Form Your Mississippi Nonprofit Corporation
Launch your mission in the Magnolia State with a $50 filing fee, 1-2 business day processing, a fee-free annual report, and a clear path to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Filed in Mississippi
The Magnolia State · MS
- State filing fee$50
- Processing time1-2 business days (online filing)
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$0 (annual report required, no fee) — due Annually; no state filing fee
- State tax rate4% flat corporate income tax
Form your Mississippi Nonprofit — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Mississippi Nonprofit
Free formation means you pay only the $50 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 Mississippi Secretary of State.
Registered agent
Required in Mississippi — 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 Mississippi
Mississippi pairs the lowest cost of living in the nation with a $50 nonprofit filing fee and a fee-free annual report, letting mission-driven organizations stretch every dollar of donor and grant funding. Once your nonprofit secures IRS 501(c)(3) status, charitable income is generally exempt from the state's 4% corporate income tax, and a strong faith-based, community, and healthcare sector creates fertile ground for charitable work.
Low $50 state filing fee to incorporate your nonprofit
Fast 1-2 business day online processing
No annual report fee (annual report required, but free to file)
Eligible for federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and tax-deductible donations
Liability protection for directors, officers, and members
Qualify for grants, public funding, and discounted nonprofit pricing
Lowest cost of living in the United States keeps operating costs down
Perpetual existence independent of founders or board turnover
Key features of a Mississippi Nonprofit
- $50 state filing fee with 1-2 business day online processing
- No annual report fee (annual report required, but free)
- Path to 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status and tax-deductible donations
- Minimum $25 franchise tax and 4% flat state corporate income tax (exempt income generally excluded)
- Lowest cost of living in the US for lean nonprofit budgets
- Separate state charitable-solicitation registration before fundraising
Major industries in Mississippi
Form your Mississippi Nonprofit in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes 1-2 business days (online filing).
- 01
Choose Your Nonprofit Name
Pick a distinguishable name and confirm availability through the Mississippi Secretary of State business search. The name should reflect your charitable, educational, or religious purpose and avoid implying a non-exempt activity.
- 02
Appoint Directors and a Registered Agent
Assemble your board of directors and name a registered agent with a physical Mississippi address. Mississippi requires at least one director by statute, but the IRS effectively expects at least three unrelated directors for 501(c)(3) governance.
- 03
File Articles of Incorporation
Submit your nonprofit Articles of Incorporation to the Mississippi Secretary of State with the $50 filing fee. Include IRS-required 501(c)(3) language on purpose and asset dissolution. Online filing typically processes 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 record minutes. These governance documents are required to support your IRS exemption application.
- 05
Obtain an EIN and Apply for 501(c)(3) Status
Get a free EIN from the IRS, then file Form 1023-EZ ($275 user fee) or full Form 1023 ($600) for federal tax-exempt status. This federal step is separate from your Mississippi incorporation.
- 06
Register for State Exemption and Charitable Solicitation
After IRS approval, apply for Mississippi tax exemption and register for charitable solicitation with the Secretary of State before fundraising in the state. File the free annual report each year to stay in good standing.
Mississippi Nonprofit costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Mississippi Nonprofit requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Mississippi Nonprofit in 2026.
- File Articles of Incorporation with the Mississippi Secretary of State ($50 fee)
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical Mississippi address
- Maintain a board of directors (state minimum of 1; IRS expects 3+ unrelated directors for 501(c)(3))
- Adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy
- Obtain an EIN and apply for IRS 501(c)(3) status (Form 1023-EZ or 1023)
- Register for Mississippi charitable solicitation before fundraising
- File the free annual report each year and IRS Form 990 annually
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit Corporation)
- Filing agency
- Mississippi Secretary of State
- Registered agent
- Required
- Bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $25 (180 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $50 Mississippi 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 Mississippi)
- 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.
Mississippi Nonprofit questions, answered
Common questions about forming an Nonprofit in Mississippi. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form a nonprofit in Mississippi?
The state filing fee for nonprofit Articles of Incorporation is $50, paid to the Mississippi Secretary of State. Federal 501(c)(3) status is a separate IRS step costing $275 (Form 1023-EZ) or $600 (full Form 1023).
How long does Mississippi nonprofit incorporation take?
The Mississippi Secretary of State typically processes online nonprofit filings in 1-2 business days. IRS 501(c)(3) review then takes roughly 2-4 weeks for Form 1023-EZ or about 3-6 months for the full Form 1023.
Is incorporating my nonprofit the same as getting 501(c)(3) status?
No. Filing Articles of Incorporation with the Mississippi Secretary of State creates your nonprofit corporation at the state level. Federal tax exemption is a separate application to the IRS, and you must also register for Mississippi tax exemption and charitable solicitation.
How many directors does a Mississippi nonprofit need?
Mississippi statute requires at least one director, but the IRS effectively expects a board of at least three unrelated directors to approve 501(c)(3) status. You'll also adopt bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy as part of forming the board.
Does my Mississippi nonprofit have to file an annual report?
Yes. Mississippi nonprofit corporations must file an annual report with the Secretary of State, but there is no state filing fee. You must also file IRS Form 990 each year to maintain federal tax-exempt status.
Will my nonprofit owe Mississippi taxes?
Mississippi imposes a 4% flat corporate income tax, a $25 minimum franchise tax, and a 7% sales tax, but income tied to your exempt purpose is generally excluded once the IRS grants 501(c)(3) status and the state approves your exemption. You must apply for the state exemption separately.
Are donations to my Mississippi nonprofit tax-deductible?
Donations become tax-deductible once the IRS grants your organization 501(c)(3) status. Until that approval, you may incorporate and operate, but you cannot promise donors a federal charitable deduction.
Does my Mississippi nonprofit have to file a BOI report?
No. Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, US domestic entities and US persons are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information reporting. Only foreign-formed entities registered to do business in a US state still file with FinCEN.
Mississippi government filing resources
Filing fees for common Nonprofit services
Official Mississippi state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
$25 to reserve a name for a domestic LLC, profit corporation, or nonprofit corporation.
In Mississippi the good-standing document is called a 'Certificate of Existence' (or Certificate of Fact).
Learn moreStatutory certified-copy fee (Miss.
$5.00 per document.
Everything you need to run your Mississippi Nonprofit
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your Mississippi Nonprofit?
Formation is free — you pay only the $50 Mississippi state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in 1-2 business days (online filing).
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