How to Get an EIN for a Nonprofit in Arizona
Key Takeaways
Your EIN (Employer Identification Number) is free and issued instantly through the IRS online tool
You must incorporate with the Arizona Corporation Commission before applying
The IRS EIN Assistant is available Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time
You will need your responsible party's SSN or ITIN, your legal name from the ACC, and a valid Arizona street address
Your EIN is not the same as your 501(c)(3) status; it is a prerequisite for applying for it
Save your CP 575 confirmation letter immediately; the IRS does not reissue it digitally
Getting your EIN is one of the fastest steps in building your nonprofit in Arizona, but only if you know exactly what the IRS requires and when to apply.
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit federal tax identification number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service. Think of it as a Social Security Number for your organization. It is how the IRS tracks your nonprofit's financial activity, and it is required for nearly every major step that follows incorporation.
Your Arizona nonprofit needs an EIN to:
- Open a business bank account
- File IRS Form 1023 or Form 1023-EZ for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
- Hire employees and process payroll
- File annual IRS Form 990 returns
- Apply for grants and accept certain donations
Without an EIN, your nonprofit cannot legally operate as a recognized organization at the federal level.
The Critical First Step: Incorporate with the Arizona Corporation Commission
Before you even open the IRS website, you need to be legally incorporated in Arizona.
File your Articles of Incorporation (Form C011) and Certificate of Disclosure with the Arizona Corporation Commission. Once the ACC approves your filing, you will have your organization's official legal name and formation date, both of which are required on your EIN application.
Applying for an EIN before your ACC approval is finalized creates a dangerous mismatch in paperwork timelines. The IRS can automatically revoke your future tax-exempt status if your incorporation date and EIN application date do not align properly. To understand how revocation happens and what it means for your organization, why nonprofits lose tax-exempt status is worth reading before you file anything.
One detail specific to Arizona: if your nonprofit's registered address is outside of Maricopa or Pima counties, you are also required to publish a notice of incorporation in a local newspaper within 60 days of your ACC approval. This is an Arizona-specific rule many founders overlook.
If you are still in the early planning stage, the complete guide on how to start a nonprofit organization in Arizona in 12 steps walks you through everything from choosing your mission to filing for tax exemption. Your EIN falls within that larger roadmap.
What You Need Before You Start the IRS Application
The IRS EIN online session expires after 15 minutes of inactivity and cannot be saved or resumed. Gather everything before you begin.
Legal Name: The exact name of your nonprofit as it appears on your ACC-approved Articles of Incorporation. Even minor spelling differences can create IRS recordkeeping issues.
Physical Address: A valid Arizona street address. The IRS does not accept P.O. Boxes for this field.
Responsible Party: A principal officer or board member who is authorized to act on behalf of the organization. You will need their full legal name and their Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
Formation Date: The exact date the Arizona Corporation Commission approved your Articles of Incorporation.
Organization Purpose: A brief description of what your nonprofit does, such as "community food assistance" or "after-school education programs."
Also, if you have not yet settled on your organization's official name, it is worth reading through how to name your nonprofit before you file with the ACC, since the name you incorporate under is the name that goes on your EIN.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for an EIN for Your Arizona Nonprofit Online
Step 1: Go to the Official IRS EIN Assistant
Navigate to the IRS EIN online application. The tool is only available Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Do not use third-party websites that charge fees for this service. It is completely free through the IRS directly.
Step 2: Select Your Entity Type
When prompted, scroll down and click "View Additional Types Including Tax-Exempt and Governmental Organizations." Then select "Other Nonprofit/Tax-Exempt Organizations." Do not choose standard Corporation or LLC options.
Step 3: State Your Reason for Applying
Select "Started a new business" as your reason. This is the closest applicable option for a newly incorporated nonprofit.
Step 4: Enter the Responsible Party
Input the full name and SSN or ITIN of your designated board officer. Select the option that states you are an authorized and responsible member or officer of the organization.
Step 5: Enter Your Arizona Location
Input your Arizona physical street address and a valid contact phone number. Again, P.O. Boxes are not accepted here.
Step 6: Enter Your Organization's Details
Provide your exact legal name from your ACC approval documents, the county where your nonprofit is located (such as Maricopa, Pima, or Coconino), and your official state formation date.
