Starting A Non Profit in California and Filing a 501c3

How To File A 501c3 in California

To create a charitable non profit in California, you must file Articles of Incorporation with the California Secretary of State Business Programs Division. There are generally three (3) types of non profit organizations recognized in California: non profit Religious corporations, which are organized for religious purposes; non profit Public Benefit corporations which are organized for charitable purposes; and non profit Mutual Benefit corporations. The state filing fee is $30.00. Forms and instructions are available at http://www.sos.ca.gov/business/.

Tax Exemptions

In order to be exempt from California corporation income or franchise taxes, a non profit corporation must apply for tax exemption with the State of California. A charitable non profit organization which is tax exempt as a 501(c)(3) must apply to obtain exemption from California’s income or franchise taxes by filing form FTB 3500A with the Franchise Tax Board. Before the California Franchise Tax Board grants tax exempt status, California may require that the organization obtain a Federal determination letter from the IRS before issuing a state exemption determination letter. For more information regarding exemption as a charitable organization in California, you can contact the Franchise Tax Board at http://www.ftb.ca.gov.

Charitable Solicitation

In California, a charitable organization, regardless of assets, must register with the Registry of Charitable Trusts of the Office of Attorney General. To register, the charitable organization must submit articles of incorporation and bylaws and pay an initial registration fee of $25.00. The charity must complete and fill out Form CT-1, which form is available on the California Attorney General’s Website. In addition, registration renewal fees must be paid by charities with gross annual revenues of $25,000 or more.

To start a charitable organization (501c3) in California, our total price is $465. You can reach us at 561-988-3083 or via email at info@startmycharity.com