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State-By-State Initial Compliance - Connecticut

Initial Filings for Connecticut Nonprofit Organizations

For a general discussion on starting a nonprofit organization, please refer to our article, Starting a Nonprofit Organization.

  1. To Incorporate in Connecticut

    a. Submit the Certificate of Incorporation for a Nonstock Corporation to:

    Office of the Secretary of State
    30 Trinity Street
    PO Box 150470
    Hartford, CT 06115-0470
    Information: (860) 509-6001
    Forms: (860) 509-6079
    Fax Request: (860) 509-6069
    Web Site: www.sots.ct.gov/
    Filing Fee: $40

    b. Within 30 days of holding the corporation's initial board meeting, submit the Organization and First Report to:

    Office of the Secretary of State
    30 Trinity Street
    PO Box 150470
    Hartford, CT 06115-0470
    Information: (860) 509-6001
    Forms: (860) 509-6079
    Fax Request: (860) 509-6069
    Web Site: www.sots.ct.gov/
    Filing Fee: $25
  2. To Obtain 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status

    Submit Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption to:

    Note new address:
    Internal Revenue Service
    P.O. Box 12192
    Covington, KY 41012-0192
    Information: (800) 829-1040
    Forms: (800) 829-3676
    Web Site: www.irs.gov/charities
    Filing Fee: $750 ($300 if revenues less than $10,000/year)
  3. To Obtain Connecticut Income Tax Exemption

    Register with the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services and obtain Corporation Business Tax Exemption by submitting Form REG-1 (Business Taxes Registration Application) with a copy of the IRS determination letter to:

    Department of Revenue Services
    PO Box 2937
    Hartford, CT 06104-2937
    Information: (860) 297-5962
    Forms: (860) 297-4753
    Fax: (860) 297-5698
    Web Site: www.ct.gov/DRS/
    Filing Fee: $0
  4. To Obtain Connecticut Sales and Use Tax Exemption

    For each vendor with which the corporation does business, submit Form CERT-119, along with a copy of the IRS determination letter at the time of purchase.

    Information: (860) 297-5962
    Web Site: www.ct.gov/DRS/
    Filing Fee: $0
    Notes: For repeat purchases with a given vendor, CERT-119 may be filed as a “Blanket Certificate” with that vendor. Blanket Certificates are valid for one year.

    An exempt organization must pay for its exempt purchases by a check drawn on its checking account or by a credit card issued in its name. Only purchases of $10 or less may be made with cash from the organization's funds.
  5. To Register with the Connecticut Attorney General

    Submit Form PCUREG-01 (Charitable Organization Registration Application) with a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation and a copy of the most recently completed IRS Form 990, 990EZ or 990PF to:

    Public Charities Unit
    c/o Office of the Attorney General
    55 Elm Street
    PO Box 120
    Hartford, CT 06141-0120
    Information: (860) 808-5030
    Web Site: www.ct.gov/ag
    Filing Fee: $50
    Notes: The above must be submitted prior to the commencement of solicitation.

    If the organization hires a “Paid Solicitor”, the organization and the Paid Solicitor must jointly file a notice of intent to solicit prior to the start of each separate fund-raising campaign and must file a financial report at the conclusion of each campaign.

    If gross receipts over $200,000, provide complete audit.

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