Form Your Hawaii Nonprofit Corporation
Launch your mission in the Aloha State with a $25 filing fee, a clear path to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, and just $5 in yearly upkeep
Filed in Hawaii
The Aloha State · HI
- State filing fee$25
- Processing time3-5 business days (standard)
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$5 annual report fee — due By end of formation-anniversary quarter, yearly
- State tax rate4.4%-6.4% corporate income tax
- Expedited option1-3 business days (+$25)
Form your Hawaii Nonprofit — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Hawaii Nonprofit
Free formation means you pay only the $25 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Incorporation (Form DNP-1) filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Incorporation (Form DNP-1) 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.
Bylaws
Professionally drafted bylaws — defines ownership, voting, and profit splits.
Benefits of forming an Nonprofit in Hawaii
Hawaii is a welcoming home for mission-driven organizations, with a $25 incorporation fee and a nominal $5 annual report among the lowest costs in the nation. Its tourism-anchored economy, deep cultural heritage, and Pacific Rim position create rich opportunities for nonprofits in environmental conservation, cultural preservation, education, healthcare, and community development.
Very low $25 state filing fee to incorporate your nonprofit
Eligible for federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status once approved by the IRS
Tax-deductible donations help attract grants and individual donors
Among the lowest ongoing costs anywhere — just $5 per year
No Hawaii franchise tax on nonprofit corporations
Gateway to Pacific Rim and Asian communities for mission-driven work
Strong tourism and community base supports cultural, environmental, and social causes
Limited liability protection for directors, officers, and members
Key features of a Hawaii Nonprofit
- Very low $25 incorporation fee and $5 annual report
- Pathway to federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
- No franchise tax for Hawaii nonprofit corporations
- 3-director minimum board under the Hawaii Nonprofit Corporations Act
- Tax-deductible donations once IRS exemption is granted
- Filed with the Hawaii DCCA, Business Registration Division
Major industries in Hawaii
Form your Hawaii Nonprofit in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes 3-5 business days (standard).
- 01
Choose Your Nonprofit Name
Your name must be distinguishable from other entities on file. Check availability through the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) business name search before filing.
- 02
Appoint a Board of Directors
Hawaii requires a minimum of 3 directors under the Hawaii Nonprofit Corporations Act (HRS 414D-133). For 501(c)(3) purposes, the IRS prefers a majority of unrelated, independent directors.
- 03
File Articles of Incorporation
Submit Articles of Incorporation (Form DNP-1) to the Hawaii DCCA, Business Registration Division. The filing fee is $25 and standard processing takes 3-5 business days. Include IRS-required tax-exempt purpose and dissolution clauses.
- 04
Adopt Bylaws and a Conflict-of-Interest Policy
Draft corporate bylaws governing how your nonprofit operates and adopt a conflict-of-interest policy. Both are expected by the IRS when you apply for 501(c)(3) status.
- 05
Obtain an EIN and Apply for 501(c)(3) Status
Get a free EIN from the IRS, then file Form 1023-EZ ($275 user fee, for orgs with gross receipts up to $50,000/yr and assets up to $250,000) or full Form 1023 ($600). The IRS step is separate from your Hawaii incorporation.
- 06
Register for State Charitable Solicitation and Tax Exemption
Register with the Hawaii Attorney General before soliciting donations, and apply separately for Hawaii General Excise Tax exemption. File the $5 annual report with DCCA each year and IRS Form 990 annually.
Hawaii Nonprofit costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Hawaii Nonprofit requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Hawaii Nonprofit in 2026.
- File Articles of Incorporation (Form DNP-1) with the Hawaii DCCA
- Appoint a minimum of 3 directors (HRS 414D-133)
- Maintain a registered agent with a physical Hawaii address
- Adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy
- Obtain an EIN and apply for IRS 501(c)(3) status (Form 1023-EZ or 1023)
- Register for charitable solicitation with the Hawaii Attorney General
- File the $5 annual report with DCCA and IRS Form 990 each year
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Incorporation (Form DNP-1)
- Filing agency
- Hawaii DCCA, Business Registration Division
- Registered agent
- Required
- Bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $10 (120 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $25 Hawaii state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Incorporation (Form DNP-1) 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)
- 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 Nonprofit questions, answered
Common questions about forming an Nonprofit in Hawaii. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form a nonprofit corporation in Hawaii?
The Hawaii state filing fee for Articles of Incorporation (Form DNP-1) is $25, one of the lowest in the country. The annual report fee is just $5. Separately, applying for IRS 501(c)(3) status costs $275 (Form 1023-EZ) or $600 (full Form 1023).
How long does Hawaii nonprofit incorporation take?
Standard processing through the Hawaii DCCA, Business Registration Division takes about 3-5 business days. Expedited service is available for an additional fee. The separate IRS 501(c)(3) review takes roughly 2-4 weeks for Form 1023-EZ or 3-6 months for the full Form 1023.
How many directors does a Hawaii nonprofit need?
Hawaii requires a minimum of 3 directors under the Hawaii Nonprofit Corporations Act (HRS 414D-133). For 501(c)(3) approval, the IRS prefers a majority of independent, unrelated directors to demonstrate proper governance.
Is incorporating in Hawaii the same as getting 501(c)(3) status?
No. Filing your Articles of Incorporation with the Hawaii DCCA creates the nonprofit corporation at the state level. Federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status is a separate step handled by the IRS through Form 1023-EZ or Form 1023, and Hawaii tax exemption and charitable registration are additional state steps.
What taxes does a Hawaii nonprofit pay?
Hawaii imposes a 4.4%-6.4% corporate income tax and no franchise tax, but an approved 501(c)(3) is exempt from federal income tax. Nonprofits should also apply for a Hawaii General Excise Tax exemption, since Hawaii uses GET in place of a traditional sales tax.
Does a Hawaii nonprofit have to file a BOI report?
No. Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, US domestic entities such as a Hawaii nonprofit corporation are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information reporting. Only foreign-formed entities registered to do business in a US state still file.
What ongoing filings does a Hawaii nonprofit have?
Each year you must file a $5 annual report with the Hawaii DCCA by the end of the quarter in which the nonprofit was formed, file IRS Form 990, and renew your charitable solicitation registration with the Hawaii Attorney General if you fundraise.
Are donations to my Hawaii nonprofit tax-deductible?
Donations become tax-deductible only after the IRS grants 501(c)(3) status. Once approved, contributions from individuals and grants from foundations are generally tax-deductible, which helps your organization attract funding.
Hawaii government filing resources
Filing fees for common Nonprofit 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$10.00 nonrefundable filing fee for a domestic Nonprofit Corporation (HRS 414D-250).
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Hawaii Nonprofit
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your Hawaii Nonprofit?
Formation is free — you pay only the $25 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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