Charitable Solicitation Registration in California

Every charitable corporation, unincorporated association, charitable trustee and other entity holding property for charitable purposes must register with the Attorney General. Timing: Within 30 days of first receiving charitable assets, which includes donations, grants, property and other contributions.

State fees: Less than $50,000: $25; $50,000 – $100,000: $50; $100,001 – $250,000: $75; $250,001 – $1 million: $100; $1,000,001 – $5 million: $200; $5,000,001 – $20 million: $400; $20,000,001 – $100 million: $800; $100,000,001 – $500 million: $1,000; More than $500 million: $1,200. These are the state's own fees. Our service fee is separate and shown before checkout.

Form RRF-1 (Annual Registration Renewal Fee Report) is due 4 months and 15 days after the end of your fiscal year.

Organizations with $2 million or more in revenue need audited financial statements prepared by an independent CPA. Your IRS Form 990 (or 990-EZ / 990-PF) is filed with the annual renewal.

Yes. RRF-1 is filed through the Attorney General's Online Filing Service: log in, go to the Charities/Trustees section and select "File a Form RRF-1". You upload your Form 990, 990-EZ or 990-PF (without Schedule B) and pay the renewal fee there.

The Registry charges $25 per month or partial month, and the charity becomes delinquent: it may not operate or solicit in California, and the Franchise Tax Board is notified, which may result in losing its state tax exemption. Late fees can't be paid with charitable assets.

Yes. The California Attorney General's charity registry was previously known as the Registry of Charitable Trusts. Today it's the Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, which handles Form CT-1 registrations and annual RRF-1 renewals.