Starting A Nonprofit Organization in Kentucky
Welcome to the registration and compliance page for Kentucky nonprofit organizations. Below you will find information on initial filings required when starting a nonprofit organization in Kentucky, annual filing requirements for existing organizations, and employment filings for nonprofits with employees. This page also contains a link to the relevant nonprofit statute for the State of Kentucky.
Starting a Nonprofit Organization in Kentucky: Initial Filings
1. To Incorporate in Kentucky
Submit Articles of Incorporation to:
Secretary of State
PO Box 718
Frankfort, KY 40602-0718
Information: (502) 564-3490
Web Site: sos.ky.gov
Filing Fee: $8
Note: The Articles of Incorporation may be filed online through the One Stop Business Portal.
3. To Register with the Kentucky Department of Revenue
Complete the online business registration to obtain a Commonwealth Business Identifier.
Kentucky Department of Revenue
PO Box 299, Station 20
Frankfort, KY 40602-0299
Information: (502) 564-3306
Fax: (502) 227-0772
Web Site: revenue.ky.gov/business
Filing Fee: $0
4. To Obtain Kentucky Corporate Income Tax Exemption
Federally tax-exempt charities are also exempt from Kentucky Corporate Income Taxes. For more information contact the Kentucky Department of Revenue at:
Kentucky Department of Revenue
200 Fair Oaks Lane
Frankfort, KY 40602
Information: (502) 564-8139
Web Site: revenue.ky.gov/
5. To Obtain Kentucky Sales Tax Exemption
501(c)(3) organizations may obtain certain exemptions from sales taxes by submitting Form 51A125 along with a copy of the IRS Determination Letter and Articles of Incorporation to:
Sales and Use Tax Section
Department of Revenue
PO Box 1274
Frankfort, KY 40602-1274
Information: (502) 564-5170
Web Site: revenue.ky.gov/business
Filing Fee: $0
6. To Register with the Kentucky Attorney General
Before soliciting in Kentucky, nonprofit organizations must submit a copy of their IRS Form 990 to the Attorney General. If the organization is newly formed and has not yet filed a Form 990, then it must file a notice of intent to solicit with the Attorney General's office. Contact the Attorney General's office with any questions.
Office of the Attorney General
1024 Capital Center Drive, Suite 200
Frankfort, KY 40601
Attn: Charitable Registration
Information: (502) 696-5300
Fax: (502) 564-2894
Web Site: ag.ky.gov/
Filing Fee: $0
Annual Filings for Kentucky Nonprofit Organizations
1. Kentucky Secretary of State
Form: Annual Report
Due Date: Between January 1 and June 30
Secretary of State
Filings Branch
700 Capital Ave.
PO Box 718
Frankfort, KY 40602-0718
Information: (502) 564-3490
Web Site: www.sos.ky.gov
Filing Fee: $15
3. Kentucky Attorney General
Form: Copy of Form 990
Due Date: 4 ½ months after end of fiscal year
Office of the Attorney General
1024 Capital Center Drive, Suite 200
Frankfort, KY 40601
Attn: Charity Registration
Information: (502) 696-5300
Web Site: ag.ky.gov
Note: For more information on this filing requirement, refer to the following website: https://ag.ky.gov/Resources/Consumer-Resources/charity/Pages/registration.aspx
Kentucky Employment Filings
If the organization will have employees, the following filings are required:
1. To Register with the Kentucky Department of Taxation
If the organization has not already done so, complete the Online Business Registration for an employer withholding account.
Kentucky Department of Revenue
PO Box 299, Station 20
Frankfort, KY 40602-0299
Information: (502) 564-3306
Fax: (502) 227-0772
Web Site: http://revenue.ky.gov/Business/Pages/Employer-Payroll-Withholding.aspx
Notes: This registration may also be completed in paper form by completing and filing Form 10A100-I.
For more information, refer to the publication Withholding Instructions for Employers.
If the organization has already completed this registration but is now making a change (e.g. hiring employees for the first time), it will need to
make those changes by filing an Update or Cancellation of Kentucky Tax Account (Form 10A104).
2. To Register with the Kentucky Office of Employment & Training
Nonprofit organizations must register by filing the paper form UI-1S. This form can only be obtained by contacting the Office of Employment & Training at the number below.
Kentucky Office of Employment & Training
275 East Main Street 2nd Floor
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
Information: (502) 564-2272
Web Site: kewes.ky.gov/
Notes: For more information, refer to the Office of Employment & Training's UI Tax Information web page and Employer Guide.
Click here for Kentucky state statute information.