TAX MAN: Is it possible, permissible for the state to tax itself?
The Hawaii State Tax Watch Doggie came to me with an unusual question.
TAX MAN: It’s the economy, and Hawai‘i’s is ranked near the bottom
These days, there are tons and tons of new items keeping our minds occupied – from the Johnny Depp trial to the January 6 hearings to the demise of Roe v. Wade. As our primary and general elections edge ever closer, however, there are a few long-term concepts that we as voters should be top of mind as well.
TAX MAN: Maui No Ka $$, has $1 billion county budget
Maui, our Valley Isle, has been on the move lately. It recently passed a budget, its largest ever, where it proposes to spend more than $1 billion in this fiscal year. This, by the way, is a 26% increase over last fiscal year’s budget of $844 million.
TAX MAN: We’ve got bills – lots of them
Sometimes we wonder just how lucky we are to live in Hawai‘i. We all know it’s a pricey place, but sometimes it takes raw statistics to drive that point home.
TAX MAN: General excise tax on nonprofits
Many of us have had the chance to work with nonprofit associations, either as a board member, volunteer or paid staff. It isn’t clear to many people how our tax laws, specifically our GET, apply to these associations, so I am presenting a simplified guide to how the GET works.
TAX MAN: The Kansas Experiment: ten years later
About 10 years ago, the state of Kansas enacted one of the largest income-tax cuts in that state’s history. It came after vigorous efforts by Kansas’ governor at the time, Sam Brownback. He compared his tax policies with those of Ronald Reagan and predicted that the cuts would be a “shot of adrenaline into the heart of the Kansas economy.”
TAX MAN: A brief look at transit history
This week, I’m going to do something a little different. I’m going to trot out an analysis that was done by one of my predecessors. Who and when will be revealed later. (My comments on how they relate to today’s situation are in parentheses.)
TAX MAN: If you think gas prices are bad now, try wait
Many of us who drive cars now dread the day when we’ve got to go to the gas station. Between COVID-19, Russia vs. Ukraine, and other economic factors, gas prices have already passed the $5 per gallon mark and don’t appear to be falling anytime soon.
TAX MAN: More bills are now in the home stretch
In last week’s column we started a list of bills that the Hawaii Legislature has passed up to the Governor for action. Here’s a list of some of the eyebrow-raising bills that have gone to the fifth floor.
TAX MAN: Bills hit the home stretch after legislative adjournment
The Hawaii Legislature is done for the year. Its last day for this session was May 5th. It has done all its work on new laws for this season.
TAX MAN: To GET or Not to GET – SVOG and RRF are the questions
The COVID-19 pandemic made history both here and abroad, but for different reasons.
TAX MAN: Foundation on the lookout for ‘stealth taxes’
Here at the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, we try to follow and report on bills proposing new taxes. We try like heck to pick up any bill that mentions taxes, or affects the tax codes.
TAX MAN: Once upon a rebate
Once upon a time there was a Governor Dorothy of Hawaii who looked out over her domain and said, “Gee, we’ve got lots of money this year! The economy has come roaring back so we’ve got a big chunk of tax revenue, and we also have a bunch of Federal aid funds.”
TAX MAN: Auditor Persecution Continues
Hi there! This is the Hawaii State Tax Watch Doggie. Today I’m playing a real person who testified before the House Special Investigative Committee. The Committee was supposed to be looking into problems at the Department of Land and Natural Resources because of a less-than-glowing report by the State Auditor. But guess who got slammed by the Committee just as much, if not more? The Auditor.
TAX MAN: A tax game-changer for nonprofits
This week again, we spotlight some legislation that has the potential to change our tax system in very bold ways.
TAX MAN: A bold step forward from diapers
Our latest tale of legislative drama starts from diapers.
TAX MAN: Earned Income Tax Credit: Great, but where is it?
A few years ago, in 2017 to be exact, our lawmakers enacted an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which then was touted as a truly wonderful way to deliver tax relief to working families.
TAX MAN: On non-ad-valorem property-tax financing
In our Legislature this year, there is a bill advancing that contains an innovative (or horrible, depending on your point of view) idea for financing certain home improvements.
TAX MAN: Launching an annual attack on the wealthy
Occasionally, lawmakers in the square building on Beretania Street come up with an idea that hasn’t been tried here before to see whether it sticks to the wall. This year, one of those ideas is a “wealth tax.” It’s currently in Senate Bill 3182, and Senate Bill 3250 would form a working group to study the imposition of a wealth tax.
TAX MAN: Blockbusters buried in ‘Tax Administration’
Every year, our Department of Taxation submits bills to the Legislature for their consideration. Those bills are included in the Governor’s Package. Under our laws (section 231-3(7), HRS), the Department is supposed to recommend “any amendments, changes, or modifications of the laws as may seem proper or necessary to remedy injustice or irregularity in taxation or to facilitate the assessment of taxes.”