CORPORATE DISSOLUTIONOHIO
Electronic Version
STATUTORY REFERENCE
OHIO REVISED CODE, Title 17, §§ 1701.86 through 1701.90 (General Corporation Law)
INTRODUCTORY NOTES AND LAW SUMMARY
An Ohio corporation may voluntarily dissolve subject to certain restrictions and guidelines.
There are three different ways to dissolve an Ohio corporation. DISSOLUTION BY DIRECTORS
The directors (or a Receiver or Trustees in certain circumstances) may adopt a resolution of
dissolution in the following cases:
When the corporation has been adjudged bankrupt or has made a general assignment for
the benefit of creditors;
By leave of the court, when a receiver has been appointed in a general creditors' sui t or in
any suit in which the affairs of the corporation are to be wound up;
When substantially all of the assets have been sold at judicial sale or otherwise;
When the articles have been canceled for failure to file annual franchise or exc ise tax
returns or for failure to pay franchise or excise taxes and the corporation has not been
reinstated or does not desire to be reinstated; or
When the period of existence of the corporation specified in its articles has expired.
When a Resolution of Dissolution is adopted, a Certificate of Dissolution MUST be prepared
ON A FORM PRESCRIBED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE . The Certificate of
Dissolution must set forth the following:
The name of the corporation;
A statement that a resolution of dissolution has been adopted;
A statement of the manner of adoption of such resolution, and, in the case of its adoption
by the incorporators or directors, a statement of the basis for such adoption;
The place in Ohio where the corporation's principal office is or is to be located;
The names and addresses of its directors and officers, unless the resolution of dissolution
is adopted by the incorporators, in which event the names and addresses of the
incorporators shall be set forth in the certificate; and
The name and address of the corporation's statutory agent.
The Certificate of Dissolution must be signed as follows: When the resolution of dissolution is adopted by the incorporators or a majority of them,
the certificate shall be signed by not less than a majority of them; or
When the resolution is adopted by the directors or by the shareholders, the certificate
shall be signed by any authorized officer, unless the officer fails to execute and file such
certificate within thirty days after the adoption of the resolution or upon any date
specified in the resolution as the date upon which such certificate is to be file d or upon
the expiration of any period specified in the resolution as the period within which such
certificate is to be filed, whichever is latest, in which event the certi ficate of dissolution
may be signed by any three shareholders and shall set forth a statement that the pe rsons
signing the certificate are shareholders and are filing the certificate because of the failure
of the officers to do so.
A certificate of dissolution, filed with the secretary of state, shall be accompanied by: An affidavit of one or more of the persons executing the certificate of dissolution or of an
officer of the corporation containing a statement of the counties, if any, in this st ate in
which the corporation has personal property or a statement that the corporation is of a
type required to pay personal property taxes to state authorities only;
A receipt, certificate, or other evidence showing the payment of all franchise, sale s, use,
and highway use taxes accruing up to the date of such filing, or that such payment has
been adequately guaranteed;
A receipt, certificate, or other evidence showing the payment of all personal property
taxes accruing up to the date of such filing;
A receipt, certificate, or other evidence from the bureau of employment services showi ng
that all contributions due from the corporation as an employer have been paid, or that
such payment has been adequately guaranteed, or that the corporation is not subject to
such contributions; and
A receipt, certificate, or other evidence from the bureau of workers' compensation
showing that all premiums due from the corporation as an employer have been paid, or
that such payment has been adequately guaranteed, or that the corporation is not subject
to such premium payments.
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, in lieu of the receipt, certificate, or other evidence
described above, an affidavit of one or more persons executing the certificate of
dissolution or of an officer of the corporation containing a statement of the date upon
which the particular department, agency, or authority was advised in writing of the
scheduled date of filing of the certificate of dissolution and was advised in writing of
the acknowledgment by the corporation of the applicability of the provisions of section
1701.95 of the Revised Code.
When the Certificate of Dissolution is filed with the Secretary of State, togethe r with the
requisite accompanying documents, the corporation is dissolved.
