Hawaii LLC Cost and Filing Fees (2026)

Fact-checked by the LegalGlass editorial team against primary sources · Published Aug 6, 2026 · Last updated Aug 6, 2026

A Hawaii LLC costs $50 to form by filing Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) with the DCCA Business Registration Division through Hawaii Business Express. Ongoing, Hawaii charges a $15 annual report and a one-time $20 general excise tax (GET) license; the federal EIN is free.

Hawaii LLC Formation Fee

The core cost to create a Hawaii LLC is the $50 filing fee for the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1), filed with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Business Registration Division (BREG). The fastest route is online through the Hawaii Business Express portal; mail and in-person filing are also accepted. A modest state archives preservation fee is added to filings.

Form LLC-1 asks for the company name (which must include an LLC designator and be distinguishable in BREG records), the principal office, the registered agent, whether it is member- or manager-managed, and the organizers. For the full walkthrough see how to form an LLC in Hawaii and the how to form an LLC hub.

Hawaii LLC Fee Table (2026)

The table summarizes the state fees most new Hawaii LLCs encounter. Amounts are set by the DCCA and the Department of Taxation, not by any filing service. Confirm expedited and certified-copy charges on the current BREG fee schedule before filing.

Hawaii Annual Report Cost

Every Hawaii LLC must file an annual report with BREG to stay in good standing. The fee is $15 filed online. The report is due during the calendar quarter that contains the anniversary of the LLC's registration — for example, an LLC registered in February files in the first quarter each year.

Missing the report can lead to administrative dissolution of the LLC. Filing is done through Hawaii Business Express. See Hawaii annual report for deadlines and reinstatement, and keep your Hawaii registered agent current so state notices reach you.

General Excise Tax (Not a Sales Tax)

Hawaii has no traditional sales tax; instead it imposes a general excise tax (GET) on business gross income, generally 4% statewide with a 0.5% county surcharge on Oahu (4.5% total). Most LLCs doing business in Hawaii must obtain a GET license by filing Form BB-1 with the Department of Taxation, a one-time $20 registration.

GET is a tax on the business, not just on the buyer, so it affects pricing and margins. It is separate from formation costs but a real recurring obligation. Our Hawaii LLC tax filing guide and the business tax overview explain GET, income tax, and returns in more depth.

EIN and Other Startup Costs

The federal EIN is free from the IRS and needed to open a bank account, hire employees, or file taxes. Beware services that charge to "get" an EIN; the IRS never charges. By default a single-member LLC is a disregarded entity and a multi-member LLC is a partnership, though either can elect S-corporation treatment.

Optional costs include hiring a commercial registered agent, drafting an operating agreement, and county or professional licenses. Hawaii has no general statewide business license beyond the GET license, but check local rules. See how to get an EIN in Hawaii for the free process.

Total Cost to Start and Maintain

Realistically, the minimum out-of-pocket state cost to launch a Hawaii LLC yourself is the $50 formation fee plus the $20 GET license, with the EIN free. To maintain the LLC, budget the $15 annual report each year, plus GET and income tax on your earnings. Name reservation is optional at $10.

If you hire a formation or registered-agent service, add its fees on top of the state charges. Compare Hawaii with other states through the how to form an LLC hub, and if you eventually close the business, review how to dissolve a Hawaii LLC to stop annual obligations.

Doing It Yourself vs. Using a Service

You can file a Hawaii LLC entirely yourself through Hawaii Business Express and pay only the state fees, or you can hire a formation service or attorney that adds its own charge on top of the $50 filing fee. The state cost is identical either way; a service is buying you convenience and, sometimes, registered-agent coverage, not a lower state fee.

The single most common overpayment is for an EIN. The IRS issues EINs for free, yet some services bundle a fee to obtain one. Always confirm the EIN is included at no cost or get it yourself directly from the IRS. There is never a government charge for an EIN.

Budget for the ongoing costs, not just formation. The recurring items for a Hawaii LLC are the $15 annual report and the general excise tax on your gross income. If you hire a commercial registered agent, add its annual fee. These recurring charges usually matter more over time than the one-time formation fee.

