What to know

Filing the Domestic General Partnership Annual Statement in Hawaii is a critical part of staying compliant as a business owner. Whether your partnership is newly formed or has been operating for years, this annual requirement ensures your business remains in good standing with the state. Many small business owners overlook this form until it's too late—resulting in penalties, administrative dissolution, or loss of business rights.

If you're unsure about what this form is, whether it applies to your business, or how to file it correctly, you're in the right place. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from filing requirements to deadlines, common mistakes, and how Palm can help you file automatically and stay compliant without the stress.

Understanding the Domestic General Partnership Annual Statement in Hawaii

The Domestic General Partnership Annual Statement is a mandatory filing required by the State of Hawaii for all general partnerships formed within the state. This form serves as a way for the state to verify that your business is still active, that your contact information is up to date, and that your partnership continues to meet legal requirements under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 425.

The form typically includes basic identifying information about your partnership, such as the business name, mailing address, the names of the partners, and any changes to your business structure or contact details. It's not a tax form or financial statement, but rather a compliance document that helps the state maintain accurate records of active partnerships operating in Hawaii.

From the government's perspective, this filing ensures transparency and accountability. It also helps protect consumers and other businesses by maintaining a public record of who is responsible for each registered partnership in the state.

Who Needs to File the Domestic General Partnership Annual Statement?

If you are part of a domestic general partnership registered in Hawaii, you are required to file this annual statement. This includes partnerships formed under Hawaii law that conduct business within the state, regardless of whether they have physical storefronts or operate entirely online.

Even if your partnership hasn't started operations yet, you are still required to file the statement as long as the entity is registered. Similarly, if your business had no changes during the year, you still need to file to confirm that your information remains accurate.

Common edge cases include:

“We didn't make any changes this year.” You still need to file. The state requires annual confirmation of your business details, even if nothing has changed.

“We haven't started doing business yet.” As long as your partnership is registered, you must file. Failing to do so could result in administrative penalties.

“We're planning to dissolve the partnership soon.” You must remain compliant until the dissolution is officially filed and processed by the state.

When Is the Domestic General Partnership Annual Statement Due in Hawaii?

The Domestic General Partnership Annual Statement must be filed once every year. The due date is based on the registration anniversary of your partnership. This means your filing is due by the end of the quarter in which your partnership was originally registered.

For example, if your partnership was registered in February, your annual statement would be due by the end of March each year. The state does not send reminders, so it's up to the business owner to track and meet the deadline.

If you miss the deadline, your partnership may be listed as “not in good standing,” which can create complications when applying for loans, renewing licenses, or entering into contracts. Continued failure to file can lead to administrative dissolution by the state.

Why Filing Matters for Business Compliance

Filing your Domestic General Partnership Annual Statement is not just a formality—it's a legal obligation. Missing this filing can lead to serious consequences that affect your business's ability to operate and grow.

Legal Consequences: The state may revoke your partnership's registration, which means you lose the legal right to operate under that business name in Hawaii.

Financial Impact: Noncompliance can result in late fees, penalties, and additional administrative costs. You may also have to pay reinstatement fees if your partnership is dissolved.

Operational Disruption: Banks, vendors, and government agencies often require proof of good standing. A lapse in compliance can delay financing, licensing, and other essential business functions.

Loss of Business Name: If your partnership is dissolved, your business name may become available for others to register, potentially causing brand confusion or legal disputes.

Staying compliant helps protect your business's reputation, legal standing, and operational continuity.

Step-by-Step: How to File the Domestic General Partnership Annual Statement in Hawaii

Option A – Filing Automatically with Palm (Recommended)

Using Palm to file your Domestic General Partnership Annual Statement in Hawaii is the easiest and most reliable option. Once you sign up, Palm collects your business information, verifies it for accuracy, and automatically submits the required form to the state on your behalf—on time, every year.

