Property Tax Experts
Copyright © 2007 LowTaxRate.com
For taxpayers who
may be
experiencing
difficulty in paying
their property taxes,
there may be help.  
Most cities in the
United States have
Property Tax
Poverty Exemption
Policy and
Guidelines. You may
be eligible to waive
your annual property
tax for one year
read more
The Real Property Assessment Division annually sends a notice of assessment to
property owners (on or before December 15), showing the assessed value of the
property, the general land class of the property, and the amount of exemption, if any.

After reviewing your notice of assessment, if you do not agree with the assessed
value of the property, the classification of the property, or the amount of the exemption
allowed, you may file an appeal on or before January 15 preceding the tax year. (If the
January 15 deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the deadline is
extended to the next succeeding day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal
holiday.).

However, prior to filing an appeal, you are encouraged to contact the appraisers at
one of the locations listed below to discuss any questions you may have; in many
instances, misunderstandings are cleared
up during this discussion.
If you have not received your assessment notice within a few days of December 15,
you may review your assessment information at www.honolulupropertytax.com or you
can contact the Real Property Assessment Division at one of the following locations:

842 Bethel Street, Basement 1000                       Uluohia Street, #206
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813                                          Kapolei, Hawaii 96707
Tel: (808) 527-5539/527-5511                               Tel: (808) 692-5541
Hawaii Property Tax Home Page

Who Qualifies for the Home Exemptions?
You are entitled to the home exemption if:

1) You own and occupy the property as your principal home ("real property owned and
occupied as the owner's principal home" means occupancy of a home in the city with
the intent to reside in the city. Intent to reside in the city may be evidenced by, but not
limited to, the following indicia: occupancy of a home in the city for more than 270
calendar days of a calendar year; registering to vote in the city; being stationed in the
city under military orders of the United States; and filing of an income tax return as a
resident of the State of Hawaii, with a reported address in the city;

2) Your ownership is recorded at the Bureau of Conveyances, State Department of
Land and Natural Resources, in Honolulu on or before September 30 preceding the
tax year for which you claim the exemption. In the case of a lease, the document must
indicate that the lessee has a lease for residential purposes for a term of five years or
more and will pay all property taxes;

3) You file a claim for home exemption (Form BFS-RP-P3)
www.honolulu.gov/rpa/forms.htm with the Real Property Assessment Division on or
before September 30 preceding the tax year for which you claim the exemption.

State Ranking
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