Starting A Nonprofit Organization in Ohio
Welcome to the registration and compliance page for Ohio nonprofit organizations. Below you will find information on initial filings required when starting a nonprofit organization in Ohio, 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 Ohio.
Starting a Nonprofit Organization in Ohio: Initial Filings
1. To Incorporate in Ohio
Submit Articles of Incorporation (Form #532B) to:
Ohio Secretary of State
PO Box 670
Columbus, OH 43216
Information: (614) 466-3910
Web Site: www.sos.state.oh.us
Filing Fee: $125
Note: All incorporators must sign Articles of Incorporation. Expedited service is also available for an extra fee of $100. Expedited filings should be marked “EXPEDITE” and must be either taken to the Client Service Center, 30 East Broad Street, Lower Level, or mailed to PO Box 1390, Columbus, OH 43216.
3. To Obtain Ohio Commercial Activity Tax and Sales Tax Exemptions
Nonprofit organizations are exempt from the commercial activity tax.
501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are generally exempt from sales taxes. A list of exemptions can be found on the Department of Taxation's website. Sales and use tax blanket exemption certificates (form STEC-B) are to be provided to vendors.
Ohio Department of Taxation
PO Box 530
Columbus, OH 43216-0530
Information: (888) 405-4039
Web Site: https://tax.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/tax/business
4. To Register with the Ohio Attorney General
Charitable organizations that solicit for contributions must register online at the website below.
Information: (800) 282-0515
Web Site: https://charitable.ohioago.gov/
Filing Fee: $0
Annual Filings for Ohio Nonprofit Organizations
1. 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: 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.
Note: Effective for tax years that end July 31, 2020 and later, exempt organizations must now file their annual returns electronically, using an approved IRS 990 e-File provider. Note that some transitional relief is available to 990-EZ filers. In addition, some exceptions apply including when the organization is changing its name, filing a shortened period return due to a change in fiscal year, or has an exemption application pending. Refer to the Form 990 instructions for information on these and other exceptions. To learn more about this electronic filing requirement, read the IRS announcement. For a list of approved IRS 990 e-File providers, refer to the IRS' Modernized e-file Providers list.
2. Ohio Attorney General
Form: Annual Report
Due Date: 4 ½ months after end of fiscal year
Office of the Attorney General
Charitable Law Section
150 East Gay Street
23rd Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-3130
Information: (800) 282-0515
Web Site: www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov
Filing Fee: $0-200 (based on assets)
If assets < $5,000: Filing Fee = $0
If assets >= $5,000 and < $25,000: Filing Fee = $50
If assets >= $25,000 and < $50,000: Filing Fee = $100
If assets >= $50,000: Filing Fee = $200
Note: The Annual Report must be filed online at: https://charitable.ohioago.gov/
3. Ohio Secretary of State
Form: Statement of Continued Existence
Due Date: Once every five years, either from the date of incorporation or from the last corporate filing. Organizations should be notified by the Secretary of State when they are required to submit their renewal.
Ohio Secretary of State
PO Box 788
Columbus, OH 43216
Information: (614) 466-3910
Prepay Fax: (614) 485-7045
Web Site: www.sec.state.oh.us
Filing Fee: $25
Note: The Statement of Continued Existence may be filed online at: https://bsportal.ohiosos.gov
Ohio Employment Filings
If the organization will have employees, the following filings are required:
1. To Register with the Ohio Department of Taxation
Complete the online registration for employer withholding.
Ohio Department of Taxation
P.O. Box 182215
Columbus, OH 43218-2215
Information: (888) 405-4089
Fax: (614) 387-2165
Web Site: www.tax.ohio.gov/employer_withholding.aspx
Notes: This registration may also be completed in paper form by completing and filing Application for Registration (Form IT 1) but online registration is recommended.
For more information, refer to the Employer Withholding Table of Contents and the Withholding Tax General Guidelines.
2. To Register with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
File the online Employer Registration to receive an unemployment compensation tax account number.
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
Contribution Section
PO Box 182404
Columbus, OH 43218-2404
Information: (614) 466-2319
Web Site: jfs.ohio.gov/ouc/uctax/registering_as_an_employer.stm
Notes: This registration may also be completed in paper form by completing and filing the Report to Determine Liability.
For more information, refer to the Department of Job and Family Services' Employer Liability web page.
Click here for Ohio state statute information.