THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2691
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to Refundable Food/Excise Tax Credit For Seniors.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to allow individual taxpayers who are sixty-five years of age or older to claim an additional exemption for purposes of the refundable food/excise tax credit established under section 235-55.85, Hawaii Revised Statutes, thereby doubling the credit amount and providing a larger subsidy for general excise taxes paid on food purchases by lower-income seniors.

SECTION 2. Section 235-55.85, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

"(c) For the purposes of this section, a qualified exemption is defined to include those exemptions permitted under this chapter; [provided that no additional exemption may be claimed by a taxpayer who is sixty-five years of age or older;] provided that a person for whom exemption is claimed has been physically present in the State for more than nine months during the taxable year; and provided further that multiple exemptions shall not be granted because of deficiencies in vision or hearing, or other disability. For purposes of claiming this credit only, a minor child receiving support from the department of human services of the State, social security survivor's benefits, and the like, may be considered a dependent and a qualified exemption of the parent or guardian."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; and shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2021.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Refundable Food/Excise Tax Credit; Seniors with Fixed Income

Description:

Allows individual taxpayers sixty-five years of age or older with lower incomes to claim an additional exemption for purposes of the food/excise tax credit thereby providing relief from the general excise tax on food purchases.

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