How Hawaii taxes car purchases
- State vehicle tax rate
- 4%
- Trade-in lowers the tax
- No
- Tax cap
- None
- Source
- Official source, checked 2026-10-05
These are the rules for a new car bought from a dealer. Used-car and private-sale rules can differ. How we check this data.
Hawaii charges 4% at the state level. General excise tax; county surcharges add more. That rate is higher than 7 states and lower than 39 states. County and city taxes may add to it, so check your local rate and enter the total in the calculator.
What to know in Hawaii
Hawaii doesn't have a sales tax in the usual sense. Its general excise tax is charged on the business's gross income, and dealers pass it on to buyers, usually as a line on the bill. The state rate is 4%, and county surcharges are added on top.
Because the tax is on the dealer's gross income from selling you the new car, your trade-in doesn't reduce it. A trade-in still lowers how much you borrow, but it brings no tax break, so it's worth checking what your old car would fetch in a private sale.
Does Hawaii tax your trade-in?
Yes. Hawaii taxes the full price of the new car even when you trade one in. On a $35,000 car you'd pay $1,400.00 in state tax with or without a $10,000 trade-in. Because trading in gives you no tax break here, selling your old car privately is often worth more.
Example: a car loan in Hawaii
A $35,000 car with $5,000 down, $1,500 in fees, and a 60-month loan at 6.5% APR ($1,400.00 state tax, rolled into the loan):
- Monthly payment: $643.73
- Amount financed: $32,900
- Total interest: $5,724
- Total cost of the car: $43,624
Change any number in the calculator above to see your own figures.
Rebates and fees
The calculator charges tax on the price before any manufacturer rebate. Ask the dealer how Hawaii treats your specific rebate. Title, registration and dealer documentation fees vary, so ask for an itemized out-the-door price and put the fee total in the calculator.
Other states
States with similar vehicle tax rates:
- New Mexico 4%
- New York 4%
- South Dakota 4%
- Wyoming 4%
- Virginia 4.15%