Hawaii GET is a tax on your gross business income, not a sales tax on the buyer. The standard rate is 4% statewide, and Oahu adds a 0.5% county surcharge for an effective 4.5%. Wholesale and manufacturing activity is taxed at 0.5%. Your estimated tax is simply your gross income for the period multiplied by the rate that applies to your activity and island.
Because you are allowed to visibly pass on the GET to customers, and the tax then also applies to that passed-on amount, the maximum pass-on rate is slightly higher than the base rate — 4.712% on Oahu and 4.166% in counties without a surcharge. Passing it on is optional; the business still owes the tax either way.
This calculator is a general estimate, not tax advice. It does not account for exemptions, deductions, wholesale/retail splits within one business, or use tax. Verify amounts with the Hawaii Department of Taxation (tax.hawaii.gov) or your CPA before filing.
openbooks.fyi computes your GET from your real books and files Form G-45 on your schedule. First month free.
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