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Nevada Military Benefits Guide

No state income tax, strong property tax exemptions for disabled veterans, federal SCRA protections, and National Guard tuition waivers. Everything Nevada servicemembers, veterans, and military families need to know, in one place.

Verified 2025Nevada Revised Statutes ReferencedSCRA and VBTA CoveredNo State Income TaxAlways Free

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Laws and benefit amounts change. Verify current information with your installation legal office, the Nevada Department of Taxation, or a qualified military benefits advisor before making financial or legal decisions.

Nevada Military Installations

Nellis AFB

Air Force

Las Vegas, Nevada

Home of the USAF Warfare Center and Thunderbirds air demonstration team. One of the busiest fighter bases in the world.

Creech AFB

Air Force

Indian Springs, Nevada

Premier remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) operations base. Headquarters for drone warfare training and operations.

Naval Air Station Fallon

Navy

Fallon, Nevada

The Navy Strike and Air Warfare Center. Home of Top Gun adversary training and carrier air wing integration.

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Military Pay and State Income Tax

Nevada is one of only nine states with no state income tax, making it one of the most financially favorable states for military families in the nation.

No Nevada State Income Tax
Favorable
Nevada has no individual state income tax. Zero. Every dollar of military base pay, special pays, bonuses, military retirement pay, VA disability compensation, and National Guard or Reserve pay is completely free from Nevada state income taxation. There is no form to file, no exemption to claim, and no phase-out threshold to worry about. This is a permanent feature of Nevada law enshrined in the Nevada Constitution, not a temporary exemption subject to legislative change.
Military Retirement Pay
Favorable
All military retired pay is 100% free from Nevada state income tax. Retirees who relocate to Nevada from higher-tax states often see an immediate and substantial increase in take-home pay. This benefit applies equally to regular military retirement, Reserve Component retirement, and disability retirement pay.
VA Disability Compensation
Favorable
VA disability compensation is federally exempt and Nevada honors this fully. Veterans receiving VA disability compensation pay zero Nevada state tax on those payments, in addition to paying zero federal income tax (since VA compensation is already federally exempt).
National Guard and Reserve Pay
Favorable
Nevada National Guard members and Reserve Component servicemembers pay no Nevada state income tax on any of their military pay, including weekend drills, annual training, and periods of state or federal active duty.
Spouse Income
Moderate
Military spouses who work in Nevada and maintain a different state as their legal domicile under the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018 (VBTA) may owe income tax to their home state rather than Nevada. Since Nevada has no income tax, the VBTA domicile election often has no practical effect on Nevada income. However, if the spouse earns income taxable by their home state, they should file in their home state. Consult a military tax advisor for specifics.

Property Tax Exemptions for Veterans

Nevada provides meaningful property tax relief for disabled veterans and their surviving spouses.

100% P&T Disabled Veterans, Full Property Tax Exemption
Favorable
Veterans rated 100% permanently and totally (P&T) disabled by the VA are entitled to a full exemption from property tax on their primary residence in Nevada under Nevada Revised Statutes 361.091. Apply through your county assessor with your VA award letter confirming 100% P&T status. Clark County (Las Vegas/Nellis area) and Washoe County (Reno) both process these applications.
Partial Exemption for Other Disabled Veterans
Moderate
Nevada also provides a partial property tax exemption for veterans with service-connected disability ratings below 100%. The exemption amount scales with the disability percentage. Check Nevada Revised Statutes 361.091 for current thresholds and contact your county assessor for the exact dollar amount of exemption you qualify for.
Surviving Spouse Retention
Favorable
The surviving spouse of a veteran who qualified for the property tax exemption may retain the exemption as long as they continue to occupy the home as their primary residence and do not remarry. This protection is especially important for military surviving families in the Las Vegas and Reno metro areas.
Homestead Declaration
Moderate
Active duty members and veterans who own property in Nevada can file a Homestead Declaration with their county recorder to protect up to $605,000 of home equity from forced sale (judgment creditors). This is separate from the disability exemption and available to any Nevada homeowner.

Vehicle Registration and Driver License

Nevada honors federal SCRA protections for vehicles and has additional state-level military benefits for registration and licensing.

