Steadworthy

38 states with exemptions · verified against primary sources

Does my charity qualify for an exemption from state registration?

Many charities don't have to register, or can file a cheaper exemption instead. The best registration is the one you legally don't need — so before you file anywhere, it is worth knowing where an exemption applies. Every exemption below is generated from a verified rule card and cited to the statute on its state guide.

The common exemption categories

Across states, exemptions tend to fall into a handful of shapes: a revenue or contributions thresholdbelow which small organizations needn't register; religious organizations; educational institutions; membership organizations that solicit only their own members; and hospitals. Which categories a state recognizes, and the exact thresholds, are set by that state's statute — so an organization can be exempt in one state and required to register next door.

States where an exemption must be filed for

An exemption isn't always automatic. 9states require an affirmative exemption filing — until you file it, you're treated as unregistered: Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee.

Exemptions by state

The exemptions we check for in each state. All of these are evaluated by the free scan against your IRS profile; the state, not Steadworthy, decides whether one applies.

Alabama
  • Likely exempt if it is a religious organization — Alabama exempts religious organizations from charitable registration (Ala. Code § 13A-9-71(f)(2)); the exemption is self-executing, with an optional exemption filing available from the Attorney General
  • Likely exempt if it neither intends to receive nor actually receives more than $25,000 in contributions during its fiscal year (government grants and bona fide membership dues do not count) and all of its fundraising is carried on by unpaid persons (Ala. Code § 13A-9-71(f)(7)) — self-executing; registration is required within 30 days if contributions exceed the threshold
Alaska
  • Likely exempt if it is a church or religious organization exempt from filing a federal annual information return under IRC § 6033(a)(3)(A) (AS 45.68.120(a)(1)) — exempt from Alaska registration; a one-time Notice of Exemption to the Department of Law is offered but optional
Arkansas
  • Likely exempt if it is a bona fide, duly constituted religious entity, tax-exempt under the Internal Revenue Code with no net income inuring to any individual (Ark. Code § 4-28-404(1)) — Arkansas relieves these of its reporting requirements once the notarized Exempt Organization Verification (Form EX-01) is on file with the Secretary of State, which the SOS treats as standing in place of registration · filing required
California
  • Likely exempt if it is a religious corporation or organization holding property for religious purposes, or a charitable corporation organized and operated primarily as a religious organization (Govt. Code § 12583)
Colorado
  • Likely exempt if the IRS does not require it to file an annual information return — as a church, an IRS-recognized religious organization, or a small organization eligible for the Form 990-N e-Postcard with income under $50,000 (C.R.S. § 6-16-104(6)(a))
  • Likely exempt if its gross revenue is under $25,000 for the fiscal year and it uses no paid solicitor (C.R.S. § 6-16-104(6)(c))
Connecticut
  • Likely exempt if it is a duly organized religious corporation, institution, or society (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 21a-190d(1)) — exempt from registration and financial reporting, but Connecticut requires a one-time exemption substantiation filing with DCP BEFORE soliciting (no fee; it persists while the organization qualifies) · filing required
  • Likely exempt if it normally receives less than $50,000 in contributions annually and does not compensate any person primarily to conduct solicitations (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 21a-190d(6)) — exempt, but the one-time exemption substantiation must be filed with DCP BEFORE soliciting (no fee); 3-year fiscal records still required · filing required
District of Columbia
  • Likely exempt if it solicits solely for a church or religious corporation (or an entity supervised and controlled by one) holding an IRC § 501 tax exemption — outside DC's registration requirement entirely (D.C. Code § 44-1703(b)); self-executing, with an optional affidavit of religious exemption accepted in lieu of registration
  • Likely exempt if it raises no more than $25,000 in a calendar year (a cap that CPI-adjusts upward every October 1) — DC exempts such solicitation under Mayor's regulation, claimed through the $0 'Charitable Exempt' basic business license (D.C. Code § 44-1703(d)) · filing required
Florida
  • Likely exempt if it is a bona fide religious institution — such institutions (with educational institutions, government entities, and blood establishments) are outside Florida's Solicitation of Contributions Act entirely (Fla. Stat. § 496.403); nothing is filed to claim this
