Hawaii Tax ID (EIN) Number Application

Looking to obtain your Tax ID (EIN) Number in Hawaii? This short Hawaii Tax ID Application Guide will walk you through the basic steps you need to follow to apply for your Tax ID (EIN) Number in the state of Hawaii. Whether you own a Partnership, multi-member LLC, Corporation, Non-Profit, Trust or Estate, this guide will help you learn what you need to know to obtain your official IRS Tax ID Number within minutes.

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Steps to Obtain your Tax ID (EIN) Number in Hawaii:

  1. Prepare Required Information
  2. Apply for a Hawaii Tax ID Online
  3. Apply for a Hawaii Tax ID by Phone, Mail or Fax
  4. What is a Hawaii State Tax ID Number?
  5. Do I Need a Federal Tax ID Number to Do Business in Hawaii?
  6. How Do I Get a Hawaii State Tax ID Number?

1. Prepare Required Information

To make things easier on yourself, it’s helpful to gather all the information you need in the application process before you begin the application. That way, you won’t have to stop the application to hunt down these facts, so you can get the application done sooner.

At a minimum, you’ll need to gather these key pieces of information:

  • Business partner names and addresses. First, you’ll need to jot down the full legal names and legal addresses of your business’s cofounders, including yourself and any partners you have.
  • Business partner social security numbers (SSNs). You’ll also need to get their social security numbers (SSNs).
  • Your business name. Finally, you’ll need to know your business’s name, so now’s the time to finalize the decision if you haven’t yet.

2. Apply for a Hawaii Tax ID Online

Once you have all the right pieces of information in front of you, you’ll be ready to begin the next phase of the process. You can access and fill out the application in one of several different ways, some of which are more traditional, like applying by phone, mail, or fax. However, the best application method is applying online.

When you apply for your tax ID online, you’ll find it much easier and more convenient. You won’t have to hunt down a paper application or wait for open hours; instead, you can access the online application at any time, on any device with an internet connection. If you have all the necessary information to answer the questions, it should only take you 5 minutes or so to complete it. From there, you’ll get the greatest benefit of applying online: the quick turnaround time. Once you’re done with the application, you should receive your tax ID via email in an hour or less.

3. Apply for a Hawaii Tax ID by Phone, Mail or Fax

Even though applying online is universally the best application method, there are some other methods to choose from. For example, you could apply over the phone. In this scenario, you would answer all the same questions about you, your business, and your partners, but you’d do it through an interactive conversation, rather than an online form. If you’re willing to find and fill out a paper application, you can also apply by mail or fax. These methods are far less convenient, and if you use one of them instead of applying online, you’ll end up waiting 4 to 6 weeks to receive your tax ID by mail.

4. What is a Hawaii State Tax ID Number?

Hawaii, like most other states, requires most of its businesses to obtain a specific state tax ID number. This number is distinct from your federal tax ID number, and it’s important to realize the purpose of each.

Your federal tax ID number is sometimes referred to simply as a “tax ID.” It’s also called an employer identification number, or EIN. You’ll need this number if your business is going to have multiple partners, like in a partnership or a corporation. You’ll also need one if you’re going to hire employees, if you’re applying for various business licenses or permits, or if you’re going to open a business bank account or apply for a loan.

Your Hawaii state tax ID number, like a federal tax ID number, is a unique identifier for your business. However, it’s used for fundamentally different purposes. Most notably, your state tax ID number is used to register your business for sales tax, so you’ll need one if you’re selling taxable goods and services. You’ll also need one if you’re going to owe excise taxes, or if you’re hiring employees in Hawaii.

5. Do I Need a Federal Tax ID Number to Do Business in Hawaii?

If you’re going to open a business in Hawaii, you may wonder if you truly “need” a federal tax ID. Federal tax ID numbers aren’t required of all businesses nationwide, but it’s extremely likely that you’ll need one to operate in Hawaii.

You’ll definitely need a tax ID number if you’re running a partnership, an LLC with more than one member, or a corporation. You’ll also need one if you’re hiring any employees. A federal tax ID number is required before you can open any financial account in your business’s name, including if you’re applying for loans, and you’ll need one if you’re going to apply for any business license or permit as well.

Perhaps most importantly, you’ll need a federal tax ID before you can get a Hawaii state tax ID. In other words, it’s a practical certainty that you’ll need a federal tax ID for one reason or another if you’re doing business in Hawaii.

6. How Do I Get a Hawaii State Tax ID Number?

If you do need a Hawaii state tax ID number, there’s a straightforward process for getting one. Before you begin the application, you’ll need to get a federal tax ID number. Fortunately, if you apply for your federal tax ID number online, it should only take an hour to get one.

Once you have that, you can apply for your Hawaii state tax ID number. You’ll have several options for applying for your state tax ID, just like with your federal tax ID. You can apply via a traditional method, but as you might suspect, it’s much faster and easier to apply online. When you apply online, you’ll answer several questions about your business. Finishing the application shouldn’t take long, but it could take several weeks before you receive your state tax ID, even if you do apply online.

Written by Maurice Mallory