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(a) A motor vehicle owned by or leased to a disabled veteran who is a citizen and resident of this state and on which such disabled veteran actually places the free disabled veteran motor vehicle license plate he or she receives pursuant to Code Section 40-2-69 is hereby exempted from all ad valorem taxes for state, county, municipal, and school purposes. As used in this Code section, the term “disabled veteran” shall have the same meaning as that term is defined in paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of Code Section 48-5-48. (b) Once a disabled veteran has established his or her eligibility for such ad valorem tax exemption by being 100 percent totally disabled, he or she shall be entitled to receive such ad valorem tax exemption in succeeding years thereafter. A disabled veteran who claims 100 percent total disability shall furnish proof of such disability through a letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. (c) Once a disabled veteran has established his or her eligibility for such ad valorem tax exemption but his or her disability has not been adjudicated a 100 percent total disability, he or she shall be entitled to such ad valorem tax exemption in succeeding years upon furnishing, on an annual basis, proof of his or her status as a disabled veteran through a letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. (d) In the event of the death of the disabled veteran who received such ad valorem tax exemption pursuant to this Code section, upon complying with the motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, his or her unmarried surviving spouse or minor child may continue to receive the exemption. Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Georgia Code Title 48. Revenue and Taxation § 48-5-478 - last updated April 14, 2021 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-48-revenue-and-taxation/ga-code-sect-48-5-478/ FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature or via Westlaw before relying on it for your legal needs. 100% State Benefits- GeorgiaNote: Information for this document was gathered from various sources including: https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-state-benefits/georgia-state-veterans-benefits.html Visit the Georgia Department of Veterans Services website for more detailed information: https://veterans.georgia.gov/ For Local Assistance: GDVS Veterans Field Service Offices provide direct assistance to veterans. Veterans seeking assistance with their benefits can find contact information for their local office on our list of Veterans Field Service Offices. The GDVS central office is located at: Floyd Veterans Memorial Building Suite E-970 Atlanta, Georgia
30334-4800 Veterans HomesFor more information, visit: https://www.nasvh.org/state-homes/statedir.cfm Your eligibility for State Veterans Homes is based on clinical need and setting availability. Each State establishes eligibility and admission criteria for its homes. Talk with a VA social worker about the eligibility requirements of State Veterans Homes near you and to figure out a plan for paying for State Veterans Home care services. Veterans Homes Locations:
Admission is open to honorably discharged Georgia veterans with service during wartime. A nominal daily fee is charged. Eligible veterans may apply for the federal Aid & Attendance benefit to help offset this fee. Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 70% or higher or whose admission is due to a service-connected condition do not have to pay the fee, as this care and treatment is paid in full by VA. State Veterans’ CemeteriesFor more detailed information visit: https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/state.asp?STATE=GA National Veterans Cemeteries: State Veterans Cemeteries: Many states have established state veterans cemeteries. Eligibility is like Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries but may include residency requirements. Even though they may have been established or improved with Government funds through VA’s Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, state veterans cemeteries are run solely by the states. Georgia Veterans Financial BenefitsExemption from Homestead TaxVisit the following website for more information: https://veterans.georgia.gov/disabled-veteran-homestead-tax-exemption Any qualifying disabled veteran may be granted an exemption of $50,000 plus an additional sum from paying property taxes for county, municipal, and school purposes. The additional sum is determined according to an index rate set by United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The amount for 2020 is $98,492. The value of the property in excess of this exemption remains taxable. Eligibility:
Consult the local assessor’s office for detailed requirements regarding these exemptions. Annual refiling is often required. Find your local tax assessor at this link: https://www.publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/Assessor-and-Property-Tax-Records.htm Ad Valorem Tax on VehiclesNo ad valorem tax on vehicles for permanently and totally disabled veterans or those getting VA disability for loss of vision or limbs. This exemption applies to either the annual property tax or the title tax, whichever is applicable. Eligibility:
The exemption is granted on ONLY one vehicle the veteran owns and upon which the free Disabled Veteran (DV) license plate is attached. Veterans who qualify for the Purple Heart or Medal of Honor specialty license plates are also exempt. For more information on vehicle tax exemptions, contact your local County Tax Office. Disabled Veteran License PlateVisit the following website for more information: https://veterans.georgia.gov/license-plates-disabled-veteran A motorcycle version of this plate is available. Note: This license plate is not issued for motor homes. Available to: Honorably discharged Georgia veterans considered disabled by any of these criteria:
How to Apply: Qualified veterans who obtain a VA entitlement letter indicating the specific disability may apply directly with the Department of Revenue’s Special Tag Unit. Call 404-968-3880 for more information. Alternatively, qualified veterans may obtain a certified statement from an authorized physician and take it to a GDVS Veterans Field Service Office along with discharge paperwork or proof of active-duty service and verification of residency. Fees: There is no registration fee, manufacturing fee, or annual fee for this plate. Veterans with a 100 percent service-connected disability rating are exempt from ad valorem taxes on one vehicle. (See the Ad Valorem section above.) If a Disabled Veteran license plate is properly displayed, the veteran is authorized to park in parking areas designated for persons with disabilities. (No additional parking permit is required.) Sales Tax Exemption for Vehicle Purchase/AdaptationA disabled veteran who receives a VA grant for the purchase and special adapting of a vehicle is exempt from paying the state sales tax on the vehicle (only on the original grant). For more information on vehicle tax exemptions, contact your local County Tax Office. Free Drivers LicenseFor more information and access to the application, visit the following website: https://dds.georgia.gov/military-veterans-and-national-guard Eligibility:
