Form Your Hawaii C Corporation
Build an investor-ready company in the Aloha State — issue stock, raise venture capital, and access Pacific Rim markets, with a $50 filing fee and $15/year reports
Filed in Hawaii
The Aloha State · HI
- State filing fee$50
- Processing time3-5 business days (standard)
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$15/year — due End of the quarter the corp was formed in
- State tax rate4.4%-6.4% corporate income tax
- Expedited option1-3 business days (+$25)
Form your Hawaii C-Corp — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Hawaii C-Corp
Free formation means you pay only the $50 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Incorporation filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Incorporation to the Hawaii DCCA, Business Registration Division.
Registered agent
Required in Hawaii — we act as your agent for the first year.
EIN from the IRS
Your federal Tax ID — required to open a US business bank account and file taxes.
Corporate bylaws
Professionally drafted corporate bylaws — defines ownership, voting, and profit splits.
Benefits of forming an C-Corp in Hawaii
Hawaii pairs a low $50 incorporation fee and a $15 annual report with a unique position as the gateway to Pacific Rim and Asian markets, making it an affordable launchpad for a C Corporation built to raise outside capital. A Hawaii C Corp issues stock to founders and investors, is governed by a board of directors, and pays the 21% flat federal corporate income tax plus Hawaii's graduated 4.4%-6.4% corporate income tax — with no state franchise tax.
The structure venture capitalists and institutional investors require to write a check
Issue multiple classes of stock and maintain a clean cap table for priced rounds and SAFEs
Perpetual existence — the corporation survives changes in ownership, directors, and officers
Low $50 state filing fee, one of the most affordable in the nation
Extremely low $15/year annual report fee keeps ongoing compliance costs minimal
QSBS (Section 1202) treatment may apply to qualifying early stock, a major draw for founders and investors
Gateway to Pacific Rim and Asian markets with a tourism-driven, year-round economy
No state franchise tax for Hawaii corporations
Key features of a Hawaii C-Corp
- Investor-ready structure built for issuing stock and raising priced rounds
- Board of directors and bylaws govern the company
- Low $50 filing fee and $15/year annual report
- General Excise Tax (GET) instead of a traditional sales tax
- Gateway to Pacific Rim markets with a tourism-driven island economy
Major industries in Hawaii
Form your Hawaii C-Corp in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes 3-5 business days (standard).
- 01
Choose Your Corporate Name
Your name must include a corporate identifier such as 'Corporation,' 'Incorporated,' 'Company,' or an abbreviation like 'Corp.' or 'Inc.' Check availability through the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs business name search.
- 02
Appoint a Registered Agent
Hawaii requires a registered agent with a physical address in the state who can accept legal and service-of-process documents during business hours.
- 03
File Articles of Incorporation
Submit your Articles of Incorporation to the Hawaii DCCA, Business Registration Division, including your authorized share count. The filing fee is $50 and standard processing takes 3-5 business days.
- 04
Hold an Organizational Meeting & Adopt Bylaws
Appoint your board of directors, adopt corporate bylaws, authorize and issue stock to founders, and record initial minutes to establish governance.
- 05
Obtain an EIN & Make Tax Elections
Apply for a free EIN from the IRS for tax filing, banking, and hiring. Founders receiving restricted stock should file an 83(b) election with the IRS within 30 days of issuance.
- 06
File Your Annual Report
Hawaii corporations must file an annual report by the end of the quarter in which the corporation was formed. The filing fee is $15.
Hawaii C-Corp costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Hawaii C-Corp requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Hawaii C-Corp in 2026.
