Checklist for Illinois Charitable Organizations

Safe Harbor Provision: This information is not intended to serve as an inclusive filing list for all not-for-profit organizations. There are various types

of not-for-profit organizations with varying filing requirements. Therefore, all organizations should exercise due care in ensuring regulatory

requirements are fulfilled.

Are you interested in starting a not-for-profit organization or planning to fundraise in Illinois? The

following list is a guide to help you understand how to start a not-for-profit organization and the common

requirements. Please note that this list is not comprehensive and additional steps may be required for some

types of organizations. We encourage organizations to consult with an attorney to learn about all legal

obligations applicable to their organization.

Not-for-profits that would like to be recognized as tax exempt by the IRS are required to file documents

with federal and state governments and possibly local agencies. These filings are required both when the

organization is formed and then annually thereafter. Exactly what is required to be filed will depend on,

among other things, the organization’s IRS tax status (for example, if the organization is a 501(c)(3),

whether it has employees, what fundraising methods it uses and the states in which it fundraises, and the

amount of contributions it raises).

To Start a Not-For-Profit Corporation

There are a few very important governance and regulatory steps that you will need to do prior to receiving

charitable status in Illinois.

1. Determine the Purpose of Your Organization and the Board of Directors

To complete the paperwork to incorporate as an organization, you will need to be able to provide a

name for your organization, the purpose or mission of the organization, and names and addresses of

incorporators.

The Board of Directors manages and controls the organization, including expenditures and funding.

The Board of Directors should be familiar with the organization’s bylaws and their responsibilities

under them.

2. Complete an Application for Reservation of Name Under the Not-For-Profit Corporation Act

(Optional)

An organization can reserve a name for 90 days by completing Form NFP 104.10 and paying a $25

filing fee per name to the Illinois Secretary of State Business Services Department. The form is

available online at www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/nfp10410.pdf.

3. File Articles of Incorporation

To become a not-for-profit organization in Illinois, an organization needs to file Form NFP 102.10

with the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office. If your organization is seeking IRS tax-exempt status,

the organization will also need to list “other provisions” on a separate attachment, Article 5 of Form

NFP 102.10. There is a $50 filing fee paid to the Illinois Secretary of State Business Services

Department. The form is available online at

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/nfp10210.pdf.

Attachment to Form NFP 102.10 (if seeking IRS tax-exempt status):

The IRS requires certain provisions regarding purposes of the organization, prohibitions on

private inurement and dissolution. Sample IRS provisions are online at

http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Charitable-Organizations/Charity-Required-

Provisions-for-Organizing-Documents.

Checklist for Illinois

Charitable Organizations

Formation Checklist For Not-For-Profit Corporations

Safe Harbor Provision: This information is not intended to serve as an inclusive filing list for all not-for-profit organizations. There are various types

of not-for-profit organizations with varying filing requirements. Therefore, all organizations should exercise due care in ensuring regulatory

requirements are fulfilled.

4. Develop Bylaws for Your Organization

Bylaws regulate how the affairs of an organization are managed, including setting up the Board of

Directors and the rules and procedures of the organization and the board. These bylaws inform the

Board of Directors on how to regulate the organization and must be consistent with Illinois law

relating to not-for-profits (805 ILCS 105-102.25).

5. Hold a Directors Meeting

The organization will need to hold the first meeting of the directors or incorporators to approve the

bylaws, elect additional directors, appoint officers and approve additional resolutions such as

opening a bank account. The organization should take minutes at the meeting and establish records.

6. Obtain an FEIN (Federal Employer Identification Number)

To obtain an FEIN for your organization from the IRS, complete IRS Form SS-4. There is no cost to

obtain a number. You can file IRS Form SS-4 online or over the phone. The form is available online

at http://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Employer-Identification-Number.

7. Obtain an Illinois Department of Revenue Account ID

To obtain an Account ID, complete the Illinois Business Registration Application, Form REG-1.

The form is available online at https://www2.illinois.gov/rev/forms/reg/Pages/reg-1.aspx.

8. Register with the Illinois Attorney General

Any charities holding or soliciting funds in Illinois must register with the Illinois Attorney General’s

Office prior to any solicitation of funds. Please note that organizations may register prior to

applying for IRS tax exempt status.

