New Jersey Charities Registration Process

NJ Partitioning of Consumer Affairs mandatory online charities registration system

Updated April 30, 2019

As we reported early last yr, the New Bailiwick of jersey Division of Consumer Diplomacy in May 2018 began requiring that all charities registrations and renewals exist submitted via the Partition'southward dedicated online portal; newspaper submissions are no longer accustomed.

The Division of Consumer Affairs has created a new email accost, charitiesportalsupport@dca.lps.land.nj.u.s., specifically for questions about the registration portal.

The Center for Non-Profits has been working with Division officials to discuss the portal and share suggestions about other ways to piece of work together for the benefit of all.  The Division has indicated that sure updates to the arrangement and more detailed instructions and educational materials are under evolution, but stresses that some of this will take time. The Sectionalization encourages charities to contact them directly with whatever questions, and also encourages interested parties to share feedback about the organisation so that additional improvements can continue to be made. The Center for Non-Profits volition go along to advocate for a charitable fund raising system that protects donors and charities alike without excessively burdening charitable organizations, and we wait forwards to working with the Partitioning in the coming months.

Nosotros encourage charities, regardless of their financial twelvemonth and filing menstruum, to become familiar with the online system and set an account promptly, so that extensions may be requested if needed. Come across below for more information.

If you lot accept feedback that you would like to share regarding the online portal or other aspects of charities registration, please share it with us so that we can advocate effectively for you.

We will continue to post additional updates equally they become bachelor.

In 2018, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs implemented a mandatory online charities registration portal.   Effective May one, 2018, all annual charities registration renewals and extension requests must be filed through the charities registration online portal and that paper filings will no longer be accepted (responding to bug experienced with the mandatory launch, the Segmentation had provided some filing extensions, but those deadlines accept since passed).  The Division subsequently announced that effective October i, 2018, all initial registrations must besides exist filed online through the registration portal.

Almost charities that solicit funds in New Jersey are required by constabulary to annals and file annual financial reports with the New Bailiwick of jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Charities Registration Section.  Registration renewals and fiscal reports are due 6 months after the close of an organisation's fiscal year; for example, an organization whose fiscal year ends December 31 must submit its reports online by June thirty of the following year.  Extensions may be requested as long as an organization is in compliance with prevoius registration (see below).  Religious organizations and certain educational institutions are exempt from registration, and registration is voluntary for organizations that heighten less than $x,000 per year in contributions if they don't use a professional fundraiser.

The Division attempted in previous years to launch the mandatory online portal but previously delayed its implementation in response to a serial of questions and concerns from the charitable customs. In our meeting with the Segmentation, they indicated that they are working to address these issues.  The Heart will go along to push for more permanent fixes to the portal. Charities are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the portal well in advance of their filing borderline, and to share questions and concerns with the Division of Consumer Affairs and the Center for Non-Profits.

Bug we continue to pursue include:

  • Allowing filers to incorporate by reference the fiscal information in the Form 990, which would salvage fourth dimension and improve the accurateness of submmissions. In prior years, the paper registration forms allowed users to check a box to bespeak that financial data was included in their Form 990.
  • Improving the online instructions and context-sensitive help for the online portal and online forms.
  • Improving the overall navigability of the Consumer Diplomacy website and portal as pertains to charitable fundraising registration and compliance.
  • Addressing recordkeeping backlogs at Charities Registration and then that organization status is up to date and notifications regarding filing status are issued promptly.

The Charities Registration Department has indicated that they are open up to feedback about the new system, and the Centre is communicating with them almost these and other questions. Nosotros take also asked to work with the Division to make educational materials such as detailed walkthroughs, instructions and webinars bachelor to assist the charitable community.

What you tin can do:

  1. Don't look before trying to familiarize yourself with the new system.   If you can asking a filing extension, consider doing so — even if you retrieve you will be able to file by your regular due appointment — in lodge to give yourself some breathing room regarding the new system (note that extension requests must be filed online).
  2. Create a MyNewJersey business relationship for your organization  if you don't already have one. MyNewJersey is a business registration portal that tin can exist used to admission other State services such equally corporate almanac reports and other items.   A MyNewJersey account is required for organizations to be able to use the charities registration online organization, and is essential even for extension requests. For purposes of charities registration filings, the all-time manner to access MyNewJersey is via the Consumer Affairs Charities Registration page at https://njconsumeraffairs.state.nj.us/sign-in/?returnurl=%2f. Once y'all've registered at MyNewJersey and linked that account with Charities Registration, you tin can create a clemency contour on the Charities Registration site and add contact information for anyone who will file on your behalf.  At this point, you tin can admission the balance of the arrangement to cheque your condition, file extension requests, or keep with your registration or renewal.
  3. Once you lot tin access your organization's data in the system, bank check your clemency'due south status .  If you are listed as noncompliant, you will non be able to request any registration extensions, although the Division has indicated that new registrations can exist completed. Due to recordkeeping backlogs at Charities Registration, some organizations may appear noncompliant in their filings fifty-fifty though their submissions may take been timely. Charities Registration mails notices of noncompliance, so check to see if you lot have received one and follow the instructions independent in that notice; if you don't have a find or take questions, contact the Division directly.  Exist enlightened that fifty-fifty though the online system is at present mandatory, if you owe back fees, depending on the circumstances y'all may need to submit those past mail. Contact the Charities Registration Section at 973-504-6215 to address any problems with your filings or status. Clemency portal questions or bug can also be emailed to the Division at charitiesportalsupport@dca.lps.state.nj.us.
  4. PLEASE SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH United states of america.  We are looking for feedback regarding users' experiences with the new system in club to identify and work to alleviate any undue confusion and needless administrative burdens for regulated organizations.  We can advocate nigh effectively and work to resolve problems if we hear from you. Tell us what's working well with the new system, what isn't working, and what kinds of questions you are having. If you've had questions answered that tin can benefit others, please let us know that so that we can share.

Delight transport your questions, comments, tips and suggestions to Linda Czipo at lczipo @ njnonprofits.org  (remove the spaces in the electronic mail accost earlier sending). Nosotros will provide more updates as they get bachelor.

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