Honolulu County Property Tax Appeal — Hawaii

Rob Hartley·Updated February 9, 2026

Honolulu County encompasses the entire island of Oahu, Hawaii's most populous island with over 300,000 properties. The county includes the state capital of Honolulu, Pearl City, and numerous beach communities that make it a global tourist destination.

Notable cities: Honolulu, Pearl City, Kapolei, Kailua, Mililani

Median Home

$823,200

Tax Rate

0.29%

Annual Tax

$2,269

Population

~1 million

2026 Appeal Deadline: January 15, 2026

Appeals must be filed by January 15 following the December 15 notice date. The online appeal form is available until 11:59pm HST on January 15.

Property in Honolulu County, Hawaii — local tax assessment and appeal guide

How Honolulu County Assesses Property

100%of market value

Assessed by: Real Property Assessment Division (RPAD)

Assessment cycle: annual

Notices typically mailed: December 15

In Honolulu County, all properties are assessed at 100% of their fee simple market value as of October 1 each year. The assessed value equals the market value unless exemptions apply.

The Appeal Process

Appeals are heard by the Board of Review. The Board of Review will review your evidence and may ask questions about your property value. The assessment is presumed correct, so you must prove it exceeds market value by more than 10%.

Step 1: Review your Notice of Assessment sent December 15

Step 2: File appeal by January 15 with $50 deposit per property

Step 3: Submit supporting evidence with appeal or shortly after

Step 4: Await informal review by RPAD appraiser

Step 5: Attend Board of Review hearing if necessary

Required form: Form BFS-RPA-M-8-12 or online appeal form

Filing Methods

online:https://realproperty.honolulu.gov - available until January 15 at 11:59pm HST

mail:Real Property Assessment Division, 842 Bethel St, Basement, Honolulu, HI 96813

in-person:842 Bethel St, Basement, Honolulu or 1000 Ulu'ohi'a St, #206, Kapolei - Monday-Friday 7:45am-4:30pm

Evidence to Bring

Comparable fee simple market salesContractor repair estimatesPhotos of deficienciesProfessional appraisal

Honolulu County Assessor Contact

Real Property Assessment Division

Phone: (808) 768-3799

Address: 842 Bethel Street, Basement, Honolulu, HI 96813

Website: https://realproperty.honolulu.gov

Online Portal: https://realproperty.honolulu.gov/appeals/file-an-appeal/

Hours: Monday-Friday 7:45am-4:30pm HST

Tax Exemptions in Honolulu County

Home Exemption

$120,000 for those under 65; $160,000 for those 65 and older

Reduces taxable value for owner-occupied primary residences

Eligibility: Must own and occupy as principal home for more than 270 days per yearDeadline: September 30 preceding the tax year

Totally Disabled Veterans

Varies based on disability rating

Exemption for veterans with service-connected total disability

Eligibility: Must be totally disabled due to service-connected injuryDeadline: September 30

Blind, Deaf, or Totally Disabled

Varies

Exemption for individuals with qualifying disabilities

Eligibility: Must provide medical certification of disabilityDeadline: September 30

Low-Income Tax Credit

Varies based on income

Circuit breaker credit for qualified low-income homeowners

Eligibility: Must qualify for home exemption and meet income requirementsDeadline: Contact Treasury Division

Official Resources

City and County of Honolulu Real Property Assessment Division →

Official county assessor website providing property tax information, assessment procedures, and appeals process for Honolulu County.

Hawaii Department of Taxation Property Tax Information →

State tax department's comprehensive guide to Hawaii property tax laws, exemptions, and county-specific information.

Honolulu Property Information Portal →

Online property search tool allowing residents to look up property assessments, tax information, and ownership details for Honolulu County properties.

City and County of Honolulu Property Tax Payment Portal →

Official county portal for paying property taxes online and accessing tax payment history and account information.

Check Your Honolulu County Assessment

Enter your address to see if your Honolulu County property is overassessed.

✓ All 50 states✓ Instant results✓ $49 flat fee

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to appeal my property taxes in Honolulu County?

The deadline to appeal your property tax assessment in Honolulu County is January 15, 2026. Appeals must be filed online by 11:59pm HST or postmarked by this date if mailing. You will need to include a $50 deposit with each appeal.

How do I file a property tax appeal in Honolulu County online?

Visit https://realproperty.honolulu.gov during the appeal period (December 15 to January 15) to file online. You'll need your TMK/Parcel ID, the grounds for your appeal, and a $50 deposit. The online system is available until 11:59pm HST on January 15.

What is the homestead exemption worth in Honolulu County?

The home exemption in Honolulu County is worth $120,000 for homeowners under 65 and $160,000 for those 65 and older. You must occupy the property as your principal home for more than 270 days per year and file by September 30.

What happens at a Board of Review hearing in Honolulu County?

At the Board of Review hearing, you'll present evidence that your assessed value exceeds market value by more than 10%. The Board presumes the assessment is correct, so bring comparable sales, repair estimates, or an appraisal. If successful, your deposit is refunded.

Can I appeal my Honolulu County property taxes if I just bought the property?

Yes, new property owners can still file a timely appeal by January 15, 2026 for the 2026 Notice of Assessment. This is especially important if you purchased a property without a home exemption, as it may be classified as Residential A with higher tax rates.

What evidence do I need to win a property tax appeal in Honolulu County?

You need evidence showing your assessed value exceeds market value by more than 10%. This includes comparable fee simple sales from similar properties, contractor estimates for repairs, photos of deficiencies, or a professional appraisal. Submit evidence with your appeal for faster processing.

How long does the Honolulu County property tax appeal process take?

RPAD typically responds by March following the January 15 deadline. Appeals submitted with complete evidence are prioritized. The timeline depends on the number of appeals filed that year, but submitting documentation with your initial appeal helps expedite the process.

For state-wide appeal information including Hawaii's assessment ratio and deadlines, see our Hawaii Property Tax Appeal Guide →

Considering professional help with your appeal? Compare pricing, coverage, and pros/cons in our Best Property Tax Appeal Services (2026) or browse side-by-side service comparisons →

← All Hawaii property tax appeal info

Sources: https://realproperty.honolulu.gov/appeals/file-an-appeal/ | https://realproperty.honolulu.gov/appeals/appeal-information/ | https://realproperty.honolulu.gov/tax-relief-and-forms/exemptions/home-exemption/ | https://smartasset.com/taxes/hawaii-property-tax-calculator | https://www.ownwell.com/trends/hawaii/honolulu-county/honolulu

Last verified: 2026-02-09