Hawaii Car GET Calculator
Estimate Hawaii’s General Excise Tax (GET) on a vehicle. The tax is applied to the full vehicle price before any trade-in deductions.
Note: Trade-in value does not reduce the taxable amount in Hawaii.
What Makes Hawaii’s Car Tax Different?
In most states, buyers pay a sales tax on vehicles, often with deductions for trade-ins. Hawaii doesn’t follow this model. Instead, it applies a General Excise Tax (GET):
- Tax applies to the full price of the car.
Unlike other states, trade-in value does not reduce the taxable amount. If your new car costs $35,000, you’ll be taxed on $35,000 — even if you traded in a vehicle worth $10,000. - Rates vary by island.
Each county applies its own GET surcharge. For cars, here’s what you can expect:- Oahu (Honolulu County): 4.5%
- Maui (Maui County): 4.0%
- Kauai (Kauai County): 4.5%
- Hawaii / Big Island (Hawaii County): 4.5%
Why Use a Hawaii Car GET Calculator?
Taxes on big purchases like cars can add thousands to your total cost. A calculator helps you:
- Get clarity instantly. No guesswork — just type in the numbers and see the result.
- Compare counties. If you’re shopping across islands, you’ll know how the tax shifts.
- Avoid surprises at the dealership. Walk in already knowing what your final bill will look like.
How the Calculator Works
The Hawaii Car GET Calculator is designed to be simple:
- Enter the vehicle price. For example, $35,000.
- (Optional) Enter trade-in value. You can note it, but remember: it doesn’t reduce taxable value in Hawaii.
- Select your island/county. Pick Oahu, Maui, Kauai, or Big Island.
- Click “Calculate GET.”
The calculator instantly shows:
- Taxable amount (full car price)
- GET rate for your county
- Estimated total tax
You can reset anytime to try new numbers.
Example Calculation
Let’s say you’re buying a $35,000 car in Honolulu (Oahu):
- Vehicle price: $35,000
- GET rate: 4.5%
- Estimated GET: $1,575
Your total out-of-pocket (before registration and fees) would be $36,575.
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