Kauai county offers free summer workshops on property tax relief

Kauai homeowners could cut next year’s property tax bill at three free workshops in Hanalei, Līhue and Waimea, where County and Office of Hawaiian Affairs staff will help residents sort through exemptions, eligibility and applications.

The County of Kauai Real Property Division is scheduling the sessions for May 27 at Waipā Foundation’s Keanolani Hale in Hanalei, June 24 at Līhue Public Library and July 15 at Waimea Public Library. Each workshop will run from 5 to 7 p.m., and dinner will be provided at all three stops. Residents can register through the county’s short link.

The timing matters for anyone trying to get ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline for filing exemption claims and recording ownership documents. Kauai’s tax year runs from July 1 through June 30, assessment notices go out Dec. 1 and first-half bills are mailed July 20, with payment due Aug. 20. County tax rates are set before June 20, leaving a narrow window for homeowners who need help figuring out which relief programs fit their situation.

The county says the workshops will cover available property tax exemptions, eligibility requirements and application processes, with hands-on assistance available in a supportive community setting. That could be especially useful for households navigating inherited property, kuleana lands, lineal descent issues or paperwork tied to agricultural use and rental status.

The biggest savings can go to older owner-occupants and low-income households. Kauai’s current homeowner exemption is $220,000, which is deducted from assessed value before tax is calculated. For the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the county lists an additional $240,000 exemption for owner-occupants ages 60 to 69 and $260,000 for those 70 and older. The county also says its Very Low-Income Tax Credit can limit real property taxes to 3% of gross income or the minimum tax, whichever is higher.

Other relief paths include the Additional Home Exemption for Low Income, the Home Preservation Tax Limitation for owner-occupants whose property value is $1 million or more after exemptions, and Long-Term Affordable Rentals for qualifying one-year-or-longer rentals that meet county and HUD affordability criteria. Several of those programs require annual applications, making the summer workshops a practical stop for anyone who needs to renew or compare options.

Residents who need more information about property tax exemptions can contact the Real Property Assessment Office at 808-241-4224. People who need auxiliary aids, interpreters or alternate-format materials can contact Randon Valenciano at 808-241-4234 or rvalenciano@kauai.gov as soon as possible. The Real Property Assessment Office is at 4444 Rice Street, Suite 454, Līhue, and is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays.