{"id":3697,"date":"2018-10-08T10:49:44","date_gmt":"2018-10-08T14:49:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/blog\/?p=3697"},"modified":"2023-07-13T12:03:11","modified_gmt":"2023-07-13T16:03:11","slug":"changing-your-nonprofits-address-a-comprehensive-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.harborcompliance.com\/blog\/changing-your-nonprofits-address-a-comprehensive-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Changing Your Nonprofit\u2019s Address: A Comprehensive Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Moving is never fun. And when it\u2019s your nonprofit that\u2019s moving, the process is even more taxing. Failure to change an address or doing so in the wrong way may seem like a simple oversight, but can have significant implications for your nonprofit\u2019s ability to fundraise and to do business. To help your nonprofit complete its move successfully, we\u2019ve completed a list of places where you should change your address so that your organization can get back to doing what it does best.<\/span><\/p>\n

Please note<\/span><\/i>: This guide addresses the high-level considerations of changing your organization\u2019s address. Specific processes, applications, filing fees, and processing times vary by government agency. Your organization\u2019s situation may vary, and the following should be used as a helpful starting point rather than an exhaustive list.<\/span><\/p>\n

Changes to the Legal Entity<\/b><\/h2>\n

Legal entities are required to maintain current information with the secretary of state of each state in which they are registered. In each state where your nonprofit corporation is registered to operate, you\u2019ll need to update your current place of business and mailing address. This is typically done by filing an amendment, an address change, or an <\/span>annual report<\/span><\/a>. If your former address is listed as your registered agent address, you\u2019ll need to file a change of registered office so that you continue to receive important legal and government notices. You can also save the hassle of changing your registered office each time you move by appointing a <\/span>commercial registered agent<\/span><\/a> in each state.<\/span><\/p>\n

If your new address is in a different state, you may need to <\/span>foreign qualify<\/span><\/a> your nonprofit corporation. By foreign qualifying, you keep your existing legal entity, but now have the ability to operate in the new state where you, your office, board, or staff are located. When registering in a new state, be sure to register as a foreign entity rather set up than a new, domestic one. Doing so incorrectly could jeopardize your existing 501(c)(3) status, and could mean that you\u2019ll need to re-file Form 1023 and reapply for its federal tax exemption.<\/span><\/p>\n

Changes with Taxation Authorities <\/b><\/h2>\n

Your nonprofit is required to update the IRS of changes to its address. With the IRS, it\u2019s a fairly simple process. You can file <\/span>Form 8822-B<\/span><\/a> at any time. If it\u2019s close to tax time, you can list your new address on your tax return (<\/span>Form 990 or its variants<\/span><\/a>). If you file 8822-B at any point in the year, you must also report the new address on your next tax return.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your nonprofit may also have state tax accounts or exemptions in place. Most states have departments of revenue that oversee sales tax exemptions, and states like California, District of Columbia, and Texas, among others, have separate franchise tax authorities. Your nonprofit will have to update your address to maintain good standing and exemptions with those offices. <\/span><\/p>\n

If your nonprofit is an employer, you\u2019ll need to update your employer withholding account with the Department of Revenue. If your organization is liable to pay and file unemployment tax returns, remember that a separate agency, not the Department of Revenue, typically administers that tax in each state.<\/span><\/p>\n

If your organization is moving to a new state entirely, you may have to file to set up state tax accounts or apply for the exemptions listed above.<\/span><\/p>\n

Changes with Charitable Solicitation Authorities<\/b><\/h2>\n

Forty-one states require organizations that solicit contributions from the public to register and maintain good standing with the charity official of each state, typically the attorney general. When you move, you\u2019ll have to update any agencies with which you have already registered with your new information. While you can wait to file a renewal registration in many states, others, like Wisconsin, require that you update their office within 30 days of the move. <\/span><\/p>\n

If your organization is not registered in the state to which you are moving, review that state\u2019s requirements and register before you start soliciting. While you\u2019re at it, review your organization\u2019s fundraising footprint. If you <\/span>solicit online<\/span><\/a>, you may find that you may need to register in more than just one state. If your organization needs assistance updating its address, managing renewals, or registering for the first time, please <\/span>contact us<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Changes with Local Agencies<\/b><\/h2>\n

With over 150,000 licensing agencies in the United States, there\u2019s no simple way to identify all of the places where your organization may have to update its address. That said, you can review county, city, and municipal requirements where you operate to get started. Be sure to review any:<\/span><\/p>\n