Latest news with #GreenFee
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
Lawmakers pass sweeping new tax that will impact anyone visiting Hawai'i: 'The visitor industry will struggle if we do not take action now'
Your next trip to one of the United States' most popular tourist destinations may cost a few dollars more. But for conservationists, climate scientists, or others who care about our planet's future, that's excellent news. In late May, The Guardian reported that Hawai'i Gov. Josh Green signed Senate Bill 1396, which establishes the country's first "Green Fee." The proceeds will be used to combat changes happening across the state because of a shifting, warming climate. The fee is actually a 0.75% increase to the tax charge on hotel rooms and vacation rentals — about $3 extra on a $400 per night stay. The tax will also, for the first time, apply to cruise ships that dock in Hawai'i. Both changes take effect next year, and officials expect the fee to generate roughly $100 million per year. "As an island chain, Hawai'i cannot wait for the next disaster to hit before taking action," Green said in a release. "We must build resiliency now, and the Green Fee will provide the necessary financing to ensure resources are available for our future." Hawai'i made frequent headlines in 2023 for the deadly wildfires that devastated much of Maui, and less than a year later, another fire put hundreds of homes at risk in Kauai. Supporters of the new tax say the Green Fee will put Hawai'i in a better position to deal with any extreme weather events that happen in the future. But the money is also expected to be used toward projects such as protecting native plants, forests, and wildlife, replenishing sand on eroding beaches, and enhancing the state's climate resilience. As an example of the impact of climate inaction, University of Hawai'i researchers have said that the sea level in Honolulu's Waikiki neighborhood is expected to rise by nearly 6 feet by 2100 without mitigation efforts. Several hotel and tourism groups in Hawai'i supported the bill, saying these improvements will also make vacations better for the millions of tourists who visit each year. "The visitor industry will struggle if we do not take action now," said state Rep. Adrian Tam, D-Waikiki, the chair of the House tourism committee. "There will be nothing left for them to showcase to the rest of the world if our beaches are decimated, wildfires have taken over our towns, and hikes left unmanaged." Should the government be paying us to upgrade our homes? Definitely Depends on how much it costs Depends on what it's for No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
US citizens kidnappings in Mexico tied to dating apps, officials warn
(KTLA) – Officials at the United States Embassy and its consulates in Mexico have confirmed several reports of Americans being kidnapped by individuals they met on a dating app, federal officials announced. In a security alert issued June 2, authorities at the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara issued a warning about the incidents, all occurring in recent months in the areas of Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Nayarit. Mexico's first judicial elections stir controversy and confusion among voters 'Victims and their families in the United States have at times been extorted for large sums of money to secure their release,' officials said. 'Please be aware that this type of violence is not limited to one geographic area. Travelers should use caution when meeting strangers.' While officials did not name any specific dating apps, they provided several tips for safer travel. Among them, officials warned users to meet with matches 'in public places and avoid isolated locations;' inform someone you trust of your plans, your meet-up location, and the app you used before leaving; end the date if your 'instincts' are telling you something feels off; and call 911 if an emergency should arise. Authorities at the U.S. Consulate General also encouraged travelers to stay abreast of the U.S. State Department's travel advisories for Mexico. Hawaii to begin charging new 'Green Fee' tourist tax: How much will it cost visitors? Currently, the Mexican state of Jalisco, which includes the city of Puerto Vallarta, is classified as 'Level 3: Reconsider Travel' due to crime and kidnappings. The state of Nayarit, which includes the city of Nuevo Nayarit, is classified as 'Level 2: Exercise Caution' due to crime. U.S. citizens traveling in Mexico can find a list of emergency contacts at the official website of the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Mexico. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hindustan Times
31-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
IRS $3000 tax refund June 2025 schedule: When will it arrive and who is eligible?