How to apply: the applying veteran must take their DD Form 214 and proof of residency to a GDVS Veterans Field Service Office for verification. The veteran must then take:
Take Documents to a Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) office. A DDS representative will administer a vision exam, verify the veteran’s eligibility, and issue a veteran’s driver’s license. No Fee License Plates and Special Category License PlatesVisit the following website for more information: https://dor.georgia.gov/motor-vehicles Georgia offers multiple Veteran’s License Plates with no Registration fee, manufacturing fee, or annual fee. Applicants are entitled to a second plate for a manufacturing fee of $25 and an annual fee. Fees and eligibility differ for some of the plates listed below. As far as I can tell, these plates DO NOT carry the handicapped parking designation and DO NOT require a physician’s statement. A full list and eligibility requirements are available at the following website: https://veterans.georgia.gov/license-plates Here is a brief list of the available plates:
Specialty veterans license plates are available for motorcycles as well. To apply for any of these plates, it is necessary to complete Form MV-9W available at the following website: https://dor.georgia.gov/documents/forms Keep in mind that many of these no fee plates are available to Surviving, unremarried spouses as well. Parking for Disabled VeteransIf a Disabled Veteran license plate is properly displayed, the veteran is authorized to park in parking areas designated for persons with disabilities. (No additional parking permit is required.) Georgia Veterans Employment BenefitsVeterans Employment PreferenceMore information is available at the following website: https://dol.georgia.gov/veterans-employment-rights A 5-point credit is given to war veterans seeking state employment. A 10-point credit is given to those with a VA service-connected disability of 10% or more. Business Certificate of ExemptionGeorgia veterans are eligible for a certificate granting exemption from any occupation tax, administrative fee, or regulatory fee imposed by local governments for peddling, conducting a business, or practicing a profession or semi-profession for a period of ten years. This applies to veterans with a VA disability of at least 10% and an honorable discharge. Veterans should contact the GDVS Atlanta field office to begin their application and provide a copy of their DD Form 214 and a VA “Summary of Benefits” letter. Once verified, veterans should take their application to their local County Probate Court Office. The County Probate Court Office will issue a notarized letter confirming eligibility and send the letter to the Secretary of State’s Office. Firefighter QualificationMilitary firefighter training is accepted as required basic training for full-time, part-time and volunteer firefighters, including airport firefighters. Georgia Veteran Recreation BenefitsHunting and Fishing Licenses for Permanently & Totally Disabled VeteransVisit the following website for more information: https://georgiawildlife.com/licenses-permits-passes/disability Veterans rated permanently and totally disabled by the VA or DOD are eligible for a discounted sportsman’s license. Discounted disability hunting and fishing licenses are available to residents of Georgia. This license type cannot be obtained or renewed online—you will need to complete the application form and mail it with supporting documents to the address on the form. If you require application review accommodations, please call 1-800-366-2661. Link to Application form: https://georgiawildlife.com/sites/default/files/wrd/pdf/license-applications/Disability%20License%20Application.pdf Individuals are strongly encouraged to consider purchasing three-year disability license types, rather than annual types. Renewal of the annual license requires submitting documents each year dated with the past year to show continued disability, versus once for the three-year license. Payment of transaction fees each year for the annual license types means that persons pay an extra $6 over a three-year period—the three-year license will save $6 over the three year period and doesn’t require yearly paperwork. Reduced State Park Admission Fees for Disabled VeteransDisabled veterans who are Georgia residents AND present a Certificate of Eligibility card are entitled to a 25% discount on:
When making online reservations, the full fee will be charged to your credit card. Upon check-in and presenting your Certificate of Eligibility card, you will be reimbursed for your discount. To receive your Certificate of Eligibility card, visit your nearest Veteran Field Service Office with a copy of your DD Form 214 and disability-rating letter. A Field Service Officer will submit a VSO 22 form on your behalf. After approval, the Georgia Department of Veterans Service will mail you a Certificate of Eligibility card. For more information, visit www.veterans.georgia.gov/field-offices Additional BenefitsMotor Fuel Service for Disabled VeteransWhen a gasoline station offers both full-service and self-service, a station employee shall, upon request, provide full-service at the self-service price to a disabled veteran, provided:
Vital StatisticsVeterans and their families may obtain copies of marriage, divorce, birth, and death documents without charge, provided the copies are to be used for establishing disability or death claims. For assistance, contact the Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of Vital Records: 404-679-4702 or https://dph.georgia.gov/ High School Diplomas for Certain War VeteransA veteran who failed to receive a high school diploma due to an interruption of education by service in World War II, Korea, or Vietnam is eligible to obtain the diploma. Apply at the board of education of the school district where the veteran attended high school. Do disabled veterans pay ad valorem tax GA?Ad Valorem Tax on Vehicles
The exemption is granted on ONLY one vehicle the veteran owns and upon which the free Disabled Veteran (DV) license plate is attached. Veterans who qualify for the Purple Heart or Medal of Honor specialty license plates are also exempt.
Do disabled veterans pay vehicle registration in Georgia?Fees: There is no registration fee, manufacturing fee, or annual fee for this plate. Veterans with a 100 percent service-connected disability rating are exempt from ad valorem taxes on one vehicle.
What benefits does a 100 disabled veteran get in Georgia?VA Benefits for 100 Percent Disabled Veterans in GA. Health care benefits. ... . Special Monthly Compensation. ... . Property Tax Waiver. ... . Income Tax Exemption on Retirement Pay. ... . Education Assistance (Chapter 35) ... . Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance Waiver. ... . Recreational Benefits.. Are veterans tax exempt in Georgia?Under the measure, a veteran's first $17,500 in retirement pay would be exempt from Georgia's state income tax, which has a top rate of 5.75%. Another $17,500 of retirement pay would be exempt, for a total of $35,000, if a veteran earned at least $17,500 from another source. The exemption covers people younger than 62.
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