Hawaii car sales tax calculator
The general excise tax in Hawaii is 4.712% of the taxable amount.
tax.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
By Mr. Voltage · Data checked Oct 3, 2026 · Page changed Oct 30, 2026
Where will you register the car?
Honolulu County, Hawaii
Example quotes. Pick your place and type yours. Example: three quotes on one car in Honolulu County, Hawaii. Pick your own place and type your quotes.
Your deals at a glance
| Deal | Payment | All-in |
|---|---|---|
| $572.11a month | $39,326.29so far | |
| $516.69a month | $42,201.41so far | |
| $560.98a month | $38,658.80so far |
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Your numbers stay in this browser.
$572.11 a month · 60 payments
All-in $39,326.29 so far
$516.69 a month · 72 payments
All-in $42,201.41 so far
$560.98 a month · 60 payments
All-in $38,658.80 so far
Out-the-door $34,663.79 so far
so far: not including a doc fee yet. Enter your dealer’s.
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Out-the-door $35,391.54 so far
so far: not including a doc fee yet. Enter your dealer’s.
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Out-the-door $35,239.71 so far
so far: not including a doc fee yet. Enter your dealer’s.
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
New · change
New or used
The sheet starts with a new car; each deal sets its own
Shipping weight
The research’s test car, a 2026 Tucson SEL, at 3,494 lb or a little less. Both weight taxes read the shipping weight plus 100 lb, 3,594 lb; the state’s rate rises to 2¢ a pound on the whole weight over 4,000 lb net. The certificate of origin gives the shipping weight
New · change
New or used
The sheet starts with a new car; each deal sets its own
Shipping weight
The research’s test car, a 2026 Tucson SEL, at 3,494 lb or a little less. Both weight taxes read the shipping weight plus 100 lb, 3,594 lb; the state’s rate rises to 2¢ a pound on the whole weight over 4,000 lb net. The certificate of origin gives the shipping weight
New · change
New or used
The sheet starts with a new car; each deal sets its own
Shipping weight
The research’s test car, a 2026 Tucson SEL, at 3,494 lb or a little less. Both weight taxes read the shipping weight plus 100 lb, 3,594 lb; the state’s rate rises to 2¢ a pound on the whole weight over 4,000 lb net. The certificate of origin gives the shipping weight
Hawaii law sets no figure for this fee.
Hawaii calls it a documentary fee.
cca.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Hawaii law sets no figure for this fee.
Hawaii calls it a documentary fee.
cca.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Hawaii law sets no figure for this fee.
Hawaii calls it a documentary fee.
cca.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No sales tax in Hawaii: the general excise tax is the dealer’s.
tax.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No credit for a trade-in: GET is on the full price.
data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No title fee on a new car’s first registration.
codelibrary.amlegal.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No lien fee: the lender is recorded on the certificate of title.
codelibrary.amlegal.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No emissions test: only the safety inspection.
hidot.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No sales tax in Hawaii: the general excise tax is the dealer’s.
tax.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No credit for a trade-in: GET is on the full price.
data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No title fee on a new car’s first registration.
codelibrary.amlegal.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No lien fee: the lender is recorded on the certificate of title.
codelibrary.amlegal.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No emissions test: only the safety inspection.
hidot.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No sales tax in Hawaii: the general excise tax is the dealer’s.
tax.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No credit for a trade-in: GET is on the full price.
data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No title fee on a new car’s first registration.
codelibrary.amlegal.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No lien fee: the lender is recorded on the certificate of title.
codelibrary.amlegal.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
- No emissions test: only the safety inspection.
hidot.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $1,963.79 in tax and fees first; $3,036.21 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $1,996.54 in tax and fees first; $3,003.46 goes toward the price.
Your $5,000.00 down covers the $1,989.71 in tax and fees first; $3,010.29 goes toward the price.
Illustrative rate, not a quote. Your APR depends on your credit, the term, the vehicle and the lender.
Illustrative rate, not a quote. Your APR depends on your credit, the term, the vehicle and the lender.
Illustrative rate, not a quote. Your APR depends on your credit, the term, the vehicle and the lender.
60 payments, last $571.80
72 payments, last $516.42
60 payments, last $560.98
cash down plus every payment
cash down plus every payment
cash down plus every payment
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
Estimate. Your dealer’s buyer’s order and your lender’s disclosures are the numbers that count. Check them against this.
