Revenue manager: TAT trending near $70 million a year; large refunds issued but not expected to change annual estimate

Revenue manager Paul Neidhart told council members the county is trending around $70,000,000 a year in TAT revenue and is actively reaching out to taxpayers about outstanding balances. "I'd say we're still trending at the, dollars 70,000,000 a year in annual revenue," Neidhart said when asked about revenue trends.

Committee members asked about a recent large refund and whether it would affect projections. Finance staff and Neidhart said the refund — described as a large West Maui taxpayer refund estimated at roughly $1 million — may affect short-term cash flow but should not materially change the $70 million annual estimate. Officials said total refunds this year include many small refunds and a few larger ones and that better data from the new software will clarify accounts receivable and refund trends going forward.

Members also asked about the county’s ability to identify non-reporting taxpayers and the penalties available under current statutes; staff said the county currently relies on state filings and the state's enforcement arm for some investigations but expects the new system to improve cross-referencing with planning and real-property data.