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State-By-State Initial Compliance - Missouri

Initial Filings for Missouri Nonprofit Organizations

For a general discussion on starting a nonprofit organization, please refer to our article, Starting a Nonprofit Organization.

  1. To Incorporate in Missouri

    Submit Articles of Incorporation to:

    Secretary of State
    Corporation Division
    PO Box 778
    Jefferson City, MO 65102
    Information: (573) 751-4153
    Web Site: www.sos.mo.gov/
    Filing Fee: $25
  2. To Obtain 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status

    Submit Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption to:

    Note new address:
    Internal Revenue Service
    P.O. Box 12192
    Covington, KY 41012-0192
    Information: (800) 829-1040
    Forms: (800) 829-3676
    Web Site: www.irs.gov/charities
    Filing Fee: $750 ($300 if revenues less than $10,000/year)
    Note: User fees will increase for all applications for exemption (Forms 1023, 1024, and 1028) postmarked after January 3, 2010:
    $ 400 for organizations whose gross receipts are $10,000 or less annually over a 4-year period
    $ 850 for organizations whose gross receipts exceed $10,000 annually over a 4-year period
    $ 3,000 for group exemption letters.
    For more information on filing fees and for information on the IRS' new web initiative "Cyber Assistant", see the IRS website.
  3. To Obtain Missouri Corporate Income and Franchise Tax Exemptions

    Nonprofit organizations that file IRS Form 990, 990EZ or 990PF are exempt from filing a Missouri corporation income tax return. They are also exempt from filing corporation franchise tax.

  4. To Obtain Missouri Sales Tax Exemption

    Submit Form 1746 along with a copy of the organization's IRS Determination Letter, Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, and a complete financial history for the years in existence up to 3 years (or an estimated budget for 1 year if newly formed) to:

    Missouri Department of Revenue
    Taxation Bureau
    PO Box 358
    Jefferson City, MO 65105-0358
    Information: (573) 751-2836
    Fax: (573) 522-1722
    Web Site: dor.mo.gov/
  5. To Register with the Missouri Attorney General

    Before soliciting funds in Missouri submit the Initial Registration Statement to:

    Missouri Attorney General's Office
    Attention: Rhonda Johnson
    PO Box 899
    Jefferson City, MO 65102
    Information: (573) 751-1197
    Web Site: ago.mo.gov/
    Filing Fee: $15
    Note: Organizations that have been granted their tax-exempt status by the IRS do not need to complete this filing. Instead, they should submit a copy of the IRS Determination Letter with a note of explanation that the organization wishes to commence soliciting in Missouri. There is no fee required.

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