California Nonprofit cost

Forming a California Nonprofit

You file Articles of Incorporation (nonprofit public benefit, mutual benefit or religious corporation) with the California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division (Business Entities). The state fee is $30. See the official fee.

File it yourself with the state →

Every year after

• Statement of Information (Form SI-100): $20, filed every two years. Due: Every two years by the end of the calendar month of original incorporation.
• First one: Within 90 days of filing the Articles of Incorporation.
• If you're late: $50 penalty for failure to file (nonprofit rate); can lead to suspension.
• Official report page

Worth knowing

• Formation costs $70 for an LLC, $100 for a stock corporation and $30 for a nonprofit, plus a $20-$25 Statement of Information due within 90 days.
• LLCs owe the $800 annual tax starting in their first year (due the 15th day of the 4th month after formation); new corporations are exempt from the $800 minimum in their first taxable year.
• Corporations file a Statement of Information every year; LLCs and nonprofits file every two years.
• DBAs (fictitious business names) are filed with the county, not the Secretary of State.

Registered agent

California requires a registered agent. Agent for service of process must be a California-resident individual or a registered corporate agent (Corporations Code section 1505 certificate on file); the entity cannot be its own agent. Name and street address are public. You can serve as your own agent if you have a qualifying address; paid services usually charge a yearly fee.