How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation in Massachusetts
MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION Incorporate in Massachusetts Massachusetts Professional Corporation Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation MA Corporation Foreign Qualification Massachusetts Corporation Annual Report Massachusetts Corporation Dissolution LLC Form a LLC in Massachusetts MA LLC Foreign Qualification Massachusetts LLC Annual Report Massachusetts LLC Dissolution OTHER MASSACHUSETTS BUSINESS SERVICES Massachusetts Good Standing Certificate Massachusetts Apostille Massachusetts DBA Name Massachusetts Registered Agent MA Corporation Kit and Seal Massachusetts Certified Copies MA Business Reinstatement MA Company Name Reservation MA Tax Status Compliance Certificate MA Attorney Good Standing Certificate Massachusetts Property Deed MA Employer Requirements QUICK ENTRY FORMS Massachusetts Incorporation Massachusetts LLC MA Professional Corporation MA Nonprofit Corporation MA Foreign Corporation MA Foreign LLC MA LLC Dissolution MA Corporation Dissolution CORPORATE GLOSSARY   Administrative Dissolution Agent for Service of Process Apostille Apportionment Articles of Incorporation Articles of Organization Assumed Name At Will LLC Authorized Shares B Corporation Benefit Corporation Board of Directors Business Dissolution Business Entity Bylaws Certificate of Existence Certificate of Status Certified Copy Close Corporation Common Stock Conversion Corporate Bylaws Corporate Name Reservation Corporate Stock DBA Disregarded Entity Dividends ESOP Excise Tax Federal Tax ID Ficticious Name Foreign Qualification Franchise Tax General Partnership Good Standing Certificate Incorporator Involuntary Dissolution IRS Form 966 ITIN Limited Liability Company Limited Partnership Liquidation LLC LP Majority Shareholder Meetings Merger Nexus Non-Stock Corporation Nonprofit Corporation Obligated Member LLC Organizer Paid-in Capital Paid-in Surplus Par Value Personal Service Corporation Preferred Stock Privilege Tax Professional Corporation Professional Service Proxy Registered Agent Registered Office Reporting Requirements Revocation S Corporation Series LLC Service Mark Shareholder Sole Proprietor Stated Capital Statutory Agent Stock Certificate Term LLC Trade Name Trademark Trust Trustee Winding Up	What is a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation? A Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation is sometimes called a Massachusetts Not-For-Profit Corporation. A Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation is an organization that is legally registered with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth.  While the federal government must approve the tax-exempt status of a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation, a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation is not initially registered with any US government agency.   more... A Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation is sometimes called a Massachusetts Not-For-Profit Corporation. A Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation is an organization that is legally registered with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth.  While the federal government must approve the tax-exempt status of a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation, a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation is not initially registered with any US government agency. A Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation is an organization that works to serve some kind of public interest rather than to provide financial benefit to any particular individuals or entities. Many Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporations have much in common with Massachusetts For-profit Corporations.  This includes the liability protection that comes with a legally registered Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation.  A lot of Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporations hire managers and employees just like a Massachusetts For-profit Corporation does.  The application process for a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation is very similar to that of a Massachusetts For-Profit Corporation. Contrary to popular belief, Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporations can and do make money.  In a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation, any profits must legally go directly back into the Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation.   less... Do I need a lawyer to Form a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation? The short answer is no. The state of Massachusetts does not legally require a lawyer to form a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation.  However, if there is anything about forming a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation that you're not sure about you should seek the advice of a competent Massachusetts lawyer, a Massachusetts accountant, or both BEFORE you Incorporate.   more... The short answer is no. The state of Massachusetts does not legally require a lawyer to form a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation.  However, if there is anything about forming a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation that you're not sure about you should seek the advice of a competent Massachusetts lawyer, a Massachusetts accountant, or both BEFORE you Incorporate. Once you have made the decision to Form a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation, a lawyer can file your documents and act as a middle man for a few hundred dollars an hour; or you can use an online service provider like All Business Documents to perform these services and save money that you can use in your new Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation.   less... What are the most common types of Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporations? The most common types of Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporations are: Massachusetts Public-benefit Nonprofit Corporations Massachusetts Religious Corporations Massachusetts Mutual-benefit Nonprofit Corporations   more... A Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation is formed to provide some kind of public or community benefit.  Unlike the other types of Massachusetts Corporations and LLCs, a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation may be eligible for certain benefits, including tax exemptions on both the state and federal levels.  