Posted on: Thursday, November 18, 2004

Council bill defers taxes for military in Mideast

Advertiser Staff

O'ahu residents who are in National Guard and armed forces reserve units that are called up for active duty in the Persian Gulf may soon be granted extra time to pay their city property taxes.

A City Council panel approved a bill yesterday that would defer taxes, without interest or penalty, until after guard and reserve members return. The measure is slated for a final vote on Dec. 1.

"The mobilization of thousands of Hawai'i reserve and National Guard soldiers for Iraq and Afghanistan can create serious financial burdens on soldiers' families," said Councilman Charles Djou, who sponsored the measure. "I am excited that the Honolulu City Council recognizes this problem and is moving to ease the economic stress on the families of these mobilized citizen-soldiers by granting a deferral of real property taxes for the duration of mobilization."

Taxes would be deferred for the duration of a guard or reserve member's active duty tour, and would be due within 180 days of the tour's completion.