How we research our guides
Closing a business and letting someone go are decisions with legal and financial consequences. Here is exactly where our information comes from, how we keep it current, and where our tools stop and a professional begins.
Where our information comes from
Every state-specific detail — the filing form, the fee, the agency, and the deadline — is taken from primary, official sources, not from other blogs:
- Secretary of State / business filing agencies for dissolution forms, fees, and procedures. Each state guide links directly to the official filing page so you can confirm the current requirement.
- State Departments of Labor for final-paycheck deadlines and termination rules.
- The IRS for federal steps: final returns, closing the EIN business account, and employment-tax obligations.
How we keep it current
Fees and forms change. To reduce the risk of stale information:
- Every guide shows a “Last reviewed” date so you know how fresh it is.
- Fee- and form-sensitive pages carry an explicit prompt to confirm the current amount on the official portal before you file — because the safest number is the one on the agency’s own page today.
- Process steps (vote, settle debts, notify creditors, file, close accounts) are stable across states; state-specific specifics are the parts we flag for confirmation.
What ExitCleanly is — and isn’t
ExitCleanly is not a law firm and does not provide legal, tax, or financial advice. It is an information and tools service built from official requirements. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney or accountant. Using our guides and tools does not create an attorney–client relationship.
How we make money (and why we tell you)
Transparency is part of trust. ExitCleanly is free to use. We earn in two clearly-labeled ways: optional one-time document packs we sell directly, and affiliate commissions when you choose a partner service through a link marked as sponsored. Affiliate links never change the steps we recommend — the compliant process is the same whether or not you use a partner, and we only list services we would use ourselves.
Found something wrong?
If a fee, form, or deadline looks out of date, tell us and we will check the official source and correct it. Email hello@exitcleanly.com. Accuracy on these pages matters more than volume.