You do not need a 100 percent rating to claim Utah's disabled veteran property tax exemption. A service-connected disability rating of just 10 percent qualifies, and the exempt amount rises with your rating up to a set limit on your home's taxable value.

Utah is home to 127,944 veterans by the VA's 2024 count, and many who carry a service-connected disability rating are paying more property tax than the law requires. The Veteran with a Disability exemption is one of the most valuable state benefits a disabled veteran in Utah can claim, yet it goes unused every year simply because families don't know it exists or assume they have to be rated 100 percent to benefit. You don't.

One thing to settle up front: this is the exemption for veterans with a service-connected disability. It's a different program from the age-and-income property tax relief many Utah seniors use (the Circuit Breaker credit). If you're 66 or older and looking for relief based on age and income rather than a service-connected disability, see our guide to Utah senior property tax relief instead.

In This Guide

Do You Qualify for Utah's Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption?

The exemption is created and administered under Utah state law, claimed on the veteran's Utah residence, and run by the counties under the Utah State Tax Commission's Property Tax Division, whose property tax relief guide (Publication 36) lays out the veteran exemption. The governing statute is Utah Code 59-2a-501, effective January 1, 2026.

Here's the core rule. To claim the exemption, a veteran must have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10 percent. Utah allows no exemption for any disability below that 10 percent floor. That's the one hard cutoff, and it's lower than most families expect, so a veteran with even a modest rating should look at this.

Two things worth knowing about how the rating is read:

  • If the VA certifies you in the classification of individual unemployability, your county treats you as 100 percent disabled for this exemption, regardless of the percentage listed on your statement of disability.
  • The exemption is claimed on the veteran's Utah residence. It can also be applied toward tangible personal property, such as a motor vehicle.

The exemption is a state program, entirely separate from the federal VA's disability compensation and pension. It lowers what your county taxes your home on rather than paying you, so it is not the same transaction as those federal benefits. If you receive, or are applying for, a needs-based VA Pension or Aid and Attendance, which the VA assesses on income and net worth, confirm your own situation with an accredited representative.

How Much Is the Utah Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption Worth?

The exemption isn't a flat dollar amount for everyone. It's scaled to your disability rating. The taxable value that gets exempted equals your percentage of disability multiplied by the adjusted taxable value limit, which for 2026 is up to $535,459 of taxable value on a residence. A veteran certified as individually unemployable is treated as 100 percent, which reaches the full limit.

So a 50 percent rating exempts half of that limit; a 100 percent rating (or an individual-unemployability certification) exempts all of it. The table below shows how the math plays out at several ratings.

Service-connected rating Exempt taxable value (2026)
10% About $53,546
30% About $160,638
50% About $267,730
70% About $374,821
100% (or individual unemployability) Up to $535,459

The figures above are hypothetical and shown only to illustrate how the percentage-times-limit calculation works. They are not a prediction of your own result.

One important distinction: this figure is the taxable value the county subtracts before calculating your bill, not the dollars you save directly. Your actual tax savings depend on your local property tax rate, which varies by county and city. The exemption lowers the value your rate is applied to, and for a fully rated veteran it can remove the taxable value of a typical Utah home entirely.

What About a Surviving Spouse or Minor Orphan?

The exemption doesn't end when the veteran dies. An unmarried surviving spouse or a minor orphan of the veteran may also claim it.

There's an important upgrade for families who lost the veteran to their service. Where the property is owned by the unmarried surviving spouse or minor orphan of a veteran who was killed in action or died in the line of duty, the exempt amount equals the total taxable value of the eligible property, not just the rating-scaled share. In that situation the full value of the home comes off the tax rolls.

To claim as a surviving spouse or orphan, the county needs proof of the veteran's military service and proof of the disability or death on file.

How to Apply

You apply through the county where the eligible property is located, not through a statewide portal. The county needs an application with proof of military service and proof of disability (or, for a surviving spouse or orphan, proof of death) on file.

