New Jersey is home to approximately 350,000 veterans — one of the most densely populated veteran communities in the country, pressed between two of America’s largest metro areas. Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Burlington County is the anchor — the only installation in the country combining Air Force, Army, and Navy missions on a single joint base, making it one of the most operationally significant installations on the East Coast. Add Fort Monmouth’s legacy in Eatontown, the New Jersey National Guard’s Camp Shelby connections, and a state where veterans make up a meaningful slice of every suburban county, and you understand why New Jersey has built some of the most financially valuable veteran benefits in the entire country.
Here’s the thing most veterans don’t know about New Jersey: the state gets a bad reputation as expensive and high-tax, and that reputation is partly deserved. But for disabled veterans, New Jersey’s high property taxes are actually an advantage. When New Jersey exempts 100% P&T SC veterans from all property taxes with no cap and no income limit, and the effective property tax rate is the highest in the nation at approximately 2.23%, the dollar value of that exemption on a $400,000 home is $8,920 per year. Texas, which everyone considers the gold standard for veteran benefits, saves the same veteran approximately $6,800 on the same home value because its effective rates are lower. New Jersey’s notorious property taxes work for disabled veterans, not against them.
There are also several critical misunderstandings unique to New Jersey that this guide specifically addresses: the DV license plate and the DV parking placard are completely different documents serving completely different purposes — veterans who get only the plates and try to use metered parking for free will get tickets; the property tax exemption is filed at the municipal level, not county or state, which trips up almost every first-time applicant; military retirement pay is fully exempt from NJ income tax at any age and any income level without needing to qualify for the pension exclusion system other retirees use; and any service-connected disability at any rating — even 0% — qualifies for free hunting, fishing, and stamps. Let’s go through everything.
New Jersey Veteran DMV Benefits — Complete 2026 Overview
New Jersey offers one of the nation’s strongest veteran benefit packages, including property tax exemptions, disabled veteran license plates, hunting and fishing licenses, income tax breaks, CDL waivers, tuition assistance, and many additional state benefits.
| Benefit | Who Qualifies | What You Get | Estimated Annual Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disabled Veteran License Plates | 100% Permanent & Total service-connected veterans who are NJ residents | Free DV plates; registration fees generally still apply and plates alone do not provide ISA parking privileges. | Plate fee savings |
| Free Vehicle Registration | 100% P&T veterans with a VA automobile grant, qualifying adaptive equipment, and NJ insurance | Full vehicle registration fee exemption through the special VA grant program. | $150–$400/year |
| Disabled Veteran Parking Placard (SP-47) | 100% service-connected disabled veterans | Parking meter exemption for up to 24 hours while the veteran is present in the vehicle. | $200–$600/year |
| Purple Heart Parking Placard (SP-47) | Purple Heart recipients | Same 24-hour meter exemption as the DV placard. Only one placard type may be used. | $200–$600/year |
| Person with a Disability (PWAD) Placard | Veterans with a qualifying mobility disability | Access to ADA/ISA accessible parking spaces with physician certification. | Parking convenience |
| Military Specialty License Plates | Varies by military service or award | More than 34 specialty plate designs recognizing military service and honors. | Recognition |
| Congressional Medal of Honor Plate | Medal of Honor recipients | Free specialty license plate with no fees. | Free |
| Gold Star Family Plate | Immediate family members of fallen service members | Free specialty license plate. | Free |
| Veteran Designation on Driver’s License or ID | Honorably discharged veterans | “Veteran” designation printed on a New Jersey driver’s license or ID card. | Discount eligibility |
| Veteran Income Tax Exemption | Honorably discharged veterans | $6,000 personal exemption on New Jersey income tax. | $105–$648/year |
| CDL Skills Test Waiver | Veterans with at least 12 months of qualifying military CMV experience | Waives the commercial driver’s license road skills test. | $3,000–$10,000 career value |
| Deployment Extension | Active-duty service members deployed outside New Jersey and eligible family members | Automatic driver’s license and vehicle registration extension during deployment plus 90 days. | Compliance relief |
| 100% Property Tax Exemption | 100% P&T veterans who own and occupy their home | Complete property tax exemption with no income or home value limit. | $5,000–$15,000+/year |
| $250 Property Tax Deduction | Honorably discharged wartime veterans who own a New Jersey home | $250 annual reduction in property taxes. | $250/year |
| Property Tax Deferment | Active-duty service members on deployment | Delay property tax payments without penalties during deployment. | Compliance relief |