From your perspective, the process is seamless. You'll receive reminders when your filing is due, and Palm will handle all the paperwork, submission, and confirmation tracking. Your documents are stored securely in your Palm dashboard, so you'll always have access to your compliance history.

Palm also monitors your business status with the state and alerts you to any upcoming compliance requirements. This reduces the risk of missed deadlines, incorrect filings, and administrative headaches. It's a smart, time-saving solution for busy business owners who want peace of mind.

Option B – Filing Directly with the State Government

If you prefer to file on your own, you can do so through the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA). You'll need to visit their website, locate the correct form for Domestic General Partnerships, and either complete it online or download a PDF to fill out manually.

You'll be required to enter your partnership's registration number, business name, mailing address, and the names of all general partners. There is a filing fee, which must be paid by credit card or check, depending on your submission method.

After submission, you'll need to track your confirmation and store it securely. You'll also be responsible for remembering your login credentials, tracking your filing deadline each year, and ensuring your information is up to date. While this method works, it can be time-consuming and error-prone, especially for business owners managing multiple responsibilities.

Common Filing Mistakes to Avoid

1. Missing the Filing Deadline: Many partnerships forget to file on time because the state doesn't send reminders. This can lead to late fees or dissolution. Palm prevents this by tracking your deadlines and filing automatically.

2. Using Outdated Business Information: Submitting a form with an old address or incorrect partner names can result in rejection. Always review your information before filing. Palm verifies your data to ensure accuracy.

3. Filing the Wrong Form: Hawaii has different forms for different entity types. Filing a corporation's form for a partnership will delay your compliance. Palm selects the correct form based on your business type.

4. Forgetting to Pay the Filing Fee: Submitting the form without payment or with incorrect payment details can cause delays. Palm ensures your payment is processed correctly with your filing.

5. Losing Proof of Filing: If you ever need to prove your compliance, you'll need a copy of your confirmation. Palm stores all your filings securely for easy access anytime.

6. Not Updating Partner Information: If your partnership's ownership has changed and you don't report it, your filing may be considered incomplete. Palm prompts you to review and update your records before submission.

How Palm Simplifies This Process

Palm is more than just a filing tool—it's your compliance command center. By centralizing your business's legal identity, filing history, and upcoming deadlines in one secure platform, Palm helps you stay compliant across all state and federal requirements.

In addition to the Domestic General Partnership Annual Statement in Hawaii, Palm helps you manage other essential filings like Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI), annual reports, registered agent updates, and more. With automatic monitoring and filing, Palm reduces your administrative burden and helps you avoid costly mistakes.

What Happens After You File

Once your Domestic General Partnership Annual Statement is submitted, the state will review your information and process the filing. If everything is in order, you'll receive a confirmation—either by email or through your Palm dashboard if you filed automatically.

It's important to store this confirmation as proof of compliance. If you filed manually, keep a digital and physical copy in your records. If there's an error in your submission, the state may reject your filing and require corrections, which could delay your good standing status.

Palm tracks your filing status and alerts you if any action is needed, so you're never left in the dark.

Maintaining Compliance Going Forward

Staying compliant isn't a one-time task—it's an ongoing responsibility. Beyond the Domestic General Partnership Annual Statement, your business may have other filing requirements throughout the year, depending on your industry, structure, and operations.

Setting calendar reminders, regularly reviewing your business records, and planning ahead are essential habits for long-term success. Palm helps by monitoring your compliance obligations, alerting you to upcoming deadlines, and filing key documents on your behalf. With Palm, you can focus on growing your business while staying confidently compliant.

Key Takeaways

Filing the Domestic General Partnership Annual Statement in Hawaii is a required step for all registered partnerships. Missing this filing can result in legal and financial consequences, including dissolution of your business. Whether you choose to file manually or use a trusted platform like Palm, staying compliant is critical to protecting your business and keeping it in good standing with the state.

Don't let state filings become a distraction or liability. Let Palm handle your Domestic General Partnership Annual Statement in Hawaii—accurately, automatically, and on time. Sign up today and keep your business moving forward.