How to Dissolve an LLC in Alabama | LLC Closing Guide


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To dissolve a limited liability company one has to take up a set of required steps. In Alabama, if you and the members of the LLC want to discontinue business, then it is necessary to dissolve their business legally to avoid any administrative and legal consequences. To dissolve an LLC in Alabama, you are required to submit a complete Article of Dissolution to the Secretary of State. Before submitting the Article of Dissolution, one must follow the operating agreement.

how-to-dissolve-llc-alabama

If you have an Alabama LLC (domestic or foreign) you must have an operating agreement. The first step towards the dissolution of Alabama LLC is to follow the operating agreement. There are some points to be noted before proceeding with the official paperwork. At first, make sure all the members of the LLC are agreed to dissolve the business. Once all the members are ready, their consent should be recorded via voting. After casting their vote in favor of the dissolution, the legal process must be started. Here are the steps to address for dissolving Alabama LLC.

How to Dissolve an LLC in Alabama

Dissolution of Alabama LLC requires three broad procedural steps. Having an Alabama LLC Operating agreement, close all the tax accounts, and finally submit the Articles of Dissolution form to the Alabama Secretary of State.

Step 1: Follow Your Alabama LLC Operating Agreement

When you have started an LLC as a business entity, then there is an operating agreement that is formed. There are complete details of how the company will function and grow in that operating agreement, which acts as a comprehensive guide. There is also a dissolution process, which is added to your agreement. The common dissolution steps that almost every LLC follows are:-

First of all, the dissolution vote will take place among the LLC members in the dissolution meeting. If the majority is with the YES, then the process goes into legal proceedings.

  • All the dissolution votes will be noted down and recorded with the minutes of the meeting or a consent form.
  • After that, a formal date for dissolving the LLC will be decided.
  • The next step is counting the LLC assets and dividing them among the stakeholders and members accordingly.
  • Finally, the creditors of the business are notified, and the debts of the business are settled.

This is a general process. However, it is strongly recommended to seek professional help to avoid any complications when it comes to terminating an LLC.

Get a Professional Agent Service

When it comes to a limited liability company dissolution, it is important to get professional help. The Alabama registered agent will guide you with everything you need to close your limited liability company. While choosing a registered agent make sure they have a physical street address in the state. A professional service provider helps you to file the Article of Dissolution and close your various tax accounts without any hassle. Below are the best LLC services we strongly recommend for you.

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Step 2: Close All Tax Accounts

Every action that an official business takes is legally bound to some minimum business taxes. For that, various accounts are maintained by the state government with the help of various departments. You should consider all the taxes that you have paid for your LLC’s duration and make a list of them.

You must contact all government entities and clear the amount of outstanding taxes due until the date you have decided for dissolution. All the taxes must be paid in advance so that you don’t face any issues in the further process of shutting down your LLC.

Some of the common taxes that limited liability companies have to pay are:

  • Unemployment insurance tax
  • Employee withholding tax if your LLC has employees.
  • If your LLC is engaged in selling taxable goods then they are liable to pay the sales and use tax.

Most of these taxes are normally filed, but some departments require official paperwork, without which it is impossible for the business to close accounts. Apart from business taxes, federal taxes, personal income taxes, and franchise taxes are to be considered. For the franchise taxes, a franchise tax form is required.

That is why the LLC owner should go through the sales tax guide and hire an accounting service. If you want to do the accounting yourself or make accounting easy, try FreshBooks.

Tax clearance

While dissolving the Alabama LLC, the owner does not require to obtain a tax clearance certificate. However, if you have filed federal taxes, then you must go through the final return option on your IRS form.

The IRS form for the LLC that are classified as partnerships is form 1065, and those LLC’s who have registered themselves as corporate should check IRS form 1120.

Step 3: File Articles of Dissolution

There is a list of dissolution documents that you, as an LLC owner, have to file. Once these articles are filed, the legal existence of the LLC will be over. Like an Alabama Certificate of Formation, one has to file an Article of Dissolution. The dissolution procedure and filing the articles of dissolution form is very easy and is discussed below.

