Hawaii Tax Brackets
How to read this: Only the income within each bracket is taxed at that rate. Your total tax is the sum across brackets.
| Income Range | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 - $9,600 | 1.40% |
| $9,600 - $14,400 | 3.20% |
| $14,400 - $19,200 | 5.50% |
| $19,200 - $24,000 | 6.40% |
| $24,000 - $36,000 | 6.80% |
| $36,000 - $48,000 | 7.20% |
| $48,000 - $125,000 | 7.60% |
| $125,000 - $175,000 | 7.90% |
| $175,000 - $225,000 | 8.25% |
| $225,000 - $275,000 | 9.00% |
| $275,000 - $325,000 | 10.00% |
| $325,000+ | 11.00% |
Brackets shown for single filers. Married filing jointly brackets may differ. Use the calculator above to see your specific situation.
What People Get Wrong
“Progressive tax means I'll pay the top 11% on all my income in Hawaii.”
Hawaii's progressive system starts at just 1.4% for the first $2,400-$4,800 of income (depending on filing status), and most middle-income earners pay effective rates around 6%-8%, not 11%. The 11% rate only applies to income above $200,000 (single) or $400,000 (married). Someone earning $75,000 pays an effective rate around 7%-8% (~ $5,250-$6,000 annually).
“Hawaii has a sales tax like other states.”
Hawaii uses a General Excise Tax (GET) of 4% state rate plus county additions (up to 0.5%), which is different from traditional sales tax. GET is applied to business gross income and passed to consumers, creating a different tax structure than states with traditional sales tax The GET is embedded in prices, so consumers may not see it as a separate line item like sales tax in other states.
“No local taxes means Hawaii is cheaper than other states.”
While Hawaii avoids local income tax complications, the progressive income tax with relatively high rates (up to 11%) combined with the GET (4%-4.5%) and high cost of living (especially housing, which is among the highest in the nation) can create a significant total tax and living cost burden. A high earner in Hawaii pays up to 11% income tax, while high earners in flat-tax states like Pennsylvania pay 3.07% state (though PA may have local EIT). Factor in all taxes and cost of living when comparing Hawaii to other states.
Key Facts That Affect Your Take-Home Pay
- Hawaii uses a progressive income tax system with twelve brackets, starting at 1.4% for the first $2,400 of income (single) or $4,800 (married) and escalating through many incremental brackets to a top rate of 11% for income above $200,000 (single) or $400,000 (married), making Hawaii's bracket structure one of the most complex and comprehensive among progressive states.
- Hawaii's progressive brackets are compressed at the bottom with many small incremental brackets, meaning taxpayers move through many rates quickly. For a $75,000 earner, income is taxed across multiple brackets creating an effective rate around 7%-8%, not the top 11% rate.
- Hawaii does not levy income taxes at the municipal level, ensuring consistent income tax structure throughout the state. All Hawaii residents have the same income tax structure: only the state progressive brackets apply.