To register, an organization must complete Form CO-1 with all necessary attachments, including

either copies of Illinois Form AG990-IL for each year of the organization’s existence OR Form CO-

2 if the organization is less than 1 year old. These forms are to be submitted with a $15 registration

fee payable to “Illinois Charity Bureau Fund.” Instructions and forms are available online at

https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/Consumer-Protection/Charities/Building-Better-Charities/Charity-

Registration/.

If your organization has not applied for IRS tax-exempt status, please answer “no” to question 18 on

the registration form, CO-1.

Contact the Charitable Trust Bureau at 312-814-2595 with any questions.

9. File IRS Tax-Exempt Status Application for Recognition of Exemption

For more information on 501(c)(3) status for charitable organizations, please visit the IRS’ website

at https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/exemption-requirements-

section-501c3-organizations.

To apply for tax-exempt status, your organization will need to either complete Form 1023 or Form

1024. The forms are available online at https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/applying-for-tax-

exempt-status.

10. Obtain Illinois State Sales Tax Exemption

To obtain a state sales tax exemption, the organization will need to contact the Illinois Department of

Revenue on the organization’s letterhead requesting an Exempt (E) number. There is no fee to apply

Safe Harbor Provision: This information is not intended to serve as an inclusive filing list for all not-for-profit organizations. There are various types

of not-for-profit organizations with varying filing requirements. Therefore, all organizations should exercise due care in ensuring regulatory

requirements are fulfilled.

and no standard form to complete. For more information, including what your organization needs to

submit with the letter, visit https://www2.illinois.gov/rev/businesses/nonprofits/Pages/default.aspx.

In addition to these requirements, an organization may need to complete additional paperwork with

the following state agencies or local offices:

• Illinois Department of Revenue

If your organization is conducting raffles and/or gaming such as bingo, pull tab and jar games for

fundraising, you may need to obtain a license and pay a fee. For more information, please visit

http://tax.illinois.gov/CharityGaming/.

• Local County/Municipal Registration/Licensure

Your city or county may also require a license for raffles, games and door-to-door solicitation.

Check with your city or county clerk for more information.

• Illinois Department of Employment Security

If your organization has employees in Illinois, your organization will need to register with the

Illinois Department of Employment Security. For more information, please visit

http://www.ides.illinois.gov/Pages/default.aspx#.

• Local Business Registration

Your city or town may require local business filings or registration. Check with your city clerk for

more information.

• Local Property Tax Exemption

To apply for a charitable use tax exemption, contact the chief county assessment officer.

Safe Harbor Provision: This information is not intended to serve as an inclusive filing list for all not-for-profit organizations. There are various types of

not-for-profit organizations with varying filing requirements. Therefore, all organizations should exercise due care in ensuring regulatory requirements are

fulfilled.

Ongoing Reporting Obligations Checklist

After starting a not-for-profit organization and filing the appropriate registration information, your

organization’s obligations do not end. Depending on the makeup of the organization, there may be additional

filing requirements with various federal, state and local government agencies. Generally, these filings are due

annually. Please contact the appropriate agency listed below for more information.

IRS

Most tax-exempt organizations are required to file an annual information return with the Internal Revenue

Service. Generally, information returns are due every year by the 15th day of the 5th month after the close of

the organizations’ tax year (extensions can be requested). An organization that fails to file required information

returns (Forms 990, 990-EZ, 990-N, or 990-PF) for three consecutive years will automatically lose its tax-

exempt status.

The form an organization must file generally depends on its financial activity, as follows (note: these thresholds

apply for 2010 Tax Year and later returns filed in 2011 and later):

• If the organization is a public charity and gross receipts are normally ≤ $50,000, the organization files

Form 990-N (E-Postcard)

o Instructions: N/A

o Form: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/annual-electronic-filing-requirement-for-small-

exempt-organizations-form-990-n-e-postcard

• If the organization is a public charity and gross receipts are < $200,000 and total assets are < $500,000,

the organization files Form 990-EZ

o Instructions: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i990ez.pdf

o Form: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f990ez.pdf

• If the organization is a public charity and gross receipts are ≥ $200,000 or total assets are ≥ $500,000,

the organization files Form 990

o Instructions: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i990.pdf

o Form: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f990.pdf

• If the organization is a private foundation, it files Form 990-PF

o Instructions: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i990pf.pdf

o Form: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f990pf.pdf

Illinois Secretary of State’s Office

A Corporate Annual Report is to be filed with the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office annually prior to the first

day of the corporation’s anniversary month (the month in which their articles of incorporation were filed). An

authorized officer of the corporation must sign this report and there is a $10 filing fee for reports filed on time.

