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HRS §235-52

Tax on joint returns and surviving spouse returns

This section explains how Hawaii taxes a married couple filing jointly or a surviving spouse filing as if joint. It says the tax is calculated by taking half the income, figuring the tax on that, then doubling it. A surviving spouse is treated the same as a married couple filing jointly.

everyone

The statute, as written — Tax in case of joint return or return of surviving spouse

In the case of a joint return of a husband and wife under section 235-93, the tax imposed, as near as may be, by this chapter shall be twice the tax which would be imposed if the taxable income were cut in half. For purposes of this section and section 235-53, a return of a surviving spouse, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, shall be treated as a joint return of a husband and wife under section 235-93. [L Sp 1957, c 1, pt of §2; Supp, §121-9; HRS §235-52; am L 1982, c 22, §1(3); am L 1987, c 239, §1(12)]
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§235-53 Tax tables for individuals

§235-93 Filing a joint state tax return as a married couple

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