Taxes

Expenditure growth has repeatedly outpaced revenue gains, resulting in recurring operating deficits and drawdowns in fund balance....

One feature of our legislative session is that a lot of work needs to get done in a short amount of time. When that happens, there are “oops” moments....

The paper provides taxpayers with concise information regarding the importance of these Hawaii tax cliffs and suggests policy changes....

...real property tax rates were reduced by 3.1 percent across the board from fiscal year 2014 rates....

This week we look at the term “stable funding source.” In business, there is no such thing....

The half-percent GET surcharge for Oahu, which by law can only be used for Honolulu's rail system, began in January 2007 and is set to expire at the end of 2022....

...You’ll never see it as a line item in the budget....

One of the bills now making its way through the Legislature concerns the motion picture, digital media, and film production tax credit....

The Aloha State is known for its high cost of living. High income tax rates are part of the reason....

Hawaii citizens have earned enough for the year's tax bill - one day later than last year....

New report ranks Hawaii 36th in economic outlook and 17th in economic performance....

Your 2013 tax dollars—which are due today—went primarily to pay for government benefits....

This problem could be solved if Congress steps in....

...criminal activities, including “violating taxpayers’ constitutional rights,” “misleading investigators,” and “exposing private taxpayer information”....

States with the largest percentage increase were North Dakota (27.8 percent), California (15.6 percent), Hawaii (10.5 percent)....

Hawaii moved from 14th to 20th....

At June 30, 2013, ERS had an “unfunded actuarial accrued liability” of about $8.4 billion. For EUTF, the number was about $18.2 billion....

...highlighting those bills that champion taxpayers and residents; and bills that affect our rights and freedoms....

Constitutionally, the state can only engage in annual deficit spending as long as there are enough cash reserves to absorb these deficits....

Once in a while people fight with taxing agencies about their taxes....

...rates and rankings of all 50 states on 39 different measures of tax and fiscal policy....

The downward forecast means that the state has now fewer projected revenues that could be used to fund some of the proposed spending initiatives....

Here are the tax highlights from the 2014 Legislative Session....

This bill is still alive and it represents probably the largest TAX INCREASE still moving.....

Californians face the highest top marginal personal dividend tax rate in the United States of 33 percent, followed by taxpayers in New York (31.5 percent), and Hawaii (31.6 percent)....

The council projected zero percent growth for the fiscal year that ends in June, down from 3.3 percent....

Appeals officers help over 100,000 taxpayers each year resolve their tax disputes with the IRS....

The governor may not be following the legislative process closely....

Mr. Yamachika discusses the state’s current tax policies and the work of Tax Foundation....

“The tax code stables in Washington haven’t been cleaned out since 1986.” And it shows....

Among the proposals being considered are a low-income credit; a food and excise tax credit; a low-income household renters’ credit; an earned income tax credit; and a special tax credit for seniors....

IRS officials admitted that groups with conservative leanings, especially with the words “tea party” or “patriot” in their names, had been targeted....

New states considering online travel agency taxes should consider the harmful effect on tourism and the potential for legal battles they're likely to lose....

When you and I pay our taxes, we probably expect that the money we pay in will be used toward any and all legitimate financial needs of the state....

Caldwell's Garbage Tax Would Hit Nonprofits, Small Business Hard....

If the legislature is serious about fighting poverty in Hawaii, a broader and more comprehensive discussion is essential....

...its major impact has been as a funding source for energy and food security initiatives....

32 states have similar exemptions, and research has demonstrated that low and middle-income families spend a larger proportion of their income on food costs....

"Well, I’m always pleased to share credit when people realize they can’t avoid their responsibilities anymore...." - Abercrombie

Recently the mayors of our four large counties all got together in what has been described as their annual pilgrimage to the legislature....

Attorney General David M. Louie joined 46 fellow state and territorial attorneys general in signing a letter sent to the U.S. Trade Representative....

Senator Slom and Representative Aaron Ling Johanson and his fellow House Republicans are introducing companion legislation that includes financial relief for every taxpayer in Hawaii....

There was only one Lowell Kalapa, and he is now in a place where there are no taxes....