| Military Retirement Tax Exemption | All New Jersey military retirees | 100% of military retirement income exempt from NJ income tax. | $500–$4,000+/year |
| SBP / RCSBP Survivor Benefit Tax Exemption | Eligible survivors | Survivor Benefit Plan payments are exempt from New Jersey income tax. | $300–$1,500+/year |
| Social Security Tax Exemption | All New Jersey residents | Social Security benefits are not taxed by New Jersey. | $500–$2,000+/year |
| Free Hunting & Fishing Licenses | Any service-connected disabled veteran | Free hunting, fishing, pheasant, quail, and trout permits. | $60–$150/year |
| Resident Hunting & Fishing Rates | Active-duty military stationed anywhere purchasing in NJ | Eligible for resident pricing on New Jersey licenses. | $100–$300/year |
| Monthly State Disability Pension | P&T veterans with qualifying catastrophic disabilities | Monthly state pension benefit. | $750–$1,800/year |
| Civil Service Preference | Honorably discharged veterans | Hiring preference for eligible New Jersey state jobs. | Career value |
| Veterans Retirement Credit | Veterans enrolled in the NJ public pension system | Military service credit and earlier retirement eligibility. | Long-term retirement value |
| Dependent Tuition Waiver | Children of 100% disabled or KIA veterans | Free tuition at eligible New Jersey public colleges and universities. | $10,000–$18,000+/year |
| New Jersey Veterans Homes | Eligible veterans requiring long-term care | Access to state veterans homes in Menlo Park, Paramus, and Vineland. | Healthcare benefit |
| New Jersey Veterans Memorial Cemetery | Eligible veterans and dependents | Burial at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery. | Burial benefit |
Highest-Value Benefit:
New Jersey’s 100% property tax exemption for eligible Permanent & Total disabled veterans can save homeowners thousands of dollars every year.
Worth Knowing:
While Disabled Veteran license plates are free, they do not automatically provide accessible (ISA) parking privileges. Veterans needing accessible parking generally must obtain a qualifying disabled parking placard.
Important:
Eligibility requirements vary by benefit. Some programs require a 100% Permanent & Total VA disability rating, while others are available to all honorably discharged veterans or active-duty service members.
The Single Most Important Distinction in New Jersey Veteran Vehicle Benefits
Before anything else, you need to understand why New Jersey’s veteran vehicle system is different from every other state in the Northeast — because this distinction is responsible for more parking tickets to veterans here than any other factor.
New Jersey has three separate things that veterans confuse:
Thing 1 — DV License Plates: Issued by MVC. Goes on the vehicle. Does NOT include metered parking exemption or ISA handicapped space access by itself.
Thing 2 — DV Parking Placard (SP-47): Issued by MVC separately. Hangs from the rearview mirror. This is what gives you the metered parking exemption for up to 24 hours. The veteran must be the driver or a passenger when it’s displayed.
Thing 3 — PWAD Placard (Person With A Disability): Issued by MVC with physician certification of mobility disability. This is what gives ISA handicapped space access. Completely separate from both items above.
New Jersey law provides for a deduction of up to $250 from taxes levied on real and personal property owned by qualified New Jersey resident war veterans having certain service-connected disabilities described in the law or having been declared totally or 100% permanently disabled by the Veterans Administration, who are granted full tax exemption on their dwelling house and the lot or curtilage on which it’s located. Veterans United
The parking meter exemption requires the SP-47 placard specifically — not the license plate. And ISA handicapped spaces require the PWAD placard — not the DV placard. A veteran can have all three simultaneously, but each requires a separate application. Most states combine some or all of these. New Jersey keeps them entirely separate.
The good news: you can hold the DV placard AND a PWAD placard at the same time — they serve different purposes and the MVC issues both. What you cannot do is hold both a DV placard AND a Purple Heart placard — you must choose one special veteran placard type.
DV License Plates — Who Qualifies and What They Actually Do
New Jersey’s DV plate requires 100% permanent and total service-connected disability. Not 50% like Texas. Not any SC disability like Oregon. 100% P&T specifically — or IU/TDIU paid at 100% rate.
Disabled veteran plates are issued at no cost under N.J.S.A. 39:3-27.3. There are no issuance or annual renewal fees.
The registration fee situation — more nuanced than most states:
The plates themselves are free. But standard registration fees generally still apply — with one specific exception. To qualify for free registration, a veteran must also have received a VA automobile grant AND have a vehicle equipped with special adaptive attachments AND be properly insured by a NJ-licensed insurance company. Call 609-292-6500 extension 5076 for the free registration application if you believe you qualify through this path.
