Paperwork to Start a Non-Profit Organization?

Question

I know the steps to start one, but do you have to fill out paperwork to start a Non Profit?

Answer 1

For starting a non-profit, lot of useful resources are found at http://www.idealist.org

Answer 2

The only non-profit that can get away without filing any paperwork with the federal government is a church or temple because in requiring paperwork the government will have established a requirement for religion which is unconstitutional.

Technically you can start a non-profit and apply for tax exempt status later. But in some cases the exemption from income taxes is only good from the time the exempt status is granted so the period up to the exempt is treated as being a taxable entity.

If an organization never receives it's letter of exemption from the state and the IRS, it will be treated as a taxable entity subject to corporate tax rates.

The Form 1023 application if for charitable non-profits applying under IRS section 501(c)(3).

The Form 1024 application is for other non-profits like civic leagues, social clubs, BPOE, etc.

Answer 3

Yes of course you do.

I am not sure what "steps" you think you know, but yof course you have to file necessary papers within your state to start the organization, and others with the IRS to receive nonprofit status, based on the type of nonprofit org you are starting.