HCC §12-55
Tax exemption for county bonds and federal tax rules
Read the official text at hawaiicounty.gov ↗This section says that bonds issued under this chapter and their income are free from state and county taxes, except for inheritance, transfer, and estate taxes. It also says the county will try to issue bonds that meet federal tax rules so interest is not taxed federally, and it sets rules for keeping that tax-exempt status.
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The ordinance, as written (Hawaiʻi County) — 1. Exemption from taxes
A copy, taken August 21, 2026. The version published by Hawaiʻi County is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
(a) All bonds heretofore or hereafter issued under the authority of this chapter and the income therefrom shall be exempt from any and all taxation by the State or any County or other political subdivision thereof, except inheritance, transfer, and estate taxes. (b) Bonds issued under this chapter, to the extent practicable, shall be issued so as to comply with requirements imposed by valid Federal law providing that the interest on those bonds shall be excluded from gross income for Federal income purposes (except as certain minimum taxes or environmental taxes may apply). The director of finance is authorized to enter into arrangements, establish funds or accounts, and take any action required in order to comply with any valid Federal law. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to prohibit the issuance of bonds, the interest on which may be included in gross income for Federal income tax purposes. For the purpose of ensuring that interest on bonds issued pursuant to this chapter which is excluded from gross income for Federal income tax purposes (except as provided above) on the date of issuance shall continue to be so excluded, no County officer or employee or user of an undertaking or loan program shall authorize or allow any change, amendment, or modification to an undertaking or loan program financed or refinanced with the proceeds of the bonds which change, IMPROVEMENTS BY ASSESSMENTS § 12-55.1 amendment or modification would affect the exclusion of interest on the bonds from gross income for Federal income tax purposes unless the change, amendment, or modification shall have received the prior approval of the director of finance. Failure to receive the approval of the director of finance shall render any change, amendment, or modification void. (1990, ord 90-127, sec 14.)12-55.1
Published by the County of Hawaiʻi Office of the County Clerk.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.