Hawaii Sales Tax Rate Table
Hawaii statewide sales tax rate: 4.00%. Local governments in Hawaii may add their own sales tax on top of the state rate, so the total rate you charge depends on the address of the sale. Combined state and local rates average about 4.50%. Hawaii’s sales tax is administered by the Hawaii Department of Taxation.
Rates reviewed August 2026. State rates reflect statutory rates in effect as of July 1, 2026. Local rates change frequently — always confirm the rate for the exact delivery address before you file.
Hawaii Sales Tax Rates at a Glance
| Statewide sales tax rate | 4.00% Hawaii levies a general excise tax on the seller rather than a conventional sales tax. |
|---|---|
| Local sales taxes | Yes — up to 0.50% additional |
| Average local rate | 0.50% |
| Average combined rate | 4.50% |
| Administered by | Hawaii Department of Taxation |
| Registration document | Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) license |
| Rate data reviewed | August 2026 |
How Local Sales Tax Works in Hawaii
Hawaii’s 4% general excise tax is topped up by a county surcharge of up to 0.5% on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai counties, giving an effective rate of 4.5% in most populated areas. The rate looks low because the base is exceptionally wide: GET applies to nearly all business activity, including many services and business-to-business transactions that a conventional sales tax would leave out.
Which Hawaii Rate Should You Charge?
The county surcharge follows the island where the business activity takes place. Because GET is a tax on the business rather than on the buyer, sellers are permitted but not required to pass it on, and the maximum pass-on rate is set slightly above the headline rate.
What Hawaii Taxes — and What It Doesn’t
There is no general grocery exemption in Hawaii, and services are broadly taxable. Wholesale transactions are taxed at a lower rate rather than exempted, which means the same goods can be taxed more than once as they move through the chain.
Look Up an Exact Hawaii Sales Tax Rate
Publishing a fixed list of every Hawaii city and county rate would be out of date within weeks, so we do not reproduce one here. The Department of Taxation publishes current GET rates and county surcharge rates together with the maximum pass-on rates. Open the official Hawaii Department of Taxation website at tax.hawaii.gov and use its rate lookup for the exact delivery address.
Registering to Collect Sales Tax in Hawaii
Before you can legally charge Hawaii sales tax you need to be registered with the Hawaii Department of Taxation and hold a Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) license. Our sales tax application service files the paperwork for you.
Ready to register in Hawaii? Apply for your Hawaii sales tax permit online – it only takes a few minutes.
Hawaii Sales Tax Rate FAQs
What is the sales tax rate in Hawaii?
The Hawaii statewide rate is 4.00%. With local taxes added, the total rate at a given address is typically higher — the average combined rate is about 4.50% and local add-ons can reach 0.50%.
Do I need a permit before I collect sales tax in Hawaii?
Yes. Collecting sales tax without a valid Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) license is not permitted in Hawaii. Register first, then start charging tax. You can apply for your Hawaii sales tax permit here.
Do remote and online sellers have to collect Hawaii sales tax?
Generally yes, once you cross Hawaii’s economic nexus threshold or have a physical presence in the state. Marketplace facilitators such as Amazon and Etsy usually collect on their own sales, but sales through your own website normally remain your responsibility. See our sales tax registration overview for how nexus works.
How often do Hawaii sales tax rates change?
The statewide rate changes rarely — local rates change far more often, frequently on 1 January, 1 April, 1 July or 1 October. Confirm the current rate with the Hawaii Department of Taxation before filing a return.
Sales Tax Rates in Other States
Compare every state on our state sales and use tax rate hub, or check a neighbouring state:
- California sales tax rate table
- Washington sales tax rate table
- Oregon sales tax rate table
- Alaska sales tax rate table
Need to check a number you already have? Use our sales tax number verification page.