INITIAL FILING REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME AN ILLINOIS NONPROFIT

  1. HOW TO INCORPORATE IN ILLINOIS STATE:
    • File the Articles of Incorporation (+ 1 copy)
      • Send to: Secretary of State Department of Business Services 501 S. Second Street, Room 350 Springfield, IL 62756
      • The filing fee is $50
      • For more information,
    • After receiving the Certificate of Incorporation and a stamped copy of the Articles of Incorporation, the organization must file them with the office of the Recorder of Deeds of the county in which the registered corporation is located. It must be filed within 15 days of receipt.
  2. HOW TO OBTAIN 501(c) (3) TAX-EXEMPT STATUS:
  3. HOW TO OBTAIN ILLINOIS STATE’S INCOME TAX EXEMPTION:
    • Organizations that are 501(c) tax-exempt, are automatically exempt from Illinois income taxes.
  4. HOW TO OBTAIN ILLINOIS STATE’S SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION:
    • File Form STAX-1 Application for Sales Tax Exemption, together with: a copy of the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and IRS 501(c) (3) determination letter, most recent financial statement, brief narrative describing the organization’s purposes, functions, and activities; and, brochures or other printed materials regarding the organization.
      • Send to: Illinois Department of Revenue Sales Tax Exemption Section 3-520 101 West Jefferson St. Springfield, IL 62702
      • There is no filing fee.
      • For more information,
  5. HOW TO REGISTER WITH THE ILLINOIS STATE’S ATTORNEY GENERAL:
    • File Charitable Organization Registration Statement Form CO-1, together with: Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, lists of all officers and directors, copies of all contracts with professional fundraisers and IRS Form 990 for previous 3 years (if no federal forms were filed – file Form AG990-IL for the previous 3 years. If it is in existence for less than 1 year – file Form CO-2).

ANNUAL FILING REQUIREMENTS TO MAINTAIN AN ILLINOIS NONPROFIT

  1. ILLINOIS STATE’S INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE:
    • File the Annual Return Form 990 with online provider.
      • Note there is a list of approved providers.
      • Note that the due date of this form is 4 and a half months after the end of fiscal year.
      • Send to: Internal Revenue Service 1160 W 12th Street Ogden, UT 84201
      • There is no filing fee.
      • For more information,
        • Website: irs.gov/charities
        • Phone:
          • (800) 829-3676 (Form related questions)
          • (800) 829-1040 (general information)
    • For Public Charities: Please go to the IRS website to determine which of the three forms to file: Form 990, Form 990-EZ, or Form 990-N.
    • For Private Foundations: You are required to submit the Form 990-PF.
  2. ILLINOIS STATE’S ATTORNEY GENERAL:
    • File Attorney General Form AG990-IL, together with a copy of the IRS Form 990
      • Note that the due date is 6 months after the end of the fiscal year.
      • Send to: Office of the Attorney General Charitable Trusts Bureau Attn: Annual Report Section 100 West Randolph Street, 11th Fl. Chicago, IL 60601-3175
      • The filing fee is $15.
      • The late-filing fee is $100
      • Audit: if gross contributions exceed $300,000 or if the fundraiser raised contributions in excess of $25,000, the audited financial statements are required.
      • For more information,
  3. ILLINOIS STATE’S SECRETARY OF STATE:
    • File Annual Report for Nonprofit Corporations Form can be filed online here.
      • Note that the due date is annually before the first day of the month of incorporation.
      • Send to: Secretary of State Department of Business Services Corporations Division 501 S. Second St. Springfield, IL 62756
      • The filing fee is $10.
      • The late-filing fee is $3
      •  For more information,