You may know that military allowances like Basic Allowance for Housing are tax-free. You may also know that most VA benefits are also tax-free.

Did you know that many states do not charge income tax on active duty or retired military pay? Many others tax only a portion of these pays.

To see what type of tax breaks your state offers for military members, retirees and survivors check out our list.

Alabama

Military income: Follows federal rules.

Follows federal rules. Retired pay: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Survivor Benefit Plan: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Website

Alaska

No state income tax. Legal residents are eligible for the Permanent Fund Dividend.

Website

Arizona

Military income: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Retired pay: Up to $3,500 of military retirement pay and/or survivor benefits excluded.

Up to $3,500 of military retirement pay and/or survivor benefits excluded. Survivor Benefit Plan: Same as retired pay.

Same as retired pay. Website

Arkansas

Military income: Tax-free

Tax-free Retired pay: Tax-free

Tax-free Survivor Benefit Plan: Tax-free

Tax-free Website

California

Military income: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Retired pay: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Survivor Benefit Plan: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Website

Colorado

Military income: Tax-free if stationed OCONUS and you spend at least 305 days outside the U.S. during the tax year. Accompanying spouse is also eligible as long as they spend at least 305 days outside the U.S.

Retired pay: Up to $20,000 is tax-free for retirees 55 - 64. At age 65 that amount increases to $24,000.

Survivor Benefit Plan: Same as retired pay.

Same as retired pay. Website

Connecticut

Military income: If you are stationed outside of the state your military income is tax-free if you don't own a home in Connecticut or visit for more than 30 days.

If you are stationed outside of the state your military income is tax-free if you don't own a home in Connecticut or visit for more than 30 days. Retired pay: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Survivor Benefit Plan: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Website

Delaware

Military income: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Retired pay: Up to $2,000 of military retirement excluded for individuals under age 60; $12,500 if 60 or older.

Up to $2,000 of military retirement excluded for individuals under age 60; $12,500 if 60 or older. Survivor Benefit Plan: Same as retired pay.

Same as retired pay. Website

District of Columbia

Military income: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Retired pay: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Survivor Benefit Plan: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Website

Florida

No state income tax.

Website

Georgia

Military income: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Retired pay: Taxpayers over 62 or permanently disabled may be eligible for a $4,000 exclusion of retired pay.

Taxpayers over 62 or permanently disabled may be eligible for a $4,000 exclusion of retired pay. Survivor Benefit Plan: Same as retired pay.

Same as retired pay. Website

Hawaii

Military income: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Retired pay: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Survivor Benefit Plan: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Website

Idaho

Military income: Tax-free if stationed out-of-state.

Tax-free if stationed out-of-state. Retired pay: Tax free for for retirees over 65, disabled retirees over 62.

Tax free for for retirees over 65, disabled retirees over 62. Survivor Benefit Plan: Same as retired pay.

Same as retired pay. Website

Illinois

Military income: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Retired pay: Tax-free

Tax-free Survivor Benefit Plan: Tax-free

Tax-free Website

Indiana

Military income: Up to $5,000 of military income is tax-free

Up to $5,000 of military income is tax-free Retired pay: Up to $6,250 plus 25% of retired pay over that amount is tax-free for 2019. That will increase to 50% in 2020, 75% in 2021 and 100% for taxable years beginning after 2021.

Up to $6,250 plus 25% of retired pay over that amount is tax-free for 2019. That will increase to 50% in 2020, 75% in 2021 and 100% for taxable years beginning after 2021. Survivor Benefit Plan: Same as retired pay.

Website

Iowa

Military income: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Retired pay: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Survivor Benefit Plan: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Website

Kansas

Military income: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Retired pay: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Survivor Benefit Plan: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Website

Kentucky

Military income: Tax-free

Tax-free Retired pay: Up to $31,110 is tax-free, you may be able to exclude more in some situations.

Up to $31,110 is tax-free, you may be able to exclude more in some situations. Survivor Benefit Plan: Same as retired pay.

Same as retired pay. Website

Louisiana

Military income: Up to $30,000 is tax-free if stationed out-of-state for 120 or more consecutive days

Up to $30,000 is tax-free if stationed out-of-state for 120 or more consecutive days Retired pay: Tax-free

Tax-free Survivor Benefit Plan: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Website

Maine

Military income: Military income earned out-of-state is tax-free.

