How to Dissolve a Wisconsin Corporation
How do you dissolve a Wisconsin Corporation?
To dissolve your Wisconsin Corporation, file Wisconsin Form 10, Articles of Dissolution – Stock For-Profit Corporation with the Department of Financial Institutions: Division of Corporate and Consumer Services (DFI). You are not required to use the DFI form. You may choose to draft your own Articles of Dissolution. The form is available on the DFI website or in your online account immediately, when you sign up for Wisconsin registered agent service with Northwest.
Submit the original and one exact copy. The DFI accepts documents by mail, commercial delivery, or personal delivery. Make checks for fees payable to the “Department of Financial Institutions.”
Department of Financial Institutions
Division of Corporate and Consumer Services
Corporate Section
Mailing Address:
PO Box 7846
Madison WI 53707
Express Mail Address:
345 W. Washington Avenue 3rd Floor
Madison WI 53703
Phone: 608-261-7577
Fax: 608-267-6813
Wisconsin Corporation Dissolution FAQ
Is there a filing fee to dissolve or cancel a Wisconsin Corporation?
There is a $20 filing fee to dissolve your Wisconsin Corporation.
For expedited filing there is an additional $25 fee.
If your corporation is in delinquent status when you file for dissolution, you have to pay all the annual report fees you owe to DFI in addition to the dissolution filing fee.
Do you need a Department of Revenue clearance before the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions will accept your dissolution?
No. You don’t need the tax clearance certificate to dissolve a corporation or LLC in Wisconsin, but you may need to file a Final Return if one is due. Call the Wisconsin Department of Revenue at (608) 266-0800 to find out if you need to file a Final Return.
How long does it take the state to process the filing?
Wisconsin Articles of Dissolution are processed in about 5 business days.
Expedited processing is completed by the end of the next business day after filing. Make sure you mark documents “for expedited processing”
How long before someone can take your business name?
When a corporation files articles of dissolution, it can choose to terminate its rights to its name on the effective date of the articles OR it can chose a period of 120 days during which other entities may not use the corporate name. You check a box on the articles of dissolution form if you want to release the name for use immediately.
If a Wisconsin corporation is administratively dissolved, the corporation loses its right to the exclusive use of its name on the date of its dissolution.
What is the penalty if you just don’t file your annual reports?
If a Wisconsin corporation does not file its annual reports and fees, it may be administratively dissolved. One year after the annual report is due; the DFI will send the corporation notice that there are grounds for dissolution. If the corporation does not file the late report and fee within 60 days of receiving the notice, the DFI will administratively dissolve the corporation.
A delinquent (not yet dissolved) corporation may correct its bad status by filing a current annual report and paying any late annual report fees. To request the appropriate forms to correct delinquent status call the DFI at (608) 261-7577.
DFI forms:
Wisconsin DFI Corporations Forms List
If you’d like help establishing another company, you may find our incorporation filing service and Wisconsin registered agent service helpful. We provide all the forms and filing instructions you may need in your online account, or you can just hire us to do the filing for you.