Winding up a local company

Learn the formal process to wind up a local company, including settling debts, appointing a liquidator, and filing required ACRA notifications.

Last updated 7 July 2026

What is winding up

Winding up is the formal process for closing a local company that has debts to settle. It involves:

Settling all debts and obligations
Distributing remaining assets to partners
Filing required legal notifications with ACRA

Tip: Before you wind up, you may want to explore other ways to manage your debt first. Learn more about available options and processes when a company is unable to repay its debts.

Ways to wind up

Based on your company's financial health, there are four ways to wind up:

Ways to wind up

Type of winding up	Details
Members' or partners' voluntary winding up	When this applies: Directors believe the variable capital company (VCC) can pay all debts within 12 months of starting the winding up process. Requirements: The company must appoint a liquidator or provisional liquidator to wind up its affairs. It must also file necessary notifications under the Companies Act 1967 (CA) or Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act 2018 (IRDA) (opens in new tab).
Simplified Winding Up Programme (SWUP) (opens in new tab): A simplified creditors' winding up process under the Simplified Insolvency Programme (SIP)	When this applies: A micro or small company cannot pay its debts and wants to wind up. Definitions: Micro company: Annual revenue under $1 million Small company: Annual revenue under $10 million
Creditors' voluntary winding up	When this applies: Directors believe that the company cannot continue its business due to its debts. Requirements: The company must appoint a liquidator or provisional liquidator to wind up its affairs. It must also file necessary notifications under the CA or IRDA.
Court-ordered compulsory winding up	When this applies: The Court orders winding up under certain circumstances. For example, when the company cannot pay its debts. Requirements: A liquidator must file the necessary notifications under the CA or IRDA. The Court may appoint a liquidator (or the Official Receiver may act as a liquidator).

Note: For more details, please refer to the CA or IRDA, or seek professional advice.

After you apply for winding up

Winding up eServices

You can use the	To file a
Manage winding up eService (opens in new tab)	Notice of appointment of a liquidator or provisional liquidator Notice of cessation of a liquidator or provisional liquidator Liquidator’s account of receipts and payments, and statement of position in winding up (opens in new tab) Return by liquidator relating to final meeting Notice of change in situation of office of liquidator or provisional liquidator(s) Tip: If needed, you may refer to the: Manage winding up user guide [PDF, 3.96 MB] (opens in new tab). Troubleshooting guide: Filing and managing winding up.
General lodgement eService (opens in new tab)	Statement of Affairs Notice of Holding of Creditor's Meeting Dissolution of company Notice of Early Dissolution of Company under S209 / S210 of IRDA

You can use the

To file a

Manage winding up eService (opens in new tab)

Notice of appointment of a liquidator or provisional liquidator
Notice of cessation of a liquidator or provisional liquidator
Liquidator’s account of receipts and payments, and statement of position in winding up (opens in new tab)
Return by liquidator relating to final meeting
Notice of change in situation of office of liquidator or provisional liquidator(s)

Tip: If needed, you may refer to the:

General lodgement eService (opens in new tab)

Statement of Affairs
Notice of Holding of Creditor's Meeting
Dissolution of company
Notice of Early Dissolution of Company under S209 / S210 of IRDA