The process of closing a business differs by business structure, just as it does when registering. Depending on your business structure, you will need to either dissolve, terminate, or withdraw your business entity. Domestic corporations need to be dissolved; domestic limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and limited liability companies need to be terminated; and foreign associations need to be withdrawn.
Additionally, the steps included may have a fee associated with them. To see if there is a fee and the amount, please visit the Pennsylvania Department of State website.
If you have any questions regarding the closing process or which forms you’ll need, Contact Us.
Visit our Library to access the appropriate forms for closing your business.
If you wish to close your business with the Department of State online, you will be required to create a user profile in the Business One-Stop Shop Hub. Once you create a user profile and sign into the Business One-Stop Shop Hub, navigate to the Department of State’s Business Filing Services system to submit your filing online.
For detailed steps on closing a business in Pennsylvania, you can visit the Business One-Stop Shop Hub Help Center and review the Closing a Business Help Guide.
Closing Actions & Documents by Business Structure
Closing Actions & Documents by Business Structure
- Sole Proprietorship
You will need:
- Cancellation of Fictitious Name (DOS)
- Cancellation of Licenses, Accounts, and Certifications (DOR)
- Cancellation of Accounts (DLI)
- Domestic General Partnership
You will need:
- Cancellation of Fictitious Name (DOS)
- Cancellation of Licenses, Accounts, and Certifications (DOR)
- Cancellation of Accounts (DLI)
- Tax Clearance Certificate (DOR)
- Tax Clearance Certificate (DLI)
- Certificate of Termination – Domestic General Partnership (DOS)
- Domestic Limited Partnership
You will need:
- Cancellation of Licenses, Accounts, and Certifications (DOR)
- Cancellation of Accounts (DLI)
- Tax Clearance Certificate (DOR)
- Tax Clearance Certificate (DLI)
- Certificate of Termination (DOS)
- Domestic Limited Liability Company
You will need:
- Cancellation of Licenses, Accounts, and Certifications (DOR)
- Cancellation of Accounts (DLI)
- Tax Clearance Certificate (DOR)
- Tax Clearance Certificate (DLI)
- Certificate of Termination – Domestic Limited Liability Company (DOS)
- Domestic Business Corporation
You will need:
- Cancellation of Licenses, Accounts, and Certifications (DOR)
- Cancellation of Accounts (DLI)
- Tax Clearance Certificate (DOR)
- Tax Clearance Certificate (DLI)
- Articles of Dissolution (DOS)
- Domestic Nonprofit Corporation
You will need:
- Cancellation of Licenses, Accounts, and Certifications (DOR)
- Cancellation of Accounts (DLI)
- Tax Clearance Certificate (DOR)
- Tax Clearance Certificate (DLI)
- Articles of Dissolution (DOS)
- Foreign Association
You will need:
- Cancellation of Licenses, Accounts, and Certifications (DOR)
- Cancellation of Accounts (DLI)
- Tax Clearance Certificate (DOR)
- Tax Clearance Certificate (DLI)
- Statement of Withdrawal of Foreign Registration (DOS)
