Oregon Nonprofit Compliance

Required annual filings

This guide covers the required filings to maintain a nonprofit corporation in Oregon. If you are looking to form nonprofit in Oregon, please visit our Start Your Oregon Nonprofit guide. The steps below apply to nonprofits that are both incorporated and foreign qualified in Oregon. Please note that this is a general list and may not be exhaustive or applicable to all nonprofits.

A smiling woman in front of her computer.
1 File IRS Form 990
Agency:Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Form:

IRS Form 990-N, 990-EZ, 990-PF or 990

Instructions:

See Form 990 Thresholds to determine which form to file.  Then see Current Form 990 Series for instructions.

Due:

By the 15th day of the 5th month following the end of the taxable year.  For most organizations, the tax year ends December 31 so the Form 990 is due May 15.

2 File Oregon Corporate Tax Returns
Agency:Oregon Department of Revenue
Form:

Form 20 (Oregon Corporation Excise Tax Return)

Due:

April 15th

Notes:

Filing is required only if the organization has income that is unrelated to its exempt purposes.

3 File Oregon Corporate Tax Exemption Renewals

Not required



There is no renewal application for Oregon tax exemptions, however, businesses may be required to update address and officer information when changes occur.

More information: Oregon Department of Revenue
4 File Oregon Sales Tax Exemption Renewals

Not required



Oregon does not currently have a state level sales tax.

5 File Oregon Annual Report
Agency:Oregon Secretary of State - Corporations Division
Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

$50

Due:

Annually by your registration anniversary day. So if you incorporated or foreign-qualified on March 15th, then your annual report is due every year by March 15th. You may start filing 45 days prior.

Law:

ORS 65.787

Penalties:

No late fee. Your entity status becomes 'inactive' in public records. Your business can be dissolved or revoked at 45 days late.

Notes:
  • Anyone with authority may file.
  • Original signatures are not required.
6 Renew the Charitable Solicitation Registration

Oregon Registration for Charitable Organizations

Agency:Oregon Department of Justice - Charitable Activities Section
Law:

Oregon Revised Statutes Ann., Vol. 3, § 128.610 et seq. 

Statutes and Rules Governing Oregon Nonprofits

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

One-Time Exemption Registration

Exemption Eligible Organizations:
  • The United States, any state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or to any of their agencies or governmental subdivisions
  • Any religious corporation sole or other religious corporation or organization which holds property for religious purposes, or to any officer, director or trustee thereof who holds property for like purposes
  • A cemetery that is registered with the State Mortuary and Cemetery Board under ORS 692.275 or a historic cemetery listed with the Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries under ORS 97.782
  • A trustee that holds property for charitable purposes in the event that the sole beneficiary of a charitable remainder trust serves as trustee
  • Educational institutions which do not hold property in Oregon and limit solicitations to alumni of the institution
Filing Method:

Email to charitable@doj.state.or.us

Notes:

To obtain an exemption, file a letter describing the reason the organization is eligible for exemption along with supporting documentation.

Initial Registration

Form:

Form RF-C: Registration for Charitable Organizations

Form RF-T: Registration for Charitable Trusts

Filing Method:

Mail or email to charitable.activities@doj.state.or.us.

Agency Fee:

$0

Turnaround:

4-6 weeks

Notes:
  • Any officer or authorized representative must sign. The signature need not be notarized.
  • Some Oregon counties and municipalities may require charities that solicit in-person to register prior to fundraising.
Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Check the available exemptions to see if your charity is eligible for exemption from the full registration requirement.
  • Look through the list of required attachments and make sure that you have each required document in hand before starting the registration application.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Check the available exemptions to see if your charity is eligible for exemption from the full registration requirement.
  • Look through the list of required attachments and make sure that you have each required document in hand before starting the registration application.
  • If you will foreign qualify in Oregon, obtain a certificate of good standing from your home state to submit during the foreign qualification process. The certificate cannot be more than 60 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File entity formation documents with the Oregon Secretary of State - Corporations Division.
  2. Submit a Registration for Charitable Organizations form and all required attachments to the Oregon Department of Justice - Charitable Activities Section.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. Determine whether or not your charity will need to foreign qualify based on your activity in Oregon. If not required, skip to number 3.
  2. File foreign qualification documents with the Oregon Secretary of State - Corporations Division.
  3. Submit a Registration for Charitable Organizations form and all required attachments to the Oregon Department of Justice - Charitable Activities Section.
Required Attachments:

  • Articles of incorporation
  • Bylaws
  • IRS determination letter
  • List of officers and directors
  • Professional fundraising contracts

