Hawaii LLC Cost

It will cost you a minimum of $51 to start your Hawaii LLC, which covers the fee to file your Articles of Organization with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA).

However, the total cost of getting your business started can vary significantly based on its specific needs and the services you choose.

In our Hawaii LLC Cost guide, we'll provide a detailed breakdown of the various costs associated with forming and maintaining an LLC in Hawaii, including both mandatory and optional expenses.

More than 84% of our readers form their LLC through a professional service to save time and avoid mistakes.

Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

How Much Does a Hawaii LLC Cost

Below is a table summarizing the primary costs associated with forming an LLC in Hawaii.

	LLC Cost Summary
Requirement	Fee
Articles of Organization	$51+
Registered Agent	$0-$300+
LLC Name	$0-$60

Hawaii LLC Filing Fee ($51+)

To legally establish your LLC in Hawaii, you must file the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) with the DCCA's Business Registration Division.

This filing can be submitted online, by mail, or in person for a fee of $50 and an additional $1 charge for the State Archives fee.

The cost remains the same even if you’re forming a foreign LLC in Hawaii — which requires you to submit the Application for Certificate of Authority (Form FLLC-1) instead.

The difference between a domestic and foreign LLC is that the former is operating within the state, whereas the latter is registered in Hawaii but is based in a different state. 

It's important to note that if you opt to use an LLC formation service, this minimum cost will be higher due to the service fees, which typically start at around $29.

Have a look at our in-depth review of the best and most affordable LLC Formation Services in 2024.

Hawaii Registered Agent ($0-$300+)

Another essential requirement for forming an LLC in Hawaii is appointing a registered agent. A registered agent is responsible for receiving official documents, such as legal and tax notices, on behalf of your LLC.

While you’re able to serve as your own registered agent free of charge, many business owners prefer to hire a professional service to ensure they stay compliant with state regulations and to maintain privacy.

The price of these services varies a lot depending on the features that you need — while basic services typically start at around $125 per year, more comprehensive services may cost up to and over $300 annually.

If you choose to hire a commercial registered agent, you'll also need to submit a Commercial Registered Agent Listing Statement (Form X-11) to the DCCA, which requires a $100 filing fee.

Hawaii LLC Name ($0-$60)

Despite not costing anything in itself to choose a name, there are two key potential costs you may be faced with during this step.

Reserving a Name

If you want to reserve a specific name for your LLC before officially forming it, Hawaii allows you to do so for a $10 fee.

This reservation keeps your name safe for a period of 120 days, ensuring that no other business can register the same name during this time.

You can file this reservation online through Hawaii Business Express or by submitting an Application for Reservation of Name via mail or in person.

You will also want to check at this point that this name is also available as a domain for your business’s website. 

Doing Business As (DBA) Name

If you want to run your Hawaii LLC under a name that’s different from the one on its formation documents, you may want to register a DBA name (which is also known as a Trade Name in this state).

While you can use a DBA in Hawaii without registering it, doing so can be beneficial as it informs other businesses that this trade name is actively in use.

It costs $50 to register a DBA, which will be valid for five years from this date. You can extend this period by renewing your DBA name for an additional $50.

The DBA registration process can either be completed online through the Hawaii Business Express website, by mail, fax, or in-person using a paper Application for Registration of Trade Name form.

Before registering a DBA, it's advisable to check the availability of your desired trade name to avoid potential conflicts with existing businesses.

Note: The state of Hawaii recommends checking both the Department of Taxation's website and local phone directories to ensure that your chosen trade name has not been previously used.

Optional Hawaii LLC Formation Costs

In addition to the standard costs associated with forming an LLC, there are several other expenses that may apply depending on your business's specific needs and circumstances.

Hawaii LLC Operating Agreement 

An operating agreement is a crucial document for LLCs, even though it is not required by Hawaii law.

This internal document outlines the roles, responsibilities, and operational procedures of your LLC's members or managers — which is key to preventing disputes among members as well as providing clarity on the business’s management structure.

You can draft this operating agreement yourself using templates and other online resources, or opt for a professional service to create this document for you. Be aware that this will generally cost around several hundred dollars.

It's important to note that the operating agreement is an internal document and does not need to be filed with the DCCA. However, having one in place is highly recommended to protect your business and ensure smooth operations.