  • Likely exempt if its total contributions are under $50,000 for the fiscal year and its fundraising is carried on by uncompensated volunteers, members, or officers (Fla. Stat. § 496.406(1)(d), as rebased by ch. 2024-137) — the exemption must be claimed ANNUALLY with FDACS before soliciting (Form FDACS-10110, no fee), and registration is required within 30 days once contributions reach $50,000 · filing required
Georgia
  • Likely exempt if it is a religious organization — one that conducts regular worship services, or is a 501(c)(3) religious organization never required to file IRS Form 990 (O.C.G.A. §§ 43-17-9(a)(8), 43-17-2(14)); self-executing, no filing required
  • Likely exempt if it has no agreement with a paid solicitor and its total revenue from contributions was under $25,000 for both the immediately preceding and current calendar years (O.C.G.A. § 43-17-9(a)(5)); self-executing, no filing required
Hawaii
  • Likely exempt if it is a duly organized religious corporation, institution, or society exempt from filing Form 990 under IRC 6033(a)(3)(A)(i)/(iii)/(C)(i) — but Hawaii exemptions apply ONLY if the organization applies to the Attorney General and the application is approved (HRS § 467B-11.5) · filing required
  • Likely exempt if it normally receives less than $25,000 in contributions annually (three-year average, excluding membership dues, government funds, and 501(c)(3) grants) and employs no professional solicitor or fundraising counsel — subject to Hawaii's required exemption application and approval (HRS § 467B-11.5(8)) · filing required
Kansas
  • Likely exempt if it is an organization incorporated or established for religious purposes — or a charitable, hospital, or educational organization affiliated with, operated by, or supervised or controlled by one (K.S.A. 17-1762(k)); the exemption is self-executing (Kansas has no exemption form)
  • Likely exempt if its contributions do not exceed $10,000 for the tax period and its fundraising functions are carried on by unpaid persons (K.S.A. 17-1762(d)) — self-executing, and registration is required within 30 days after the end of any tax period in which contributions exceeded $10,000
Kentucky
  • Likely exempt if it is not required by the IRS to file a federal Form 990 — Kentucky's filing duty attaches only to organizations 'required by the Internal Revenue Service to file a federal Form 990' (KRS 367.657(1)), so churches and religious organizations exempt from the federal return have nothing to file
Louisiana
  • Likely exempt if it does not use a professional solicitor — Louisiana requires charitable registration only of organizations that use professional solicitors (LAC 16:III.515.B; La. R.S. 51:1901 defines the term and excludes a charity's own salaried staff)
Maine
  • Likely exempt if it is an organization established for and serving bona fide religious purposes — Maine excludes these from the definition of charitable organization entirely (9 M.R.S. § 5003(1)), so the Charitable Solicitations Act does not apply and there is nothing to file
  • Likely exempt if its contributions from the public do not exceed $35,000 in a calendar year and it uses no professional solicitor (9 M.R.S. § 5006(1)(D)) — self-executing (Maine repealed its exemption-claim procedure in 2014), and licensure is required within 30 days of reaching $35,000 or 35 contributors
Maryland
  • Likely exempt if it is a religious organization, a parent organization of one, or a school affiliated with a religious organization, holding a federal tax-exempt declaration, and it uses no professional solicitor (Md. Code, Bus. Reg. § 6-102(c)(1)) — self-executing; evidence is submitted only if the Secretary of State requests it
  • Likely exempt if its charitable contributions from the public are under $25,000 for the year and it uses no professional solicitor (Md. Code, Bus. Reg. § 6-102(c)(1)(ii)4) — exempt from registration, but Maryland requires the Exempt Organization Fund-Raising Notice BEFORE soliciting and annually within 8 months after each fiscal year end (no fee) · filing required
Massachusetts
  • Likely exempt if it is exempt from filing a federal return as a church or church-affiliated organization (Treasury Regulation § 1.6033-2(g)(1)(i)/(ii)/(iv)/(vii)) — such charities are exempt from Massachusetts annual reporting and, by regulation, from registration (940 CMR 2.02(1); M.G.L. c. 12 § 8F religious-property carve-out; c. 68 § 20(1) exempts religious organizations from the solicitation certificate)
Michigan
  • Likely exempt if it is a duly constituted religious organization (or an affiliated group forming an integral part of one) with current IRS tax-exempt status and no inurement — Michigan excludes these from the definition of charitable organization entirely (MCL 400.272(a)(i)); nothing is filed to claim this, though the AG offers an optional CTS-03 confirmation
  • Likely exempt if its contributions are $25,000 or less in a 12-month period, its fundraising is carried on by unpaid persons, and it makes a financial statement of its most recent fiscal year available to members and the public (MCL 400.283(b)) — self-executing (optional CTS-03 confirmation), and registration is required within 30 days once contributions exceed $25,000
Minnesota
