Hawaii LLC Formation
Are you looking to start an LLC in the Aloha State? You’ll need to file Articles of Organization with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Business Registration Division, appoint a Hawaii registered agent, and submit a Beneficial Owner Information (BOI) report.
Sound like a lot? For just $149 plus state filing fees, we’ll file your Articles of Organization, provide Hawaii registered agent service, and give you all the tools needed to create an instant online presence, including:
- Customizable website
- Domain name
- SSL
- Business email
- Business phone number
Start Your Hawaii LLC Today!
Ready to get started? Begin the filing process below! You can hire us to form your Hawaii LLC or file yourself. Need more time to think? Just save your progress and come back when you’re ready.
How to form a Hawaii LLC
You’ll need to take several steps to form your Hawaii LLC, including:- Naming your LLC
- Choosing a registered agent
- Filing your Articles of Organization
- Getting an EIN
- Submitting a BOI report
- Filing your Annual Report
1. Name your Hawaii LLC.
Every business in Hawaii needs a unique name. Per HI Rev Stat § 428-105 (2023), the name of your Hawaii LLC must:- Be distinguishable from other Hawaii businesses. Your business name cannot be identical or similar to another business’s.
- Include an appropriate business identifier, such as LLC or Limited Liability Company.
2. Choose a Hawaii registered agent.
All Hawaii LLCs are required to have and maintain a registered agent. According to state law (HI Rev Stat § 428-107 (2023)), your registered agent must be a resident of Hawaii or a company authorized to provide registered agent service (like us). When you hire us to form your Hawaii LLC, we’ll provide a year of local registered agent service. Although you can choose to act as your own registered agent, it does come with some risks. For example, you must list your name and physical address on the Articles of Organization. When you hire us, we’ll list our address instead of yours to protect your privacy. We don’t believe owning a business means sharing your personal information.3. File Articles of Organization.
To legally conduct business in Hawaii, you must file Articles of Organization with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Business Registration Division, and pay the $51 filing fee. Here’s a complete list of all the information you must include:- Name of your LLC.
- Principal business address.
- Name and street address of your Hawaii registered agent.
- Name and address of your organizer—this does not need to be a member or manager of the LLC.
- Duration. If your LLC will close on a specific date, you must indicate that here OR check “at will” if your business will remain open indefinitely.
- Management type (Member-managed or Manager-Managed).
- Name and address of each initial member or manager of your LLC.
- Liability. If any member or manager decides to be held liable for business-related debts, you must indicate that here. However, most people will check “Shall not be liable….”
- Organizer’s name and signature.
4. Get an EIN
Not every Hawaii LLC will need an EIN (Employer Identification Number). However, there are circumstances under which you would need to obtain an EIN from the IRS. For example, if you hire employees or file employment, excise, or alcohol taxes, the IRS will require you to have an EIN. You can get an EIN from the IRS by filing Form SS-4 through the IRS website. There is no filing fee.5. Submit a BOI Report
Most Hawaii LLCs must submit a free BOI (Beneficial Ownership Information) Report to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). On the report, you must include the following information for each person with substantial control or ownership in the company (“beneficial owners”) and those who formed the LLC or directed the articles to be filed (“the company applicants”):- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Residential address
- Copy of an accepted form of ID (like a passport or driver’s license)
6. File an Annual Report
Every LLC in Hawaii must file an annual report with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Business Registration Division. The filing fee is $13.50 for online filings and $16 for paper submissions. The due date for your annual report will depend on when you initially formed your Hawaii LLC. For example, if you formed your LLC between January 1 and March 31, your report will be due by March 31 each year. But, if your LLC was formed between April 1 and June 30, your report will be due by June 30 each year. Check out the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) website for more information.What to do after forming your Hawaii LLC
Now that you’ve officially formed your Hawaii LLC, you’ll want to tackle a few more things to ensure your business’s success.Write an Operating Agreement
Although Hawaii does not require LLCs to have an operating agreement, it’s a good idea to establish a set of rules and procedures for operating your Hawaii LLC. Plus, if you plan on opening a business bank account, your bank will likely ask to see your operating agreement. If you need support figuring out where to begin, we can help. When you hire us to form your Hawaii LLC, you’ll get an attorney-drafted operating agreement you can customize to fit your specific needs. We’ll also provide templates for your initial resolution and membership certificates.Open a business bank account
Establishing a business bank account is important because it will help separate your business and personal finances. After all, one of the major benefits of owning an LLC is that it gives you (the business owner) limited liability for any business-related debts or obligations. Having a separate bank account for your business transactions only strengthens that protection.Establish an online presence
Creating an online presence for your Hawaii LLC will be crucial for reaching new customers, staying connected with existing clients, and advertising your business to a broad audience. When you hire us to form your Hawaii LLC, we include all the tools needed to create an instant online business presence, including a customizable website, domain name, SSL to show customers your site is secure, a local business phone number, and a business email address. And, the best part? It won’t cost you any additional upfront fees! Each service is available to you instantly when you sign up, so you can hit the ground running.Additional Hawaii LLC FAQs
How are LLCs taxed in Hawaii?
Hawaii LLCs that maintain their default tax status are taxed as pass-through entities. All profits (and losses) are passed through to each member, who reports their shares on their personal income tax reports—both at the state and federal levels.Do I need a business license?
Most Hawaii LLCs will need a General Excise Tax (GET) License, a privilege tax the state imposes on businesses such as farming, wholesaling, and retailing. To get a General Excise Tax License, you’ll need to file Form BB-1 with the Hawaii Department of Taxation. The registration fee is $20. Depending on your jurisdiction and industry, you may also need additional licenses. Check out the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs website for more professional and vocational licensing information.Ready to start your Hawaii LLC?
Our Hawaii LLC formation service includes professional filing, local registered agent service, real-time annual report reminders, an attorney-drafted operating agreement, and unlimited access to our library of business resources. You also get essential tools for building an immediate online presence such as a website, domain name, SSL, email address, and phone service. We guarantee you won’t find a better deal anywhere.