SEC filings

Form 15, deregistration and going dark

Form 15 is the Exchange Act filing an eligible company uses to terminate a class registered under Section 12 or suspend reporting obligations under Section 15(d). EDGAR variants include 15-12B, 15-12G, and 15-15D.

Before going dark, compare the cost of staying current. TakePublic makes ongoing public-company reporting affordable. If deregistration is the right path, TakePublic prepares the Form 15 and routes it through your securities attorney. After sign-off, live EDGAR submission for Form 15 is being verified; export the package to your EDGAR agent, or use EDGAR TEST mode.

90d
TakePublic TP FORM 15 Form 15 Deregistration
Forms
15-12B, 15-12G, and 15-15D
Holder threshold
Fewer than 300 holders of record, or 500 for certain small banks
Effect
15(d) reporting suspends on filing; 12(g) registration terminates after 90 days
Plan
Core, from $2,999 per month

When Form 15 changes reporting status

A company generally needs fewer than 300 holders of record to use Form 15, with a 500-holder threshold available to certain small banks. Eligibility and the correct EDGAR variant depend on the company's registration and reporting basis, so confirm the path with securities counsel.

<300
General holder threshold
90d
12(g) termination
VariantPurpose and timing
15-12BTerminates registration under Section 12(b)
15-12GSection 12(g) registration terminates 90 calendar days after filing
15-15DSection 15(d) reporting obligations suspend on filing

Form 15 timing is tracked in ET. Eligibility and the correct variant are legal determinations for securities counsel.

Compare deregistration with staying current

Going dark can reduce recurring reporting costs, but it also ends or suspends the reporting record investors, markets, and counterparties use.

How TakePublic handles Form 15

01 DRAFTPrepare Form 15
02 SIGNCounsel signs
03 EXPORTExport or test
01

Confirm the reporting basis

Select 15-12B, 15-12G, or 15-15D and record the holder-of-record facts supporting eligibility.

02

Prepare and review

TakePublic prepares the filing in the workspace and routes it to the company's securities attorney.

03

Sign, export, or test

Counsel signs off on the exact document hash. Live EDGAR submission for Form 15 is not yet on the live-verified list. Export the package to your EDGAR agent, or use EDGAR TEST mode.

Frequently asked questions

How many holders of record can a company have for Form 15?

The general threshold is fewer than 300 holders of record. Certain small banks may use a 500-holder threshold. Securities counsel should confirm eligibility and how holders are counted.

When do reporting obligations end after Form 15?

Section 15(d) reporting obligations suspend on filing. Section 12(g) registration terminates 90 calendar days after filing. The applicable result depends on the company's reporting basis and Form 15 variant.

Can TakePublic prepare Form 15?

Yes. TakePublic prepares the Form 15 and routes it through licensed securities counsel for sign-off on the exact document. Live EDGAR submission for Form 15 is being verified; after sign-off, export the package to your EDGAR agent or use EDGAR TEST mode. TakePublic is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.

Official sources

The primary sources behind this page, on the SEC's own site.

See where your company stands

Enter your ticker and get a free compliance report: health score, filing history, and your next deadlines (ET). No account required. Your securities attorney signs every filing, and on Core we file to EDGAR with Inline XBRL included.

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TakePublic is a technology platform, not a law firm, broker-dealer, or auditor. Nothing files without review and sign-off by a licensed securities attorney.