Learn how to form a nonprofit corporation in any state and gain 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the IRS. Includes step-by-step instructions for both IRS Form 1023 and the streamlined Form 1023-EZ federal tax-exemption application. Learn to choose a legal name; prepare articles of incorporation; create your bylaws; obtain federal and state tax-exempt status; prepare minutes for your organizational meeting; and, establish a corporate records book.

Includes index. "With downloadable forms ; Create articles, bylaws & minutes"--Cover. "Free legal updates at Nolo.com"--Cover.

Part 1: How nonprofit corporations work -- 1. Is nonprofit incorporation right for you? -- Is your group a nonprofit that can use this book? -- Benefits of the nonprofit corporation -- The disadvantages of going nonprofit -- How nonprofits raise, spend, an and make money -- Your path to nonprofit status -- Where should you incorporate? -- 2. Legal rights and duties of incorporators, directors, officers, employees, and members -- How many people are needed to form a nonprofit corporation? -- Incorporators and their role as promoters -- Directors -- Officers -- Employees -- Membership nonprofits -- 3. Requirements for section 501(c)(3) tax exemption -- Section 501(c)(3) organizational test -- Valid purposes under section 501(c)(3) -- Other requirements for 501(c)(3) groups -- Information for specific questions about your group's activities -- 4. Public charities and private foundations -- The importance of public charity status -- How to qualify for public charity status -- Private foundations -- 5. Other tax benefits and reporting requirements -- Federal and state tax deductions for contributions -- Federal estate and gift tax exemptions -- Federal unrelated business income tax -- State corporate income tax exemptions -- Other state taxes -- State solicitation regulations -- State nonprofit corporate report requirements -- Part 2: Incorporating your nonprofit -- 6. Choose a name and file your articles of incorporation -- View materials from your secretary of state -- Choose a corporate name -- Check name availability -- What to do when there's a name conflict -- Reserve your corporate name -- Perform a name search -- Protect your name -- Prepare your articles of incorporation -- File your articles of incorporation -- 7. Prepare your bylaws -- Choose a membership or nonmembership structure -- Purpose and scope of our bylaws -- Prepare your bylaws -- Prepare membership provisions -- 8. Apply for your federal 501(c)(3) tax exemption -- Getting started -- Do you need to file form 1023? -- Prepare your tax exemption application -- Filling out the schedules -- Assemble and mail your application to the IRS -- What to expect from the IRS -- The federal determination letter -- 9. Final steps in organizing your nonprofit corporation -- Obtain state corporate income tax exemption -- Set up a corporate records book -- Prepare the minutes of your first board of directors meeting -- Place minutes and attachments in corporate records book -- Issue membership certificates -- File fictitious or assumed business name statement -- Apply for a federal nonprofit mailing permit -- Apply for property tax exemptions -- File an initial corporate report form -- Register with the attorney general -- Comply with political reporting requirements -- Prepare assignments of leases and deeds -- File final papers for prior organization -- Notify others of your incorporation -- 10. After your corporation is organized -- Piercing the corporate veil : If you want to be treated like a corporation, it's best to act like one -- Federal corporate tax returns -- State corporate tax returns and reports -- Federal and state corporate employment taxes -- Employee income tax returns -- Sales tax forms and exemption from sales tax -- Licenses and permits -- Workers' compensation -- Private insurance coverage -- Dissolving a nonprofit corporation -- 11. Lawyers and accountants -- Lawyers -- Legal research -- Accountants and tax advice -- Appendixes. A. Using the downloadable forms and other online material -- B. How to locate incorporation resources online -- C. Information and forms.