Military income earned out-of-state is tax-free. Retired pay: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Survivor Benefit Plan: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Website

Maryland

Military income: If your total income is less than $30,000 you can deduct up to $15,000 of military pay if stationed OCONUS.

If your total income is less than $30,000 you can deduct up to $15,000 of military pay if stationed OCONUS. Retired pay: The first $5,000 is tax-free. That amount increases to $15,000 for those 55 or older.

The first $5,000 is tax-free. That amount increases to $15,000 for those 55 or older. Survivor Benefit Plan: Same as retired pay.

Same as retired pay. Website

Massachusetts

Military income: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Retired pay: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Survivor Benefit Plan: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Website

Michigan

Military income: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Retired pay: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Survivor Benefit Plan: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Website

Minnesota

Military income: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Retired pay: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Survivor Benefit Plan: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Website

Mississippi

Military income: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Retired pay: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Survivor Benefit Plan: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Website

Missouri

Military income: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Retired pay: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Survivor Benefit Plan: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Website

Montana

Military income: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Retired pay: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Survivor Benefit Plan: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Website

Nebraska

Military income: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Retired pay: Special rules, see our Nebraska State Benefits Page.

Special rules, see our Nebraska State Benefits Page. Survivor Benefit Plan: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Website

Nevada

No state income tax.

Website

New Hampshire

No income tax, tax on interest and dividends only.

Website

New Jersey

Military income: Tax-free if you live outside NJ. Living on ships, barracks, government housing or housing paid for by the military (with BAH) doesn't count.

Tax-free if you live outside NJ. Living on ships, barracks, government housing or housing paid for by the military (with BAH) doesn't count. Veteran deduction: Honorably discharged veterans qualify for a one-time $6,000 tax deduction in the year they are discharged from active duty.

Honorably discharged veterans qualify for a one-time $6,000 tax deduction in the year they are discharged from active duty. Retired pay: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Survivor Benefit Plan: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Website

New Mexico

Military income: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Retired pay: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Survivor Benefit Plan: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Website

New York

Military income: Tax-free if you: 1) did not maintain any permanent home in New York; 2) maintained a permanent home outside New York during the entire year (barracks, bachelor officers´ quarters or shipboard don't qualify.); 3) spent less than 30 days in New York during tax year. It also is tax-free if you were in a foreign country for at least 450 days during any period of 548 consecutive days.

Tax-free if you: 1) did not maintain any permanent home in New York; 2) maintained a permanent home outside New York during the entire year (barracks, bachelor officers´ quarters or shipboard don't qualify.); 3) spent less than 30 days in New York during tax year. It also is tax-free if you were in a foreign country for at least 450 days during any period of 548 consecutive days. Retired pay: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Survivor Benefit Plan: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Website

North Carolina

Military income: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Retired pay: If you have five years of creditable service as of Aug. 12, 1989, all military retired pay is exempt from taxes.

If you have five years of creditable service as of Aug. 12, 1989, all military retired pay is exempt from taxes. Survivor Benefit Plan: Same as retired pay.

Same as retired pay. Website

North Dakota

Military income: Follows federal rules.

Follows federal rules. Retired pay: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Survivor Benefit Plan: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Website

Ohio

Military income: Tax-free if stationed outside Ohio.

Tax-free if stationed outside Ohio. Retired pay: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Survivor Benefit Plan: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Website

Oklahoma

Military income: Tax-free

Tax-free Retired pay: The greater of 75% of retirement pay or $10,000 is tax exempt

The greater of 75% of retirement pay or $10,000 is tax exempt Survivor Benefit Plan: Same as retired pay.

Same as retired pay. Website

Oregon

Military income: All active duty pay earned out-of-state is tax-free, up to $6,000 of active-duty pay earned in Oregon is also tax-free

All active duty pay earned out-of-state is tax-free, up to $6,000 of active-duty pay earned in Oregon is also tax-free Retired pay: If you had military service before October 1, 1991 you may be able to deduct a portion of your retirement pay. If you didn't have military or federal service prior to October 1, 1991, your military retirement is taxed normally.

If you had military service before October 1, 1991 you may be able to deduct a portion of your retirement pay. If you didn't have military or federal service prior to October 1, 1991, your military retirement is taxed normally. Survivor Benefit Plan: Same as retired pay.

