Washington Nonprofits - A Guide to Registration and Tax Compliance
To establish and manage a nonprofit organization, it's crucial to possess a complete understanding of the regulations and criteria set forth by the relevant state authority.
Here, you can find out how to register a nonprofit in the state of Washington, the annual filing requirements for a nonprofit in Washington, and more.
Requirements |
![]() |
![]() |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
With the State of Washington | Charity Registration | Nonprofit Filing Requirements | Annual Report | |
![]() Required Forms |
Articles of incorporation (Washington Nonprofit Corporation) |
Charitable Trust Initial Registration | Nonprofits should submit their federal 990 forms to the states | |
![]() Due Date |
Before establishing a Nonprofit entity | Before soliciting any contributions within the state. | 15th day of the 5th Month | last day of the month in which the business was first formed. |
![]() Filing Fee |
$30.00 | $25.00 | $0 | $60 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Start a Nonprofit in Washington?
You must fulfill the below-mentioned registration requirements to start a nonprofit organization in Washington.
Registration with the Office of the Secretary of State:
To register your nonprofit, the state of Washington requires you to submit an Articles Of Incorporation with the Office of the Secretary of State. While submitting, you must pay a filing fee of $30.
Typically, this submission must include the following information:
- Name and address of the individuals
- Registered Agent
- No. of Board of Directors
- Declaration of Purpose
- Effectiveness of Filing
Registration as Charitable Trusts:
Even if the organizations are incorporated as a nonprofit, the state of Washington may still require them to register as Charitable Trusts with the Secretary of State under specific conditions. Click here to learn more about this registration.
How to Obtain Tax-Exempt Status from the State of Washington?
Nonprofits in the State of Washington are not automatically qualified as tax-exempt organizations, even if they have obtained tax-exempt status from the IRS.
Certain organizations can submit Form 63-0001 to the Property Tax Division at the Department of Revenue in order to obtain exemption from property taxes. Typically, this application must include:
- Verification of nonprofit status
- Bylaws
- IRS determination letter
What are the Washington Annual Filing Requirements for Nonprofits?
As per Washington State Law, nonprofits are required to complete the following annual submissions to ensure tax compliance.
Annual Report:
Every year, the nonprofits must submit an annual report which must include the basic organization details, information about the members, registered agent details, and certain other information.
When is the Deadline for Annual Reporting with the State of Washington?
Annual Report:
The due date to submit the annual report to the state of Washington is 180 days from the last day of the month in which the organization was first registered. For example, if your organization was registered on January 1, the deadline will be July 30.
How to file Annual Report for Nonprofits in Washington?
Annual Report:
- You can file your Annual Report Form electronically through the Online Portal provided by the Washington Secretary of State.
- You can also mail the completed Paper Forms to the below address:
![location-map](/Content/NewImages/icons/map-icon.png)
Olympia, WA 98504-0234,
Tel: 360.725.0377