{"id":4659,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:37","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/closing-a-business\/terms-of-dissolution-glossary.html"},"modified":"2024-05-23T00:50:38","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T05:50:38","slug":"terms-of-dissolution-glossary","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/closing-a-business\/terms-of-dissolution-glossary.html","title":{"rendered":"Dissolving a Business: Terms You Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30  wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-section-main fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Dissolving a Business: Terms You Should Know<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/susan-buckner-j-d\/\">Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/aviana-cooper-esq\/\">Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            May 23, 2024\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-editorial-note fl-text-sm\">\n            <p>Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n<p>Whether&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/closing-a-business\/selling-a-business.html\">selling your business<\/a>, breaking up a partnership, or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/closing-a-business\/how-to-close-a-business.html\">shutting your business down&nbsp;<\/a>completely, dissolving a business is complicated. Federal and state laws may require&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/closing-a-business\/forms-notice-and-articles-of-dissolution.html\">notice of dissolution<\/a>&nbsp;for incorporated businesses and limited liability companies (LLCs). You may also need to notify creditors, partners, suppliers, other stakeholders, and contractors.<\/p>\r\n<p>When a business closes, it triggers financial obligations for the business owners. There are several steps you must take before your business shuts down.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Notify all employees of the closure, and issue final paychecks. Business bank accounts must remain open until all paychecks have cleared.<\/li>\r\n<li>Calculate the value of the remaining assets.<\/li>\r\n<li>Pay all outstanding invoices to vendors and service providers. Cancel any repeating contracts.<\/li>\r\n<li>Pay off all creditors and lenders. Make provisions for long-term loans and notes.<\/li>\r\n<li>Final federal, state, and local taxes will be due the year following the dissolution. Coordinate with your accountant for payment when next year&#8217;s tax forms are available.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2>Glossary of Terms for Shutting Down a Business<\/h2>\r\n<p>Shutting down or selling a business involves decisions by owners, the board of directors, shareholders, or even the courts. Federal and state regulations may come into play if a business has filed for bankruptcy or reorganization. Small business owners should know the legal terms used for selling or dissolving a business.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Administrative dissolution.<\/b>&nbsp;Dissolution of a corporation by the state, usually by the Secretary of State, for such things as failing to pay taxes, delivering an annual report, or operating without a registered agent.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Articles of dissolution.<\/b>&nbsp;The document that a corporation files with the secretary of state that causes the dissolution of the corporation.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Assumed name\/trade name.&nbsp;<\/b>A&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/starting-a-business\/fictitious-business-names-do-you-need-one.html\">fictitious name<\/a>&nbsp;used by a business.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Business assets.<\/b>&nbsp;The inventory, fixtures, and property owned by the company.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Business licenses.&nbsp;<\/b>A state or county requires a business license to carry out trade. Each state has its own requirements for issuing such a license.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Business name.<\/b> The name of the company. A trademarked or proprietary name may not be part of the sale of the business.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Certificate of assumed name, trade name, or fictitious name.<\/b>&nbsp;A certificate granted by a state authority (usually the secretary of state) that allows you to transact business under a name other than your own.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Certificate of authority.<\/b>&nbsp;A certificate granted by a state authority (usually the secretary of state) that allows a foreign corporation to conduct business.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Certificate of dissolution.<\/b>&nbsp;The official certificate issued after a business dissolution. This is available to creditors and vendors as proof the business no longer exists.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Dissolution.&nbsp;<\/b>Termination of a business&#8217;s existence.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Employer Identification Number (EIN).<\/b>&nbsp;A unique identification number issued by the IRS for each business. Used for federal tax returns and other tax purposes.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Final tax returns.<\/b>&nbsp;The last tax return filed following a business&#8217;s sale or dissolution. The final return is due the year following the sale or dissolution.<\/p>\r\n<p><b><a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/goodwill.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Goodwill<\/a>.<\/b>&nbsp;An intangible asset consisting of a business&#8217;s reputation in the community. Goodwill is an important part of a business sale.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Indemnity.<\/b>&nbsp;Shifting the responsibility for satisfying losses resulting from liability from one party to another.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Intellectual property.<\/b>&nbsp;An intangible asset consisting of ideas, trade secrets, patents, copyrights, applications, data, or formulae. These are important parts of a business sale or dissolution.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Involuntary dissolution.<\/b> A dissolution that corporate shareholders do not initiate. See&nbsp;<i>administrative dissolution<\/i>.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Limited liability company.<\/b>&nbsp;A business entity that offers&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/incorporation-and-legal-structures\/llcs.html\">limited liability<\/a>&nbsp;to its members without being a corporation.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Liability insurance.<\/b>&nbsp;A type of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/liability-and-insurance.html\">commercial insurance<\/a>&nbsp;that protects a business from injuries it causes to third parties.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Liquidation.<\/b>&nbsp;Collecting assets, converting assets to money, paying debts, and distributing the surplus during the closing of a business.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Notice of intent to dissolve.<\/b>&nbsp;A document informing the secretary of state that your corporation will be dissolving.<\/p>\r\n<p><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/business-operations\/what-is-an-llc-operating-agreement.html\">Operating agreement<\/a>.<\/b> The contract of terms and conditions for members of an LLC.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Partnership.<\/b> Two or more people&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/incorporation-and-legal-structures\/partnerships.html\">who carry on a business for profit.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Partnership agreement.<\/b>&nbsp;A contract that partners enter into that sets up the terms of their partnership.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Settlement.<\/b>&nbsp;In a dissolution, the terms and conditions of the dissolution or reorganization.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Sole proprietorship.<\/b>&nbsp;Ownership of a business&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/incorporation-and-legal-structures\/sole-proprietorships.html\">by one person<\/a>. Sole proprietors may become LLCs by filing the correct documentation.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Voluntary dissolution.<\/b>&nbsp;A dissolution approved by the directors and shareholders of a corporation, partners in a partnership, or members of a limited liability company.<\/p>\r\n<p><b>Winding up.<\/b>&nbsp;Liquidating a business.<\/p>\r\n<h2>Confused? Get Help Dissolving Your Business from a Legal Professional<\/h2>\r\n<p>Consult an attorney first if you&#8217;re dissolving your business or about to embark on a new path. The cost of hiring a lawyer may seem too high, but legal professionals save your business time and money in the long run. Find the right&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/business-commercial-law\/?fli-dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">business and commercial law attorney<\/a>&nbsp;near you.<\/p>\r\n<p>See FindLaw&#8217;s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/closing-a-business.html\">Closing a Business<\/a>&nbsp;section for more articles and resources.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n      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