Tax Overview - Hawaiʻi Revenue Breakdown

Hawaiʻi State Revenue Breakdown

Tax Revenue Sources Fiscal Year

Total: $11.079 Billion
Click on a pie slice or legend item to see detailed information about that tax category.

Where Do Taxes Go?

Hawai'i's $11.079 billion in tax revenue dollars support the essential services our communities depend on. From healthcare and education to housing and food security, these investments strengthen our islands and protect our most vulnerable residents.

Healthcare
$1.83 billion
Health coverage for 441,000 children and adults
Affordable Housing
$305+ million
Building affordable units, rental assistance, and homelessness programs
Public K-12 Schools
$1.76 billion
Education for 165,000+ students across 296 schools
Food Security
$30+ million
Free and reduced-price school meals for 78,000 students and SNAP administration for over 163,000 people

Wealthy people spend a small part of their income on taxes.

Tax Burden by Income
An effective tax rate is the actual percentage of your total income that you pay in taxes, after accounting for all deductions, credits, and the progressive tax bracket system.
Income Groups
Tax Types:
GET
Property
Income
Lowest 20% Less than $21,900
14.10%
Second 20% $21,900–$44,200
13.70%
Middle 20% $44,200–$80,100
14.20%
Fourth 20% $80,100–$136,600
13.40%
Top 20% Over $136,600
10.70%

Why do lower-income families pay more?

The General Excise Tax (GET) is the main reason. Unlike income taxes that take a percentage of what you earn, GET is added to almost everything you buy—groceries, rent, utilities, even medical care.

The ultra-wealthy should pay their fair share

Income

Coming soon...

Investments

Capital Gains Tax Reform

Income from investments should be taxed the same as income from regular work. Currently, Hawaiʻi allows capital gains to be taxed at a lower rate (7.25%) than ordinary income—a loophole that almost entirely benefits the rich.

The impact: In 2019, just 7.7% of taxpayers earning $400,000+ received 79.4% of all capital gains income in the state. Those making $1 million+ have a lower effective tax rate than those earning less.

Closing this loophole would generate revenue for affordable housing, schools, and infrastructure while making the tax system more equitable.

Real Estate

Conveyance Tax Reform

The conveyance tax is a one-time tax paid when property is sold. Despite soaring luxury home values, expensive properties pay very low rates—only 0.5 to 1.25%.

The opportunity: Cities like Seattle and San Francisco charge 2-7% on high-value properties. If Hawaiʻi raised rates to 2-6% for homes worth $2 million+, it could generate $300-400 million annually.

This revenue would fund affordable housing, homelessness programs, land conservation, and the Department of Hawaiian Homelands—while middle-class homeowners pay less.

Make change with your dollars

Support Hawaiʻi Appleseed’s work to promote equity and justice.

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Other Ways to Donate

We accept check donations made payable to Hawaiʻi Appleseed. Send checks to 733 Bishop Street, Suite 1180, Honolulu, HI 96813. If you would like to make an electronic donation over the phone, please call us at (808) 369-2508.

Hawaiʻi Appleseed is proud to be a member of Aloha United Way's Donors Choice Program. To donate to us through AUW, please fill out this form. On the second page, specify that you would like your gift to go to Hawaiʻi Appleseed. Our code is 70840.

If you shop on Amazon, you can also support us by donating to us through Amazon Smile. When you go to the website, search for “Hawaiʻi Appleseed” on the list of organizations. You pay the same price as you normally would, but Amazon will automatically donate a portion of the purchase price of your goods to us.

Hawaiʻi Appleseed also supports donations through planned and deferred giving. Please email Connie Choy, our development director, at connie@hiappleseed.org to learn about how you can support Appleseed's future work.

Mahalo for your support!

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