PLR 200050019: Two shareholder company receives late S election relief

Plain-English summary

A company with two shareholders intended to elect S corporation status from a specified tax year but discovered that it had missed the filing deadline. It asked the IRS to treat the election as timely for that year. The IRS agreed under section 1362(b)(5), provided the company filed Form 2553 with the requested effective date within 60 days of the ruling. The IRS did not decide whether the company otherwise qualified as an S corporation.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Can the late S election be effective for the requested tax year?
• Outcome: Approved if Form 2553 is filed within 60 days.
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 1362(a), 1362(b)(5).

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury

Number: 200050019
Washington, DC 20224
Release Date: 12/15/2000
Index Number: U.I.L. No.: 1362.01-03
Person to Contact:

Telephone Number:

Refer Reply To:
CC:PSI:3 PLR-111283-00
Date:
September 13, 2000

Legend

Company
=

State
=

Shareholders =

a
=

b
=

Dear

This letter responds to a letter dated May 19, 2000, requesting a ruling on behalf of Company under § 1362(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The information submitted discloses that Company was incorporated on a in State. Company has two shareholders, Shareholders. It is represented that Company has intended to be an S corporation since b. However, Company discovered that its S election had not been timely filed.

Company requests a ruling that its § 1362(a) election will be treated as timely made for its taxable year that begins on b.

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

Section 1362(b) explains when an S election will be effective. Generally, 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 is made. Section 1362(b)(3) provides that if an S election is made after the first two and one half months of a corporation's taxable year, then that corporation will not
PLR-111283-00
2

be treated as an S corporation until the taxable year following the year in which the S election is made.

Section 1362(b)(5) provides that if no § 1362(a) election is made for any taxable year, and the Secretary determines that there was reasonable cause for the failure to timely make such election, then the Secretary may treat such an election as timely made for such taxable year and § 1362(b)(3) shall not apply.

Applying the relevant law to the facts submitted and representations made, we rule that Company's § 1362(a) election will be treated as timely made for its taxable year that begins on b. However, this ruling is contingent on Company filing Form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation, with an effective date of b, with the appropriate Service Center within 60 days from the date of this ruling. A copy of this letter should be attached to the Form 2553.

The rulings contained in this letter are based upon information and representations submitted by the taxpayer and accompanied by a penalty of perjury statement executed by an appropriate party. While this office has not verified any of the material submitted in support of the request for rulings, it is subject to verification on examination.

Except as specifically set forth above, we express no opinion concerning the federal tax consequences of the foregoing facts. Specifically, we express no opinion on whether Company otherwise qualifies as an S corporation.

Pursuant to a power of attorney on file with this office, a copy of this letter is being sent to the taxpayer.

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

Sincerely yours,
ROBERT HONIGMAN
Acting Assistant to the Chief, Branch 3
Office of the Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs and Special Industries)

Enclosure:
Copy for section 6110 purposes