Form Your Arizona Nonprofit Corporation
Launch your mission in the Grand Canyon State with a low $40 filing fee, an affordable $10 annual report, and a clear path to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Filed in Arizona
The Grand Canyon State · AZ
- State filing fee$40
- Processing time13-15 business days standard (3-5 days with $35 expedite)
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$10 annual report — due Annually with the Arizona Corporation Commission
- State tax rate4.9% corporate; 2.5% personal
- Expedited option3-5 business days (+$35)
Form your Arizona Nonprofit — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Arizona Nonprofit
Free formation means you pay only the $40 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit) filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit) to the Arizona Corporation Commission.
Registered agent
Required in Arizona — we act as your agent for the first year.
EIN from the IRS
Your federal Tax ID — required to open a US business bank account and file taxes.
Bylaws
Professionally drafted bylaws — defines ownership, voting, and profit splits.
Benefits of forming an Nonprofit in Arizona
Arizona is a welcoming home for nonprofits, pairing a low $40 incorporation fee and an inexpensive $10 annual report with a fast-growing, philanthropically active population. Once granted 501(c)(3) status, your organization can secure exemption from the state's corporate income tax and 5.6% sales tax, leaving more of every dollar for your mission.
Low $40 state filing fee to incorporate your nonprofit with the Arizona Corporation Commission
Eligibility for federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, making donations tax-deductible for your supporters
Affordable ongoing compliance at just $10 per year for the annual report
Limited liability protection for your directors, officers, and members
Access to grants and foundation funding reserved for incorporated nonprofits
Arizona's growing population and philanthropic community create a strong base for charitable missions
Perpetual existence so your mission continues beyond any single founder or board
Exemption from Arizona's 5.6% state sales tax and corporate income tax once tax-exempt status is granted
Key features of a Arizona Nonprofit
- Low $40 state incorporation fee through the Arizona Corporation Commission
- Affordable $10 annual report keeps ongoing compliance inexpensive
- Newspaper publication of incorporation required within 60 days
- Path to federal 501(c)(3) status and tax-deductible donations
- Board of at least 3 unrelated directors recommended for IRS approval
- No state franchise tax for Arizona nonprofits
Major industries in Arizona
Form your Arizona Nonprofit in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes 13-15 business days standard (3-5 days with $35 expedite).
- 01
Choose Your Nonprofit Name
Select a distinguishable name and confirm availability through the Arizona Corporation Commission business name search. The name cannot imply a purpose other than the one stated in your Articles.
- 02
Appoint Your Board of Directors and Statutory Agent
Arizona requires a statutory agent with a physical in-state address. For 501(c)(3) viability, recruit a board of at least 3 unrelated directors to satisfy IRS independence expectations and govern the organization.
- 03
File Articles of Incorporation
Submit nonprofit Articles of Incorporation to the Arizona Corporation Commission with the $40 filing fee. Include the required IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt purpose and dissolution clauses so your federal application is not delayed. Standard processing is 13-15 business days, or 3-5 with the $35 expedite.
- 04
Publish Your Notice of Incorporation
Arizona requires you to publish a notice of incorporation in a newspaper in the county of your statutory agent within 60 days of approval, then file an affidavit of publication with the Commission.
- 05
Adopt Bylaws and a Conflict-of-Interest Policy
Hold an organizational meeting to adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy, appoint officers, and obtain a free EIN from the IRS. These governance documents are required for your 501(c)(3) application.
- 06
Apply for 501(c)(3) and State Exemptions
File IRS Form 1023-EZ ($275, for orgs with gross receipts up to $50,000/year and assets up to $250,000) or full Form 1023 ($600). Then register for Arizona charitable solicitation and apply for state tax exemptions separately.
Arizona Nonprofit costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Publication required. Arizona requires you to publish a notice of Nonprofit formation in a local newspaper. Estimated cost: $100-$300.
Arizona Nonprofit requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Arizona Nonprofit in 2026.
