Photography Business 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

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. Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation — Park Use Permit

   Photographers shooting an organized session in a Hilo county park, or at a permitted event on county parkland, need a park use permit from the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation, which handles pavilion rentals, camping and facility reservations. The County Finance Department has no park permitting role. Shoots that close a street or sidewalk require separate approval from the Department of Public Works and police.

   Official government source

   Charged per the county's park facility and pavilion rental schedule, which varies by facility and is not published as a single rate online·Reserve the facility in advance through the Parks and Recreation permits office; lead time depends on the facility and season

   Charged per the county's park facility and pavilion rental schedule, which varies by facility and is not published as a single rate online

   Reserve the facility in advance through the Parks and Recreation permits office; lead time depends on the facility and season

Official Sources

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

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