Out-of-State Registration, SCRA Protection
Favorable
Active duty servicemembers stationed in Nevada are NOT required to register their vehicles in Nevada under the SCRA. If your vehicle is registered in your home state, you may legally drive that registration in Nevada for the duration of your assignment. Keep a copy of your current orders in the vehicle.
Free Registration for 100% Disabled Veterans
Favorable
Nevada veterans rated 100% service-connected disabled by the VA receive free vehicle registration for one personal vehicle per year. Apply through the Nevada DMV with your VA disability award letter.
Military Specialty License Plates
Favorable
Nevada offers a variety of military and veteran specialty license plates including plates for veterans, disabled veterans, Gold Star families, Purple Heart recipients, and Medal of Honor recipients. Some specialty plates carry reduced or waived fees for eligible veterans.
Driver License Extension for Deployed Members
Favorable
Nevada driver licenses do not expire while the holder is on active duty outside Nevada. Your license remains valid until 30 days after you return from deployment or permanent change of station away from Nevada.
Military Spouse, Home State License Rights
Favorable
Under the VBTA 2018, military spouses are NOT required to obtain a Nevada driver license simply because they moved to Nevada on military orders. Spouses may keep their home-state license for the duration of the assignment.

Military Spouse Employment and Licensing

Nevada has enacted professional license reciprocity and unemployment protections for military spouses following their servicemember to Nevada.

Expedited Professional License Endorsement
Favorable
Nevada participates in expedited professional license endorsement for military spouses who hold a valid license from another state. Nevada law requires the relevant licensing board to act on a military spouse application within 30 days. Covered professions include nursing, real estate, cosmetology, barbering, teaching, and many others. Apply through the specific Nevada licensing board for your profession.
Unemployment Benefits After PCS
Favorable
Military spouses who voluntarily leave a job in order to accompany their servicemember on a PCS move are eligible for Nevada unemployment insurance benefits. Under Nevada law, voluntarily leaving to follow a military spouse is not considered leaving without good cause. File through the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR).
Las Vegas Employment Market
Favorable
The Las Vegas metro area (Clark County, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Summerlin) has a diverse economy beyond tourism and hospitality. Major employers include healthcare systems (Valley Health System, Dignity Health, UMC), tech companies, government contractors supporting Nellis and Creech, logistics, and construction. The market is growing rapidly with a large military spouse community.
Reno and NAS Fallon Area Employment
Moderate
The Reno-Sparks metro (about 60 miles from NAS Fallon) has a growing tech sector anchored by Tesla Gigafactory, Switch data centers, and Amazon fulfillment operations. NAS Fallon itself is in a rural area; many Fallon military families have spouses who work in Reno or pursue remote employment.
VBTA 2018 Tax Domicile Protection
Moderate
Under the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, military spouses who move to Nevada on orders can elect to maintain their home state as their state of domicile for income tax purposes. Since Nevada has no state income tax, this election primarily affects the home state side. Spouses working remotely for an out-of-state employer may still owe taxes in their home state.

SCRA Federal Protections in Nevada

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act is federal law and applies in full force in Nevada. Here is what it means for you in the Silver State.

Lease Termination with 30-Day Notice
Favorable
You can terminate any Nevada residential lease with 30 days written notice after receiving PCS orders or a deployment of 90 days or more. Deliver written notice with a copy of your orders to your landlord. Termination is effective 30 days after the next rent due date. The Las Vegas rental market has many landlords accustomed to this process.
6% Interest Rate Cap on Pre-Service Debt
Favorable
Any debt (mortgage, car loan, credit card, student loan) taken out before you entered active duty must be reduced to a maximum 6% annual interest rate upon your written request. Submit the request with a copy of your orders to each lender. The lender is required to comply and may not charge the difference retroactively.
Foreclosure Protection
Favorable
Nevada courts cannot foreclose on a servicemember primary residence without a court order while the member is on active duty and for 9 months after release from active duty. This applies even if mortgage payments are delinquent.
Civil Court Stays
Favorable
If you are named in a civil lawsuit in Nevada and cannot appear due to military service, you may request a stay (delay) of proceedings. Courts cannot enter a default judgment against an active duty member without first appointing a military attorney to represent their interests.
Eviction Protection
Favorable
Landlords cannot evict an active duty servicemember or their dependents from a primary residence without a court order while on active duty. The monthly rent threshold for SCRA eviction protection is adjusted annually (approximately $4,000 per month for 2024 to 2025).

Education Benefits in Nevada

Nevada offers a National Guard tuition waiver covering the entire Nevada System of Higher Education, plus strong GI Bill support at Nevada public universities.