For most veterans — those with 100% P&T SC but without the VA automobile grant — the plates are free but registration fees still apply.
The vehicle title rule — with one important exception:
The vehicle must be registered to the qualifying veteran. If the veteran cannot drive due to their disability, a vehicle registered to a legal guardian or spouse may qualify, provided the veteran is the primary passenger and the vehicle is for personal use. This guardian/spouse exception is rare nationally and provides meaningful flexibility for veterans with severe mobility disabilities.
Applying for DV plates:
Because the MVC processes specialty plates centrally in Trenton rather than at field offices, applications go by mail:
NJMVC Special Plates Unit
P.O. Box 015, 225 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08666-0015
Bring (or mail copies of):
- VA Summary of Benefits Letter confirming 100% P&T SC
- DD-214 Member 4 copy
- Valid NJ driver’s license or state ID
- Vehicle title or registration
MVC Special Plate Unit: 609-292-6500, ext. 5061
Processing time: 4–6 weeks by mail
Download your VA Summary of Benefits Letter →
The DV Parking Placard (SP-47) — What Actually Gets You Free Meters
New Jersey law permits exemption from payment of municipal parking meter fees, for up to 24 hours, for disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients — when the vehicle displays a unique placard issued by the MVC and the qualifying veteran is the driver or a passenger.
That 24-hour meter exemption is meaningful in New Jersey’s urban environment. In Jersey City, Hoboken, Newark, Atlantic City, Princeton — meters run $1–$3/hour and garage parking $15–$40/day. A veteran who regularly visits any urban area in New Jersey can easily save $150–$600+ per year in parking fees with the SP-47 placard active.
How to apply for the SP-47:
In person at any MVC agency OR mail to the same Trenton Special Plates Unit address above with:
- Completed Form SP-47 (download at nj.gov/mvc/pdf/vehicles/SP-47.pdf)
- VA letter confirming 100% SC disability status
- DD-214
Three-year renewal: New Jersey requires SP-47 recertification every three years — unlike most states where veteran placards are permanent. Put a calendar reminder in your phone.
The one-type-only rule: You cannot have both a DV placard and a Purple Heart placard simultaneously. Choose the one that reflects your primary qualifier. Both types provide the same 24-hour meter exemption.
For ISA handicapped space access — separate PWAD placard:
If your condition includes a qualifying mobility disability, you can also hold a PWAD (Person With A Disability) placard for ISA space access. This requires physician certification of mobility impairment — your VA physician can complete this at any VA medical center at no charge. The PWAD placard is a different application, a different form, and a different renewal schedule from the DV placard. Both can be held simultaneously.
Property Tax — New Jersey’s Highest-Value Veteran Benefit Nationally
New Jersey’s property taxes are the highest in the country. Most people see that as a liability. For 100% P&T SC veterans, it’s the opposite — because when a full exemption eliminates the highest property taxes in the country, the savings are larger than any other state.
No cap on home value. No income test. No expiration. On a $400,000 home at a 2.23% effective rate, you save $8,920 per year, $743 per month. This is one of the largest dollar-value property tax exemptions available to disabled Veterans in any state.
That math holds across every New Jersey county. In Bergen County, where effective rates approach 2.09% and average homes hit $550,000: over $11,000/year saved. In Burlington County near McGuire-Dix: $7,000–$8,000/year. In Ocean County along the Shore: $7,000+/year.
A Veterans Guide: A 100% P&T Veteran buying a $450,000 home near Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst at a 2.30% effective rate saves $10,350 per year, $863 per month. Combined with the VA funding fee exemption (saving $9,675 upfront on a $450,000 loan at 2.15%), the total first-year benefit is $20,025. Over 30 years, the property tax savings alone total $310,500.
The Critical Application Step Most Veterans Miss — Municipal Assessor, Not County
Every first-time applicant who hasn’t been specifically told this makes the same mistake: they go to the county tax office, or they contact the state treasury, or they try to submit online. All wrong.
Whether applying for the $250 annual deduction via Form V.S.S. or the 100% permanent disability exemption via Form D.V.S.S.E., veterans and surviving spouses must act before the municipal deadlines.
New Jersey’s property tax exemptions are filed with the local municipal tax assessor — the office of your specific town or city. With over 560 municipalities in New Jersey, every town has its own assessor. Find yours by searching “[Your Municipality Name] tax assessor NJ.” Submit Form D.V.S.S.E. directly to that office.
