Cleaning Service Permit Requirements in Hilo, HI

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Hawaii Department of Taxation — General Excise Tax (GET) License

   Hawaii has no sales tax. Instead the state levies a General Excise Tax on the gross income of the business itself, and unlike a sales tax it reaches services, commissions and rent as well as goods. Every business must register for a GET licence with the Department of Taxation on Form BB-1 before doing business. The rate is 4% statewide, rising to 4.5% on Oahu because of the 0.5% county surcharge, and it is owed on gross income whether or not it is passed on to the customer.

   Official government source

   $20 one-time registration fee (Form BB-1)·Hawaii Tax ID issued immediately in person, in about 5–7 days online via Hawaii Tax Online, or 4–6 weeks by mail

   $20 one-time registration fee (Form BB-1)

   Hawaii Tax ID issued immediately in person, in about 5–7 days online via Hawaii Tax Online, or 4–6 weeks by mail

2. Hawaii Workers' Compensation Insurance

   Hawaii requires most employers to carry workers' compensation insurance for employees. Sole proprietors with no employees are generally exempt, but confirm with state requirements.

   Official government source

   Varies (typically $500–$2,000/year depending on payroll)·Immediate to 1 week

   Varies (typically $500–$2,000/year depending on payroll)

   Immediate to 1 week

1. Hawaii State General Excise Tax (GET) License

   Hawaii County does not issue a general county business license. Every business operating in Hilo must obtain a State of Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) license, a one-time $20 filing with the Dept. of Taxation. Specific business types may need separate state or county permits.

   Official government source

   $20 one-time (State GET license; no general county business license exists)·Same day–1 week via Hawaii Tax Online

   $20 one-time (State GET license; no general county business license exists)

   Same day–1 week via Hawaii Tax Online

2. Home Occupation Zoning Compliance and DCCA Trade Name Registration

   Two separate things are bundled here and neither runs through the County Finance Department. Working from home is a zoning question for the Hawaii County Planning Department: a home occupation that stays within the county zoning code's standards is an accessory use, and the county publishes no home occupation permit or fee for it. Trading under a name other than the owner's legal name is a state filing — a Trade Name registration with the DCCA Business Registration Division, since Hawaii has no county clerk and no Secretary of State.

   Official government source

   No county home occupation permit fee is published; the Trade Name registration with DCCA BREG is $50 plus a $1 State Archives fee, or $20 more to expedite·No county application for a home occupation that meets the zoning standards; trade name filings are processed within about a week

   No county home occupation permit fee is published; the Trade Name registration with DCCA BREG is $50 plus a $1 State Archives fee, or $20 more to expedite

   No county application for a home occupation that meets the zoning standards; trade name filings are processed within about a week

Official Sources

• County of Hawaii Finance Department
• Hawaii Department of Taxation — General Excise Tax License

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