Depending on the nature of the organization, some Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporations may not be eligible for tax exempt status.  A Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation may also be eligible for public and private grants.  A Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation is formed in a similar way as that of forming a Massachusetts For-profit Corporation.  Massachusetts Nonprofits must file Articles of Incorporation in the same way that Massachusetts For-profit Corporations do. A Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation comes with the same liability protection as the other types of Massachusetts Corporations.  The main difference between a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation and a Massachusetts For-profit Corporation is how the profits of the Massachusetts Corporation are distributed,  In a Massachusetts For-profit Corporation profits can be distributed to shareholders.  Massachusetts Nonprofits are legally required to use the income to further a goal that benefits the community or some part of the public. The most common types of Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporations are: Massachusetts Public-benefit Nonprofit Corporations Organized for the general public benefit, rather than for the interest of its members or shareholders Formed primarily for social, educational, recreational or charitable purposes Examples are food banks and youth sports organizations Massachusetts Religious Corporation Organized to promote religious purposes Subject to less complicated filing and reporting requirements than other types of Corporations May be exempt from regulations governing non-religious groups performing the same services Massachusetts Mutual-benefit Nonprofit Corporation Serves its members in ways other than just distributing profits to them Cannot obtain IRS tax-exempt status as a charitable organization Pays the same taxes as For-profit Corporations Examples are homeowners associations or a public utility companies While most federal tax exempt organizations are Nonprofit Corporations, registering a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation does not automatically qualify the Massachusetts Nonprofit for tax exempt status at the federal level.  The IRS recognizes various types of tax exempt Nonprofit Corporations.  To receive federal tax exempt status a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation must file forms with the Internal Revenue Service.  The forms can get very complex depending on the nature of the Nonprofit. Also, a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation cannot legally use its resources for propaganda or to further a political cause or to support a candidate for public office.   less... Who owns a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation? No one person or group of people can own a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation.  Once it is incorporated, the Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation is a separate legal entity from its founders, directors, officers, and employees.  The Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation itself owns assets of the business and is entitled to receive all revenues from its operation.  Any equity in a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation belongs to the organization itself, not to the founders, board of directors or staff. In addition, a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation cannot be sold to another individual, corporation or organization. Can a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation make money? Contrary to popular belief a Massachusetts Noprofit Corporation may actually make a profit.  Many Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporations derive much of their funding from tax-exempt donations.  Sometimes a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation can receive more in donations that the costs to actually run the organization.   more... Contrary to popular belief a Massachusetts Noprofit Corporation may actually make a profit.  Many Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporations derive much of their funding from tax-exempt donations.  Sometimes a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation can receive more in donations that the costs to actually run the organization. A Massachusetts For-Profit Corporation may distribute any excess assets to its owners or shareholders.  There is no distribution of assets in a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation. In a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation all of the money earned by or donated to the Massachusetts Nonprofit organization is used in pursuing the organization's objectives as stated in its Articles of Incorporation.  Any excess capital after the close of the Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation's fiscal year must be kept in the Massachusetts Nonprofit's accounts.   less... Are all Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporations Tax Exempt? You do not form a Massachusetts Tax Exempt Corporation – you form a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation and then apply to the IRS for Tax Exempt status.  The IRS requires that certain language is included in the Articles of Incorporation before it will grant tax exempt status to any Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporaton.   more... You do not form a Massachusetts Tax Exempt Corporation – you form a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation and then apply to the IRS for Tax Exempt status.  The IRS requires that certain language is included in the Articles of Incorporation before it will grant tax exempt status to any Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporaton. After a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation filing has been approved by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth the organization must meet certain requirements and submit an application for Tax Exempt status with the IRS. Tax Exempt status means that a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation Does not pay income taxes to the federal government. Does not pay corporate income taxes to the Massachusetts state government. Donors may be able to take a charitable tax deduction for contributions to the Massachusetts Nonprofit. Can qualify for lower USPS postage rates. Most organizations filing for Tax Exemption must file Form 1023 with the IRS.  