How Much Does It Cost to Get 501(c)(3) Status?
Getting 501(c)(3) status costs more than the IRS fee alone, but less than many people expect. The total depends on three things: the IRS application, forming your organization in your state, and whether you hire help.
1. The IRS user fee: $275 or $600
- Form 1023-EZ: $275 — for small organizations that pass the eligibility worksheet (generally $50,000 or less in annual gross receipts and $250,000 or less in assets).
- Form 1023: $600 — the full application, required for everyone else.
The fee is paid on Pay.gov when you file. Choose the form based on eligibility, not price — filing the wrong one can delay your approval.
2. Forming the organization in your state
Before you can apply, the organization has to exist — usually as a nonprofit corporation. State filing fees for Articles of Incorporation vary. Florida, for example, charges $70 for a nonprofit corporation — a $35 filing fee plus $35 for the registered agent designation — with an optional certified copy for $8.75 more. Getting an EIN from the IRS is free.
3. Professional help (optional)
You can prepare the application yourself and pay only the government fees. Many founders get help because the full Form 1023 asks for detailed activity descriptions and multi-year financials, and mistakes lead to IRS follow-up questions that add months.
- Compliance Watchers prepares 501(c)(3) applications for a flat service fee: $850 for a public charity, $1,100 for a private foundation. The IRS user fee is paid separately, directly to the IRS.
- We can also form your nonprofit corporation for $199 plus your state's filing fee.
Example: a small Florida charity
- EIN: $0
- Florida nonprofit Articles of Incorporation: $70
- IRS user fee (Form 1023-EZ): $275
- Government fees total: $345
- With Compliance Watchers: add $199 for forming the corporation and $850 for preparing the 501(c)(3) application
Costs after approval
501(c)(3) status is a one-time application, but staying compliant has yearly costs:
- Annual IRS Form 990 — filing it is free, though larger organizations often pay an accountant to prepare it.
- Your state's annual report for the nonprofit corporation.
- Charitable solicitation registration in each state where you fundraise — state fees range from nothing to several hundred dollars per state each year. Florida, for example, charges $10 to $400 based on contributions.
- CPA-reviewed or audited financial statements once your revenue passes certain state thresholds.
Related service: 501(c) Application Services →