If you can’t make required tax payments or are slipping behind on your house or car payments, chances are you are past the point where trimming expenses or adopting a clever marketing campaign will salvage your business. If you conclude that there’s little or no chance of getting back in the black anytime soon, it may be time to cease operations, pay off as many debts as possible, and close down in an orderly fashion, before your creditors force you to do it.  But closing down a business can take more work than setting up a business--if it's done properly--and you'll want to do it properly to end all personal liability for your business.  

Nolo has books, forms, and online applications that can help small business owners with all aspects of their business, including closing it down. See the  Small Business Products page for a complete list of Nolo's small business products.