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North Carolina nonprofit corporation cost

Official fees for forming and keeping a nonprofit corporation in North Carolina, from North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration Division, and the IRS fee for tax exemption.

1 year$335
3 years$335
5 years$335

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

North Carolina nonprofit corporation cost at a glance

Forming a nonprofit corporation in North Carolina costs $335 to start: $60 in state filing fees plus the $275 IRS Form 1023-EZ user fee. After that, North Carolina charges no annual report fee. Over five years the state's own charges and the IRS Form 1023-EZ fee come to $335, the 11th 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$60www.sosnc.gov
Annual or biennial report fee
No annual report is required of nonprofit corporations.
$0www.sosnc.gov
Foreign registration (another state's nonprofit corporation)$125www.sosnc.gov
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

What to know

How to form a nonprofit corporation in North Carolina

  1. Check the name. Search the North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration Division business records to confirm the name is free. State filing page.
  2. File the articles of incorporation. The North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration Division charges $60 to form a nonprofit corporation.
  3. Name a registered agent. The agent needs a physical address in North Carolina. 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. North Carolina charges no annual report fee. See What to know above for the details that are easy to miss.

Other business types in North Carolina

An LLC costs $125 to start, then a report fee of $200 a year. A corporation costs $125 to start, then a report fee of $25 a year. Compare them in the calculator.

Registering an out-of-state nonprofit corporation in North Carolina

A nonprofit corporation formed in another state registers in North Carolina as a foreign nonprofit corporation. The North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration Division charges $125 for the registration.

Common questions

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

$335 to start: $60 in state filing fees plus the $275 IRS Form 1023-EZ user fee, and North Carolina then charges no annual report fee.

What does a nonprofit corporation in North Carolina cost over five years?

$335 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 North Carolina?

$125, paid to the North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration Division.

Compare with nearby states in cost

See every state ranked

Guides

What you'll need to start a nonprofit in North Carolina

  1. 1

    File your Articles of Incorporation

    $60

    The document that creates your nonprofit with the state of North Carolina.

    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 North Carolina who receives legal and state mail for the nonprofit.

    Do it yourself

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

    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

    $0

    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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