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New Jersey Charities Registration and Renewal

New Jersey at a glance

Registration
Required, unless an exemption applies. Division of Consumer Affairs, Charities Registration Section handles it. Source
Filing
CRI-300R. Source
Renewal
Your renewal is due the same day 6 months after your fiscal year end. Source
Renewal fee
$60 to $250, by band. Source
Extension
Available; the deadline section says how. Source
Exemptions
4 listed, each quoted. Source

Every deadline, fee and exemption quotes its source and links to it.

Overview

Regulatory Agency
Division of Consumer Affairs, Charities Registration Section
Registration Required
Yes

Track your New Jersey deadlines automatically

Your New Jersey renewal is due the same day 6 months after your fiscal year end. CharityFile emails reminders before that date. Reminders need a paid plan or a live trial. Initial registration is due early enough for the Attorney General to have the opportunity to review it before the organization solicits contributions or has contributions solicited on its behalf.

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Fee Schedule

Charitable contributionsFee
$25,001 to $100,000$60
Source: njconsumeraffairs.gov · verified September 15, 2026 (1 mo ago) · send source
“raising between $25,001 and $100,000 $60”
$100,001 to $500,000$150
Source: njconsumeraffairs.gov · verified October 14, 2026 (2 days ago) · send source
“raising between $100,001 & $500,000 $150”
$500,000.01 or more$250
Source: njconsumeraffairs.gov · verified October 14, 2026 (2 days ago) · send source
“raising more than $500,000 $250”

These bands are set by the charitable contributions your organisation receives, not by its total revenue. The two differ in both directions: revenue adds programme and rental income, but is also net of investment losses, so it can fall below contributions. Check your contributions figure before assuming a band.

Annual filing

Your renewal is due the same day 6 months after your fiscal year end

Extension. Request the extension through the NJ Charities Portal by the renewal due date; the Division takes extension requests only through the portal. Only compliant charities whose gross contributions exceed $10,000 may request one; a charity under $10,000 cannot be granted an extension and files by the original due date. An IRS extension of time to file Form 990 does not extend the New Jersey renewal: a separate request is needed.

  • Extension source: “Extension requests can only be filed through the NJ Charities Portal. Although registration renewals are due within 180 days after the charity's fiscal year-ending, compliant charities whose gross contributions exceed $10,000 may request an extension of time to file. Extension requests must be submitted by the registration renewal due date. Charities whose gross contributions are less than $10,000 cannot be granted an extension and should file by the original due date.” — njconsumeraffairs.gov
Source: njconsumeraffairs.gov · verified October 14, 2026 (2 days ago) · send source
“A renewal statement must be filed annually within six months after the close of the charitable organization's fiscal year. For good cause shown, the Attorney General may extend the time for the annual filing of the renewal statement and financial report for a period not to exceed 180 days, during which time the previous registration shall remain in effect.”

Required Documents

CRI-300R. Forms and instructions: Agency page

  • CRI-150I Initial Registration

    For the initial registration

    When: More than $25,000 in last-year gross contributions, or a contract with a professional fund raiser.

    Source: njconsumeraffairs.gov · verified September 15, 2026 (1 mo ago) · send source
    “If your organization raised more than $25,000 in gross contributions in its last fiscal year, or if it contracted with a professional fund raiser, Form CRI-150I and CRI-150IC (with addendum) must be submitted.”
  • CRI-200 Short Form

    For the initial registration

    When: Less than $25,000 in last-year gross contributions, or a bona fide veterans' organization, and no professional fund raiser.

    Source: njconsumeraffairs.gov · verified September 15, 2026 (1 mo ago) · send source
    “If your organization raised less than $25,000 in gross contributions in its last fiscal year, or if the organization is a bona fide veterans' organization, Form CRI-200 (with addendum) may be used to initially register the organization.”
  • CRI-300R Long Form Renewal

    For the renewal

    When: $25,001 or more in gross contributions, or a professional-fund-raiser contract.