  • Likely exempt if it is a religious society or organization exempt from filing a federal annual information return under IRC § 6033(a)(2)(A)(i)/(iii) and § 6033(a)(2)(C)(i) — Minnesota exempts such organizations from registration and reporting (Minn. Stat. § 309.515 subd. 1(b)); the exemption is self-executing (no exemption form exists)
Mississippi
  • Likely exempt if it is a bona fide religious institution (or an integral part of one) that is federally tax-exempt, has no private inurement, and is primarily supported by government grants or contracts, membership funds, congregations, and service fees — such institutions are outside Mississippi's definition of charitable organization (Miss. Code § 79-11-501(a)(iii)); Mississippi expects exemption claimants to file a $50 Notice of Exemption before soliciting · filing required
  • Likely exempt if it neither intends to receive nor actually receives contributions over $25,000 in the July-through-June measuring year and all of its fundraising is carried on by unpaid persons (Miss. Code § 79-11-505(1)(d)) — the exemption must be claimed with a $50 Notice of Exemption before soliciting, and registration is required within 30 days if contributions exceed the threshold · filing required
Missouri
  • Likely exempt if it holds a federal tax exemption under section 501(c)(3), 501(c)(7), or 501(c)(8) — Missouri exempts such organizations from charitable registration (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 407.456.2(6))
Nevada
  • Likely exempt if it is an organization established for and serving bona fide religious purposes — such organizations are outside Nevada's definition of charitable organization (NRS 82A.025(2)). Nevada practice suggests filing the exemption declaration (CSRX) anyway; the statute does not require it for the religious exclusion
New Hampshire
  • Likely exempt if it is a religious organization holding property for charitable or religious purposes, an integrated auxiliary, or a convention or association of churches — New Hampshire's charitable-trust statutes do not apply to these at all (RSA 7:19, I); nothing is filed to claim this
New Jersey
  • Likely exempt if it is a religious organization — or a charitable organization affiliated with, operated by, or supervised or controlled by one — which New Jersey exempts from registration entirely (N.J.S.A. 45:17A-26(a)); the exemption is self-executing
  • Likely exempt if its gross contributions do not exceed $10,000 for the fiscal year and all of its functions including fundraising are carried on by uncompensated volunteers, members, or officers (N.J.S.A. 45:17A-26(c)) — self-executing, but note: at $10,000-$25,000 New Jersey still requires SHORT-FORM registration (CRI-200, $30), and crossing $10,000 requires registration within 30 days
New Mexico
  • Likely exempt if it is a religious organization — the Charitable Solicitations Act does not apply to religious organizations (NMSA 1978 § 57-22-4(A))
New York
  • Likely exempt if it is organized under the Religious Corporations Law or is a religious agency or organization, or a charity operated, supervised, or controlled by or in connection with a religious organization (Exec. Law § 172-a(1); parallel EPTL exemption § 8-1.4(b)(3)) — no exemption filing is required unless the Bureau sends a failure-to-register notice
  • Likely exempt if its gross contributions are under $25,000 for the fiscal year and none of its fundraising is carried on by professional fund raisers or fund raising counsel (Exec. Law § 172-a(2)(d)) — registration is required within 30 days if contributions exceed the threshold
North Carolina
  • Likely exempt if it solicits charitable contributions for a religious institution — such solicitation is exempt from North Carolina's licensing requirement (N.C.G.S. § 131F-3(1)); the exemption is self-executing (an optional no-fee request form exists but is not required)
North Dakota
  • Likely exempt if it is a religious society or organization exempt from filing the federal annual information return under IRC 6033(a)(2)(A)(i)/(iii) or 6033(a)(2)(C)(i) — such organizations are outside North Dakota's definition of charitable organization (N.D.C.C. § 50-22-01(2)(b)(5)); no exemption filing exists
Ohio
  • Likely exempt if it is a religious organization — Ohio exempts religious agencies and organizations, and charities operated, supervised, or controlled by a religious organization (ORC 1716.03(A))
  • Likely exempt if its gross revenue is under $25,000 for the preceding fiscal year (excluding government and 501(c)(3) grants) and it compensates no one primarily to solicit contributions (ORC 1716.03(G))
Oklahoma
  • Likely exempt if it is an organization incorporated for religious purposes and actually engaged in bona fide religious programs, or an organization directly operated, supervised, or controlled by one (18 O.S. § 552.4(1)) — exempt from registration; self-executing and self-assessed (the Secretary of State does not make exemption determinations)
Oregon
  • Likely exempt if it is a religious corporation sole or other religious corporation or organization holding property for religious purposes — exempt from Oregon's registration and reporting requirements (ORS 128.640); no claim filing exists, exempt organizations simply do not register