1
Step 1

Gather your documents

You'll need proof of military service (such as your DD-214) and your VA statement of disability showing your service-connected rating. A surviving spouse or orphan brings proof of the veteran's death instead of, or alongside, the disability proof.

2
Step 2

Contact your county

File with the county where the property sits. Deadlines are set at the county level, and counties such as Davis County require the application on or before September 1. Confirm your own county's deadline early so you don't miss a year.

3
Step 3

Get free help if you want it

The Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs (UDVMA) offers free assistance to veterans and their family members with claims, applications, and appeals to the VA, and its Veteran Service Officers are trained and accredited to represent Utah veterans. Reach the main office at 801-326-2372 to meet with a VSO in person, over the phone, or by video conference. UDVMA also lists accredited representatives at the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW); per the VA, an accredited VSO representative's services on your VA benefit claims are always free, while an accredited attorney or claims agent can charge you fees.

How It Works With Your VA Benefits

This exemption uses your VA disability rating, but it lives entirely on the state side of the ledger. It's separate from your federal VA disability compensation and pension, so claiming the property tax exemption doesn't reduce those payments.

That matters most for veterans who also receive, or are considering, the federal Aid and Attendance allowance. Aid and Attendance is a separate pension benefit for wartime veterans who need help with daily activities, worth up to $29,093 a year for a veteran with no dependents in 2026. The VA sets that ceiling as a maximum annual pension rate and pays one-twelfth of the award each month. Unlike this property tax exemption, Aid and Attendance carries a net worth limit of $163,699 and a 36-month look-back on asset transfers. The property tax exemption, by contrast, turns only on your disability rating.

In practice, an eligible Utah veteran can hold both at once: the state property tax exemption on the home and the federal Aid and Attendance pension for care needs. For a full walkthrough of the federal side, see our guides to VA benefits for senior care in Utah and VA Aid and Attendance in Utah.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be 100 percent disabled to get the Utah exemption?

No. Any service-connected disability rating of at least 10 percent qualifies, and the exemption scales with your rating. Utah allows no exemption below 10 percent, but a 30 or 50 percent rating still removes a substantial amount of taxable value. A rating of 100 percent, or a VA individual-unemployability certification treated as 100 percent, reaches the full 2026 limit of $535,459.

Does claiming this exemption reduce my VA disability compensation or pension?

No. The exemption is a Utah state program, separate from the federal VA's disability compensation and pension. Eligibility for the property tax exemption turns on your disability rating, and it lowers a county tax bill rather than paying you.

Can my exemption apply to anything besides my house?

Yes. The exemption is claimed on your Utah residence, and it can also be applied toward tangible personal property such as a motor vehicle.

What happens to the exemption if the veteran dies?

An unmarried surviving spouse or minor orphan can continue to claim it. If the veteran was killed in action or died in the line of duty and the surviving spouse or orphan owns the property, the total taxable value of the eligible property is exempt.

When is the deadline to apply?

Deadlines are set by each county. Counties such as Davis County require the application on or before September 1. Check with your own county so you file in time. UDVMA's Veteran Service Officers assist Utah veterans and their families free of charge and can be reached at 801-326-2372.

Learn More

VA BenefitsVA Benefits for Senior Care in UtahA complete guide to VA senior care benefits in Utah: home care, nursing homes, Aid and Attendance, state veterans homes, and how to access them in 2026. VA BenefitsVA Aid and Attendance in UtahVA Aid and Attendance in Utah for 2026: who qualifies, rates up to $34,488 a year, how to apply, and free help from UDVMA accredited veteran service officers. VA BenefitsVA Aid and Attendance (National Guide)VA Aid and Attendance explained: the 2026 monthly amounts, who qualifies, the medical-expense rule that unlocks it, what it pays for, and how to apply. FinancialUtah Senior Property Tax Relief for Homeowners 67+How Utah homeowners 67 and older cut their property taxes with the Circuit Breaker credit, income up to $44,221, abatement up to $1,412, September 1 deadline.

Find personalized help claiming Utah's disabled veteran property tax exemption at brevy.com.

The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.

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