Form Your New York Nonprofit Corporation
Launch your mission in the Empire State with access to the world's largest philanthropic network and a clear path to 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status
Filed in New York
The Empire State · NY
- State filing fee$75
- Processing time~2-3 weeks standard (no expedite)
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual reportCHAR500: sliding scale by revenue (if charitable) — due CHAR500 due 4.5 mo after fiscal year-end
- State tax rate6.5%-7.25% corporate franchise tax
- Expedited option24 hours (+$25)
Form your New York Nonprofit — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your New York Nonprofit
Free formation means you pay only the $75 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Certificate of Incorporation (Not-for-Profit) filing
We prepare and submit your Certificate of Incorporation (Not-for-Profit) to the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations.
Registered agent
Required in New York — 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 York
New York gives nonprofits unmatched access to the world's largest concentration of foundations, philanthropists, and grant-making institutions, anchored by New York City's global donor base. While the state requires charities to register with the Attorney General's Charities Bureau and file annual CHAR500 reports, the credibility and funding reach of a New York nonprofit are difficult to match anywhere else.
Eligibility for 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status from the IRS
Tax-deductible donations that attract donors and grant funding
Access to the world's largest philanthropic and foundation network in New York City
Limited liability protection for directors, officers, and members
Eligibility for state and federal grants reserved for nonprofits
Perpetual existence independent of any individual founder
Exemption from federal corporate income tax once 501(c)(3) is granted
Enhanced public credibility from a recognized New York nonprofit status
Key features of a New York Nonprofit
- Minimum of three directors required under NY law
- 501(c)(3) eligibility for federal tax exemption
- Separate state charitable-solicitation registration (CHAR500)
- Low $75 state incorporation filing fee
- Access to New York's vast foundation and donor network
Major industries in New York
Form your New York Nonprofit in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes ~2-3 weeks standard (no expedite).
- 01
Choose Your Nonprofit Name
Your name must be distinguishable from existing entities and comply with New York Not-for-Profit Corporation Law. Check availability through the New York Department of State's business entity database before filing.
- 02
Appoint a Board of Directors
New York requires a minimum of three directors who are 18 or older. Recruit directors who are unrelated to one another to satisfy IRS independence expectations for 501(c)(3) status.
- 03
File the Certificate of Incorporation
Submit your Certificate of Incorporation to the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations. The filing fee is $75 and standard processing takes about 2-3 weeks. Include the IRS-required 501(c)(3) purpose and dissolution clauses.
- 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 appoint directors. These governance documents are required by the IRS for tax-exempt recognition.
- 05
Apply for 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status
File IRS Form 1023-EZ ($275 user fee) if gross receipts are $50,000 or less per year and assets are $250,000 or less; otherwise file the full Form 1023 ($600). This federal step is separate from your New York incorporation.
- 06
Register for State Charities and Tax Exemption
Register with the New York Attorney General's Charities Bureau (CHAR500) to solicit donations and apply separately for New York state tax exemption. Obtain an EIN from the IRS for banking and filings.
New York Nonprofit costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Publication required. New York requires you to publish a notice of Nonprofit formation in a local newspaper. Estimated cost: $300-$2,000+.
New York Nonprofit requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a New York Nonprofit in 2026.
- File a Certificate of Incorporation with the NY Department of State ($75)
- Appoint a board of at least three directors aged 18 or older
- Include IRS-required 501(c)(3) purpose and dissolution clauses in the certificate
- Adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy
- Apply for 501(c)(3) status with the IRS (Form 1023-EZ or Form 1023)
- Register with the NY Attorney General's Charities Bureau if soliciting donations
- Obtain an EIN and apply for New York state tax exemption
Filing information
- Formation document
- Certificate of Incorporation (Not-for-Profit)
- Filing agency
- New York Department of State, Division of Corporations
- Registered agent
- Required
- Bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $20 (60 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $75 New York state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Certificate of Incorporation (Not-for-Profit) filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in New York)
- 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 York Nonprofit questions, answered
Common questions about forming an Nonprofit in New York. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form a nonprofit in New York?
The New York Department of State charges a $75 filing fee for the Certificate of Incorporation. The separate IRS 501(c)(3) application costs $275 (Form 1023-EZ) or $600 (full Form 1023). Charitable nonprofits also register with the Attorney General's Charities Bureau.
How long does it take to form a New York nonprofit?
The New York Department of State, Division of Corporations typically processes a Certificate of Incorporation in about 2-3 weeks; no expedited option is standard for nonprofit filings. 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.
How many directors does a New York nonprofit need?
New York's Not-for-Profit Corporation Law requires a minimum of three directors who are at least 18 years old. The IRS prefers that directors be unrelated to one another to support 501(c)(3) approval.
Is the New York incorporation the same as getting 501(c)(3) status?
No. Filing the Certificate of Incorporation with New York creates the nonprofit corporation, but federal tax-exempt status is a separate step: you must apply to the IRS with Form 1023-EZ or Form 1023. New York state tax exemption and charity registration are also separate from both.
What ongoing filings does a New York nonprofit have?
New York does not require a Department of State biennial statement for nonprofits in the same way as business corporations. Charitable organizations must file the CHAR500 annual financial report with the Attorney General's Charities Bureau, and all 501(c)(3) nonprofits file IRS Form 990 each year.
Which IRS form should our nonprofit use for tax exemption?
Use Form 1023-EZ ($275 user fee) if your gross receipts are $50,000 or less per year and total assets are $250,000 or less. Larger organizations must file the full Form 1023 ($600), which takes about 3-6 months for the IRS to review.
Does a New York nonprofit have 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 foreign-formed entities registered to do business in a U.S. state still file.
Do New York nonprofits pay state corporate tax?
Once 501(c)(3) status is granted by the IRS and New York state tax exemption is approved, your nonprofit is exempt from the state's corporate franchise tax (which otherwise runs 6.5%-7.25% with a $25 Article 9-A minimum). You must apply separately for New York's tax exemption.
New York government filing resources
Filing fees for common Nonprofit services
Official New York state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
Fee VARIES by entity type: LLC $20 and business corporation $20, but not-for-profit corporation is $10.
$25 per certificate, flat regardless of entity type (does NOT vary by entity type).
Learn more$10 per document for a certified copy - flat PER DOCUMENT, NOT per page (page count does not change cost).
$10 per document.
New York has a state + local sales tax, so vendors must register.
Learn more$20 filing fee under Section 803-A of the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law to make, revoke, or change the designation of a registered agent.
Learn more$30 filing fee (DOS Fee Schedule lists 'Annulment of Dissolution, Reinstatement and Report of Corporate Existence' at $30).
Learn moreEverything you need to run your New York Nonprofit
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Formation is free — you pay only the $75 New York state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in ~2-3 weeks standard (no expedite).
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