PLR 200125062: Late S corporation election receives relief

Plain-English summary

A newly incorporated company intended to elect S corporation status from its first tax year but missed the election deadline. The IRS found reasonable cause for the late filing. It agreed to recognize S corporation status from the start of that year if the company otherwise qualified, the shareholders made any needed tax return adjustments, and Form 2553 was filed within 60 days of the letter. The IRS did not rule on whether the company met the other eligibility requirements for S corporation status.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Could an S corporation election take effect from the company's first tax year despite a late filing?
• Outcome: Approved: relief conditioned on eligibility, shareholder return adjustments, and filing Form 2553 within 60 days.
• Key authorities: IRC § 1362(b)(5).

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury

Number: 200125062
Washington, DC 20224
Release Date: 6/22/2001
Index Number: 1362.01-03
Person to Contact:

Telephone Number:

Refer Reply To:
CC:PSI:Br.3-PLR-100885-01
Date:
March 26, 2001

Legend:

X
=

D1
=

State
=

Shareholders =

Dear

This letter responds to your letter dated November 18, 2000, and subsequent correspondence written on behalf of X, requesting a ruling that X’s S corporation status will be effective as of D1.

FACTS

X incorporated under State law on D1. X’s Shareholders intended that X be a subchapter S corporation for its tax year beginning D1. However, the S corporation election under § 1362 of the Internal Revenue Code was not filed timely.

X requests a ruling that it will be recognized as a subchapter S corporation effective D1 pursuant to § 1362(b)(5).

LAW AND ANALYSIS

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

Section 1362(b) provides the rule on when a subchapter S election will be effective. Generally, if a subchapter 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 a subchapter S corporation for the year in which the election is made. If a subchapter S 2
PLR-100885-01

election is made after the first two and one-half months of a corporation’s taxable year, then that corporation will not be treated as a subchapter S corporation until the taxable year after the year in which the subchapter S election is made.

Section 1362(b)(5) provides that if: (1) no § 1362(a) election is made for any taxable year, and (2) 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 effective as of the first day of that taxable year.

X's subchapter S corporation election was not filed timely for the election to be effective as of its taxable year beginning on D1. Nevertheless, X has established reasonable cause for not making a timely election and is entitled to relief under § 1362(b)(5).

CONCLUSIONS

Based solely on the facts submitted and representations made, and assuming that X otherwise qualifies as a subchapter S corporation as of D1, and X's Shareholders make any adjustments to their federal income tax returns necessary to comply with this ruling, we conclude that X will be recognized as a subchapter S corporation effective for the period beginning on D1. Please file a completed Form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation, (with a copy of this ruling attached) reflecting X’s election of subchapter S corporation status as of D1, with the applicable service center within 60 days from the date of this letter.

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. Specifically, no opinion is expressed concerning whether X otherwise satisfies the subchapter S corporation eligibility requirements.

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,
Mary Beth Collins
Assistant to the Branch Chief,
Branch 3
Office of the Associate Chief
Counsel
(Passthroughs and Special
Industries)
Enclosures (2)
Copy of this letter
Copy for § 6110 purposes