State program
Hawaii Tax Credit for Research Activities
A refundable credit for qualified high technology businesses, subject to an annual statewide cap and certification.
Program overview
Hawaii's research credit is available to qualified high technology businesses and is refundable, making it one of the most cash-friendly programs in the country. Claimants must certify with the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, submit an annual survey, and have their qualified research expenses verified. The program operates under an aggregate annual cap, and claims may be reduced pro rata if total certified claims exceed the cap in a given year.
Eligibility
Qualified high technology businesses with more than half of activities in qualified research conducted in Hawaii, holding an annual certification and filing the required survey by the statutory deadline.
Benefits
Refundable credit paid in cash, tied to the federal research credit rules with Hawaii-only expenses.
Find out what your research actually qualifies for
A scoping conversation takes thirty minutes and costs nothing. You leave with a view on eligibility, likely credit range and the documentation you would need.