appointing authority for skilled and professional appointments will award a credit of 10 points on any selection test to an eligible veteran.
A credit of two additional points will be given to any veteran with a service-connected disability.
Military Spouse Employment
The appointing authority for skilled and professional appointments will award a credit of 10 points on any selection test to the spouse of an eligible veteran who has a service-connected disability or the surviving spouse of a deceased eligible veteran.
Eligible spouses of veterans and/or service members may apply for expedited credentialing.
Maryland Veteran Housing and Veterans Homes
Veterans Homes
Maryland's veterans home in Charlotte Hall is open to honorably discharged resident veterans 62 and over. Those disabled and unable to work are also eligible. Federal VA per diem payments lower the cost of care.
Homeless Veterans
No specific benefits.
Adaptive Housing
No specific benefits.
Maryland Veteran Financial Assistance
The Maryland Veterans Trust Fund provides limited financial assistance in the form of loans or grants.
Maryland Veteran Legal Assistance
No state-funded legal services.
Maryland Military and Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting/Fishing
Complimentary fishing and hunting licenses for resident veterans are available upon certifying that they are former POWs or have a 100% service-related disability. Fees still apply for stamps.
State residents on active duty and home on leave do not need to buy a hunting or fishing license. Nonresidents stationed in Maryland may buy hunting and fishing licenses at the resident rates.
Parks/Camping
Resident and nonresident veterans receive free entry to state parks. The waiver is applicable to the veteran only and not others in the same vehicle, unless a per-vehicle charge is in effect at the time. In that case, the per-vehicle fee is waived.
Maryland Veteran Transportation Benefits
Active-duty military personnel are exempt from the 5% vessel excise tax for one year. This is only for vessels purchased out of state and brought into Maryland due to a permanent change of station.
Maryland Veteran Burial Benefits
Veterans Cemeteries
Maryland's five state veterans cemeteries are in Cheltenham, Crownsville, Flintstone, Hurlock and Owings Mills. A burial plot is provided to eligible resident veterans and their eligible dependents when the veteran has received an honorable discharge.
Plots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no cost to the veteran for the burial plot, opening/closing, headstone and state liner (if used). Eligible dependents have a minimal opening/closing cost and a direct cost for state liner (if used).
More Information
Visit the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families website for more information on any of these programs.
-- Additional reporting by Jim Absher.
Stay on Top of Your Veteran Benefits
Military benefits are always changing. Keep up with everything from pay to health care by subscribing to Military.com, and get access to up-to-date pay charts and more with all latest benefits delivered straight to your inbox.
