Nonprofit Law Resource Library
State-By-State Initial Compliance - Pennsylvania
Initial Filings for Pennsylvania Nonprofit Organizations
For a general discussion on starting a nonprofit organization, please refer to our article, Starting a Nonprofit Organization.
To Incorporate in Pennsylvania
a. Submit 2 copies of Articles of Incorporation (DSCB:15-5306) and Docketing Statement (DSCB:15-134A) to:
Department of State
Corporation Bureau
PO Box 8722
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8722 Information: (717) 787-1057
Fax: (717) 783-2244
Web Site: www.dos.state.pa.us/corps/site/default.asp
Filing Fee: $125Note: All incorporators must sign Articles of Incorporation.
A P.O. Box alone is not acceptable for the registered address of the organization.b. The corporation must publish either the intent to file or the actual filing of the Articles of Incorporation in two newspapers. It is recommended that one of them be a legal journal, if possible. Proof of publication should be filed in the minutes of the corporation.
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: $850 ($400 if revenues less than $10,000/year)
For more information on filing fees, see the IRS website.To Register with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and Obtain Corporate and Sales Tax Exemptions
Submit Pennsylvania Department of Revenue Form REV-72 along with copies of the 501(c)(3) Determination Letter from the IRS, Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, a current financial statement (or budget) and the most recently filed Form 990 (if available) to:
Department of Revenue
Bureau of Business Trust Fund Taxes
Miscellaneous Tax Division
Dept. 280909
Harrisburg, PA 17128-0909 Information: (717) 783-5473
Web Site: www.revenue.state.pa.us
Filing Fee: $0To Register with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Charitable Organizations
Within 30 days of receiving $25,000 in contributions or prior to compensating a paid solicitor to solicit contributions in Pennsylvania, submit Form BCO-10 and copies of the 501(c)(3) Determination Letter from the IRS, Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and IRS Form 990 to:
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Department of State
Bureau of Charitable Organizations
207 North Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120 Information: (717) 783-1720
Fax: (717) 783-6014
Web Site: www.dos.state.pa.us/char/site/default.asp
Filing Fee: $15-$250 (depending on contributions)Notes: If contributions under $50.000: Provide internally prepared audit with Form BCO-10.
If contributions $50,000-$125,000: Provide review audit with Form BCO-10.
If contributions $125,000 or more: Provide complete audit with Form BCO-10.
Organizations that are not required to file an IRS Form 990 must file a Form BCO-23 to accompany Form BCO-10. Some organizations are exempt from filing Form BCO-10. Refer to the Department of State's website for a completelist of exemptions
Note that organizations exempt from filing Form BCO-10 that are located in Pennsylvania, must still file an “Institution of Purely Public Charity Registration Statement” along with a fee of $15 and a copy of the organization's IRS Form 990.