4 charges this total leaves out
4 charges this total leaves out
4 charges this total leaves out
What’s different in Hawaii
Hawaii calls it the general excise tax.
tax.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
A trade-in does not lower the amount taxed. A detail of that point is not confirmed.
data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Negative equity rolled into the new loan is not taxed. That point is not confirmed.
files.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Hawaii’s law sets no figure for the documentary fee.
cca.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
The dealer may pass on the general excise tax at up to 4.712%, more than the 4.5% rate, because the tax it passes on is itself gross income.
tax.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Worked examples
Each line below is worked by the same engine as the calculator, on the day this page was built (Nov 11, 2026).
A new car with a trade-in and negative equity
A new car at $32,700.00, with a trade-in allowed at $10,000.00 and $13,000.00 still owed, $5,000.00 down, financed at 5.90% for 60 months, bought from a dealer and registered in Honolulu County.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Price | $32,700.00 |
| Trade-in allowance | $10,000.00 |
| Still owed on the trade-in | $13,000.00 |
| Equity (negative if you owe more than it is worth) | −$3,000.00 |
| Dealer’s gross proceeds data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $32,700.00 |
| General excise tax passed on by the dealer (at most 4.712%) tax.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $1,540.82 |
| Honolulu county vehicle weight tax (7¢ a pound of net weight) codelibrary.amlegal.com · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $251.58 |
| State vehicle weight tax (1.75¢ a pound of net weight, up to 4,000 lb) data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $62.93 |
| State registration fee data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $46.00 |
| Honolulu county registration fee codelibrary.amlegal.com · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $20.00 |
| Highway beautification fee codelibrary.amlegal.com · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $10.00 |
| Number plates codelibrary.amlegal.com · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $5.00 |
| Registration emblem codelibrary.amlegal.com · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $0.50 |
| Safety inspection (at most $25.75, plus the station’s GET) hidot.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $26.96 |
| Out-the-door price | $34,663.79 |
| Cash down | $5,000.00 |
| Amount financed | $32,663.79 |
| Monthly payment | $629.96 |
| Interest over the loan | $5,134.14 |
| Total paid, interest included | $42,797.93 |
A used car from a dealer
A used car, model year 2022, at $21,500.00, $5,000.00 down, financed at 5.90% for 60 months, bought from a dealer and registered in Honolulu County.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Price | $21,500.00 |
| Dealer’s gross proceeds data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $21,500.00 |
| General excise tax passed on by the dealer (at most 4.712%) tax.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $1,013.08 |
| Title transfer fee honolulu.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $10.00 |
| Safety inspection (at most $25.75, plus the station’s GET) hidot.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 | $26.96 |
| Out-the-door price | $22,550.04 |
| Cash down | $5,000.00 |
| Amount financed | $17,550.04 |
| Monthly payment | $338.48 |
| Interest over the loan | $2,758.50 |
| Total paid, interest included | $25,308.54 |
The rules in Hawaii
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| Name of the tax | general excise tax tax.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| General excise tax passed on by the dealer (at most 4.712%) | 4.712% of the taxable amount tax.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| What is taxed | Taxed: the vehicle price, the doc fee, other dealer fees on the order, accessories fitted before delivery, protection packages, loose items sold with the car, service contracts, prepaid maintenance and GAP. Not taxed: government fees. data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Trade-in | A trade-in does not lower the amount taxed. A detail of that point is not confirmed. data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Maker’s rebate | A maker’s rebate does not lower the amount taxed. That point is not confirmed. data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Dealer discount | A dealer discount lowers the amount taxed. data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Negative equity | Negative equity rolled into the loan is not taxed. That point is not confirmed. files.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Doc fee | The law sets no figure for the documentary fee. cca.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| State vehicle weight tax (1.75¢ a pound of net weight, up to 4,000 lb) | worked from the rule a year data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| State registration fee | $46.00 a year data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Honolulu county registration fee | $20.00 a year codelibrary.amlegal.com · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Registration emblem | $0.50 a year codelibrary.amlegal.com · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Title transfer fee | $10.00 honolulu.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Honolulu county weight tax | 7.0 cents a pound of net weight for passenger vehicles, with a $12 minimum. Paid yearly with the registration. codelibrary.amlegal.com · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Private-party purchase | No tax: a casual sale is not general excise tax business, and no use tax applies to a car already in Hawaii. The buyer pays the $10 transfer fee. data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Tax paid to another state | Full credit for sales or use tax legally paid to another state on the same purchase, up to the Hawaii use tax. data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| New resident | Register within 30 days of arriving. Proof of use tax is needed for a car of the current, previous or next model year. Whether the state pursues use tax on older cars is not confirmed. data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Safety inspection | A station may charge no more than $25.75 plus tax for a car. A certificate is needed before the first registration or a transfer; a new car needs none again for two years. hidot.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Electric and hybrid fees | An electric car pays a road usage charge of $50 a year, or 0.8 cents a mile up to $50, from its first renewal, not at purchase. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids pay none. data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
| Finance rate ceiling | On a dealer credit sale under the credit sales law, 24% a year on the unpaid balance. That law covers contracts up to $25,000 unless the seller elects to use it above that. data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026 |
What has changed
· Watching: The 0.5% county surcharge on GET ends 2030-12-31 unless extended; the most a dealer may pass on would fall from 4.712%, The Legislature or the counties may extend it before then.