Compare Hawaii to neighboring options only on the facts that matter to you: filing fee, annual report, and tax treatment. Hawaii's formation fee is modest, but the general excise tax is broad, so model your expected revenue. Our business tax overview and Hawaii LLC tax filing guide put those recurring taxes in context.

Finally, keep receipts and calendar your deadlines. The annual report window is tied to your registration anniversary quarter, and GET returns follow their own schedule. Missing either can add penalties that dwarf the money you saved by filing yourself. A simple compliance calendar keeps the true cost of your LLC low.

Factor the general excise tax into your pricing from day one. Unlike a sales tax that is simply added to the buyer's bill, the GET is a tax on the business's gross income, so many Hawaii businesses build it into their rates. Because it applies to gross receipts rather than net profit, it can be a meaningful cost even in a low-margin year, which is why it belongs in your financial model alongside the formation fee.

Weigh name reservation against simply filing. The optional $10 name reservation holds a name for a set period, which is useful if you are still preparing your paperwork or lining up financing. If you are ready to file, however, you can skip the reservation and secure the name by forming the LLC directly, saving the extra step and fee.

Remember the recurring compliance beyond dollars. The $15 annual report is inexpensive, but the real cost of a lapse is administrative dissolution and the effort to reinstate. Set a reminder tied to your registration anniversary quarter, keep your Hawaii registered agent current, and file GET returns on schedule so small, predictable costs never turn into penalties.

Compare the all-in first-year and steady-state numbers when deciding how to file. Doing it yourself keeps first-year cost near the $50 formation fee plus the $20 GET license, while a service adds a flat charge for convenience. Over several years, the recurring annual report and taxes dominate, so choose the filing method that fits your time and comfort, not just the lowest upfront number. See how to form an LLC in Hawaii.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to start an LLC in Hawaii?

The state filing fee for the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) is $50, paid to the DCCA Business Registration Division, plus a small archive fee. A one-time $20 general excise tax license is also usually required.

What is the Hawaii LLC annual report fee?

The annual report fee is $15, filed online with the DCCA Business Registration Division. It is due in the calendar quarter containing the anniversary of the LLC's registration.

Does Hawaii have a sales tax on my LLC?

Hawaii has no sales tax but imposes a general excise tax (GET) on gross business income, generally 4% (4.5% on Oahu). Most LLCs obtain a GET license via Form BB-1 for a one-time $20 fee.

Is the EIN free for a Hawaii LLC?

Yes. The IRS issues EINs at no cost through its online EIN Assistant or Form SS-4. Any service charging a fee to obtain an EIN is adding its own markup.

What happens if I skip the Hawaii annual report?

Failing to file the $15 annual report can lead to administrative dissolution of the LLC. You would need to reinstate and pay any outstanding fees to restore good standing.

Related

• How to form an LLC in Hawaii
• Hawaii annual report
• Hawaii LLC tax filing
• Hawaii registered agent
• How to get an EIN
• How to form an LLC (hub)

Sources

1. Hawaii DCCA — Domestic Limited Liability Company (Form LLC-1; $50 fee).
2. Hawaii DCCA — Business Registration Fee Schedule (filing and annual report fees).
3. Hawaii Business Express — Register a Business Online (online LLC filing).
4. Hawaii DCCA — Annual Business Filings ($15 annual report; anniversary quarter).
5. Hawaii Dept. of Taxation — General Excise Tax (GET) (4% rate; GET license).
6. Hawaii Dept. of Taxation — Hawaii Tax Online (Form BB-1 GET registration).
7. Hawaii Revised Statutes — Chapter 428, Uniform LLC Act (Hawaii LLC statute).
8. IRS — Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN is free; issued by the IRS).
9. IRS — About Form SS-4 (Application for Employer Identification Number).
10. IRS — Limited Liability Company (LLC) (federal default classification).
11. IRS — Single Member Limited Liability Companies (disregarded-entity default).
12. Cornell LII — 26 CFR § 301.7701-3 (entity classification election).
13. Cornell LII — Limited Liability Company (LLC) (definition).

LegalGlass provides general information for educational purposes and is not a law firm or a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney or tax professional. Laws, fees, and thresholds change; verify current requirements with the Hawaii DCCA Business Registration Division and the Department of Taxation before acting.