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Massachusetts nonprofit corporation cost

Official fees for forming and keeping a nonprofit corporation in Massachusetts, from Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division, and the IRS fee for tax exemption.

1 year$325
3 years$355
5 years$385

Formation, the IRS Form 1023-EZ fee and recurring state fees and taxes. Excludes registered agent costs. Adjust in the calculator.

Massachusetts nonprofit corporation cost at a glance

Forming a nonprofit corporation in Massachusetts costs $310 to start: $35 in state filing fees plus the $275 IRS Form 1023-EZ user fee. After that, Massachusetts charges a report fee of $15 a year. Over five years the state's own charges and the IRS Form 1023-EZ fee come to $385, the 23rd 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

ItemAmountOfficial source
Formation filing fee
Online filing adds $5
$35www.sec.state.ma.us
Annual or biennial report fee
Due November 1
$15www.sec.state.ma.us
Foreign registration (another state's nonprofit corporation)
By mail; $390 by fax
$400www.sec.state.ma.us
IRS user fee, Form 1023-EZ
Form 1023-EZ, the streamlined application for smaller organizations.
$275www.irs.gov
IRS user fee, Form 1023
Form 1023, IRS application for tax-exempt status.
$600www.irs.gov

How to form a nonprofit corporation in Massachusetts

  1. Check the name. Search the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division business records to confirm the name is free. State filing page.
  2. File the articles of incorporation. The Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division charges $35 to form a nonprofit corporation.
  3. Name a registered agent. The agent needs a physical address in Massachusetts. You can serve as your own.
  4. Get an EIN. The IRS issues it free on its own website.
  5. Apply for federal tax exemption. The IRS user fee is $275 for Form 1023-EZ or $600 for Form 1023. IRS user fee page.
  6. Stay in good standing. Massachusetts charges a report fee of $15 a year.

Other business types in Massachusetts

An LLC costs $500 to start, then a report fee of $500 a year. A corporation costs $275 to start, then a report fee of $100 a year. Compare them in the calculator.

Registering an out-of-state nonprofit corporation in Massachusetts

A nonprofit corporation formed in another state registers in Massachusetts as a foreign nonprofit corporation. The Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division charges $400 for the registration.

Common questions

How much does it cost to start a nonprofit corporation in Massachusetts?

$310 to start: $35 in state filing fees plus the $275 IRS Form 1023-EZ user fee, and Massachusetts then charges a report fee of $15 a year.

What does a nonprofit corporation in Massachusetts cost over five years?

$385 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 Massachusetts?

$400, paid to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division.

Compare with nearby states in cost

See every state ranked

Guides

What you'll need to start a nonprofit in Massachusetts

  1. 1

    File your Articles of Incorporation

    $35

    The document that creates your nonprofit with the state of Massachusetts.

    Do it yourself

    File with Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division. 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. 2

    Name a registered agent

    $0 yourself, or $99 to $200 a year

    A person or company with a street address in Massachusetts who receives legal and state mail for the nonprofit.

    Do it yourself

    Be your own agent if you have a street address in Massachusetts.

    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. 3

    Get an EIN (tax ID)

    Free

    The 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. 4

    Apply for federal tax exemption

    $275 or $600

    Nonprofit 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. 5

    File the annual report

    $15 a year

    The recurring filing that keeps the nonprofit in good standing.

  6. 6

    Open a business bank account

    $0 a month

    Keeps 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.

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