PLR 200125054: Missing Form 2553 allowed after S corporation filings

Plain-English summary

A corporation intended to be an S corporation from its first tax year but never filed Form 2553. It had filed an S corporation return, and its shareholders had filed individual returns consistently with that treatment. The IRS found reasonable cause for the missing election and said it would be treated as timely if the corporation filed a completed Form 2553 within 60 days of the letter. The IRS did not decide whether the company met the definition of a small business corporation.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Could the company make an S election effective for its first tax year despite never filing Form 2553?
• Outcome: Approved: timely treatment if Form 2553 was filed within 60 days.
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 1362(b)(5), 1361(b).

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service Department of the Treasury

Number: 200125054
Washington, DC 20224
Release Date: 6/22/2001
Index Number: 1362.01-03
Person to Contact:

Telephone Number:

Refer Reply To:
CC:PSI:2 - PLR-127185-00
Date:
March 23, 2001

X =

A =

D1 =

Year 1 =

Dear
:
This letter responds to a letter, dated November 10, 2000, and subsequent correspondence, submitted on behalf of X by its authorized representative, requesting a ruling under § 1362(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code.
The information submitted states that X was incorporated on D1 in Year 1. A, as the director of X, represents that X was intended to be an S corporation beginning Year 1, its first taxable year. X’s filed Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, evidences this intent. However, no Form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation, had been submitted with the Internal Revenue Service. For Year 1 X filed a Form 1120S, U.S. Income Tax Return for an S Corporation, and the shareholders of X filed individual tax returns consistent with X being 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 Year 1 -2-

taxable year. Accordingly, provided that X makes an election to 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 requesting it.
Section 6110(k)(3) of the Code provides that it may not be used or cited as precedent.
In accordance with the power of attorney on file with this office, a copy of this letter is being sent to X’s authorized representative.

Sincerely yours,
J. THOMAS HINES
Chief, Branch 2
Office of the Associate
Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs and
Special Industries)
Enclosures: 2
Copy of this letter
Copy for § 6110 purposes