Why this checklist matters
Nonprofit organizations carry special public trust and regulatory obligations. Staying current with federal IRS rules and state laws preserves your tax-exempt status, protects donors’ tax deductions, and minimizes the risk of fines, interest, or revocation. As a CPA and CFP® with over 15 years advising charities and helping more than 500 nonprofits, I’ve seen preventable compliance failures — and also practical fixes — that this checklist addresses.
Sources and further reading: IRS Charities & Nonprofits (IRS) and the IRS annual exemption requirements (IRS) provide official guidance; the National Council of Nonprofits explains state-level charity registration requirements (Council of Nonprofits).
- IRS Charities & Nonprofits: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits
- IRS Annual Exemption Requirements: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/annual-exemption-requirements
- National Council of Nonprofits (state registration guidance): https://www.councilofnonprofits.org
(Internal resources: see the FinHelp guides on the [Form 990](