Hawaii property tax exemptions can lower your bill — there are breaks for owner-occupants, seniors, veterans, and homeowners with disabilities, and many people who qualify never claim them. That is money left on the table every year. Below are the Hawaii property tax exemptions that exist, who qualifies, and how to apply. Amounts and income limits change over time and some are set locally, so treat each figure as a
starting point and confirm the current number with your local assessor.
Hawaii Property Tax at a Glance
| Homestead & Primary-Residence Relief | Available — see below |
| Senior Relief (Age 65+) | Available — see below |
| Veteran & Disabled-Veteran Relief | Available — see below |
| Disability Relief | Available — see below |
Verified from official state and county sources.
In This Hawaii Guide:
Hawaii Property Tax Exemptions & Relief
An exemption lowers the value your tax is figured on (or, in some states, gives you a credit or caps how fast your value can rise) — so the same tax rate produces a smaller bill. Here is each of the Hawaii property tax exemptions available to homeowners.
Relief does not look the same everywhere. Some states knock a flat dollar amount off your home’s value; others give a credit on the tax itself, cap how much your assessed value can rise each year, or freeze the bill for qualifying seniors. A few offer an income-based rebate instead of a value exemption. The point is the same — a lower bill for people who qualify — but the
form differs, so read each program below for how it actually works rather than assuming it is a simple dollar discount.
Homestead & Primary-Residence Relief
Hawaii’s property tax is run entirely by its four counties (Honolulu/Oahu, Hawaii/Big Island, Maui, Kauai) – there’s no state property tax – and each sets its own Home Exemption. It reduces the taxable value of an owner-occupied primary residence and reclassifies it to the lower owner-occupant rate. Amounts vary a lot: Honolulu $120,000 (under 65) / $160,000 (65+); Maui about $200,000; Kauai up to ~$260,000 for seniors; Hawaii County tiered
from $50,000 with an extra 20% reduction.
Apply with your county’s real property office.
How much / how it works: Varies by county (roughly $50,000 to $260,000+) and age. Confirm the amount and deadline with your county real property tax office.
Senior Relief (Age 65+)
Each county boosts the Home Exemption for seniors (age-tiered). On Oahu it rises to $160,000 at 65+; Hawaii County and Kauai step the amount up in 5-year age brackets; Maui’s larger exemption applies from age 60+. Some counties also offer an income-based ‘circuit breaker’ credit (for example, Honolulu credits property tax above 3% of income). Confirm with your county.
How much / how it works: Higher home exemption for seniors, varying by county and age. Confirm with your county real property tax office.
Veteran & Disabled-Veteran Relief
A veteran who is 100% totally disabled from service (and unremarried surviving spouses) is exempt from all property tax except a small minimum tax, in every Hawaii county. Apply with your county real property office with a physician’s/VA certificate.
How much / how it works: Full exemption except a small minimum tax (~$100-$300). Confirm with your county real property tax office.
Disability Relief
Counties give an additional exemption for homeowners who are blind, deaf, totally disabled, or have Hansen’s Disease (for example, an extra $25,000 on Oahu), which can stack with the home exemption. Apply with your county real property office with certification.
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How much / how it works: Additional exemption (e.g., ~$25,000 on Oahu) for blind/deaf/totally disabled. Confirm with your county.
Not sure which Hawaii breaks you qualify for?
How to Apply for Hawaii Property Tax Exemptions
Hawaii property tax exemptions are almost never automatic — you have to file for them, usually with your local assessor, and usually by a set date each year. Apply once for most breaks and they carry forward, but a few (like some senior or income-based programs) must be renewed. If you just bought your home, or just turned 65, or your disability or veteran status changed, that is the moment
to file.
Even one missed exemption can cost hundreds of dollars a year, so it is worth ten minutes to check.
Don’t want to appeal your Hawaii taxes yourself? A property tax appeal service can file everything for you and usually only charges if it wins — typically a share of what it saves you. It is one option; you can also appeal on your own for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Hawaii property tax exemptions are available?
Hawaii has relief for owner-occupants (homestead), seniors 65+, veterans and disabled veterans, and homeowners with disabilities. The details, amounts, and income limits are covered above — and each is worth checking, because they can stack.
Who qualifies for a homestead exemption in Hawaii?
Generally an owner who lives in the home as their primary residence. Exact rules — and whether the state uses a dollar exemption, a credit, or an assessment cap — are described in the homestead section above.
How do I apply for Hawaii property tax exemptions?
File the application with your local assessor, usually by a set date each year. Most exemptions carry forward once approved; some must be renewed. Confirm the current form and deadline with your assessor.
Can I claim more than one of the Hawaii property tax exemptions?
Often yes — for example a homestead break plus a senior or veteran break — though some programs interact. The sections above note where that applies; your assessor can confirm what stacks.
Hawaii Property Tax Sources & Data
- Tax Foundation — Property Taxes by State & County: taxfoundation.org
- U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey): census.gov/acs
- Lincoln Institute of Land Policy (property tax data): lincolninst.edu
Exemption details for Hawaii on this page were verified from official Hawaii state and county sources and last
checked in July 2026. Amounts, income limits, and deadlines change and many are set locally — confirm the current
figures and forms with your local assessor before you rely on them.
More Property Tax Guides
- Property Tax Rates by State
- Property Tax by County
- Are You Overpaying? Over-Assessment Checker
- Property Tax Exemption Finder
Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Know Property Tax is an independent educational resource. It is not a government agency, not a county assessor, and not a tax-appeal service. Property tax rates, bills, exemptions, and deadlines change over time and vary by county and property. Confirm anything that affects your taxes with your county assessor or a licensed professional before you act.