Important Information Regarding Your Online Filing
All filings required for charitable organizations, nonprofit raffles, professional fundraising solicitors and counsels, and commercial co-venturers can be filed online.
Payment may be made using credit/debit cards bearing the Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express logos.
If you need assistance with the online filing process, please visit our Video Tutorials page.
All filings are submitted into a queue for review. Our office will reach out to the contact person on record by email if we need additional information or corrections.
- Registrations awaiting review will show a “Pending” status on their dashboard.
- Once a registration is accepted, a confirmation letter will be sent by email to the organization’s contact person.
You may verify the status of the organization using the Charities Search page on our website by clicking Search Charities or from our mobile app, Give Smart SC, which is available for free through the App Store and Google Play. These searches will also show the financial reports submitted once they are reviewed and accepted.
Before You Begin the Registration Process
Charitable Organizations
If this is the organization’s first registration with our office and the IRS has granted tax exempt status to the organization, a copy of the letter of tax determination from the IRS will need to be uploaded during the registration process.
- If the organization has applied for tax exempt status but has not yet been granted tax exempt status by the IRS, select “No”.
- If the IRS grants the tax-exempt status after your registration has been approved, a copy of the determination letter issued to the organization should be uploaded from your dashboard using the Upload Documents link in the [Update Charity Details] tab.
If this is the organization’s first registration with our office, you are required to submit a copy of your financial report for the most recent year available. Our office can only accept the IRS Form 990, 990-EZ or 990-PF or the Secretary of State’s Annual Financial Report Form (PDF).
Organizations who are renewing will use the [Financial Reports] tab to file extension requests if their financial report will not be filed prior to the due date.
Raffle Registrations
You will be required to provide the nonprofit organization’s name and FEIN number.
All outstanding raffle reports must be filed for years in which the organization registered to conduct a raffle, prior to completing a renewal.
Professional Fundraisers and Commercial Co-Venturers
All outstanding joint financial reports must be filed before you can complete the registration process online. To file a joint financial report, use the [Joint Financial Report] tab on your dashboard.