It can take six months or more for the IRS to approve a Form 1023 application for tax exempt status.  Smaller Massachusetts Nonprofits - those that have yearly gross receipts less than $50,000 and total assets less than $250,000 - may be able to file IRS Form 1023-EZ online.  Form 1023-EZ speeds up the process considerably.  Form 1023-EZ applications are normally processed within 90 days. Once a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation has approval from the IRS for Tax Exemption from US federal income tax that Massachusetts Nonprofit is automatically exempt from Massachusetts Corporation income taxes. Religious, scientific, charitable or educational Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporations which are granted an Exemption from federal income tax by the IRS are also Exempt from Massachusetts state Sales Taxes.   less... What is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Corporation? 501(c) refers to a section of IRS code which deals with tax exempt organizations including, but not limited to, Nonprofit Corporations.   more... 501(c) refers to a section of IRS code which deals with tax exempt organizations including, but not limited to, Nonprofit Corporations. The most common type of tax-exempt organization falls under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code.  This section of the IRS code allows a Massachusetts Nonprofit organization to be exempt from federal income tax if its activities include any of the following purposes: Charitable Religious Educational Scientific Literary Testing for public safety Fostering amateur sports competition Preventing cruelty to children or animals There are other types of 501(c) tax exempt organizations defined in the IRS code - 29 of them - but 501(c)(3) tax exempt organizations are by far the most common in the state of Massachusetts and the US. One advantage to qualifying to be a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization is that most foundations will only make grants to 501(c)(3) Nonprofits.  Tax exemption does not excuse a Massachusetts Nonprofit organization from maintaining proper records and filing any required annual or special-purpose tax returns if they are required.  Failure to file required returns such as Form 990 (Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax) may result in fines. One prohibition for 501(c)(3) organizations is that they are prohibited from conducting political campaign activities to intervene in elections to public office.  There are, however, provisions which may allow some 501(c)(3) organizations to legally lobby to influence legislation.   less... What information does a Nonprofit need before it can apply for 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt Status? BEFORE a Nonprofit applies with the IRS for 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt status you need the following information: Articles of Incorporation approved by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth Bylaws Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) Statement of purpose that meets IRS requirements Statement that your Nonprofit Corporation will not engage in prohibited political or legislative activity A Plan of Dissolution describing the distribution of assets upon dissolution   more... BEFORE you apply with the IRS for 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt status it will need the following: Articles of Incorporation approved by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth Bylaws Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) Statement of purpose that meets IRS requirements Statement that your Nonprofit Corporation will not engage in prohibited political or legislative activities A Plan of Dissolution describing the distribution of assets upon dissolution There is also very specific language which needs to be included in your Articles of Incorporation which are filed with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth if you want to get 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt Status. When a Nonprofit Corporation dissolves all remaining assets must be distributed to other active Nonprofits.  None of the remaining assets can be distributed to any directors, memebers or staff. If you want to apply for 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt Status we will make sure your Articles of Incorporation include everyting that the IRS needs before we submit them to the state.   less... What happens when a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation wants to shut down? When a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation wants to cease operations, any assets of the Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation must be distributed to other Nonprofits which were formed for similar purposes as the Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation which is closing. Under no circumstances can a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation distribute any remaining assets to its founders, directors or employees. How can I Form a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation Online? If you are ready to Form a Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation simply choose which Massachusetts Nonprofit options that you want in the upper right corner of this screen then click the Next Step button.  You will be directed to a screen on which you can enter your specific a Massachusetts Nonprofit information and finalize your order. If you have any questions regarding our Massachusetts Nonprofit services you can call uis toll free at 855-771-2477.	FORM A NONPROFIT CORPORATION IN MASSACHUSETTS ONLINE NOW MASSACHUSETTS NONPROFIT SERVICES For $125 our Massachusetts Nopnprofit Corporation services include:  Same day processing   explain We will start processing your application for a new Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation on the same day that you submit your order.  We get your MA Nonprofit Corporation filing to the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth as fast as possible.  