Nevada National Guard Tuition Waiver (NSHE)
Favorable
Nevada National Guard members in good standing are eligible for a tuition waiver at any institution within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). NSHE includes the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), University of Nevada Reno (UNR), Nevada State University (Henderson), College of Southern Nevada (CSN), Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC), Western Nevada College (WNC), Great Basin College (GBC), and Nevada State College. The waiver covers tuition for undergraduate programs and some graduate-level study. Contact your unit education officer for current eligibility requirements and application procedures.
In-State Tuition for Active Duty Families
Favorable
Active duty servicemembers stationed in Nevada, their spouses, and dependents are immediately eligible for in-state tuition at all NSHE institutions. No 12-month waiting period is required. Bring a copy of current orders to the registrar or veterans services office at enrollment.
Yellow Ribbon Program
Moderate
Several Nevada private institutions and some NSHE graduate programs participate in the Post-9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program. Yellow Ribbon covers tuition costs that exceed the public school in-state maximum. Check the VA Yellow Ribbon school finder for current Nevada participants and per-student Yellow Ribbon amounts.
Post-9/11 GI Bill
Favorable
The Post-9/11 GI Bill covers full in-state tuition at Nevada public schools, a housing allowance based on BAH rates at the school zip code, and a book stipend. UNLV and UNR veterans services offices have dedicated School Certifying Officials (SCOs) who process GI Bill benefits and assist with enrollment certification.
Vocational and Technical Education
Favorable
Nevada has a growing network of vocational and career-technical programs at CSN, TMCC, and Great Basin College that accept GI Bill benefits. For transitioning servicemembers or veterans interested in skilled trades, healthcare technology, or IT certifications, these programs offer fast paths to employment in Nevada growing industries.

Housing Market and BAH in Nevada

Las Vegas and the surrounding metro offer a large military housing market with active VA loan lending and BAH rates that typically cover solid housing in the area.

Las Vegas Metro: Nellis and Creech Communities
Favorable
Military families at Nellis AFB typically live in Henderson (southeast of the base), North Las Vegas (directly adjacent), Summerlin (northwest), or on-base at Nellis family housing. The Las Vegas metro has one of the most active VA loan markets in the country. Home prices are more affordable than West Coast cities. HOA communities are common in Henderson and Summerlin. Commute from Henderson to Nellis can be 30 to 45 minutes in traffic.
NAS Fallon Area Housing
Moderate
NAS Fallon is in Fallon, Nevada (Churchill County), about 60 miles east of Reno. The Fallon housing market is small and rural. Most families live either on-base or in Fallon town. Some families choose to live in Reno/Sparks for the larger city amenities and commute or telecommute. BAH for NAS Fallon is calculated at the Fallon rate, which may differ from Reno BAH.
VA Loan Activity in Nevada
Favorable
Nevada has a very active VA loan market, particularly in Clark County (Las Vegas/Henderson). VA loans are widely accepted by Nevada sellers. The combination of no down payment, no PMI, and competitive interest rates makes VA loans the dominant purchase loan type for military buyers in Nevada. Work with a VA-experienced lender and real estate agent familiar with the Nellis community.
No Real Estate Transfer Tax
Favorable
Nevada does not have a state real estate transfer tax (though county-level fees apply). This can save military buyers and sellers hundreds to thousands of dollars at closing compared to states with transfer taxes.

Key Nevada Military Contacts

Nevada Dept. of Taxation

No income tax but business and sales tax questions

(775) 684-2000

Nevada DMV Military Services

License registration and veteran plates

(702) 486-4368

Nevada Dept. of Veterans Services

Property tax and benefits claims

(702) 486-3990

Clark County Assessor (Nellis area)

Property tax exemption applications

(702) 455-3882

Washoe County Assessor (Reno/Fallon area)

Property tax exemptions

(775) 328-2277

School Liaison Officers in Nevada

School Liaison Officers assist military families with school enrollment, transitions, and education support. Contact the SLO at your installation for help navigating Nevada school districts.

Nellis AFB SLO

DSN
312-682-4441
Hours
Mon to Fri 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

NAS Fallon SLO

DSN
Not listed
Hours
Mon to Fri 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Related Resources

Nellis AFB Base Guide

Housing neighborhoods schools and BAH near Nellis AFB

All Nevada Installation Guides

Nellis AFB Creech AFB and NAS Fallon guides

Nevada BAH Rates

Calculate your housing allowance for Las Vegas or Fallon

Nevada Military Real Estate Agents

Find a veteran or military-spouse agent in Las Vegas or Reno

PCSing to Nevada?

No state income tax, a booming Las Vegas metro housing market, and one of the most active VA loan communities in the West. Our verified Nevada agents know the Nellis neighborhoods inside and out. Free to connect, no fees, no catch.

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