How to close an LLC: Dissolution, winding up, and termination

Limited liability companies (LLCs) have a lifecycle. They’re formed, they do business, and they terminate. And while it’s true that LLCs have a right to exist forever—an entity characteristic known as perpetual duration—the fact is, most will one day terminate.

LLC dissolution: The beginning of the end, but not the end itself

What it is and what it isn’t. The first step in the termination process is to dissolve the LLC. Although some people confuse dissolution and termination, dissolution does not terminate an LLC’s existence. What it does is change the purpose of its existence. Instead of conducting whatever business it conducted before, a dissolved LLC exists solely for the purpose of winding up and liquidating.

The triggering event. Dissolution begins with a “triggering event”. This is an event, act, or occurrence that, once it happens, requires the LLC to stop doing its regular business and start winding up. The triggering event may be set forth in the operating agreement. Take, for example, an LLC formed for a specific purpose – say to hold a piece of property until it’s sold. Its operating agreement may have a clause saying the LLC must dissolve upon the sale of the property. The triggering event may also be a vote of the members.

CT note: While this article is addressing voluntary dissolution and termination, it may be noted that the LLC statutes also provide for administrative dissolution for LLCs that fail to comply with certain compliance requirements and for judicial dissolution under certain circumstances.

Member vote. Often, an LLC's dissolution is triggered by a vote of the members. Before a vote is taken, it is important to read the operating agreement. It may set forth the number or percentage of members who have to approve dissolution. It may also require a meeting to be held, notice to be given, and other formalities.

If the operating agreement doesn’t deal with these issues then the default provisions of the formation state's LLC Act govern. State laws vary. For example, some require a unanimous vote for dissolution, while others require a two-thirds or majority vote. In some states, the votes are based on the number of members, some on the percentage of ownership interests. And there are some state LLC laws without default formality requirements.

Filing a document. Many states require the filing of a document after the event of dissolution. Generally called articles of dissolution, it usually states the LLC’s name, the date it was formed, the fact the LLC is dissolving, and the event triggering the dissolution. Upon the effective date of this document, the LLC is considered dissolved and must stop doing its regular business and start winding up.

Winding up an LLC: Necessary, but not simple

What the statutes say. Once the LLC is dissolved, the members (or managers, if the LLC is manager-managed) must begin winding up its affairs. The LLC statutes broadly describe what has to be done. There are three main tasks:

• Discharging the LLC’s debts, obligations, and other liabilities
• Settling and closing the LLC’s activities and affairs
• Distributing the remaining assets

What typically has to be done. Winding up is not simple. There are many things to do, and they will differ for each particular LLC. However, they often include the following:

• Notifying creditors that the LLC is dissolved
• Closing out bank accounts
• Canceling business licenses, permits, and assumed names
• Paying creditors or establishing reserves to pay them
• Paying taxes
• Filing final tax returns and reports
• Withdrawing from states in which the LLC was registered as a foreign LLC

Paying taxes. Part of the winding up process is paying taxes. No state will allow an LLC’s existence to terminate before it has paid its state taxes. Some states require proof that taxes have been paid. This is generally called a tax clearance requirement. Upon request, the state tax department issues a document stating that no taxes are due. This document then has to be filed with the Secretary of State (or other business entity filing office).

And then what? The final step is to distribute any remaining assets to the members. Check the operating agreement. It may set forth who gets what.

Terminating the LLC: All that must be done has been done

Once all the steps in the winding up process are completed, the existence of the LLC is terminated.

Some states require a document to be filed when the winding up is done. This document may be called articles of termination, articles of cancellation, or a similar name. In it, the LLC has to state that all debts and liabilities have been paid or provided for and any remaining assets distributed.

Conclusion

As you can see, terminating the existence of an LLC can be a complex process. However, an LLC that is going out of business should formally terminate. As long as it still exists, a business entity continues to be liable for taxes and annual reports, it can be sued, and there is even a risk of having its identity stolen. In fact, business identity thieves prey on companies that are listed on state records as delinquent or administratively dissolved, bringing them back into good standing or reinstating them, changing the company’s information, and then trying to obtain loans and other financial benefits.

Legal advisers can help the members through the process. Service companies can help with various tasks including filing dissolution, termination, and withdrawal documents and final annual reports, obtaining tax clearances, and canceling business licenses and assumed names.

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