To dissolve a limited liability company one has to take up a set of required steps. In Louisiana, 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 Louisiana, 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 Louisiana (domestic or foreign) you must have an operating agreement. The first step towards the dissolution of Louisiana 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 Louisiana LLC.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
How to Dissolve an LLC in Louisiana
Dissolution of Louisiana LLC requires three broad procedural steps. Having a Louisiana LLC Operating agreement, close all the tax accounts, and finally submit the Articles of Dissolution form to the Louisiana Secretary of State.
Step 1: Follow Your Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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.
LLC Service | Our Rating & Pricing | Top Features | Learn More |
#1 TOP PICK  | $0 + State Fees |
| |
 | $49 + State Fees |
|
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 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 their 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana Articles of Organization, one has to file Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana 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 after filing of articles of dissolution if you are filing it by mail or in-person.
Mail to,
P. O. Box 94125
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125
In-person Drop,
8585 Archives Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Online FIling: Louisiana Online LLC Dissolution
Fax: (225) 932-5314
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 Louisiana LLC
Apart from these three steps, no major dissolution rules are there in Louisiana. 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 Louisiana includes the formation as well as dissolution fees. To dissolve an LLC in Louisiana, LLCs have to file an Article of Dissolution. The filing fee is $5. 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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana. A registered agent can help you do the needful.
Reasons Behind Dissolving Louisiana LLC
Some so many people like to have their own business for their career. But is it always going to go well? No. it is not like everyone will get the perfect LLC, and they might also have to dissolve an LLC in Louisiana. There can be many reasons for that. Some can be voluntary, and some can be involuntary too. Yes! If a company is in the dissolution process, it is very much possible that it is involuntary. Here are the reasons for that,
- If the company has failed to file the critical taxes.
- The directors of the company have been indulging in fraudulent activities.
- The assets of the company were not used for the company, or they were wasted.
- There is an issue, and the owners are not able to get a solution for it.
- The company is not able to show the legal or registered office.
Top Businesses in Louisiana!
If we talk about the economy of the state of Louisiana, then the main source was Agriculture. But if we look into it, it is not the same. There are many other industries, but they are far important to the state. So if someone wishes to start an LLC in Louisiana, they should go for the below-mentioned industries.
- Manufacturing: GDP is an important aspect of a state, and it tells us all what provides economic strength to the state. In the case of Louisiana, it is the sector of manufacturing. This sector represented the amount of $56.01 billion to the total, and it is a significant amount for sure.
- Insurance and real estate: There is a need for insurance for many things, and people keep a check on this service. Which makes it an important one. And if we take a look at these financial services, they indeed make a lot of money. And that money is also shared in the GDP too. This industry contributes $32.45 billion.
- Industry of social services: Many people need the service for assistance in a lot of things. It can be educational services, social assistance, health care, or others. This industry is for the good of the people in the state, but as we see, it is good for the economy. It has contributed $19.91 billion to the Gross Domestic Product, and it is enough amount too.
Louisiana LLC Dissolution Review
Time needed: 5 minutes.
Here’s a recap of the steps you must follow when dissolving your Louisiana LLC. Click on the steps in this list if you want to read the full detail.
- Follow Your Louisiana 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 All 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 is that you are indeed no longer in business.
What is the Cost to Dissolve an LLC in Louisiana
To dissolve an LLC in Louisiana you need to file the Certificate of Dissolution with the Louisiana Secretary of State via mail, fax, online or in person for $100.
Dissolving an LLC in Louisiana can be a complicated process, and the cost associated with it can vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the business. The cost of dissolving an LLC in Louisiana includes filing fees with the Louisiana Secretary of State, paying off any outstanding debts and taxes, and other administrative costs.
When dissolving an LLC in Louisiana, the first step is to file a Certificate of Dissolution with the Louisiana Secretary of State. This filing fee is $25 and must include the LLC’s name, jurisdiction, and dissolution date. The LLC must also provide a statement of dissolution signed by all members, or a majority of the members, of the LLC.
Once the Certificate of Dissolution is filed, the LLC must pay off any outstanding debts and taxes. This includes paying off any remaining creditors, employee wages, taxes, and other liabilities. It is important to note that any unpaid debts and taxes may result in personal liability for the LLC members and managers. If the LLC has assets, it must distribute these assets to the members or other creditors in accordance with the LLC’s operating agreement or state law.
In addition to filing fees and paying off debts and taxes, the LLC will also incur administrative costs associated with dissolving the business. This includes costs associated with closing out the LLC’s bank accounts, terminating any leases, canceling business registrations and licenses, and filing final tax returns.
Finally, the LLC may need to prepare a final report for the Louisiana Secretary of State. This report must include a statement of dissolution, a list of all members, a detailed asset and liabilities statement, and a list of all creditors.
The cost to dissolve an LLC in Louisiana can vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the business. Generally, the filing fee with the Louisiana Secretary of State is the only fixed cost associated with dissolving an LLC. The administrative costs for closing out the business and paying off debts and taxes can vary greatly depending on the LLC’s liabilities and assets. It is important to consult with an experienced attorney or accountant to ensure that all steps are taken to properly dissolve the LLC.
F.A.Qs
Yes, in Louisiana, there is a fee of $100 to be paid for filing the Articles of Dissolution. Articles of Dissolution must be submitted to the Louisiana SOS.
No, there is no requirement of revenue department clearance till the time the SOS of Louisiana 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 Louisiana. If you have any query do let us know in the comment box.