CT-247: Application for Exemption from Corporation Franchise Taxes by a Not-for-Profit Organization (Revision 2025-12)

Who files this form

Certain not-for-profit and religious corporations must file Form CT-247 to apply for exemption from New York State corporation franchise tax under Tax Law Article 9-A.

Generally, a corporation or an organization treated as a corporation must meet all of these requirements:

• Be organized and operated as a not-for-profit organization.
• Have no stock, shares, or certificates for stock or shares. Exceptions apply to title holding companies described in IRC section 501(c)(2) and collective investment entities described in IRC section 501(c)(25).
• Have no net earnings that benefit any officer, director, or member.
• Be exempt from federal income tax under IRC section 501(a).

If the IRS revoked and later restored your organization's tax-exempt status, you must file a new Form CT-247. New York must approve the new application before its Article 9-A exemption is restored.

What you'll need

Gather the following to complete your application:

• All IRS documents granting or denying tax exemption, including your federal exemption letter.
• The organization's legal name, EIN, mailing address, telephone number, and principal New York State business activity.
• Formation details, including the date, state or country of incorporation, and exact law and statutory provisions under which the entity was formed.
• The date from which you are claiming exemption and the type of federal return filed.
• Locations and activities of offices and other places of business.
• Names, titles, and duties of officers, employees, agents, and representatives in New York State.
• Details about New York State real property owned and how it is used, plus any other New York State activities.

Attach additional sheets for activity, personnel, and property details if needed. If the entity is authorized to issue capital stock, the form also asks you to list shareholders.

How to file

Complete the application, attach the required IRS exemption documents, and have an authorized person sign and certify it.

Fax: 518-435-2995, listed on the form as the preferred response method.

Or mail to:

NYS TAX DEPARTMENT

CORPORATION TAX ACCOUNT RESOLUTION

W A HARRIMAN CAMPUS

ALBANY NY 12227-0852

For private delivery services, see Publication 55, Designated Private Delivery Services.

For a corporation, an authorized officer must certify the application. For an association, publicly traded partnership, or business conducted by trustees, a person authorized to act for that organization must sign.

If an outside individual or firm prepared the application, complete all applicable paid preparer entries, including identification numbers.

Common mistakes

• Continuing when the organization does not qualify for federal exemption. Question 4 says to stop if the answer is No because the organization does not qualify as exempt.
• Leaving out IRS documents. Submit all documents granting or denying exemption when filing CT-247.
• Forgetting the signature. The form warns that failure to sign will delay processing of any refunds and may result in penalties.
• Leaving paid preparer information incomplete. If an outside individual or firm prepared the application, all applicable entries, including identification numbers, must be completed.
• Failing to report federal status changes. Promptly report any changes in the corporation's federal tax status to the New York State Tax Department.
• Assuming IRS reinstatement automatically restores the New York exemption. A new CT-247 must be filed and approved after the IRS revokes and later restores exempt status.
• Submitting false information. The certification warns that willfully filing a false application is a misdemeanor punishable under the Tax Law.

Questions people ask

Does CT-247 grant federal tax exemption?

No. Any exemption granted through CT-247 is strictly for New York State corporation franchise tax. Contact the IRS for federal exemption.

What if our organization has unrelated business income?

Not-for-profit, nonstock organizations subject to federal tax on unrelated business income are taxable under New York State Tax Law Article 13 if they pursue those activities in New York State. File Form CT-13 to report those activities.

What if we file federal Form 1120?

Organizations required to file federal Form 1120 may be taxable under Article 9-A and may need to file Form CT-3.

How do we request a refund of franchise taxes paid in error?

File an amended return. A housing development fund company must submit proof that it was organized under Private Housing Finance Law Article 11.

How can we ask about our organization's taxable status?

Send a written inquiry signed by an officer of the organization to the mailing address listed under How to file.

Official sources

• https://www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/current_forms/ct/ct247.pdf