Documents for the full exemption:
- VA certification of 100% P&T SC disability (your VA Summary of Benefits Letter with P&T confirmed)
- DD-214 with honorable discharge
When to apply: Apply immediately upon receiving your P&T designation or upon purchasing your home in New Jersey — whichever comes last. The exemption is effective as of the date the veteran acquires the property or the date the total disability is declared by the VA.
Surviving spouse: The exemption continues for the unremarried surviving spouse as long as they own and occupy the home. If the surviving spouse remarries, the exemption terminates.
IU/TDIU qualifies: If the VA classifies you as permanently and totally disabled and pays at the 100% rate due to Individual Unemployability, you qualify for the full exemption under the same terms.
The $250 Deduction — Any Wartime Veteran, No Disability Required
This is the most common benefit. It is an annual deduction from your property tax bill for any veteran who served during active duty and was honorably discharged. Eligibility: You must own the property and be a legal resident of NJ as of Oct 1st of the pretax year. VA Loan Network
Form V.S.S. — file with your local municipal tax assessor. Best practice: file by December 31 for the following year’s bill. No disability rating required. No wartime injury required. Just honorable active duty service.
A new 2026 bill (A2939) is currently proposing an additional $5,000 deduction for veterans with partial disabilities. This is the most common benefit. Monitor the NJ legislature for this potential expansion.
Stacking: The $250 veteran deduction and the Senior Citizen deduction ($250 at age 65+ with income limits) can both be claimed by the same person — up to $500 total annual deduction.
Military Retirement Income Tax — The Benefit New Jersey Doesn’t Advertise
New Jersey has a reputation as one of the highest-income-tax states in the country, with rates going from 1.4% to 10.75%. Military retirees often avoid New Jersey specifically because of this reputation.
Here’s what those veterans are missing: military pensions and survivor benefit payments are fully exempt from NJ income tax regardless of age or income level — they do not need to rely on the pension exclusion.
Not age 62+. Not income under $150,000. Not partial. Every dollar of military retirement pay is fully exempt from New Jersey income tax for every military retiree at every age and income level.
New Jersey fully exempts military retirement pay from state income tax. Retirement pay from active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserve, and National Guard is fully exempt. Intuit TurboTax Blog
This is separate from — and more favorable than — the pension exclusion system that civilian retirees navigate. While a civilian retiree with $150,001 in income loses their entire pension exclusion due to a cliff effect, a military retiree with $500,000 in combined income still pays zero NJ income tax on their military retirement.
Also exempt:
- Social Security benefits: All Social Security retirement, disability, and survivor benefits are completely exempt from New Jersey Gross Income Tax.
- SBP/RCSBP survivor annuity payments — fully exempt
- VA disability compensation — federally exempt, not touched by NJ
Estimated Annual Tax Savings for a Typical Military Retiree in New Jersey
New Jersey exempts military retirement pay and Social Security benefits from state income tax. The example below shows how much a typical military retiree could save each year under current New Jersey tax rules.
| Income Source | Annual Amount | NJ Tax Without Exemption | NJ Tax With Exemption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Military Retirement Pay | $42,000 | ~$2,675 | $0 |
| Social Security Benefits | $18,000 | ~$900 | $0 |
| Part-Time Employment | $25,000 | ~$875 | ~$875 |
| Total Estimated NJ Tax Savings | — | ~$3,575/year | $875 |
Key Takeaway:
A typical New Jersey military retiree could save approximately $3,575 per year because military retirement pay and Social Security benefits are exempt from New Jersey state income tax.
Even Bigger Savings for Couples:
In a dual-military retirement household where both spouses receive military retirement pay, these annual tax savings can potentially double, making New Jersey one of the most tax-friendly states for military retirees.
Important:
These figures are illustrative examples. Actual tax savings depend on your total income, filing status, deductions, and current New Jersey tax laws.
Free Hunting and Fishing — Any SC Disability, Zero Minimum Rating
Most states set a minimum rating for free hunting and fishing licenses. Iowa requires any SC disability (0%+). North Dakota starts at 50%. Wyoming at 50%. Idaho at 40%.
New Jersey has no minimum disability rating for this benefit. Honorably discharged New Jersey disabled veterans can get free hunting and fishing licenses as well as pheasant, quail and trout stamps. Eligible veterans must initially be certified by Fish and Wildlife to receive these free licenses, permits and stamps.
