Hawaii Property Tax Guide: Pay, Search, Due Dates & Exemptions
Hawaii property tax is not handled by one statewide payment portal. Real property taxes are administered by the county where the property is located, which means Oʻahu/Honolulu, Maui County, Hawaiʻi County and Kauaʻi County each use different search tools, payment pages, forms, appeal windows and exemption rules.
Use this guide to choose the right county, search the correct tax account, understand the August and February payment cycle, review exemptions or tax relief programs, avoid duplicate mortgage escrow payments, and use official county links only when you are ready to complete an account-specific action.
Quick Answer
To pay or search Hawaii property tax, first identify the correct county: City and County of Honolulu for Oʻahu, County of Maui for Maui/Molokaʻi/Lānaʻi, County of Hawaiʻi for Hawaiʻi Island, or County of Kauaʻi for Kauaʻi. Then search the county’s official real property tax system, confirm the parcel/account, review the current bill or statement, check payment status, and pay only through that county’s official payment method.
- Confirm which Hawaii county the property is in.
- Open that county’s official real property tax search or payment page.
- Search by TMK, parcel, account, address, owner or available county search option.
- Confirm the property, owner details, tax year and installment.
- Check whether a mortgage company already paid or requested the bill.
- Pay, file, appeal or request help only through the correct county office.
Hawaii Property Tax Is County-Based
Hawaii property tax can be confusing because the search phrase “Hawaii property tax” may mean the state, the Big Island, or any Hawaii county. For payment and account records, the county matters more than the state name.
Do not pay the wrong county. A Hawaiʻi County payment page is for property on Hawaiʻi Island only. It does not pay property taxes for Oʻahu, Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi or Kauaʻi.
| Property Location | Tax Office / County | Common Official System | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oʻahu / Honolulu | City and County of Honolulu | Honolulu Real Property Assessment and Treasury payment tools. | Oʻahu tax bills, exemptions, payments, appeals and assessment records. |
| Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi | County of Maui | MauiPropertyTax.com and Maui County Real Property Tax pages. | Maui County assessments, bills, exemptions, appeals and payments. |
| Hawaiʻi Island / Big Island | County of Hawaiʻi | HawaiiPropertyTax.com and eHawaii payment portal. | Hilo/Kona county property tax, exemptions, tax sales and payments. |
| Kauaʻi | County of Kauaʻi | Kauaʻi Real Property Tax Assessment, Collections and eHawaii payment portal. | Kauaʻi tax search, payments, exemptions, appeals and billing questions. |
Hawaii Property Tax Help by Situation
Use this table if you came here with a specific problem. It helps you avoid opening the wrong portal or paying before checking the account.
| Your Situation | What to Check First | Best Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| I want to pay Hawaii property tax online | Correct county, parcel/account, tax year, installment and current balance. | Use the payment guide |
| I need to search my property tax bill | TMK, parcel ID, account number, address, owner name or statement details. | Use search steps |
| I need Hawaii property tax due dates | County and installment period. Most county calendars use August 20 and February 20. | Review due dates |
| I need a senior, homeowner or veteran exemption | County-specific eligibility, filing deadline and whether the property is your principal residence. | Review exemptions |
| My assessed value looks wrong | Assessment notice date, county appeal deadline, classification and valuation evidence. | Review appeal route |
| My mortgage company pays taxes | Payment status and whether the lender requested or already paid the bill. | Check escrow steps |
Before You Pay: 7 Checks That Prevent Hawaii Property Tax Mistakes
Most property tax payment mistakes happen because the taxpayer starts on the payment screen instead of the account record. A quick check can prevent duplicate payments, wrong-county payments and missed exemptions.
How to Search Hawaii Property Tax Records
There is no single search page for every Hawaii property. Each county has its own search tool. Search first, then pay or file only after the property record matches your property.
| County | Search Tips | What You Can Verify | Official Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu / Oʻahu | Use the Honolulu real property website to search assessment records and important dates. | Assessment, parcel details, exemptions, appeal deadlines and property records. | Honolulu Property Tax |
| Maui County | Use MauiPropertyTax.com for assessment records and maps. | Assessment record, property class, tax information, maps and forms. | Maui Property Tax |
| Hawaiʻi County | Use the County of Hawaiʻi Real Property Tax Office website and payment/search resources. | Big Island account, exemptions, payment details, appeals and tax sale information. | Hawaiʻi County RPT |
| Kauaʻi County | Use Kauaʻi Finance Real Property Tax pages and eHawaii payment/search options. | Assessment, billing, collections, exemptions, appeals and payment information. | Kauaʻi Real Property Tax |
- Start with the county where the property is physically located.
