Virginia State Registration Documents
VIRGINIA STATE REQUIREMENTS
If you’re trying to figure out how to start a nonprofit in VA, we’ve got you covered. Although Old Dominion has some very specific laws regarding 501c3s, as long as you start up your organization right and keep it compliant, maintaining it is relatively easy. With BryteBridge Nonprofit Solutions, our experts can help you make sure you’re all set from the very beginning! We can help you understand how to start a 501c3 in Virginia, so give us a call today.
Incorporation
Form
Articles of Incorporation
Business Entity Search
Fee
$50 charter fee + $25 filing fee = $75 total
Average Processing Time
3-5 Business Days
Electronic Filing?
Yes
Charity Registration
State Requirement?
Yes
Charity Registration Search
Fee
$100-425, depending on revenue
Renewal Requirement?
Yes
990 EZ Requirement?
No
Annual Report
State Requirement?
Yes
Due:
Annually, by incorporation anniversary date
Fee:
$26.95
Other Exemptions
State Income Tax
Automatic
Sales Tax Exemption
Must file – $0
Tax Returns
All organizations (except those classified as churches) are required to file an annual 990 form (990N, 990EZ, 990, or 990PF) to be exempt from Income Tax.
The 990 return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after the end of the organization’s fiscal year.
Failure to file for 3 consecutive years could cause your organization to lose tax-exempt status.
What Is A Nonstock Corporation?
Before getting into how to start a nonprofit in VA, it might be helpful to be clear about what, exactly, it is. All 501c3s in Virginia are “nonstock corporations,” which means that there are no shares or stocks that can be given to investors.
Nonstock corporations and nonprofits are not synonymous because not all nonstocks are not-for-profit. (Although most of them are.) The importance of them being nonstock, however, is that they ensure the organization was truly created for altruistic purposes. Since the business won’t have stocks to be distributed, it doesn’t have “owners” and investors can’t earn dividends from them. That’s the big legal difference when learning how to start a nonprofit in VA.
There are also several other rules and regulations for nonstock corporations, governing everything from your nonprofit’s formation to its operation. They are all outlined in the Virginia Nonstock Corporation Act.
Getting Paid With A Virginia 501c3
The fact that you can’t earn money simply as the founder of your nonprofit doesn’t mean that you can’t earn a full time wage with it. It’s possible to start a nonprofit in VA. The difference is that you have to get paid for services rendered, not just for having founded it.
Conflict Of Interest Policy
Another point of to consider when learning how to start a 501c3 in Virginia is that the state requires you to have a conflict of interest policy when you incorporate. It should be composed of rules that ensure decisions are being made for the benefit of the organization, not the individuals who run it.
There’s no need to worry about keeping track of all of these specific laws – BryteBridge Nonprofit Solutions can guide you through successfully starting and maintaining your 501c3 in Virginia. The experts in our affordable service have helped over 30,000 people across the country start theirs. Schedule a consultation now to get started on streamlining your nonprofit startup goals and operations.