As of 2026-07-23 · verified against primary sources
Wisconsin charitable solicitation registration: requirements, fees, and deadlines
| Registration | Required |
| Agency | Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions — Charities Section (Division of Corporate and Consumer Services) |
| Initial fee | $15 |
| Renewal fee | $54 |
| Renewal / report due | July 31, annually |
| Filing channel | Paper / mail |
Who must register
Wisconsin generally requires charitable organizations to register with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions — Charities Section (Division of Corporate and Consumer Services) before soliciting contributions there, unless an exemption applies. Requirements attach to out-of-state charities soliciting Wisconsin residents as well as local ones.
Wis. Stat. § 202.12(1)(a) · official source
Exemptions we check for
Likely exempt if it is exempt from filing a federal annual information return under IRC § 6033(a)(3)(A)(i)/(iii) and (C)(i) — churches, their integrated auxiliaries, and church-affiliated exclusively-religious organizations (Wis. Stat. § 202.12(5)(a)1.); the exemption is self-executing.
Wis. Stat. § 202.12(5)(a)1. verbatim in wi-primary-sources.md — IRS-6033-keyed (MN/ND pattern), NOT generic 501(c)(3). Self-executing: no claim filing exists…
The state, not Steadworthy, decides whether an exemption applies.
Financial statement thresholds
- CPA review at $500,000+ contributions · Wis. Stat. § 202.12(3)(bm) (2023 Act 151, eff. 2024-03-23, applies to FYs beginning after): contributions >$500,000 but <=$1,000,000 -> GAAP statement + inde…
- Independent audit at $1,000,000+ contributions · Wis. Stat. § 202.12(3)(b) (2023 Act 151)
Is your charity registered in Wisconsin? Check free.
Citations
- Wis. Stat. § 202.12(1)(a) · source · verified 2026-07-23
- Ch. 202 administered by DFI since 2015 Act 163 (eff. 2016-03-02; formerly ch. 440 regime, recodified by 2013 Act 20 § 2209). Public registry: apps.dfi.wi.gov… · source · verified 2026-07-23
- DFI fee schedule (administrative under § 202.041(1) — statute sets no amounts) · source · verified 2026-07-23
- DFI fee schedule · source · verified 2026-07-23
- Wis. Stat. § 202.12(1)(e) · source · verified 2026-07-23
- Initial registration · source · verified 2026-07-23
- Wis. Stat. § 202.12(5)(a)1. verbatim in wi-primary-sources.md — IRS-6033-keyed (MN/ND pattern), NOT generic 501(c)(3). Self-executing: no claim filing exists… · source · verified 2026-07-23
- Wis. Stat. § 202.12(3)(bm) (2023 Act 151, eff. 2024-03-23, applies to FYs beginning after): contributions >$500,000 but <=$1,000,000 -> GAAP statement + inde… · source · verified 2026-07-23
- Wis. Stat. § 202.12(3)(b) (2023 Act 151) · source · verified 2026-07-23
Statuses and requirements reflect public records and cited sources as of the dates shown. Informational, not legal advice.