  • First of all, the LLC owner(s) has to file the Article of Dissolution. There is only one method of filing available, i.e. file by mail. To get the application form you need to visit the Secretary of State Website of Alabama state.
  • In that particular SOS website, the LLC owner has to look for the Domestic LLC Articles of Dissolution page.
  • If you want to dissolve Alabama Foreign LLC then look for Foreign LLC Dissolution process.
  • There is a form available on this page, which is the article of dissolution you are looking for. You have to download that pdf form and start filling it.
  • You must fill in all the important and legal information in the form, so you should be extra careful.
  • After filling in all the important information, you must choose the mode of payment you want to use to pay the LLC dissolution filing fees.
  • After filling in every detail, one should submit the form through an official mail address and make a payment.

Mail to,

Office of the Judge of Probate in the county that the LLC’s Certificate of Formation was recorded.

Filing Fee: $100


The LLC you owned is dissolved, and you are free from all the liabilities linked with the LLC and its taxes. A copy of both original articles and recorded articles should be submitted in front of the probate judge. Now it’s his call that he accepts your expedited dissolutions or not.


Points to Be Noted When Dissolving Alabama LLC

Apart from these three steps, no major dissolution rules are there in Alabama. However, there are some other tasks one has to keep in mind while dissolving an LLC legally.

Winding Up

There are some purposes of LLC that require some attention even after dissolution, known as winding up. The task of winding up includes.

  • For a certain period, the property of a business requires preservation.
  • If there is any civil case against the LLC, then the owner needs to finish them.
  • Settle all the existing disputes of LLC.
  • Transfer all the property of LLC to the names of partners.
  • Release all the liabilities that the LLC owes to others.
  • Rightful distribution of all the assets among members, according to their percentage of partnerships.

Cost of Dissolving LLC

LLC cost in Alabama includes the formation as well as dissolution fees. To dissolve an LLC in Alabama, LLCs have to file an Article of Dissolution. The filing fee is $100. The details are mentioned on the second page of the article dissolution filing form. Following are the ways to pay for the dissolution,

  • You can select a payment pick-up option.
  • There is an option of direct account transfer through your prepaid accounts.
  • LLC owners can also use their Credit cards, providing their complete details and types. Along with that, an original signature is required to authorize the transaction state will make.

After Dissolving Your LLC

After you formally dissolve your LLC, your business name will not be reserved anymore. Any other business entity will be eligible to use your Alabama LLC name immediately after 120 days of dissolving your LLC. On the other hand, if you have a foreign LLC in other states, then you must comply with the SOS of the state after the dissolution of your LLC in Alabama. A registered agent can help you do the needful.

Reasons Behind Dissolving Alabama LLC

There are many reasons behind the process of actually dissolving the LLC if you are no longer in the business. Some of the prominent ones are mentioned below.

  • If you are not legally dissolving your LLC, your business is still operating according to the government agencies. That is why your business will be liable to pay some outstanding taxes, which will be levied no matter you are active or not.
  • With taxes, some severe penalties can also be charged against your business, which you have to pay as a shareholder. Dissolution will save you from such a penalty.
  • Your individual liability of the person will decrease as you legally apply to dissolve your LLC.
  • There is a chance of corporate identity theft of the business owners if none of you dissolves your LLC amid inactivity.
  • The LLC can be exposed to creditors and lawsuits if it is not properly dissolved.
  • Your LLC will stay in the list of the state filing list due to which one has to pay charges to the state for operating in their region.
  • If an LLC is part of some franchise chain, then they need to file for dissolution as the franchise tax they have to pay will be very hefty for their pockets.

By now, you must have understood why you must dissolve your LLC. So, let us jump directly to dissolution procedures.

Top Businesses To Look For in Alabama!

When we talk about Alabama’s top businesses, we look for the businesses that impact economic growth. If the industry impacts positive growth, it is better to go for it and make a better fortune. So here are some of the top businesses if you want to start an Alabama LLC!

  1. Manufacturing: If we talk about the companies working as manufacturing companies, they are producing more growth. This specific sector comes on the top with constituting $37 million in annual GDP. There are so many things that need to be manufactured and give growth to the state.
  2. Health care: It is the most crucial thing for health centers and health insurance for people. There was a time when Alabama was known to have the least amount of health insurance. Right now, it weighs more than $16 million in the annual GDP.
  3. Retail trade: Retail trade is an important sector that we consider in Alabama’s economy. For those who want a good economy and a flexible market, then it is the best sector. It represents $15 million annually in the GDP.
  4. Agriculture: Even though we know that other non-agricultural ways make the most of the state. But if we look at agricultural production that seems vital. The sector’s percentage is 4.9% in the entire yearly GDP. It generates an amount of more than $5 million yearly.

