Hawaii LLC Cost (2026): $51 Articles, a $12.50 Annual Report, and the GET License
Hawaii has a reputation for being expensive, but its LLC filings are not. Formation costs $51 and the yearly state report is $12.50 when filed online. What catches new owners off guard is the General Excise Tax: Hawaii taxes gross receipts rather than relying only on a sales tax, so nearly every LLC that earns money here needs a GET license from the Department of Taxation on top of its registration with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA).
The $50 Articles Plus the $1 Archives Fee
A Hawaii LLC is created by filing Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) with the DCCA Business Registration Division. The filing fee is $50, and the state adds a $1 State Archives fee to each registration, so the real cost is $51. Most owners file online through the state’s business registration portal.
DCCA has been moving its business registration system to a new platform in 2026, and optional expedited handling may not be offered during the transition. Plan for standard processing and check the portal before paying for rush service.
Northwest Registered Agent
Hawaii’s business search shows your registered agent address to anyone. $39 formation + $51 state fee, free registered agent for year one, then $125/yr.
$39 formation fee · Free registered agent for 12 months · Your address stays off public records · No data selling · No hidden fees
Form Your LLC with Northwest ($39) →Lowest 3-year cost we found: Northwest $289 vs Bizee $298 vs ZenBusiness $497 (service fees; state fees extra). Northwest also puts its address on your public filings instead of yours where the state allows.
The $20 General Excise Tax License
The General Excise Tax applies to the gross income of almost every business activity in Hawaii, including services, rentals, and online sales to Hawaii customers. Before you start earning, register with the Department of Taxation for a GET license. The one-time fee is $20, and the application can be filed alongside other state tax registrations through Hawaii Business Express.
The license fee is small, but the tax behind it is not optional. GET returns are filed on a monthly, quarterly, or semiannual schedule depending on how much tax you owe, and each return is filed even when the amount due is zero. Many owners pass GET on to customers as a visible line item, which is legal as long as it is disclosed.
The $12.50 Report and the Anniversary-Quarter Deadline
Hawaii’s annual report is due by the end of the calendar quarter in which your registration anniversary falls, not on a single statewide date. An LLC registered on February 10 files by March 31; one registered on August 5 files by September 30. The fee is $12.50 online or $15 on paper, and the first report is due in the year after the LLC was formed.
DCCA can administratively dissolve an LLC that fails to file for two consecutive years. At $12.50, the report is the cheapest part of keeping a Hawaii LLC in good standing, so the only thing to manage is the date.
Name Reservations and Trade Names
You can hold an LLC name for 120 days with a $10 name reservation, which is useful if you are still arranging financing or a lease. If the LLC will operate under a brand that differs from its registered name, register it as a trade name for $50. Hawaii trade name registrations last five years and must be renewed to keep them.
Hawaii 3-Year Cost
| Scenario | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $90 ($51 + $39, RA free) | $137.50 ($12.50 report + $125 RA) | $137.50 (same) | $365 |
| ZenBusiness (Starter) | $150 ($51 + $0 + $99 RA) | $211.50 ($12.50 + $199 RA) | $211.50 (same) | $573 |
| DIY, self as registered agent | $51 ($50 + $1 archives fee) | $12.50 (annual report, online) | $12.50 (annual report, online) | $76 |
A DIY Hawaii LLC costs $76 in state filing fees over three years, before the one-time $20 GET license. The $289 extra with Northwest Registered Agent is registered agent service after year one. Hawaii requires your agent to have a physical street address in the state, so if you are running the business from the mainland, you need a service anyway.
Form your Hawaii LLC for $39 + $51 state fee.
Northwest Registered Agent: $39 formation, free Year 1 registered agent, compliance reminders, and your home address kept off public records.
Form My Hawaii LLC for $39
Prefer a $0 upfront starter plan? Compare ZenBusiness (registered agent $199/yr).
When a Hawaii LLC may not be worth it yet: if you are only testing an idea with a few sales, a sole proprietorship with a GET license lets you pay and file GET correctly without forming an entity. Form the LLC once you sign leases or contracts, hire help, or take on liability you do not want to carry personally.
Why I Choose Northwest Registered Agent
After forming 3 LLCs myself and helping clients through the process, I keep coming back to Northwest Registered Agent. Here is why:
- Remarkable Customer Support: Quick, human responses every time.
- Caring & Privacy-Focused: Genuine service with full respect for your privacy.
- Lightning-Fast Formation: Often faster than promised.
- Incredible Value: $39 includes a free business address, mail scanning, and more.
- Clear & Transparent: No hidden fees or surprises.
Ready to form your business? Choose Northwest today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Hawaii?
$51: the $50 Articles of Organization fee plus a $1 State Archives fee. With Northwest Registered Agent the first-year total is $90, including a free first year of registered agent service.
How much is the Hawaii LLC annual report?
$12.50 online or $15 by mail, due by the end of the calendar quarter containing your registration anniversary.
Does a Hawaii LLC need a GET license?
Almost always. Any LLC earning income from business activity in Hawaii registers for the General Excise Tax. The license is a one-time $20 fee.
What happens if I skip the Hawaii annual report?
DCCA can administratively dissolve an LLC that fails to file its annual report for two consecutive years.
