Written by Randy Whetsell
Yes. Qualifying veterans and surviving spouses may receive Tennessee property tax relief in Clarksville and Montgomery County. For a qualifying disabled veteran with a total and permanent service-connected disability, the program generally provides relief tied to up to $175,000 of the home’s market value.
However, Tennessee’s program is technically property tax relief, not an automatic property tax exemption. You still receive your tax bill, remain responsible for paying it, and must apply through the appropriate local office. The amount of relief can depend on the property, tax rate, and approved state credit.
If you are a Fort Campbell veteran buying or already owning a home in Clarksville, here is what you should know.
What property tax relief is available to veterans in Clarksville?
Tennessee provides state-funded property tax relief for certain disabled veterans and qualifying surviving spouses. In Montgomery County, the program is administered locally by the County Trustee, with eligibility verified through documentation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
For a qualifying disabled veteran, the benefit may apply to the taxes associated with the first $175,000 of the home’s market value. This does not necessarily mean every veteran receives a $175,000 reduction from the taxable assessment, and it does not automatically eliminate every tax bill.
For example, if your qualifying primary residence is valued above $175,000, the program may provide relief on the eligible portion while taxes remain due on the balance. Your exact credit depends on the applicable county or city tax rate and the program’s approved limits.
The Tennessee Comptroller explains that tax relief is a state payment or reimbursement for qualifying homeowners. It is not a broad homestead exemption that automatically reduces every homeowner’s taxable value. Review the Tennessee Comptroller’s property tax relief information before making financial decisions based on the program.
Who may qualify as a disabled veteran?
Eligibility is based on more than simply having served in the military. Generally, you must meet the applicable veteran, disability, ownership, and occupancy requirements.
A qualifying applicant typically must:
- Have received a discharge other than dishonorable.
- Own the property, either individually or as allowed under the program.
- Use the home as your primary residence.
- Have a qualifying service-connected disability recognized by the VA.
- Submit the required VA consent and verification documentation.
The qualifying disability categories may include:
- A total and permanent disability caused by a service-connected condition.
- A 100% total and permanent disability rating related to prisoner-of-war status.
- Paraplegia or permanent paralysis of both legs and the lower portion of the body caused by a qualifying injury or disease.
- Loss, or loss of use, of two or more limbs.
- Legal blindness caused by a service-connected condition.
A 100% VA rating is important, but you should verify whether the rating meets the program’s specific total-and-permanent or other qualifying standard. Not every disability rating automatically produces eligibility for this property tax relief.
The Montgomery County Trustee’s veteran tax relief page provides the county’s current eligibility information and application details.
Can a surviving spouse receive veteran property tax relief?
In many cases, yes. Tennessee extends property tax relief to an eligible surviving spouse of a disabled veteran.
The surviving spouse generally must:
- Have been married to the veteran when the veteran died.
- Have not remarried.
- Own the property individually or jointly, as permitted by the program.
- Use the home as the surviving spouse’s primary residence.
- Provide the veteran’s death certificate and other requested documentation.
The deceased veteran must have met, or been eligible to meet, the applicable disabled-veteran requirements. Montgomery County may also require VA verification and documentation confirming the relationship and ownership of the property.
Because surviving-spouse eligibility can depend on the veteran’s disability status, the timing of the veteran’s death, and ownership records, contact the Trustee before assuming the benefit will transfer automatically.
Does the program have an income limit?
The disabled-veteran category generally does not use the same income limits that apply to elderly or non-military disabled homeowner programs.
Tennessee and Montgomery County also offer income-based property tax relief programs for certain elderly or disabled homeowners. Those programs may consider:
- Age.
- Household income.
- Disability status.
- Ownership.
- Primary-residence use.
- The applicant’s supporting documentation.
These are separate programs. A veteran who does not qualify under the disabled-veteran category may still want to ask about other available relief programs, particularly if the household meets the age, income, or disability requirements.
You should ask the Trustee whether you may qualify for more than one program and whether the benefits can be used together. Program rules, income limits, and available credits can change.
Where do Clarksville veterans apply?
For property in Montgomery County, start with the Montgomery County Trustee’s Office:
Montgomery County Trustee
350 Pageant Lane, Suite 101-B
Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone: 931-648-5717
The Trustee’s Office administers the county tax relief application process. If your home is inside Clarksville city limits, you may also need to submit information to the City of Clarksville’s Finance and Revenue Department for the city portion of your property taxes.