Alabama LLC Dissolution Review

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Here’s a recap of the steps you must follow when dissolving your Alabama LLC. Click on the steps in this list if you want to read the full detail.

  1. Follow Your Alabama LLC Operating Agreement

    Remember that when you started, you created an operating agreement. Use this agreement as a guide in proceeding with the dissolution of your LLC.

  2. Close Tax Accounts

    Make sure you close all your tax accounts to avoid incurring further costs.

  3. File Articles of Dissolution

    File the article of dissolution to make it known to the state where your LLC operates that you are indeed no longer in business.

F.A.Qs

Is there any filing fee the LLC owner has to pay for dissolving their LLC?

Yes, there is a minimal fee of $100, which Alabama SOS charges to dissolve the legally registered LLC and proceed with the task of removal of their name from every tax list and benefits. Articles of Dissolution must be submitted to the Alabama SOS.

Is the revenue department clearance required for dissolution?

No, there is no requirement of revenue department clearance till the time the SOS of Alabama accepts the dissolution form.

Can someone else take the name I use for my LLC?

The name will also get deregistered with the dissolution of the LLC. But the name will not be allotted for the next 120 days. After that, if some business wants to name their LLC after the name chosen by you, then it is their choice.

Are there any financial penalties if I don’t dissolve my LLC legally and miss the reports?

If you have not dissolved your LLC, you are liable for business privilege tax, and if it is not paid on time, you are leveraged with 10% of the amount of tax or $50. After that, the additional penalties will increase by $1 per month. If it goes unpaid for a longer duration, then the chances of seizing your property can also recover the tax.

Are there any fees of the probate judge who is taking the dissolution decisions?

Yes, if you are dissolving your LLC, you have to pay some amount to the probate judge who was also present during your LLC formation in the probate office. The minimum fee of the judge is $50, which can vary.

What is the Cost to Dissolve an LLC in Alabama

To dissolve an LLC in Alabama you need to file the Articles of Dissolution with the Alabama Secretary of State via mail and pay a filing fee of $100.

First and foremost, it’s important to understand the costs associated with dissolving an LLC in Alabama. While each situation may vary, there are a few common expenses that business owners should be aware of. One cost that is often overlooked is the filing fee required to formally dissolve an LLC with the Alabama Secretary of State. This fee can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on the specifics of the business and the reasons for dissolution.

Additionally, there may be additional fees for completing any required forms and paperwork, as well as potential costs associated with notifying creditors, settling debts, and liquidating assets. It’s crucial for business owners to carefully review their financial records and obligations before moving forward with the dissolution process to ensure that they are adequately prepared for any associated expenses.

Another factor to consider is the potential impact on employees and business partners. Dissolving an LLC can have wide-ranging effects on those involved with the company, from job loss for employees to financial consequences for vendors and suppliers. It’s important to have open and honest communication with all stakeholders throughout the process to minimize any negative impact and to explore all options for continuing relationships in a positive manner.

Furthermore, business owners should be aware of the tax implications of dissolving an LLC in Alabama. The closure of a business entity can trigger various tax requirements, including final tax returns, property tax assessments, and potential liabilities for unpaid taxes or penalties. It’s essential to work closely with a qualified tax professional to ensure compliance with all state and federal tax laws and to avoid any surprises down the road.

In addition to the financial and practical considerations, there are also emotional implications to be mindful of when dissolving an LLC. Closing a business can be an emotional and challenging process for many entrepreneurs, as it often represents the end of a dream and the loss of a significant investment of time, effort, and resources. It’s important for business owners to seek support from family, friends, and professional advisors during this challenging time to help navigate the process with clarity and objectivity.

Ultimately, the cost to dissolve an LLC in Alabama goes beyond just numbers on a balance sheet. It’s a multifaceted decision that requires careful consideration of legal, financial, operational, and emotional factors. By approaching the process thoughtfully and strategically, business owners can ensure a smooth and successful transition out of their LLC while minimizing any potential adverse effects on themselves and others involved in the business.

In Conclusion

Limited liability companies reduce owners’ personal liability. Having an LLC is quite cost-effective. However, if it is required to close down the business, then the dissolution process should be done legally. Get a professional service to get everything done. We hope this article helps you to close your LLC in Alabama. If you have any query do let us know in the comment box.

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