Pennsylvania
  • Likely exempt if it is a bona fide, duly constituted religious institution (or an integral group of one) holding federal tax exemption — Pennsylvania excludes these from the definition of charitable organization entirely (10 P.S. § 162.3), and nothing is filed to claim it. Note: the exclusion also requires that the institution be primarily supported by government grants or contracts, funds from its own membership, congregation, or previous donors, and service fees — Pennsylvania's registry cannot show us an organization's support mix, so confirm that condition applies before relying on this row
  • Likely exempt if its contributions are $25,000 or less for the year and it does not compensate any person who conducts solicitations (10 P.S. § 162.6(a)(8)) — the exemption is self-executing (Pennsylvania has no exemption filing), and registration is required within 30 days once contributions exceed $25,000
Rhode Island
  • Likely exempt if it is a religious organization, church, or denomination (or an affiliate) — exempt from Rhode Island registration (R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-53.1-3); no standing claim filing exists, though DBR may request substantiation
  • Likely exempt if it raises no more than $25,000 in a fiscal year and uses no professional fundraiser (R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-53.1-3) — exempt from registration; DBR may request substantiation but no standing filing exists
South Carolina
  • Likely exempt if it is a church, synagogue, mosque, or other congregation (or integrated auxiliary), or an IRS-recognized religious organization not required to file Form 990/990-EZ/990-N — such organizations are outside South Carolina's definition of charitable organization entirely (S.C. Code § 33-56-20(1)(b))
  • Likely exempt if its gross revenue does not exceed $10,000 during the fiscal year (S.C. Code § 33-56-50(B)(2) as amended by 2026 Act No. 170) — the exemption must be claimed annually with the Secretary of State at no fee, and registration is required within 30 days if gross revenue exceeds the threshold · filing required
  • Likely exempt if its gross revenue does not exceed $25,000 for the fiscal year, it holds an IRS tax-exemption letter, and it uses no professional fundraiser (S.C. Code § 33-56-50(A)(3) as rewritten by 2026 Act No. 170) — the exemption is claimed annually with the Secretary of State at no fee. Note: registration IS required, despite this exemption, if any individual is paid more than $500 per year in connection with fundraising or if any funds inure to the benefit of an officer or member — South Carolina's registry cannot show us compensation, so confirm neither applies before relying on this row. Registration is due within 30 days once gross revenue exceeds $25,000 · filing required
Tennessee
  • Likely exempt if it is a bona fide religious institution — a church or established place of worship, a religious group not required to file Form 990, or an integral affiliated group meeting the statutory conditions — which Tennessee exempts from registration with nothing to file (T.C.A. § 48-101-502(a)(1); definition at § 48-101-501(b) as re-enacted by 2024 PC 533 § 5)
  • Likely exempt if it raises or receives $50,000 or less in contributions from the public during the fiscal year and uses no professional solicitors, fundraising counsel, or commercial co-venturers (Tenn. Code Ann. § 48-101-502(a)(2) as amended eff. 2024-07-01) — the exemption must be claimed with a sworn Exemption Request and RE-FILED ANNUALLY within six months of fiscal year end, at no fee; registration is required within 30 days of exceeding the threshold · filing required
Virginia
  • Likely exempt if it is a church or convention or association of churches — Virginia excludes these from the definition of charitable organization entirely (Va. Code § 57-48), so the chapter does not apply and there is nothing to file (the Form 100 exemption application is for other organizations)
Washington
  • Likely exempt if it is a church or integrated auxiliary — Washington excludes churches and their integrated auxiliaries from the definition of charitable organization (RCW 19.09.020(2)); certain conduct rules still apply
West Virginia
  • Likely exempt if it is a church, synagogue, association or convention of churches, religious order, or an organization forming an integral part of a church, holding a 501(c)(3) exemption and exempt from filing an annual federal return under IRC § 6033 (W. Va. Code § 29-19-6(5)) — exempt from registration, self-executing
  • Likely exempt if it employs no professional solicitor or fundraiser and receives no more than $50,000 in contributions, donations, or grants from the public in a calendar year (W. Va. Code § 29-19-6(7)) — exempt from registration, self-executing; registration is due within 30 days once contributions exceed $50,000
Wisconsin
  • Likely exempt if it is exempt from filing a federal annual information return under IRC § 6033(a)(3)(A)(i)/(iii) and (C)(i) — churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and church-affiliated exclusively-religious organizations (Wis. Stat. § 202.12(5)(a)1.); the exemption is self-executing