Any veteran with any service-connected disability — even 0% non-compensable — qualifies. A veteran who filed a disability claim for a service-connected condition that was rated at 0% still qualifies for the NJ free H&F package. The VA wallet-sized disability card confirming any SC rating is the document.
The initial certification cannot be done online or at license agents. This trips up many first-time applicants who expect to handle everything digitally. The first-time certification must be done by submitting documentation by regular mail to the Division’s Trenton address. After initial certification, future renewals can be done online or at license agents.
Mail initial certification to:
NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife
PO Box 420
Trenton, NJ 08625
Documents: VA wallet-sized disability card showing any SC rating + DD-214 + NJ driver’s license copy
Phone: (609) 292-2965 | Email: NJDFWLicenses@dep.nj.gov
Annual value: Free hunting license + fishing license + pheasant stamp + quail stamp + trout stamp — package worth approximately $60–$150/year depending on what you pursue.
Rejection Scenarios Specific to New Jersey
Rejection #1 — DV Plates Used for Parking Meter — Ticket Received
A veteran with 100% P&T SC has New Jersey DV license plates on their car. They park at a meter in Trenton for three hours assuming the plates cover it. Ticket under the windshield.
Fix: New Jersey’s parking meter exemption requires the SP-47 DV parking placard to be displayed — not the license plate. Apply for the SP-47 at any MVC agency or by mail (Form SP-47, NJMVC Special Plates Unit, PO Box 015, Trenton NJ 08666). The veteran must also be the driver or a passenger in the vehicle when the placard is displayed. Once you have the SP-47 placard, metered parking is exempt up to 24 hours.
Rejection #2 — DV Placard Used for ISA Space — Ticket Received
A veteran with the SP-47 DV placard parks in an ISA wheelchair-designated space. Ticket received.
Fix: The DV placard and the Purple Heart placard cannot be used for parking in PWAD (Person With A Disability) labeled parking spots. The DV placard grants meter fee exemption, not ISA space access. For handicapped space access, you need a separate PWAD placard issued with physician certification of a qualifying mobility disability. Your VA physician can complete the certification at any VA medical center at no charge. Apply for the PWAD placard at any MVC agency — you can hold both a DV placard and a PWAD placard simultaneously.
Rejection #3 — Property Tax Full Exemption Filed at County Office
A veteran submits their D.V.S.S.E. application to the Somerset County Tax Office. Application returned — property tax exemptions are handled at the municipal level.
Fix: New Jersey property tax exemptions are filed with the local municipal tax assessor — your specific town or city’s assessor, not the county. With over 560 NJ municipalities each having their own assessor, find yours by searching “[Your Municipality] NJ tax assessor” or calling your town hall. Submit Form D.V.S.S.E. directly there with your VA P&T letter and DD-214.
Rejection #4 — Free H&F License: Applied Online as First-Time Applicant
A veteran with 10% SC tries to purchase a free hunting license online at NJ Fish and Wildlife’s website. The system shows no veteran discount available for their account.
Fix: Initial certification cannot be done online or at license agent locations. First-time certification must go by regular mail to the Division’s Trenton address with VA disability card + DD-214 + NJ residency proof. After the Division processes and certifies your status (allow 2–4 weeks), future purchases can be done online. Contact NJDFW at (609) 292-2965 to confirm receipt of your mailed certification.
Rejection #5 — Chose Both DV and Purple Heart Placards
A Purple Heart recipient who also has 100% P&T SC tries to get both the DV placard and the Purple Heart placard. The MVC informs them only one is available.
Fix: Applicants who meet the requirements for both a disabled veteran and Purple Heart recipient placard must decide which type of unique placard they wish to receive. Only one type of these unique placards can be issued. Both provide the same 24-hour meter exemption — so the practical difference is minimal. Choose based on which designation you prefer displayed. If you also need ISA handicapped space access, apply separately for a PWAD placard — you can hold the DV/PH placard AND a PWAD placard simultaneously.
Application Summary — Everything in One Place
DV License Plates
Mail to: NJMVC Special Plates Unit, PO Box 015, Trenton NJ 08666 | Phone: 609-292-6500 ext. 5061
Documents: VA SBL (100% P&T) + DD-214 + NJ DL copy + vehicle title
DV Parking Placard (SP-47) — Meter Exemption
In person at any MVC agency or mail to same Trenton address
Documents: Completed Form SP-47 + VA letter (100% SC) + DD-214
Renew every 3 years
PWAD Placard — ISA Handicapped Space Access
In person at any MVC agency
Documents: Physician certification of qualifying mobility disability
Separate from DV placard
Property Tax Full Exemption (D.V.S.S.E.)
