Florida Nonprofit Formation

Form Your Florida Nonprofit Corporation

Launch your mission in the Sunshine State with a low $70 filing fee, no state income tax, and a clear path to 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status

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Filed in Florida

The Sunshine State · FL

Available
  • State filing fee$70
  • Processing timeApprox. 5 business days (online)
  • Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
  • Annual report$61.25/year — due By May 1st annually
  • State tax rate5.5% corporate; no personal income tax
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Form your Florida Nonprofit — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.

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What's included

Everything to launch your Florida Nonprofit

Free formation means you pay only the $70 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.

Articles of Incorporation (Not for Profit) filing

We prepare and submit your Articles of Incorporation (Not for Profit) to the Florida Division of Corporations.

Registered agent

Required in Florida — 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.

Why Florida?

Benefits of forming an Nonprofit in Florida

Florida is a strong home for nonprofits, combining no personal income tax, no franchise tax, and a low $70 incorporation fee with a large, generous donor base across its growing metro areas. Its sizable population, active philanthropic community, and year-round events calendar give charitable organizations a wide audience and steady fundraising opportunities.

Eligible for federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status once approved by the IRS

Donations become tax-deductible for your supporters, making fundraising easier

No Florida personal income tax and no state franchise tax

Limited liability protection for directors, officers, and members

Access to grants and foundation funding reserved for incorporated nonprofits

Perpetual existence independent of the founders or board members

Low $70 state filing fee and an affordable $61.25 annual report

Credibility with donors, banks, and partners that comes with formal incorporation

Key features of a Florida Nonprofit

  • $70 state filing fee with ~5 business day online processing
  • Minimum of 3 directors required by Florida law
  • No personal state income tax and no franchise tax
  • Online filing through Sunbiz.org
  • Pathway to 501(c)(3) federal tax exemption

Major industries in Florida

Tourism & HospitalityReal EstateTechnologyHealthcareFinanceAgriculture
How it works

Form your Florida Nonprofit in 6 steps

We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes Approx. 5 business days (online).

  1. 01

    Choose Your Nonprofit Name

    Your name must be distinguishable from existing Florida entities. Search the Florida Division of Corporations Sunbiz database to confirm availability before filing.

  2. 02

    Appoint a Registered Agent and Board of Directors

    Florida requires a registered agent with a physical in-state address and a minimum of 3 directors. Directors do not need to be Florida residents.

  3. 03

    File Articles of Incorporation

    Submit your Articles of Incorporation (Not for Profit) to the Florida Division of Corporations through Sunbiz.org. The state filing fee is $70 and online filing takes roughly 5 business days.

  4. 04

    Adopt Bylaws and a Conflict-of-Interest Policy

    Draft corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy at your first board meeting. These are not filed with the state but are required by the IRS for 501(c)(3) approval.

  5. 05

    Obtain an EIN and Apply for 501(c)(3) Status

    Get a free EIN from the IRS, then file Form 1023-EZ ($275) or full Form 1023 ($600) to apply for federal tax-exempt status. This is a separate federal step from incorporation.

  6. 06

    Register for State Exemptions and Charitable Solicitation

    Apply for Florida sales tax exemption and register under the Solicitation of Contributions Act with the Florida Department of Agriculture before fundraising in the state.

Costs & filing details

Florida Nonprofit costs at a glance

Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.

ItemAmount / Detail
State filing fee$70
Kicker formation feeFree (paid plan from $100)
Processing timeApprox. 5 business days (online)
Annual report$61.25/year — due By May 1st annually
Franchise taxNone
State tax rate5.5% corporate; no personal income tax
EIN (federal Tax ID)Free from IRS
Requirements

Florida Nonprofit requirements checklist

Everything you need to form and maintain a Florida Nonprofit in 2026.

Formation checklist
  • File Articles of Incorporation (Not for Profit) with the Florida Division of Corporations
  • Appoint a registered agent with a physical Florida address
  • Have a board of at least 3 directors
  • Adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy
  • Obtain an EIN and file IRS Form 1023 or 1023-EZ for 501(c)(3) status
  • File the Florida annual report by May 1st ($61.25)
  • Register for Florida charitable solicitation and tax exemption

Filing information

Formation document
Articles of Incorporation (Not for Profit)
Filing agency
Florida Division of Corporations
Registered agent
Required
Bylaws
Recommended
EIN
Required
Name reservation fee
$25 (120 days)
Pricing

Free formation — pay only the state fee

Kicker formation is free. You pay the $70 Florida state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, bylaws, and compliance.

