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Exempting 100% Disabled veterans from Arkansas Sales tax at The Point of Sale.
Feb 2023 by Arkansas Veterans Coalition

The Arkansas Veterans Coalition membership voted unanimously to support a state law exempting 100% Arkansas Disabled Veterans from Sales tax at the Point of Sale. This law would exempt 100% disabled Veterans from sales tax on purchases of ALL goods and services at the point of sale. 

AVC Vice President, R.D. Kinsey said, “This is the least we can do as Arkansans and Americans, to thank those men and women who have sacrificed their health and quality of life for the remainder of their lives in defense of our country.”

AVC Member John Posey of the Ft. Smith’s Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Chapter noted, “Arkansas would not be the first state to enact such a law. In 2006, the state of Oklahoma passed a sales tax exemption law in where the Oklahoma Tax Commission issues the 100% disabled veteran a card good for up to $20,000 per year in sales tax exemption. And they recently amended this law to extend this benefit to the surviving spouses and allow spouses to make tax-exempt purchases for these mobility-challenged veterans.”

AVC Member Mark Diggs said, “Based upon the information from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are a little over 10,000 100% disabled veterans in Arkansas. With a $1.2 Billion state surplus, Arkansas can afford to provide this benefit to those who have sacrificed so much.” Kinsey added, “We are asking for Arkansas disabled veterans to receive at least has the same benefits as veterans in Oklahoma. Businesses in the border communities like the Ft Smith area and Northwest Arkansas are probably losing sale of goods and services to Oklahoma communities just across the state line.”

Posey added, “In the 2021 General Assembly, State Representative Cindy Crawford (Dist 76) drafted a Bill and was prepared to present it in committee for possible consideration on the House floor but was not introduced. Informed of AVC’s unanimous support, Representative Crawford stated she plans on introducing her bill at the next Legislative Session.”

The Arkansas State Veterans Coalition (“AVC”) The Coalition is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization comprised of Arkansas affiliates of nationally chartered/recognized veterans, military, uniformed services, and veterans service organizations, as well as similar local not-for-profit organizations with common goals. They work in joint pursuit to represent issues affecting all generations of Arkansas Veterans.

For more info contact: R.D. Kinsey III   (501) 247-4765  RDK52@HotMail.com
Download "Exempting 100% Disabled veterans from Arkansas Sales tax at The Point of Sale" PDF  

Veteran and Military Driver Laws and Benefits in Arkansas
The state of Arkansas offers a number of benefits and perks for those Americans who have either served in an Armed Forces branch in the past, or are current active military members. 

Vehicle registration benefits
Military personnel are exempt from paying assessment and property taxes when renewing their vehicle registration. In order to gain this exemption, you must renew in person at an OMV and provide a current Leave and Earnings Statement. You may also renew by mail or online but you will not be able to claim the tax exemption unless renewing in person.

Gross receipt tax exemption
This benefit applies to veterans who have been deemed by the VA as totally blind due to a service-related injury. Such veterans are exempt from paying sales tax on the purchase of a new car (applies to automobiles and pickup trucks only). The exemption requires an entitlement letter from the VA and may be claimed once every two years.

Driver’s license veteran designation
Arkansas veterans are eligible for a military designation on their driver license. In order to qualify for this designation, you must provide the OMV with a DD 214 or other proof of honorable discharge, or “general under honorable conditions”.

Military honor plates
Arkansas offers a wide selection of veteran and military plates, including:

Armed Forces
Armed Forces Retired
Cold War Veteran
Congressional Medal of Honor
Disabled Veteran
Distinguished Flying Cross
Ex-Prisoner of War
Gold Star Family
Korean Veteran
Merchant Marine Retired
National Guard
Operation Enduring Freedom Veteran
Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran
Pearl Harbor Survivor
Persian Gulf War Veteran
Purple Heart – Combat Wounded
Support our Troops
Veteran of Foreign Wars
Vietnam War Veteran
World War II Veteran

Documentation of service and/or proof of participation in a specific battle may be required for certain plates.

Military skills test waiver
In 2011 the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration approved the Commercial Learner’s Permit rule. Contained within this rule is a provision which authorizes SDLAs (State Driver Licensing Agencies) to allow military personnel and veterans to forego the road-testing portion of obtaining a CDL, instead using their military driving experience as a substitute for this test.  The written portion of the test is still required.  There are certain violations that can cause your application to be denied – these are specified on the application. 

Driver license renewal while deployed
Active military personnel may extend their driver license renewal by mail for up to six years on their first tour of duty. For info call (501) 682-7059.

For more information
Email:  MVInformation@dfa.arkansas.gov
Address:       
Ragland Building
1900 W 7th St, Ste 1010
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone:    501-682-4692
Fax:        501-682-4756

Download "Veteran and Military Driver Laws and Benefits in Arkansas" PDF