Major State Charitable Solicitation Deadlines are Approaching

Oct 22, 2018 | Fundraising and Giving, Philanthropy Journal, Resources

By discussing proactive filing of Form 990 in this and future years with your tax preparer, your organization will be able to prevent last minute scrambling and effectively meet your state charitable solicitation renewal deadlines.

Special to the Philanthropy Journal

By James Gilmer

Nonprofit organizations and their tax preparers are gearing up for a busy season. In addition to the November 15th federal deadline for Form 990, many organizations are rushing to complete independent financial statements with their auditors. At the same time, organizations can be expected to file applications to renew their charitable solicitation registration in as many as half of the states that have requirements.

The purpose of this post is twofold.

First, consider this a friendly reminder to renew your state solicitation registrations on time. Organizations can avoid potential late filing fees and stress by submitting applications well before their due dates.

Second, nonprofit organizations facing these tight deadlines have another option. State charitable solicitation renewals depend on the completion of Form 990. By starting a conversation with their tax preparer, organizations can stress the importance of early filing of Form 990, which in turn allows state registrations to be completed sooner.

Now let’s look at the busy season.

The majority of nonprofit organizations will have a federal deadline on November 15th. Organizations that have a calendar tax year end (December 31) have reached the maximum due date to file Form 990. Organizations whose tax year ends June 30th must file either Form 990 or Form 8868, an extension that moves the deadline to May 15, 2019.

Charitable solicitation renewal deadlines in most states follow roughly the same schedule. The biggest misconception, however, is that the due date in all states will align with the federal due date. Organizations with tax years ending December 31 or June 30 will have deadlines ranging from November 15, 2018 through January 1, 2019.

Those states include:

  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Hawaii
  • Illinois
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Mississippi
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • Wisconsin

This list won’t apply to all organizations in the same way. Some groups may have to file extensions, whereas others will renew their licenses. Other states have deadlines that don’t match the federal deadline at all, and your organization may have a due date in a state not listed above.

If your organization is registered to solicit in these states, it’s time to start filing your applications. Preparation, submission, and tracking of state solicitation registrations can also be outsourced to a reliable compliance provider. This approach saves valuable staff or volunteer time, and allows your organization to focus on its mission and charitable programs.

The single unifying factor in state solicitation registration requirements is the organization’s tax return, Form 990. Even in states with deadlines that don’t match the federal one, your organization can be expected to submit a copy of Form 990 or information from it.

If your organization finds itself up against tight regulatory deadlines, understand that the conversation starts with you and your tax preparer. Organizations that file Form 990 at the last minute are less able to submit state registrations on time, which incurs late fees and creates unnecessary last minute rush. By discussing proactive filing of Form 990 in this and future years with your tax preparer, your organization will be able to prevent last minute scrambling and effectively meet your state charitable solicitation renewal deadlines.


James Gilmer is a compliance specialist at Harbor Compliance, a leading provider of compliance solutions for companies of all types and sizes. Founded by a team of government licensing specialists and technology trailblazers, Harbor Compliance has helped more than 10,000 organizations apply for, secure, and maintain licensing across all industries. James is also a co-founder of Berks Sinfonietta, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit chamber orchestra in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Related Posts

3.12.18 US Nonprofit News

The International African American Museum receives $350,000 pledge from SunTrust Bank Charitable Irrevocable Trust, the city of Los Angeles and national civil rights leaders commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of Chavez's 25-day water-only fast, the Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU presents the U.S. premiere of Stranded in Shanghai: Arthur Rothstein’s Photographs of the Hongkew Ghetto, 1946, and more.

7.25.16 US Nonprofit News

Community Bank awards 28 scholarships, APRA names 2016 Award Winners, including the APRA Scholarship, Distinguished Service Award and Professional of the Year, the Disney World Magnolia and Palm Golf Courses will host the Fourth Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament to benefit the Orlando City Foundation, and more.

Playing the Long Game

While the scope of the work that MDC does is vast, ultimately what it does is identify people and communities in need, and then align resources and infrastructure in order for the people and communities to be successful. In working with leadership, infrastructure and institutions, MDC is making permanent change in institutions or systems that will continue long after they are gone.

Categories