LLC TrueCost
2026 planning estimate

Hawaii LLC Cost Calculator & 5-Year Taxes

Initial state filing fee: $50. Ongoing annual report fee: $15 (annual). No state franchise tax.

Step 1 Before LLC Formation • Official State Registry

Check if your LLC name is taken on official Hawaii database

Every LLC name must be legally distinguishable on state records. Perform a free corporate name lookup on the official Hawaii Business Registration Division (BREG) registry before submitting your $50 Articles of Organization.

Search Hawaii Registry (.gov)
2026 Statutory Fee Guide • Verified State Department Records

How Much Does an LLC Cost in Hawaii?

Hawaii LLC Mandatory and Ongoing Fees Schedule (2026)
Fee ComponentStatutory CostFrequencyDue Date / RequirementRecipient Entity
Articles of Organization (Filing Fee)$50One-timeUpon LLC formationHawaii Business Registration Division (BREG)
Periodic Annual / Biennial Report$15annualDue Quarter of formation anniversaryHawaii Business Registration Division (BREG)
State Franchise Tax / Entity Fee$0NoneNo franchise taxN/A
Registered Agent Service$0 (Self) or $39–$125AnnualContinuous requirementAppointed agent / Commercial service
Operating Agreement & Federal EIN$0 (Free)One-timeInternal record / IRS issuanceInternal Company Record / IRS
General Excise Tax (GET) License$20One-timeStatutory publication periodCounty designated publishers
Total Minimum Initial Formation$70 (State statutory fees to open LLC)
Statutory Department: Hawaii Business Registration Division (BREG)
Verify on Hawaii Business Registration Division (BREG)

Hawaii LLC 5-Year Cost Model

HI

Choose a state and assumptions. Your five-year estimate updates instantly.

Projection2026–2030
Measures5 taxable years
Accounting basisLiability incurred
Initial: $50
Approval speed: 3-5 business days•Public Privacy: Standard
If you reside or hire employees in a different state from your LLC, that state requires Foreign Qualification registration.

Future years assume today's reviewed rates remain unchanged. Historical estimates are not enabled because older rules have not been fully verified.

Hawaii Tax Rule: No franchise tax, but Hawaii imposes a General Excise Tax (GET) of 4% to 4.5% on gross business receipts.
Service purchase is optional
Deciding where to incorporate?

This estimate covers liabilities incurred in five taxable years (2026–2030), even when payment is due later.

Future years use an unchanged-current-law assumption. Income tax, legal advice, penalties, and unselected optional services are excluded.

2026 setup cost
$109

Initial formation fee ($50) + publication + registered agent

Annual Maintenance
$54 /yr avg

Annual report ($15/yr)

5-Year Estimated CostModeled items only
$325(~$5/mo)

Estimated liability for the selected inputs and disclosed scope in Hawaii.

Five taxable years by cost category(Click any year to inspect)

Select a year to inspect its included liabilities and applicable tax due date.

Inspecting: Year 1 ($109)
State Formation & Expedited
Base Entity Tax
Revenue-Based / Conditional Fee
Annual / Biennial Reports
Special Mandates (Publication, etc.)
Registered Agent Compliance
Home State Foreign Qualification

Tax year 2026 included items

Total: $109
State Filing$50
Base Entity Tax$0
Conditional Fee$0
Annual Report$0
Special / Pub$20
Registered Agent$39
Foreign Qual.$0

5-Year Budget Allocation by Cost Category

Total State Filings
$50
15% of 5-yr budget
Base Entity Taxes
$0
0% of 5-yr budget
Annual / Biennial Reports
$60
18% of 5-yr budget
Registered Agent Service
$195
60% of 5-yr budget
Publication / Mandates
$20
6% of 5-yr budget
Recommended Business BankingFDIC Insured up to $5M
Open a zero-fee business checking account for your Hawaii LLC

Separate your business finances immediately to preserve limited liability corporate veil protection.

