California has three key agencies overseeing nonprofit fundraising compliance: the Franchise Tax Board (FTB), Secretary of State (SOS), and the Attorney General’s Office (AG). Nonprofits and foreign entities operating in California must follow these registration and filing mandates:
Each of these filings is critical to maintain compliance, avoid penalties, and ensure continued eligibility for tax-exempt status in California.
Nonprofits operating and fundraising in California must register with the Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts within 30 days of acquiring assets.
Nonprofits should confirm exemptions and, if required, prepare an audited financial report before starting the application process.
To maintain compliance in California, nonprofits must annually renew their registration with the Attorney General's Registry of Charitable Trusts. Nonprofits should ensure timely filing to avoid penalties and protect their tax-exempt status.