DISSOLUTION BY INCORPORATORS
The incorporators, or a majority of them, may adopt, by a writing signed by them, a resolution of
dissolution ifAn initial stated capital is not recited in the Articles of Incorporation; or
The total initial capital recited in the Articles has not yet been received.
When a Resolution of Dissolution is adopted, a Certificate of Dissolution MUST be prepared
ON A FORM PRESCRIBED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE . The Certificate of
Dissolution must set forth the following:
The name of the corporation;
A statement that a resolution of dissolution has been adopted;
A statement of the manner of adoption of such resolution, and, in the case of its adoption
by the incorporators or directors, a statement of the basis for such adoption;
The place in Ohio where the corporation's principal office is or is to be located;
The names and addresses of its directors and officers, unless the resolution of dissolution
is adopted by the incorporators, in which event the names and addresses of the
incorporators shall be set forth in the certificate; and
The name and address of the corporation's statutory agent.
The Certificate of Dissolution must be signed as follows: When the resolution of dissolution is adopted by the incorporators or a majority of them,
the certificate shall be signed by not less than a majority of them; or
When the resolution is adopted by the directors or by the shareholders, the certificate
shall be signed by any authorized officer, unless the officer fails to execute and file such
certificate within thirty days after the adoption of the resolution or upon any date
specified in the resolution as the date upon which such certificate is to be file d or upon
the expiration of any period specified in the resolution as the period within which such
certificate is to be filed, whichever is latest, in which event the certi ficate of dissolution
may be signed by any three shareholders and shall set forth a statement that the pe rsons
signing the certificate are shareholders and are filing the certificate because of the failure
of the officers to do so.
A certificate of dissolution, filed with the secretary of state, shall be accompanied by:
An affidavit of one or more of the persons executing the certificate of dissolution or of an
officer of the corporation containing a statement of the counties, if any, in this st ate in
which the corporation has personal property or a statement that the corporation is of a
type required to pay personal property taxes to state authorities only;
A receipt, certificate, or other evidence showing the payment of all franchise, sale s, use,
and highway use taxes accruing up to the date of such filing, or that such payment has
been adequately guaranteed;
A receipt, certificate, or other evidence showing the payment of all personal property
taxes accruing up to the date of such filing;
A receipt, certificate, or other evidence from the bureau of employment services showi ng
that all contributions due from the corporation as an employer have been paid, or that
such payment has been adequately guaranteed, or that the corporation is not subject to
such contributions; and
A receipt, certificate, or other evidence from the bureau of workers' compensation
showing that all premiums due from the corporation as an employer have been paid, or
that such payment has been adequately guaranteed, or that the corporation is not subject
to such premium payments.
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, in lieu of the receipt, certificate, or other evidence
described above, an affidavit of one or more persons executing the certificate of
dissolution or of an officer of the corporation containing a statement of the date upon
which the particular department, agency, or authority was advised in writing of the
scheduled date of filing of the certificate of dissolution and was advised in writing of
the acknowledgment by the corporation of the applicability of the provisions of section
1701.95 of the Revised Code.
When the Certificate of Dissolution is filed with the Secretary of State, togethe r with the
requisite accompanying documents, the corporation is dissolved.
DISSOLUTION BY SHAREHOLDERS
The shareholders, at a meeting held for the purpose of adopting a resolution of dissolution, may
adopt a resolution of dissolution byThe affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitling them to exercise two-thirds of the
voting power of the corporation on such proposal; or,
The affirmative vote, if the articles provide or permit, of a greater or lesser proporti on,
though less than a majority, of such voting power, and by such affirmative vote of the
holders of shares of any particular class as is required by the articles.
Notice of the meeting of the shareholders that is held for the purpose of adopting a
resolution of dissolution must be given to each shareholder, whether or not that
shareholder is entitled to vote at such a meeting.
When a Resolution of Dissolution is adopted, a Certificate of Dissolution MUST be prepared
ON A FORM PRESCRIBED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE . The Certificate of
Dissolution must set forth the following:
The name of the corporation;
A statement that a resolution of dissolution has been adopted;
A statement of the manner of adoption of such resolution, and, in the case of its adoption
by the incorporators or directors, a statement of the basis for such adoption;
The place in Ohio where the corporation's principal office is or is to be located;
The names and addresses of its directors and officers, unless the resolution of dissolution
is adopted by the incorporators, in which event the names and addresses of the
incorporators shall be set forth in the certificate; and
The name and address of the corporation's statutory agent.