- File nonprofit Articles of Incorporation with the Arizona Corporation Commission ($40 fee)
- Appoint a statutory agent with a physical Arizona street address
- Maintain a board of directors (at least 3 unrelated directors recommended for 501(c)(3))
- Publish a notice of incorporation in a county newspaper within 60 days of approval
- Adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS and apply for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
- File the $10 annual report with the Commission and IRS Form 990 each year
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit)
- Filing agency
- Arizona Corporation Commission
- Registered agent
- Required
- Bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $10 (120 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $40 Arizona state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit) filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in Arizona)
- EIN / Federal Tax ID
- Expedited processing (1–2 days)
- Bylaws
- Priority support
- Kicker Voice — 3-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 15 days
Founder
- Everything in Booster
- Business mailing address
- Bookkeeping — 3 months free
- Dedicated account manager
- Rush processing
- Kicker Voice — 6-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 30 days
Kicker
- Everything in Founder
- ITIN filing & preparation
- Same-day priority processing
- 2nd year annual filing $0
- Kicker Voice 12-day + Kicker Pay 60 days free
Compare all plans on our pricing page.
Arizona Nonprofit questions, answered
Common questions about forming an Nonprofit in Arizona. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form a nonprofit corporation in Arizona?
The Arizona Corporation Commission charges a $40 filing fee for nonprofit Articles of Incorporation. You should also budget for the required newspaper publication and, separately, the IRS user fee for 501(c)(3) status ($275 for Form 1023-EZ or $600 for full Form 1023).
How long does Arizona take to process nonprofit incorporation?
Standard processing through the Arizona Corporation Commission takes 13-15 business days. You can pay a $35 expedite fee to shorten this to 3-5 business days. The separate IRS 501(c)(3) review takes roughly 2-4 weeks for Form 1023-EZ or about 3-6 months for the full Form 1023.
Is incorporating in Arizona the same as getting 501(c)(3) status?
No. Filing your Articles of Incorporation with the Arizona Corporation Commission creates the nonprofit at the state level. Federal tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status is a separate step handled by the IRS, and Arizona charitable-solicitation registration and state tax exemption are also filed separately.
How many directors does an Arizona nonprofit need?
We recommend a board of at least 3 unrelated directors. The IRS strongly favors an independent board of three or more when reviewing 501(c)(3) applications, and a conflict-of-interest policy is expected to demonstrate sound governance.
What ongoing requirements do Arizona nonprofits have?
Arizona nonprofits file a $10 annual report with the Arizona Corporation Commission each year. At the federal level you must file IRS Form 990 annually to maintain tax-exempt status, and you should keep your charitable-solicitation registration current.
What taxes does an Arizona nonprofit pay?
Arizona's corporate income tax is 4.9% and the state sales tax is 5.6%, with no state franchise tax. Once the IRS grants 501(c)(3) status, your organization can apply for exemption from Arizona corporate income tax, and qualifying purchases may be exempt from sales tax.
Should I file Form 1023-EZ or the full Form 1023?
Form 1023-EZ ($275 user fee) is available to smaller organizations with annual gross receipts of $50,000 or less and total assets of $250,000 or less, and the IRS typically reviews it in about 2-4 weeks. Larger organizations file the full Form 1023 ($600), which takes roughly 3-6 months.
Does an Arizona nonprofit have to file a BOI report?
No. Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, domestic U.S. entities and U.S. persons are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information reporting. Only foreign-formed entities registered to do business in a U.S. state are still required to file.
Arizona government filing resources
Filing fees for common Nonprofit services
Official Arizona state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
$10 for both LLC and corporation (does NOT vary by entity type).
Same fee for LLCs and corporations (does NOT vary by entity type): $10 regular / $45 total expedited (i.e., $10 base + $35 expedite).
Learn moreCertified copy: $5.00 base certification fee + $0.50 per page (same base for LLCs and corporations).
$3 per document.
Foreign nonprofit corporations use the SAME Form C018 as for-profit (item 16 of the form applies only to nonprofits).
Learn moreArizona's sales-tax permit is the Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) License from the Dept of Revenue (AZDOR).
Learn moreNonprofit corporations use the same Corporation Statement of Change (Form C016).
Learn more$100 regular / $135 expedited, listed under 'Penalty Fees' on the ACC Corporations Fee Schedule (Rev.
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Arizona Nonprofit
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Formation is free — you pay only the $40 Arizona state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in 13-15 business days standard (3-5 days with $35 expedite).
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