Recognize non-profit association

The tax office examines whether the requirements for granting non-profit status are met in a two-part procedure.

Firstly, the valid articles of association are used to check whether the articles of association sufficiently specify which purposes the association is pursuing and how it intends to achieve them. This review is based on a legally prescribed model statute. If the review shows that the articles of association meet the requirements for non-profit status, the tax office issues a notice of assessment. This also confirms that the association is entitled to receive tax-privileged donations and issue donation receipts.

In a further procedure, the tax office must assess whether the association has actually pursued its statutory objectives to an appropriate extent. This review usually takes place every three years. Once the review process has been completed, the association receives a corporation tax assessment notice or a so-called exemption notice.

The tax office is responsible for granting non-profit status.

The local jurisdiction for the taxation procedure depends on where the management of the association is located. This is the place where the association's documents are kept and where the board meetings are held. The location of the management will often coincide with the place of residence of the chairperson.

• Tax office search at the Federal Central Tax Office

• Current statutes
• Minutes of the founding meeting
• Surplus income statements
• Cash and activity reports
• Minutes of the general meetings

The general tax return deadlines apply.

• § Section 149 of the German Fiscal Code (AO)

• §§ 51 ff. Fiscal Code (AO)
• Corporation Tax Act (KStG)

For newly founded associations, an informal application is sufficient to determine the formal conformity of the articles of association or the determination is made ex officio as part of the review procedure.

As part of the regular review, the corporation tax return forms "KSt 1" together with the "Anlage Gem" are usually submitted via the ELSTER online portal.

• ELSTER

02.04.2025