New Car Rental Tax in HI
Aug 23, 2011, 9:23 am
#1
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New Car Rental Tax in HI
I was informed yesterday by my rental car vendor, Kehei Rent-A-Car, that the state has increased the daily tax from $3 to $7.50 for my January, 2012 rental.
This will increase, noticeably, my vacation cost.
These legislators like to tax those they think do not vote. While we may not vote directly, we do vote with our dollars and our feet.
The solons may end up killing the nene that lays the golden egg.
This will increase, noticeably, my vacation cost.
These legislators like to tax those they think do not vote. While we may not vote directly, we do vote with our dollars and our feet.
The solons may end up killing the nene that lays the golden egg.
Aug 23, 2011, 1:21 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Maui OGG Hoity-Toityville
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The newer tax is to Mostly Pay for a new consolidated Rental Car Center that will be built less than 1/2 mile away from OGG
I've paid similar tax increases at SEATAC n ATL so it's not just limited to Maui.
I've paid similar tax increases at SEATAC n ATL so it's not just limited to Maui.
Aug 23, 2011, 5:56 pm
#5
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Further, checkout the Lodging garbage fees in Chicago and Visa/Exit fees in Belize.
It's an epidemic.
Aug 24, 2011, 1:32 am
#6
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Looks like the increased tax has already gone into effect (maybe 7/1?). Checking my Avis rental receipt from OGG today, I see the $7.50 tax imposed on the one day rental.
Aug 24, 2011, 6:29 am
#7
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This is probably going to impact the way I rent cars, particularly on Oahu. Often we don't use the car every day and it will just sit in the garage.
Between this new tax and all the other garbage fees, plus the high cost of parking in Waikiki, it's going to be cheaper to take taxis to most places and only rent a car when we want to leave the 10 mile radius around Waikiki.
I think Hawaii is going to shoot itself in the foot. The Japanese are not traveling there nearly as much as they used to, and even less since the Tsunami hit - tourism is generally down.
Between this new tax and all the other garbage fees, plus the high cost of parking in Waikiki, it's going to be cheaper to take taxis to most places and only rent a car when we want to leave the 10 mile radius around Waikiki.
I think Hawaii is going to shoot itself in the foot. The Japanese are not traveling there nearly as much as they used to, and even less since the Tsunami hit - tourism is generally down.
Aug 24, 2011, 10:06 am
#8
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For the first time since '04, I won't be taking my biennial trip to Hawaii in 2012. I own a timeshare there, and they raised the property taxes so the point where we pay 700% more than a Maui homeowner. Then they raised the TAT (tourism tax). Then the auto rental tax was increased.
Yeah. They extracted a few more bucks out of me in property taxes, but the $10k that I spent on my last trip to Hawaii will be diverted to St. John instead.
I love Hawaii, but Hawaii apparently doesn't love me. And until they stop acting like I'm their golden goose, I'll stay away.
Yeah. They extracted a few more bucks out of me in property taxes, but the $10k that I spent on my last trip to Hawaii will be diverted to St. John instead.
I love Hawaii, but Hawaii apparently doesn't love me. And until they stop acting like I'm their golden goose, I'll stay away.
Aug 24, 2011, 10:14 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Seattle
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Almost 40% of the cost of a cheap rental car in Hawaii is taxes and fees. I know they are annoying, but if another $4.50/day keeps you from going there, you're going to the wrong place anyway.
Aug 24, 2011, 11:32 am
#10
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This is only the icing on the cake. How much more is Hawaii going to take from their visitors in taxes before people stop going?
I know it's probably going to effect the way I rent cars - if I even bother any longer.
If their tourism industry was booming, I could almost understand why they're doing it, but to ask for more money from fewer toursits is just going to bite them in the rear.
In June I used a 2-Hertz free week awards for 2 islands and because of the taxes, I think those 2 free weeks still cost me over $100.
Hotels and airlines don't charge taxes on awards. Why do car rental comapnies have to?
I know it's probably going to effect the way I rent cars - if I even bother any longer.
If their tourism industry was booming, I could almost understand why they're doing it, but to ask for more money from fewer toursits is just going to bite them in the rear.
In June I used a 2-Hertz free week awards for 2 islands and because of the taxes, I think those 2 free weeks still cost me over $100.
Hotels and airlines don't charge taxes on awards. Why do car rental comapnies have to?
Aug 25, 2011, 1:13 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 754
Taxes More Than The Car....
Taxes can literally be higher than the rental.
Check out my OGG rental from Alamo last month: $34 rental rate, $36 in taxes.
(4) Day Rate ($15.12/day) $60.48
Subtotal.......................................... ....$60.48
Subtotal.......................................... ..($26.05)
Subtotal.......................................... ....$34.43
Taxes, Surcharges and Fees
Concession Recovery Fee 11.11 % $3.83
Rent Tax Surcharge 7.50/day $30.00
Veh.registration Fee / Weight Tax $1.40
Sales Tax (4.1660%) $1.65
Subtotal.......................................... ....$36.88
Estimated Total.......................................$71.31
Check out my OGG rental from Alamo last month: $34 rental rate, $36 in taxes.
(4) Day Rate ($15.12/day) $60.48
Subtotal.......................................... ....$60.48
Subtotal.......................................... ..($26.05)
Subtotal.......................................... ....$34.43
Taxes, Surcharges and Fees
Concession Recovery Fee 11.11 % $3.83
Rent Tax Surcharge 7.50/day $30.00
Veh.registration Fee / Weight Tax $1.40
Sales Tax (4.1660%) $1.65
Subtotal.......................................... ....$36.88
Estimated Total.......................................$71.31
Aug 25, 2011, 5:01 am
#13
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Sep 1, 2011, 10:15 pm
#14
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For the first time since '04, I won't be taking my biennial trip to Hawaii in 2012. I own a timeshare there, and they raised the property taxes so the point where we pay 700% more than a Maui homeowner. Then they raised the TAT (tourism tax). Then the auto rental tax was increased.
Yeah. They extracted a few more bucks out of me in property taxes, but the $10k that I spent on my last trip to Hawaii will be diverted to St. John instead.
I love Hawaii, but Hawaii apparently doesn't love me. And until they stop acting like I'm their golden goose, I'll stay away.
Yeah. They extracted a few more bucks out of me in property taxes, but the $10k that I spent on my last trip to Hawaii will be diverted to St. John instead.
I love Hawaii, but Hawaii apparently doesn't love me. And until they stop acting like I'm their golden goose, I'll stay away.
We've got enough miles to do Hawaii for the foreseeable future, but with a mini-rtw at 75K.. why be stuck in one place?
Mrs. Maestro wants to visit Europe, and MCO from YYC is still only 25K.. Definitely some thought will have to go into where and why we go..
Too bad that Hawaii is becoming less affordable when they should be making it more affordable.. its going to deter tourism in a state that really needs to get it back on track..
Sep 2, 2011, 2:01 pm
#15
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I recall paying some pretty ridiculous rental car taxes in Seattle as well. These taxes are crazy high in a lot of places.
