Starting a nonprofit in New York follows the same two milestones as anywhere else, forming a state corporation and getting federal 501(c)(3) status, but New York grants no state exemptions automatically and requires registration with the Attorney General's Charities Bureau. Here is the order New York founders should follow.
The New York-specific steps
- File a Certificate of Incorporation for a not-for-profit corporation with the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations, including the IRS-required purpose and dissolution language. The filing fee is $75, with optional expedited service for an added fee.
- Get your federal EIN from the IRS. It is free, and you need it before you can apply for tax-exempt status.
- Adopt bylaws and a conflict of interest policy that carry the same charitable purpose and dissolution language as your incorporation documents.
- Apply for federal 501(c)(3) status using Form 1023-EZ or the full Form 1023.
- Apply for New York corporate franchise tax exemption by filing Form CT-247 with the Department of Taxation and Finance. Federal 501(c)(3) status does not grant this automatically.
- Apply for New York sales tax exemption using Form ST-119.2. Once approved, the state issues an Exempt Organization Certificate (Form ST-119) for tax-free purchases.
- Register with the Attorney General's Charities Bureau using Form CHAR410 before soliciting donations, then file the annual CHAR500 financial report. Organizations under $25,000 in gross receipts and assets that use no professional fundraisers may qualify for an exemption.
New York fees and timelines
New York's incorporation fee is $75, and expedited processing is available for an added fee. Every state exemption, corporate franchise tax and sales tax, is a separate filing, and the Charities Bureau charges tiered fees for registration and the annual CHAR500. Add the federal IRS user fee ($275 for the 1023-EZ or $600 for the full Form 1023). Because state fees change, confirm current amounts with the Department of State, the Department of Taxation and Finance, and the Charities Bureau before filing.
A note on accuracy
State requirements and fees change over time. Use this as a roadmap, then verify current forms and amounts with New York's official agencies, or let us confirm them with you on a free call.
Want the IRS step done for you?
Our 501(c)(3) filing service prepares your IRS Form 1023-EZ with the exact language the IRS expects, reviews every answer, and walks you through filing, for a flat $1,499 with a 100% approval record.
Explore 501(c)(3) Filing →The federal step is the same everywhere
Once your New York corporation exists and you have an EIN, the federal 501(c)(3) application is identical to any other state. Most small nonprofits file the 1023-EZ; see our 1023 vs 1023-EZ guide to confirm which fits. For the complete national process, read our step-by-step guide to starting a nonprofit, and our cost breakdown for every fee.
Starting a nonprofit in another state?
The federal steps are the same in all 50 states; only the state incorporation, tax exemption, and charitable registration details differ. See our guides for Georgia, Ohio, Illinois, or browse all our guides. Not sure where to start? Book a free call and we will map the exact steps and current fees for your state.