Form an LLC in Hawaii
We file your Articles of Organization, register an agent, and deliver your formation documents. Total cost from $201 on Standard.
State filing fee
$76
Typical processing
15 days
Annual report
$15 / yr
Hawaii is geographically isolated, but its LLC rules are mainstream: $76 filing fee, formation through the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), and an annual report fee of just $15. The unusual rule is the report due date, which is based on the quarter of formation rather than the anniversary - formed in Q1, the report is due each Q1 thereafter.
Hawaii's General Excise Tax (GET) is the other thing to know. Unlike a sales tax that you collect from customers, GET is owed by the seller on gross revenue at 4% (or 4.5% in some counties). Pass-through LLCs are not exempt, and registration with the Department of Taxation is part of the post-formation setup.
Best for: Hawaii-based businesses; tourism-adjacent operators.
Cost & compliance breakdown
| State filing fee | $76 |
|---|---|
| Typical processing | 15 days |
| Annual report fee | $15 |
| Annual report due | During the formation anniversary quarter |
- The $15 annual report fee is among the cheapest in the country.
- GET is owed on gross revenue, not net income - it functions like a state-level Stripe fee for most service businesses.
Hawaii note: Due quarter of formation
How we file your Hawaii LLC
- 1
File Articles of Organization with DCCA
We file with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. The $76 fee is paid at submission.
- 2
Register for GET
Every Hawaii LLC doing business in the state owes the General Excise Tax on gross receipts. We help with the one-time GET license application.
- 3
EIN and operating agreement
EIN obtained from the IRS, plus a custom Hawaii operating agreement.
What's included
Articles of Organization
Registered agent
EIN (Federal Tax ID)
Operating Agreement
Frequently asked questions
When is the Hawaii annual report due?
It's based on the quarter of formation. An LLC formed in Q1 (Jan-Mar) files its report annually during Q1; Q2 formation means Q2 reports, and so on.
What is the General Excise Tax?
Hawaii's GET is a tax on gross revenue at 4% (4.5% in Honolulu, Kauai, and Hawaii counties). It applies to almost every business activity in the state and is not the same as a sales tax.
Can a non-resident own a Hawaii LLC?
Yes. There are no residency requirements. A Hawaii registered agent (which we provide) satisfies the in-state presence rule.
Compare with other states
The states founders most commonly weigh against Hawaii.
Ready to form your Hawaii LLC?
Total from $201 on Standard. Most founders finish the application in about 15 minutes.