Walking away from a business requires some planning ahead. Whether you intend to sell your business or cease operations entirely, you will have various obligations to meet. Business Gateway’s free guide to the basics of selling or closing your business can help you to carefully consider your next steps.

The guide contains dedicated sections for sole traders, partnerships and limited companies as well as guidance for employers and VAT-registered businesses generally. It can help you think about how you will finalise your taxes, who you must notify of your plans and what you must do for any employees that you have.

Yes, if you are thinking about starting, or already run, a business in Scotland.

This is a free and impartial service.

Any business based in Scotland, at any stage in its life cycle.

It takes 9 minutes to read up on the basics of selling or closing your business.

Employers have certain legal responsibilities to their staff when selling or closing a business.

Visit the Business Gateway website to find out more about selling or closing your business.