data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
· Watching: Honolulu’s weight-tax rate and fees are set by ordinance and change on January 1, None pending in the Revised Ordinances current to June 2026 (Supplement 11); a rate enacted this year would start 2027-01-01.
data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
· The rules on this page start here. Nothing earlier is loaded.
Questions people ask
Does Hawaii have a sales tax on cars?
No. Hawaii has no sales tax. It has the general excise tax (GET), a tax on the dealer’s business: 4% of the dealer’s gross proceeds plus a 0.5% county surcharge, the same in all four counties. The dealer may visibly pass it on to you at up to 4.712%, if you agree to pay it. That is more than 4.5% because the tax passed on is itself gross income to the dealer. If the dealer does not pass it on as its own line, it is still part of the price. The gross proceeds are the full price, with the destination charge, the doc fee and dealer-installed extras. Registration fees and weight taxes the dealer pays for you are left out. A dealer discount lowers the tax. A maker’s rebate does not, because the dealer still receives the full price; that reading is not confirmed by the tax department.
tax.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
tax.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
files.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Does a trade-in lower Hawaii's general excise tax?
No. The tax is measured on the full sale price of the car you buy, and the trade-in value is not deducted. The statute says so; a tax department statement for cars is not confirmed. Negative equity rolled into the new loan is not taxed: the payoff of the old loan is an advance the dealer makes for you, not the dealer’s receipt from the car. That is an inference, not confirmed by the tax department. So a trade-in, with or without a loan on it, leaves the tax the same as a deal with no trade-in.
data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
files.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
Is the Hawaii dealer doc fee capped?
No. We found no dollar limit in Hawaii law, and no amount presumed reasonable, in the dealer licensing law or its rules. The rules require disclosure: “Dealership ‘documentary fees’ or any other charges imposed by the seller shall be shown and the amount thereof quoted.” An ad that quotes a price must show the exact amount of every added charge, in type the same size as the price. Title fees and the safety inspection may be left out of the ad; doc fees may not. The doc fee is the dealer’s own receipt, so the general excise tax applies to it. Complaints go to the Regulated Industries Complaints Office (RICO) of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
cca.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
cca.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 14, 2026
What are the Hawaii vehicle weight taxes?
Two yearly taxes on the car’s net weight, paid with the registration. The state’s is 1.75 cents a pound up to 4,000 lb, 2.00 cents from 4,001 to 7,000 lb, 2.25 cents from 7,001 to 10,000 lb, and a flat $300 above that. Each rate applies to the whole weight, not just the part in its bracket. Honolulu’s county weight tax is 7.0 cents a pound for passenger vehicles, with a minimum of $12. A new passenger car’s net weight is the maker’s shipping weight plus 100 lb. New cars in a dealer’s stock are exempt until sold, so you pay a full first year at purchase. Registration adds the state’s $46 and Honolulu’s $20 a year. Our sheet works Honolulu’s county charges only; for Hawaii, Kauai and Maui counties it says their county charges are not worked.
data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
codelibrary.amlegal.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
codelibrary.amlegal.com · checked Oct 3, 2026
Is a private car sale taxed in Hawaii?
No. A casual sale between private people is not business under the general excise tax, and use tax applies only to things brought into the state, not a car already in Hawaii. The buyer pays the title transfer fee: $10 if the transfer is done within 30 days, $60 after. The plates and the current registration stay with the car, so you pay the renewal only when it is due.
data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
honolulu.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
I bought a car out of state. What do I pay in Hawaii?
A car bought out of state and shipped in pays Hawaii use tax: 4% of its landed value, which is the price plus freight, insurance and duty, less the trade-in and out-of-state plate fees. A car used outside Hawaii for 90 days or more takes about 10% off for depreciation. On Oahu a 0.5% county surcharge may be added; whether the use tax form adds it for cars is not confirmed. Sales or use tax legally paid to another state on the same purchase is credited in full, up to the Hawaii use tax. To register a car of the current, previous or next model year you must show the use tax was paid. A new resident registers within 30 days of arriving. Our sheet works a Hawaii dealer’s sale, so it lists use tax under the total rather than working it.
data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026
data.capitol.hawaii.gov · checked Oct 3, 2026