Moving a Nonprofit to Another State

Moving a Nonprofit to Another State

The state in which you incorporate your nonprofit organization is called the nonprofit’s state of domicile. Nonprofit leaders often desire to move the legal domicile of their nonprofit organization from one state to another. Leadership may decide to move and wish to take the organization with them.

In cases where the work is dispersed around the country, the organization may become frustrated with burdensome regulation in the state where it is domiciled and decide to move to another state.

Fortunately, where there is a will, there is always a way. The laws in this area have been evolving, and it is getting easier to move a domicile (or legal home) of a nonprofit organization from one state to another.

Options of a Nonprofit Moving to Another State

Typically, there are three options when moving a nonprofit to another state as follows:

1. Domestication/Conversion to a New Domicile

If both states’ laws permit it, the nonprofit corporation can file Articles of Domestication (sometimes also called Conversion) with both states, attaching new Articles of Incorporation that comply with the laws of the new state.

This mechanism permits the organization to cut ties with the original state. This approach permits the organization to retain its tax identity. It can maintain the same EIN number, and it will not have to reapply for tax-exempt status with the IRS.

The amendments to governing documents and change in domicile will have to be reported to the IRS on the organization’s next Form 990.

2. Form New Entity in the New State.

If one or both state laws do not permit a simple domestication/conversion, the organization can form a new nonprofit corporation in the desired state and merge the existing entity into it.

Alternatively, if there is no reason to maintain the corporate identity and history of the original corporation, the assets and programs could be transferred to the new entity in the desired state, and the original entity in the old state dissolved.

This approach is the most time-consuming and expensive as it requires the new corporation to obtain a new EIN number and re-apply for tax-exempt status. Once the new entity is approved, the new entity must prepare and file the Articles of Merger in both the former state and the new home state. Other states require Attorney General approval.

Related read: Doing Business in a New State

3. Register as Foreign Corporation in the New State.

If the states in question do not permit domestication or conversion to another state and the organization does not want to incur the expense of forming a new entity, the existing organization can simply register to do business as a foreign corporation in the new jurisdiction.

Registering as a foreign corporation in the new state permits it to legally operate there. The downside is that a foreign entity will have to comply with regulations in both states.

For example, it will have to maintain a registered agent in both states, file annual reports in both states, and may have to register to solicit funds in both states.

It’s good to know that the nonprofit organization’s initial choice of domicile is not written in stone. Where it makes sense to move the organization’s operations to another state, there is always a way.

An experienced attorney can help navigate the process and evaluate the best domicile for the organization.

UPDATE: See Good News for Nonprofits Moving to a New State for new guidance that may eliminate the need to re-apply for tax-exempt status in some restructuring transactions.

What About Your Tax-Exempt Status? 

For tax-exempt nonprofits that domesticate or convert to a new state, federal tax-exempt status will follow the organization to its new state of incorporation. This happens automatically, and there is no requirement for the organization to re-apply for federal tax-exempt status so long as the nonprofit organization continues to be organized for the same exempt purposes for which it was granted exempt status. However, some states, such as California, have a separate exemption process and if that is the case, the organizaiton may need to apply for exemption from the state.

Note that this rule does not apply to mergers or acquisitions as those involve creating an entirely new legal entity. In those situations, the new entity will have to apply for its own separate tax-exempt status.

Even if the nonprofit does not have to re-apply for exemption, it will need to disclose to the IRS its new state of domicile on the nonprofit organization’s Form 990 that year, as well as notify the IRS of the nonprofit’s new address using Form 8822-B.

Conclusion

It is possible to move your nonprofit to a new state. While the process of moving nonprofit organizations is not always straightforward, where there is a will, there is a way.

Choosing the correct domicile can lessen regulatory and compliance burdens as well as save your nonprofit time and money in the long run. If you are thinking of domesticating your nonprofit, make sure to reach out to an experienced attorney who can help navigate the process and evaluate the best domestication process for your organization.

Ellis Carter is a nonprofit lawyer with Caritas Law Group, P.C., licensed to practice in Washington and Arizona. Ellis advises nonprofit and socially responsible businesses on corporate, tax, and fundraising regulations nationwide. Ellis also advises donors with regard to major gifts. To schedule a consultation with Ellis, call 602-456-0071 or email us through our contact form

Share this post

Scroll to Top
FREE DOWNLOAD

How to Start a Non-Profit Organization

Download our free guide to learn about the many elements needed to run a successful nonprofit organization, as well as how to avoid common pitfalls and mistakes.