The county and city have different responsibilities:
- The Assessor of Property determines the property’s appraised and assessed value.
- The County Trustee processes county tax payments and tax relief applications.
- The City of Clarksville Finance and Revenue Department handles city tax collection and related city requirements.
That distinction matters. You may need the Assessor’s records to confirm the property’s value, but the tax relief application itself generally goes through the Trustee or the applicable city collecting official.
Clarksville’s official property tax information indicates that first-time applicants generally do not need to register separately at both the city and county offices. However, approved applicants may need to submit the required vouchers for both tax jurisdictions each year.
When should you apply?
Montgomery County currently states that the 2026 Tax Relief and Tax Freeze application window opens November 1, 2026. For the 2026 program year, applications and supporting documents must be filed with the Trustee’s Office by April 5, 2027, according to the county’s current guidance.
Deadlines can change. Confirm the current filing window before relying on a tax credit when calculating your monthly housing budget.
You should also remember that tax relief is not automatic. Even after approval, you may receive tax bills and annual vouchers that must be completed and returned. The state may not issue the relief until the required information and payment obligations have been properly handled.
What documents should you prepare?
Your exact document list may vary, but you should be prepared to provide:
- A valid driver’s license or other government-issued identification.
- Proof that you own the property.
- Evidence that the home is your primary residence.
- VA documentation showing your service-connected disability.
- The required VA consent or authorization form.
- Your Social Security number or other identifying information requested by the Trustee.
- A death certificate for a surviving-spouse application.
- Marriage or marital-status documentation when requested.
- Information for each applicable taxing jurisdiction.
If you are buying a home, ask your lender and real estate professional to help you distinguish between estimated taxes and approved tax relief. Do not reduce your projected payment until the local office confirms your eligibility.
How can Fort Campbell veterans verify eligibility?
If you are moving to Clarksville for a PCS assignment or transitioning out of Fort Campbell, use this process:
- Review your VA rating documents. Confirm whether your disability is service-connected and whether the rating is total and permanent or falls into another qualifying category.
- Confirm the home will be your primary residence. The program generally applies to one primary residence, not an investment property or second home.
- Check the property’s location. Determine whether the home is inside Clarksville city limits or elsewhere in Montgomery County.
- Verify the property owner. Make sure the deed and tax records accurately reflect the applicant’s ownership.
- Contact the Montgomery County Trustee. Ask for the current application, deadline, required VA forms, and documentation checklist.
- Ask how city taxes are handled. If the property is inside Clarksville, confirm whether a separate city submission is required.
- Reconfirm the benefit annually. Do not assume prior approval removes the need for future vouchers or documentation.
If you are comparing Tennessee and Kentucky communities near Fort Campbell, property taxes should be considered alongside purchase price, insurance, commute time, and available services. Our guide to Clarksville versus Oak Grove and Hopkinsville can help you organize that broader comparison. You can also review living in Clarksville versus Hopkinsville if you are deciding which side of the state line best fits your family.
What should homebuyers know before closing?
Tax relief should be part of your planning, but it should not be treated as guaranteed until the appropriate office approves your application.
Before making an offer, ask for:
- The most recent county and city tax bills.
- The property’s current assessed value.
- Confirmation of whether the home is inside Clarksville city limits.
- Information about any existing tax relief or tax freeze.
- An estimate of taxes after closing.
- An explanation of how taxes will be prorated at closing.
You can also read our guide to property taxes in Clarksville, Tennessee for an overview of appraised value, assessed value, tax rates, and local collection responsibilities.
The bottom line
Qualifying disabled veterans and eligible surviving spouses may receive Tennessee property tax relief in Clarksville and Montgomery County. The benefit may cover the taxes associated with up to $175,000 of market value for an eligible home, but it is not an automatic exemption and does not remove your responsibility to pay your tax bill.
Requirements are administered locally and can change. Verify your VA eligibility, primary-residence status, ownership records, application deadline, and city-versus-county obligations directly with the Montgomery County Trustee or the applicable city office.
If you are buying, selling, or relocating near Fort Campbell, contact Haus Realty & Management. Our experienced local team can help you evaluate property taxes as part of your larger Clarksville-area housing plan.
