Real Hawaii deals, worked out
Each example runs through the same calculator above, line by line, so you can check every number yourself.
1Honolulu: new car from a dealer
A buyer pays $33,000 for a new 3,400 lb car on Oahu. The dealer passes on 4.712% general excise tax.
| Vehicle price | $33,000.00 |
| General excise tax passed on by the dealer (4.712%) on $33,000.00 | $1,554.96 |
| State registration fee | $46.00 |
| State weight tax | $59.50 |
| Out-the-door | $34,660.46 |
2Private sale
A buyer pays a private seller $16,000 for a used car. No general excise or use tax applies; only the state registration and weight tax.
| Price paid | $16,000.00 |
| State registration fee | $46.00 |
| State weight tax | $61.25 |
| Out-the-door | $16,107.25 |
General excise tax on a dealer sale
The general excise tax is a tax on the seller's gross receipts. A dealer can pass it on to you, and because the tax is also due on the amount passed on, the visible rate is slightly higher than 4.5%: up to 4.712% with the county surcharge, or about 4.166% where there's no surcharge. We couldn't confirm that a trade-in reduces the amount a dealer passes on, so the calculator doesn't subtract it.
A sale by someone who isn't in the business of selling cars is a casual sale and isn't subject to general excise or use tax.
Hawaii car tax at common prices
What a new gas car bought from a dealer comes to at four prices. The trade-in column shows how much a $10,000 trade-in changes the tax under Hawaii's rules.
| Price | Tax | Tax with $10,000 trade-in | Taxes + fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | $706.80 | $706.80 | $814.05 |
| $25,000 | $1,178.00 | $1,178.00 | $1,285.25 |
| $35,000 | $1,649.20 | $1,649.20 | $1,756.45 |
| $50,000 | $2,356.00 | $2,356.00 | $2,463.25 |
Registration and weight tax
The state registration fee is $46 a year. The state weight tax is 1.75 cents a pound for a vehicle up to 4,000 pounds, so $61.25 for a 3,500 lb car, with higher rates above that. Electric cars pay a $50 yearly state fee. Each county adds its own weight tax and fees.
Hawaii taxes and fees at a glance
Officialfrom a state agency sourceEst.varies or not yet confirmed
| Item (honolulu: new car from a dealer) | Status | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| General excise tax passed on by the dealer (4.712%) | Estimate | $1,554.96 |
| State registration fee (yearly) | Official | $46.00 |
| State weight tax (yearly) | Official | $59.50 |
| Total taxes and fees | $1,660.46 |
Hawaii car tax FAQ
Does Hawaii have sales tax on cars?
No. Dealers pay general excise tax and usually pass it on, up to 4.712% with the county surcharge.
Is there tax on a private car sale in Hawaii?
No. Casual sales by private sellers aren't subject to general excise or use tax.
How much is Hawaii car registration?
$46 a year state fee plus state weight tax (1.75 cents a pound up to 4,000 lbs) and county fees.
Sources
We build every number from these agency pages. If something has changed, tell us and we'll fix it.