Hawaii Transfer Tax: How Much It Is and Who Pays
Hawaii's Conveyance Tax is the whole price is taxed at the bracket rate: 0.1% up to $600,000, 0.2% from $600,000 to $1,000,000, 0.3% from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000, 0.5% from $2,000,000 to $4,000,000, 0.7% from $4,000,000 to $6,000,000, 0.9% from $6,000,000 to $10,000,000, 1% above $10,000,000: $1,547 on a $773,400 home.
Hawaii transfer tax by purchase price
| Purchase price | State tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | $150 | $150 |
| $200,000 | $200 | $200 |
| $250,000 | $250 | $250 |
| $300,000 | $300 | $300 |
| $350,000 | $350 | $350 |
| $400,000 | $400 | $400 |
| $450,000 | $450 | $450 |
| $500,000 | $500 | $500 |
| $600,000 | $600 | $600 |
| $700,000 | $1,400 | $1,400 |
| $800,000 | $1,600 | $1,600 |
| $1,000,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
Transfer tax calculator
Who pays
In Hawaii the seller pays the transfer tax by statute or custom, so it usually reduces the seller's proceeds rather than adding to the buyer's closing costs. Haw. Rev. Stat. Sec. 247-4(a): the tax is paid by the grantor, lessor, seller, or other person conveying realty, except when the U.S. or the State itself is the grantor, in which case the grantee/purchaser pays. The rate schedule nonetheless depends on the PURCHASER's eligibility for the county homeowner's exemption on property tax, an unusual buyer/seller interaction unique to Hawaii. Source
Frequently asked questions
How much is the transfer tax in Hawaii?
The state rate is the whole price is taxed at the bracket rate: 0.1% up to $600,000, 0.2% from $600,000 to $1,000,000, 0.3% from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000, 0.5% from $2,000,000 to $4,000,000, 0.7% from $4,000,000 to $6,000,000, 0.9% from $6,000,000 to $10,000,000, 1% above $10,000,000, which is $1,547 on a $773,400 home.
Who pays the transfer tax in Hawaii?
In Hawaii the seller pays the transfer tax by statute or custom, so it usually reduces the seller's proceeds rather than adding to the buyer's closing costs. Haw. Rev. Stat. Sec. 247-4(a): the tax is paid by the grantor, lessor, seller, or other person conveying realty, except when the U.S. or the State itself is the grantor, in which case the grantee/purchaser pays. The rate schedule nonetheless depends on the PURCHASER's eligibility for the county homeowner's exemption on property tax, an unusual buyer/seller interaction unique to Hawaii. Source
Is there a mortgage or recordation tax too?
No. Hawaii taxes the deed only; recording the mortgage costs a flat recording fee, not a percentage.
Are there exemptions?
No first-time buyer exemption exists, but Hawaii's rate schedule itself is lower across every bracket for a purchaser who will occupy the home and qualifies for the county homeowner's exemption on property tax, versus a purchaser who will not (see state.notes for the non-owner-occupant table).
Sources
- Haw. Rev. Stat. Sec. 247-2(1) (owner-occupant / homeowner's-exemption-eligible purchaser rates), Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 247
- Who pays
Rates as the statute or revenue department publishes them, checked 2026-09-22. Figures are computed from those rates and rounded to the dollar; exemptions for first-time buyers or principal residences are noted where they exist and are not applied. All sources.
All Hawaii buyer closing costs → Hawaii title insurance cost →
Figures are computed from the statute cited above and rounded to the dollar. This is general information, not tax or legal advice.
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