Step 7: Answer the Operational Questions
The IRS will ask whether you own specific vehicles, plan to hire employees in the next 12 months, or are involved in gambling activities. Answer accurately based on your current organizational plans and budget.
Step 8: Select Your Activity Category
Choose the category that best fits your mission, such as social services, religious, or scientific/educational. If none fit well, select "Other" and type a brief summary.
Step 9: Choose Confirmation Delivery
Select "Receive letter online" so your CP 575 confirmation letter generates immediately as a downloadable PDF.
Step 10: Review, Submit, and Save
Review every detail carefully before submitting. Once submitted, your EIN appears immediately on screen, and your CP 575 letter becomes available for download. Save and back up this file right away. The IRS does not reissue the CP 575 digitally.
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What Comes After Your EIN: Next Steps for Your Arizona Nonprofit
Your EIN is a milestone, but it is not the finish line. Here is what you move into immediately after:
Open a Nonprofit Bank Account
Bring your certified Arizona Articles of Incorporation and your CP 575 EIN letter to your chosen bank. Most Arizona banks and credit unions require both documents to open an organizational checking account.
Apply for Federal 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status
Use your EIN to file either IRS Form 1023-EZ (for smaller organizations with projected gross receipts under $50,000 and assets under $250,000) or IRS Form 1023 for larger or more complex organizations. Both are submitted through Pay.gov.
Apply for Arizona State Tax Exemption
Once you receive your IRS determination letter confirming 501(c)(3) status, you can apply to the Arizona Department of Revenue for state transaction privilege tax exemption.
Register for Charitable Solicitation (If Applicable)
If your Arizona nonprofit plans to solicit donations from the public, check whether you are required to register with the Arizona Secretary of State's office under the state's charitable solicitation rules.
Ready to Build Your Arizona Nonprofit the Right Way?
Getting your EIN is one of the cleaner steps in the nonprofit formation process, but there are many more that follow. If you want guidance through every phase, from drafting your articles of incorporation to filing for 501(c)(3) status, Beacon Nonprofit helps Arizona founders navigate the full process without the guesswork.
- IRS – Apply for an EIN Online — Apply for your federal Employer Identification Number instantly at no cost through the official IRS EIN Assistant
- IRS – Form 1023-EZ (Streamlined Application for 501(c)(3) Status) — For smaller nonprofits with projected gross receipts under $50,000 and total assets under $250,000
- IRS – Form 1023 (Full Application for Recognition of Exemption) — Required for larger or more complex organizations seeking 501(c)(3) status
- Pay.gov – IRS Exemption Application Filing Portal — Submit Form 1023 or 1023-EZ and pay your federal filing fee online
- IRS – Tax Exempt Organization Search — Verify your organization's 501(c)(3) status or look up any registered nonprofit organization
- Arizona Corporation Commission – eCorp Filing Portal — File Articles of Incorporation (Form C011) and Certificate of Disclosure to legally form your Arizona nonprofit
- Arizona Department of Revenue – Nonprofit Tax Exemptions — Learn about Arizona state tax exemption eligibility after receiving your federal determination letter
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Every nonprofit organization in Arizona needs an EIN regardless of size or revenue. An EIN is required to open a bank account, hire employees, file tax returns, and apply for federal 501(c)(3) status. It serves as the organization's federal identification number.
No. An EIN and 501(c)(3) status are different. An EIN is a federal tax identification number issued by the IRS, while 501(c)(3) status is a tax exemption designation that requires a separate application using IRS Form 1023 or Form 1023-EZ.
You should wait until after incorporating your nonprofit in Arizona before applying for an EIN. The IRS requires your organization's exact legal name and official formation details, which are established after the Articles of Incorporation are approved.
When applying online through the IRS EIN Assistant, nonprofits can receive their EIN instantly after submitting the required information. The online application process typically takes around 10 to 15 minutes when all details are prepared.
Arizona requires at least one incorporator to file nonprofit formation documents. However, the IRS and nonprofit governance best practices generally recommend having a board of at least three unrelated directors for 501(c)(3) organizations.
No. Applying for an EIN directly through the IRS website is free. However, some nonprofit formation services charge fees if they assist with EIN applications and other formation-related tasks.
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