If you earned income in Hawaii in 2016—whether through a job, your own business, or other sources—there’s a good chance you need to file a state tax return. But figuring out precisely what’s required, which forms to use, and how to avoid penalties can be confusing, especially with rules that differ from federal filing.
This guide explains how to file your 2016 Hawaii tax return in transparent and manageable steps. It’s designed for a wide range of taxpayers, including full-year residents, part-year residents, nonresidents, and those who are self-employed or run small businesses.
You'll learn who needs to file, what income is taxable, how to calculate your tax liability, and which credits or deductions might apply to your situation. The article also covers payment methods, tracking refunds, and common filing errors to avoid. Whether submitting your return for the first time or correcting a past mistake, this guide will help you confidently complete the process.
Whether you're a full-time resident of Hawaii or only spent part of the year in the state, understanding who must file an individual income tax return for 2016 is an essential first step. Filing isn’t just for traditional employees—many self-employed individuals, independent contractors, and those receiving other types of income also have to file.
You are required to file a Hawaii state return if, in 2016, you:
You must also file if you:
You were required to file a Hawaii tax return if your gross income in 2016 exceeded the following thresholds:
These income limits include all sources of gross income, such as wages, self-employment earnings, rental income, interest, dividends, and income from property sales.
All types of income, including wages, earnings from self-employment, rental income, interest, dividends, and proceeds from the sale of real estate, are included in these thresholds.
If you had taxes withheld from your paycheck or made estimated tax payments during 2016, filing a return may allow you to claim a refund—even if your total income is below the required filing threshold.
Filing may also be necessary if you plan to carry forward tax credits, apply for state programs, or want to maintain excellent standing with the Hawaii Department of Taxation.
Hawaii’s tax deadlines for 2016 followed a schedule similar to federal filing, but with its own specific rules. Meeting these due dates is essential to avoid unnecessary penalties or interest.
The original filing deadline for the 2016 tax year for Hawaii state returns was April 20, 2017. This applies whether you're filing as a full-year resident using Form N-11 or a part-year/nonresident using Form N-15.
If you weren’t ready to file by the April deadline, you could request a six-month extension by submitting Form N-101A by April 20. This gave you until October 20, 2017, to file your return. However, this extension only applied to filing, not paying what you owed.
To avoid interest and late penalties, you must pay 100% of your estimated taxes by April 20, even if you planned to file your tax return later.
Failing to meet the deadlines could result in the following:
Even if you couldn’t pay in full, filing on time helped reduce additional charges. If you were due a refund, there was no late filing penalty, but you still needed to file to claim it.
Before preparing your Hawaii tax return, you must gather the proper documents and determine which forms apply to your situation. Hawaii uses its state tax forms, separate from those used for federal income tax filings with the IRS.
The primary forms you'll need depend on your residency status:
If you're claiming specific credits or deductions, you may also need:
To avoid delays, be sure to gather all of the following:
Keeping your materials organized makes completing your return easier and claiming any refunds or credits you’re eligible for.
If you lived in Hawaii for all of 2016, you’ll likely file using Form N-11. This section provides a clear breakdown of each step in the filing process so you can complete your return accurately and avoid delays.
Before starting, collect everything you need:
At the top of Form N-11, provide your:
Furthermore, check the boxes for people aged 65 or older or blind, if applicable.
Hawaii begins with your Federal AGI. Locate this figure on your federal Form 1040 and enter it on line 7 of Form N-11.
This figure forms the basis for your Hawaii income calculations.
Next, make required adjustments to your federal AGI based on state rules. These adjustments are listed in lines 8 through 20 on the form and include:
After completing these adjustments, you'll arrive at your Hawaii adjusted gross income.
You may claim either the standard deduction or itemize your deductions. For most filers, the standard deduction will apply:
Complete the Itemized Deductions Worksheet and attach it to your return if you itemize.
From your Hawaii AGI:
You’ll use the Hawaii Tax Table or Tax Rate Schedule to determine how much tax you owe based on this amount.
If you qualify, you may reduce your tax using a variety of tax credits.
Attach the correct schedules or forms if you claim any credits.
Now compare your total tax (line 36) to your tax payments (line 41), which include:
Don’t forget to:
You can file a tax return through the Hawaii Tax Online portal or by mail. E-filing is generally the most convenient and secure way to file and receive a faster refund.