- File Articles of Incorporation with the Hawaii DCCA, Business Registration Division
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical Hawaii address
- Adopt corporate bylaws and appoint a board of directors
- Issue stock to shareholders and maintain a cap table and stock ledger
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- File an annual report each year by the end of the formation quarter ($15)
- Obtain a Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) license
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Incorporation
- Filing agency
- Hawaii DCCA, Business Registration Division
- Registered agent
- Required
- Corporate bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $10 (120 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $50 Hawaii state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, corporate bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Incorporation filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in Hawaii)
- EIN / Federal Tax ID
- Expedited processing (1–2 days)
- Corporate bylaws
- Priority support
- Kicker Voice — 3-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 15 days
Founder
- Everything in Booster
- Business mailing address
- Bookkeeping — 3 months free
- Dedicated account manager
- Rush processing
- Kicker Voice — 6-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 30 days
Kicker
- Everything in Founder
- ITIN filing & preparation
- Same-day priority processing
- 2nd year annual filing $0
- Kicker Voice 12-day + Kicker Pay 60 days free
Compare all plans on our pricing page.
Hawaii C-Corp questions, answered
Common questions about forming an C-Corp in Hawaii. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to incorporate a C Corporation in Hawaii?
The state filing fee for Articles of Incorporation is $50, one of the lowest in the nation, filed with the Hawaii DCCA, Business Registration Division. The annual report fee is just $15 per year. Standard processing takes 3-5 business days.
How is a Hawaii C Corporation taxed?
A C Corp pays the 21% flat federal corporate income tax on profits, and Hawaii levies a graduated state corporate income tax of 4.4% to 6.4%. There is no state franchise tax. Be aware of 'double taxation': profits are taxed at the corporate level, then dividends paid to shareholders are taxed again on their personal returns.
Why choose a C Corporation instead of an LLC in Hawaii?
A C Corporation is the structure venture capitalists and institutional investors require. It can issue multiple classes of stock, maintain a cap table, raise priced rounds and SAFEs, and has perpetual existence — making it the right choice if you plan to seek outside funding or eventually go public.
What is the 83(b) election and when do I file it?
If founders receive restricted stock subject to vesting, filing an 83(b) election lets you pay tax on the stock's value at grant rather than as it vests. You must file it with the IRS within 30 days of receiving the restricted stock — this deadline is strict and cannot be extended.
Can my Hawaii C Corp benefit from QSBS (Section 1202)?
Qualified Small Business Stock benefits under Section 1202 may apply to qualifying C Corporation stock held by founders and early investors, potentially excluding gains from federal tax on a later sale. QSBS rules changed in 2025, so confirm eligibility and current limits with a qualified tax advisor.
Does my Hawaii C Corporation have to file a BOI report?
No. Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, US domestic entities and US persons are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting. Only entities formed outside the US and registered to do business in a US state are still required to file.
When is the annual report due for a Hawaii corporation?
The annual report is due by the end of the quarter in which your corporation was originally formed, and the fee is $15. Filing on time keeps your corporation in good standing; late or missed filings can lead to administrative dissolution.
Do I need a business license for a Hawaii C Corporation?
Yes. Hawaii uses a General Excise Tax (GET) instead of a traditional sales tax, and nearly all businesses must obtain a GET license, which applies to most business activity at rates of 0.5% to 4%. Depending on your industry, additional state and county permits may also be required.
Hawaii government filing resources
Filing fees for common C-Corp services
Official Hawaii state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
Flat $10.00 for all entity types (LLC, corp, nonprofit, LP, LLP, GP).
Fee does NOT vary by entity type: $5.00 standard / $10.00 expedited for LLC, profit corp, nonprofit, LP, LLP and GP alike (per HRS Ch.
Learn moreCertification (Certified Copy) is a flat $10.00 regardless of entity type (same $10.00 for expedited).
$3.00 per document (raised from $1.00 in July 2025).
$25.00 nonrefundable filing fee for 200 or fewer affected entities ($1.00 each for 201 or more).
Learn more$25.00 nonrefundable filing fee for a domestic Profit Corporation (HRS 414-403).
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Hawaii C-Corp
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your Hawaii C-Corp?
Formation is free — you pay only the $50 Hawaii state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in 3-5 business days (standard).
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