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Texas NonprofitForm a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Texas for $0 service fee plus the $25 state fee. Articles, bylaws, board minutes, Form 1023 or 1023-EZ filing, state charitable registration handled.
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Texas Nonprofit Formation, 2026
Nonprofit formation in Texas · 501(c)(3) support

How to form a nonprofit in Texas for $0 service fee.

Texas state filing fee is $25. Standard processing is 13 to 15 business days. We file Articles of Incorporation as a nonprofit with the Texas Secretary of State, prepare 501(c)(3)-compliant bylaws and board minutes, obtain your EIN, file IRS Form 1023 or 1023-EZ for federal tax exemption, and handle Texas charitable solicitation registration.

Start your Texas Nonprofit How nonprofits work
$0 service fee 501(c)(3) application included State charity registration
501(c)(3) APPLICATION
Texas Nonprofit Corporation
State filing$25
IRS Form1023 / 1023-EZ
Processing13 to 15 business days
Board minimum3 directors
TX
501(c)(3)
EXEMPT
$25
Texas filing fee
501(c)(3)
IRS application included
$0
Our service fee
9,400+
Nonprofits formed
$0
Service fee
we file it free
$25
Texas state fee
passed through at cost
501(c)(3)
Federal filing
IRS guidance included
Bylaws
+ Articles
templates included
SOC 2 Type II · 2025 report 4.9 · 8,200+ reviews E&O Insured · carrier on request 51 Jurisdictions 220,000+ Formed
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Articles + bylaws501(c)(3) language ready
Board governance3-director template + COI policy
Form 990 calendarAnnual IRS reporting tracked
How Texas nonprofits work

From Texas formation to tax-exempt mission.

STEP 1
Texas formationArticles filed
STEP 2
EIN + bylawsIRS SS-4 filed
STEP 3
501(c)(3) grantedDonations deductible
Board of Directors 3 minimum, unrelated, independent oversight of mission and finances
Executive Director Runs day-to-day operations; can be paid (reasonable comp)
Donors + grants Tax-deductible to donors after 501(c)(3) determination letter
The Texas nonprofit sector

Why Texas for your mission.

2nd-largest state economy. No state income tax. Aggressive business recruitment from California (Tesla, Oracle, HP, Apple campus). Franchise tax only above $1.23M revenue. Top destination for corporate HQ relocations.

State GDP$2.4TTotal state output
Population30.5MCensus estimate
Small businesses~3.2MPer SBA
Notable2nd-largest US state economyEconomic distinction
Sectors Texas nonprofits commonly support
Oil & gasTechnology (Austin, Dallas)Healthcare (Houston Medical Center)Aerospace (SpaceX, NASA)Agriculture
Top cities

Where Texas nonprofits operate.

Houston
Energy capital. Oil & gas, NASA Johnson, Texas Medical Center.
Dallas
Financial services (AT&T, ExxonMobil HQs), tech, aviation, healthcare.
Austin
State capital. Tech (Tesla, Oracle, Apple), music, growing fastest in TX.
San Antonio
Military, healthcare, growing tech, tourism.
Fort Worth
Aerospace, transportation, energy.
El Paso
Manufacturing, border logistics, military.
Is a Texas nonprofit right for you

When the nonprofit structure fits.

FORM A TEXAS NONPROFIT IF
  • Your mission is charitable, religious, educational, scientific, or public-benefit
  • You want donations to be tax-deductible to donors (requires 501(c)(3))
  • You plan to apply for grants from foundations or government
  • You can recruit at least 3 unrelated board members
  • You accept that profits cannot be distributed to owners
  • You will operate consistently within Texas or across multiple states
FORM AN LLC OR CORP INSTEAD IF
  • You want to keep ownership and profits
  • You are running a for-profit business with charitable side activity
  • You cannot commit to ongoing board governance and Form 990 filing
  • You want to fundraise capital from equity investors (impossible for 501(c)(3))
  • Your mission is better served as a B-Corp or LLC with social purpose
Ready to start a nonprofit in Texas?5 minutes to begin. $0 service fee. $25 Texas fee at cost. 501(c)(3) application included.
Start your Texas Nonprofit →Pay only state fee
What is included on Starter

Free with your Texas nonprofit LLC formation.

Starter is genuinely $0. We pass through the $state Texas nonprofit state fee at cost. Everything below is included free.

  • Articles filed with the Texas Secretary of State, our service fee $0
  • IRS EIN application (Form SS-4) filed for you
  • Texas nonprofit-specific Operating Agreement or Bylaws template
  • Texas nonprofit Registered Agent service: first year free, then $99/year
  • Basic Texas nonprofit compliance calendar (annual report dates)
  • Document storage, 5 GB
Upgrade to Growth · $49/mo

Add the operating stack most Texas nonprofit businesses need.