Registration Renewal
Charity Annual Report (Charities Based Outside of Oregon)

Form:

Form CT-12F

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

Depends on Oregon revenue and fund balance held in Oregon:

  • $20 for no income to less than $25,000
  • $50 for at least $25,000, but less than $50,000
  • $90 for at least $50,000, but less than $100,000
  • $150 for at least $100,000, but less than $250,000
  • $200 for at least $250,000, but less than $500,000
  • $300 for at least $500,000, but less than $1,000,000
  • $400 for $1,000,000 or more

Make check payable to "Oregon Department of Justice"

Due:
  • Annually within 4.5 months after the close or your organization's fiscal year. So if your fiscal year ends December 31, then the report is due by May 15.
  • There is no official start to the renewal period, so renewals may be submitted as soon as financials become available for the most recently completed fiscal year.
Due Date Extension:

Due dates can be extended for 180 days beyond the original due date by submitting a request for extension through the online portal.

Penalties:

Late fees range from $20 to $100 depending on how late the renewal filing is.

Notes:
  • Note the list of attachments required.
Required Attachments:

  • IRS form 990
  • Audited financials (if applicable)
  • List of officers and directors
  • Only if amended: IRS determination letter, articles of incorporation, and bylaws

Registration Renewal
Charity Annual Report (Charities Based in Oregon)

Form:

Form CT-12

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

Depends on Oregon revenue and fund balance held in Oregon:

  • $20 for no income to less than $25,000
  • $50 for at least $25,000, but less than $50,000
  • $90 for at least $50,000, but less than $100,000
  • $150 for at least $100,000, but less than $250,000
  • $200 for at least $250,000, but less than $500,000
  • $300 for at least $500,000, but less than $1,000,000
  • $400 for $1,000,000 or more

Make check payable to "Oregon Department of Justice"

Due:
  • Annually within 4.5 months after the close or your organization's fiscal year. So if your fiscal year ends December 31, then the report is due by May 15.
  • There is no official start to the renewal period, so renewals may be submitted as soon as financials become available for the most recently completed fiscal year.
Due Date Extension:

Due dates can be extended for 180 days beyond the original due date by submitting a request for extension through the online portal.

Penalties:

Late fees range from $20 to $100 depending on how late the renewal filing is.

Notes:
  • Note the list of attachments required.
Required Attachments:

  • IRS form 990
  • Audited financials (if applicable)
  • List of officers and directors
  • Only if amended: IRS determination letter, articles of incorporation, and bylaws

Change of Fiscal Year

Filing Method:

Email to charitable@doj.state.or.us

Agency Fee:

$0

Turnaround:

1-2 business days

Notes:

To update your organization's fiscal year submit a letter that includes the name of the organization, the DOT registration number, and the new fiscal year. 

Cancelation

Form:

Form CT-12 or Form CT-12F

Notes:

To close out your registration, file the CT-12 form and follow the instructions listed in the Final Report section.

7 Renew the Charitable Solicitation Registration

Oregon Registration for Charitable Organizations

Agency:Oregon Department of Justice - Charitable Activities Section
Law:

Oregon Revised Statutes Ann., Vol. 3, § 128.610 et seq. 

Statutes and Rules Governing Oregon Nonprofits

Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Exam Required?Not Set
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

One-Time Exemption Registration

Exemption Eligible Organizations:
  • The United States, any state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or to any of their agencies or governmental subdivisions
  • Any religious corporation sole or other religious corporation or organization which holds property for religious purposes, or to any officer, director or trustee thereof who holds property for like purposes
  • A cemetery that is registered with the State Mortuary and Cemetery Board under ORS 692.275 or a historic cemetery listed with the Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries under ORS 97.782
  • A trustee that holds property for charitable purposes in the event that the sole beneficiary of a charitable remainder trust serves as trustee
  • Educational institutions which do not hold property in Oregon and limit solicitations to alumni of the institution
Filing Method:

Email to charitable@doj.state.or.us

Notes:

To obtain an exemption, file a letter describing the reason the organization is eligible for exemption along with supporting documentation.

Initial Registration

Form:

Form RF-C: Registration for Charitable Organizations

Form RF-T: Registration for Charitable Trusts

Filing Method:

Mail or email to charitable.activities@doj.state.or.us.

Agency Fee:

$0

Turnaround:

4-6 weeks

Notes:
  • Any officer or authorized representative must sign. The signature need not be notarized.
  • Some Oregon counties and municipalities may require charities that solicit in-person to register prior to fundraising.
Before you Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  • Check the available exemptions to see if your charity is eligible for exemption from the full registration requirement.
  • Look through the list of required attachments and make sure that you have each required document in hand before starting the registration application.

