Hawaii state tax may be the easiest local tax to file in the U.S. Because you only have to register with the state and not an individual county, you never have to file or pay local county taxes in Hawaii. Even so, to non-accountants, filing Hawaii state taxes may seem riddled with difficult regulations and other obstructions.

However, filing Hawaii state taxes is not as daunting as it may seem. You can file your local Hawaii taxes once you:

1. Register your business for state of Hawaii tax

2. Locate the proper Hawaii state tax forms you'll need to file your business taxes

3. Find professional Hawaii state and local tax resources that can help you file your state of Hawaii tax

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get Hawaii state and local tax resources to help you understand your business' tax commitment

The Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism has several online resources available to people starting a business in Hawaii. These resources do everything from helping you understand Hawaii's tax structure to helping you find other companies to conduct business with.

I recommend: Check out the information on tax structure first. Then learn about running your business with the links on the Small Business Information page.

Use Hawaii tax resources to register your business

By registering your business in Hawaii, you will have begun progressing toward the point where you can actually file your business taxes.

I recommend: Download the registration forms from the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and mail or drop them off. You can also register your business online, by going through the Business Express portal.

Get your Hawaii state tax forms so that you can file your taxes

If you received registration confirmation from the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and you have your filing number, you can file online. You probably also received a paper copy in the mail. Otherwise, download and send in your Hawaii state tax forms.

I recommend: Try the online system to file your Hawaii state tax first. If you don't have the filing number you need, you can download the N-35 and N-35 instruction forms from the Hawaii Department of Taxation.

Get an accountant to help your file Hawaii state taxes

It's not shocking that many business owners have better things to do than figure out their Hawaii taxes. Fortunately, this is not a problem. Hire a certified public accountant (CPA) and have a professional take care of your filing needs.

I recommend: The Hawaii Society of Certified Public Accountants and DirectoryCPA.com are two good places to search for professionals to help you this tax season.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Do a little research about Hawaii's tax structure and business rules before starting your business in Hawaii.
• •  Registering and completing your state of Hawaii tax forms online can save you time and money.
• •  When in doubt, hire a professional CPA and file your business taxes in confidence.