Once they get the application, the MA Secretary of the Commonwealth usually takes 2-3 business days to process a new Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation filing. For an additional fee, the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth offers expedited processing, explained below, which cuts down the time it takes for the state to process a new Nonprofit Corporation application.  MA Name Check and Reservation  Prepare Articles of Incorporation  File Articles of Incorporation  Certified Copy of Articles of Incorporation  MA Nonprofit Checklist  Priority Mail Delivery  Unlimited Customer Support ADDITIONAL MASSACHUSETTS NONPROFIT CORPORATION SERVICES You may need these additional products and services: check the box next to any option price will be calculated automatically  Expedited Service $25   explain Normal processing time for a new Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation is 2-3 business days. The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth will process your application to form a new Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation in 24 hours for an additional $25. This is the time by which the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth will either approve or deny the Nonprofit Corporation application.  Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation applications must be received by the Secretary of the Commonwealth before noon Massachusetts time for the process to start that day. Another way to expedite your order is to choose the Express Mail option.  The Express Mail option can cut the document delivery time in half.  Express Mail $35   explain If you really need your original approved Articles of Incorporation in your hands quickly, the Express Mail option can cut the delivery time in half. The Express Mail option has no effect on the processing times of the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's staff. For the quickest turn-around time also choose the Expedited Service option.  MA Registered Agent $135   explain Every Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation is required to have an address within the state of Massachusetts where official and legal correspondence can be delivered.  The individual or company that is registered with the state of Massachusetts to receive all correspondence on behalf of the Nonprofit Corporation is called a Registered Agent.  You may act as your own Registered Agent, however, many Nonprofit Corporations hire a Registered Agent because they don't have a physical address within Massachusetts or to provide a distinct level of privacy.  We can act as your Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation Registered Agent.  This is an annual service.  We will forward all correspondence to you and will remind you when it is time to renew your MA Registered Agent services.  Customized Bylaws $75   explain Bylaws are the rules by which your Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation must operate.  Every new Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation requires bylaws.  If you are going to apply for tax exempt status for your Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation then your bylaws must be submitted to the IRS along with your tax exemption application. Almost anything may be written into the bylaws, however, the bylaws must not be in violation of any law or your Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation's Articles of Incorporation. We can create customized initial bylaws for your Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation that are based on your specific business requirements. As your Nonprofit organozation grows over time, you may amend your bylaws as necessary.  MA Good Standing Certificate $45.00   explain A Massachusetts Good Standing Certficate is proof of the existence of your new Massachusetts Nomnprofit Corporation. The Certificate is issued by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth and is proof that your MA Nonprofit Corporation is not behind on any of its Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth Corporate obligations. A Massachusetts Good Standing Certificate is often required for loans, to apply for business licenses, or for tax or other business purposes in the state of Massachusetts or in any other state. We can get your Massachusetts Good Standing Certificate immediately after the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth has approved your Articles of Incorporation.  Federal EIN $65   explain An FEIN is like a Social Security Number for your Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation.  We can get your FEIN on the same day that your Articles of Incorporation are approved by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth. You can get your FEIN before your articles are approved by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth but it's a good idea to wait until after approval.  Your filing may be rejected or the Nonprofit Corporation name that you want may not be approved.  Changing information on an FEIN filing is not a trivial exercise with the IRS.  MA Nonprofit Kit and Seal $99   explain While you're not required to have a Nonprofit Corporation Kit and Seal for your new Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation they do come in handy.  The MA Nonprofit Corporation Kit consists of a beautiful customized binder, stock certificates, a stock ledger and your custom Nonprofit Corporation Seal.  The Nonprofit Corporation Seal is used to emboss important company documents, such as stock certificates.  The binder also includes dividers so you can use it for all of your Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation record keeping.    Processing fees $125.00 Massachusetts incorporation fees $45.00 (includes Certified Copy of all filings) Optional products and services Total cost OUR ADVANTAGE We start processing your Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation order as soon as it arrives. We get your documents to the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth in the quickest possible way.  If we receive your order before noon Massachusetts time we will submit your Massachusetts Nonprofit Corporation application to the Secretary of the Commonwealth on the same day we receive it. We guarantee our work.  If you're not satisfied with our Massachusetts Nonprofit Incorporation services we will refund 100% of your processing fees. We've been helping businesses Incorporate in Massachusetts for over ten years.  Our A+ BBB rating speaks for itself! 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