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| STARTING A NON-PROFIT Starting a non-profit may be appropriate to your circumstances. If you are soliciting funds from the public, click on the link above to see how we can help you properly register your fund-raising activity. |
How to start a non-profit organization
| Starting a "for-profit" business? Click on the above link to find out more. |
| Copyright 2008 by NavarroLaw, P.L.L.C., Austin, TX. Any information obtained on this website, via e-mail, or through any link is not intended to be legal advice upon which you should rely. No attorney-client relationship is established as a result of you reading this website. You should consult an attorney or CPA for individual advice regarding your circumstances. NavarroLaw has its principal office in Austin, Texas. Accounting services are provided through NavarroCPA, a CPA firm licensed to provide accounting services. Legal services are provided through NavarroLAW, a law firm licensed to provide legal services. |
There are two steps to becoming a "501(c)(3) non-profit" organization. REGISTERING WITH THE STATE OF TEXAS. In Texas, this is a relatively straight-forward choice: the organizers register the entity as a non-profit corporation. The State of Texas charges a fee of $25.00 to register a non-profit corporation. There are some activities which may not be conducted as a non-profit but, generally, if the corporation's purpose involves charitable, benevolent, religious, patriotic, civic, missionary, fraternal, or other similar activities, registration should be approved. REGISTERING WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. This is the part with which most people have concern. There are some technical requirements which must be met. Again, for most entities legitimately involved in charitable activities, there should be no problem. Most people, when referring to a "non-profit" organization are referring to a "501(c)(3)" organization. Click on the link above to read more about registering an entity with the IRS. Other organizations, may also be exempt from federal income taxation. These organizations have a different set of rules and prohibitions under which they may operate. GOVERNANCE OF A NON-PROFIT. Every non-profit organization should adopt a set of bylaws by which it governs itself. As part of our services, we will develop a set of bylaws designed to meet your organization's purposes. Point of Contact Service: For many smaller organizations, those for whom the officers change each year, we can be your point-of-contact address and phone number for the I.R.S. and/or the State of Texas. CREATE ACCOUNTING RECORDS. Wilfred Navarro is QuickBooks certified; he also has a working knowledge of several enterprise-based accounting software programs. He can help you set up the accounting records your organization will need, help you maintain your records on an annual basis, and ensure that your activities are accurately reported. FILE AN INCOME TAX RETURN. At the end of the year, your organization will need to file an income amount of donations it receives each year. For smaller organizations, the return can be very simple. We offer a full income-tax return preparation service for non-profit organizations. |
| SOLICITING FUNDS FROM THE PUBLIC? The Attorney General's office may investigate the organizers of a fund-raising effort not properly managed. We can help with both the legal and accounting aspects of your organization. Both accounting and legal advice. One telephone call! |