File at your local municipal tax assessor’s office
Documents: VA P&T letter + DD-214
Apply immediately upon P&T rating or home purchase
Property Tax $250 Deduction (V.S.S.)
File at your local municipal tax assessor’s office
Documents: DD-214 showing wartime service
File by December 31 for following year’s bill
Free H&F License (Any SC Disability)
Mail initial certification to: NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, PO Box 420, Trenton NJ 08625
Phone: (609) 292-2965
After certification, renewals online at njfishandwildlife.com
Real Annual Savings — New Jersey 100% P&T Veteran (Burlington County Example)
The example below illustrates the potential annual financial value of New Jersey veteran benefits for a 100% Permanent & Total (P&T) service-connected veteran living in Burlington County near Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
| Benefit | Estimated Annual Value |
|---|---|
|
100% Property Tax Exemption ($370,000 home with an effective 2.13% property tax rate) | ~$7,881/year |
|
Military Retirement Income Tax Exemption ($42,000 annual military retirement) | ~$2,675/year |
|
Social Security Tax Exemption ($18,000 annual Social Security benefits) | ~$1,147/year |
| $6,000 Veteran Income Tax Exemption | ~$105–$648/year |
| Free Hunting, Fishing & State Stamps | ~$80/year |
|
Disabled Veteran (SP-47) Parking Placard (Estimated parking meter savings in urban areas) | ~$150–$400/year |
| Total Estimated Annual Savings | ~$12,038–$12,831/year |
Real-World Value:
A 100% Permanent & Total disabled veteran living in New Jersey could receive more than
$12,000 in annual tax savings and state benefits, not including healthcare,
education, VA compensation, or federal benefits.
Largest Savings:
The full property tax exemption typically provides the biggest financial benefit,
followed by New Jersey’s exemption of military retirement income and Social Security
benefits from state income tax.
Important:
This example is based on a representative Burlington County homeowner. Your actual
savings will vary depending on your home’s assessed value, income, location, and
individual eligibility for New Jersey veteran benefits.
New Jersey Veteran DMV Benefits — FAQs
Handicap parking, disability percentage, spouse benefits, fees, documents & more
Q1: Do New Jersey DV license plates include free parking?
No — not by themselves. New Jersey separates the DV license plate from the parking benefit. The plates confirm your veteran status and are issued free, but parking meter exemptions require a separate SP-47 DV parking placard issued by the MVC. The SP-47 placard must be displayed in the vehicle, and you must be the driver or a passenger. Apply for the SP-47 at any NJ MVC agency or by mail with your VA disability letter and DD-214.
Q2: What is the minimum disability rating for free hunting and fishing in New Jersey?
There is no minimum — any service-connected disability at any percentage qualifies. A veteran with a 0% non-compensable SC rating qualifies for the full free package including hunting license, fishing license, pheasant stamp, quail stamp, and trout stamp. Initial certification must be done by mail to the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife in Trenton — it cannot be done online. Contact (609) 292-2965 or NJDFWLicenses@dep.nj.gov.
Q3: Is military retirement pay taxed in New Jersey?
Military pensions and survivor benefit payments are fully exempt from NJ income tax regardless of age or income level — they do not need to rely on the pension exclusion. Every dollar of military retirement is exempt at any age, any income level — no thresholds, no phase-outs, no applications required.
Q4: How much does the NJ property tax exemption save a 100% P&T SC veteran?
On a $400,000 home at a 2.23% effective rate, you save $8,920 per year, $743 per month. This is one of the largest dollar-value property tax exemptions available to disabled Veterans in any state. The exemption has no cap on home value and no income limit. Apply using Form D.V.S.S.E. at your local municipal tax assessor’s office — not the county, not the state. File immediately upon P&T designation or home purchase.
Q5: Can I have both a DV parking placard and a standard disabled parking placard in New Jersey?
Yes — these are separate benefits serving different purposes and both can be held simultaneously. The DV placard (SP-47) gives parking meter exemptions when you’re in the vehicle. The PWAD (Person With A Disability) placard gives access to ISA-designated handicapped parking spaces and requires physician certification of mobility disability. What you cannot do is hold both a DV placard and a Purple Heart placard — only one special veteran placard type per person.
