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HRS §235-107

What happens if you don't file your tax return

If you don't file a required tax return or refuse to sign it, the tax department will make a return for you using the best information they have. They will add penalties and interest. You can appeal, but you must prove the tax is wrong.

employers

The statute, as written — Procedure upon failure to file return

If any taxpayer or employer liable to make and file a return under this chapter fails, neglects, or refuses to make and file a return as required within the time prescribed, or declines to authenticate a return if made, the department of taxation shall make a return for the taxpayer or employer from the best information obtainable and shall levy and assess against the taxpayer or employer the tax upon the amount of taxable income, or the tax required to be withheld from wages and paid over, as shown by such return, to which shall be added the penalties and interest provided by section 231-39. The assessment shall be presumed to be correct until and unless, upon an appeal duly taken as provided in this chapter, the contrary shall be clearly proved by the taxpayer or employer and the burden of proof upon appeal shall be upon the taxpayer or employer to disprove the correctness of the assessment. Notice of the assessment shall be given, and an appeal therefrom may be taken, in the manner and within the time provided in section 235-108(b) and section 235-114. [L Sp 1957, c 1, pt of §2; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §16; Supp, §121-41; HRS §235-107]
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§235-108 Tax return audits and extra taxes

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.