LIHU‘E — The County of Kaua‘i is announcing that 2021 real property tax exemptions or tax credits are available.
Exemptions and credits may be available if the property owner is a primary resident of Kaua‘i and not currently receiving a home exemption or tax credit.
Property owners must file claims to reduce the real property taxes on their homes to qualify. To qualify for a home exemption, owners must occupy their properties as principal homes and hold no other property exemption anywhere in the world.
For the exemption or tax credit to be effective in fiscal year 2021-22, the claim must be filed by Wednesday, Sept. 30.
The deadline is for totally disabled veterans, property owners who are deaf, blind or totally disabled, nonprofit organizations, low- and moderate-income housing projects, property owners with eligible safe rooms, kuleana owners, and an additional home exemption relating to owner-occupants’ income.
Tax-credit programs include home preservation tax limitation and the very-low-income tax credit. The long-term affordable rental program allows for application of the lowest tax rate for eligible landlords.
In order to qualify for tax relief, the document by which the property was acquired (i.e., deed, lease, agreement of sale, etc.) must be recorded at the state Bureau of Conveyances on or before Sept. 30. To expedite the filing process, the claimant should know the tax-map-key number of the property.
Questions regarding the 2021 COVID-19 relief rollover of an existing 2020 low-income exemption or 2020 tax credit or the continuing status of a multi-year lease agreement should be directed to the county Finance Department Rel Property Division, 241-4224 or kauaipropertytax.com. The website has forms and instructions.