How to Dissolve an LLC in Maine? (Step by Step Guide)

Published by Jon Morgan | Co-Founder & Chief Editor

Last updated: April 24, 2026

FACT CHECKED by Lou Viveros, Growth & Transition Advisor

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Closing a Maine LLC isn't complicated, but there's a right way to do it — and skipping steps can leave you on the hook for taxes, fees, or legal liability down the road.

I've helped business owners work through Maine LLC dissolutions and spent time testing the formation and compliance services they typically use along the way. Here's exactly what you need to do to shut things down cleanly.

Quick Summary

6 Steps to Dissolving an LLC in Maine

Dissolving a Maine LLC means following a specific legal process to officially terminate the business in the state's eyes. Work through these six steps and you'll close things out properly, without leaving any loose ends that could come back to bite you.

Step 1: Vote to Dissolve the LLC

Start with your Maine LLC Operating Agreement. Pull it out and read through the dissolution provisions carefully — they spell out exactly what's required before you can move forward. I've seen first-time founders skip this and run into problems later, so don't rush it.

Step 2: Notify Creditors About Your LLC's Dissolution

In light of the 4,571 Maine establishments that closed from March 2021 to March 2022, as per the US Small Business Administration, the process of dissolving an LLC in Maine, including notifying all creditors, becomes even more pertinent [1].

The notice should encompass critical details, including the deadline for creditors to submit their claims, which is typically determined by state law. It should also provide clear instructions on how and where creditors should submit their claims.

We were thorough in notifying all our known creditors as the notice we sent served as a legal notification of our LLC's dissolution and underscored their entitlement to collect any outstanding debts.

Step 3: File Final Tax Returns and Obtain Tax Clearance

Close all tax accounts including business taxes, filed federal taxes, and any other tax obligations registered under your Maine business name.

You will need to contact the Maine Revenue Services and request that they close your company's tax account. You can find their contact information on their website.

Once you have closed all tax accounts, you will need to file a final return with the state of Maine.

This return must include all information about your LLC assets and liabilities. Be sure to keep copies of this return for your records.

In our case, after completing all the final returns we applied for a tax clearance certificate from the Maine Revenue Services as proof that our company has paid all of its Maine LLC taxes and is up-to-date on its filings.

Step 4: File Articles or Certificate of Dissolution

You'll need to file the Articles of Dissolution — also called a Certificate of Cancellation — with the Maine Secretary of State [2]. You can submit by mail, fax, or in person. The filing fee is $75.

We went the mail route, sending in a check with our paperwork. A money order works too if that's easier.

"When filing the Articles of Dissolution in Maine, ensure that your business name, address, and contact information are clearly stated on the form. Additionally, it is essential to specify the date and the reason for the dissolution."

-Jon Morgan, Co-Editor & Co-Founder of Venture Smarter

Once the state processed our filing, a Certificate of Cancellation showed up in the mail. That's your confirmation that it went through.

Related Articles:

• How to Open an LLC in Maine
• Best Registered Agents in Maine
• Maine LLC Lookup
• Top LLC Formation Services in Maine

Step 5: Distribute Assets

Asset distribution is one of the steps people tend to underestimate — but it's worth doing carefully.

Once you've paid off all outstanding debts and obligations, whatever's left gets divided among members according to your LLC's operating agreement. If your agreement doesn't spell out how distributions work, Maine state law fills in the gaps. That typically means splitting assets based on each member's ownership percentage or their original investment.

Do this transparently. Every member should receive their fair share — whether that's cash, physical property, or other assets the LLC held. Getting this wrong can cause disputes that drag on long after the business is closed.

Step 6: Close All Accounts and Cancel Licenses and Permits

This is the final step, and it's one you don't want to skip.

Close every business-related account — bank accounts, lines of credit, any other financial accounts tied to the LLC. You want a clean break from all financial connections before you're done.

On top of that, cancel any business licenses, permits, or registrations the LLC holds. This is what legally cuts off the LLC's operations and protects you from future liability. Don't leave anything active that could create problems down the road.

FAQs

References:

1. https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023-Small-Business-Economic-Profile-ME.pdf
2. https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/forms/mbca/mbca11.pdf