Form Your New Hampshire Nonprofit Corporation
Launch your mission in the Granite State with a $25 filing, no state sales tax, and a clear path to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Filed in New Hampshire
The Granite State · NH
- State filing fee$25
- Processing time1-3 business days online ($28 with e-fee); ~1-3 weeks mail. Filed as Articles of Agreement
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$25 nonprofit report (every 5 years) — due No annual report; report due every 5 years
- State tax rate7.5% BPT + 0.55% BET
- Expedited optionSame day (in-person) (+$25)
Form your New Hampshire Nonprofit — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your New Hampshire Nonprofit
Free formation means you pay only the $25 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Agreement filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Agreement to the New Hampshire Secretary of State.
Registered agent
Required in New Hampshire — 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 New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a welcoming home for nonprofits, pairing a low $25 incorporation fee with no state sales tax and an unusually light compliance schedule that requires a nonprofit report only once every five years. While the state levies a 7.5% Business Profits Tax and 0.55% Business Enterprise Tax on for-profit activity, organizations that secure IRS 501(c)(3) status and state exemptions can direct more of every dollar toward their mission.
501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status once approved by the IRS
Tax-deductible donations that help attract donors and grantmakers
Eligibility for public and private grants reserved for nonprofits
Limited liability protection for directors, officers, and members
No New Hampshire state sales tax to manage on purchases or sales
Perpetual existence independent of any single founder or board member
Light ongoing compliance: a nonprofit report only once every 5 years
Credibility and structure that build trust with donors and the community
Key features of a New Hampshire Nonprofit
- Eligible for 501(c)(3) federal tax exemption
- Tax-deductible donations for supporters
- No New Hampshire state sales tax
- Minimal upkeep: nonprofit report only every 5 years
- Filed as Articles of Agreement with the Secretary of State
Major industries in New Hampshire
Form your New Hampshire Nonprofit in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes 1-3 business days online ($28 with e-fee); ~1-3 weeks mail. Filed as Articles of Agreement.
- 01
Choose Your Nonprofit Name
Pick a distinguishable name and confirm availability through the New Hampshire Secretary of State's business name search. The name should reflect your charitable, educational, or religious purpose.
- 02
Appoint a Board of Directors and Registered Agent
New Hampshire nonprofits are formed by five or more incorporators and governed by a board of directors. Appoint a registered agent with a physical New Hampshire address to receive legal documents. Using unrelated directors strengthens your IRS 501(c)(3) application.
- 03
File Articles of Agreement
Submit your Articles of Agreement to the New Hampshire Secretary of State. The state filing fee is $25 ($28 online with the e-fee). Online filing typically processes in 1-3 business days; mail filings take roughly 1-3 weeks.
- 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 adopt them. The IRS reviews both documents when evaluating your 501(c)(3) 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, for orgs with gross receipts up to $50,000/yr and assets up to $250,000) or the full Form 1023 ($600). The IRS step is separate from state incorporation.
- 06
Register for State Charitable Solicitation and Tax Exemption
Register with the New Hampshire Charitable Trusts Unit before soliciting donations, and apply separately for state tax exemptions. These state steps are distinct from your IRS 501(c)(3) approval.
New Hampshire Nonprofit costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
New Hampshire Nonprofit requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a New Hampshire Nonprofit in 2026.
- File Articles of Agreement with the New Hampshire Secretary of State ($25)
- Form with five or more incorporators and a governing board of directors
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical New Hampshire address
- Adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- File Form 1023-EZ or Form 1023 with the IRS for 501(c)(3) status
- Register with the NH Charitable Trusts Unit before soliciting donations
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Agreement
- Filing agency
- New Hampshire Secretary of State
- Registered agent
- Required
- Bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $15 (120 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $25 New Hampshire state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Agreement filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in New Hampshire)
- 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.
New Hampshire Nonprofit questions, answered
Common questions about forming an Nonprofit in New Hampshire. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form a nonprofit in New Hampshire?
The state filing fee for the Articles of Agreement is $25 ($28 online with the e-fee). Separately, the IRS charges $275 for Form 1023-EZ or $600 for the full Form 1023 to obtain 501(c)(3) status.
What document do I file to start a New Hampshire nonprofit?
You file Articles of Agreement with the New Hampshire Secretary of State. Online filings typically process in 1-3 business days, while mail filings take roughly 1-3 weeks.
How many directors does a New Hampshire nonprofit need?
New Hampshire nonprofits are formed by five or more incorporators and governed by a board of directors. Using unrelated directors is best practice and strengthens your IRS 501(c)(3) application.
How do I get 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status?
After incorporating and obtaining an EIN, file IRS Form 1023-EZ ($275, for orgs with gross receipts up to $50,000/yr and assets up to $250,000) or the full Form 1023 ($600). The IRS typically takes about 2-4 weeks for 1023-EZ and 3-6 months for the full 1023. This federal step is separate from your state incorporation.
Does my New Hampshire nonprofit have to file an annual report?
No annual report is required. New Hampshire nonprofits file a nonprofit report only once every five years, with a $25 fee, making ongoing compliance unusually light.
What taxes apply to a New Hampshire nonprofit?
New Hampshire has no state sales tax and no franchise tax. The state levies a 7.5% Business Profits Tax and 0.55% Business Enterprise Tax on taxable activity, but a 501(c)(3) with IRS and state exemptions is generally relieved of tax on mission-related income.
Does a New Hampshire nonprofit need to file a BOI report?
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 entities formed abroad and registered to do business in a U.S. state still file.
Do I have to register to accept donations in New Hampshire?
Yes. Charitable organizations must register with the New Hampshire Attorney General's Charitable Trusts Unit before soliciting donations, and file annual reports with that office. This is separate from both your state incorporation and your IRS 501(c)(3) approval.
New Hampshire government filing resources
Filing fees for common Nonprofit services
Official New Hampshire state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
Reserves the name for 120 days.
$5.00 certification charge PLUS $1.00 per page.
$10.00 per document (cash or check payable to State of New Hampshire).
State fee $25 confirmed on the SOS Nonprofit Forms & Fees page (foreign forms).
Learn moreNew Hampshire has no general sales and use tax, so there is no seller's permit or resale certificate to obtain.
Learn moreNew Hampshire nonprofit corporations use the same Form 10 to change the registered agent, with a $15 filing fee (per NH SOS guidance).
Learn moreNew Hampshire nonprofits (RSA 292 voluntary corporations) reinstate through a Revival of Charter.
Learn moreEverything you need to run your New Hampshire Nonprofit
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your New Hampshire Nonprofit?
Formation is free — you pay only the $25 New Hampshire state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in 1-3 business days online ($28 with e-fee); ~1-3 weeks mail. Filed as Articles of Agreement.
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