FAQs

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Real Property Tax - Exemptions

2. What is a home exemption?: The home exemption is a tax relief program that reduces taxable assessed value by $200,000 and reclassifies property for tax rate purposes into the Homeowner class.

3. What are the qualifications for a home exemption? (Must be met annually): a. The owner must occupy the Maui County home for which the exemption is being claimed for more than two hundred seventy (270) calendar days of each calendar year.
b. Owner must not rent the entire premises for any portion of the year.
c. Owner must file an income tax return as a resident of the State of Hawaii with a reported address in Maui County the year prior to the effective date of the exemption. Non-resident and part-year resident State of Hawaii income tax returns do not qualify for the home exemption.
d. The property taxes must not be delinquent.

4. Why do I have to file a Hawaii Resident Income tax return?: It is one of the requirements of the County ordinance. It is necessary to qualify for the home exemption, as well as to maintain the home exemption status.

5. Do I have to file a Hawaii Resident Income tax return if my accountant says I don’t have to file because I don’t have income or didn’t make enough income?: Yes, it is one of the requirements of the County ordinance. It is necessary to qualify for the home exemption, as well as to maintain the home exemption status.

6. Do I have to file a Hawaii Resident Income tax return every year?: Yes, it is one of the requirements of the County ordinance. It is necessary to qualify for the home exemption, as well as to maintain the home exemption status.

7. Is there a deadline to file a claim for home exemption?: Yes, December 31 of the preceding assessment year.

8. When does the exemption take effect?: The exemption will take effect January 1 after a claim has been filed. The change in taxes will take effect on the subsequent July 1.

9. Do you have to file a claim for home exemption every year?: No, the exemption will remain in effect unless there is a change in status, such as moving, death, renting the home, or no longer meeting the requirements from question 3 above.
Owners have the responsibility to inform the Real Property Assessment Division within 30 days of any change in status. Failure to report a change in status, or facts will result in disqualification and a $200 penalty.

10. What other exemptions are available besides the homeowner’s?: Others include, but are not limited to, disabled veteran’s, active duty deployed military, non-profit, taro, leprosy, impaired sight or hearing, totally disabled, credit union, child care and kuleana land. See the County Code for specific and more information.

12. How do I report that someone has a homeowner exemption but is not living on the property? Or my neighbors are in a rental pool but are classified as “Apartment”.: Contact our division and supply the tax map key with the allegation. The division will research the claim. If you would like to make an official “on-line” claim, go to the Maui County website, www.mauicounty.gov, under Services tab, click on Online Services and click on Request for Service or go directly to Request for Service Link located below. Request for Service