Colorado nonprofit corporation cost
Official fees for forming and keeping a nonprofit corporation in Colorado, from Colorado Secretary of State, Business Organizations, and the IRS fee for tax exemption.
Formation, the IRS Form 1023-EZ fee and recurring state fees and taxes. Excludes registered agent costs. Adjust in the calculator.
Colorado nonprofit corporation cost at a glance
Forming a nonprofit corporation in Colorado costs $325 to start: $50 in state filing fees plus the $275 IRS Form 1023-EZ user fee. After that, Colorado charges a report fee of $25 a year. Over five years the state's own charges and the IRS Form 1023-EZ fee come to $450, the 34th lowest of the 51 states with full nonprofit corporation figures here (the median is $399). The IRS user fee is $275 for Form 1023-EZ or $600 for Form 1023. Registered agent service and local licenses are extra.
Line by line
| Item | Amount | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Formation filing fee Online fee. | $50 | www.sos.state.co.us |
| Annual or biennial report fee Periodic Report is listed under general applicability for all reporting entities, including nonprofit corporations. | $25 | www.sos.state.co.us |
| Foreign registration (another state's nonprofit corporation) Fee for foreign entities of any type, online fee. | $100 | www.sos.state.co.us |
| IRS user fee, Form 1023-EZ Form 1023-EZ, the streamlined application for smaller organizations. | $275 | www.irs.gov |
| IRS user fee, Form 1023 Form 1023, IRS application for tax-exempt status. | $600 | www.irs.gov |
How to form a nonprofit corporation in Colorado
- Check the name. Search the Colorado Secretary of State, Business Organizations business records to confirm the name is free. State filing page.
- File the articles of incorporation. The Colorado Secretary of State, Business Organizations charges $50 to form a nonprofit corporation.
- Name a registered agent. The agent needs a physical address in Colorado. You can serve as your own.
- Get an EIN. The IRS issues it free on its own website.
- Apply for federal tax exemption. The IRS user fee is $275 for Form 1023-EZ or $600 for Form 1023. IRS user fee page.
- Stay in good standing. Colorado charges a report fee of $25 a year.
Other business types in Colorado
An LLC costs $50 to start, then a report fee of $25 a year. A corporation costs $50 to start, then a report fee of $25 a year. Registering an assumed business name (DBA) with the state costs $20. Compare them in the calculator.
Registering an out-of-state nonprofit corporation in Colorado
A nonprofit corporation formed in another state registers in Colorado as a foreign nonprofit corporation. The Colorado Secretary of State, Business Organizations charges $100 for the registration.
Common questions
How much does it cost to start a nonprofit corporation in Colorado?
$325 to start: $50 in state filing fees plus the $275 IRS Form 1023-EZ user fee, and Colorado then charges a report fee of $25 a year.
What does a nonprofit corporation in Colorado cost over five years?
$450 in state fees and taxes plus the IRS Form 1023-EZ fee, counting formation and every recurring charge.
How much is the IRS fee for a nonprofit tax exemption?
The IRS user fee is $275 for Form 1023-EZ or $600 for Form 1023.
How much does it cost to register a foreign nonprofit corporation in Colorado?
$100, paid to the Colorado Secretary of State, Business Organizations.
Compare with nearby states in cost
- West Virginia $425 over 5 years
- Wisconsin $435 over 5 years
- Mississippi $450 over 5 years
- Wyoming $450 over 5 years
Guides
- Delaware LLC annual tax: $400 a year
- Form 5472 for foreign-owned single-member LLCs
- How to start a business: the steps and what each costs
- New York LLC publication requirement: six weeks, two newspapers, $50
- Registering an LLC in another state: steps and every state's fee
- LLC annual fees by state, ranked
What you'll need to start a nonprofit in Colorado
- 1
File your Articles of Incorporation
$50The document that creates your nonprofit with the state of Colorado.
Do it yourself
File with Colorado Secretary of State, Business Organizations. You pay only the state fee.
Have it done
- LegalZoomfrom $99 + state feestate filing (Articles of Incorporation), name clearance, tax consultation. IRS 501(c)(3) application not included
- Registered Agents Inc$300 + state feestate filing, registered agent (1 yr), domain (1 yr). Registered agent $200/yr after year 1; IRS Form 1023-EZ $275 or Form 1023 $600 paid separately
Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.
- 2
Name a registered agent
$0 yourself, or $99 to $200 a yearA person or company with a street address in Colorado who receives legal and state mail for the nonprofit.
Do it yourself
Be your own agent if you have a street address in Colorado.
Have it done
- ZenBusiness$99/yrregistered agent (first year). Renews at $199/yr
- Zenind$99/yrregistered address, mail scanning and forwarding. $99 per year
- Registered Agents Inc$200/yrannual report filing. $200 per year
Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.
- 3
Get an EIN (tax ID)
FreeThe federal number banks and the IRS use for your nonprofit.
Do it yourself
Apply on IRS.gov. The IRS states you can get one "in minutes for free".
- 4
Apply for federal tax exemption
$275 or $600Nonprofit corporations are organized to do charity, education, religious, literary, or scientific work.
Do it yourself
IRS Form 1023-EZ or Form 1023: $275 for the 1023-EZ, $600 for the full 1023, per the IRS.
- 5
File the annual report
$25 a yearThe recurring filing that keeps the nonprofit in good standing.
- 6
Open a business bank account
$0 a monthKeeps business money separate from personal money. Banks ask for your EIN.
Options
- Bluevine$0/mono minimum balance, no overdraft fees. Opening deposit: no minimum balance requirement
- Mercury$0/mono minimum balance, no account opening fee. Opening deposit: none stated
- Relay$0/mono minimum balance. Grow $30/month; opening deposit none (no minimum balance)
Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.