Foreign Applicants:

  • Check the available exemptions to see if your charity is eligible for exemption from the full registration requirement.
  • Look through the list of required attachments and make sure that you have each required document in hand before starting the registration application.
  • If you will foreign qualify in Oregon, obtain a certificate of good standing from your home state to submit during the foreign qualification process. The certificate cannot be more than 60 days old when filing foreign qualification documents.
How to Apply:

Domestic Applicants:

  1. File entity formation documents with the Oregon Secretary of State - Corporations Division.
  2. Submit a Registration for Charitable Organizations form and all required attachments to the Oregon Department of Justice - Charitable Activities Section.

Foreign Applicants:

  1. Determine whether or not your charity will need to foreign qualify based on your activity in Oregon. If not required, skip to number 3.
  2. File foreign qualification documents with the Oregon Secretary of State - Corporations Division.
  3. Submit a Registration for Charitable Organizations form and all required attachments to the Oregon Department of Justice - Charitable Activities Section.
Required Attachments:

  • Articles of incorporation
  • Bylaws
  • IRS determination letter
  • List of officers and directors
  • Professional fundraising contracts

Registration Renewal
Charity Annual Report (Charities Based Outside of Oregon)

Form:

Form CT-12F

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

Depends on Oregon revenue and fund balance held in Oregon:

  • $20 for no income to less than $25,000
  • $50 for at least $25,000, but less than $50,000
  • $90 for at least $50,000, but less than $100,000
  • $150 for at least $100,000, but less than $250,000
  • $200 for at least $250,000, but less than $500,000
  • $300 for at least $500,000, but less than $1,000,000
  • $400 for $1,000,000 or more

Make check payable to "Oregon Department of Justice"

Due:
  • Annually within 4.5 months after the close or your organization's fiscal year. So if your fiscal year ends December 31, then the report is due by May 15.
  • There is no official start to the renewal period, so renewals may be submitted as soon as financials become available for the most recently completed fiscal year.
Due Date Extension:

Due dates can be extended for 180 days beyond the original due date by submitting a request for extension through the online portal.

Penalties:

Late fees range from $20 to $100 depending on how late the renewal filing is.

Notes:
  • Note the list of attachments required.
Required Attachments:

  • IRS form 990
  • Audited financials (if applicable)
  • List of officers and directors
  • Only if amended: IRS determination letter, articles of incorporation, and bylaws

Registration Renewal
Charity Annual Report (Charities Based in Oregon)

Form:

Form CT-12

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

Depends on Oregon revenue and fund balance held in Oregon:

  • $20 for no income to less than $25,000
  • $50 for at least $25,000, but less than $50,000
  • $90 for at least $50,000, but less than $100,000
  • $150 for at least $100,000, but less than $250,000
  • $200 for at least $250,000, but less than $500,000
  • $300 for at least $500,000, but less than $1,000,000
  • $400 for $1,000,000 or more

Make check payable to "Oregon Department of Justice"

Due:
  • Annually within 4.5 months after the close or your organization's fiscal year. So if your fiscal year ends December 31, then the report is due by May 15.
  • There is no official start to the renewal period, so renewals may be submitted as soon as financials become available for the most recently completed fiscal year.
Due Date Extension:

Due dates can be extended for 180 days beyond the original due date by submitting a request for extension through the online portal.

Penalties:

Late fees range from $20 to $100 depending on how late the renewal filing is.

Notes:
  • Note the list of attachments required.
Required Attachments:

  • IRS form 990
  • Audited financials (if applicable)
  • List of officers and directors
  • Only if amended: IRS determination letter, articles of incorporation, and bylaws

Change of Fiscal Year

Filing Method:

Email to charitable@doj.state.or.us

Agency Fee:

$0

Turnaround:

1-2 business days

Notes:

To update your organization's fiscal year submit a letter that includes the name of the organization, the DOT registration number, and the new fiscal year. 

Cancelation

Form:

Form CT-12 or Form CT-12F

Notes:

To close out your registration, file the CT-12 form and follow the instructions listed in the Final Report section.

8Maintain a Oregon Registered Agent

Maintain a registered agent that has a street address in Oregon. The registered agent is responsible for receiving legal documents such as service of process. Appointing a registered agent service is often preferable to listing an officer or director, as their information often changes. Consider using our registered agent service in Salem , OR to maintain compliance with the state requirement.


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Fundraising Compliance

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