Let’s back up a step here:
The reason a corporation is “limited” goes back to the fact that its liabilities are “limited” to the assets of said corporation.
Notwithstanding that, certain debts are NOT limited to those, either by agreement (typically banks/personal g’tees) or by legislation (GST, CPP, EI, payroll remittances, unpaid wages) the responsibility of which falls to the shareholders or Directors. The latter above are Director liabilities, the former usually shareholder liabilities. Doesn’t matter if the Director(s) are active in the business or not.
Liquidate the assets, settle the third-party liabilities first. File GST returns as required, as well as any T4s etc. Close program accounts that will be unused in the future.
From a practical perspective, while final tax returns and formal corporate dissolution are technically required, neither CRA nor Alberta Registries will generally force this. They’ll whine and complain, but they rarely force the issue. Many corporations just…fade away, leaving the shareholder holding the bag for losses.
Once you have final, settled amounts, and the only liabilities remaining are those to the shareholder(s) of record, you are in a position to file a final return. There will be a Gain on Settlement of Debts (read about this), likely an ABIL for the shareholder as @johanus said and you can file a final T2 and do a formal dissolution (straightforward paperwork with a Registries Agent in Alberta).
If you do neither of the latter two, the shareholder can still claim the ABIL, although if CRA requires proof, you’ll end up having to do the T2/dissolution in the end. Having said that, the process is not difficult and I’m sure people here will be happy to assist you once you’ve done some reading and have an understanding of the rules applicable.
Reasonably good explanation of the process here as well.
Search (google or other) terms also useful:
winding up corporation alberta tax
gain on settlement of debt canada tax
