Mayor extends real property tax deadline

Mayor Michael Victorino has deferred penalties on property taxes that were due on Aug. 20 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the county announced Friday.

Victorino authorized a 90day extension through Nov. 19 for the deferral of the 10 percent penalty for real property taxes, though he encouraged residents to pay their bills on time to avoid the standard 1 percent monthly interest charge for unpaid balances after Aug. 31. The mayor had previously granted a 60-day extension.

“I hope this additional time will help our community cope with the financial impacts of COVID-19,” Victorino said in a news release Friday. “We want to make sure our residents and businesses aren’t penalized for not being able to pay the full amount immediately due to financial hardship.”

The deferral only impacts taxes due on Aug. 20. Residents can now spread out payments from Aug. 20 through Nov. 19, though all taxes due on Aug. 20 must be paid in full by Nov. 19 to avoid penalty. The 1 percent interest on unpaid balances after Aug. 20 will not be waived; it will accrue monthly on Sept. 1, Oct. 1 and Nov. 1. Any outstanding balance owed as of Nov. 20 will be assessed the 10 percent penalty.

Because the Director of Finance is only allowed extensions up to 90 days under the Maui County Code, there will be no further extensions, the county said.

Deferred payments may be sent to: County of Maui, Department of Finance, Treasury Division, Real Property Tax Collection, 70 E. Kaahumanu Ave., Suite A-18, Kahului, HI 96732.

The Real Property Tax Collections Office is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and can be reached by phone at 270-7697.

For more information, visit mauipropertytax.com.