What is administrative dissolution?

All of this is to say that owners don’t automatically lose their limited liability upon dissolution. However, if they continue doing business while the entity is dissolved, they may risk personal liability for any new debts or obligations incurred during that time.

Reinstatement of a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation may be possible after administrative dissolution. This depends on state laws and specific circumstances. However, it is best to avoid administrative dissolution entirely by complying with the state’s requirements.

How Administrative Dissolution Works

In every state, the Secretary of State’s office can administratively dissolve business entities that are not in good standing. A business can lose good standing if it does not file required documents, pay certain taxes, or meet other obligations.

Businesses most often lose good standing with the state in the following ways:

• Failing to file information reports.
• Failing to pay franchise taxes or file franchise tax returns.
• Failing to maintain a registered agent in the state.

Administrative dissolution suspends or terminates a business entity’s authority to operate, though it still legally exists for limited purposes such as winding up affairs or seeking reinstatement.

For many entities—like corporations and LLCs—there are generally three ways dissolution can occur: voluntary, administrative, or judicial. However, not all business types follow this exact framework. For example, partnerships and certain professional entities may dissolve under different rules or by agreement among partners.

Understanding which type of dissolution applies to your entity is key to managing risk, fulfilling final obligations, and determining whether reinstatement is possible.

Type 1 - Voluntary dissolution

• The owners of a business decide to wind up operations and dissolve the entity. They may need to file Articles of Dissolution or a Certificate of Termination with the state to make this possible. 
• A corporation’s Bylaws or an LLC’s Operating Agreement govern this process.

Type 2 - Administrative dissolution

• The Secretary of State dissolves the entity for failure to comply with state law.
• The business should receive notice and have an opportunity to regain good standing.
• The business owners may be able to reinstate the business.

Type 3 - Judicial dissolution

• A court orders the dissolution of a corporation or LLC after a full legal proceeding.
• This is the rarest form of dissolution.
• It is often known as the “death penalty” for businesses.

Is Administrative Dissolution Bad?

Administrative dissolution is one of the worst things that can happen to a business. It terminates a business entity’s authority to do anything except wind up the business. Reinstatement might be possible, but only if the business promptly resolves whatever caused it to lose good standing.

Why Does Administrative Dissolution Happen?

Administrative dissolution can happen for many reasons, depending on the laws in a business entity’s state. The three most common reasons involve specific legal obligations.

Administrative Dissolution for Annual Report

Most states require business entities to file periodic reports with the Secretary of State. This is often an annual requirement, but some states only require reports every few years. The report includes information such as:

• The business entity’s name.
• Its principal place of business.
• The names and addresses of its directors, managers, or members.
• The name and address of its registered agent.

Failure to file a report by the deadline puts a business entity at risk of losing good standing.

Administrative Dissolution for State Franchise or Privilege Taxes

Many states require business entities that offer liability protection to their owners to pay state franchise or privilege taxes. Nearly all businesses that are subject to this tax must file a return by an annual deadline, even if they owe no tax.

Failure to pay franchise/privilege taxes or submit the required returns can lead to a loss of good standing, which may ultimately result in administrative dissolution.

Administrative Dissolution for Registered Agent Designation

Every business must designate a registered agent with a physical address in the state. This agent is responsible for receiving government correspondence and service of process for the business. The business must promptly appoint a new agent if the current one resigns.

Failure to maintain a registered agent or appoint a new one can result in a loss of good standing, which may lead to administrative dissolution.

When Does Administrative Dissolution Happen?

Administrative dissolution is often a last resort. Most states follow at least two steps before beginning an administrative dissolution proceeding.

1. Notice: The Secretary of State’s office will notify the business that it is not in compliance with state law and is at risk of losing good standing. This notice usually includes a deadline to return to compliance.
2. Suspension or forfeiture: If the business does not fix the issues by the deadline, the Secretary of State will suspend, forfeit, cancel, or revoke its authority to operate. Different states use different terms for this. A suspended or forfeited business entity still exists legally and may seek reinstatement relatively easily.

The point at which a Secretary of State seeks administrative dissolution varies by state. The business will typically receive a document entitled Notice of Intent to Administratively Dissolve, or something similar. This notice provides a new deadline. If the business misses that deadline, the dissolution proceeding may begin.

What Happens When a Business Is Administratively Dissolved?

In most states, administrative dissolution does not cause a business to cease existing right away. However, its functions are limited to closing the business, often within a limited time. These actions may include:

1. Taking necessary steps to wind up business operations.
2. Paying debts, including taxes.
3. Distributing remaining assets to the owners.

The business cannot pursue new business opportunities or engage in new transactions, even with existing clients. It also no longer shields the owners from liability for anything beyond prior obligations.

Is Reinstatement Possible for an Administratively Dissolved Company?

Reinstatement might be possible if the owners act quickly. The process typically follows the same steps as reinstatement after suspension or forfeiture, but the fees are often higher.

State law may only allow reinstatement for a limited time after administrative dissolution. If that deadline passes, or if the state does not allow reinstatement in this situation, the owners may have no option but to form a new business entity.

Administrative dissolution can severely limit a business’s ability to operate and may put owners’ liability protections at risk. While reinstatement is sometimes possible, it often requires prompt action and strict compliance with state law.

If you have questions about your business’s standing or need help avoiding or resolving administrative dissolution, our Legal Pros can provide personalized advice to help you navigate the process with confidence.

Key takeaways Administrative dissolution ends a business’s legal authority to do business. It eventually terminates its existence as a distinct legal entity. Administrative dissolution can be a consequence of a business losing good standing after failing to file required reports or pay franchise taxes. It usually occurs after the state has made several attempts to notify the business that it is not in compliance with the law. Reinstatement might be possible after administrative dissolution, but it is best to avoid it altogether.

Additional resources

• What is reinstatement?
• What is a suspension or forfeiture?
• How to reinstate a business
• What does good standing mean?