- Corporate Dissolution & Cancellation Services — Canada-Wide
Dissolve & Cancel
Your Business
Closing a business is a legal process — not just walking away. Properly dissolving your corporation, sole proprietorship, partnership, or trade name ends your legal obligations, protects you from future liability, and closes your registry records correctly. AMQ Legals handles every type of dissolution across all Canadian jurisdictions.
🛡️ Ends All Legal Obligations
⚡ Fast Processing
🇨🇦 All Jurisdictions
✅ Expert Legal Review
Dissolution Services
Choose Your Service
Dissolution & Cancellation Services
Every business type requires a different type of dissolution filing. Select the service that matches your business structure below. All filings include expert legal review and government-confirmed documentation.
Dissolve a Corporation
Formally dissolve a provincially or federally incorporated corporation by filing Articles of Dissolution with the government registry. This legally winds up the corporation, cancels its registration, and ends all annual filing requirements.
What’s Included
- Articles of Dissolution prepared & filed
- Applies to Ontario, federal & all provinces
- Certificate of Dissolution issued by the registry
- Ends annual return and compliance obligations
- Expert legal review included
Dissolve Sole Proprietorship
Cancel your sole proprietorship registration with the Ontario Business Registry. If you registered your business under your own name or a trade name as a sole proprietor, this filing formally cancels that registration and removes your obligation to renew the MBL.
What’s Included
- Sole proprietorship cancellation filed with the registry
- Applicable to Ontario Business Registry registrations
- Ends MBL renewal obligations
- Confirmation of cancellation delivered by email
Dissolve a Partnership
Cancel a registered general or limited partnership with the Ontario Business Registry. This is required when partners decide to cease business operations or reorganize under a different structure, ending all registry obligations for the existing partnership.
What’s Included
- Applies to general and limited partnerships
- Cancellation filed with the Ontario Business Registry
- Ends ongoing MBL and registry obligations
- Confirmation of cancellation delivered by email
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Dissolve a Trade Name
Cancel a registered trade name (DBA — Doing Business As) with the Ontario Business Registry. If you’re no longer using a specific business name to operate, this filing removes it from the registry and frees you from future renewal requirements for that name.
- Trade name cancellation filed with the registry
- Frees the name for use by others
- Ends all MBL and renewal obligations for that name
- Confirmation of cancellation delivered by email
Cancel Business Registration
Cancel an existing unincorporated business registration — including sole proprietorships, trade names, partnerships, or MBLs — that are no longer in use. This service is for businesses that are already inactive but still appear on the Ontario Business Registry and require formal cancellation.
What’s Included
- Formal cancellation filed with the Ontario Business Registry
- Applies to all unincorporated business types
- Removes the registration from the public registry
- Ends all ongoing registry obligations
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Dissolve a Master Business Licence
Cancel an active Master Business Licence (MBL) registered with the Ontario Business Registry. If you registered a business under an MBL and are no longer operating under that registration, this filing formally ends the licence and all associated renewal obligations.
What’s Included
- MBL cancellation filed with the Ontario Business Registry
- Applies to sole proprietorships, trade names & partnerships
- Ends the 5-year renewal cycle and all obligations
- Confirmation of cancellation delivered by email
Why Dissolve Properly
The Consequences of Not Dissolving
Closing a Business Is Not Just "Walking Away"
Many business owners mistakenly believe that simply stopping operations closes their business. In reality, an incorporated company or registered business remains a legal entity until it is formally dissolved through a government filing. Simply ceasing operations does not end your obligations.
Until a corporation is formally dissolved, directors remain legally responsible for filing Annual Returns, maintaining a registered address, and keeping the registry up to date. Missing these obligations results in penalties, fines, and personal liability for directors — even if the business hasn’t operated in years.
For sole proprietorships, trade names, and partnerships, leaving a registration active means continued renewal obligations and potential issues if someone else tries to register a similar name — which you may be inadvertently blocking.
What Dissolution Actually Does
A formal dissolution legally winds up your business entity. It cancels the corporation’s or registration’s existence, ends all ongoing compliance obligations, notifies the government registry that the entity is closed, and provides you with an official confirmation of dissolution — a clean exit.
Risks of NOT Formally Dissolving
What happens when you walk away without filing
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Ongoing Annual Return Penalties
Corporations must file Annual Returns every year. Missing them results in government fines and, eventually, your corporation being struck off — requiring a costly revival process.
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Continued Personal Liability for Directors
Directors of an active corporation remain personally liable for compliance failures, unpaid taxes, and certain other corporate obligations — even after operations have ceased.
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CRA Tax Obligations Continue
The CRA continues to expect annual T2 corporate tax returns for an active corporation. Late or missing returns result in interest, penalties, and CRA enforcement action.
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Corporation Struck Off the Registry
An inactive corporation that misses Annual Returns will eventually be struck off involuntarily by the government — which is more complex and costly to deal with than a voluntary dissolution.
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MBL Renewal Costs Continue
Unincorporated business registrations (MBLs) must be renewed every 5 years. An inactive registration you never cancelled continues to generate renewal notices and obligations.
Before You Dissolve
Pre-Dissolution Checklist
Before filing for dissolution, make sure these steps are completed to avoid complications and ensure a clean closure.
For Corporations — Before Filing Articles of Dissolution
File All Outstanding Annual Returns
The government requires all overdue Annual Returns to be filed before a dissolution can be accepted. AMQ Legals can file any outstanding returns before initiating dissolution.
