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Washington nonprofit corporation cost

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

1 year$415
3 years$535
5 years$655

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

Washington nonprofit corporation cost at a glance

Forming a nonprofit corporation in Washington costs $355 to start: $80 in state filing fees plus the $275 IRS Form 1023-EZ user fee. After that, Washington charges a report fee of $60 a year. Over five years the state's own charges and the IRS Form 1023-EZ fee come to $655, the highest 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
$40 reduced fee for organizations certifying gross revenue under $500,000.
$80www.sos.wa.gov
Annual or biennial report fee
$20 reduced fee for organizations certifying gross revenue under $500,000.
$60www.sos.wa.gov
Foreign registration (another state's nonprofit corporation)$30www.sos.wa.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 Washington

  1. Check the name. Search the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division business records to confirm the name is free. State filing page.
  2. File the articles of incorporation. The Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division charges $80 to form a nonprofit corporation.
  3. Name a registered agent. The agent needs a physical address in Washington. 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. Washington charges a report fee of $60 a year. See What to know above for the details that are easy to miss.

Other business types in Washington

An LLC costs $180 to start, then a report fee of $70 a year. A corporation costs $180 to start, then a report fee of $70 a year. Compare them in the calculator.

Registering an out-of-state nonprofit corporation in Washington

A nonprofit corporation formed in another state registers in Washington as a foreign nonprofit corporation. The Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division charges $30 for the registration.

Common questions

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

$355 to start: $80 in state filing fees plus the $275 IRS Form 1023-EZ user fee, and Washington then charges a report fee of $60 a year.

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

$655 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 Washington?

$30, paid to the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division.

Compare with nearby states in cost

See every state ranked

Guides

What you'll need to start a nonprofit in Washington

  1. 1

    File your Articles of Incorporation

    $80

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

    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 Washington who receives legal and state mail for the nonprofit.

    Do it yourself

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

    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

    $60 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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