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State of California Department of Justice
Rob Bonta
Attorney General
Attorney General
This directory offers a starting point for individuals seeking assistance in establishing, operating and managing nonprofit charitable organizations as well as non-Registry resources for researching such organizations. This is an informational resource only. A listing here is not an endorsement of the organization or its web content.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) |
Oversees federal tax-exempt status of charitable organizations and provides a range of resources to assist charities, private foundations and other nonprofit organizations with federal reporting compliance. |
California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) |
Oversees state tax-exempt status of charitable organizations in California and compliance with state tax reporting requirements. |
California Secretary of State |
Charities seeking to operate in California must file articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State and a current list of board officers. Recorded information on how to obtain a name for nonprofit corporations. |
California Attorney General Registry of Charities and Fundraisers Charitable Trusts Section - Los Angeles Charitable Trusts Section - San Francisco |
Charities operating in California must register and file annual financial reports with the Attorney General's Registry of Charities and Fundraisers. The Attorney General's Charities website offers resources to help charities with registration and reporting compliance. Compliance and enforcement are handled by the Attorney General's Charitable Trusts Section. |
Local Governments |
Essential for both attorneys and nonprofits, this is the only law and practice book on forming, operating, and maintaining California nonprofit corporations. Charities should check on local requirements that may require charities and charitable fundraisers to register, certify their tax-exempt status, obtain a license to solicit and file accountings of fundraising proceeds. Compiled by the Continuing Education of the Bar, it is a 2-volume publication, Advising California Nonprofit Corporations. |
California Board of Equalization |
Administers state tax assessment policies in four general areas: sales and use taxes, property taxes, special taxes and the tax appellate program. |
California Employment Development Department |
Provides labor market data for the state and by county. |
Federal Trade Commission |
Information for donors about charities. |