Sales Tax for Hawaii (2026)
Hawaii (HI) Key Facts
State Sales Tax Rate
4%
Has State Sales Tax
Yes
Local Taxes May Apply
Yes
Tax Type
Sales and use tax
How This Calculator Works in Hawaii
This calculator estimates the Hawaii sales tax on your purchase amount using the state rate of 4%. Enter your purchase price to see the tax amount and total cost.
Hawaii Overview
Hawaii does not have a traditional sales tax. Instead, it imposes a 4% General Excise Tax (GET) on business gross income — 4.5% on Oahu — which is typically passed on to consumers. The GET is among the broadest consumption taxes in the U.S., covering groceries, services, rent, and medical care with virtually no exemptions.
How Hawaii Compares
Hawaii's sales tax rate of 4% compares to California at 7.25% and Alaska at 0%. Combined with local rates, the effective sales tax burden varies by location.
| State | Top Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California | 7.25% | California has a sales tax rate of 7.25%. |
| Alaska | 0% | Alaska has a sales tax rate of 0%. |
Hawaii's sales tax rate of 4% compares to a national average of approximately 5.10%. This is below the national average.
Tips for Hawaii Residents
- 1Hawaii does not have a traditional sales tax — it levies a 4% General Excise Tax (GET) on businesses, which most pass on to consumers. On Oahu, the combined rate is 4.5%.
- 2Unlike a sales tax, Hawaii's GET applies to nearly everything — including services, rent, medical care, and even food — making it one of the broadest consumption taxes in the U.S.
- 3Because the GET is on the seller's gross income, the effective rate to consumers can actually be slightly higher than 4% when the tax is passed through.
- 4Groceries and most services are not exempt from Hawaii's GET — this is a key difference from traditional sales tax states.
- 5Hawaii has no local sales taxes beyond the 0.5% Oahu surcharge, keeping the system relatively simple geographically.