Expedited Hawaii LLC Filing

If you need your LLC’s formation documents to be processed quickly, Hawaii offers an expedited filing service.

This service reduces the standard processing time of three to five business days to just one business day for an additional fee of $50 that’s applied on top of the regular $51 filing fee.

Local Business Licenses

Depending on the nature of your business and its location, you may need to obtain one or more local business licenses to operate legally.

While not all municipalities in Hawaii require a general business license, certain types of businesses may need specific licenses based on their activities.

For example, if your LLC plans to run a club in Honolulu, it will need a Liquor License that’s specific to this city. This costs $320, though you’ll also need to pay an initial application fee of $50, a $2.50 online service fee, and any associated costs for publishing a notice of a public hearing in a local newspaper.

Be sure to research the specific licensing requirements for your business based on your industry and location to avoid penalties due to compliance issues with local regulations.

Certificate of Good Standing

A Certificate of Good Standing is an official document that verifies your LLC is properly registered and in compliance with state regulations. It’s commonly required when opening a business bank account, applying for loans, or conducting business with other companies.

In Hawaii, you can easily obtain a Certificate of Good Standing online through the Hawaii Business Express website for a fee of $5.

Certified Copies of Business Documents

If you need certified copies of your LLC's formation documents, you can request them online through the Hawaii Business Express website. 

The cost for certified copies is $0.25 per page, plus an additional $10 for certification. Having certified copies of your business documents on hand can be useful in various situations, so it may be worth obtaining them at the time of formation.

These certified copies may be needed if your business is dealing with financial institutions, regulatory agencies, or legal matters.

Ongoing Costs to Maintain a Hawaii LLC

After forming your Hawaii LLC, there are a number of ongoing costs associated with keeping it in good standing with the state.

Below, we'll discuss some of the key recurring expenses you should be aware of.

Annual Report Fee

To maintain good standing with the state of Hawaii, all LLCs are required to submit an Annual Report to the DCCA. This provides the state with updated information about your LLC, including its current members and registered agent.

You can file this report online via the Hawaii Business Express website or print the Limited Liability Company Annual Report form and mail it to the Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs.

The filing fee for the annual report is $15, though the due date for submitting this report depends on the formation date of your LLC:

• January 1 and March 31: Filing deadline is March 31
• April 1 and June 30: Filing deadline is June 30
• July 1 and September 30: Filing deadline is September 30
• October 1 and December 31: Filing deadline is December 31

Failure to submit the annual report on time can result in penalties and may affect your LLC's good standing with the state.

General Excise Tax (GET)

Hawaii imposes a General Excise Tax (GET) on all business income, which is similar to a sales tax but is applied to the gross income of businesses rather than just retail sales.

The standard GET rate in Hawaii is set at 4.00%, but certain locations may impose additional surcharges that can increase this rate up to as much as 4.50%.

To comply with these requirements, you'll need to obtain a GET license, which involves completing the Hawaii Basic Business Application (Form BB-1) and paying a one-time fee of $20.

Once you have a GET license, your LLC will need to file GET tax returns periodically, with the frequency depending on the amount of tax owed.

These filings can be monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually, though in most cases the due date will always be the 20th day of the month following the end of the filing period.

Registered Agent Maintenance

If you choose to use a professional registered agent service for your LLC, you'll need to pay an annual fee to maintain their services.

The cost of maintaining a registered agent typically ranges from $120 to $300 per year, depending on the provider and the features included.

While it's not required to use a professional registered agent service, many business owners find it beneficial to ensure they remain in compliance with state regulations and protect their privacy.

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Hawaii LLC vs Other States

Hawaii is often recognized as a business-friendly state, particularly because it does not impose franchise or charter taxes, which are common in many other states. This lack of additional taxation can make Hawaii an attractive option for entrepreneurs.

Additionally, Hawaii has streamlined its business registration process, requiring only the essential information needed to meet legal standards. This simplicity can make the registration process quicker and easier for business owners.

However, it's important to remember that the best state to form an LLC in is usually the one where you plan to conduct most of your business. This is because it simplifies compliance with state and local regulations, including taxes, licenses, and filing requirements.