Hawai’i’s Tax System
Taxes Should Reduce Inequality — Not Deepen It
A fair tax system should help to close the gap between the rich and everyone else. But in Hawaiʻi, our current system is making inequality worse.
Who Pays More — and Who Pays Less
Our state’s tax system asks the least from those who have the most. Hawaiʻi’s wealthiest residents pay the lowest portion of their income on taxes, while low- and moderate-income families pay the highest. This means that people who are struggling with the high cost of living are carrying a heavier tax load — while the wealthy benefit from tax breaks and loopholes.
Two Paths to a Better Tax System
1
Tax Credits for Hawai’i’s Working Families
Programs like the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit support families that are struggling to survive. They put tax money back in the pockets of these low-income and ALICE households, which helps them pay for their basic needs.
2
Taxing Corporations and the Wealthy
The top 1% should pay more towards the programs and services that we all benefit from. Corporations also profit from Hawai’i’s land and culture—while barely giving back to the communities they are located in.