As of 2026-07-22 · verified against primary sources
Massachusetts charitable solicitation registration: requirements, fees, and deadlines
| Registration | Required |
| Agency | Massachusetts Attorney General — Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division |
| Initial fee | $100 |
| Renewal fee | $35–$2,000, tiered on revenue |
| Renewal / report due | 4 months and 15 days after fiscal year end |
| Filing channel | Electronic filing available |
Who must register
Massachusetts generally requires charitable organizations to register with the Massachusetts Attorney General — Non-Profit Organizations/Public Charities Division before soliciting contributions there, unless an exemption applies. Requirements attach to out-of-state charities soliciting Massachusetts residents as well as local ones.
M.G.L. c. 12 § 8E(a) · official source
Exemptions we check for
Likely exempt if it is exempt from filing a federal return as a church or church-affiliated organization (Treasury Regulation § 1.6033-2(g)(1)(i)/(ii)/(iv)/(vii)) — such charities are exempt from Massachusetts annual reporting and, by regulation, from registration (940 CMR 2.02(1); M.G.L. c. 12 § 8F religious-property carve-out; c. 68 § 20(1) exempts religious organizations from the solicitation certificate).
940 CMR 2.02(1)(a) + closing sentence ('Any public charity exempt from filing reports pursuant to 940 CMR 2.02(1)(a) through (d) shall not be required to reg…
The state, not Steadworthy, decides whether an exemption applies.
Financial statement thresholds
- CPA review at $500,000+ gross revenue · M.G.L. c. 12 § 8F as amended by Acts 2024 c. 238 §§ 12-13 (Mass Leads Act, emergency law, EFFECTIVE 2024-11-20): CPA review (or audit) for gross support and …
- Independent audit at $1,000,000+ gross revenue · M.G.L. c. 12 § 8F as amended by Acts 2024 c. 238
Is your charity registered in Massachusetts? Check free.
Citations
- M.G.L. c. 12 § 8E(a) · source · verified 2026-07-22
- M.G.L. c. 12 § 8E(a) (register with the division) · source · verified 2026-07-22
- M.G.L. c. 12 § 8E(a) · source · verified 2026-07-22
- M.G.L. c. 12 § 8F STATUTORY tiers on GROSS SUPPORT AND REVENUE (excludes capital-asset gains/losses): <=$100k $35 / $70 / $125 / $250 / $500 / $1,000 / >$100… · source · verified 2026-07-22
- DIRECTOR-DETERMINED, guidance-based · source · verified 2026-07-22
- Charity Portal e-filing MANDATORY since 2023-09-01 ('paper submissions ... no longer accepted' — AGO guidance; administrative mandate, no statute/CMR found).… · source · verified 2026-07-22
- 940 CMR 2.02(1)(a) + closing sentence ('Any public charity exempt from filing reports pursuant to 940 CMR 2.02(1)(a) through (d) shall not be required to reg… · source · verified 2026-07-22
- M.G.L. c. 12 § 8F as amended by Acts 2024 c. 238 §§ 12-13 (Mass Leads Act, emergency law, EFFECTIVE 2024-11-20): CPA review (or audit) for gross support and … · source · verified 2026-07-22
- M.G.L. c. 12 § 8F as amended by Acts 2024 c. 238 · source · verified 2026-07-22
Statuses and requirements reflect public records and cited sources as of the dates shown. Informational, not legal advice.