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HRS §238-3

When the use tax does not apply and how credits work

This section lists situations where the use tax is not charged, such as when the tax would be illegal under federal law, when the same purchase was already taxed, or for certain exempt items. It also allows a credit for sales or use taxes paid to other states, but only up to the amount of Hawaii's use tax.

everyone

The statute, as written — Application of tax, etc

(a) The tax imposed by this chapter shall not apply to any property, services, or contracting or to any use of the property, services, or contracting that cannot legally be so taxed under the Constitution or laws of the United States, but only so long as, and only to the extent to which the State is without power to impose the tax. To the extent that any exemption, exclusion, or apportionment is necessary to comply with the preceding sentence, the director of taxation shall: (1) Exempt or exclude from the tax under this chapter, property, services, or contracting or the use of property, services, or contracting exempted under chapter 237; or (2) Apportion the gross value of services or contracting sold to customers within the State by persons engaged in business both within and without the State to determine the value of that portion of the services or contracting that is subject to taxation under chapter 237 for the purposes of section 237-21. (b) The tax imposed by this chapter shall not apply to any use of property, services, or contracting the transfer of which property, services, or contracting to, or the acquisition of which by, the person so using the same, has actually been or actually is taxed under chapter 237. (c) The tax imposed by this chapter shall be paid only once upon or in respect of the same property, services, or contracting; provided that nothing in this chapter contained shall be construed to exempt any property, services, or contracting, or the use thereof from taxation under any other law of the State. (d) The tax imposed by this chapter shall be in addition to any other taxes imposed by any other laws of the State, except as otherwise specifically provided herein; provided that if it be finally held by any court of competent jurisdiction, that the tax imposed by this chapter may not legally be imposed in addition to any other tax or taxes imposed by any other law or laws with respect to the same property, services, or contracting, or the use thereof, then this chapter shall be deemed not to apply to the property, services, or contracting, or the use thereof under such specific circumstances, but such other laws shall be given full effect with respect to the property, services, or contracting, or use. (e) The tax imposed by this chapter shall not apply to any use of property exempted by section 238-4. (f) The tax imposed by this chapter shall not apply to any use or consumption of aircraft and vessels, the transfer of which aircraft or vessel to, or the acquisition of which by, the person so using or consuming the same, or the rental for the use of the aircraft or vessel, has actually been or actually is taxed under chapter 237. (g) The tax imposed by this chapter shall not apply to any intoxicating liquor as defined in chapter 244D and cigarettes and tobacco products as defined in chapter 245, imported into the State and sold to any person or common carrier in interstate commerce, whether ocean-going or air, for consumption out-of-state by the person, crew, or passengers on the shipper's vessels or airplanes. (h) The tax imposed by this chapter shall not apply to any use of vessels constructed under section 189-25 prior to July 1, 1969. (i) Each taxpayer liable for the tax imposed by this chapter on property, services, or contracting shall be entitled to full credit for the combined amount or amounts of legally imposed sales or use taxes paid by the taxpayer with respect to the same transaction and property, services, or contracting to another state and any subdivision thereof, but the credit shall not exceed the amount of the use tax imposed under this chapter on account of the transaction and property, services, or contracting. The director of taxation may require the taxpayer to produce the necessary receipts or vouchers indicating the payment of the sales or use tax to another state or subdivision as a condition for the allowance of the credit. (j) The tax imposed by this chapter shall not apply to any use of property, services, or contracting exempted by section 237-26 or section 237-29. (k) The tax imposed by this chapter shall not apply to any use of air pollution control facility exempted by section 237-27.5.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§189-25 Boat loans: terms and limits

§237-26 Tax break for scientific work done for the U.S. government

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