Rank / West Virginia / Nonprofit
West Virginia nonprofit corporation cost
Official fees for forming and keeping a nonprofit corporation in West Virginia, from West Virginia Secretary of State, 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.
West Virginia nonprofit corporation cost at a glance
Forming a nonprofit corporation in West Virginia costs $300 to start: $25 in state filing fees plus the $275 IRS Form 1023-EZ user fee. After that, West Virginia 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 $425, the 32nd 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 | $25 | code.wvlegislature.gov |
| Annual or biennial report fee In this section, "corporation" means a domestic corporation, a foreign corporation, or a nonprofit corporation. | $25 | code.wvlegislature.gov |
| Foreign registration (another state's nonprofit corporation) | $50 | code.wvlegislature.gov |
| 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 West Virginia
- Check the name. Search the West Virginia Secretary of State business records to confirm the name is free. State filing page.
- File the articles of incorporation. The West Virginia Secretary of State charges $25 to form a nonprofit corporation.
- Name a registered agent. The agent needs a physical address in West Virginia. 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. West Virginia charges a report fee of $25 a year.
Other business types in West Virginia
An LLC costs $100 to start, then a report fee of $25 a year. A corporation costs $100 to start, then a report fee of $25 a year. Registering an assumed business name (DBA) with the state costs $25. Compare them in the calculator.
Registering an out-of-state nonprofit corporation in West Virginia
A nonprofit corporation formed in another state registers in West Virginia as a foreign nonprofit corporation. The West Virginia Secretary of State charges $50 for the registration.
Common questions
How much does it cost to start a nonprofit corporation in West Virginia?
$300 to start: $25 in state filing fees plus the $275 IRS Form 1023-EZ user fee, and West Virginia then charges a report fee of $25 a year.
What does a nonprofit corporation in West Virginia cost over five years?
$425 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 West Virginia?
$50, paid to the West Virginia Secretary of State.
Compare with nearby states in cost
- Louisiana $420 over 5 years
- Utah $424 over 5 years
- Wisconsin $435 over 5 years
- Colorado $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 West Virginia
- 1
File your Articles of Incorporation
$25The document that creates your nonprofit with the state of West Virginia.
Do it yourself
File with West Virginia Secretary of State. 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 West Virginia who receives legal and state mail for the nonprofit.
Do it yourself
Be your own agent if you have a street address in West Virginia.
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.
Do it yourself
- 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.