By Staff Reports

(HONOLULU )- The City and County of Honolulu is encouraging homeowners who live on a property as their principal home to file a Home Exemption with the Real Property Assessment Division (“RPAD”) to receive a reduction on their real property assessment and taxes. A homeowners exemption (HOX) is granted to one of the titleholders, usually the eldest titleholder of the parcel. Additional approved applicants serve as backup claimants. Taxpayers can add backup claimants under a HOX at the real property assessment division’s website at https://www.realpropertyhonolulu.com, by double clicking on the menu item below:

Other changes in status, such as the claimant’s ownership of the property or relocation of the principal home to a different property, will cause the exemption to be disallowed. The owner-claimant must report the change in status to RPAD within 30 days. Failure to notify RPAD of the changes may subject the homeowner to back taxes and a civil penalty for each year that the change remains unreported.

Bill 40 (2022) CD1, FD1, recently signed into law by Mayor Blangiardi, increases the HOX amount for owners under the age of 65 from $100,000 to $120,000 and for owners 65 years of age and older, from $140,000 to $160,000. Persons filing for the HOX exemption is granted based on seniority of age for all owners with a claim on record.

The $20,000 increase in HOX will take effect on July 1, 2024 and will continue for each tax year, unless there is a change in status affecting eligibility.

In summary, visit realpropertyhonolulu.com to file a HOX claim online, add a backup claimant or to download a claim form. Claim forms may be hand-delivered or mailed to either RPAD office location provided below. For a receipted copy when mailing, enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope. For proof of filing, mail the claim form via certified or registered mail and retain the receipt. Additional exemption and real property assessment information can also be found online at realpropertyhonolulu.com. Inquiries may be submitted via email to bfsrpmailbox@honolulu.gov or by calling (808) 768-3799.