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Hawaii · How-To Guide

How do I get a business license?

Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs - DCCA (state level) / County for local permits (limited)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Determine your business structure: sole proprietor, LLC, corporation, partnership
  2. Register your business entity with the Hawaii DCCA Business Registration Division (for LLCs and corporations) at portal.ehawaii.gov/business or bizfile.hawaii.gov - file online
  3. Obtain a Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) License from the Hawaii Department of Taxation - required for virtually ALL businesses conducting any business activity in Hawaii; $20 one-time fee; register online at tax.hawaii.gov or Hawaii Tax Online
  4. Obtain an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS at irs.gov if forming an entity, hiring employees, or operating as a partnership
  5. Check for industry-specific state professional licenses through the DCCA Professional and Vocational Licensing Division (PVL) at cca.hawaii.gov/pvl - covers contractors, real estate agents, cosmetologists, health professionals, electricians, plumbers, and many others
  6. Check with your specific county for any county-level permits or approvals (zoning, construction, health department approvals for restaurants, etc.)
  7. Renew entity annual report with DCCA; renew GET license (one-time fee, no annual renewal for the license itself, but GET tax is filed monthly/quarterly)
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Business name and type of activity
  • Hawaii business address
  • Entity formation documents if LLC or corporation
  • EIN or Social Security number
  • Industry-specific certifications if applicable
Fee
LLC formation: $50; corporation: $50; annual report: $12.50 (LLC), $12.50 (corporation); GET License: $20 (one-time); professional license fees vary by profession RENEWAL: Entity annual report due in the month of the entity's formation anniversary; GET license: no annual renewal but file GET tax returns regularly; professional licenses: biennial renewal through DCCA PVL ONLINE OPTION: Yes - bizfile.hawaii.gov (entity formation and annual reports); tax.hawaii.gov or Hawaii Tax Online (GET license); cca.hawaii.gov/pvl (professional licenses) WHERE TO GO: DCCA Business Registration Division (entity and annual reports); Hawaii Department of Taxation (GET license); DCCA PVL (professional licenses); county for local permits
Online Option
Yes - bizfile.hawaii.gov (entity formation and annual reports); tax.hawaii.gov or Hawaii Tax Online (GET license); cca.hawaii.gov/pvl (professional licenses)
Where to Go
DCCA Business Registration Division (entity and annual reports); Hawaii Department of Taxation (GET license); DCCA PVL (professional licenses); county for local permits
County-specific variations apply

Hawaii's 4 counties administer local permits (zoning, land use, building permits, health department approvals) but do NOT issue general business licenses. If operating a restaurant, hotel, or business requiring health/safety inspections, contact your county for applicable county permits. No separate municipal business licenses exist since Hawaii has no incorporated cities.

Hawaii Notes

Important state-specific details

  • GENERAL EXCISE TAX (GET): Hawaii's most important business registration - the GET ($20 one-time license) is required for virtually all business activity in Hawaii; GET rate is 4% (4.5% in Honolulu); must file GET returns monthly or quarterly; GET applies to gross receipts, not just profits - Hawaii's GET is unique and can be passed on to customers.
  • Hawaii has a state income tax (graduated rates up to 11% - one of the highest top rates nationally).
  • DCCA PVL Division: oversees hundreds of professional licenses in Hawaii - cca.hawaii.gov/pvl; covers general contractors (must be licensed for work over $1,000), specialty contractors, real estate, cosmetology, engineering, and many others.
  • No county-level general business license - simpler than most mainland states.
  • Hawaii Secretary of State equivalent: DCCA Business Registration Division handles what most states assign to the Secretary of State.
  • Annual report fees in Hawaii are among the lowest nationally ($12.50).
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Hawaii DCCA Business Registration - cca.hawaii.gov/breg | (808) 586-2727; Hawaii GET License - tax.hawaii.gov | (808) 587-4242; DCCA PVL - cca.hawaii.gov/pvl | (808) 586-3000