Charitable solicitation registration with VDACS, what Virginia accepts as financial statements, Form 990, state tax exemptions and audit readiness, with deadlines calculated for your fiscal year.
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Virginia does not set an audit threshold. With your annual registration you can file Form 990, audited financial statements, or a financial report. Organizations that qualify for the 990-N can file a treasurer-certified statement.
Funders, lenders and grant agreements often still require an audit or review. Check them before choosing.
Register before soliciting, then renew by the 15th day of the 5th month after each fiscal year in which you solicit. Details →
File the full Form 990 with the schedules that apply (public support, compensation, related organizations). Details →
If you have $1,000 or more of gross income from a trade or business that isn't substantially related to your mission (such as advertising, certain rentals or retail), file Form 990-T and pay tax on the net income. Details →
Virginia nonstock corporations pay a $25 annual registration fee to the State Corporation Commission by the last day of the month they were incorporated. Details →
Nonprofits must apply to Virginia Tax for a retail sales and use tax exemption on their purchases. Details →
Nonprofit employers withhold state income tax where the state has one and file quarterly wage reports. Details →
Charities that solicit contributions in Virginia register with the Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS).
Register before soliciting, then renew by the 15th day of the 5th month after each fiscal year in which you solicit. Annual fees run from $30 (contributions up to $25,000) to $325 (over $1 million), plus a $100 initial fee. Small organizations with all-volunteer fundraising and under $5,000 in contributions can apply for an exemption instead.
Virginia nonstock corporations pay a $25 annual registration fee to the State Corporation Commission by the last day of the month they were incorporated. Missing it can lead to automatic termination of the corporation.
What Virginia requires is often less than what your funders, lenders or federal awards require. Check all three.
One of: your Form 990 (with schedules, except Schedule B), certified audited financial statements, or a financial report showing funds raised, fundraising costs and how funds were used. New organizations with no history file a budget. The registration also asks for administrative and program expenses as amounts and percentages of total expenses.
Organizations that spend $1,000,000 or more in federal awards in a fiscal year (for fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2024) need a Single Audit under the Uniform Guidance. It is due to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse within 30 days of the auditor's report or 9 months after year-end, whichever is earlier. Federal funds passed through a state or county agency count.
Foundation grants, government contracts, bank loans and United Way-type funders often require audited or reviewed statements regardless of state law. Read each agreement and plan the engagement level to the strictest one.
Every document your auditor will ask for, plus Virginia's registration and threshold rules, on two printable pages.
Every tax-exempt organization files an annual federal information return, and the form depends on your size.
File the full Form 990 with the schedules that apply (public support, compensation, related organizations). It is due the 15th day of the 5th month after year-end, with an automatic 6-month extension on Form 8868 (not available for the 990-N). Three years of missed filings revoke exemption automatically.
If you have $1,000 or more of gross income from a trade or business that isn't substantially related to your mission (such as advertising, certain rentals or retail), file Form 990-T and pay tax on the net income. States generally tax it too.
Federal exemption covers Virginia income tax for most purposes, but sales tax exemption must be applied for separately.
Nonprofits must apply to Virginia Tax for a retail sales and use tax exemption on their purchases. Exemptions are granted for a set period and must be renewed. Sales you make may still be taxable.
Unrelated business taxable income reported on Form 990-T is also taxable in Virginia.
Tax-exempt status doesn't exempt you from payroll taxes.
Nonprofit employers withhold state income tax where the state has one and file quarterly wage reports. 501(c)(3) organizations can usually choose between paying state unemployment tax and reimbursing the state for actual claims, which can save money for stable workforces. 501(c)(3)s are exempt from federal unemployment tax (FUTA).
These are the items auditors and reviewers ask for first. Having them ready shortens fieldwork and lowers the fee.
Board and committee minutes for the year, current bylaws, conflict of interest policy with signed annual disclosures, and whistleblower and document retention policies (both are asked about on Form 990).
Donor records reconciled to the general ledger, pledges receivable schedule, grant agreements with conditions and restrictions identified, and in-kind contribution support.
A roll-forward of restricted gifts showing what was received, released and remaining, by purpose and time restriction.
A documented method for allocating salaries and shared costs between program, management and general, and fundraising, consistent with your Form 990 Part IX.
Bank and investment reconciliations, fixed asset additions and depreciation, accrued payroll and vacation, deferred revenue, and loan statements at year-end.
No. Virginia accepts Form 990, audited statements or a financial report with the charitable registration. Audits usually come from funder, lender or federal Single Audit requirements.
By the 15th day of the 5th month after your fiscal year ends (May 15 for calendar-year organizations).
Many are exempt, including religious organizations and some others, but most still file an exemption request with VDACS rather than ignoring the requirement.
Download the Nonprofit Audit Readiness Checklist (PDF).
Greywood CPA audits and reviews nonprofits with fixed, transparent pricing and senior-level attention on every engagement.
See our Virginia servicesThis guide is general information as of October 2026 and is not legal or tax advice. Thresholds and filing rules change. Your funders, lenders and governing documents may require more than state law. Confirm your obligations with a CPA or attorney.