The cost of dissolving a business is a top concern for owners when deciding to cease business operations. Although the official fees at government agencies are zero, businesses typically have to pay between 1,500,000 VND and over 6,000,000 VND for related procedures. This article will provide a detailed analysis of these costs and the most optimal dissolution process.
Overview of business dissolution costs in 2026
Based on current regulations, filing a dissolution application at the Department of Planning and Investment is completely free of state fees. However, the actual total cost depends closely on the status of the entity's tax and accounting records. To help you easily budget, below are details of popular service packages currently available on the market.
| Service category | Budget package | All-inclusive package | Intensive Package |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applicable subjects | No invoice has been generated yet. | There was little revenue generated. | High revenue, difficult application process. |
| Prepare legal documents | Includes | Includes | Includes |
| Publishing electronic announcements | Includes | Includes | Includes |
| Tax settlement | Consultation and guidance | Perform directly | Handling accounting irregularities |
| Return the police stamp. | Includes | Includes | Includes |
| Estimated cost | 1,500,000 VND – 2,500,000 VND | 3,500,000 VND – 5,500,000 VND | From 6,000,000 VND onwards |
Note: The above price list is for reference only as of 2026. Actual business dissolution costs may vary based on the number of years of operation without tax settlement and the transparency of your company's accounting records.
Price list for business dissolution by industry group
Each business sector has its own specific requirements for invoice and document management, leading to varying workloads in tax settlement. Below is a table of service fees categorized by common business sectors for your reference.
| Occupational groups | Estimated fee | Profile characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Trade and services | 1,500,000 VND – 3,500,000 VND | Simple paperwork, low inventory. |
| Consulting, education, tourism | 2,000,000 VND – 4,000,000 VND | Focus on service contracts. |
| Construction, design | 4,500,000 VND – 8,000,000 VND | Complex in terms of standards and labor. |
| Manufacturing, processing | 5,000,000 VND – 10,000,000 VND | Inventory of warehouse, machinery, and raw materials. |
| Import and export | 4,000,000 VND – 7,000,000 VND | Reconciliation of VAT and customs duties |
Note: For specialized industries such as manufacturing or construction, the cost of dissolving a business may increase if the entity has not conducted periodic asset inventories or has ongoing projects that have been ongoing for many years.
Detailed dissolution costs for each type of business.
Each operational status of a business will determine different service fees and processing times. This classification helps business owners budget more accurately, avoiding unforeseen costs during the dissolution process with relevant authorities.
The business has not yet generated any invoices or revenue.
This is the simplest case because it doesn't require a complex tax settlement process at the directly managing tax authority. The characteristics of business dissolution costs in this case are usually very stable and there are few additional expenses:
- Service fees typically range from a minimum of VND 1,500,000 to VND 3,000,000 due to the workload focusing primarily on legal documentation.
- The process was completed quickly because the accounting records were clean, with no outstanding tax debts or invoices.
- The process mainly involves submitting a dissolution notice and completing the tax code closure procedure online through the electronic system.
The business has generated invoices and revenue.
The fees will be significantly higher due to the need to review accounting records, reconcile invoices, and conduct direct tax settlement procedures with tax officials. This stage requires a high level of professionalism from the accounting team to optimize business dissolution costs by minimizing penalties. Factors affecting the fees include:
- Service fees typically start at VND 3,000,000 and increase progressively based on the volume of documents the service provider has to review each fiscal year.
- Costs may arise if a business loses input or output invoices, or if there are errors in financial statements that need to be adjusted before the final settlement.
- Fees for providing explanations to regulatory authorities to protect legal rights and minimize the amount of tax arrears that may be collected.
Dissolution of sole proprietorships and branch/representative offices.
This procedure is simpler than dissolving the parent company, therefore the cost of dissolving these subsidiary units is usually quite economical and the process is also more streamlined.
- The cost of dissolving a household business usually ranges from 1,000,000 VND to 2,000,000 VND, including fulfilling obligations at the local tax office and the district/county People's Committee.
- The cost of dissolving a branch or representative office ranges from VND 900,000 to VND 1,500,000 because the entity does not have independent legal status.
- The processing time for applications at the business registration agency is very fast, usually only 3 to 5 working days after the tax code of the subsidiary unit has been locked.
Unexpected expenses incurred during dissolution.
In addition to the fixed service fees paid to consulting firms, businesses need to budget for mandatory expenses or those arising from past violations. These expenses are often the reason why the total cost of dissolving a business is actually higher than initially anticipated.
- Administrative penalties for tax violations: This is the most common fee, applied if a business is late in submitting tax returns, business license tax returns, or invoice usage reports.
- Printing and document processing costs: This includes fees related to certified copies of documents and the preparation of legal documents to be submitted to the Department of Planning and Investment in the correct format for 2026.
- Dissolution Announcement Fee: A mandatory fee for publicly posting information about the cessation of operations on the national information system, as per current regulations.
- Seal cancellation and return fees: For businesses established before 2015, returning the seal to the police is a mandatory procedure that incurs processing fees.
Standard business dissolution process to optimize costs.
Following the correct procedure not only saves time but is also the best way to effectively control the costs of dissolving a business. For detailed information on the legal steps, you can refer to the following resources. business dissolution Visit our comprehensive information portal. Below are four core steps that every business should follow:
- Step 1: Hold a meeting of the board of members or a decision by the owner to approve the dissolution plan, liquidate assets, and settle debts.
- Step 2: Complete the final tax settlement procedure at the directly managing tax authority to obtain a document confirming that all tax obligations have been fulfilled.
- Step 3: Liquidate the company's remaining assets and proceed with paying salaries, social insurance, and debts to partners in accordance with legal priorities.
- Step 4: Submit the complete dissolution application to the Business Registration Office to officially remove the company's name from the national management system.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dissolution Costs
Below is a compilation of common questions that business owners often have when going through the process of closing down a company in major cities.
How long does it take to dissolve a company?
Are the service fees for dissolution different in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi?
Should you use a cheap, all-inclusive company dissolution service?
Important notes to avoid legal risks when ceasing operations.
Neglecting to follow the proper dissolution procedures can lead to prolonged legal consequences for the legal representative. For assistance in processing your application quickly and accurately, your company can contact us. contact Get started right away with our team of experts. In addition, you need to understand the following points:
- The tax identification number will be locked due to the taxpayer being inactive at the registered address, causing the owner to be placed on the tax authority's restricted list.
- Businesses are still charged penalties for late submission of periodic reports until they receive official notification of tax code closure, which unnecessarily increases the cost of business dissolution.
- The legal representative of a business that owes taxes may be subject to a travel ban and restrictions on establishing or managing new businesses in the future.
The information in this article is compiled based on the latest legal regulations and practical experience from the Legal Library and AZTAX to provide in-depth reference value for business owners in Vietnam.
Contact information for Man – Master Accountant Network
- Address: No. 19A, Street 43, Tan Thuan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City
- Mobile/Zalo: 0903 963 163 – 0903 428 622
- E-mail: man@man.net.vn
Content is moderated by: Mr. Le Hoang Tuyen – Founder & CEO of Man, CPA Vietnam Auditors With over 30 years of experience in accounting, auditing, and financial consulting...
