Budget & Taxes (Business Taxes)

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2441: RELATING TO CAPITAL GAINS.

SB 2441 would tax profits from selling investments (like stocks or property) at the same rate as regular income, such as wages. This directly affects individuals and investors who earn capital gains, particularly higher earners who currently benefit from lower tax rates on these profits. The bill replaces the current preferential tax rate for capital gains with the standard income tax rate. This policy change would increase the tax burden for many investors who sell assets at a profit. The bill is currently in committee referral after its initial introduction and first reading.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals preferential capital gains tax rate, closing a loophole to increase revenue from higher earners, aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2156: RELATING TO TAXATION.

HB 2156 would raise the income or transaction thresholds that require businesses to file two specific taxes: the General Excise Tax (applied to most business activities) and the Transient Accommodations Tax (for short-term rentals like hotels or vacation homes). Businesses currently obligated to file below the new, higher thresholds would no longer need to file if their annual activity remains under the increased limit. This change directly affects small businesses and short-term rental operators who currently meet the lower filing requirements. The bill is pending committee referral as of January 2026, with no specific dollar amounts provided in the abstract.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRaises tax filing thresholds for small businesses, reducing compliance burden and providing tax relief per bill's focus on General Excise and Transient Accommodations Taxes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 92: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Includes agricultural businesses as a qualified high technology business to receive tax credits for certain research activities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax credits for agricultural research, providing targeted tax relief to businesses. Directly aligns with tax incentive support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives Tags Agriculture

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 596: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes an income tax credit for the purchase of electric garbage trucks by qualified taxpayers. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates income tax credit for electric truck purchases, providing targeted tax relief to incentivize green business investment within fiscal management framework.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyTax credit for electric garbage trucks promotes renewable energy adoption and reduces fossil fuel dependence in transportation.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProvides income tax credit for electric garbage trucks, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure and vehicle electrification.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits Electric Vehicles

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 947: RELATING TO TAXATION OF REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS.

HB 947 would change how real estate investment trusts (REITs) are taxed by eliminating their ability to deduct dividends paid to shareholders. This policy change directly affects REITs operating in the state, increasing their taxable income starting in 2026. The bill removes a specific tax deduction currently allowed for REITs, meaning these entities would pay more tax on their earnings beginning with taxable years after December 31, 2025. The bill is currently pending in committee review for the 2026 legislative session and has not yet been enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves REIT dividend deduction, increasing state tax revenue by closing a tax loophole, aligning with fiscal responsibility and budget strengthening.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 810: RELATING TO TAXATION OF AVIATION FUEL.

Imposes a state carbon emissions tax of $6.25 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions on all aviation fuel. Directs the aviation fuel tax into the airport revenue fund. Implements a tax credit to mitigate the effects of this tax on lower income taxpayers. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/24.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes carbon tax on aviation fuel funding airport revenue fund while providing tax credit for lower-income taxpayers, aligning with fiscal responsibility and funding public infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentImposes carbon tax on aviation fuel to reduce emissions, directing revenue to airport fund with tax credit for low-income taxpayers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Climate Change

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 2023: RELATING TO TAXATION.

SB 2023 increases the income or revenue thresholds that require businesses to file the General Excise Tax and Transient Accommodations Tax. This change would directly affect businesses currently subject to these taxes but operating below the new higher thresholds. The bill modifies the filing requirements by raising the monetary limits for when these tax filings become mandatory.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax filing thresholds for small businesses, reducing compliance burden. Direct tax relief aligns with support indicators for fiscal responsibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 2028: RELATING TO THE AQUACULTURE INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT.

For taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026, establishes a 5-year aquaculture investment tax credit for taxpayers that incur qualifying investment costs relating to qualified aquaculture businesses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes tax credit for aquaculture investments, providing tax relief to qualifying businesses per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2032: RELATING TO TAXATION.

PART II: Exempts the sale of groceries and nonprescription drugs from the general excise tax. PART III: Removes the state income tax on unemployment compensation benefits. PART IV: Doubles the standard deduction for individuals earning less than $100,000 and joint filers earning less than $200,000. Repeals the incremental increases on standard income tax deduction amounts. PART V: Increases the maximum adjusted gross income allowed to qualify for the low-income household renters' income tax credit and increases the credit amount. PART VI: Repeals the incremental changes to income tax brackets and removes the tax liability for the first $100,000 of individual income earned.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts groceries/nonprescription drugs from tax, removes income tax on unemployment benefits, doubles standard deductions for lower/middle-income earners, and increases low-income renters' tax credit.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves tax on unemployment benefits and increases tax deductions for low/middle-income earners, directly supporting workers' financial stability and reducing tax burden on employment income.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Sales Tax Unemployment Workers' Compensation

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1458: RELATING TO TAXATION OF ADVERTISING REVENUE BY MAJOR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS.

Establishes the Broadband and Digital Equity Special Fund to receive revenues earned by major social media platforms to fund initiatives expanding broadband access and local journalism initiatives. Directs the Department of Taxation to apply the state corporate income tax to advertising revenue earned by major social media platforms if the revenue is derived from content created within the State or from audiences located in the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesApplies corporate tax on social media ad revenue, funds broadband/journalism via new appropriation, strengthening tax base and funding public services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyDirectly funds broadband expansion and digital equity initiatives via tax on social media ad revenue, aligning with 'expands internet access' and 'promotes digital equity' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Broadband Access Social Media

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