The Mississippi checklist at a glance
| Step | Mississippi agency | Fee | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incorporate (Articles of Incorporation) | Mississippi Secretary of State, Business Services Division | $50 (confirm the current amount on the official site) | Anytime (then annual report due on or before May 15) |
| Charitable solicitation registration | Mississippi Secretary of State — Charities Division | $50 registration / $50 renewal (Notice of Exemption also $50; professional fund-raisers $250) — confirm current amounts on sos.ms.gov | Before first solicitation; renew by 15th day of 5th month after taxable year-end (plus free nonprofit annual report by May 15) |
| Nonprofit annual report | Mississippi Secretary of State — Business Services Division | No fee | Jan 1 – May 15 annually |
| State tax exemption (income/sales) | Mississippi Department of Revenue (DOR) | No DOR fee to register a Taxpayer ID — confirm the current amount on the official site (dor.ms.gov) | Anytime after you receive your IRS determination letter (no renewal for income-tax exemption) |
| Employer registration (UI, withholding, new-hire) | MDES (unemployment) + DOR (withholding) + MS State Directory of New Hires | No registration fee to set up the accounts — confirm current details on each agency site | New hires: within 15 days of hire date; UI: once liability is met; withholding: before first payroll |
Fees and deadlines change — each linked guide cites the official Mississippi source and a "Last verified" date. Confirm before you file.
The five Mississippi guides
How to Incorporate a Nonprofit in Mississippi →
Incorporate a Mississippi nonprofit: file Articles of Incorporation (Form F0001) online with the Secretary of State for $50, add the two IRS clauses, then EIN and DOR.
Mississippi Charitable Solicitation Registration: A Nonprofit's Guide →
Before asking Mississippi donors for money, most nonprofits must register with the Secretary of State. Here are the fees, deadlines, the $25k exemption, and penalties.
Mississippi Nonprofit Annual Report: What HB 1344 Now Requires →
Mississippi now requires nonprofit corporations to file a free annual report with the Secretary of State each Jan 1–May 15. See who files, how, and the dissolution risk.
Mississippi State Tax Exemption for Nonprofits: Income Tax and Sales Tax →
How a Mississippi 501(c)(3) gets state income-tax exemption, why most nonprofits still pay Mississippi sales tax, and the federal IRS step that comes first.
Hiring & Employment for Mississippi Nonprofits: State Basics →
When a Mississippi nonprofit hires staff, register for MDES unemployment insurance (with the 501(c)(3) reimbursement option), DOR withholding, and new-hire reporting. State checklist inside.
Mississippi-first, on purpose
Good Circles launches in Mississippi first (September 2026). These free guides are part of building real, local support for Mississippi nonprofits.
Build recurring, unrestricted funding in your community
Once you're up and running, Good Circles helps Mississippi nonprofits earn from everyday local spending — supporters pick your cause once, then a share of each purchase funds you automatically (about 10% of the merchant's net profit; conservatively ~$72 per active supporter per year, an estimate), recurring and free for your nonprofit.
Claim a Founding Nonprofit spot →