Starter

$0
+ $70 state fee
  • Articles of Incorporation (Not for Profit) filing
  • Name availability check
  • Digital document delivery
  • Formation status tracking
Start free

Booster

$100
+ $70 state fee
  • Everything in Starter
  • Registered agent (required in Florida)
  • EIN / Federal Tax ID
  • Expedited processing (1–2 days)
  • Bylaws
  • Priority support
  • Kicker Voice — 3-day free trial
  • Kicker Pay — free for 15 days
Start Booster

Founder

$150
+ $70 state fee
  • 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
Go Founder
Most popular

Kicker

$230
+ $70 state fee
  • Everything in Founder
  • ITIN filing & preparation
  • Same-day priority processing
  • 2nd year annual filing $0
  • Kicker Voice 12-day + Kicker Pay 60 days free
Get Kicker
100% accuracy guaranteeOn-time filing promise30-day money back

Compare all plans on our pricing page.

FAQ

Florida Nonprofit questions, answered

Common questions about forming an Nonprofit in Florida. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.

How much does it cost to start a nonprofit in Florida?

The Florida Division of Corporations charges a $70 fee to file the Articles of Incorporation (Not for Profit). Separately, the IRS charges $275 for Form 1023-EZ or $600 for the full Form 1023 to apply for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

How long does it take to form a Florida nonprofit?

Online filings with the Florida Division of Corporations are typically processed in about 5 business days. IRS 501(c)(3) approval is separate and usually takes 2-4 weeks for Form 1023-EZ or 3-6 months for the full Form 1023.

How many directors does a Florida nonprofit need?

Florida law requires a minimum of 3 directors for a nonprofit corporation. Naming unrelated directors is also recommended to satisfy IRS expectations for an independent board when you apply for 501(c)(3) status.

Is incorporating in Florida the same as getting 501(c)(3) status?

No. Filing your Articles of Incorporation with the Florida Division of Corporations creates the nonprofit at the state level. Federal tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status is a separate application filed with the IRS using Form 1023 or 1023-EZ.

Which IRS form should my Florida nonprofit file, 1023 or 1023-EZ?

Form 1023-EZ ($275) is available to smaller organizations with gross receipts of $50,000 or less per year and assets of $250,000 or less. Larger organizations must file the full Form 1023 ($600).

Does a Florida nonprofit pay state taxes?

Florida has no personal income tax and no franchise tax. A 501(c)(3) can also apply for exemption from Florida's 6% sales tax and the 5.5% corporate income tax, though that exemption is requested separately from the state.

What ongoing filings does a Florida nonprofit have?

You must file a Florida annual report by May 1st each year for $61.25 to stay in good standing. At the federal level, 501(c)(3) organizations file an annual IRS Form 990 to maintain their tax-exempt status.

Does my Florida nonprofit have to file a BOI report?

No. Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, domestic U.S. entities, including Florida nonprofits, are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information reporting. Only foreign-formed entities registered in a U.S. state still file.

Official resources

Florida government filing resources

Filing fees for common Nonprofit services

Official Florida state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.

Name reservationVaries

Florida does NOT offer a name reservation service.

Certificate of good standing$8.75

Called a 'Certificate of Status' in Florida.

Learn more
Certified copy$8.75

VARIES BY ENTITY TYPE.

Apostille / authentication$10

$10.00 per document for notarized documents and corporate documents (e.g., certificate of status / certified copy).

Foreign qualification$70

$70.00 flat registration fee (same as foreign profit corp).

Learn more
Resale / seller's permitNo fee

Resale certificate is a business-level registration (single entity='business').

Learn more
Articles amendment$35

$35.00 filing fee (includes letter of acknowledgment).

Learn more
Change of registered agent$35

$35.00 filing fee.

Learn more
Reinstatement$175

$175.00 reinstatement fee PLUS the annual report fee ($61.25) for each year the entity failed to file.

Learn more
Dissolution$35

$35.00 filing fee (same dissolution & withdrawal fee as profit corps).

Learn more

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Ready to form your Florida Nonprofit?

Formation is free — you pay only the $70 Florida state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in Approx. 5 business days (online).

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