    Source: njconsumeraffairs.gov · verified September 15, 2026 (1 mo ago) · send source
    “Long form filers who receive more than $25,000 in gross contributions from the public either directly or indirectly should use registration form CRI-150-I for their initial registration and form CRI-300R for their annual renewal registrations”
  • Certified Audit

    For the initial registration and the renewal

    When: Long-form filer that received over $1,000,000 in monetary contributions during the fiscal year being reported (excludes one-time bequests, capital-project contributions, and in-kind related to mission).

    Source: njconsumeraffairs.gov · verified September 15, 2026 (1 mo ago) · send source
    “If your organization is required to file a Long Form Registration and received over $1,000,000 in monetary contributions during the fiscal year being reported, a certified audit must be prepared and submitted with the registration being complete. For purposes of determining whether the $1,000,000 threshold has been met, one‑time bequests and contributions received solely for capital projects are not included in the calculation. In addition, in‑kind contributions directly related to the organization's mission and purpose—such as donated goods, materials, equipment, property, or donated services—are excluded from this calculation and do not trigger the audit requirement. For more details about the preparation of the certified audit, please refer to N.J.S.A. 45:17A‑24d(2). If registration facts indicate that a certified audit is required, the requirement cannot be waived. Outside of the exclusions noted above, the certified audit requirement is mandatory and cannot be waived under any circumstances. The certified audit requirement does not apply to Short Form filers.”
  • IRS Form 990

    For the initial registration and the renewal

    When: If the organization filed IRS Form 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF or 990-T for the fiscal year being reported. 990-N filers are not required to provide that IRS copy on the short form. Schedule B is not required.

    Source: njconsumeraffairs.gov · verified September 15, 2026 (1 mo ago) · send source
    “A complete copy of the charitable organization’s most recent Internal Revenue Service filings including, but not limited to, Form 990, Form 990EZ, Form 990PF, and Form 990T (with schedule A), if the organization filed any one or more of these forms during the most recent fiscal year. All schedules and statements shall be included, except for Schedule B”

Exemptions

  • Educational

    The registration requirements of this act shall not apply to any educational…

    This exemption still requires a filing.

    Source: njconsumeraffairs.gov · verified September 15, 2026 (1 mo ago) · send source
    “The registration requirements of this act shall not apply to any educational institution, the curriculums of which in whole or in part are registered or approved by the State Department of Education or the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education, either directly or by acceptance of accreditation by an accredited body recognized by these departments; an educational institution confining its solicitation of contributions to its student body, alumni, faculty and trustees, and their families; or a library registered by the State Department of Education, provided that the annual financial report of that institution or library shall be filed with the State Department of Education where it shall be open for public inspection.”
  • Local unit

    A charitable organization that meets all of the following requirements shall be…

    Threshold: $25,000 (contributions)

    Source: njconsumeraffairs.gov · verified September 15, 2026 (1 mo ago) · send source
    “A charitable organization that meets all of the following requirements shall be considered registered as required by this act: (1) The charitable organization is a local unit of a parent organization which is registered pursuant to this act; (2) The parent organization has provided all information concerning the local unit required by subsection e. of section 7 or subsection c. of section 8 of this act; (3) All solicitations made by the local unit are made by members of the local unit or volunteers; (4) The local unit does not employ a fund raising counsel or independent paid fund raiser or utilize paid staff in preparation of materials or records concerning or related to the solicitations; and (5) (a) The local unit does not receive gross contributions in excess of $25,000 during the fiscal year; or (b) The local unit is an organization that limits membership to persons who are or formerly were employed as officers statutorily authorized to enforce the criminal laws of this State.”
  • Religious

    The registration requirements of this act shall not apply to any religious…

    Source: njconsumeraffairs.gov · verified September 15, 2026 (1 mo ago) · send source
    “The registration requirements of this act shall not apply to any religious corporation, trust, foundation, association or organization incorporated under the provisions of Title 15 or 16 of the Revised Statutes or Title 15A of the New Jersey Statutes or established for religious purposes. Any agency or organization incorporated or established for charitable purposes and engaged in effectuating one or more charitable purposes, which is affiliated with, operated by, or supervised or controlled by a corporation, trust, foundation, association, or organization incorporated or established for religious purposes, or any other religious agency or organization shall also be exempt.”
  • Small organization

