How to Dissolve a Wisconsin Corporation
How do you dissolve a Wisconsin Corporation?
To dissolve your Wisconsin Corporation, file Articles of Dissolution Business Corporation (Form 10) with Wisconsin’s Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Corporate and Consumer Services (DFI) by mail or online. You may draft your own articles of dissolution, use of Form 10 is not mandatory.
Wisconsin Corporation Dissolution FAQ
Where do I submit my Articles of Dissolution?
Mail:
WI-Dept. of Financial Institutions
P.O. Box 93348
Milwaukee, WI 53293-0348
Express Mail Address:
WI-Dept. of Financial Institutions
Division of Corporate and Consumer Affairs
4822 Madison Yards Way, North Tower
Madison, WI 53705
Online:
Department of Financial Institutions
Note: When filing for dissolution, you should include your original document and one exact copy. Also include a check for fees payable to the Department of Financial Institutions.
Is there a filing fee to dissolve or cancel a corporation in Wisconsin?
There is a $35 filing fee to file the Articles of Dissolution. Processing may be expedited for an additional $25 fee.
Note: If your corporation is in delinquent status (hasn’t filed its Wisconsin Annual Report) when you file for dissolution, you will have to pay all the fees you owe the DFI or they won’t process the dissolution.
How long does it take Wisconsin to process the filing?
Online filings are generally processed the same day they are received. Mailed filings take approximately five business days (add time for mailing). Expedited processing (add $25) speeds mail processing up to about one business day.
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 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.
Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions Business Entity Forms
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.