Oʻahu Homeowners Can Maximize Property Tax Savings With Free Resources
Upcoming public open houses offer community support with exemption applications, tax assessment questions and more
HONOLULU—The Honolulu Board of REALTORS®, in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Budget and Fiscal Services Real Property Assessment Division (RPAD), is hosting free open houses to help homeowners. This coming weekend and two weekends in September, the organizations will assist the public with questions and applications for property tax assessments, home exemptions and property dedications.
A home exemption can reduce the taxable value of a home by $120,000 for homeowners who qualify. This amount increases to $160,000 if the homeowner is 65 years or older.
“Every year, we meet homeowners who are eligible for tax exemptions but miss out simply because they weren’t aware they needed to apply,” said Suzanne Young, CEO for the Honolulu Board of REALTORS®. With the filing deadlines approaching, our goal with this outreach is to ensure the public takes advantage of the tax breaks the City and County of Honolulu offers. We look forward to serving the community and encourage people to visit our booth at upcoming FarmLovers Markets.”
RPAD will provide one-on-one guidance at the booth, offering homeowners a convenient way to get assistance and ask questions to feel more confident about maximizing the tax savings and resources available to them.
Applications for property dedication, when a property owner commits to certain conditions for a stated period in return for reduced taxes, are due Sept. 1. Applications for home exemption, a tax relief program that reduces taxable assessed value, are due Sept. 30.
Residents are invited to visit RPAD at the Honolulu Board REALTORS® booth at various FarmLovers Markets across Oʻahu on the following dates and times:
KAKAʻAKO |
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What: | Real Property Assessment Division Open House |
Where: | 919 & 1011 Ala Moana Blvd Honolulu, HI 96814 |
When: | Saturday, August 23 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday, September 6 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. |
PEARLRIDGE |
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What: | Real Property Assessment Division Open House |
Where: | Pearlridge Mall Wai Makai 98-180 Kamehameha Hwy, Aiea, HI 96701 |
When: | Saturday, September 13 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. |
KAILUA |
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What: | Real Property Assessment Division Open House |
Where: | Near Adventist Health Castle 640 Ulukahiki Street, Kailua, HI 96734 |
When: | Sunday, August 24 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Sunday, September 7 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. |
About the Honolulu Board of REALTORS®
Established in 1922, the Honolulu Board of REALTORS® is one of the largest of 1,100 boards of REALTORS® in the nation, and, with more than 6,400 members, is one of the largest trade organizations on O‘ahu. Membership is available to licensed real estate brokers, agents, property managers, appraisers, counselors and others engaged in all aspects of the real estate industry who pledge to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. The Honolulu Board of REALTORS® and its members are committed to serving as housing advocates, community builders and good neighbors. For more information, call (808) 732-3000 or visit www.hicentral.com.
About the Real Property Assessment Division
The Real Property Assessment Division administers provisions of Chapter 8, Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, relating to the assessment of real property for tax purposes. It ensures real property assessment values are fair and equitable, based on market value and in accordance with applicable standards and laws.
The division’s mission is to annually provide the City Council of Honolulu with a certified assessment roll. The Council uses this roll to set the tax rates for eleven general land classes, which generates property tax revenues for the City. To accomplish its mission, the division identifies real property parcels and respective owners; appraises parcels; processes exemption and dedication claims filed; notifies owners of the assessments placed on their respective properties; settles real property assessment and tax appeals; and maintains and updates maps, ownership records, valuation records, and computer and other required files.
Bridget Mitchell