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Cost to start a nonprofit in Wisconsin

Filing nonprofit articles in Wisconsin costs $35. For a small charity that asks for donations, confirmed state and IRS formation costs come to about $325 in year one and $79 a year after that.

Last checked October 28, 2026 · core fees verified on official state pages

Wisconsin nonprofit fee table

ItemFeeHow oftenStatus
Articles of Incorporation – Nonstock Corporation (Form 102)$35.$35One timeverified source
State nonprofit reportDue: End of the calendar quarter of the incorporation anniversary$25 (annual)annualverified source
Charity registrationWisconsin Dept. of Financial InstitutionsRequired; $15 to register, $54 to renewannualverified source
IRS Form 1023-EZ / Form 1023$275 / $600One timeverified source
IRS Form 990-N, 990-EZ or 990No IRS feeYearlyverified source
Registered agent$0 if a director serves; typically $100–150/yr paidYearlytypical market range

Wisconsin nonprofit cost calculator

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Wisconsin nonprofit cost FAQ

How much does it cost to start a nonprofit in Wisconsin?

For a small charity (under $50,000 a year) that asks for donations, confirmed state and IRS fees in Wisconsin come to about $325 in year one, including the IRS Form 1023-EZ fee of $275, and about $79 a year after that.

What is the filing fee for nonprofit articles of incorporation in Wisconsin?

$35 (Articles of Incorporation – Nonstock Corporation (Form 102)). $35.

Does Wisconsin require charity registration?

Required; $15 to register, $54 to renew. $15 application, $54 annual renewal, $25 late fee. Organizations raising ≤ $5,000 are generally exempt (Wis. Stat. 202.12 — not re-read this run).

Does a Wisconsin nonprofit have to file a yearly report?

$25 (annual). Domestic nonstock corporation annual report $25/year (online); paper may cost more (fee table on DFI site ambiguous).

Official sources

Checked October 28, 2026. Fees change; confirm on the official site before filing.

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