In Hawaii, businesses don’t pay a traditional sales tax. Instead, they’re subject to the General Excise Tax (GET), which applies to other online transactions, including sales of goods and services. Understanding and filing GET is essential when operating a retail shop, working as a freelancer, or running a rental business.
Anyone who does business in Hawaii must register for a GET tax license, regardless of whether they earn a profit. This includes:
Applying for a Hawaii GET license using Form BB-1 is the first step. You’ll also receive an employer identification number (EIN) or Hawaii Tax ID if you don’t already have one.
Hawaii businesses file GET using two key forms:
Your filing frequency is determined by the total amount of GET you expect to pay over a year:
You must file on time even if you made no sales during the period—just enter zeros if you had no activity.
Different activities are taxed at different rates:
Be sure to categorize your gross income accurately to avoid underpaying.
If eligible for a GET exemption (such as income from exported services), you must complete Schedule GE and attach it to your G-45 or G-49. Missing this step is a standard error resulting in unnecessary tax bills or audits.
Some of the most frequent issues small business filers encounter include:
Accurate and timely filing keeps your business in excellent standing and avoids penalties that can add up over time.
Once your tax forms are complete, the next step is to file your tax returns and make any necessary payments. Hawaii offers electronic and paper filing options, each with benefits. Choosing the correct method depends on your preference, filing complexity, and desire for faster processing.
Hawaii encourages taxpayers to use Hawaii Tax Online at hitax.hawaii.gov. It’s a secure portal where individuals and businesses can:
The system supports many online transactions and reduces errors by checking your forms as you enter data. Refunds are generally processed faster when you e-file.
You can also use approved third-party tax software if you prefer filing through a commercial service.
If you choose to file by mail:
Mail your forms to the correct address based on whether you’re including a payment:
Whether filing online or by mail, you have several payment options:
Choosing e-filing and online payment is often the most efficient and secure way to complete your Hawaii return and avoid processing delays.
After you file your return, monitoring your status is essential—especially if you're expecting a refund or need to confirm payments went through correctly.
To check your Hawaii state refund, visit the secure "Check Your Refund Status" tool at tax.hawaii.gov. You’ll need your Social Security Number and the exact refund amount.
Alternatively, you can call:
Be aware that refunds are generally issued within:
Delays can occur if you file close to the deadline, have missing information, or if the Department needs to verify your eligibility for credits.
If you paid by check, keep a copy of the cleared check. For online report payments, check your Hawaii Tax Online account.
If you owe taxes and didn’t pay in full, managing the balance is essential to avoid interest or additional penalties. Payment plans may be applicable if you can’t pay all at once. Just contact the Department of Taxation for options.
For the most accurate and updated guidance, refer to the Department's website, where many pages are marked “last reviewed or updated” to reflect current policy.
Before submitting your return, it’s worth reviewing a quick checklist to ensure everything is complete and accurate. Minor errors can delay processing, reduce your refund, or lead to unwanted notices from the Department of Taxation.
You can also visit the official Department of Taxation page for updated instructions, printable forms, and contact options.
If you missed the tax payment deadline, you may still file your return, but late penalties and interest will apply. It's best to pay as soon as possible to reduce charges. You can also contact the Department of Taxation to set up a payment plan. Include all required forms to report your income tax liability properly.
Yes, self-employed individuals are generally required to make estimated taxes quarterly if they expect to owe more than $500 in income tax for the year. This includes sole proprietors, freelancers, and gig workers. Making timely estimated payments helps you avoid penalties and keeps your tax obligations on track.
Independent contractors are considered self-employed and must register for a general excise tax (GET) license. They are responsible for paying business taxes on income earned in Hawaii, even if they don’t have employees. GET applies to most services, so contractors should file GET returns periodically based on their tax filing status.
Most small businesses must obtain a General Excise Tax license, which serves as the primary tax license in Hawaii. This license is required before you can legally operate and must be displayed at your business location. You can apply for one online using Form BB-1, and the permit is issued along with your employer identification number or Hawaii Tax ID.
If you’re a business entity, have employees, or file certain returns like withholding or GET, then yes—an employer identification number (EIN) is required. Sole proprietors without employees may be able to use their Social Security Number, but applying for an EIN is often helpful for managing tax filings and maintaining separation between personal and business finances.
You must file if you receive income from Hawaii sources, including wages, self-employment earnings, rental income, or interest and dividends. Even if you live out of state, Hawaii taxes income earned within its borders. Review the state’s filing thresholds and be sure to include all relevant income sources on your return.
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