Now that April is behind us, most Americans have already filed their 2024 taxes—or at least filed for an extension. That means the IRS is now reviewing returns and starting to send out refunds. But for your refund to be processed, the IRS first has to receive and review your return. And with recent cuts to the IRS budget and staff, there could be some delays this year in getting refunds out. If you mailed a paper tax return, you'll likely have to wait longer than those who filed online. The IRS is just now getting to the point where they're opening and sorting those paper returns. A real person has to review each one by hand, so it may take a while before you find out if your return was correct—and when your refund is coming. Most people now file their taxes online. It's faster and usually simpler. When you e-file, your return is processed almost immediately unless something in your paperwork needs a closer look. If you work a regular job and have a straightforward tax situation, the process should be quick. This is especially true with the IRS's new Direct File program, which helps people file simple returns directly through the IRS without using outside companies. How fast you get your refund depends on how you filed and how you asked to receive the money. Here's what the IRS refund timeline looks like right now: Paper filing: Refund expected between June 26 and July 10, 2025 E-filing with direct deposit: Refund expected between May 22 and June 4, 2025 E-filing with a mailed check: Refund expected between May 29 and June 11, 2025 Paper filing: Refund expected between July 11 and July 25, 2025 E-filing with direct deposit: Refund expected between June 6 and June 19, 2025 E-filing with a mailed check: Refund expected between June 13 and June 26, 2025 Also Read: What is Green Fee? Hawaii introduces first-of-its-kind tourist tax Most people can expect a refund of around $3,000, though the exact average this year is $2,939. Still, knowing the amount doesn't help much if you don't know when the money is coming. Even with a refund schedule, things can go wrong—like missing info, small errors, or processing delays. That's why it's helpful to use the IRS's online tool to track your refund. You can check the status of your refund on the IRS website using the 'Where's My Refund?' tool. It works for both e-filed and paper returns. Just keep in mind that if you filed by mail, it may take up to four weeks before your information shows up in the system. Return Received Refund Approved Refund Sent
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tourists Will Be Charged $2.25 Per Day to Surf in Hawaii
In a landmark piece of legislation, Hawaii has become the first state to enact a 'green fee' – or a tax on tourists, aimed at fighting future climatological disasters – set to go into effect January 1st, 2026. The tax, specifically, will apply to travelers staying in hotels, short-term rental homes, and cruise ships. And how much exactly? The transient accommodations tax (TAT) will be increased by 0.75 percent – translation: a nightly rate of $300 in a hotel will have an extra $2.25 per night added to the bill. Senate Bill 1396 was signed by Hawaii Governor Josh Green earlier this week, enacting what they are calling the 'Green Fee,' the first-of-its-kind for any state, going into effect next year. Governor Green said via press release: 'Today Hawaiʻi ushers in the first Green Fee in the nation. Once again, Hawaiʻi is at the forefront of protecting our natural resources, recognizing their fundamental role in sustaining the ecological, cultural and economic health of Hawaiʻi. As an island chain, Hawaiʻi cannot wait for the next disaster to hit before taking action. We must build resiliency now, and the Green Fee will provide the necessary financing to ensure resources are available for our future.'Of course, Hawaii is one of the world's most trafficked hubs for tourism. And all those people take a toll on the historic, and culturally significant island chain. So, this tax is an attempt to get ahead of future environmental impacts the islands may experience – a reserve, of sorts, for future disasters. 'I mahalo the tourism industry for stepping up and collaborating on this initiative, which will preserve Hawaiʻi for kamaʻāina and visitors alike,' continued Governor Green. 'The fee will restore and remediate our beaches and shorelines and harden infrastructure critical to the health and safety of all who call Hawaiʻi home, whether for a few days or a lifetime.' If you're traveling to Hawaii, and you're staying in a hotel or short-term vacation rental, starting in 2026, it's gonna cost you an extra $2.25 per day to surf. But, instead of an extra fee, consider it an investment in the natural beauty and the future prosperity of this sacred Will Be Charged $2.25 Per Day to Surf in Hawaii first appeared on Surfer on May 30, 2025
Hindustan Times
30-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
What is Green Fee? Hawaii introduces first-of-its-kind tourist tax
In a landmark move, Hawaii has become the first U.S. state to implement a climate impact fee, introducing a new tax on tourists to support environmental initiatives. Announced on Tuesday, the fee is designed to fund climate change resiliency efforts and preserve the islands' natural resources. Also Read: Who are Varun Navani and Amanda Soll? Meet Indian couple whose baraat shut down Wall Street According to a press release by Governor Josh Green's office, the nation's first 'Green Fee,' Hawaii's Act 96, will increase the state's transient accommodations tax (TAT) by 0.75%, bringing the total to 11% on nightly lodging rates. Set to take effect on January 1, 2026, the added revenue will directly support climate resiliency and environmental protection efforts across the islands. The fee will apply to the travellers who will stay in hotels, short-term accommodations, and, for the first time, cruise ships. Previously exempt from the TAT, cruise ship passengers will now be included under the new law, which aims to promote 'equity across the tourism industry.' For travelers, the added cost on a $300 nightly hotel stay, the new 0.75% Green Fee amounts to just $2.25 per night, as reported by USA Today. The new Green Fee is designed to generate funding for climate change mitigation, environmental stewardship, hazard mitigation, sustainable tourism, invasive species control, wildlife conservation, beach management and restoration, and a green jobs youth corps. In a statement, Green said, 'As an island chain, Hawaii cannot wait for the next disaster to hit before taking action. We must build resiliency now, and the Green Fee will provide the necessary financing to ensure resources are available for our future." Also Read: Who is Robert Armstrong, columnist who coined the term Trump Always Chickens Out (TACO)? The new Green Fee tax is projected to generate around $100 million each year. While specific projects will be finalized in the next legislative session, the funds are slated to support a wide range of initiatives, including environmental stewardship, climate and hazard resiliency, and sustainable tourism across the Hawaiian Islands.
