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Solution501(c)(3) takes more paperwork than a normal LLC, plus a layer of state charitable solicitation registration in 40+ states. We do all of it.
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For nonprofit founders and operators
Built for Nonprofits · all 51 jurisdictions

Start the nonprofit. We handle the paperwork.

501(c)(3) recognition requires nonprofit articles, a Form 1023 or 1023-EZ to the IRS, state charitable solicitation registration in most states, plus all the annual reporting. We handle every step from formation through ongoing compliance.

Built for your use case 60-day money-back Cancel anytime
9,400+
Nonprofits formed
87%
1023-EZ eligibility
40+
State charity registrations
A+
BBB rated
501(c)(3)
Federal status
IRS guidance
Bylaws
+ Articles
templates included
Charitable solicitation
Registration
40 states
51
Jurisdictions
one platform
SOC 2 Type II · 2025 report 4.9 · 8,200+ reviews E&O Insured · carrier on request 51 Jurisdictions 220,000+ Formed
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Why nonprofits pick File.Business

Built around how nonprofits actually operate.

Three things you will not get from a generic formation site.

01

501(c)(3) federal status

Form 1023-EZ or full 1023 guidance, depending on your projected revenue.

02

Bylaws + Articles included

IRS-acceptable bylaws and conflict-of-interest policy templates in the dashboard.

03

Charitable solicitation registration

40 states require it before fundraising. We track which apply to you.

Form 1023 or 1023-EZWe pick and prepare the right form
40+ state charity registrationsWhere you fundraise
Form 990 calendarAnnual IRS reporting tracked
How we set it up

From founding intent to tax-exempt status.

01
Articles + bylaws

We file Articles of Incorporation as a nonprofit, draft bylaws with required IRS language, and capture initial board minutes.

Week 1
02
EIN

IRS Form SS-4 filed. EIN typically same business day for US-domiciled founders.

Week 1
03
Form 1023 or 1023-EZ

We assess 1023-EZ eligibility (gross receipts under $50k, assets under $250k). Most start-stage nonprofits qualify. We prepare and file the right form.

Week 2 to 6
04
Determination letter

IRS issues 501(c)(3) determination letter (2 to 4 weeks for 1023-EZ, 3 to 6 months for long form). You can now accept tax-deductible donations.

After IRS
05
State charity registration

Register with each state where you solicit donations. We file in 40+ states. Renewal calendar maintained.

Initial
06
Form 990 and state renewals

IRS Form 990 (or 990-N or 990-EZ) due 4.5 months after fiscal year-end. State renewals annual. We track all of this.

Ongoing
See your situation here?The fastest path is to start. Five minutes, pay only state fee.
Start your nonprofit →Pay only state fee
In their own words

How customers like you use the platform.

"1023-EZ approved in 19 days. We were taking donations and issuing receipts the next week."
PR
Pastor R. MartinezFounder, Cedar & Hill Foundation
"Charity registration in 38 states for fundraising would have taken us a year alone. They did it in six weeks."
JA
Joyce AdamsonExecutive Director, Riverside Youth Arts
"990 was always a fire drill. Now the calendar reminds the board, the books are ready, and our CPA closes in days, not weeks."
DC
David ChenBoard Chair, Lighthouse Mental Health
60day promise

The File.Business Promise

If we miss a deadline on a service you pay us to manage, we cover the penalty. If you change your mind within 60 days, we refund our fee in full. Your data stays yours, always.

60-day money-back Penalty-free filings Cancel anytime No surprise fees
FAQ

Common questions.

What is 501(c)(3)?
The IRS classification that makes donations to the nonprofit tax-deductible to donors. Achieved by filing Form 1023 or 1023-EZ and receiving an IRS determination letter.
1023 or 1023-EZ?
1023-EZ is shorter, faster, and cheaper but limited to nonprofits with gross receipts under $50,000 and assets under $250,000. Most new nonprofits qualify.
How long until we can accept donations?
You can accept donations from day one of formation; they only become tax-deductible to donors after the IRS issues the 501(c)(3) determination letter. The determination is retroactive to the formation date if filed within 27 months.
State charity registration?
40+ states require nonprofits to register before they can legally solicit donations in that state. Online fundraising broadly triggers most states.
Form 990 annual filing?
Every 501(c)(3) files an annual Form 990 with the IRS: 990-N (gross receipts under $50k), 990-EZ ($50k to $200k), or full 990 ($200k+). Due 4.5 months after fiscal year-end.
Can we have paid staff?
Yes. Nonprofit revenue can pay employees, including the founder, as long as compensation is reasonable. We help structure this properly.
Board requirements?
Most states require at least 3 directors (some allow 1). We help structure the board, draft conflict-of-interest policies, and document initial meetings.
What about private foundations?
Private foundations are a different category (also 501(c)(3) but with more restrictions). We support both; the formation process differs.
Religious organizations?
Churches are automatically 501(c)(3) without filing 1023, but most still file for the determination letter to make donor receipts cleaner.
Multi-state operations?
Foreign qualification is the same as for-profits. Plus the state charity registration in every state where you fundraise.

Start your nonprofit.

Tell us a few details. We do the rest. You get a single dashboard for everything.

Pay only the state fee 60-day money-back Cancel anytime
$129/yr Compliance Annual Filings · penalty-free

On the $129/yr Compliance Annual Filings plan, we cover state late fees.

When you autofile your annual report through the $129/yr plan and we miss the deadline, we pay the state's late fee. The guarantee applies to that specific plan and the filings it includes. Other File.Business services are billed at the prices on this page.

See compliance plans →
How it works

Four steps from request to delivery

File.Business runs your filing on a single concierge workflow. You provide what we need; we handle the rest.

1

Tell us what you need

2-minute intake. We confirm the filing type, jurisdiction, and any supporting documents required.

2

We prepare the filing

Our specialists draft the document, validate against state requirements, and queue for your review where required.

3

We submit to the state

Filed through the state portal. We pay the state fee, track the submission, and resolve any state correspondence.

4

Confirmation in your vault

state-required document delivered to your SOC 2 encrypted document vault, with deadline tracking for the next filing.

500K+
Filings completed
51 jurisdictions
All US states + DC tracked
SOC 2 secured
Encrypted document vault
99.6% on-time
Annual reports filed in window
$0 hidden fees
Flat-rate service pricing

Ready to get started?

File.Business handles formation, filings, registered agent service, and ongoing compliance across all 51 US jurisdictions on a single concierge platform.

File.Business is a private business filing and compliance service. We are not a government agency and are not affiliated with any Secretary of State office. You may file directly with the appropriate state agency. SOC 2 Type II audited. 220,000+ businesses formed since 2017.
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