Form Your Indiana Nonprofit Corporation
Launch your mission at the Crossroads of America with a low $30 state fee, fast online filing, and a clear path to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Filed in Indiana
The Hoosier State · IN
- State filing fee$30
- Processing time1-2 business days (online INBiz)
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$22 biennial ($20 base + processing) — due Every two years, anniversary month
- State tax rate4.9% flat corporate income tax
Form your Indiana Nonprofit — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Indiana Nonprofit
Free formation means you pay only the $30 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Incorporation (Domestic Nonprofit Corporation) filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Incorporation (Domestic Nonprofit Corporation) to the Indiana Secretary of State.
Registered agent
Required in Indiana — 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 Indiana
Indiana is a welcoming home for mission-driven organizations, pairing a low $30 incorporation fee and fast INBiz processing with no state franchise tax and available income and sales tax exemptions for approved nonprofits. Its central 'Crossroads of America' location, low cost of operations, and active community-foundation and grant networks help charitable organizations stretch every donated dollar further.
Low $30 state filing fee to incorporate your nonprofit
Eligible for federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and tax-deductible donations
Affordable $22 biennial business entity report instead of an annual filing
No state franchise tax on Indiana nonprofit corporations
Fast 1-2 business day online processing through the INBiz portal
Limited liability protection for directors, officers, and members
State sales and corporate income tax exemptions available once approved
Central 'Crossroads of America' location with strong philanthropic and grant networks
Key features of a Indiana Nonprofit
- Low $30 state incorporation fee with 1-2 day online processing
- Affordable $22 biennial report instead of an annual filing
- No state franchise tax; 4.9% flat corporate income tax with exemptions available
- Path to federal 501(c)(3) status and tax-deductible donations
- Minimum of 3 directors required on the board
- INBiz online portal for convenient filing and ongoing compliance
Major industries in Indiana
Form your Indiana Nonprofit in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes 1-2 business days (online INBiz).
- 01
Choose Your Nonprofit Name
Pick a distinguishable name and check availability through the Indiana Secretary of State's INBiz online portal. The name must not conflict with an existing Indiana entity.
- 02
Appoint Directors and a Registered Agent
Indiana requires a board of at least 3 directors. Appoint a registered agent with a physical Indiana address to receive legal documents on behalf of the corporation.
- 03
File Articles of Incorporation
Submit your Articles of Incorporation for a domestic nonprofit corporation through INBiz. The state filing fee is $30 and online filings are typically processed in 1-2 business days.
- 04
Adopt Bylaws and a Conflict-of-Interest Policy
Hold an organizational meeting to adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy, elect officers, and document the proceedings. These governance documents are required to support your IRS 501(c)(3) application.
- 05
Obtain an EIN and Apply for 501(c)(3) Status
Apply for a free EIN from the IRS, then file Form 1023-EZ ($275 user fee, for organizations with gross receipts of $50,000 or less and assets under $250,000) or the full Form 1023 ($600). This federal step is separate from state incorporation.
- 06
Register for State Tax Exemption and Charitable Solicitation
After IRS approval, apply for Indiana sales and income tax exemptions through the Department of Revenue and register for charitable solicitation as required. File the $22 biennial business entity report to stay in good standing.
Indiana Nonprofit costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Indiana Nonprofit requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Indiana Nonprofit in 2026.
- File Articles of Incorporation for a domestic nonprofit corporation through INBiz ($30)
- Appoint a board of at least 3 directors
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical Indiana address
- Adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- File IRS Form 1023-EZ or Form 1023 to obtain federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
- File the $22 biennial business entity report and maintain state tax/charitable registrations
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Incorporation (Domestic Nonprofit Corporation)
- Filing agency
- Indiana Secretary of State
- Registered agent
- Required
- Bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $20 (120 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $30 Indiana state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Incorporation (Domestic Nonprofit Corporation) filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in Indiana)
- 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.
Indiana Nonprofit questions, answered
Common questions about forming an Nonprofit in Indiana. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form a nonprofit corporation in Indiana?
The Indiana Secretary of State charges a $30 fee to file Articles of Incorporation for a domestic nonprofit corporation. Separately, the IRS charges $275 for Form 1023-EZ or $600 for the full Form 1023 to obtain 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
How long does it take to incorporate a nonprofit in Indiana?
Online filings through the INBiz portal are typically processed in 1-2 business days. IRS 501(c)(3) approval takes longer: roughly 2-4 weeks for Form 1023-EZ and about 3-6 months for the full Form 1023.
How many directors does an Indiana nonprofit need?
Indiana requires a nonprofit corporation to have a board of at least 3 directors. A strong, independent board also strengthens your IRS 501(c)(3) application and supports good governance.
Does incorporating make my nonprofit tax-exempt?
No. Filing Articles of Incorporation with the Indiana Secretary of State creates the corporation, but federal tax exemption is a separate step. You must apply to the IRS with Form 1023-EZ or Form 1023 to obtain 501(c)(3) status, then register for Indiana's sales and income tax exemptions through the Department of Revenue.
Does Indiana have a franchise tax on nonprofits?
No, Indiana does not impose a franchise tax on nonprofit corporations. The state has a 4.9% flat corporate income tax, but approved 501(c)(3) organizations can obtain exemptions from state income and sales tax.
What ongoing filings does an Indiana nonprofit have to make?
Indiana nonprofits file a business entity report every two years through INBiz, which costs $22 ($20 base plus processing). Nonprofits also file an annual IRS Form 990 and must keep any required charitable-solicitation registration current.
Does my Indiana nonprofit have to file a BOI report with FinCEN?
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.
Can I file my Indiana nonprofit incorporation online?
Yes. Indiana's INBiz portal is the primary and most convenient method for filing Articles of Incorporation, biennial business entity reports, and other nonprofit filings, with most submissions processed in 1-2 business days.
Indiana government filing resources
Filing fees for common Nonprofit services
Official Indiana state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
A name may be reserved for 120 days (confirmed via the state Business Owner's Guide).
Certified copies of all business documents are available online free of charge through INBiz/the public business search (search the business, select the record, click…
$2.00 per authentication/apostille.
$25 nonrefundable registration fee per business location (one-time), confirmed on Indiana DOR pages.
Learn moreReported as $30.00 - Indiana's uniform document filing fee, directly confirmed on the parallel corporate (38333) and LLC (49460) amendment forms and on the nonprofit d…
Learn moreFlat $30.00 reinstatement fee, PLUS all delinquent Business Entity Report fees ($20 per report owed for a nonprofit corporation).
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Indiana Nonprofit
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Formation is free — you pay only the $30 Indiana state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in 1-2 business days (online INBiz).
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