    The registration requirements of P.L.1994

    Threshold: $10,000 (contributions)

    Source: njconsumeraffairs.gov · verified September 15, 2026 (1 mo ago) · send source
    “The registration requirements of P.L.1994, c.16 (C.45:17A-18 et seq.) shall not apply to any charitable organization or organizations engaging in a charitable fund raising campaign which do not receive gross contributions in excess of $10,000 during a fiscal year, if all of its functions, including fund raising activities, are carried on by volunteers, members, officers or persons who are not compensated for soliciting contributions, except that if the gross contributions, whether or not all is received by any charitable organization during any fiscal year, are in excess of $10,000 the charitable organization shall, within 30 days after the date on which it shall have received the contributions, register with and report to the Attorney General as required by section 7 of P.L.1994, c.16 (C.45:17A-24);”

How to File in New Jersey

New Jersey uses an online portal for charitable registration. Follow these steps to complete your filing:

  1. 1Open the New Jersey Charities Portal at charportal.dca.njoag.gov
  2. 2Register for an account or log in
  3. 3Select the form for your organization: CRI-200 (short form) when gross contributions were $25,000 or less; CRI-150I (long form) for a first registration above $25,000; CRI-300R (long form) for an annual renewal above $25,000
  4. 4Complete all required sections
  5. 5Upload supporting documentation
  6. 6Submit payment for the registration fee

Enforcement in New Jersey

Penalties

liable for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for the first violation of this act

Source: N.J.S.A. §45:17A-33(d) (Charitable Registration and Investigation Act) · verified April 29, 2026 (5 mo ago) · send source
“liable for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for the first violation of this act”

Frequently Asked Questions

Does New Jersey require charitable solicitation registration?

Yes. New Jersey requires charitable organizations, as its statute defines them, to register. The Division of Consumer Affairs, Charities Registration Section handles registration.

Source: njconsumeraffairs.gov · verified September 23, 2026 (23 days ago) · send source
“It shall be unlawful for any charitable organization to solicit contributions or have contributions solicited in its behalf before the Attorney General has been given the opportunity to review the registration statement pursuant to section 5 of this act.”

How much does New Jersey charitable registration cost?

Annual filing fees in New Jersey range from $60 to $250. Fee depends on charitable contributions. Specifically: $60 for organizations with contributions $25,001 to $100,000; $150 for organizations with contributions $100,001 to $500,000; $250 for organizations with contributions $500,000.01 or more.

When is the New Jersey charitable registration filing deadline?

In New Jersey, your renewal is due the same day 6 months after your fiscal year end. Initial registration is due early enough for the Attorney General to have the opportunity to review it before the organization solicits contributions or has contributions solicited on its behalf. Extension. Request the extension through the NJ Charities Portal by the renewal due date; the Division takes extension requests only through the portal. Only compliant charities whose gross contributions exceed $10,000 may request one; a charity under $10,000 cannot be granted an extension and files by the original due date. An IRS extension of time to file Form 990 does not extend the New Jersey renewal: a separate request is needed.

Source: njconsumeraffairs.gov · send source
“Extension requests can only be filed through the NJ Charities Portal. Although registration renewals are due within 180 days after the charity's fiscal year-ending, compliant charities whose gross contributions exceed $10,000 may request an extension of time to file. Extension requests must be submitted by the registration renewal due date. Charities whose gross contributions are less than $10,000 cannot be granted an extension and should file by the original due date.”

What documents are required for New Jersey charitable registration renewal?

The primary form is CRI-300R. Forms and instructions: https://charportal.dca.njoag.gov/

Are there any exemptions from New Jersey charitable registration?

Yes. This guide cites these New Jersey exemptions:

  • Educational
  • Local unit
  • Religious
  • Small organization
  • Whether an exemption applies depends on your facts. Read the quoted source above.

Where do I file New Jersey charitable registration?

New Jersey charitable registration filings can be submitted through the Division of Consumer Affairs, Charities Registration Section's online portal. The official registration portal provides access to required forms and online filing capabilities.

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