PLR 200120032: Partnership received 60 more days to make a section 754 election

Plain-English summary

A partnership missed the deadline to elect an adjustment to the basis of partnership property under IRC § 754 after a limited partner died. The IRS found that the partnership met the requirements for an extension under the regulatory election relief rules. It gave the partnership 60 days from the letter date to file a written election for the year at issue, with a copy of the ruling attached. The extension did not decide whether the partnership was otherwise eligible to make the election.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Could the partnership file its section 754 election after the deadline?
• Outcome: Approved
• Key authorities: IRC § 754; Treas. Reg. §§ 1.754-1(b), 301.9100-1, and 301.9100-3

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury

Number: 200120032
Washington, DC 20224
Release Date: 5/18/2001
Index Number: 754.02-00
Person to Contact:
9100.15-00
Telephone Number:

Refer Reply To:
CC:PSI:B01 PLR-121637-00
Date:
February 16, 2001

Legend

Partnership =
A
=
Trust =
D1
=
Year =

This responds to the letter dated October 16, 2000, and subsequent correspondence, submitted on behalf of Partnership, requesting an extension of time pursuant to § 301.9100-3(a) of the Procedure and Administration Regulations to file an election under § 754 of the Internal Revenue Code.

FACTS

According to the information submitted, A, through Trust (a grantor trust), was a limited partner in Partnership. A died on D1. Partnership inadvertently failed to timely file a § 754 election.
LAW AND ANALYSIS

Section 754 provides that a partnership may elect to adjust the basis of partnership property in the case of a distribution of property or in the case of a transfer of a partnership interest. The election applies with respect to all distributions of property by the partnership and to all transfers of interests in the partnership during the taxable year with respect to which the election is filed and all subsequent taxable years.

Section 1.754-1(b) of the Income Tax Regulations provides that an election under § 754 shall be made in a written statement filed with the partnership return for the taxable year during which the distribution or transfer occurs. For the election to be valid, the return must be filed not later than the time prescribed for filing the return for the taxable year, including extensions thereof.

Section 1.754-1(b) refers to § 1.9100-1 (now § 301.9100-1) for rules regarding extensions of time for filing elections.

2
CC:PSI:B01 PLR-121637-00

Section 301.9100-1(c) provides that the Commissioner has discretion to grant a reasonable extension of time under the rules set forth in § 301.9100-3 to make a regulatory election. Section 301.9100-1(b) defines a regulatory election to include an election whose due date is prescribed by a regulation published in the Federal Register.

Requests for relief under § 301.9100-3 will be granted when the taxpayer provides evidence to establish that the taxpayer acted reasonably and in good faith, and that granting relief will not prejudice the interests of the Government. Section 301.9100-3(a).
CONCLUSION

Based upon the information submitted, Partnership has met the requirements of §§ 301.9100-1 and 301.9100-3, and is granted an extension of time for making the election under § 754 effective for Year until 60 days following the date of this letter. The election should be made in a written statement filed with the director for association with Partnership’s Year return. A copy of this letter should be attached to the statement.

The ruling in this letter is based on information and representations submitted by 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 ruling, it is subject to verification on examination.

Except for the specific ruling above, no opinion is expressed or implied as to the federal income tax consequences of the transactions described above under any other provision of the Code. Section 301.9100-1(a) provides that the granting of an extension of time for making an election is not a determination that taxpayer is otherwise eligible to make the election.

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

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

Sincerely,
PAUL F. KUGLER
Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs and Special Industries)
Enclosures (2)
Copy of this letter
Copy for § 6110 purposes