Form Your Texas Nonprofit Corporation
Launch your mission in the Lone Star State for a $25 state fee, with a general franchise-tax exemption, no annual report fee, and a clear path to federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Filed in Texas
The Lone Star State · TX
- State filing fee$25
- Processing time2-3 business days online (SOSDirect); 7-10 business days by mail
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$0 (periodic report $5 on SoS request) — due No annual report; periodic report on request
- State tax rateNo corporate income tax; margin tax applies
- Expedited option2-3 business days (+$50)
Form your Texas Nonprofit — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Texas Nonprofit
Free formation means you pay only the $25 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Certificate of Formation - Nonprofit Corporation (Form 202) filing
We prepare and submit your Certificate of Formation - Nonprofit Corporation (Form 202) to the Texas Secretary of State.
Registered agent
Required in Texas — 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 Texas
Texas is the 2nd largest economy in the US, offering nonprofits a vast donor base, deep volunteer networks, and active philanthropic and corporate-giving communities across Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. With a low $25 incorporation fee, a general franchise-tax exemption for nonprofits, and no annual report fee, the Lone Star State is an affordable and supportive home for mission-driven organizations.
Eligible for federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the IRS
Low $25 state filing fee to incorporate your nonprofit
Nonprofits are generally exempt from Texas franchise tax
Donations become tax-deductible once 501(c)(3) status is granted
Limited liability protection for directors, officers, and members
Qualify for grants, public funding, and reduced nonprofit postage rates
Access to a massive donor and volunteer base in the 2nd largest US economy
No annual report fee - only a $5 periodic report when the SoS requests it
Key features of a Texas Nonprofit
- $25 state incorporation fee - one of the lowest
- Generally exempt from Texas franchise tax
- Minimum of 3 directors required for the board
- No annual report fee (only a $5 periodic report on request)
- Path to federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Major industries in Texas
Form your Texas Nonprofit in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes 2-3 business days online (SOSDirect); 7-10 business days by mail.
- 01
Choose Your Nonprofit Name
Pick a distinguishable name and confirm availability through the Texas Secretary of State's SOSDirect business search. The name cannot imply a purpose other than the one stated in your certificate.
- 02
Appoint Directors and a Registered Agent
Texas requires a minimum of 3 directors for a nonprofit corporation, plus a registered agent with a physical Texas address to accept legal documents on the organization's behalf.
- 03
File the Certificate of Formation
Submit Certificate of Formation - Nonprofit Corporation (Form 202) to the Texas Secretary of State. The filing fee is $25. Online filing through SOSDirect takes 2-3 business days; mail takes 7-10 business days.
- 04
Adopt Bylaws and a Conflict-of-Interest Policy
Texas does not require bylaws to be filed, but the IRS expects them. Adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy and hold an organizational board meeting before applying for tax exemption.
- 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 <= $50,000/yr and assets <= $250,000) or the full Form 1023 ($600). IRS review takes ~2-4 weeks for 1023-EZ or ~3-6 months for the full 1023.
- 06
Register for State Exemptions and Charitable Solicitation
After the IRS grants 501(c)(3) status, apply separately for Texas franchise and sales tax exemption through the Comptroller, and complete any Texas charitable-solicitation registration that applies to your organization.
Texas Nonprofit costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Texas Nonprofit requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Texas Nonprofit in 2026.
- File Certificate of Formation - Nonprofit Corporation (Form 202) with the TX SOS ($25)
- Appoint a minimum of 3 directors to the board
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical Texas address
- Adopt corporate bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- Apply for federal 501(c)(3) status via IRS Form 1023-EZ or Form 1023
- Apply separately for Texas franchise and sales tax exemption through the Comptroller
Filing information
- Formation document
- Certificate of Formation - Nonprofit Corporation (Form 202)
- Filing agency
- Texas Secretary of State
- Registered agent
- Required
- Bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $40 (120 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $25 Texas state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Certificate of Formation - Nonprofit Corporation (Form 202) filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in Texas)
- 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.
Texas Nonprofit questions, answered
Common questions about forming an Nonprofit in Texas. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form a nonprofit corporation in Texas?
The state filing fee for the Certificate of Formation - Nonprofit Corporation (Form 202) is $25, paid to the Texas Secretary of State. Federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status is a separate IRS step that costs $275 for Form 1023-EZ or $600 for the full Form 1023.
How long does it take to incorporate a Texas nonprofit?
Online filings through SOSDirect are processed in about 2-3 business days, while mail filings take 7-10 business days. The separate IRS 501(c)(3) application takes roughly 2-4 weeks for Form 1023-EZ or about 3-6 months for the full Form 1023.
How many directors does a Texas nonprofit need?
Texas requires a minimum of 3 directors for a nonprofit corporation. Adopting bylaws and a conflict-of-interest policy is also strongly recommended, since the IRS expects them when you apply for 501(c)(3) status.
Does a Texas nonprofit have to pay franchise tax?
Texas nonprofits are generally exempt from the state franchise (margin) tax, though you must apply for the exemption through the Texas Comptroller after receiving IRS 501(c)(3) status. Texas has no corporate income tax; the state sales tax rate is 6.25% and exemption is also available.
Is incorporating with the state the same as getting 501(c)(3) status?
No. Filing the Certificate of Formation with the Texas Secretary of State creates the nonprofit corporation, but federal tax-exempt status is a separate application to the IRS using Form 1023-EZ or Form 1023. State franchise and sales tax exemption and charitable-solicitation registration are additional, separate steps.
When are donations to my Texas nonprofit tax-deductible?
Donations become tax-deductible only after the IRS grants your organization 501(c)(3) status. Once approved, your nonprofit must also file an annual IRS Form 990 to keep its tax-exempt status in good standing.
Does my Texas nonprofit need 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 (BOI) reporting. Only foreign-formed entities registered to do business in a US state still file.
Does a Texas nonprofit file an annual report?
Texas does not charge a recurring annual report fee for nonprofits. The Secretary of State may request a periodic report no more than once every four years, which carries a $5 filing fee; ongoing federal compliance centers on the annual IRS Form 990.
Texas government filing resources
Filing fees for common Nonprofit services
Official Texas state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
$40 fee, same for all entity types.
Fee is $15 per certificate and does NOT vary by entity type.
Learn moreCertified copy = $15 per certificate PLUS $1.00 per page of the document ordered.
$15 per universal Apostille.
$25 registration fee (substantially lower than the $750 for-profit fee).
Learn moreNo state fee to obtain the Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit (seller's permit).
Learn more$25 - reduced fee for nonprofit corporations and cooperative associations.
Learn moreNo SOS filing fee to reinstate a nonprofit corporation after a franchise-tax forfeiture (Form 801).
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Texas Nonprofit
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your Texas Nonprofit?
Formation is free — you pay only the $25 Texas state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in 2-3 business days online (SOSDirect); 7-10 business days by mail.
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