BOI filing + annual report filing + custom domain (1 free) + business email (3 mailboxes) + business phone line + brand kit (logo + 100 cards) + website builder + books + CRM + e-signature unlimited + document vault unlimited + audit trail + priority support. See full Growth features →

Or pay as you need

BOI filing $249 one-time · Annual report filing $149 + state fee · Foreign qualification $149/state · Trademark $249/class + USPTO fee · Custom Operating Agreement $199 · Expedited state filing state fee + $50 service. Full add-on pricing →

Filing timeline

From Texas formation to 501(c)(3) determination.

1
Week 1
Texas ArticlesFiled with the Texas Secretary of State. EIN issued.
2
Week 2
Bylaws + boardBylaws, initial minutes, conflict of interest policy.
3
Week 2-6
Form 1023 / 1023-EZFiled with the IRS. 1023-EZ for most under $50k revenue.
4
Week 4-24
501(c)(3) grantedIRS determination letter. Tax-deductible donations begin.
The Texas paperwork is significant.State Articles, federal 501(c)(3) application, state charitable registration, ongoing Form 990. We do all of it.
Start your Texas Nonprofit →Pay only state fee
Compare to nearby states

Texas nonprofit vs neighbors.

Florida$125No income tax, smaller economy, lower fees
Nevada$425No income tax, higher fees
California$70Larger economy, $800 annual tax, where many TX-relocators came from
Texas Nonprofit$25Form where you operate. Nonprofit fees are lower than LLC in most states.
Local resources

Texas nonprofit resources.

Office of the Texas Governor Economic DevelopmentState business support
Texas SBDC NetworkStatewide centers
Greater Houston PartnershipHouston EDC
Dallas Regional ChamberDFW chamber
60day promise

The File.Business Promise

If we miss a filing deadline on a service you pay us to manage, we pay the state penalty. If you change your mind in the first 60 days, we refund our service fee in full. Your data stays yours, always.

60-day money-back 501(c)(3) included State charity reg Form 990 tracked
FAQ

Texas Nonprofit questions.

Does my Texas nonprofit need to file federally for 501(c)(3)?
Yes, if you want donations to your nonprofit to be tax-deductible to donors. Texas forms your nonprofit corporation; the IRS grants 501(c)(3) status separately via Form 1023 or 1023-EZ. We handle both: the Texas formation and the federal 501(c)(3) application.
What is Form 1023-EZ and can my Texas nonprofit use it?
Form 1023-EZ is a shorter (~3-page) IRS application for tax exemption. Most new nonprofits with gross receipts under $50,000 and assets under $250,000 qualify. About 65% of new nonprofits qualify. We assess eligibility and file the right form (1023 or 1023-EZ) for your Texas nonprofit.
Does Texas require charitable solicitation registration?
Most states (40+ states have this requirement) require nonprofits to register with the state attorney general or charity bureau before legally soliciting donations. We handle Texas charitable solicitation registration after the nonprofit is formed, plus other states where you plan to fundraise.
How many board members must a Texas nonprofit have?
Texas typically requires at least 3 directors for a nonprofit corporation. The IRS also expects at least 3 unrelated directors for 501(c)(3) credibility. Directors should not be related by blood, marriage, or business interest in a way that would compromise independent oversight.
Can my Texas nonprofit pay its founders?
Yes, as long as compensation is reasonable for the work performed. The IRS reviews this in the 1023/1023-EZ application. Common practice: founders serve as Executive Director with a defensible salary based on comparable nonprofits of similar size and scope. The board (not the founder) should approve compensation.
When does the Texas nonprofit Form 990 need to be filed?
Form 990 (or 990-EZ, or 990-N depending on revenue) is due 4.5 months after fiscal year-end. So a calendar-year nonprofit files by May 15. Missing 3 consecutive years auto-revokes 501(c)(3) status. We track this in your compliance calendar from year one.
How long until my Texas nonprofit can accept tax-deductible donations?
You can accept donations from day one of Texas formation. However, donations are only tax-deductible to donors after the IRS issues the 501(c)(3) determination letter. The determination is typically retroactive to the formation date if you apply within 27 months. 1023-EZ approval is usually 2-4 weeks; full 1023 is 3-6 months.
Can my Texas nonprofit sell goods or services?
Yes, as long as the activities are substantially related to the exempt purpose. Texas nonprofits often generate revenue through program services, events, grants, and (with limits) unrelated business income. Excess unrelated business income (UBI) creates tax liability and can threaten 501(c)(3) status.

Start your Texas Nonprofit in 5 minutes.

Tell us about your mission. We file with the Texas Secretary of State, prepare bylaws and board minutes, obtain your EIN, file Form 1023 or 1023-EZ, and register for Texas charitable solicitation.

Start your Texas NonprofitTalk to a nonprofit specialist
Pay only state fee 501(c)(3) included Form 990 tracked

Related searches: form a nonprofit in Texas · Texas 501c3 cost · Texas nonprofit filing fee · Texas charitable registration · how to start nonprofit in Texas · Texas Form 1023-EZ · Texas Form 990 · nonprofit incorporation Texas

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