To delete your PayPal account, log in, go to Settings, select Account Options, and click Close Account — but before you can close it, you must have a $0 balance, no pending transactions, and no open disputes or claims. PayPal account closure is permanent: once closed, you cannot reopen the same account or recover its transaction history. The CFPB advises consumers to resolve all pending transactions and withdraw any remaining balance before closing a financial account. This guide walks you through the complete pre-closure checklist and step-by-step deletion process for 2026.
Before You Delete: Pre-Closure Checklist
PayPal will not allow you to close your account if any of the following conditions exist: your balance is above $0, you have pending payments or transfers, you have open disputes or claims (as a buyer or seller), you have an active PayPal Credit balance, or you have recurring billing agreements that have not been cancelled. Complete every item on this checklist before attempting to close the account, or PayPal will display an error and prevent closure. This pre-closure process is similar to what you need to do when canceling individual PayPal payments.
Step 1: Withdraw Your Balance
If your PayPal balance is greater than $0, transfer the funds to your linked bank account before closing. Go to your PayPal Wallet, select your PayPal balance, and choose "Transfer to Bank." Standard transfers to a linked bank account are typically free and take 1–3 business days; instant transfers to an eligible debit card may be available for a small fee. Confirm the transfer has been received in your bank account before proceeding with account closure.
Step 2: Cancel Recurring Payments and Subscriptions
Any automatic billing agreements linked to your PayPal account must be cancelled before you close. To find them, go to Settings, then Payments, and select "Manage Automatic Payments." Cancel each active agreement individually. If you skip this step, merchants may lose the ability to charge your PayPal, but your account may still be blocked from closure if agreements show as active in PayPal's system. Contact any affected merchants directly to update their billing information. This is also a good time to remove your cards from PayPal.
How to Delete Your PayPal Account: Step-by-Step
Once you have completed the pre-closure checklist, you are ready to close the account. The deletion process takes only a few minutes and is the same whether you use PayPal's website or mobile app. Account closure is permanent — PayPal cannot reopen a closed account, and your transaction history, linked bank accounts, and settings cannot be recovered. If you think you might want to use PayPal again in the future, consider simply leaving the account inactive rather than closing it. If you are switching platforms, you might want to learn how PayPal Goods and Services protection works before making the decision.
Closing Your Account on PayPal.com (Desktop)
Step 1: Log in to your PayPal account at paypal.com. Step 2: Click the Settings gear icon in the top right corner. Step 3: Under the "Account" tab, scroll down to find "Account Options" or "Close your account" — the exact label may vary slightly by account type. Step 4: Click "Close Account" and review the information PayPal presents, including confirmation that your balance is $0 and no pending transactions exist. Step 5: Confirm your decision when prompted — PayPal may ask you to re-enter your password as a final verification step.
Closing Your Account on the PayPal Mobile App
Open the PayPal app and tap the profile icon or your name at the top. Navigate to Settings (gear icon), then tap "Account" or "Account Settings." Look for the option to close or deactivate your account — it may be labeled "Close Account" or found within an "Account Management" section. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm closure. If the app does not display a close option, try the desktop website at paypal.com, where the full account management options are more consistently accessible. If you want to update your username before closing, see how to change your PayPal username.
What Happens After You Close Your PayPal Account
Once your PayPal account is closed, you will no longer be able to log in or access your transaction history, and PayPal will email you a confirmation of the closure. Your email address and phone number can be used to open a new PayPal account in the future, but the new account starts fresh — the old account's history, linked payment methods, and settings are not transferable. If you have upcoming tax reporting needs (such as 1099-K forms from PayPal for business payments), download your transaction history before closing the account, as you will not be able to access it afterward. The IRS Form 1099-K is issued based on activity while the account was open, not at closure. After closing, you may want to set up an alternative digital payment method — see how adding money to Venmo works as a PayPal alternative.
Protecting Your Data After Closure
Closing your PayPal account does not immediately erase all your data — PayPal retains transaction records as required by law and its privacy policy. Remove your linked bank accounts and debit/credit cards from PayPal before closing the account, even though closure severs the connection. Change the password to any email address associated with the PayPal account, since phishing attacks sometimes target email accounts previously used with payment platforms. Review your credit card and bank statements for any recurring PayPal charges in the weeks following closure to confirm that all automatic payments were properly cancelled. If you use PayPal to link to Amazon, review the PayPal on Amazon guide to update your checkout payment method first. You should also check whether any Patreon memberships or other subscriptions were billed through PayPal and update their payment sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reopen a deleted PayPal account?
No — PayPal account closure is permanent. Once you close your account, PayPal cannot reopen it, and you cannot recover your transaction history, saved payment methods, or account settings. If you think you might want to use PayPal in the future, consider leaving the account open but inactive rather than deleting it. You can always open a new PayPal account with the same email address, but it will start with no history. Before deciding, review whether you can connect PayPal to Apple Pay as an alternative.
What do I need to do before deleting my PayPal account?
Before closing your PayPal account, you must: withdraw your full balance to a linked bank account, resolve or wait for all pending payments and transactions to clear, close or cancel any open disputes or claims, cancel all recurring billing agreements with merchants, and pay off any PayPal Credit balance if applicable. PayPal will not allow you to proceed with closure until all of these conditions are met. Download your transaction history before closing if you need it for tax or record-keeping purposes. Also remove any cards by following the steps to remove a card from PayPal.
Will I get a 1099 from PayPal after closing my account?
If you received payments for goods or services through PayPal that meet the reporting threshold in a given tax year, PayPal may issue a Form 1099-K for that year even after your account is closed, since reporting is based on the activity that occurred while the account was open. Download your transaction records before closing your account so you have documentation for your tax return. Consult a CPA or tax professional if you are unsure whether your PayPal activity requires tax reporting.
What happens to my linked bank accounts when I close PayPal?
Closing your PayPal account removes PayPal's access to your linked bank accounts and debit/credit cards — the connection is severed upon closure. As a best practice, manually remove your linked payment methods from PayPal before closing the account rather than relying solely on closure to sever the connection. Monitor your bank statements in the weeks after closure to confirm no unexpected PayPal charges appear.
Is there a fee to close a PayPal account?
PayPal does not charge a fee to close your account — account closure is free. However, if you need to withdraw your remaining balance before closing, an instant transfer to a debit card may incur a small fee, while a standard bank transfer typically takes 1–3 business days and is free. Choose the standard transfer to avoid any withdrawal fees before closing. For payment alternatives after closing PayPal, see Amazon payment methods or how to use Apple Pay instead.
Sources & References
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Closing a Financial Account — https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-should-i-consider-when-closing-a-financial-account-en-1399/
- IRS — Form 1099-K: Payment Card and Third Party Network Transactions — https://www.irs.gov/businesses/understanding-your-form-1099-k
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Consumer Complaint Database — https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
Last updated: April 28, 2026