Starting a nonprofit in Iowa

Incorporation

Filing

Articles of Incorporation under Iowa Code chapter 504 (no state fill-in form — you draft your own)

Agency

Iowa Secretary of State

State fee

$20 — never marked up by us

Processing

Fast Track Filing online processes in 1–2 business days; mail takes about a week

Expedite

Not offered

Watch out

• Iowa provides NO standard articles form — filers must draft their own document meeting Iowa Code 504.202, which is exactly where the IRS-required 501(c)(3) purpose and dissolution clauses get left out by DIY filers.
• At $20, one of the cheapest states to incorporate in.
• The articles must state whether the corporation will have members.

Ongoing compliance

Registered agent

Must have an Iowa street address; the corporation cannot serve as its own agent.

Charitable registration

Iowa has no charitable solicitation registration — but fundraising in other states may still trigger theirs.

Annual report

Biennial report between January 1 and April 1 of odd-numbered years — $0 (no fee for nonprofits)

State tax exemption

Income tax exemption follows the IRS determination. Iowa does NOT exempt most nonprofits from sales tax on purchases — a common surprise; only specific statutory categories qualify.