To dissolve a limited liability company one has to take up a set of required steps. In Washington DC, 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 District of Columbia, 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.
If you have an LLC in DC (domestic or foreign) you must have a Washington D.C. LLC operating agreement. The first step towards the dissolution of Washington DC 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 Washington LLC.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
How to Dissolve an LLC in the District of Columbia
Dissolution of Washington DC LLC requires three broad procedural steps. Having a Washington D.C. LLC Operating agreement, close all the tax accounts, and finally submit the Articles of Dissolution form to the District of Columbia Secretary of State.
Step 1: Follow Your District of Columbia 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 DC 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 closing 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, especially business entity tax account, 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 tax liabilities that limited liability companies have 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 their accounts. Apart from business tax, 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 Washington DC 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 a DC Articles of Organization, one has to file DC LLC Articles 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 are multiple methods of filing available, such as file by mail, in-person drop, or/and online filing. To get the application form you need to visit the Secretary of State Website of DC state.
- You can follow the filing instruction on the official portal so that the steps for dissolution will be easier to complete.
- In that particular SOS website, the LLC owner has to look for the Domestic LLC Articles of Dissolution page.
- If you want to dissolve DC Foreign LLC then look for the 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.
- It takes 3-5 business days for the formal dissolution process to be done after filing of articles of dissolution if you are filing it by mail or in-person. For the online filing, one can upload the pdf files on their official portal. It saves some of your mail time or in-person delivery.
Mail to or In-person Drop,
Department of Consumer And Regulatory Affairs
Corporations Division
PO Box 92300
Washington, D.C. 20090
Online FIling: DC Online LLC Dissolution
Filing Fee: $220
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 DC LLC
Apart from these three steps, no major dissolution rules are there in Washington DC. 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 DC includes the formation as well as dissolution fees. To dissolve an LLC in District of Columbia, LLCs have to file an Article of Dissolution. The filing fee is $220. 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 DC 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 DC. A registered agent can help you do the needful.
Reasons Behind Dissolving Washington DC LLC!
If someone cannot keep up with profits in the business, they would want just to shut it down. But is it possible to close the doors of the company and never open them? No, it is certainly not possible, and that is the very reason we are here. It is crucial to dissolve an LLC in the District of Columbia, and we have some reasons for it! Here, check them out!
- If the business is not dissolved, some outer audiences can put up a lot of questions.
- It can lead to loss and also involuntary dissolution too.
- The liability of the company owners will stay the same, and they will be liable to pay for it.
- They can be held against some lawsuits too.
- It won’t be possible for them to get as much profit by selling the assets later.
Top Businesses to Look For in the District of Columbia!
Having a limited liability company in Washington D.C. does not mean you are in a profitable business. If you are unable to make profits through your LLC then you might be in the wrong business. There are a number of leading industries in Washington D.C. that can give you a sharp profit margin if you start an LLC in Washington D.C. Here we have shared the top 3 industries in Washington D.C., have a look!
- Hospitality and tourism: There are some core sectors in the District of Columbia, and some are good for opportunities. But hospitality and tourism are some of the core sectors of the place. It is the strongest sector because it provides many jobs, and now it is supporting 75,000 jobs in the last few years. The industry has so many sub-sectors, and they also offer a lot of job opportunities there.
- Retail: It is the sector that is providing a lot to the GDP. And if we depict the contribution in numbers, it is $1.5 billion (yearly average). With the help of this sector, the place can provide more than net 23.000 jobs to people. When the rate of employment is higher, it impacts the economy a lot.
- Media and communications: It has been the most robust center of the media industry. The industry has given net 8,300 jobs to people, and it is also a core sector in the district.
District of Columbia LLC Dissolution Review
Time needed: 5 minutes
Here’s a recap of the steps you must follow when dissolving your District of Columbia LLC. Click on the steps in this list if you want to read the full detail.
- Follow Your District of Columbia 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.
- Close Tax Accounts
Make sure you close all your tax accounts to avoid incurring further costs.
- 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.
What is the Cost to Dissolve an LLC in District of Columbia
To dissolve an LLC in District of Columbia you need to file the Statement of Dissolution with the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs by mail or online and pay a filing fee of $220.
Priyanka Shah
Dissolving a Limited Liability Company (LLC) can be a complex and sometimes arduous process. In the District of Columbia, entrepreneurs must carefully navigate the specific legal requirements to ensure a smooth dissolution. One important aspect that entrepreneurs need to consider before starting their entrepreneurial journey is understanding the cost involved in dissolving an LLC in the District of Columbia.
While we understand that finances are a significant concern for businesses, it is crucial to focus on the broader context and long-term benefits that dissolving an LLC can bring. Some entrepreneurs might be dissuaded by the perceived high costs associated with dissolution, but this investment should be seen as necessary to protect shareholder interests, shield personal liability, and ultimately help them move onto new adventures.
The District of Columbia requires LLCs to file articles of dissolution with the Corporations Division of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) – Business Licensing Division. Typically, the standard fee for filing articles of dissolution is $20. However, it is important to note that the DCRA may impose additional fees if there are requirements for amendment and restatement within the articles.
Apart from the filing fee, LLC owners must also consider other probable expenses associated with dissolving their business. These may include professional fees for attorneys and accountants, especially if additional guidance is needed during the dissolution process.
The involvement of legal professionals can save entrepreneurs considerable time and stress, ensuring that all legal obligations and necessary paperwork are completed correctly. Attorneys can provide invaluable assistance by helping LLC owners understand the steps involved, preparing necessary documents, and guiding them through the formal dissolution process.
In addition to professional fees, entrepreneurs should also consider the financial consequences of outstanding obligations. Clearing all remaining debts, including loans, taxes, and other financial obligations, is a critical step in dissolving an LLC. Failing to comply with these requirements could lead to statutory penalties or personal liability for LLC owners.
To obtain a final clearance from the District of Columbia, LLCs also need to receive a Certificate of Good Standing or Tax Clearance Certificate. Entrepreneurs must ensure that they settle all taxes owed to the District of Columbia to receive these certificates, which may involve the payment of back taxes, accrued interest, or penalties.
While the cost to dissolve an LLC in the District of Columbia may seem significant, it’s essential to remember that positioning oneself on solid legal footing is invaluable. By completing the process correctly, entrepreneurs can protect their personal assets from potential litigation or financial complications associated with the dissolution of their LLC.
It is crucial for entrepreneurs to come to terms with the fact that dissolving an LLC is a necessary expense for business closure. By focusing on the long-term benefits, such as minimizing personal liability and setting the stage for future entrepreneurial endeavors, the perceived costs involved with dissolution transform into a wise strategic investment.
Though the specific cost of dissolving an LLC in the District of Columbia may vary depending on the circumstances, the general expenses discussed above provide an outline of what entrepreneurs can expect. By understanding these potential costs and preparing for them in advance, entrepreneurs can ensure a lawful and smooth dissolution process, which will enable them to venture into new horizons without any lingering legal implications.
F.A.Qs
Yes, in DC, there is a fee of $220 to be paid for filing the Articles of Dissolution. Articles of Dissolution must be submitted to the District of Columbia SOS.
No, there is no requirement of revenue department clearance until the SOS of the District of Columbia accepts the dissolution form.
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.
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.
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.
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 DC. If you have any query do let us know in the comment box.
