Calculate your property tax for HI. Enter your home value, apply exemptions, and see your estimated annual tax.
Hawaii's effective property tax rates are among the lowest in the nation, commonly 0.25% to 0.35% of market value, but high home values mean the dollar bill can still be sizable. Property is assessed at 100% of market value (phased in over a few years) by the counties — Hawaii has no state property tax. Because the assessed value is phased in over several years, a sharp market swing is spread out, which softens both bill increases and appeals. Relief centers on the owner-occupancy exemption (up to $120,000, more for seniors) and a disabled veterans' exemption. This guide explains the calculation and relief; the calculator below estimates your bill.
Hawaii values property at 100% of market value, with changes phased in over several years to limit swings; your tax is the taxable value (market value minus any owner-occupancy exemption) times the combined rate set by your county (Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, or Kalawao). Because the state does not tax property, the county council sets the rate.
Hawaii's biggest break is the owner-occupancy exemption: up to $120,000 of value removed for a homeowner who lives in the home (and more — an additional amount — for owners 65+ or totally disabled). Claim it with your county; renting the home out or moving reverts it to the higher non-owner rate. For high-value Hawaii homes, this exemption removes a meaningful sum.
Hawaii's counties — not the state — levy the property tax, so the rate differs across Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, and Kalawao. There is no state property tax and no Prop 13-style cap; values are kept at market (phased in). The owner-occupancy exemption is the key saving, and comparing counties matters because rates vary.
Hawaii grants a disabled veterans' exemption (a set-dollar removal for qualifying veterans, larger for service-connected disability) and exemptions for surviving spouses and the blind. There is also a conveyance tax on sales rather than an ongoing exemption. These are claimed with the county.
Hawaii assesses at 100% of market value (phased in) and sets rates by county, with no state property tax and no growth cap. The owner-occupancy exemption is the structural saving; the exemption amount (and senior add-on) is set by state law and applied by the county. High home values keep the dollar bill real despite the low rate.
The figures below draw on our county datasets where available; rates differ by jurisdiction, so use your specific locality's rate in the calculator.
Estimates apply each county's effective rate to a $600,000 market value for comparison only; your actual bill depends on your own assessed value, exemptions, and local levies.
Hawaii taxes are typically paid in two installments (commonly August and February) on the county rate, with penalty on late payment and a tax sale after prolonged delinquency. The owner-occupancy exemption is claimed with the county; the veterans' exemption with the county. Because the state does not tax property, the county council sets the rate. Some counties also collect a separate stormwater or refuse charge that appears on the same bill.
To lower your Hawaii bill: (1) file the owner-occupancy exemption (up to $120,000, more for 65+/disabled) with your county — the highest-value step; (2) claim the disabled-veterans' exemption; (3) verify the exemption was applied and appeal the phased-in market value with comparable sales if it looks high; (4) because rates are county-set, compare the four counties; (5) follow county council rate votes. The exemption is far more valuable than a last-minute appeal; renting the home out removes it, so keep your occupancy status current.
In practice, a Hawaii bill is the taxable value (100% of market value, phased in) minus the owner-occupancy exemption (up to $120,000, more for seniors), times the combined county rate. Hawaii's counties — not the state — levy the tax across four counties plus Kalawao. Read the assessment notice and grieve the market value if comparable sales are lower.
If you are buying in Hawaii, file for the owner-occupancy exemption (up to $120,000, more for seniors) so the high home values do not produce a large bill. Hawaii's counties set the rate and there is no state property tax; compare the four counties, since rates differ. Grieve the market value if comparable sales are lower. The exemption is the key saving for owner-occupants.
To appeal in Hawaii, file a petition for correction with the county board of review by the deadline. (1) Compare the market value to recent sales. (2) File with the board of review. (3) Appeal to the Hawaii Tax Appeal Court if needed. (4) Confirm your owner-occupancy exemption. Assessment is at 100% of market value, phased in.
Hawaii's reform debate centers on the owner-occupancy exemption (periodic proposals to raise the $120,000 base, especially for seniors) and on how the counties set rates. There is no state property tax. Watch the county councils and the Legislature for exemption and rate changes.
100% market value — Hawaii values at full market, phased in. Owner-occupancy exemption — up to $120,000 (more for seniors). County levy — the four counties (not the state) tax property. Board of review — the local appeal body.
Two $600,000 Hawaii homes at 100% assessment with a 0.3% effective rate. Homeowner A owes about $1,800. Homeowner B, an owner-occupant, claims the $120,000 exemption, cutting the taxable base and the bill toward $1,440. The example shows the exemption matters even where the rate is low.
Hawaii homeowners with a mortgage pay via escrow; the lender remits the installments. The owner-occupancy exemption lowers the bill, so tell the lender you claimed it. Buyers should compare the four counties' rates; the high home values mean even a low rate produces a real bill. Verify the exemption is active with the county.
Hawaii owners should file the owner-occupancy exemption (up to $120,000, more for 65+/disabled) with the county — for high-value Hawaii homes this removes a large sum and is the highest-value step. A qualifying veteran should file the disabled-veterans' exemption. Because the counties set the rate (not the state), compare Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, and Kalawao when house-hunting. The market value is phased in, so watch the notice and appeal if comparable sales are lower. If you split time between islands or states, file the exemption where you actually reside most of the year, and keep it active after any move or rental.
How is Hawaii property assessed? At 100% of market value, with changes phased in over several years; the county sets the rate.
Does Hawaii have a state property tax? No. Hawaii's counties (not the state) levy the property tax.
What is Hawaii's owner-occupancy exemption? Up to $120,000 of value removed for an owner-occupant, with more for owners 65+/disabled; claim with the county.
What veterans' relief exists in Hawaii? A disabled veterans' exemption (larger for service-connected disability), plus surviving-spouse exemptions.
How do I appeal my Hawaii assessment? File a petition for correction with the county board of review by the deadline, then to the Hawaii Tax Appeal Court.
Enter your home value, select your state, and see your estimated annual property tax.