The cost to form an LLC for a Kailua business starts with the $50 Hawaii filing fee. Add annual fees, a registered agent, and local Kailua business taxes below.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Hawaii charges a $50 filing fee to form an LLC and a $15 annual report each year. Hawaii has 12 income tax brackets, one of the most graduated systems in the country. The top rate of 11% applies to income over $200,000 (single). Hawaii also has a General Excise Tax (GET) instead of a traditional sales tax.
| Cost Item | Amount | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Filing Fee | $50 | One-time at formation |
| Annual report | $15 | Annually |
| Registered Agent Service | $49 to $300/year | Annually |
| Local Kailua Business License / Tax | Varies by industry | Annually |
| Operating Agreement | $0 to $500 | One-time (recommended) |
| EIN (Federal Tax ID) | Free | One-time (IRS.gov) |
Hawaii does not levy a traditional sales tax; instead businesses pay a General Excise Tax (GET) of about 4.5% on Oahu on their gross income, which most pass on to customers. Hawaii also charges a low LLC annual report fee. Budget for GET registration on top of the state LLC filing fee.
Kailua is an affluent beach town on the windward side of Oahu, known for some of the most desirable beaches in Hawaii, with high home prices, a tourism and small-business economy, and a large share of residents who commute to Honolulu.
| Local Metric | Kailua (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 40,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | the City and County of Honolulu |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 210 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $27.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $52.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $16.00/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $2,400/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $3,000/month |
| Median home price | $1,100,000 |
| Median household income | $130,000/year |
| Combined General Excise Tax (GET) rate | 4.5% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.3% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The LLC filing fee is set by Hawaii at $50, since LLCs are formed at the state level. Add the $15 annual report (each year), a registered agent (about $49 to $300/year), and any local Kailua business license or tax. Hawaii does not levy a traditional sales tax; instead businesses pay a General Excise Tax (GET) of about 4.5% on Oahu on their gross income, which most pass on to customers. Hawaii also charges a low LLC annual report fee. Budget for GET registration on top of the state LLC filing fee.
Hawaii does not levy a traditional sales tax; instead businesses pay a General Excise Tax (GET) of about 4.5% on Oahu on their gross income, which most pass on to customers. Hawaii also charges a low LLC annual report fee. Budget for GET registration on top of the state LLC filing fee.
Plan for the $15 annual report, registered agent renewal (about $49/year), and any local Kailua business license or tax. The calculator above totals these for you.
LLCs are registered with the Hawaii Department of Taxation at the state level, not the city. You then comply with local Kailua requirements such as a business license, zoning, and any city business tax. There is no separate city-level LLC filing.
If your business actually operates in Kailua, forming in Hawaii is usually simplest. Forming in Delaware or Wyoming while operating in Kailua typically forces you to register as a foreign LLC in Hawaii anyway, paying fees in both states.