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How to Close (Dissolve) a US LLC From Anywhere
Closing an LLC properly stops yearly fees and penalties. Just abandoning it does not: the state keeps billing and the IRS still expects filings. Here is how to close a US LLC the right way, even if you live abroad.
Here is how to close an LLC in the US: file Articles of Dissolution (or a Certificate of Cancellation) with the state, after paying any outstanding state fees and reports. Then file a final federal return, such as a final Form 5472 and pro forma 1120 for a foreign-owned single-member LLC, close the LLC’s IRS business account by letter, and close bank and payment accounts.
How to Close an LLC: Step by Step
- Agree the decision with all members and record it in writing
- Pay any overdue annual reports, state fees or taxes, since many states will not dissolve an LLC with unpaid fees
- File Articles of Dissolution or a Certificate of Cancellation with the Secretary of State
- File the LLC’s final federal return and mark it as final (for foreign-owned single-member LLCs, the final Form 5472 with pro forma 1120)
- Send the IRS a letter to close the business account, with the LLC’s legal name, EIN, address and reason
- Close bank, Stripe and marketplace accounts, then cancel your registered agent
Why Not Just Abandon It?
If you stop paying, the state eventually dissolves the LLC administratively, but late fees and penalties can build up first, and missing IRS filings such as Form 5472 can bring penalties of $25,000 each. Closing it properly is cheaper.
Typical Timeline
State processing usually takes from a few days to a few weeks. Plan the final IRS filing for the next filing season after you stop trading.
Closing an LLC vs Leaving It Dormant
Some founders keep an unused LLC “just in case”. That is fine, but a dormant LLC still has yearly costs and duties: the state annual report and fee, a registered agent, and for a foreign-owned single-member LLC, Form 5472 with a pro forma Form 1120 every year, even with no income. If you are sure you will not use the LLC again, closing it is usually cheaper than keeping it.
Checklist Before You Close an LLC
- Collect any money customers or platforms still owe the LLC
- Refund or finish open orders, and cancel subscriptions billed to the LLC
- Download bank statements, invoices and Stripe or marketplace reports, and keep them for several years
- Move remaining funds out of the business account after all costs are paid
- Decide who will sign the final IRS filing and the letter closing the EIN account
Do these before the dissolution filing. Once bank and payment accounts are closed, getting records back is much harder.
Cost to Close an LLC With LLCPronto
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| LLC dissolution | Up to $30 service fee plus the state fee |
The state fee depends on your LLC’s state. We tell you the full amount before you pay.
Documents You Need to Close Your LLC
- The LLC’s name, state and file number
- The LLC’s EIN
- Passport of the owner
- Proof that state fees and annual reports are paid up to date
- The final bank statement showing the account is closed or empty
Close My LLC: What We Handle for You
If you want to close your LLC without dealing with the state and the IRS yourself, we do it for you, from anywhere in the world:
- Check that state fees and annual reports are paid up, so the state accepts the dissolution
- Prepare and file the dissolution or cancellation with the state
- Prepare the final Form 5472 and pro forma Form 1120 for a foreign-owned single-member LLC
- Send the letter that closes the LLC’s IRS business account
- Tell you when to close the bank, Stripe and marketplace accounts, in the right order
Our service fee is up to $30, plus the state’s own fee. Message us on WhatsApp with your LLC name and state to start.
Dissolution, Cancellation and Withdrawal: Which One You Need
| Term | When it applies |
|---|---|
| Articles of Dissolution | Most states, for an LLC formed in that state |
| Certificate of Cancellation | States such as Delaware, for an LLC formed there |
| Withdrawal (foreign qualification) | When the LLC was also registered in a second state and you stop doing business there |
The name changes by state, but the result is the same: the state removes the LLC from its records and stops charging yearly fees.
Closing a US LLC When You Live Abroad
- Nothing needs a US visit: every step can be done online and by email
- Final IRS filing: a foreign-owned single-member LLC files a final Form 5472 and pro forma 1120 for the last year, marked as final
- EIN: an EIN is never reused or cancelled, but the IRS business account is closed so no further returns are expected
- Money first: move the remaining balance out and close the bank and payment accounts after the last payout
- Keep records: save your dissolution approval and final filings in case a bank or tax office asks later
FAQs
Can I close my LLC from outside the US?
Yes. Dissolution filings are done online or by mail, and we can file them for you.
Do I need to tell the IRS?
Yes. File a final return and send a letter to close the EIN’s business account.
What if my LLC has unpaid state fees?
Pay them first; most states will not accept dissolution while fees are outstanding.
Can I reopen my LLC after I close it?
Usually not. A voluntarily dissolved LLC generally cannot be reopened, so you would form a new one. An LLC the state dissolved for missed filings can often be reinstated instead.
Does closing my LLC cancel my EIN?
No. The IRS never reuses an EIN. Your letter closes the business account linked to it, and the final return tells the IRS the LLC has stopped.
Can I close my LLC online from outside the US?
Yes. The state filing, the final IRS forms and the letter to the IRS can all be done online or by email. We handle it for up to $30 plus the state fee.
Do I need to close my EIN when I close my LLC?
The EIN itself is never cancelled or reused, but the IRS business account should be closed so the IRS does not expect future returns.
How much does it cost to close an LLC?
Our service fee is up to $30, plus the state’s own dissolution fee, which depends on the state.
Close Your LLC the Right Way
Up to $30 service fee plus the state fee. We file the dissolution and help you close it with the IRS.
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