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How to Start a Nonprofit
Corporation in Florida
Ronald C. Nyhan, Ph.D. Florida Atlantic University
Fall 2012
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Before you Start a Nonprofit!
Why?
What’s the need?
How do I prove it?
Who else is providing similar services?
Can I add value to the community?
Will others pay?
Prepare a Business Plan
http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/index.html
http://www.cfnpe.org/site.cfm/np-businessplan.cfm
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Filing with the State of
Florida
Six Steps
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Incorporating in Florida
1. Establish Administrative Structure
2. Choose an Unique Corporate Name
3. Check for Trademarks and Service
Marks
3. Draw Up Articles of Incorporation
4. File Application with Fee Payment
5. Draft Bylaws
6. Hold Initial Board Meeting
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1. Establish Administrative
Structure
Choose three persons to be on the Board
Select an Incorporator
Select a Registered Agent (Florida
resident)
Determine Principal Place of Business
Choose a Billing Address
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2. Choose an Unique Corporate
Name
Florida Department of State, Division of
Corporations
(800) 755-5111, or
http://www.sunbiz.org/search.html
Check both Corporation Name and
Fictitious Names
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3. Check on Trademarks and
Service Marks
US Patent Office
http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics/
trade_defin.jsp
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4. Draw Up Articles of
Incorporation (or File On-Line)
In Compliance with Chapter 617, F.S.
ARTICLE I: Name
ARTICLE II: Principal Office
ARTICLE III: Purpose
ARTICLE IV: Manner Of Election
ARTICLE V: Initial Directors/Officers
ARTICLE VI: Initial Registered Agent And Street Address
ARTICLE VII: Incorporator
Plus - Needed for IRS Compliance
• ARTICLE VIII: Dissolution
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5. File with Dept. of State
For all Florida Forms:
http://www.sunbiz.org/downloads.html
File by Mail Transmittal letter with Articles
30 – 60 days, expedite if necessary
Do NOT File On-line
https://efile.sunbiz.org/onlmenu.html
Filing Fees Base cost $ 35.00
Registered Agent Designation $ 35.00
Certified Copy (optional) $ 8.75
Total $ 78.75
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Certificate of Incorporation
Issued by the Florida Department of State, Division of
Corporations.
Organizations must operate under exact legal name
including use of “corporation”, “incorporated”, “Inc.” or
“Corp.”
Any other name is considered “fictitious” and must be filed
as a “fictitious name” with DOS.
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6. Draft Bylaws
Bylaws can be amended by the Board at any meeting
More detailed operating rules and procedures
They include issues like:
Membership qualifications
Meeting times
Quorum requirements
Procedural rules
Officers duties
Amendments
Conflicts of interest
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7. Hold Initial Board Meeting
Approve Bylaws
Establish Minutes
Assign Fiscal Cycle
Elect Officers
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Next Step -- IRS
Incorporating as a non-profit does not automatically result in 501(c)3 status or state sales and income tax exemption. These must be applied for separately.
To successfully obtain 501(c)3 status, an organization must be able to show a defined charitable purpose, and a structure that ensures that the organization benefits the public, not the employees or owners of the organization.
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Filing with IRS
Four Steps
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Filing With IRS
1. Qualify for 501 (c) (3)s
2. Obtain Federal EIN
3. File Application
4. Pay Fees
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1. Qualification Tests
Organizational Test must be formed exclusively for religious, charitable,
Scientific, Literary, Educational, purposes
must have a public benefit
no financial benefit to the principals
Political Test no support for individual candidates
no participation in political campaigns
no “substantial” lobbying expenditures
Public Support Test One-third revenues from public sources
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2. Obtain Federal EIN
File Online at:
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,i
d=102767,00.html
There is no charge for obtaining an EIN.
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3. File with IRS
Obtaining recognition as a 501(c)3 organization is much more involved. The application is lengthy, and approval is not automatic. The IRS carefully reviews all applications to ensure that the organization is a bona fide charity. The process can easily take several months before a determination is made.
Complete Application – 1023.
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1023.pdf
Detailed instructions on BB
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501(c)(3) main requirements
Formed exclusively for benefit of the public good:
Charitable
Educational
Religious
Literary
Scientific
Testing for public safety
Prevention of cruelty to children or animals
Fostering national or international amateur sports
competition
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501(c)(3) requirements cont.
No private inurement
Cannot distribute gains
Assets irrevocably dedicated
Cannot substantially engage in the influence of legislation
No partisan politics
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IRS Form 1023 Exceptions
Not required for:
Churches and related associations/schools
Branch of national exempt organization
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Form 1023 Main Themes
Activities and Operational Information
Personnel and business relationships
Technical Matters
Financial Information
1023 filing status -
http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=156
733,00.html
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4. Pay Fees
$400 fee for organizations with less than
$10,000 anticipated annual income
$850 fee for organizations with higher
anticipated income
Cyber- Assist software for electronic
filing for $200 may be available someday
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Florida Legal Compliance Issues
Licenses and Registration
State of Florida
Solicitation registration
Sales Tax exemption
Palm Beach County
Tangible property registration
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Solicitation Registration
Under Florida Statute 496, you must obtain a license to solicit charitable funds, this includes:
Applying for grants
Soliciting donations
File with Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. http://www.800helpfla.com/socbus.html
Fees start at $10 for donations less than $25,000 to $400 maximum
Attach copy of IRS 990
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Sales Tax Exemptions
Optional but saves paying sales tax
File DR-5 with Department of Revenue
http://www.myflorida.com/dor/forms/downloa
d/!sales.html
Local Taxes
Property
Occupational licenses
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Tangible Personal Property Tax
File DR 405 (one time) with County Tax Appraiser, together
with DR 504 Ad Valorem Tax Exemption.
Includes information on property, equipment, leased goods,
Board salaries.
Attach Articles of Incorporation, IRS Exemption letter, Board
salary information.
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Annual Filing
Requirements
Federal
State
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Annual Renewals - Federal
All nonprofits must file Form IRS 990 If your revenues are below $50,000, you may file e-Postcard (Form
990-N)
If your revenues are under $200,000, assets under $500,000 you may file 990EZ
If your revenues are greater than $200,000 file 990 and Schedule A
File On-line at: http://efile.form990.org/ The 990 is due 4 and 1/2 months after the close of the fiscal
year, and must be made available for public inspection.
Nonprofits must file Form 990-T if their gross revenue in unrelated business income exceeds $1,000
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990 is a Marketing Tool
Many potential funders or donors use an organization’s 990 for initial research. Some of the information that can be gleaned from a 990 includes:
Income from donations, government contracts, fees for services, and membership dues.
Expenses for programs, management, and fundraising.
Assets and liabilities.
Members of the board of directors and their compensation.
Any employees or contractors receiving over $50,000 per year.
Investments.
Grants paid or pledged.
A clean, well-organized 990 makes a great first impression!
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Annual Renewals – State of Florida
Universal Business Report
File on-line https://efile.sunbiz.org/onlmenu.html
Reports are due between January 1 and May 1st.
Fee $61.25
Charitable Solicitation Renewal
File on anniversary date
Fee – same as initial filing
Palm Beach County Tangible Property Report
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Next…..Administrative Issues
Filing Payroll Taxes
Compiling a Budget
Providing Insurance
Soliciting funds
Providing Employee Benefits
Using Independent Contractors
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Easy, huh?