The Certificate of Dissolution must be signed as follows: When the resolution of dissolution is adopted by the incorporators or a majority of them,
the certificate shall be signed by not less than a majority of them; or
When the resolution is adopted by the directors or by the shareholders, the certificate
shall be signed by any authorized officer, unless the officer fails to execute and file such
certificate within thirty days after the adoption of the resolution or upon any date
specified in the resolution as the date upon which such certificate is to be file d or upon
the expiration of any period specified in the resolution as the period within which such
certificate is to be filed, whichever is latest, in which event the certi ficate of dissolution
may be signed by any three shareholders and shall set forth a statement that the pe rsons
signing the certificate are shareholders and are filing the certificate because of the failure
of the officers to do so.
A certificate of dissolution, filed with the secretary of state, shall be accompanied by: An affidavit of one or more of the persons executing the certificate of dissolution or of an
officer of the corporation containing a statement of the counties, if any, in this st ate in
which the corporation has personal property or a statement that the corporation is of a
type required to pay personal property taxes to state authorities only;
A receipt, certificate, or other evidence showing the payment of all franchise, sale s, use,
and highway use taxes accruing up to the date of such filing, or that such payment has
been adequately guaranteed;
A receipt, certificate, or other evidence showing the payment of all personal property
taxes accruing up to the date of such filing;
A receipt, certificate, or other evidence from the bureau of employment services showi ng
that all contributions due from the corporation as an employer have been paid, or that
such payment has been adequately guaranteed, or that the corporation is not subject to
such contributions; and
A receipt, certificate, or other evidence from the bureau of workers' compensation
showing that all premiums due from the corporation as an employer have been paid, or
that such payment has been adequately guaranteed, or that the corporation is not subject
to such premium payments.
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, in lieu of the receipt, certificate, or other evidence
described above, an affidavit of one or more persons executing the certificate of
dissolution or of an officer of the corporation containing a statement of the date upon
which the particular department, agency, or authority was advised in writing of the
scheduled date of filing of the certificate of dissolution and was advised in writing of
the acknowledgment by the corporation of the applicability of the provisions of section
1701.95 of the Revised Code.
When the Certificate of Dissolution is filed with the Secretary of State, togethe r with the
requisite accompanying documents, the corporation is dissolved.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
A. When a corporation is dissolved voluntarily, the corporation shall cease to carry on business and shall do only such acts as are required to wind up its affairs.
B. Any claim existing or action or proceeding pending by or against the corporation or which would have accrued against it may be prosecuted to judgment, with right of appeal as in other
cases, but any proceeding, execution, or process, or the satisfaction or performance of any
order, judgment, or decree, may be stayed as provided in section 1701.89 of the Revised
Code.
C. Any process, notice, or demand against the corporation may be served by delivering a copy to an officer, director, liquidator, or person having charge of its assets or, if no such person
can be found, to the statutory agent.
D. The directors of the corporation and their survivors or successors shall act as a board of directors in accordance with the regulations and bylaws until the affairs of the corporat ion are
completely wound up. Subject to the orders of courts of this state having jurisdiction over the
corporation, the directors shall proceed as speedily as is practicable to a compl ete winding up
of the affairs of the corporation and, to the extent necessary or expedient to that end, sha ll
exercise all the authority of the corporation. Without limiting the generality of such authority,
they may fill vacancies, elect officers, carry out contracts of the corporation, ma ke new
contracts, borrow money, mortgage or pledge the property of the corporation as security, sell
its assets at public or private sale, make conveyances in the corporate name, le ase real estate
for any term, including ninety-nine years renewable forever, settle or compromise claim s in
favor of or against the corporation, employ one or more persons as liquidators to wind up the
affairs of the corporation with such authority as the directors see fit to grant, cause t he title to
any of the assets of the corporation to be conveyed to such liquidators for that purpose, apply
assets to the payment of obligations, and, after paying or adequately providing for the
payment of all known obligations of the corporation, distribute the remainder of the assets
either in cash or in kind among the shareholders according to their respective rights a nd
interests. In addition, they may perform all other acts necessary or expedient to the winding
up of the affairs of the corporation.
