How to cancel your PayPal account
To close your PayPal account, log in, go to Settings, select Account, then Resolution Center, and choose Close Account. PayPal will ask you to confirm and may require you to resolve any pending transactions first. The account closes immediately, but PayPal keeps your transaction history for seven years for tax and fraud purposes.
Before you close the account, make sure your balance is zero—either spend remaining funds or transfer money to your bank. If you have an active subscription, recurring payment, or pending transaction, PayPal will not let you proceed until those are handled. Once closed, you cannot reopen the same account, though you can create a new one with a different email address.
Key Takeaways
- Your PayPal account closes immediately after you confirm the closure in Settings, but PayPal retains your transaction records for seven years.
- You must have a zero balance and no pending transactions, subscriptions, or active payments before PayPal will let you close the account.
- If you have a PayPal Credit line or PayPal Working Capital loan, you cannot close your account until the debt is paid in full.
- Closing your account is permanent for that email address—you can create a new account later, but not with the same login.
What you need to do before closing
Check your account balance first. If you have money sitting in PayPal, you have two choices: spend it through a purchase or transfer it to your linked bank account. Transfers to your bank typically take one to three business days, depending on your bank. Do not close the account while money is still in it—you will have to contact PayPal support to retrieve it, which takes longer.
Next, cancel any subscriptions or recurring payments tied to that PayPal account. This includes gym memberships, streaming services, or any other recurring charge you set up through PayPal. Log into each service and change the payment method or cancel the subscription outright. PayPal will not let you close the account if active subscriptions are attached to it.
If you have a PayPal Credit line or took out a PayPal Working Capital loan, you must pay off the full balance before closing. PayPal will not allow account closure while you owe money. If you have an outstanding balance you cannot pay immediately, you will need to keep the account open or contact PayPal support about your options.
The step-by-step closure process
Log into your PayPal account on the website or app. Go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right on desktop, or the menu icon on mobile). Select Account, then scroll down to find Resolution Center or Account Closure. Click Close Account.
PayPal will ask you to confirm your reason for closing—this is optional, but the information helps them understand why customers leave. Select your reason from the dropdown menu or skip it. Then click the final confirmation button. The account closes immediately after you confirm.
You will receive a confirmation email at the address associated with your account. Keep this email for your records. If you need to dispute a charge or handle a refund after closure, you can still contact PayPal using the information in that email, since they keep your account data for seven years.
What happens to your transaction history
PayPal does not delete your transaction records when you close your account. They retain all payment history, refunds, disputes, and chargebacks for seven years. This is required by federal law for tax purposes and fraud investigation. You cannot access this history through a closed account, but PayPal can retrieve it if you contact support with proof of identity.
If you need a record of transactions for tax purposes before closing, download your transaction history first. In Settings, go to Account, then Statements, and download the CSV file for the year you need. This gives you a permanent copy that you control, separate from PayPal's records.
If you have a business account
Business accounts have additional requirements before closure. You must settle any outstanding invoices, cancel any payment buttons or integrations tied to the account, and resolve any disputes or chargebacks. If you use PayPal's invoicing tool or have embedded payment links on a website, those will stop working once the account closes.
If you have employees or team members with access to the business account, remove them first. Go to Settings, select Users, and delete each team member. This prevents anyone else from accessing the account after you close it.
Creating a new account after closure
You can create a new PayPal account at any time after closing, but you cannot use the same email address for at least 30 days. PayPal holds the email in a closed state during this period. After 30 days, you can sign up again with that email, or you can use a different email address immediately.
If you closed your account due to a dispute or fraud issue, PayPal may flag a new account created with the same phone number or bank account. This is a security measure. If this happens, contact PayPal support with documentation of the issue to clear it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen my PayPal account after closing it?
No, you cannot reopen the same account. You can create a new account with a different email address immediately, or wait 30 days and use the original email. A new account starts fresh with no transaction history or linked payment methods.
What if I have a pending refund when I try to close?
PayPal will not let you close the account while a refund is processing. Wait for the refund to complete, then close the account. If the refund is delayed, contact the seller or PayPal support to speed it up before attempting closure again.
Do I lose my purchase protection after closing?
You lose access to dispute a transaction through PayPal's Resolution Center once the account is closed. However, you can still contact PayPal support within 180 days of a transaction to report fraud or an unauthorized charge, and they can investigate using your closed account records.
Will closing my PayPal account affect my credit score?
Closing a PayPal account itself does not affect your credit score. However, if you have an outstanding PayPal Credit balance or loan, closing the account does not erase the debt—you still owe it, and PayPal can report it to credit bureaus if unpaid.
What if I forgot my password and can't log in to close the account?
Use the "Forgot Password" link on the PayPal login page to reset it. If you no longer have access to the email address associated with the account, contact PayPal support with proof of identity. They can help you regain access or close the account on your behalf.