Hawaii lesson 4 of 6
Get an EIN and open a bank account
Your EIN identifies the LLC to the IRS and to banks. Separately, almost every Hawaii LLC also needs to register with the Department of Taxation for a General Excise Tax license before it starts doing business.
Applying for the EIN
Apply for free directly on the IRS website once your Articles of Organization are approved. If the responsible party has a US social security number or ITIN, the number is issued immediately online; otherwise the application is filed on Form SS-4 by fax or mail.
Registering for the General Excise Tax license
Separately from the EIN, register with the Hawaii Department of Taxation on Form BB-1, the Basic Business Application, or online through the Department's tax portal. This is where you obtain your General Excise Tax license, which almost every Hawaii business needs regardless of whether it sells goods or only performs services. The license carries a one-time $20 fee.
Opening the account
Take the file-stamped Articles of Organization, the EIN confirmation letter, an operating agreement if you have one, and identification for signers and significant owners. Route all business income and expenses through this account, since mixing personal and business funds is one of the most common reasons courts disregard an LLC's liability protection.
Key takeaways
- The EIN is free and issued by the IRS.
- The General Excise Tax license is a separate one-time $20 registration with the Department of Taxation.
- Keep business and personal funds in separate accounts.
Official sources
Or let us file your Hawaii LLC for you
Everything above is yours to use for free. If you would rather hand it over, we prepare and file the Articles of Organization for Limited Liability Company (Form LLC-1), act as your registered agent, and track your ongoing deadlines.
Last reviewed: September 2026 - reviewed by Gullia Filing Legal & Formation Team