An act relating to exempting military retirement and survivor benefit income from Vermont income tax

The bill VT S0017 proposes to exempt income from military retirement and survivor benefits from being taxed in Vermont. This means that veterans and their families would not have to pay state income tax on these specific types of income. The goal is to provide financial relief to those who have served in the military and their dependents.

VT S0017 is a senate bill in the Vermont 2025-2026 Session, sponsored by Brian Collamore (R), currently “Introduced” since January 17, 2025.

We track 1,717 Vermont bills this session, 8 of them sponsored by Brian Collamore.

Supporters of the bill argue that it is a necessary step to honor the sacrifices made by military personnel and their families. They believe that exempting this income from taxes will help veterans transition to civilian life and support their financial well-being. Advocates also highlight that it could make Vermont a more attractive place for veterans to live.

Critics of the bill may argue that exempting military retirement and survivor benefits from state income tax could reduce overall tax revenue for Vermont. They might express concern that this could lead to budget shortfalls, affecting funding for essential services. Additionally, some may contend that tax exemptions should be applied more broadly rather than targeting specific groups.