Quick Answer: Registration for a sales tax permit in Hawaii is best completed online via the Hawaii Tax Online website. More detailed information is included below.
Registration Fee: The sales tax permit registration fee in Hawaii is $20.00.
Renewal Required?: Sales tax permit renewal is not required in Hawaii.
Turnaround Time: In Hawaii, sales tax permit account access is gained once applied.
Do You Need to Get a Sales Tax Permit in Hawaii?
The first step in registering for a sales tax permit is determining if you even need one. In general, you need a sales tax permit in Hawaii if you have a physical presence or meet economic nexus requirements. For more detailed information on the necessity of getting a permit, you can learn more at our blog post “Do I Need to Get a Sales Tax Permit in Hawaii?”
If you are not sure where you should get sales tax permits, we can help determine that for you with our Sales Tax Starter Kit Service.
Once you’re sure you need a sales tax permit in Hawaii, you can proceed with registering.
Types of Sales Tax Permits Available
Sales tax in Hawaii is referred to as “General Excise Tax.” If you want to register for a sales tax permit, you will look instead for the General Excise/Use Tax permit. There’s no need to get confused, however, because General Excise Tax functions in the same way as sales tax. But if you ever call the state, be prepared to get corrected if you use the incorrect terminology.
If you’re already feeling a little overwhelmed, you should know that we can handle the entire permit registration process for you with our Sales Tax Permit Registration Service.
How Much Does a Sales Tax Permit in Hawaii Cost?
When applying for the General Excise/Use Permit, the state charges a flat license fee of $20.00.
Where to Register for a Hawaii Sales Tax Permit
There are two ways to register for a sales tax permit in Hawaii, either by paper application or via the online website. We recommend submitting the application via the online website as it is usually processed faster and you will receive a confirmation upon submission. Having a submission confirmation will help in the event that your application is not processed on time, or in the event that it is not processed at all (which unfortunately can happen every now and again).
Online Application Location: The best place to register for a sales tax permit with the state of Hawaii is on their website. You can get started here.
If mailing, it often takes up to 6 weeks for the state to process the application. You must also include the $20 payment with the paper application. The location for the paper application (fillable form) can be found here.
Where to Go if You Need Help Registering for a Sales Tax Permit in Hawaii
If you are stuck or have questions, you can either contact the state of Hawaii directly or reach out to us and we can register for a sales tax permit on your behalf.
How to contact the Hawaii Department of Taxation if you have questions: You can contact the Hawaii Department of Taxation by calling (808) 587-4242 between 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except on state holidays.
How to contact TaxValet if you want someone to handle your permit registration for you: You can learn more about our sales tax permit registration service by clicking here.
Information Needed to Register for a Sales Tax Permit in Hawaii
Before you begin the process of registering with the state, make sure you have access to the following information:
- Federal tax ID, typically called the EIN, is issued by the IRS
- Knowledge of your business entity structure
- Business owner information
- North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) number
- Start date with the state of Hawaii
- Your estimated yearly tax liability with Hawaii
- Your bank information to pay for the registration fee
To get started, choose the link titled “Register New Business License” on the website.
Next, click “BB-1 Basic Business Application” and follow the prompts that walk you through the process of registering with the state of Hawaii.
What Happens After You Apply for a Sales Tax Permit in Hawaii?
Keep in mind, once you have an active sales tax permit in Hawaii, you will need to begin filing sales tax returns. Our team can handle your sales tax returns for you with our Done-for-You Sales Tax Service. You can also learn more about how to file and pay a sales tax return in Hawaii by clicking here.
In the process of applying for your Hawaii sales tax permit, you created a login and password with the state. Once you have completed the registration process and submitted your sales tax permit application, you can then log back into your account and see all of your account details.
A paper copy of your General Excise/Use Tax License will arrive at your mailing address within 10-15 business days.
There is no expiration date on the General Excise/Use Permit in Hawaii. If at any point you are stuck and want a team of experts to handle all of this for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