Pay or Settle All Corporate Debts
A corporation should pay or make provision for all outstanding debts, liabilities, and obligations before dissolving. Creditors may have claims against the corporation after dissolution in some circumstances.
Close or Distribute Corporate Assets
Any remaining corporate property, bank accounts, and assets should be distributed to shareholders after debts are settled and before dissolution is filed.
File Final CRA Tax Returns
File your final T2 corporate income tax return with the CRA and close your CRA business accounts (Business Number, HST/GST, payroll). The CRA may require a clearance certificate before dissolution.
Cancel Business Licences & Contracts
Cancel any business licences, leases, supplier agreements, and service contracts. Notify your insurance providers, bank, and any regulatory bodies of the upcoming closure.
Obtain Shareholder Authorization
A corporate dissolution generally requires authorization from the directors and shareholders through formal resolutions. AMQ Legals can prepare the required corporate resolutions as part of the dissolution package.
Voluntary Dissolution vs Being Struck Off
Voluntary Dissolution
Corporation / owners
Owner’s decision to close
Missed Annual Returns
Filing fee only
Fees + penalties
Ends on dissolution
May continue
No
Yes — complex & costly
Ends with final return
Continues until resolved
Clean — “Dissolved”
AMQ Legals vs DIY
More Than Just Submitting a Form
Filing a dissolution through the government portal is technically possible, but mistakes — like missing outstanding returns or incorrect documentation — can delay or reject your filing. AMQ Legals ensures it’s done right the first time.
Why Choose AMQ Legals
Your Trusted Dissolution Partner
A clean close.
Every time.
Fast
Processing
All
Jurisdictions
6
Dissolution Types
100%
Legal Review
Complete Legal Dissolution Package
We don’t just submit a form — we prepare all required corporate resolutions, check for outstanding Annual Returns, review the corporate record, and ensure the dissolution is accepted by the government registry without rejection.
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Fast, Fully Online Process
Complete our simple intake form and our legal team handles everything — document preparation, outstanding filings review, and government submission — so your business is formally closed as quickly as possible.
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All Business Types & Jurisdictions
Whether you need to dissolve an Ontario corporation, a federal company, a BC partnership, a trade name, or an MBL — AMQ Legals covers every business type and every Canadian jurisdiction.
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Protection Against Future Liability
Proper dissolution ends your personal liability exposure as a director, closes the corporate tax period with the CRA, and provides an official Certificate of Dissolution as documented proof that your business obligations are legally concluded.
Simple Process
Dissolve Your Business in 3 Simple Steps
A clean, professional closure handled entirely by our team — from pre-dissolution review to Certificate of Dissolution delivery.
Select your dissolution type and complete our simple online form. Provide your business name, registration number, and the reason for dissolution. Our team reviews your file before proceeding.
Our legal team checks for any outstanding Annual Returns or compliance requirements, prepares the Articles of Dissolution and required corporate resolutions, and advises on any pre-dissolution steps needed.
We file the dissolution directly with the government registry and deliver your Certificate of Dissolution to your email once confirmed — your clean, official proof that the business is legally closed.
Common Questions
Do I need to dissolve my business if I just stopped operating?
Yes — stopping operations does not automatically end your business’s legal existence or your obligations. An incorporated company must be formally dissolved through Articles of Dissolution. An unincorporated business (sole proprietorship, trade name, partnership) must be cancelled with the registry. Until you file, annual filing obligations, renewal obligations, and potential director liability continue.
Can I dissolve my corporation if I have outstanding Annual Returns?
Generally, outstanding Annual Returns must be filed before a dissolution can be processed. AMQ Legals will check your Annual Return status as part of the dissolution process and can file any outstanding returns on your behalf before initiating the dissolution. This ensures a clean, accepted dissolution without rejection from the registry.
How do I dissolve an unincorporated business like a sole proprietorship?
Unincorporated businesses (sole proprietorships, trade names, general partnerships, limited partnerships, MBLs) are registered through the Ontario Business Registry under a Master Business Licence. To dissolve them, you file a cancellation with the Ontario Business Registry. AMQ Legals handles this filing for you and delivers confirmation of the cancellation once processed.
What is the difference between voluntary dissolution and being struck off?
Voluntary dissolution is a planned, controlled closure that you initiate by filing Articles of Dissolution. Being struck off is an involuntary action by the government when a corporation misses Annual Returns — it creates a negative registry record, potential personal liability issues, and requires a costly revival process if you ever need to restore the company. Voluntary dissolution is always preferable.
What happens to my CRA accounts when I dissolve?
Dissolving your corporation does not automatically close your CRA accounts. You must file a final T2 corporate income tax return with the CRA for the dissolution year, close your GST/HST account, payroll accounts, and Business Number. The CRA may require a clearance certificate (Form TX19) confirming all taxes are paid before the assets are distributed. AMQ Legals can advise on the CRA closure steps as part of our dissolution service.
What is a Certificate of Dissolution?
A Certificate of Dissolution is the official government document confirming that a corporation has been formally dissolved and its registration cancelled. It serves as your proof that the dissolution was legally completed — useful for closing bank accounts, confirming closure with the CRA, and documenting the end of your corporate obligations. AMQ Legals delivers the Certificate of Dissolution to your email once the government registry confirms the filing.
Ready to Close Your Business Properly?
Don’t leave your business registration active and your obligations open. AMQ Legals dissolves your business cleanly, legally, and completely — with Certificate of Dissolution delivered to your inbox.