Who is required to withhold and pay the HARPTA tax in Hawaii?

The HARPTA tax, or Hawaii Real Property Tax Act, requires certain actions from the buyer in real estate transactions involving non-resident sellers. In this scenario, the correct choice states that the buyer is responsible for withholding and paying the HARPTA tax to the Department of Taxation.

This obligation arises because when a non-resident sells property in Hawaii, the state mandates that a percentage of the sale price be withheld to ensure that any state tax liabilities of the seller are satisfied. The tax must be submitted to the Department of Taxation, which is the authority responsible for tax collection in Hawaii. This withholding is an essential step to ensure that the proper taxes are accounted for, thereby preventing tax evasion by non-resident sellers who may not file tax returns in Hawaii.

It's important to note that while there may be other processes and regulations involving the Bureau of Conveyances, the specific withholding requirement for HARPTA falls on the buyer's responsibility to pay the Department of Taxation. Understanding this distinction is critical for compliance in real estate transactions in Hawaii.