Form Your South Dakota Nonprofit Corporation
Launch your mission in the Mount Rushmore State with a $30 filing fee, just $10/year to stay compliant, no state income tax, and a clear path to 501(c)(3) status
Filed in South Dakota
The Mount Rushmore State · SD
- State filing fee$30
- Processing time~1 business day online; ~5 days by mail
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$10/year annual report — due Anniversary month of incorporation
- State tax rateNo state corporate or personal income tax
- Expedited optionFaster than standard (+$50)
Form your South Dakota Nonprofit — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
- Encrypted storage
- 256-bit SSL
- All 50 states
- 30-day money-back
Everything to launch your South Dakota Nonprofit
Free formation means you pay only the $30 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 South Dakota Secretary of State.
Registered agent
Required in South Dakota — 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 South Dakota
South Dakota is one of the most cost-friendly states to run a nonprofit, with no corporate or personal income tax and just a $10 annual report to stay compliant. Once your 501(c)(3) status is approved, the state's low operating costs let more of every donor dollar go directly to your mission.
Federal 501(c)(3) status unlocks tax-deductible donations
No South Dakota corporate or personal income tax
No state franchise tax on your nonprofit
Eligible for foundation and government grants once exempt
Limited liability protection for directors and officers
Low $30 state filing fee and just $10/year to stay in good standing
Fast ~1 business day online processing in South Dakota
Perpetual existence independent of its founders or board
Key features of a South Dakota Nonprofit
- Just $30 to incorporate and $10/year to maintain
- Minimum of 3 directors required by South Dakota law
- No state corporate or personal income tax
- Path to 501(c)(3) status and tax-deductible donations
- ~1 business day online processing via the SD Secretary of State
Major industries in South Dakota
Form your South Dakota Nonprofit in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes ~1 business day online; ~5 days by mail.
- 01
Choose Your Nonprofit Name
Pick a distinguishable name and confirm availability through the South Dakota Secretary of State's business search. The name should reflect your charitable mission and cannot imply a purpose your nonprofit isn't organized for.
- 02
Appoint a Registered Agent and Directors
South Dakota requires a registered agent with a physical in-state address. Recruit a board of at least 3 directors, as required by South Dakota law, to govern the organization.
- 03
File Articles of Incorporation
Submit your nonprofit Articles of Incorporation to the South Dakota Secretary of State with the $30 fee. Include IRS-required 501(c)(3) language on purpose and dissolution. Online filing processes in about 1 business day; mail takes around 5 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 approve initial resolutions. The IRS expects both documents when you apply for tax-exempt status.
- 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) or the full Form 1023 ($600) for federal tax-exempt status. 1023-EZ approvals take about 2-4 weeks; the full 1023 runs roughly 3-6 months.
- 06
Register for State Exemption and Charitable Solicitation
After IRS approval, apply for South Dakota tax exemptions and complete any required charitable-solicitation registration before fundraising. File your $10 annual report each year to stay in good standing.
South Dakota Nonprofit costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
South Dakota Nonprofit requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a South Dakota Nonprofit in 2026.
- File nonprofit Articles of Incorporation with the SD Secretary of State ($30)
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical South Dakota address
- Recruit a board of at least 3 directors as required by South Dakota law
- Adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy
- Obtain an EIN and file Form 1023-EZ ($275) or Form 1023 ($600) for 501(c)(3)
- Complete South Dakota charitable-solicitation registration before fundraising
- File a $10 annual report each year and an annual IRS Form 990
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Incorporation (Nonprofit Corporation)
- Filing agency
- South Dakota Secretary of State
- Registered agent
- Required
- Bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $25 (120 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $30 South Dakota 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 South Dakota)
- 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.
South Dakota Nonprofit questions, answered
Common questions about forming an Nonprofit in South Dakota. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form a nonprofit in South Dakota?
The South Dakota Secretary of State charges $30 to file nonprofit Articles of Incorporation, and the annual report is just $10/year. Federal 501(c)(3) status is separate: the IRS user fee is $275 for Form 1023-EZ or $600 for the full Form 1023.
How long does it take to incorporate a nonprofit in South Dakota?
The South Dakota Secretary of State processes online filings in about 1 business day; mail filings take around 5 days. The IRS 501(c)(3) review is separate, taking roughly 2-4 weeks for Form 1023-EZ or about 3-6 months for the full Form 1023.
How many directors does a South Dakota nonprofit need?
South Dakota law requires a board of at least 3 directors. The IRS prefers directors who are unrelated and not compensated, which strengthens your 501(c)(3) application and governance.
Does incorporating in South Dakota make my nonprofit tax-exempt?
No. State incorporation creates the nonprofit, but federal tax-exempt status comes only after the IRS approves your Form 1023-EZ or Form 1023. South Dakota state tax exemption and charitable-solicitation registration are separate steps you complete after IRS approval.
Do South Dakota nonprofits pay state income tax?
South Dakota has no state corporate or personal income tax and no franchise tax, so your nonprofit owes neither even before federal exemption. The state's sales tax is 4.2%, though approved 501(c)(3) organizations can apply for applicable exemptions.
What ongoing filings does a South Dakota nonprofit need?
File a $10 annual report with the South Dakota Secretary of State during your anniversary month, and file IRS Form 990 each year to keep your federal tax-exempt status. Renew your charitable-solicitation registration if your fundraising requires it.
Should I file Form 1023-EZ or the full Form 1023?
Form 1023-EZ ($275) is available to smaller nonprofits with annual gross receipts of $50,000 or less and total assets of $250,000 or less. Larger organizations must file the full Form 1023 ($600), which takes roughly 3-6 months to process.
Does my South Dakota nonprofit have to file a BOI report?
No. Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, domestic US 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 a BOI report.
South Dakota government filing resources
Filing fees for common Nonprofit services
Official South Dakota 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 120 days (business entities).
$15 base certification fee plus $2 per copied page.
$25 per document.
$125 for foreign nonprofit Application for Authority (fee VARIES by entity type: LLC and for-profit corp are $750, nonprofit is $125).
Learn moreSouth Dakota issues a Sales & Use Tax License at NO CHARGE (no application fee).
Learn more$15 for nonprofit corporation articles of amendment (much lower than the $60 for-profit LLC/corp fee).
Learn moreOnline filing fee is $10 (SDCL 59-11-11), per the SOS fee schedule ('Statement of Change of Registered Agent and/or Address $10').
Learn moreState reinstatement filing fee is $30 (SDCL 47-24-14), payable to the Secretary of State.
Learn moreEverything you need to run your South Dakota Nonprofit
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
Form your company in any state
Pick a state to see its filing fee and processing time — then start in minutes.
Ready to form your South Dakota Nonprofit?
Formation is free — you pay only the $30 South Dakota state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in ~1 business day online; ~5 days by mail.
No hidden fees · 100% accuracy guarantee · 30-day money back · All 50 states