Business Action Center

REGISTRATION FOR DOMESTIC BUSINESSES

Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA):
Register online through the Hawaii Business Express portal: https://hbe.ehawaii.gov

• Registration is required for all entities (partnerships, corporations and limited liability companies) that will be conducting business in Hawaii. Forms and fees vary.
• For sole proprietors using a business name, the trade name registration is optional. Financial institutions may require this to open an account or to apply for a loan. File the Application for Registration of Trade Name (T-1) form. The filing fee is $51.

Hawaii Department of Taxation:
Apply online at: https://hitax.hawaii.gov

• A General Excise number is required for anyone doing business in Hawaii. It serves as a general business license. File the State of Hawaii Basic Business Application (BB-1) form. The filing fee is $20.
• The State Withholding number is required for anyone hiring employees in Hawaii. File the State of Hawaii Basic Business Application (BB-1) form. There is no fee to apply.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS):
Apply online at: www.irs.gov

• A federal ID number (FEIN) is required for your business, if:
  • You are organized as a corporation, s-corporation, partnership, or multi-member LLC; or
  • You are hiring employees; or
  • You are a non-profit organization.
• Print out your confirmation letter containing your FEIN right away.
• There is no fee to apply.

Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR), Unemployment Insurance      Division:
Apply online at: https://labor.hawaii.gov/ui

• An Unemployment Insurance (UI) account number is required if you will be hiring employees in Hawaii.
• Do not submit request prior to your employment date.
• There is no fee to apply.