Late reports incur a $3 penalty fee per state law.

Failure to submit this report may cause the organization to be involuntarily dissolved or have its certificate of

authority to transact business in Illinois revoked.

Information and instructions are available online at

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/business_services/annual_reports/corp_instructions.html.

Safe Harbor Provision: This information is not intended to serve as an inclusive filing list for all not-for-profit organizations. There are various types of

not-for-profit organizations with varying filing requirements. Therefore, all organizations should exercise due care in ensuring regulatory requirements are

fulfilled.

Illinois Attorney General’s Office

Registered charities are required to file an annual report within six months of the organization’s fiscal or

calendar year end. There is a $15 filing fee payable to the Illinois Charity Bureau Fund. A 60-day extension of

this due date can be requested in writing and must be received by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office prior to

the due date.

Filing requirements are based on the gross revenue and assets of the organization. Additional information,

including a link to the AG990-IL, is available online at:

https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/Page-Attachments/FormAG990ILCharitableOrganizationAnnualReport.pdf.

If an organization’s gross revenue and assets are $25,000 or less during the fiscal year, they may file AG990-IL

disclosing only total revenue, total expenditures and assets at the end of the fiscal year (Line A, G and O of the

AG990-IL).

Soliciting organizations are required to file an AG990-IL if the assets are greater than $4,000, at any time

during the year, or the gross contributions are greater than $15,000. IRS form 990 (excluding Schedule B),

990EZ (excluding Schedule B), 990PF, 1120 or other, must be attached if required by the IRS. If the

organization did not file a federal return or report, attach explanation. Two individuals (the president or

authorized officer and the treasurer or two trustees of the organization) must sign the AG990-IL.”

In addition, if an organization’s gross contributions exceeded $500,000, or if the organization used a paid

professional fundraiser that raised contributions in excess of $25,000, audited financial statements are required.

Reviewed Financial Statements must be attached by a public charity whose fund-raising functions are carried

on solely by staff and volunteers and who receive contributions in excess of $300,000 but not in excess of

$500,000.

Instructions are available online at:

https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/Page-Attachments/FormAG990ILFilingInstuctions.pdf.

Illinois Department of Revenue

If your organization has employees, the organization must file the Employer’s Quarterly Tax Return, Form IL-

941. Instructions are available online at https://www2.illinois.gov/rev/forms/withholding/Documents/2018/il-

941-instr.pdf and IRS instructions are available at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i941.pdf. The form is

available online at http://tax.illinois.gov/taxforms/withholding/il-941.pdf.

Chief County Assessment Officer

If your organization has a property tax exemption, generally the organization has to annually attest that there

has been no change. A charity will lose its exemption if it fails to annually attest. For more information, please

contact the chief county assessment officer.

Safe Harbor Provision: This information is not intended to serve as an inclusive filing list for all not-for-profit organizations. There are various

types of not-for-profit organizations with varying filing requirements. Therefore, all organizations should exercise due care in ensuring

regulatory requirements are fulfilled.

Resources for Charitable Organizations

State Agencies

Illinois Attorney General’s Office

Charitable Trust Bureau

115 S. LaSalle St.

Chicago, Illinois 60603

Phone: 312-814-2595

Illinois Department of Employment Security

Employer Support Hotline: 800-247-4984

Illinois Department of Revenue

101 W. Jefferson Street

Springfield, Illinois 62702

Phone: 217-782-3336

Illinois Secretary of State

Department of Business Services

501 S. Second Street, Rm. 350

Springfield, IL 62756

Phone: 217-782-6961 or 312-793-3380

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

You may direct technical and procedural questions concerning charities and other nonprofit

organizations, including questions about your tax-exempt status and tax liability, to the IRS Tax

Exempt and Government Entities Customer Account Services at (877) 829-5500 (toll-free number) or

write to the IRS at:

Internal Revenue Service

Exempt Organizations Determinations

P.O. Box 2508

Cincinnati, OH 45201

Helpful Links

A Guide for Organizing Not-For-Profit Corporations from the Secretary of State’s Office

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/c165.pdf

Illinois Nonprofit Principles and Best Practices from the Forefront

https://myforefront.org/sites/default/files/files/pages/Purple%20Book%20PDF.PDF