How Much Does It Cost to Dissolve an LLC in 2026?

One of the first questions people ask when closing their LLC is, "How much is this going to cost?" The answer depends on your state, how many states your LLC is registered in, and whether you handle the process yourself or hire help. This guide breaks down every cost you should expect in 2026.

State Filing Fees for Dissolution

Every state charges its own fee to process articles of dissolution. Here is what you can expect in the most popular states for LLC formation:

Alabama: $100
Arizona: $0 (no filing fee)
California: $0 (no filing fee, but you may owe final franchise tax)
Colorado: $0 (no filing fee)
Delaware: $204
Florida: $25
Georgia: $0 (no filing fee)
Illinois: $0 (no filing fee)
New Jersey: $0 (no filing fee)
New York: $60
North Carolina: $0 (no filing fee)
Ohio: $25
Pennsylvania: $70
Texas: $40
Virginia: $25
Washington: $0 (no filing fee)
Wyoming: $0 (no filing fee)

As you can see, many states charge nothing to file for dissolution. Others keep fees modest. Delaware is among the more expensive at $204. The filing fee alone is rarely the main cost driver.

Hidden Costs to Watch For

The state filing fee is just one piece of the puzzle. Here are the costs that catch people off guard:

Outstanding Annual Report Fees

If you have missed annual report filings, you will need to bring them current before (or as part of) the dissolution. Late fees and penalties vary by state but can add hundreds of dollars. For example, Florida charges a $400 late fee for missing the annual report deadline. If you are behind by multiple years, those fees stack up.

Back Taxes and Franchise Taxes

States like California charge an $800 minimum franchise tax for every year your LLC existed. If you have been putting off dissolution for two years, that is $1,600 in franchise tax alone, not counting penalties and interest. Texas, Delaware, and several other states also have annual taxes or fees that must be current before dissolution is approved.

Tax Clearance Costs

Some states require a tax clearance certificate before accepting your dissolution filing. While the certificate itself is usually free, getting to the point where the state will issue one (paying all outstanding taxes and penalties) can be expensive if you have fallen behind.

Publication Costs

A few states, most notably New York, may require you to publish notice of the dissolution in newspapers. New York's publication requirements for formation can cost $1,000 or more. While dissolution publication requirements are less common, check your state's rules.

Registered Agent Fees

If you use a registered agent service, you are typically paying $100 to $300 per year. Until your dissolution is fully processed, you still need an active registered agent. Factor in the remaining time on your current subscription.

Cost of Professional Help

Dissolution Services

Professional dissolution services (like ours) typically charge between $99 and $599, plus state filing fees. This covers the preparation and filing of dissolution documents, research into your state's specific requirements, and tracking the filing through to completion.

You can see our exact pricing on our pricing page. We keep things transparent, so there are no surprise fees.

Lawyers

If your situation requires legal counsel (outstanding debts, member disputes, complex assets), expect to pay $500 to $3,000 or more for attorney assistance with dissolution. Business attorneys in major metro areas typically charge $250 to $500 per hour. Even a simple dissolution might require two to five hours of their time.

CPAs and Tax Professionals

Filing final tax returns through a CPA typically costs $300 to $800, depending on the complexity of your LLC's tax situation. If you have been filing your own taxes, you may be able to handle the final returns yourself, but a CPA is recommended if your LLC had multiple members, elected corporate tax treatment, or had significant income.

We handle the hard parts for you.

From paperwork to state filings, starting at $99.

Get Started

Total Cost Estimates

Here are realistic total cost ranges for different scenarios:

Simple, single-state LLC (DIY): $0 to $250 (state fee plus your time)
Simple LLC with dissolution service: $99 to $600 (service fee plus state fee)
Multi-state LLC: $400 to $1,500 (multiple state fees plus service or attorney fees)
LLC with back taxes or penalties: $1,000 to $5,000+ (depends on how much you owe)
Complex LLC with attorney: $1,000 to $5,000+ (attorney fees plus state fees plus tax professional)

How to Minimize Costs

The biggest cost-saving move is to dissolve promptly. Every year you delay adds another cycle of annual fees, franchise taxes, and registered agent costs. If you have decided your LLC is no longer needed, act quickly.

Other ways to keep costs down:

File all outstanding annual reports before they generate additional penalties
Pay any outstanding state taxes to avoid interest accumulation
Use a dissolution service instead of a lawyer for straightforward dissolutions
Handle your own final tax returns if your situation is simple

Ready to see what dissolution will cost for your LLC? Start with our dissolution page and we will give you a clear picture based on your state and situation.