- Search using the account number, TMK, parcel ID, address or owner details accepted by that county.
- Confirm property address, land class, owner details and tax year.
- Open the current statement, billing page or account balance.
- Check payment status before sending a new payment.
How to Pay Hawaii Property Tax Online or Offline
Hawaii property tax payment methods depend on the county. Most counties offer online payment, mail, in-person options or eHawaii-style portals, but fees and accepted payment types vary.
| County | Common Payment Options | Payment Safety Tip | Official Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu / Oʻahu | Online, telephone, check, money order, certified bank check and some in-person routes. Honolulu notes electronic and telephone payments are available 24/7. | Use the official Treasury payment instructions and watch for service-provider convenience fees. | Honolulu Treasury |
| Maui County | Online tax payment, mail and other County payment methods listed by Real Property Tax Collections. | Use the correct cycle and bill. Maui bills are mailed around July 20 and January 20. | Maui Tax Payments |
| Hawaiʻi County | Online payment, mail and County Real Property Tax Office payment routes. | The Hawaiʻi County payment page is for Big Island parcels only, not other islands. | Hawaiʻi County Pay Online |
| Kauaʻi County | Online credit card or e-check, mail, in person, drop box and cash in person according to County Collections guidance. | Make checks payable to Director of Finance and use the correct account/coupon details. | Kauaʻi Collections |
Duplicate payment warning: If your mortgage company or escrow servicer normally pays property taxes, check the account record before paying yourself. A duplicate payment can create refund delays and extra paperwork.
Hawaii Property Tax Due Dates by County
Most Hawaii county real property tax calendars use two main payment due dates: first-half payment around August 20 and second-half payment around February 20. Filing and appeal deadlines vary by county, so do not assume one county’s exemption deadline applies statewide.
| County | Bill / Statement Timing | Main Payment Due Dates | Appeal / Exemption Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu / Oʻahu | First-half bills around July 20; second-half bills around January 20. | August 20 and February 20. | Exemption claims generally by September 30; appeals by January 15. |
| Maui County | First-half bills around July 20; second-half bills around January 20. | August 20 and February 20. | Assessment notices around March 15; appeals generally due April 9; exemption deadline rules include December 31 and June 30 items. |
| Hawaiʻi County | County tax year runs July 1 through June 30; assessment values are tied to January 1 for the following fiscal period. | August 20 and February 20. | Assessment notices are sent on or before March 15; homeowner deadlines include June 30 and December 31 depending on timing. |
| Kauaʻi County | First-half bills around July 20; second-half bills around January 20. | August 20 and February 20. | Exemption filing deadline September 30; assessment appeals generally December 1–31. |
Weekend and holiday rules can matter. Always check the official county payment page before the deadline, especially if the 20th falls on a weekend, you are mailing payment, or you need a postmark to count.
How to Read a Hawaii Property Tax Bill or Statement
Hawaii county tax bills usually show the property identifier, tax year, installment amount, due date, assessed value, exemption or relief status, classification and payment instructions. Read the statement before paying because each county uses its own format.
| Statement Area | Why It Matters | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| TMK / parcel / account | This identifies the property for search, payment, appeals and exemptions. | Match it to the online county record before paying. |
| County and island | Wrong-county payments are a real risk in Hawaii searches. | Confirm the property is in Honolulu, Maui, Hawaiʻi County or Kauaʻi. |
| Tax year and installment | First-half and second-half bills are separate payment periods. | Pay the correct period and keep receipt proof. |
| Assessed value and classification | Value and property class affect tax calculation and appeal decisions. | Compare with assessment notice and county classification rules. |
| Exemption or relief status | Missing relief can make a bill higher than expected. | Review filing deadlines and contact the correct county office. |
Hawaii Property Tax Exemptions, Credits and Relief Programs
Hawaii property tax relief is county-specific. Honolulu, Maui, Hawaiʻi County and Kauaʻi all have their own forms, deadlines, eligibility rules and benefit amounts. A home exemption in Honolulu is not the same as a program in Kauaʻi or Hawaiʻi County.
| Relief Type | Who Should Review It | County-Specific Warning | Where to Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homeowner / home exemption | Owner-occupants using the property as a principal residence. | Deadlines and exemption amounts vary. Honolulu uses a September 30 filing deadline for many home exemption claims. | Honolulu Home Exemption |
| Senior or age-based relief | Older homeowners who live in the home and meet county rules. | Age-based relief is not one statewide rule. Check the county where the home is located. | Use county links below |
| Disabled veteran relief | Qualifying veterans and surviving spouses or partners. | Disability rating, primary residence and filing documentation matter. | Open the correct county tax relief page |
| Disaster remission or relief | Owners whose property was damaged by fire, flood, storm or another qualifying event. | Relief is not automatic. File with the county and keep damage proof. | Honolulu Disaster Remission |
| Agricultural, dedication or special programs | Owners using land for agriculture, conservation, long-term rental or special county-recognized use. | Annual filings, dedication deadlines and rollback risks can apply. | Review county program pages |
- Confirm the property is your principal residence if applying for home-based relief.
