Nonprofit Law Resource Library

Browse our Table of Contents


Tax-Exempt Organization News

To Receive Updates & Announcements

Nonprofit Law Resource Library

State-By-State Annual Compliance - California

Annual Filings for California Nonprofit Organizations

Please note that as of January 1, 2005, California has instituted the Nonprofit Integrity Act of 2004. Much like the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the for-profit sector, this new law (SB 1262 - Sher, Chapter 919, Stats of 2004) seeks to improve nonprofit governance, limit abuses of executive compensation and prevent commercial fundraising abuses. Please refer to the California Attorney General's publication Guide to the Nonprofit Integrity Act of 2004 for specifics on the newly instituted regulations. For more information on the impact of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on the Nonprofit Sector, refer to our article, Sarbanes-Oxley and Nonprofit Organizations.

  1. California Attorney General

    Form: Form RRF-1
    Due Date: 4 ½ months after end of fiscal year

    Registry of Charitable Trusts
    PO Box 903447
    Sacramento, CA 94203-4470
    Information: (916) 445-2021
    Web Site: ag.ca.gov/charities
    Filing Fee: $0-$25 (depending on revenues)
    Note: If gross receipts or total assets over $25,000, include IRS Form 990, 990-EZ or 990-PF.

    If gross receipts or total assets over $100,000, filing fee is $25.

    Charitable corporations organized and operated primarily as hospitals, schools, or religious organizations are exempt from filing.
  2. Internal Revenue Service

    Form: Annual Return Form 990
    Due Date: 4 ½ months after end of fiscal year

    Internal Revenue Service
    Ogden, UT 84201-0027
    Information: (800) 829-1040
    Forms: (800) 829-3676
    Web Site: www.irs.gov/charities
    Filing Fee: $0
    Public Charities: Please note that, along with the new Form 990, the IRS has instituted a "phase-in" period to allow organizations time to adjust to the new form. For a detailed "phase-in" chart, please refer to the IRS website to determine which form to file (Form 990, Form 990-EZ or Form 990-N).

    Private Foundations: Submit Form 990PF, regardless of revenues.
  3. California Franchise Tax Board

    Note: For a general discussion of the California Franchise Tax Board's requirements for exempt organizations, please refer to their Exempt Organizations publication.

    a. Form: Form 199
    Due Date: 4 ½ months after end of fiscal year

    Franchise Tax Board
    PO Box 942857
    Sacramento, CA 94257-0701
    Phone: (916) 845-4171
    Web Site: www.ftb.ca.gov
    Filing Fee: $10*
    Notes: Exclusively religious, educational or charitable organizations and some organizations for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals are not required to pay the $10 fee.

    In lieu of completing Part II of the form, organizations may submit a copy of Form RRF-1 with Form 990 or 990-EZ, or a copy of Form 990-PF.

    b. Form: Form 109 (Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Return)
    Due Date: 4 ½ months after end of fiscal year

    Franchise Tax Board
    PO Box 942857
    Sacramento, CA 94257-0701
    Phone: (916) 845-4171
    Web Site: www.ftb.ca.gov
    Filing Fee: $0
    Note: This filing is required only if the organiztion derived more than $1,000 in gross unrelated business income.
  4. California Attorney General

    Form: Independently Audited Financial Statements
    Due Date: 9 months after end of fiscal year

    Registry of Charitable Trusts
    PO Box 903447
    Sacramento, CA 94203-4470
    Information: (916) 445-2021
    Web Site: ag.ca.gov/charities
    Filing Fee: $0
    Note: Only charitable corporations with gross revenues of $2 million or more in a fiscal year are subject to this requirement.
  5. California Secretary of State

    Form: Form SI-100 (Statement of Information)
    Due Date: Biennially before the end of the calendar month during which the original Articles of Incorporation were filed.

    Secretary of State
    Statement of Information Unit
    PO Box 944230
    Sacramento, CA 94244-2300
    Information: (916) 657-5448
    Web Site: www.ss.ca.gov
    Filing Fee: $20*
    Note: Failure to file by the due date may result in the assessment of a $50 penalty.

Top of Page