EstatePass
FinancingClosing CostsMEDIUM

Hawaii property taxes are billed semi-annually, with payment due on August 20 and February 20. At closing, how are property taxes typically handled between buyer and seller?

Correct Answer

B) Property taxes are prorated at closing based on the closing date, with each party responsible for their proportionate share of the tax year.

In Hawaii, property taxes are prorated at closing based on the closing date. Hawaii's fiscal tax year runs from July 1 to June 30, with semi-annual bills due August 20 (covering July 1–December 31) and February 20 (covering January 1–June 30). At closing, taxes are divided so the seller pays for the portion of the tax period they owned the property, and the buyer is credited or charged for their portion. If taxes have been prepaid by the seller beyond the closing date, the buyer reimburses the seller for that prepaid amount; if taxes are unpaid and accruing, the seller credits the buyer at closing.

Answer Options
A
Property taxes are not prorated at closing; the seller pays all taxes accrued up to the listing date.
B
Property taxes are prorated at closing based on the closing date, with each party responsible for their proportionate share of the tax year.
C
Property taxes are always the buyer's responsibility from the date of contract acceptance, regardless of the closing date.
D
Property taxes are paid in full by the seller for the entire tax year in which the property is sold.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Deep Analysis of This Financing Question

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Background Knowledge for Financing

Sign up free to unlock full analysis
Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Real World Application in Financing

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Financing Questions

Sign up free to unlock full analysis

Related Topics & Key Terms

Related Topics:

escrow and closing proceduresHawaii county property tax ratesprorations and adjustmentsHawaii fiscal tax year

Key Terms:

prorationclosing dateHawaii fiscal yearsemi-annualproperty tax
Was this explanation helpful?

More Financing Questions

People Also Study

Financing Questions

Practice More Questions

Access 2,000+ practice questions and pass your real estate exam.

Start Practicing