Hawaii · Property tax exemptions for surviving spouses · Updated Oct 2026

Hawaii property tax exemptions for surviving spouses (2026)

Every statewide property tax break in Hawaii that our guide lists for surviving spouses: breaks made for them, and breaks a surviving spouse can keep or claim. What each is worth, who qualifies, the deadline and how to apply.

Short answer

The main property tax break for surviving spouses in Hawaii is the Exemption for Homes of Totally Disabled Veterans (Honolulu, ROH 8-10.5). Your home is exempt from real property tax except the county minimum tax (and special assessments).

Worth: See the rules
Income limit: None listed in our sources
Deadline: Takes effect from the next tax payment date if filed by June 30 or December 31.

Property tax breaks for surviving spouses in Hawaii

Disabled veterans

Exemption for Homes of Totally Disabled Veterans (Honolulu, ROH 8-10.5)

Your home is exempt from real property tax except the county minimum tax (and special assessments).

For surviving spouses: Continues for an unmarried widow or widower who keeps living there; a widow or widower may apply even if the veteran never did.

Who qualifies: Veteran who is totally disabled because of injuries received while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces and who owns and lives in the home (alone or jointly with a spouse). Continues for an unmarried widow or widower who keeps living there; a widow or widower may apply even if the veteran never did.
How to apply: File Form BFS-RP-E-8-10.5 in person or by mail with a licensed physician's certificate of disability on the county's form, official ID, and (if applicable) marriage and death certificates.
Form: BFS-RP-E-8-10.5 Claim for Exemption - Homes of Totally Disabled Veterans
Deadline: Takes effect from the next tax payment date if filed by June 30 (for the August 20 payment) or December 31 (for the February 20 payment).
Renewal: Continues while the veteran remains totally disabled (proof may be requested) or the widow/widower stays unmarried.
Law: Revised Ordinances of Honolulu 8-10.5

Source: official page

How to apply, step by step

Exemption for Homes of Totally Disabled Veterans (Honolulu, ROH 8-10.5)

File Form BFS-RP-E-8-10.5 in person or by mail with a licensed physician's certificate of disability on the county's form, official ID, and (if applicable) marriage and death certificates.

Form: BFS-RP-E-8-10.5 Claim for Exemption - Homes of Totally Disabled Veterans

Deadline: Takes effect from the next tax payment date if filed by June 30 (for the August 20 payment) or December 31 (for the February 20 payment).

Renewal: Continues while the veteran remains totally disabled (proof may be requested) or the widow/widower stays unmarried.

Savings estimate for Hawaii

None of these breaks is one fixed dollar amount taken off your home's value, so we can't estimate the savings here. What each one is worth is on its card above.

Eligibility finder for Hawaii

Answer a few questions to see which property tax breaks may fit you. Nothing you type here is sent anywhere.

Pre-set for surviving spouses: you own and live in the home and are a surviving spouse. Change any answer.

Do you own the home and live in it as your main home?

Your age, or the year you were born

Leave empty if you'd rather not say.

Are you a veteran?

Do you have a permanent disability?

Are you the surviving spouse of a veteran, service member or first responder?

Yearly household income ($)

Everyone in the home, before taxes. Optional: used only to compare with income limits.

Do you own and live in the home?Answer the first question to see results.

A first check, not a decision: only your county, city or town assessor decides. We read ages, ratings and income limits only where the official rule states them plainly; otherwise we show the rule for you to check.

Document checklist for Hawaii

Pick the breaks you plan to apply for. You get a checklist of forms, documents, steps and deadlines to print or keep on your phone.

Questions about surviving spouses property tax breaks in Hawaii

Who qualifies for property tax breaks for surviving spouses in Hawaii?

Exemption for Homes of Totally Disabled Veterans (Honolulu, ROH 8-10.5): Veteran who is totally disabled because of injuries received while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces and who owns and lives in the home (alone or jointly with a spouse). Continues for an unmarried widow or widower who keeps living there; a widow or widower may apply even if the veteran never did.

Is there an income limit for surviving spouses' property tax breaks in Hawaii?

Our sources list no income limit for any of these breaks.

When is the deadline for surviving spouses to apply in Hawaii?

Exemption for Homes of Totally Disabled Veterans (Honolulu, ROH 8-10.5): Takes effect from the next tax payment date if filed by June 30 (for the August 20 payment) or December 31 (for the February 20 payment).

Do surviving spouses have to reapply every year in Hawaii?

Exemption for Homes of Totally Disabled Veterans (Honolulu, ROH 8-10.5): Continues while the veteran remains totally disabled (proof may be requested) or the widow/widower stays unmarried.

Where do surviving spouses apply for property tax breaks in Hawaii?

Property tax in Hawaii is run entirely by the four counties (Honolulu, Hawaii County, Maui and Kauai). Each county's real property assessment division sets its own exemption amounts and deadlines, and you apply with the county where the home is. The state does not grant property tax exemptions. For the Exemption for Homes of Totally Disabled Veterans (Honolulu, ROH 8-10.5): File Form BFS-RP-E-8-10.5 in person or by mail with a licensed physician's certificate of disability on the county's form, official ID, and (if applicable) marriage and death certificates.

More for Hawaii homeowners

Surviving spouses in nearby states

Sources

Last checked: Oct 2026.