Same as retired pay. Website

Pennsylvania

Military income: Tax-free if stationed out-of-state.

Tax-free if stationed out-of-state. Retired pay: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Survivor Benefit Plan: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Website

Rhode Island

Military income: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Retired pay: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Survivor Benefit Plan: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Website

South Carolina

Military income: Active duty pay is taxable. Reserve & National Guard drill pay is not taxable.

Active duty pay is taxable. Reserve & National Guard drill pay is not taxable. Retired pay: If under age 65, you can deduct up to $14,000 of retirement income when filing. If 65 or older that amount is $27,000. You must have other income, besides military retirement, to qualify for this.

If under age 65, you can deduct up to $14,000 of retirement income when filing. If 65 or older that amount is $27,000. You must have other income, besides military retirement, to qualify for this. Survivor Benefit Plan: Same as retired pay.

Same as retired pay. Website

South Dakota

No state income tax.

Website

Tennessee

Tennessee has no income tax, but it does have a tax on interest and dividends.

Website

Texas

No state income tax.

Website

Utah

Military income: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Retired pay: Follow federal tax rules, special exemptions available for those 65 years or older.

Follow federal tax rules, special exemptions available for those 65 years or older. Survivor Benefit Plan: May exclude 5% of SBP if member died in service or a reservist that died from service-connected cause.

May exclude 5% of SBP if member died in service or a reservist that died from service-connected cause. Website

Vermont

Military income: Active duty military pay earned outside NH is tax-free.

Active duty military pay earned outside NH is tax-free. Retired pay: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Survivor Benefit Plan: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Website

Virginia

Military income: Up to $15,000 of military basic pay received during the taxable year may be exempted from Virginia income tax. For every $1.00 of income over $15,000, the maximum subtraction is reduced by $1.00. For example, if your basic pay is $16,000, you are entitled to deduct only $14,000. You are not eligible for the subtraction if your military basic pay is $30,000 or more. For VA National Guard, up to 39 calendar days of service or $3,000 (whichever is less) may be deducted from your income when filing. This deduction is only available for O-3 and below.

Up to $15,000 of military basic pay received during the taxable year may be exempted from Virginia income tax. For every $1.00 of income over $15,000, the maximum subtraction is reduced by $1.00. For example, if your basic pay is $16,000, you are entitled to deduct only $14,000. You are not eligible for the subtraction if your military basic pay is $30,000 or more. For VA National Guard, up to 39 calendar days of service or $3,000 (whichever is less) may be deducted from your income when filing. This deduction is only available for O-3 and below. Retired pay: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Survivor Benefit Plan: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Website

Washington

No state income tax.

Website

West Virginia

Military income: Tax-free if stationed out-of-state.

Tax-free if stationed out-of-state. Retired pay: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Survivor Benefit Plan: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Website

Wisconsin

Military income: Follows federal tax rules.

Follows federal tax rules. Retired pay: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Survivor Benefit Plan: Tax-free.

Tax-free. Website

Wyoming

No state income tax

Website

U.S. Territories & Possessions

Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico have their own independent tax departments. If you have income from one of these possessions, you may have to file a U.S. tax return only, a possession tax return only, or both returns. This generally depends on whether you are considered a resident of one of the possessions. In some cases, you may have to file a U.S. return, but be able to exclude income earned in a possession from U.S. tax. For more information, see the IRS International Taxpayer page.

American Samoa

Tax Division Government of American Samoa Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Division of Revenue and Taxation Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands P. O. Box 5234, CHRB Saipan, MP 96950

Guam

Department of Revenue and Taxation Government of Guam P.O. Box 23607 GMF, GU 96921 Phone: 671-472-7471

Puerto Rico

Negociado de Asistencia Contributiva y Legislación Departamento de Hacienda P.O. Box 565 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00902-6265 Phone: 787-721-2020, ext. 3611

Virgin Islands

Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue 9601 Estate Thomas Charlotte Amalie St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 00802 Phone: 340-774-5865

Get the Latest Financial Tips

Whether you're trying to balance your budget, build up your credit, select a good life insurance program or are gearing up for a home purchase, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com and get the latest military benefit updates and tips delivered straight to your inbox.