PLR 200112058: Late S corporation election allowed for first tax year

Plain-English summary

A corporation's sole shareholder intended to elect S corporation treatment from its first tax year. Its attorney and accountant each thought the other would file Form 2553, so the filing deadline passed. The IRS found reasonable cause under section 1362(b)(5). If the corporation files a completed Form 2553 within 60 days of the ruling, the election will be treated as timely for its first tax year. The IRS did not decide whether the corporation otherwise qualifies as a small business corporation under section 1361(b).

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Can the corporation make a late S corporation election for its first tax year?
• Outcome: Approved, conditioned on filing Form 2553 within 60 days.
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 1362(b)(5), 1361(b).

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury

Number: 200112058
Washington, DC 20224
Release Date: 3/23/2001
Index Number: 1362.01-03
Person to Contact:

Telephone Number:

Refer Reply To:
CC:PSI:2-PLR-117622-00
Date:
December 21, 2000

X =

A =

D1 =

Year 1 =

Dear :

This responds to your letter dated September 7, 2000, and subsequent correspondence, written on behalf of X, requesting a ruling under § 1362(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code.

A, X’s sole shareholder, represents that she intended for X to be treated as an S corporation for federal tax purposes effective as of D1 of Year 1, X's first taxable year. A instructed and relied upon X’s attorney and accountant to file a timely Form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation, for X for Year 1. However, X’s attorney and accountant each mistakenly relied on the other to prepare the Form 2553 for X. As a result, a timely Form 2553 was not filed for X for Year 1.

A represents that X and A prepared their tax returns for Year 1 consistent with the treatment of X as an S corporation.

Section 1362(b)(5) of the Code provides that if: (A) an election under § 1362(a) is made for any taxable year after the date prescribed by § 1362(b) for making such election for such taxable year or no such election is made for any taxable year, and (B) the Secretary determines that there was reasonable cause for the failure to timely make such election, the Secretary may treat such an election as timely made for such taxable year.

Based solely on the facts and the representations submitted, we conclude that X has established reasonable cause for failing to make a timely election to be an S corporation for X's first taxable year. Accordingly, provided that X makes an election to

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PLR-117622-00

be an S corporation by filing a completed Form 2553 with the appropriate service center effective for its Year 1 taxable year, within 60 days following the date of this letter, then such election will be treated as timely made for X’s Year 1 taxable year. A copy of this letter should be attached to the Form 2553.

Except as specifically set forth above, no opinion is expressed concerning the federal tax consequences of the facts described above under any other provision of the Code, including whether X was or is a small business corporation under § 1361(b) of the Code.

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

Pursuant to a power of attorney on file with this office, a copy of this letter is being sent to X’s authorized representative.

Sincerely yours,
JEANNE M. SULLIVAN
Assistant to the Chief, Branch 2
Office of the Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs and Special Industries)

Enclosures: 2
Copy of this letter
Copy for § 6110 purposes