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If you want to fill out this document, enter the correct details in every field:
1. Start with the initial fields on the first section. Enter your organization's legal name, mailing address, and city:
2. Move to the next section and complete these required fields: Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), Group Exemption FEIN if applicable, Corporate or Organization Number, and all registration form details.
3. Complete the names and addresses of all trustees or directors. Enter Name, Address, and City for each trustee or director listed. Include every required contact without skipping any fields.
4. Fill in the activity and compliance fields: Address, City, State, ZIP Code, a description of the primary philanthropic activity of the organization, and whether the organization must register with the Attorney General.
Many people make errors when filling in Address fields in this section. Review all address entries carefully before submitting.
5. Complete the final section: whether resources have been received and the date first received, registration details with the Attorney General, the accounting period, Fiscal Year Ending or Calendar Year, and the certification section.
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Common Questions About California Charitable Registration
What is the Ct 1 Registration Form used for?
The Ct 1 Registration Form is the initial registration document required by the California Attorney General's Office. Charitable organizations, nonprofit corporations, trustees, and associations must file it when they first begin holding or receiving funds for charitable purposes in California. Filing this document puts the organization in the Registry of Charitable Trusts and allows it to legally solicit donations from the public.
Who must file in California?
All nonprofit organizations, trustees, charitable corporations, unincorporated associations, and any entity holding property for public benefit in California must file this registration. This applies to California-based organizations and out-of-state entities soliciting donations from California residents. Organizations seeking federal tax-exempt status can also review IRS Form 1023-EZ for the simplified federal application.
What is the filing deadline?
Organizations must file within thirty days of first receiving funds for charitable purposes. Late registration may result in civil penalties and can limit the organization's ability to legally solicit donations in California. The California Attorney General's Office actively monitors compliance and may take enforcement action against unregistered organizations that solicit donations.
What documents must I attach?
Attach founding documents based on your organization type: articles of incorporation for nonprofit corporations, the creating instrument for associations, or the trust instrument for trusts. Include any IRS determination letter confirming tax-exempt status if applicable. Organizations that file an annual report should retain copies of all registration filings for compliance records.
What are the yearly renewal requirements?
After the initial registration, California charitable organizations must submit yearly renewal reports. Organizations with gross revenue under $50,000 file the CT-TR-1 form. Larger organizations file the RRF-1 Renewal Registration Form along with a copy of their IRS Form 990-EZ or IRS Form 990. Keeping up with renewals maintains the organization's active status with the Registry of Charitable Trusts.
Does the Ct 1 form need to be renewed every year?
The initial registration using this form is a one-time filing. However, California law requires ongoing compliance through yearly renewal reports (CT-TR-1 or RRF-1). These renewal filings update the Attorney General's Office on the organization's finances and activities. Failure to file renewals on time can result in suspension of the organization's registration and loss of the right to solicit donations in California.
What is the $25 registration fee for?
The $25.00 registration fee covers the administrative processing of the initial registration with the Registry of Charitable Trusts. This fee is submitted along with the completed form and founding documents. There is no fee waiver available for this initial registration. After registration, organizations are also required to pay filing fees when submitting yearly renewal reports, which vary based on gross revenue.
Can I file the Ct 1 Registration Form online?
The California Attorney General's Office accepts the form by mail to the Registry of Charitable Trusts in Sacramento. You can complete and fill out the form using the free PDF editor above, then download and print the completed document for mailing. Make sure to include all required supporting documents and the $25 fee with your submission. Some organizations may also submit using the California DOJ's online charitable trusts portal if available for their filing period.
What is the Registry of Charitable Trusts?
The Registry of Charitable Trusts is a database maintained by the California Attorney General's Office that tracks all registered charitable organizations operating in California. It records registration information, financial disclosures, and renewal filings for nonprofit organizations and trusts. Members of the public can search the Registry to verify that a charitable organization is registered and in good standing before making donations. Registration with the Registry demonstrates that a nonprofit organization is operating transparently and in compliance with California law.
Tips for Successfully Completing This Form
Before you begin, gather the following items: your organization's Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), the articles of incorporation or other founding documents, a list of all trustees or directors with full addresses, and the $25.00 registration fee. Write clearly and completely in each field. Double-check the names and addresses of all trustees, as errors in this section are among the most common reasons filings are returned. Make a copy of the completed form and all attachments before mailing. Allow 4-6 weeks for processing after submission before following up with the Attorney General's Office.