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How to Close Your Account

Complete the following steps to close your account at IB. Note that for USD-based accounts, we will initiate an ACH transfer based on an ACH bank instruction you have on file. If you have more than one ACH bank instruction on file, you will have the opportunity to select one. If you do not have any ACH bank instructions, we will issue a check to your U.S. mailing address on file. For all non-USD based accounts, we will issue a wire based on the banking instruction on file.

1.	Liquidate or Transfer Positions Accounts with positions cannot be closed. You must either liquidate, or transfer all positions to another brokerage firm. Please contact your broker for transfer instructions. To check your positions, log in to Account Management and select Reports > Activity. View your latest statement to verify that all positions have been liquidated or transferred.
2.	Convert Foreign Currencies Closing withdrawals may only be made in your base currency. You must convert any foreign currency you may hold back to your account's base currency. Be sure to check your statement and consider any dividend or interest accruals. The conversion can be processed using the Trader Workstation FXTrader. IB will automatically convert non-Base currency balances when you submit a close account request and the balances are below USD 1,000 equivalent. If you need assistance with the conversion process please contact our Trade Desk.
3.	Verify Bank Wire Instructions For all non-USD based accounts, we will issue a wire based on the saved bank information (instruction) on file. If you do not have any saved bank information (instruction) for a Wire Withdrawal, create one.
4.	Return Secure Login Device If you participate in the Secure Login System, you must return your secure login device. Cash balances will be reduced by the cost of the device (between USD 20 and USD 150 depending on device) until the secure login device is returned. For more information regarding how to return the device please contact our Technical Assistance Department or visit our web site: http://ibkb.interactivebrokers.com/node/975
5.	IRA Accounts Withdrawals IRA account holders will need to complete an IRA Withdrawal on the Funding > Fund Transfers page in Account Management and specify the type of withdrawal for government tax reporting purposes.
6.	Ensure Recent Deposits Have Cleared All recent deposits, such as ACH, check and wire transfers, must have time to clear according to the Customer Deposit Credit and Hold Periods policy before your request to close your account can be honored. See the Funding Reference for details on credit and hold periods:
7.	Check Statements and Tax Forms To access activity statements and tax forms, log in to Account Management and open the Reports menu. This information will only be available for a limited time after your account is closed. You will need to save your username and password for future access to statements.
8.	Close Account After you have completed all of the previous steps, log in to Account Management and select Manage Account > Settings > Close Account. For USD-based accounts only, we will initiate an ACH transfer if you have an existing ACH bank instruction. If you have more than one ACH bank instruction, select the ACH bank instruction you wish to use from the drop-down list on the Close Account page. For USD-based accounts only, if you do not have an existing ACH bank instruction, you can either create one in Account Management on the Fund Transfers page or we will issue a check to your U.S. mailing address on file. In the latter case, confirm that we have your correct U.S. mailing address by checking the address displayed on the Close Account page. To make changes, open the Profile page in Account Management by selecting Manage Account > Account Information > Details. Specify the reason you are closing your account by clicking the appropriate check boxes. Click the Submit button to submit your request. Your account will generally be held open for up to three months after you receive your closing withdrawal to collect any possible future fees, dividends, interest, or corporate actions. After that time, your account will be closed permanently. Check back to see if any balance has been created on future statements. You can view the status of your request to close your account by logging in to Account Management and selecting Manage Account > Settings > Close Account > Status.

If the above criteria are not met, our system will be unable to process your account closure request. Inactivity fees will continue to be deducted from an account until the above steps are completed, including the return of any Secure Login System device. Also note that funds held to secure the return of the security device may not be withdrawn until the device has been returned, and will be applied to meet any inactivity or market data fees.