Starting July 1, 2010, the Transient Accommodations Tax increases to 9.25%. This tax is in addition to the General Excise Tax of 4%. Thus, as of July 1, 2010, gross rental income from transient vacation rentals will be subject to a 13.25% tax.
The definition of transient accommodations, taken verbatim from the Transient Accommodations tax form instructions, issued by the State of Hawaii Tax office, follows:
The transient accommodations tax is levied on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derived from furnishing transient accommodations. For periods ending before July 1, 2009, the rate is 7.25%; for periods beginning after June 30, 2009 and ending before July 1, 2010, the rate is 8.25%; and for periods beginning after June 30, 2010, the rate is 9.25%. http://www6.hawaii.gov/tax/2011/ta1ins.pdf
A “transient accommodation” is an apartment, house, condominium, beach house, hotel room or suite, or similar living accommodation furnished to a transient person for less than 180 consecutive days in exchange for payment in cash, goods, or services.
“Gross rental or gross rental proceeds” includes amounts paid to you in the form of cash, goods, or services as compensation for furnishing a transient accommodation without any deductions for costs incurred in the operation of the transient accommodation.