United States · Conveyance Tax
Hawaii's conveyance tax is banded by price: 0.1% up to $600,000, rising to 0.5% above $4 million. The City and County of Honolulu adds a 0.35% surcharge on properties over $1 million, so Oahu buyers at the luxury end can pay close to 0.85%. On a $1.2 million Honolulu condo the state tax is $3,600 plus a $4,200 surcharge. The tax is split between buyer and seller by negotiation, and exemptions exist for homes under $300,000 in some counties.
Preset rates are indicative reference values only. Confirm current rates and any reliefs with your local tax authority.
Jurisdiction comparison at $1,200,000.00
Hawaii pays $3,600.00 (0.3%) vs Hawaii at $3,600.00 (0.3%).
Banded state conveyance tax: 0.1% to $600k, 0.2% to $1m, 0.3% to $2m, 0.4% to $4m, 0.5% above — plus county surcharges. Bands below are the standard residential buyer schedule used by the calculator.
| Property value | Rate |
|---|---|
| USD 0.00 – USD 600,000.00 | Flat 0.1% of the full value |
| USD 600,000.00 – USD 1,000,000.00 | Flat 0.2% of the full value |
| USD 1,000,000.00 – USD 2,000,000.00 | Flat 0.3% of the full value |
| USD 2,000,000.00 – USD 4,000,000.00 | Flat 0.4% of the full value |
| USD 4,000,000.00+ | Flat 0.5% of the full value |
Indicative figures compiled August 2026 — official source: Hawaii Department of Taxation. Rates are typically indexed or revised each financial year.
A USD 1,200,000.00 purchase in Hawaii attracts about USD 3,600.00 in conveyance tax at the standard indicative rates — an effective rate of 0.3%. Recording fees run $50–150; title insurance is standard. That makes the all-in cash requirement USD 1,203,600.00 before you factor in any deposit, legal work, or moving costs. Adjust the price in the calculator to model your own number.
Banded state conveyance tax: 0.1% to $600k, 0.2% to $1m, 0.3% to $2m, 0.4% to $4m, 0.5% above — plus county surcharges. Rates change with legislation and vary by buyer circumstances, so treat these as planning figures and confirm the current rate with Hawaii Department of Taxation before you commit.
At the indicative rates above, a USD 1,200,000.00 property attracts about USD 3,600.00 in conveyance tax — an effective rate of 0.3%. Recording fees run $50–150; title insurance is standard.. The calculator above lets you change the price and see the result instantly.
There is no general first-time buyer exemption in Hawaii at the standard indicative rates. Banded 0.1%–0.5% state rate. Check current eligibility rules with Hawaii Department of Taxation.
The buyer pays the tax in essentially every case in this market. It is payable in full before or at settlement and cannot normally be added to a mortgage, so it must be part of your cash budget alongside the deposit.
How we calculate: the calculator applies the official band schedule marginally — each rate applies only to the slice of the price inside its band, exactly as the revenue authority does. Worked examples are computed with the same function.
Last reviewed: . Learn more about Nirmal Lashkari and LashkariProperties.
Disclaimer: conveyance tax rates change with legislation and vary by buyer circumstances. These are indicative planning figures, not tax advice — confirm every number with Hawaii Department of Taxation or a qualified local professional.