E. Without limiting the authority of the directors and subject to division (E) of section 1701.76
of the Revised Code, any action which is authorized or approved at a meeting held for such
purpose by the holders of shares entitling them to receive two-thirds of the value of the remaining assets
shall be conclusive for all purposes upon all shareholders of the corporation.
F. All deeds and other instruments of the corporation shall be in the name of the corporation and
shall be executed, acknowledged, and delivered by the officers appointed by the directors.
G. At any time during the winding up of its affairs, the corporation by its directors may make
application to the court of common pleas of the county in this state in which t he principal
office of the corporation is located to have the winding up continued under supervision of the
court, as provided in section 1701.89 of the Revised Code.
STEPS TO DISSOLVE AN OHIO CORPORATION
Step 1: SEE FORM 1: CERTIFICATE OF DISSOLUTION BY SHAREHOLDERS,
DIRECTORS, OR INCORPORATORS
THIS FORM SHOULD BE TYPED OR PRINTED LEGIBLY IN BLACK
INK.
You can get EXPEDITED service for the payment of an additional $100.00. If
you want expedited service, indicate that at the top right side of the Certific ate of
Dissolution. Otherwise, indicate “NO” in this section.
Section One: Type of Filing
Indicate whether the corporation is being dissolved by Shareholders,
Directors, or Incorporators.
Section Two: General Information
Provide the EXACT name and Charter Number of the corporation.
Provide the name and title of the representative of the corporation who is
certifying the information provided in this Certificate.
Provide the effective date of the dissolution. NOTE: This date cannot be
more than 90 days after the date of filing.
Provide the City and County of the principal office of the corporation.
Provide the name and address of the statutory agent for the corporation.
If the statutory agent has changed from that listed on the Secretary of
State’s records, complete the ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT.
Section Three: Complete this section ONLY if the dissolution is by
Shareholders or Directors.
Provide the name and complete street address of each director of the
corporation.
Provide the name and complete street address of each officer of the
corporation.
Section Four: complete this section ONLY if the dissolution is by
Shareholders.
Indicate how the resolution to dissolve was adopted.
Provide the requested authorized signature and date.
Section Five: Complete this section ONLY if the dissolution is by Directors.Provide the particular subsection number of §1701.86(D) applicable to
the dissolution of the corporation. See §1701.86(D below.
§ 1701.86(D) The directors may adopt a resolution of dissolution in the
following cases: (1) When the corporation has been adjudged bankrupt or has made a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;
(2) By leave of the court, when a receiver has been appointed in a general
creditors' suit or in any suit in which the affairs of the corporation are
to be wound up;
(3) When substantially all of the assets have been sold at judicial sale or otherwise;
(4) When the articles have been canceled for failure to file annual franchise or excise tax returns or for failure to pay franchise or excise
taxes and the corporation has not been reinstated or does not desire to
be reinstated;
(5) When the period of existence of the corporation specified in its articles
has expired
Indicate whether the dissolution was approved at a duly called meeting or
in writing by the directors.
Provide the requested authorized signature and date.
Section Six: Complete this information ONLY if the dissolution is by the
Incorporators.
Provide the name and complete street address of each Incorporator.
Provide the requested authorized signature(s) and date(s).
Section Seven: Affidavit in lieu of dissolution. Complete this section and file
the various certificates from the below listed government agencies with the
Certificate of Dissolution.
