PLR 200049016: Late S election recognized from corporation's start date

Plain-English summary

A corporation's shareholder intended to elect S corporation status from the day the company began doing business, but the election was filed late. The IRS found reasonable cause for the delay and granted relief under section 1362(b)(5). The corporation will be recognized as an S corporation from that intended date if it otherwise qualifies. It must send a completed Form 2553 and a copy of the ruling to the service center within 60 days of the letter.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Can the late S election take effect when the corporation began doing business?
• Outcome: Approved, subject to otherwise qualifying as an S corporation and submitting Form 2553.
• Key authorities: IRC § 1362(a), (b)(5).

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury

Number: 200049016
Washington, DC 20224
Release Date: 12/8/2000
Index Number: 1362.01-03
Person to Contact:

Telephone Number:

Refer Reply To:
CC:PSI:Br.1 - PLR-116227-00
Date:
August 31, 2000

Legend:

X =

State =

D1 =

:

This responds to your letter dated July 12, 2000, submitted on behalf of X requesting relief under section 1362(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code.

FACTS

X began doing business under State law on D1. The shareholder of X intended that X elect to be treated as an S corporation effective D1. However, the election to be treated as an S corporation was not timely filed.

LAW AND ANALYSIS

Section 1362(a) provides that a small business corporation can elect to be treated as an S corporation.

Section 1362(b) provides when an S election becomes effective. If an S election is made within the first two and one-half months of a corporation’s taxable year, then that corporation will be treated as an S corporation for the year in which the election was made. If an election is made after the first two and one-half months of a corporation’s taxable year, then the corporation will generally not be treated as an S corporation until the following taxable year.

However, section 1362(b)(5) provides that if no election is made pursuant to section 1362(a), or if the election is made after the date prescribed for making such an 2 PLR-116227-00 election, and the Secretary determines reasonable cause existed for the failure to timely make the election, then the Secretary can treat such an election as timely made for that taxable year and effective as of the first day of that taxable year.

In the present case, X failed to timely elect S corporation treatment effective D1.
However, X has established reasonable cause for not making a timely election and is thus entitled to relief under section 1362(b)(5).

CONCLUSION

Based solely on the facts submitted and representations made, and provided that X otherwise qualifies as a subchapter S corporation, we conclude that X will be recognized as an S corporation effective D1. Within 60 days from the date of this letter, X should submit a properly completed Form 2553, with a copy of this letter attached, to the relevant service center.

Except as expressly provided herein, no opinion is expressed or implied concerning the tax consequences of any aspect of any transaction or item discussed or referenced in this letter.

This ruling is directed only to the taxpayer(s) requesting it. Section 6110(k)(3) of the Code provides that it may not be used or cited as precedent.

Sincerely,

/s/ Dianna K. Miosi
Dianna K. Miosi
Chief, Branch 1
Office of the Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs & Special Industries)

Enclosures (2):
Copy of this letter
Copy for section 6110 purposes