How to Dissolve an LLC in Arizona | LLC Closing Guide


Steve Goldstein
Steve Goldstein
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To dissolve a limited liability company one has to take up a set of required steps. In Arizona, 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 Arizona, 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-arizona

If you have an Arizona LLC (domestic or foreign) you must have an operating agreement. The first step towards the dissolution of Arizona 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 Arizona LLC.

How to Dissolve an LLC in Arizona

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

Step 1: Follow your Arizona 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 Arizona LLC operating 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 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 Arizona 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 Article 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 Arizona 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 are three methods of filing available, i.e. file by mail, fax or online filing. To get the application form you need to visit the Secretary of State Website of Arizona state.
  • In that particular SOS website, the LLC owner has to look for the Domestic LLC Articles of Dissolution page.
  • 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.
  • For the online filing, go to the official portal Arizona Corporation Commission and log in to the portal.
  • 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 or fax it and make a payment.

Mail to,

Arizona Corporation Commission – Corporate Filings Section
1300 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, Arizona 85007

Fax: 602-542-4100

Online: Arizona Corporate Commission

Filing Fee: $35


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 Arizona LLC

Apart from these three steps, 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 Arizona includes the formation as well as dissolution fees. To dissolve an LLC in Arizona, LLCs have to file an Article of Dissolution. The filing fee is $35. 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 card, providing its 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 LLC name immediately after 120 days of dissolving your LLC. On the other hand, if you have an Arizona foreign LLC, then you must comply with the SOS of the state after the dissolution of your LLC in Arizona. A registered agent can help you do the needful.

Reasons Behind Dissolving Arizona LLC

There are various reasons why someone would want to dissolve an LLC in Arizona. But the reason will be different for every other company or business. When it comes to an LLC, it is the one that gives limited liability to the owners. But no matter what, it is essential to dissolve an LLC in proper terms of government. Now the question is, why?

  • The very first reason is, there can be outstanding bills that will be essential to pay off.
  • The company will have to wrap up all outlets as it can lead to legal problems.
  • The reason can be that the company’s goal is finished or accomplished.
  • A disagreement between the owners of the company can also be a reason.
  • If an owner is deceased, it can lead to an involuntary dissolution of the company.
  • If someone wants to join the company, it can also lead to the same.

Top Businesses to Look For in Arizona!

If someone plans to start an LLC in Arizona, it will be essential to research it properly. The proper research will get the prospect to some of the sectors that make the most in the GDP. It is all about the state’s economy, and some of the sectors do a lot better. We have given some of the top businesses, so check them out and start one!

  1. Manufacturing: There are so many things that we get because of the manufacturing sector. So if the industry has a lot to give us, it can impact the economy well too. It has 5.96% of the total workforce, and that is a pretty good number. And if we talk about the output, it turned out to be $29.86 billion every year.
  2. Mining: When it comes to mining, it can create a perfect opportunity for the people in terms of employment. It eventually creates more than 11,249 jobs annually for the people and contributes to the GDP too. The total output from it was $6.5 billion yearly, and the amount it contributed to GDP was $1.4 billion every year.
  3. Agriculture: The total of the cash receipts from agriculture was summed to be annually $4.2 billion every year. It is not possible for the economy to stand without the agriculture sector as it is the basic need. It also contributes 1.7% to the GDP of the state every year.

Arizona LLC Dissolution Review

Time needed: 5 minutes

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

  1. Follow your Arizona 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 All 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 is 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, in Arizona, there is a fee of $35 to be paid for filing the Articles of Dissolution. It is a fixed amount paid to the Arizona Secretary of State while dissolving your LLC.

Is the revenue department clearance required for dissolution?

No, there is no requirement of revenue department clearance till the time the SOS of Arizona 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 your property or personal assets can be seized to recover the outstanding 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 Arizona

To dissolve an LLC in Arizona you need to file the Articles of Termination with the Alaska Corporation Commission and pay a filing fee of $35.

In Arizona, the process of dissolving an LLC can be complex and costly, requiring careful attention to detail and compliance with state regulations. Understanding the steps involved in dissolving an LLC can help business owners navigate this process with confidence and ensure that they are prepared for the financial implications that may arise.

One of the first considerations when dissolving an LLC in Arizona is the legal requirements that must be met. This includes filing the appropriate paperwork with the Arizona Corporation Commission, notifying creditors and other interested parties, and cancelling any licenses or permits that were obtained for the operation of the business. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in fines or other penalties, adding to the overall cost of dissolution.

Another important factor to consider is the financial impact of dissolving an LLC. Depending on the size and complexity of the business, there may be outstanding debts, taxes, or legal obligations that must be settled before the dissolution can be finalized. This can include paying off creditors, finalizing contracts with vendors or suppliers, or addressing any ongoing legal disputes.

In addition to these immediate financial costs, there may be long-term consequences to consider as well. For example, if the LLC has assets that need to be sold or distributed to members, there may be tax implications that could impact the overall cost of dissolution. Similarly, if the business has ongoing contracts or obligations that need to be fulfilled, there may be additional costs associated with winding down these operations.

Ultimately, the cost of dissolving an LLC in Arizona can vary widely depending on the specific circumstances of the business and the nature of its operations. However, it is important for business owners to be prepared for these potential costs and to seek professional guidance if necessary to ensure that the process is handled efficiently and effectively.

In conclusion, the dissolution of an LLC in Arizona can be a complex and costly process that requires careful consideration and planning. By understanding the legal requirements, financial implications, and long-term consequences of dissolution, business owners can navigate this process with confidence and minimize the overall cost of closing their business entity.

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 Arizona. If you have any query do let us know in the comment box.

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