Form Your Georgia Nonprofit Corporation
Launch your mission in the Peach State with a clear path to 501(c)(3) status, no franchise tax, and Atlanta's deep philanthropic and grantmaking community
Filed in Georgia
The Peach State · GA
- State filing fee$105
- Processing timeApprox. 7 business days (online)
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$40/year ($30 + $10 service charge) — due April 1st annually
- State tax rate5.19% flat corporate income tax
- Expedited option2 business days (+$120)
Form your Georgia Nonprofit — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Georgia Nonprofit
Free formation means you pay only the $105 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit Corporation) filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit Corporation) to the Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division.
Registered agent
Required in Georgia — 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 Georgia
Georgia is a strong home for nonprofits, anchored by Atlanta's dense network of foundations, corporate philanthropy, and an established grantmaking community. With no franchise tax, a clear path to state income and sales tax exemption after 501(c)(3) approval, and world-class transportation infrastructure, the Peach State helps mission-driven organizations stretch every dollar and serve communities across the Southeast.
Low state filing fee of $105 with an affordable $40 annual registration ($30 + $10 service charge)
Eligible for federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, making donations tax-deductible for supporters
No Georgia franchise tax and a path to state income and sales tax exemption once 501(c)(3) is granted
Atlanta's deep philanthropic base and major foundations create strong grant and funding opportunities
Limited liability protection shields directors, officers, and members from organizational debts
World's busiest airport (Hartsfield-Jackson) and Southeast logistics hub aid statewide and national programs
Online incorporation with the Corporations Division processes in roughly 7 business days
Formal board, bylaws, and tax-exempt status build credibility with donors, grantmakers, and the IRS
Key features of a Georgia Nonprofit
- Federal 501(c)(3) eligibility for tax-deductible donations
- No Georgia franchise tax and a route to state income and sales tax exemption
- Low $40 annual registration ($30 + $10 service charge)
- Atlanta's strong foundation, grant, and philanthropic ecosystem
- Limited liability protection for directors, officers, and members
- Newspaper publication of incorporation notice required statewide
Major industries in Georgia
Form your Georgia Nonprofit in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes Approx. 7 business days (online).
- 01
Choose Your Nonprofit Name
Your name must be distinguishable from existing Georgia entities. Search availability through the Georgia Secretary of State's Corporations Division before filing, and reserve it for 30 days ($25) if needed.
- 02
Appoint a Registered Agent and Directors
Georgia requires a registered agent with a physical in-state address. While Georgia law requires only one director, the IRS expects a board of at least three unrelated directors for 501(c)(3) approval.
- 03
File Articles of Incorporation
Submit your nonprofit Articles of Incorporation to the Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division. The state fee is $105 and online filing typically processes in about 7 business days. Georgia also requires a separate newspaper publication notice of intent to incorporate.
- 04
Adopt Bylaws and a Conflict-of-Interest Policy
Draft corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy, then hold an organizational meeting to elect officers and approve them. The IRS reviews these governance documents as part of the 501(c)(3) application.
- 05
Obtain an EIN and Apply for 501(c)(3)
Get a free EIN from the IRS, then file Form 1023-EZ ($275 user fee, for orgs with gross receipts <= $50,000/yr and assets <= $250,000) or full Form 1023 ($600). IRS processing runs about 2-4 weeks for 1023-EZ and 3-6 months for full 1023.
- 06
Register for State Exemptions and Charitable Solicitation
After the IRS grants 501(c)(3) status, apply for Georgia income and sales tax exemption and register for charitable solicitation with the Secretary of State before fundraising. File the annual registration by April 1st ($40: $30 + $10 service charge).
Georgia Nonprofit costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Georgia Nonprofit requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Georgia Nonprofit in 2026.
- File nonprofit Articles of Incorporation with the Georgia Secretary of State ($105)
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical Georgia address
- Maintain a board of directors (Georgia requires at least one; the IRS expects three or more unrelated directors)
- Adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy
- Publish a notice of intent to incorporate in an authorized county newspaper
- Obtain an EIN and apply for federal 501(c)(3) status (Form 1023-EZ or Form 1023)
- Register for Georgia tax exemption and charitable solicitation, and file the $40 annual registration by April 1st
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit Corporation)
- Filing agency
- Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division
- Registered agent
- Required
- Bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $25 (30 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $105 Georgia state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit Corporation) filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in Georgia)
- 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.
Georgia Nonprofit questions, answered
Common questions about forming an Nonprofit in Georgia. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to start a nonprofit in Georgia?
The Georgia state filing fee for nonprofit Articles of Incorporation is $105. After that, the IRS charges $275 for Form 1023-EZ or $600 for the full Form 1023 to obtain 501(c)(3) status. Georgia also requires a newspaper publication notice and a $40 annual registration.
How long does it take to form a Georgia nonprofit?
Online filings with the Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division typically process in about 7 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.
How many directors does a Georgia nonprofit need?
Georgia law requires at least one director to incorporate. However, the IRS effectively expects a board of at least three unrelated directors for 501(c)(3) approval, so most Georgia nonprofits start with three or more.
Is forming a nonprofit the same as getting 501(c)(3) status?
No. Filing your Articles of Incorporation with the Georgia Secretary of State creates the corporation at the state level. Federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status is a separate application to the IRS (Form 1023-EZ or 1023), and Georgia income and sales tax exemption is yet another step after the IRS approves you.
Does a Georgia nonprofit pay franchise or income tax?
Georgia imposes no franchise tax on nonprofits, and the standard corporate income tax is a flat 5.19%. Once the IRS grants 501(c)(3) status, you can apply for Georgia income and sales tax exemption (the state sales tax is 4%).
When is the Georgia nonprofit annual registration due?
Nonprofits must file an annual registration with the Georgia Secretary of State by April 1st each year. The fee is $40 ($30 base plus a $10 service charge), and failing to file can lead to administrative dissolution.
Does my Georgia nonprofit have to file a BOI report with FinCEN?
No. Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, U.S. domestic 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 still file.
What ongoing IRS filings does a Georgia nonprofit have?
After receiving 501(c)(3) status, your nonprofit must file an annual IRS Form 990 (990-N, 990-EZ, or 990 depending on size) to keep its tax-exempt status. You must also renew Georgia charitable solicitation registration and file the state annual registration each year.
Georgia government filing resources
Filing fees for common Nonprofit services
Official Georgia state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
Name Reservation (30-Day): $25 filing fee + $10 service charge = $35.
Georgia's good-standing document is the Certificate of Existence: $10 fee + $10 service charge = $20 (same online or paper).
Learn moreCertified copy: $10 fee + $10 service charge = $20 for documents under 25 pages.
Apostille is $3.00 per document, issued by GSCCCA (1875 Century Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta GA 30345.
$225 base filing fee plus a mandatory $10 service charge ($235 total) to file the Application for Certificate of Authority for a foreign nonprofit corporation (CD 236)…
Learn more$20 to file Articles of Amendment (nonprofit corporation name change, Form CD 110) with the Georgia Secretary of State, plus a mandatory $10 service charge for a $30 t…
Learn more$250 filing fee + $10 service charge = $260 total, payable to the Georgia Secretary of State.
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Georgia Nonprofit
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Formation is free — you pay only the $105 Georgia state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in Approx. 7 business days (online).
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