Explore Mercury ($0 Monthly Fees)

Hawaii LLC Statutory Framework & Compliance Guide (2026)

Statutory requirements and fee schedules under the Hawaii Business Registration Division (BREG).

Official State Portal (.gov)
Annual Report Due DateQuarter of formation anniversaryFrequency: ANNUAL
Normal Turnaround3-5 business daysExpedited: +$25
Public Record PrivacyStandardRegistered agent protects personal address
State Personal Income Tax1.4% to 11%LLC pass-through profits flow to owners
Mandatory Formation Requirement

General Excise Tax (GET) License

Must register for GET license; 4% to 4.5% tax applies on all business gross revenues.

Estimated Out-of-Pocket Expense:$20

Hawaii Franchise Tax & Business Privilege Tax Rules

No franchise tax, but Hawaii imposes a General Excise Tax (GET) of 4% to 4.5% on gross business receipts.

Advantages of a Hawaii LLC

  • Very low initial filing fee ($50) and annual fee ($15)

Drawbacks & Hidden Costs

  • GET tax applies to gross revenues regardless of profit or loss

Founder Pro-Tip for Hawaii

Hawaii's GET tax is not a sales tax—it is levied on gross income of the business.

Step-by-Step Hawaii LLC Formation Checklist (2026)

1
Choose an Available Entity Name

Must include "LLC", "L.L.C.", or "Limited Liability Company" and be distinguishable on the Hawaii Business Registration Division (BREG) registry.

2
Appoint a Hawaii Registered Agent

Must have a physical street address in Hawaii (no P.O. boxes) to receive official service of process during regular business hours.

3
File Articles of Organization ($50 State Fee)

Submit electronically to the Hawaii Business Registration Division (BREG). Approval is typically granted within 3-5 business days.

4
Execute an Operating Agreement & Obtain Federal EIN

Establish member capital contributions, voting rights, and obtain a free 9-digit EIN from IRS.gov for business checking accounts.

5
Maintain Ongoing Legal Good Standing (Quarter of formation anniversary)

Submit the annual report with the $15 fee to prevent automatic forfeiture or late fee assessments.

Hawaii LLC Cost FAQ

Common questions about forming and maintaining an LLC in Hawaii.

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

The state filing fee to form an LLC in Hawaii is $50, paid to the Hawaii Business Registration Division (BREG) when you file your Articles of Organization. With a registered agent service ($39–$125/yr) and the mandatory General Excise Tax (GET) License ($20), expect to pay approximately $109 in your first year.

What is the Hawaii LLC filing fee for 2026?

The Hawaii LLC filing fee is $50. This is a one-time fee paid to the Hawaii Business Registration Division (BREG) to register your Articles of Organization. Expedited processing is available for an additional $25. Normal processing time is 3-5 business days.

What are the annual fees for an LLC in Hawaii?

Hawaii charges a annual report fee of $15, due Quarter of formation anniversary. There is no state franchise tax for standard LLCs in Hawaii, making ongoing costs relatively low.

How much does it cost to maintain a Hawaii LLC per year?

The annual cost to maintain a Hawaii LLC includes the annual report fee ($15), and a registered agent ($39–$125/yr). Over 5 years, the estimated total cost is $325.

Does Hawaii have a franchise tax for LLCs?

No. Hawaii does not impose a franchise tax or entity-level tax on standard domestic LLCs. This makes Hawaii one of the more affordable states for LLC maintenance.

Can I form an LLC in Hawaii if I live in another state?

Yes, you can form a domestic LLC in Hawaii regardless of where you live. However, if your principal business operations are in a different state, you will also need to register as a Foreign LLC in that state. In Hawaii, foreign LLC registration costs $50 plus $15/year in ongoing fees — often resulting in paying double.

Source: Hawaii Business Registration Division (BREG) • Updated 2026View our methodology →

Compare Hawaii with Rival & Neighboring States

Evaluating formation options? Review fee structures in competing jurisdictions:

Multi-State Comparer