2026 deadline notice
Check whether the August 31, 2026 relief applies
The California Attorney General states that a charity renewal filing due between January 7, 2025 and August 31, 2026 has an extended deadline of August 31, 2026, and that a charity does not need to contact the Registry to obtain this relief. Confirm the notice on the official renewal page before relying on it, then record the affected reporting period and the August 31 date in the filing calendar.
Read the current California renewal noticeCalculate the regular California renewal deadline
Outside a special relief period, the Registry's general rule is 4 months and 15 days after the organization's accounting period ends. A December 31 year end generally points to May 15. California honors qualifying IRS extensions for the annual renewal package. The organization should file with the IRS first, then send the Registry a complete package with the extension request and, when approval is not automatic, the approved extension.
120 days before
Confirm the fiscal year, public record, CT number, filing owner, IRS return schedule, and any extension plan.
60 days before
Finalize the RRF-1 answers, federal return or CT-TR-1, revenue-based fee, signer, and submission route.
After filing
Save the filing, payment, delivery or portal evidence, notices, and the later accepted public status.
Build the California RRF-1 renewal package
Every registered charity that is subject to annual reporting files Form RRF-1, regardless of revenue. The supporting financial report depends on what the organization files with the IRS. Use the current California forms and the same reporting period across the package.
| Organization situation | Core California package | Quality check |
|---|---|---|
| Files Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF | RRF-1, applicable fee, and the same IRS return filed with the IRS | Exclude every page of Schedule B; do not send a blank, redacted, or public-view version |
| Not required to file and does not file Form 990 or 990-EZ because it is below the revenue threshold | RRF-1, applicable fee, and CT-TR-1 | Tie the treasurer's report to year-end books and the RRF-1 reporting period |
| Has an IRS extension | Complete renewal package after the federal return, plus required extension evidence | Track the documented extended date; do not send only an extension request as the annual filing |
| Not yet registered with the Registry | Complete initial registration before the Registry can process RRF-1 | Use the California initial-registration path rather than treating RRF-1 as a first filing |
Use the current revenue-based RRF-1 fee
California calculates the annual renewal fee from total revenue reported for the preceding fiscal year. The Attorney General currently publishes the schedule below and advises filers to download the latest form before each filing.
| Total revenue | Published fee |
|---|---|
| Less than $50,000 | $25 |
| $50,000 to $100,000 | $50 |
| $100,001 to $250,000 | $75 |
| $250,001 to $1 million | $100 |
| $1,000,001 to $5 million | $200 |
| $5,000,001 to $20 million | $400 |
| $20,000,001 to $100 million | $800 |
| $100,000,001 to $500 million | $1,000 |
| Greater than $500 million | $1,200 |
Track the filing through the public record
- Search the Registry before filing and save the exact registration status, annual-renewal status, CT number, and open reporting periods.
- Submit one internally consistent RRF-1 package through the current official route and preserve payment and delivery or portal evidence.
- Watch for correspondence. A missing form, attachment, or fee can produce a reporting-incomplete or rejected annual filing result.
- Recheck the Registry after processing and save the accepted or e-accepted annual renewal entry; submission alone is not the final checkpoint.
- If the organization appears delinquent, inventory every open year and notice before choosing a recovery sequence.
Official California sources
California renewal FAQ
What is the California charity renewal deadline relief for 2026?
The Attorney General says a charity renewal filing due between January 7, 2025 and August 31, 2026 has an extended deadline of August 31, 2026, with no need to contact the Registry to obtain the relief. Confirm the notice on the official renewal page before relying on it.
When is California Form RRF-1 normally due?
The general rule is 4 months and 15 days after fiscal year end. A calendar-year charity generally calculates May 15 before an applicable IRS extension or special relief notice.
What does a California charity file with RRF-1?
A registered charity files RRF-1 with the applicable fee and either its applicable IRS Form 990-series return or Form CT-TR-1 when it is not required to file and does not file Form 990 or 990-EZ because it is below the revenue threshold.
Should Schedule B be included with the California renewal?
No. The Registry says to exclude every Schedule B page from the Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-PF copy submitted with the renewal, including blank, redacted, or public-view versions.
How can a nonprofit verify that California processed its renewal?
Use the Registry search tool to review the annual renewal entry, filing documents, correspondence, and current registration status. Keep submission evidence, then verify the later accepted or e-accepted public result.