State guide · rules version 2026.08
Starting a nonprofit in Mississippi
Everything below is generated from the same Mississippi rules dataset that powers your guided journey in the platform — filing forms, real fees, and the traps DIY templates fall into.
Incorporation
- Filing
- Articles of Incorporation — Nonprofit Corporation (online filing only)
- Agency
- Mississippi Secretary of State
- State fee
- $50 — never marked up by us
- Processing
- Online filings typically process in 1–2 business days
- Expedite
- Not offered
- Watch out
- Mississippi accepts ONLY online filings — there is no paper articles form to mail.
- The online wizard's standard fields do NOT include the IRS-required 501(c)(3) purpose and dissolution clauses — they must be entered in the 'other provisions' section or the IRS will reject your exemption application.
- Paying by credit card adds a small processing fee.
Ongoing compliance
- Registered agent
- Must have a Mississippi street address; the corporation cannot serve as its own agent.
- Charitable registration
- Required — Mississippi Secretary of State, Charities Division. Initial: $50. Renewal: Annual — $50 renewal. Required before soliciting Mississippi residents. Organizations raising under $25,000 a year without paid fundraisers can file a (free) exemption notice instead.
- Annual report
- No fixed annual report for nonprofits — the Secretary of State may request a status report
- State tax exemption
- Income tax exemption follows the IRS determination. Mississippi grants very few sales tax exemptions to nonprofits — most organizations pay sales tax on purchases.
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Your guided journey sequences every Mississippi step — with the federal track (EIN, bylaws, Form 1023) woven in at the right moments. From $499 flat.