- Check the exact county filing deadline.
- Gather ownership, occupancy, age, disability, veteran or income documents if required.
- File through the official county system, not a third-party site.
- Check the next bill or account record to confirm the exemption was applied.
Hawaii Property Tax Appeals
An appeal is usually about the assessed value, classification, exemption decision or assessment notice. It is not the same thing as saying you cannot afford the bill. County appeal windows are strict, so review the assessment notice when it arrives.
| County | Appeal Timing | Important Rule | Official Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu / Oʻahu | Assessment notices mailed around December 15; appeals generally due January 15. | Appeals can challenge assessed value, classification or exemption amount. | Honolulu Appeals |
| Maui County | Assessment notices around March 15; appeals generally due April 9. | Maui says taxes must still be paid by due dates even if an appeal is pending. | Maui Appeals |
| Hawaiʻi County | Assessment notices are sent on or before March 15, with appeal options after review. | Use the County of Hawaiʻi appeal information and Board of Review process. | Hawaiʻi County Appeals |
| Kauaʻi County | Assessment notices around December 1; appeals generally December 1 through December 31. | Kauaʻi appeal guidance includes a fee and requires taxes to be paid by due dates even if an appeal is pending. | Kauaʻi Appeals |
Appeal tip: Pay attention to the assessment notice, not only the tax bill. By the time a bill arrives, some counties may already have closed the standard assessment appeal window.
Late, Delinquent or Tax Sale Property Taxes in Hawaii
Late-payment rules vary by county. Penalties, interest, tax sale procedures, lien handling and redemption rules can become serious. If a bill is late, check the official county balance before paying because the amount due may have changed.
Hawaiʻi County payment guidance says late payment can trigger a 10% penalty after the due date and monthly interest after that. Check current balance before paying.
County rules may rely on postmarks or payment receipt timing. Mail early and keep proof.
A lender may intend to pay, but the county account record is the proof that payment posted.
If you received a tax sale or foreclosure-related notice, treat it as urgent and contact the county directly.
- Search the official county account.
- Confirm unpaid tax year and installment.
- Check current balance with penalty and interest included.
- Save proof of any payment or mailed item.
- Contact the county if the account shows tax sale, foreclosure or legal status.
If Your Mortgage Company Pays Hawaii Property Taxes
Many Hawaii homeowners pay property taxes through mortgage escrow. That does not mean you should ignore county records. The safest approach is to check whether the lender requested the bill and whether the payment actually posted.
- Search the county property tax account after bills are issued.
- Compare the county amount with your mortgage escrow statement.
- Check if the lender or servicer has already paid.
- Do not pay personally unless you know the lender will not pay.
- Save the escrow statement and county payment-status proof.
Duplicate payment warning: If both you and your mortgage company pay the same installment, a refund may be needed. Refund timing and requirements depend on the county.
If You Just Bought a Property in Hawaii
New owners often get confused because the bill may still show old owner information, the seller may have given a closing credit, the mortgage company may be setting up escrow, or the mailing address may not be updated yet.
- Find the TMK, parcel ID or account number from closing documents.
- Search the official county property tax record.
- Compare the tax bill with your closing disclosure and seller credits.
- Confirm whether your lender will pay the next installment.
- File or update any home exemption, mailing address or owner-occupancy form required by the county.
- Keep the bill, deed, closing statement, escrow disclosure and payment receipt together.
Important: A seller credit at closing is not the same thing as a county payment. Always confirm whether the county account shows the taxes paid.
Common Hawaii Property Tax Mistakes to Avoid
These mistakes create the most avoidable problems for Hawaii property owners, mainland owners, new buyers, heirs and escrow borrowers.
Hawaiʻi County, Honolulu, Maui and Kauaʻi are different systems. Confirm the island and county first.
Balances can change after lender payments, penalties, interest, corrections, refunds or ownership updates.
Age-based benefits and deadlines vary by county. Check the county program page.
If a statement does not arrive, search online before the deadline instead of waiting.
Appeal deadlines may occur before the tax bill is due. Read the assessment notice quickly.
Mortgage escrow does not prove payment has posted. Check the county account.
Official Hawaii Property Tax Links by County
Use these official links when you are ready to search, pay, file, appeal or verify account-specific details. Pick the county where the property is physically located.
