If you own real estate in Hawaii but you don’t live here full-time, there’s a single piece of paper that can keep tens of thousands of dollars in your pocket at closing instead of in the State of Hawaii’s general fund for a year or more. That document is Form N-289 — the Certification for Exemption from the Withholding of Tax on the Disposition of Hawaii Real Property.
Here’s what we cover:
🔸 What HARPTA actually is, in one sentence
🔸 Why Hawaii withholds 7.25% of the gross sales price (not the gain — the gross) from non-resident sellers
🔸 The six exemption categories on Form N-289 and which one likely applies to you
🔸 Common filing mistakes that cause escrow to withhold anyway
🔸 How Form N-289 differs from Form N-288, N-288A, N-288B, and N-288C
🔸 What to give escrow, and exactly when, to avoid a delayed closing
🔸 Special considerations for Canadian owners, Asia-Pacific owners, and 1031 exchangers
Who should watch this:
✅ Mainland U.S. owners selling a Hawaii second home or rental
✅ International owners (Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Canada, Australia)
✅ Heirs and trustees handling a Hawaii estate from abroad
✅ Investors exiting a Hawaii commercial position
✅ Local Hawaii sellers who want to understand what their escrow is filing on their behalf
Ready to plan your Hawaii sale?
I offer complimentary seller consultations — virtual or in person, by appointment.
🗣 English | 中文 | 廣東話
🌐 Personal site: https://jasonwong.us
🌐 Firm site: https://islanddragonfly.com
⚠️ This video is educational only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. Please consult a licensed Hawaii CPA or tax attorney for your specific transaction. Jason Wong (PB) — Hawaii RB-22819 | Island Dragonfly LLC — RB-24348.
Leave a Reply