Closing your business or changing ownership

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Learn what you need to do with the WCB if you close your business, restructure or make changes to ownership.

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Closing your business

If your business has closed, you should let the WCB know right away. You can fill out an Account Closure/Sale form or send a letter with the details of the closure. You can also submit an Account Closure/Sale form online. We will then use the information provided to close your account.

Any outstanding balances on your account are due 30 days from when the account is closed and a Statement of Account is sent. If you are due a refund, a cheque will be mailed to you. A review may be needed before we issue a refund.

If your business is not operating, you don’t need an account. Your account can be reopened if you begin work again.

Changing ownership

If you have sold or amalgamated your business, you should let the WCB know right away. You can fill out an Account Closure/Sale form or send a letter with details. You can also submit an Account Closure/Sale form online.

Asset sales and share sales

Purchasers and sellers need to ensure their Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) accounts are up to date in the event of a sale. The WCB may treat their account differently if a business sells their shares or their assets. 

To process the sale of assets or share of an employer account as quickly as possible, the seller should complete the Account Closure/Sale (ACF) form and complete all required information on the form. Submitting an ACF does not necessarily mean the WCB will close the seller's account. The WCB may determine account closer based on the information provided.

Learn more about a share sale and an asset sale.

Working in another province

Each province has its own legislation. You need to contact the WCB office in the province you will be working in to see if you need to register. The Saskatchewan WCB will only cover your insurance (wage and medical costs) when working outside of our province and cannot protect an employer from legal responsibility.

Bankruptcy

If you or your corporation have filed for bankruptcy/proposal in bankruptcy/consumer proposal/receivership/CCAA, let your trustee know you have or had a WCB employer account. This is so the trustee can provide the WCB with the required documentation.

Frequently asked questions

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A: No. If your business is not operating, you don’t need an account. Your account can be reopened if you begin hiring again.

A: Each province has its own legislation. You need to contact the WCB in the province you will be working in to see if you need to register. We will cover only your insurance (wage and medical costs) but cannot protect an employer from legal responsibility.

A: You should let our office know right away. You can fill out an Account Closure/Sale form or send a letter with the details of the closure. You can also submit an Account Closure/Sale form online. We will then close your account. Any outstanding balance on your account is due 30 days from when a Statement of Account is sent. If you are due a refund, we will send a cheque. A review may be needed before we issue a refund.

A: You need to obtain a section 156 clearance certificate to release you from any legal responsibility regarding the account of the previous owner. If you don’t do this and the previous owner owes us money, you will become responsible for the outstanding balance.

A: You should let our office know right away. You can fill out an Account Closure/Sale form or send a letter with details. You can also submit an Account Closure/Sale form online.

A: If you or your corporation have filed for bankruptcy/proposal in bankruptcy/consumer proposal/receivership/CCAA, let your trustee know you have or had a WCB employer account. This is so the trustee can provide the WCB with the required documentation.

Contact

For specific inquiries

If you are:

  • ready to register your business
  • requesting a clearance or a letter of good standing
  • revising or updating your payroll
  • discussing your statement of account and/or making a payment

Employer services department

Contact us

For general inquiries, contact us.

Employer Resource Centre

Claim information

For questions on your worker’s injury claim, contact us.

Operations division