Hawaii County Property Tax Offices and Contact Starting Points
For account-specific issues, contact the county office that handles the property. Bring or provide the TMK, account number, parcel ID, property address, tax year, bill, payment proof and any exemption or appeal documents.
| County | Office Starting Point | Use For |
|---|---|---|
| Honolulu / Oʻahu | Real Property Assessment Division and Treasury Division. | Oʻahu assessments, exemptions, appeals, payment questions and bills. |
| Maui County | Real Property Assessment Division and Real Property Tax Collections. | Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi property records, appeals, bills and payments. |
| Hawaiʻi County | County of Hawaiʻi Real Property Tax Office, Hilo and Kona offices. | Big Island payments, exemptions, appeals, new owner questions and tax sales. |
| Kauaʻi County | Kauaʻi Real Property Tax Assessment and Billing & Collections. | Kauaʻi assessments, exemptions, appeals, collections, receipts and payment issues. |
Related Property Tax Guides
These internal guides explain general property-tax concepts before you take official action on a Hawaii county website.
Hawaii Property Tax FAQs
Is Hawaii property tax paid to the state?
No. Hawaii real property tax is handled by counties. You need the official county office for Honolulu/Oʻahu, Maui County, Hawaiʻi County or Kauaʻi County.
How do I search Hawaii property tax records?
Use the official property tax search page for the county where the property is located. Search by TMK, parcel, account number, address, owner or the search option accepted by that county.
How do I pay Hawaii property tax online?
Choose the correct county first, search the account, confirm the balance and installment, then use that county’s official online payment system or payment instructions.
What are Hawaii property tax due dates?
Most Hawaii counties use August 20 for the first-half payment and February 20 for the second-half payment. Always verify your county’s current calendar before paying.
Which county handles Oʻahu property tax?
Oʻahu property tax is handled by the City and County of Honolulu through its Real Property Assessment Division and Treasury payment resources.
Which county handles Big Island property tax?
Big Island property tax is handled by the County of Hawaiʻi Real Property Tax Office. Its payment pages do not cover other Hawaiian islands.
Which county handles Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi property tax?
Maui County handles real property tax for Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi properties through MauiPropertyTax.com and Maui County payment pages.
Which county handles Kauaʻi property tax?
Kauaʻi County handles Kauaʻi property tax through its Department of Finance Real Property Tax Assessment and Billing & Collections sections.
Can I pay Hawaii property tax by mail?
Yes, counties generally allow mailed payments, but mailing instructions, payee names, coupon requirements and postmark rules vary. Use the official county payment page.
Can I pay Hawaii property tax with a credit card?
Many county systems allow card payments, but convenience fees may apply. Review the official payment screen before completing the transaction.
What happens if I miss a Hawaii property tax due date?
Late payment can create penalties and interest. The exact rules vary by county, so check the official account balance before paying late.
Does Hawaii have a senior property tax exemption?
Age-based property tax relief is county-specific. Some counties have age-related home exemptions or tax relief programs, but there is no one statewide rule for every property.
How do I apply for a Hawaii homeowner exemption?
Apply through the county where the home is located. You usually need to prove ownership, principal residence or occupancy, and meet the county filing deadline.
Do disabled veterans get Hawaii property tax relief?
Disabled veteran property tax relief may be available through county programs. Eligibility, required documents and benefit amounts vary by county.
Can I appeal my Hawaii property assessment?
Yes, but appeal deadlines vary. Honolulu generally uses a January appeal deadline, Maui and Hawaiʻi County use spring assessment/appeal cycles, and Kauaʻi generally uses a December appeal window.
Do I still have to pay if I appeal?
Yes. Counties may require payment by the due date even if an appeal is pending. If you win, overpayment handling depends on the county process.
What if my mortgage company pays my Hawaii property tax?
Check the official county account to confirm whether the payment posted. Do not pay personally until you know whether your escrow company has paid or will pay.
What if I just bought a Hawaii property?
Search the county record, compare the bill with your closing documents, confirm escrow setup, update mailing information and check whether a home exemption should be filed.
Can disaster damage reduce Hawaii property tax?
Some county programs may offer remission or relief after qualifying property damage. File with the county and keep damage documentation.
Is CountyPropertyTaxes.us an official Hawaii tax website?
No. CountyPropertyTaxes.us is an independent informational guide. Payments, appeals, exemptions and account-specific actions must be completed through official county systems.
Bottom Line
Hawaii property tax starts with the county. Confirm the island and county, search the correct account, verify the tax year and installment, review exemptions or appeal deadlines, check escrow status, then pay or file only through the official county system.
Pick County Search Records Pay Tax Due Dates Official Links