HAR §18-238-5
HAR §18-238-5. Returns
Cite as Haw. Code R. § 18-238-5
(a) Except as provided in §18-238-6, any person liable for the tax under
chapter 238, HRS, shall file a monthly return with the collector of the taxation district in which the property subject
to the tax was held, or with the director at Honolulu. The return, Form G-HW-1, Schedule B shall be filed on or
before the last day of each calendar month following the month in which the tax liability accrued and shall be
accompanied by payment of the balance due after application of the deduction or credits, if any, as set out in §18-
238-2(h).
(b)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a taxpayer may be eligible to file his return, Form G-HW-1,
Schedule B, and make payment thereon, on a quarterly basis or, make monthly payments based on an estimated
quarterly liability with a reconciliation return at the end of each quarter, if he possesses a valid and current permit to
HRS §238-4
HRS §238-5
USE TAX LAW
§18-238-6
238- 7 (Unofficial Compilation as of 12/31/2025)
file his general excise tax return on a quarterly basis or file quarterly reconciliation of general excise tax returns and
make monthly payments, issued by the director pursuant to the provisions of section 237-30, HRS, and Administrative
Rule §18-237-30. The return and payments shall be filed with the collector of the taxation district in which the property
subject to tax was held.
(c)
In addition to the return required by subsection (a) or (b), every person subject to taxes both under
chapter 238, HRS, or chapter 237, HRS, or both, shall, on or before the twentieth day of the fourth month following the
close of the tax year, file an annual return, Form G-15, Schedule B, summarizing his liability under this chapter for such
year. [Eff 2/16/82] (Auth: HRS §§231-3(9), 238-16) (Imp: HRS §238-5)
§18-238-5-01
(Reserved)
§18-238-5-02
Allocation of the purchase price or value of tangible personal property used
in this State. (a) Where used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires “assignment of tax” means the
designation of the use tax to a taxation district where the property is first used in the State.
(b)
The provisions of sections 18-237-34-01 to 18-237-34-12 consistent with this section and which
may be appropriately applied to the assignment of the use tax as set forth in this section, shall be applicable to and
incorporated in this section, to the extent necessary for the proper administration of the assignment of the use tax to the
proper taxation district.
(c)
When a taxpayer is subject to the use tax, the taxpayer shall allocate the purchase price or value
of the tangible personal property to the taxation district where the property is first used. The term “use” is defined in
section 238-1, HRS, and includes the exercise of any right or power over tangible personal property incident to the
ownership of that property, whether the nature of the use causes the property to be appreciably consumed or not, or
the keeping of the property for such use or for sale. The tax is imposed upon the user of the tangible personal property.
The tax liability arises when the first use occurs in Hawaii and no additional use tax liability arises with respect to any
subsequent use of that same property.
Example 1: Taxpayer is a furniture store which buys and imports furniture from an out-
of-state seller who is not licensed under chapter 237, HRS. Taxpayer has stores located in the
Oahu district, Maui district, and Kauai district. The seller ships the furniture to the Oahu district.
Taxpayer subsequently ships some of the furniture to branch stores located in the Maui district and
Kauai district. Taxpayer shall assign the use tax due on all of the furniture to the Oahu district.
Example 2: Taxpayer, a distributor located in the Maui district, purchases a product from an
unlicensed seller located on the mainland. Taxpayer makes a sale to B, located in the Oahu district.
The product will be shipped directly from the seller to B in the Oahu district. Taxpayer shall assign
this purchase and the one-half percent use tax due to the Oahu district. Taxpayer also owes the four
percent general excise tax on the sale of the product to B. Taxpayer shall allocate the gross income
or proceeds of this sale to the Oahu district, where the product is delivered to B. [Eff 3/30/91]
(Auth: HRS §§231-3(9), 238-16) (Imp: HRS §238-5)