Prince Edward Island Landlord with Hawaii Rental Property

⚠️ Note (updated 2026-05-18, body text corrected) — §871(d) election mechanism and Bank of Canada rate corrected in body text below. Supplemental T1135 penalty note (point 3) remains accurate.

1. Section 871(d) election is NOT made via Form 8288-B. The §871(d) election (which converts your US rental income from FDAP — 30% flat withholding on gross rent with no deductions — to ECI, where you deduct expenses on Schedule E and pay tax on net) is made by attaching a written statement to your first Form 1040-NR. Separately, to stop the 30% withholding at source, you provide your property manager with Form W-8ECI (Certificate of Foreign Person's Claim That Income Is Effectively Connected). Form 8288-B is the FIRPTA Withholding Certificate used at SALE only — applied for 90+ days before closing to reduce the default 15% gross-price withholding on a property sale. The two forms apply to entirely different scenarios.

2. 2025 Bank of Canada annual average rate is 1.3978 CAD per USD (not 1.36). Apply consistently across all USD-to-CAD conversions on T776 and T1135.

3. T1135 penalty structure. Late filing: $25/day, max $2,500. Failure to file: up to $24,000/year. False statement or omission: 5% of unreported property cost with a $24,000 minimum penalty. Failing to file T1135 also extends CRA's reassessment period from 3 to 6 years for related tax years.

US Rental Property Tax Guide for Prince Edward Island Landlords: Hawaii Edition

Owning rental property in Hawaii while resident in Prince Edward Island creates a multi-layered tax obligation. You'll file returns in three jurisdictions: Canada (CRA), the United States (IRS), and the State of Hawaii. Each has different rules, deadlines, and withholding requirements. Understanding this landscape prevents costly penalties and missed deductions.

This guide covers the specific tax implications for PE residents with Hawaii rental income, including federal and state US obligations, Canadian reporting requirements, and the unique Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) that catches many Canadian landlords off guard.

Overview: Why PE + Hawaii Creates Unique Tax Complexity

Prince Edward Island residents are Canadian tax residents. Hawaii has no reciprocal tax treaty with Canada and imposes both state income tax and a General Excise Tax on rental income—a combination that significantly impacts your net rental return.

Your tax exposure includes:

• Canadian federal and PE provincial income tax on worldwide rental income
• US federal income tax on Hawaii rental income
• Hawaii state income tax at 11% (among the highest US state rates)
• Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) at 4.167% on gross rental receipts
• Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) withholding (Part XIII) at 25% on gross rents if you don't file an NR6
• Property tax in Hawaii at approximately 0.28% of property value

Without proper tax planning and filing, withholding alone can claim 25–30% of your rental income before you've paid a single dollar in actual tax.

Part 1: Your Canadian Tax Obligations

Filing Requirement: Form T776

You must report all Hawaii rental income (gross, before any US withholding) on Form T776 (Statement of Real Estate Rentals) filed with your Canadian personal tax return each year.

What goes on T776:

• Gross rental income (in Canadian dollars, using Bank of Canada annual average rate: 1 USD = 1.3978 CAD for 2025)
• US federal and state income tax paid (claimed as foreign tax credit)
• US property tax paid
• Hawaii GET paid
• All operating expenses (mortgage interest, property management, insurance, repairs, utilities, maintenance, advertising)
• Capital cost allowance (CCA) claim if elected

Foreign Property Reporting: Form T1135

If your Hawaii property value exceeds CAD $100,000, you must file Form T1135 (Foreign Income Verification Statement) with your annual Canadian tax return. Penalties for non-filing are 5% of the property's fair market value (minimum $600, maximum $10,800 per year).

Reporting threshold: The property value on June 30 each year determines your filing obligation.

Foreign Tax Credit: Line 40600

Canada taxes you on worldwide income. To prevent double taxation, you can claim a foreign tax credit on your T1 return (Line 40600 and Schedule 1) for:

• US federal income tax paid
• Hawaii state income tax paid

The credit is the lesser of:

1. Foreign tax paid (converted to CAD), or
2. Canadian tax on that same income

Important: Hawaii GET is not a creditable income tax; it's an excise tax. However, it is deductible as a business expense on your T776, which effectively reduces your taxable income in Canada.

