The Articles of Incorporation creates a formal organization.
Incorporating a non-profit company has benefits. In order to obtain tax-exempt status with the IRS, a non-profit agency must be a formal organization. Incorporating is part of that step. A non-profit organization does not allocate funds, above operating costs, to owners or shareholders. In other words, the profits received from commerce go towards other things, such as charity. Becoming a corporation in Florida requires the Articles of Incorporation and payment of the appropriate fees.
Instructions
1. Check the name availability on the Division of Corporation's database (see Resources). All corporation names must be unique. Any name used previously will be unavailable.
2. Develop your bylaws. This would include basic operational guidelines, administrative standards and a board of directors. The Articles of Incorporation will require much of this information.
3. Download the Articles of Incorporation form (see Resources). The Articles of Incorporation consists of seven sections. Information you will need to complete this document includes: corporation name (with Corporation, Corp. or Inc. attached), principle address of the nonprofit business, bylaw information such as directors and purpose of the corporation, name and address of all directors or officers, registered agent, name, address and signature. The Registered Agent is responsible for accepting official documents, such as an officer or lawyer. Also needed are the name, address and signature of incorporator. The Incorporator is the person responsible for processing the incorporation; It is usually the person filling out the forms to set up the corporation.
4. Submit document 501(c)(3) for tax-exempt status with the IRS and pay the filing fee (see Resources).
5. Obtain and submit the Application for Consumer's Certificate of Exemption (Form DR-5) from the Florida Department of Revenue (see Resources). This frees you from paying sales tax for business supplies and purchases.
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