A corporation that files a Certificate of Dissolution with the Ohio Secretary of
State is required to file with that Certificate evidence from certain Ohio
governmental agencies that the corporation has paid certain taxes, made certain
contributions, or had made provision for those payments or contributions. There
are two ways to satisfy this requirement:
THE AFFIDAVIT METHOD - In lieu of obtaining the certificates as set out
above from the Department of Taxation, the Bureau of Employment Services, the
Bureau of Worker's Compensation, and any county treasurer, an Affidavit may be
filed. Each of the government agencies listed in the Affidavit MUST be notified
of the filing of the Certificate of Dissolution EVEN IF THE CORPORATION IS
NOT SUBJECT TO PAYMENTS TO EACH AGENCY. The Affidavit is
evidence of the corporation's acknowledgement that its dissolution does not
relieve it of the liability for payment of taxes and contributions to any of these
agencies. NOTE: When the agencies are notified, they may require the filing of
additional forms and the payment of additional fees.
THE CERTIFICATE METHOD - The Corporation must obtain the following
certificates and file them with the Certificate of dissolution:
A. TAX CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE
(1) A Tax Clearance Certificate (Ohio Department of Taxation Form D-2) signed by the Tax Commissioner which provides that all franchise,
sales, use and highway taxes due through the date of the filing of the
Certificate of Dissolution have been paid or that their payment has
been guaranteed.
(2) In order to receive a Tax Clearance Certificate, the corporation must
complete parts I and II of Ohio Department of Taxation Form D-5
(3) Do not file FORM D-5 with the Secretary of State. This form should
be filed with:
Ohio Department of Taxation
Dissolution Section
ATTN: Corporate Dissolution Unit
Box 182382
Columbus, Ohio 43218-2382
B. A personal property tax release certificate must be obtained from the County Treasurer of EACH county in which the corporation has taxable
personal property. If the corporation is required to pay personal property
tax to the Treasurer of State, a release must also be obtained from that
official.
C. A receipt or other release from the Ohio Job and Family Services showing that all of the contributions due from the corporation as an employer to the
Unemployment Compensation Fund have been paid, that such payment is
guaranteed, or that the corporation is not subject to pay these
contributions. The address of the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services is
Ohio Job and Family Services
145 S. Front Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
D. A receipt or other release from the Ohio Bureau of Worker's Compensation showing that all of the premiums due from the corporation
as an employer to the Worker's Compensation Fund have been paid, that
such payment is guaranteed, or that the corporation is not subject to pay
these premiums. The address of the Ohio Bureau of Worker's
Compensation is
Ohio Bureau of Worker's Compensation
246 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Section Eight: Affidavit of Personal Property.
Complete the Affidavit and have it signed by the authorized representative of
the corporation BEFORE A NOTARY PUBLIC.
Step 2: Mail the original and one copy of the CERTIFICATE OF DISSOLUTION BY SHAREHOLDERS, DIRECTORS, OR INCORPORATORS along with the
$50.00 filing fee and any applicable expedite fee (make check payable to Ohio
Secretary of State) to
For multiple filings:
Secretary of State
Business Services Division
PO Box 1028
Columbus, OH 43216
For expedited filings: (mark package as EXPEDITE)
Secretary of State
Business Services Division
PO Box 1390
Columbus, OH 43216
For filing via overnight express packages: Secretary of StateBusiness Services Division
30 E. Broad St., 14th Fl
Columbus, OH 43215
To obtain and/or confirm the new mailing addresses for
specific types of Business Services filings call (614) 466-3910
Ohio Secretary of State, Business Services Division
30 E. Broad St., 14th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43266-0418
Telephone: 614-466-3910
FAX: 614-466-3899
Toll Free: 1-877-SOS-FILE (1-877-767-3453)
Step 3: § 1701.87 Public notice of voluntary dissolution.
Following the filing of the certificate of dissolution, the directors or the
incorporators, as the case may be, shall forthwith cause a notice of voluntary
dissolution to be published once a week on the same day of each week for two
successive weeks, in a newspaper published and of general circulation in the
county in which the principal office of the corporation was to be or is located, and
shall forthwith cause written notice of dissolution to be given either personally or
by mail to all known creditors of, and to all known claimants against, the
dissolved corporation.
FORM 1
CERTIFICATE OF DISSOLUTION BY SHAREHOLDERS, DIRECTORS OR
INCORPORATORS
Download the form by clicking the link below, or copying the link into the address window of your web browser.
http://www.uslegalforms.com/dissolution/OH/OH-Diss.pdf
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Fill out this form, and mail it in as directed.
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