State Charitable Registration Requirements: N.Y. Attorney General Charities Bureau vs. N.J. Division of Consumer Affairs
Before a nonprofit organization can solicit donations from the public, it must first register with the appropriate state agency.
In the New York–New Jersey region, this means navigating two separate systems — each with its own filing requirements, annual reporting obligations, and exemptions.
Understanding these differences early can prevent costly penalties or disruptions to fundraising.
At Good Pine P.C., we help nonprofits register, renew, and maintain good standing with both the New York Attorney General’s Charities Bureau and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.
1. Why Charitable Registration Matters
Most states — including New York and New Jersey — require any nonprofit that solicits contributions from the public to register with the state’s charity oversight agency.
This rule applies even if the organization already has 501(c)(3) status from the IRS.
Failure to register or renew on time can lead to:
Administrative penalties or suspension of fundraising privileges
Investigations or public enforcement actions
Loss of donor and grantor confidence
Charitable registration ensures transparency and accountability in how donations are used.
2. New York: Attorney General Charities Bureau
Legal Basis
New York’s charitable solicitation laws appear in Executive Law Article 7-A, administered by the Attorney General’s Charities Bureau.
Who Must Register
Any charitable organization that solicits donations from New York residents — including online solicitations — must register before fundraising begins.
This applies even to out-of-state nonprofits.
How to Register
Organizations file:
Form CHAR410 (initial registration)
A copy of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, and IRS Determination Letter
A $25 filing fee
Annual Filing and Reporting
Each year, nonprofits must submit:
Form CHAR500 (annual financial report)
The corresponding IRS Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF
Depending on total annual revenue, additional documentation is required:
Under $250,000: Unaudited financial statements accepted
$250,000 to $1,000,000: CPA review report required
Over $1,000,000: Full CPA audit required
Exemptions
Certain entities are exempt from registration, including:
Religious organizations and houses of worship
Educational institutions chartered by the state
Membership organizations that solicit only from their own members
If you believe your organization is exempt, you should confirm that status in writing with the Charities Bureau.
Oversight and Enforcement
The Charities Bureau actively enforces compliance and can impose penalties or prohibit unregistered entities from soliciting contributions.
All filings become public records, searchable on the Charities Bureau’s website.
3. New Jersey: Division of Consumer Affairs
Legal Basis
New Jersey’s requirements come from the Charitable Registration and Investigation Act (N.J.S.A. 45:17A-18 et seq.), enforced by the Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) under the Office of the Attorney General.
Who Must Register
Any nonprofit that solicits contributions from New Jersey residents, by any method (including online or mail), must register before fundraising begins — even if incorporated in another state.
How to Register
To register, nonprofits submit:
Form CRI-200 (Initial Registration)
Copies of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, and IRS Determination Letter
Required fees, which vary by the amount of annual contributions
Annual Renewal and Reporting
Each year, organizations file:
Form CRI-300R (Annual Renewal Report)
The most recent IRS Form 990
Depending on total annual contributions:
Under $25,000: May use simplified short-form registration (CRI-200 Short Form)
$25,000 to $500,000: Standard filing required
Over $500,000: Audited financial statements required
Exemptions
The following entities are generally exempt:
Religious organizations
Educational institutions
Governmental bodies
Membership organizations soliciting only from their members
However, even exempt entities must usually submit a Request for Exemption form.
Oversight and Enforcement
The DCA’s Charitable Registration Section maintains a public online registry.
Failure to register or renew may result in:
Civil penalties (often daily fines for late filings)
Cease-and-desist orders, or
Suspension of fundraising authority in New Jersey
4. Comparing New York and New Jersey
Both states regulate charitable solicitation but differ in emphasis and process:
New York
Administered by: Attorney General’s Charities Bureau
Governing law: Executive Law Article 7-A
Forms: CHAR410 (initial), CHAR500 (annual)
Audit threshold: $1,000,000
Filing fee: $25 flat rate
Strong regulatory oversight and public transparency
New Jersey
Administered by: Division of Consumer Affairs
Governing law: Charitable Registration & Investigation Act
Forms: CRI-200 (initial), CRI-300R (annual)
Audit threshold: $500,000
Fee varies based on contribution levels
Emphasis on registration flexibility and administrative compliance
In short, New York tends to be documentation-intensive, while New Jersey is fee-tiered and enforcement-oriented.
Both require annual filings and maintain searchable public databases for donor transparency.
5. Compliance Tips for Multistate Nonprofits
If your nonprofit solicits donations in both New York and New Jersey:
Register separately in each state — registration in one does not satisfy the other.
Coordinate filing calendars to match your fiscal year.
Track annual renewals; missed deadlines can result in daily fines.
Use consistent information across filings (e.g., EIN, fiscal year, address).
Disclose registration statements on your website and printed solicitation materials.
Maintain organized records of all filings, correspondence, and payment confirmations.
Conclusion
Charitable registration is not merely a formality — it’s a legal requirement and a public trust measure.
Understanding the distinct processes in New York and New Jersey helps ensure your organization can fundraise confidently and lawfully.
Good Pine P.C. assists nonprofits throughout the registration and renewal process — helping organizations remain compliant while focusing on their charitable mission.
Legal Disclaimer
This article is provided by Good Pine P.C. for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney–client relationship. Laws and regulations may change, and their application depends on specific facts and circumstances. You should consult a qualified attorney before taking any action based on this information.
