Kaua‘i County Department of Finance reminds all real property owners about the upcoming deadline to file for some tax relief programs.
The deadline is Sept. 30.
Those who previously submitted an application and have not received confirmation if was approved could have to resubmit their application. Contact Real Property Assessment at rpassessment@kauai.gov or visit the office at its temporary portable location in the Division of Motor Vehicles parking lot beginning Wednesday.
How to submit an application
- Email: rpassessment@kauai.gov
- Mail: Līhuʻe Civic Center, 4444 Rice St., Suite 454, Līhuʻe, HI 96766
- In-person: A drop box is located at Līhuʻe Civic Center Mōʻikeha Rotunda and will be open 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The public is encouraged to submit applications online or through email whenever possible as the department restores essential functions to its physical offices following fire damage.
Where to find applications
The home exemption can be submitted online.
Additional exemptions can be submitted at the county website, but the system is unavailable. Check back at a later time.
Printable applications are available online.
Staff from the assessment and collections offices will be available starting Wednesday at the portable building outside Kāpule Civic Center to field general questions and offer limited services.
The temporary location will be open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Tax relief programs
Home exemption
- Generally a onetime filing. If your home exemption was approved, you do not need to reapply unless it was previously disallowed or was never approved.
- The property owner must claim the property as their principal residence for at least 271 days of the year; have a current Hawai’i driver’s license or state ID and file full-time resident income tax returns.
Income exemption
- The county will grant the same exemption for the current year and you do not need to reapply if you already were approved for income exemption.
- You must reapply by the Sept. 30 deadline if you were not approved. Applicants will need to provide all pages of their federal and state income tax returns.
Long-term affordable rental program
- This program applies to residences rented for a period of 1 year or longer at rates that do not exceed the affordable rental rates established by U.S. Housing and Urban Development.
- Applicants will need to submit an application along with a copy of their lease agreement.
Totally disabled veteran exemption
- A veteran who is 80% to totally disabled because of injuries received while on active duty shall be exempt from all property tax, excluding multi-unit properties, subject to a minimum tax of $150.
- The veteran must file a claim on or before Sept. 30.
Disability exemption
- Available for totally disabled, blind, or deaf property owners as well as those who are veterans less than 80% disabled because of injuries received while on active duty.
- Applicants must file a claim on or before Sept. 30.
How to submit tax payments
- Real property tax payments can still be submitted using the following options:
- Payments can be made online. Use the format “X-X-XXX-XXX-XXXX” when entering your tax map key.
- A 2.65% convenience fee will be applied during checkout for credit card payments, and a $3.50 convenience fee will be applied during checkout for payments made via ACH.
- Check payments can be made using the drop box. Include a reference to the property address or tax map key with payment to ensure it is applied to the correct account. Address the envelope as follows: Real Property Division-Billing and Collection Section.
Hurricane Lowell disaster relief
- File a notice of claim for disaster relief on the county website if your building was damaged by Hurricane Lowell.
- Do not include claims for fences, downed trees or other items that do not constitute real property.
- Disaster relief claims must be filed on or before June 30, 2027.
Contact the real property collections office by email via email at rpc@kauai.gov for additional assistance and with any questions.