Property Disposition: Capital Gains

When you sell your Hawaii property, you'll realize a capital gain (or loss). The gain is subject to Canadian capital gains tax. Report the sale on Form T776 (or Form T1255 if you've elected out of CCA) in the year of sale.

Part 2: Your US Federal Tax Obligations

ITIN: Your US Taxpayer ID

You cannot use your Social Insurance Number (SIN) to file US tax returns. You must apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS using Form W-7. An ITIN looks like a Social Security Number but begins with "9" and has a different middle number range.

Processing time: 7–11 weeks. Apply early; you'll need the ITIN before filing your first US return.

Form 1040-NR: Non-Resident Alien Return

As a Canadian resident (non-US resident), you file Form 1040-NR (U.S. Income Tax Return for Non-Resident Alien Individuals) with the IRS, not Form 1040.

Filing deadline: June 15, 2025 (for 2024 tax year). This is three months later than US citizens (April 15), but the IRS can grant an additional automatic 4-month extension to October 15 if requested.

Key lines on 1040-NR:

• Schedule E (Part 1): Report your Hawaii rental property details and net rental income
• Line 21a: Report rental income and expenses; Hawaii GET appears here as a deduction

Schedule E: Rental Property Details

Attach Schedule E (Supplemental Income and Loss) to report:

• Property address and the date you purchased it
• Number of days rented and days personal use
• Gross rental receipts (before any withholding)
• Deductible expenses (mortgage interest, property tax, utilities, insurance, repairs, depreciation, property management fees)

The net income (or loss) from Schedule E flows to Form 1040-NR, Line 21a.

Section 871(d) Election: Avoid 30% Withholding

Critical step: Without filing the Section 871(d) election, US-source rental income is subject to a flat 30% withholding tax (or lower treaty rate if applicable—Canada–US treaty does not reduce this rate for rental income).

By filing Form 8288-B (Statement of Withholding on Dispositions by Foreign Persons) and making an irrevocable Section 871(d) election, you elect to be taxed on a net basis (income minus deductions) at graduated US federal rates instead. This almost always results in lower tax liability.

When to file: Attach Form 8288-B to your Form 1040-NR.

Effect: You become subject to US federal withholding on net income (not gross), and the withholding rate is approximately 15–25% of net income, depending on your bracket. This is typically far lower than the 30% default.

Depreciation: Maximize Deductions

The building portion of your Hawaii property (not the land) can be depreciated over 27.5 years using the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS). Claim depreciation on Schedule E, Line 19.

To calculate:

1. Determine the purchase price allocation between land and building (typically 15–25% land, 75–85% building).
2. Divide the building cost by 27.5 years.
3. Claim the annual deduction on Schedule E.

Depreciation is a non-cash deduction that reduces your US taxable income (and therefore Canadian taxable income) significantly.

Part 3: Hawaii State Tax Obligations

Hawaii Form N-20: Non-Resident Return

Hawaii requires non-residents with Hawaii-source income to file Form N-20 (Hawaii Individual Income Tax Return — Non-Resident) by June 15, 2025.

Hawaii income tax rate: 11% on net rental income after allowable deductions.

Key point: Hawaii defines "non-resident" as anyone who is not a Hawaii resident. You, as a PE resident, are automatically non-resident for Hawaii purposes.

Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET): The Hidden Tax

Hawaii imposes a General Excise Tax (GET) of 4.167% on gross rental receipts. This is unique in the US and catches many mainland landlords by surprise.

How it works:

• You owe GET on 100% of your gross rental income, regardless of expenses
• GET is due monthly on Form HW (Form of Payment of Hawaii General Excise Tax)
• Failure to pay results in penalties and interest
• GET is not deductible as a federal income tax expense (it's a business excise tax), but it is deductible on your Canadian T776

Example: If you collect $50,000 USD in Hawaii rental income:

• GET owed: $50,000 × 4.167% = $2,083.50
• After CRA Part XIII withholding (25%): $12,500 withheld
• After Hawaii GET: $2,083.50
• Total withheld/paid before US federal tax: $14,583.50

This is why monthly monitoring is essential.

Hawaii Property Tax

Hawaii assesses property tax at approximately 0.28% of assessed value (one

Estimate your FIRPTA withholding at sale: Use the FIRPTA Withholding Calculator to see how much the buyer must hold back at closing, and whether filing Form 8288-B in advance would reduce it.