4% state rate, 4.5% with local tax.
Rates vary by city and product. Confirm yours with your state.
Hawaii’s average combined rate is the 45th highest of the 50 states. Hawaii’s tax is a general excise tax charged to businesses on their sales, and most businesses pass it on to customers. Counties add a surcharge of up to 0.5%.
As of July 1, 2026. Source: Tax Foundation
| Price | Tax at 4% | Tax at 4.5% | Total at 4.5% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $0.40 | $0.45 | $10.45 |
| $25.00 | $1.00 | $1.13 | $26.13 |
| $50.00 | $2.00 | $2.25 | $52.25 |
| $100.00 | $4.00 | $4.50 | $104.50 |
| $250.00 | $10.00 | $11.25 | $261.25 |
| $500.00 | $20.00 | $22.50 | $522.50 |
| $1,000.00 | $40.00 | $45.00 | $1,045.00 |
Example: $100 at 4% is $4.00 of tax, $104.00 in total. Take the tax back out of $104.00 and you get $100.00.
Add Hawaii sales tax to a price, or take it back out of a total, at the 4% state rate or the 4.5% average with local taxes.
Hawaii’s statewide rate is 4%. Cities and counties add their own, averaging 0.5%, for an average combined rate of 4.5%. The highest local rate is 0.5%, so the most you can pay anywhere in the state is 4.5%. Rates as of July 1, 2026.
Multiply the price by the rate. At 4%, $100 × 0.04 = $4.00 of tax, $104.00 in total. Use your city’s combined rate for the exact amount; the 4.5% average is a good estimate.
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate. $104.00 ÷ 1.04 = $100.00 before tax.
Hawaii’s average combined rate is the 45th highest of the 50 states.
The Tax Foundation’s State and Local Sales Tax Rates, July 1, 2026, compiled from each state’s revenue department. Local averages are weighted by population. Check your exact rate, and which items are exempt, with the state revenue department.