Why exemptions are easy to lose

Most threshold exemptions are lost the moment you cross the threshold — often mid-year, and often without noticing. A good year of fundraising can move you from exempt to required in several states at once, each with its own registration deadline from that point. This is precisely the change Monitor watches for.

What to keep on file

If you rely on an exemption, keep the basis for it where you can produce it: your IRS determination letter, the figures that put you under a threshold, and — in states that require an affirmative filing — the filed exemption itself. A grantmaker or platform asking for proof of standing won't distinguish "exempt" from "unregistered" unless you can show the paperwork.

Where might your charity be exempt?

The free scan checks each state's exemptions against your IRS profile and shows where you likely don't need to register at all.

Free. No account. Built from public records. Informational, not legal advice.

Common questions

Can my charity be exempt from state registration?
Often, yes. Many states exempt certain charities from registering to solicit — commonly small organizations under a revenue threshold, religious organizations, educational institutions, membership organizations, and hospitals. The categories and thresholds vary by state, and each is written into that state's statute. The best registration is the one you legally don't need.
Does registering with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) exempt me from state registration?
No — they are different things. Federal tax exemption under 501(c)(3) is separate from a state's charitable-solicitation registration. Some states do exempt organizations based on their IRS status or filing requirement, but that is the state's own rule, cited on its guide — not an automatic consequence of your determination letter.
Do I have to file anything to claim an exemption?
In some states, yes. An exemption is not always automatic: several states require an affirmative exemption filing to claim it, and until you file, you are treated as unregistered. The states that require this are listed on this page; where a filing is required, it's flagged on each state's guide.

Related: all state registration requirements · registration fees by state · states with no registration requirement

Exemptions reflect cited sources as of the dates shown on each state's guide. Informational, not legal advice.