PLR 200203055: Late S election accepted for corporation's first day

Plain-English summary

A corporation's shareholder intended to elect S corporation status starting on the corporation's incorporation date, but the election was filed late. Section 1362(b)(5) permits relief for a late S election when the taxpayer establishes reasonable cause. The IRS found reasonable cause and ruled that the corporation would be recognized as an S corporation from the intended date, provided it otherwise qualified. The corporation had to send an original Form 2553 and a copy of the ruling to the relevant IRS service center within 60 days of the letter. The ruling does not decide any other tax consequence.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Could a late S election take effect on the corporation's intended start date?
• Outcome: Approved, subject to eligibility and timely submission of Form 2553.
• Key authorities: IRC § 1362(b)(5).

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury

Number: 200203055
Washington, DC 20224
Release Date: 1/18/2002
Index Number: 1362.01-03
Person to Contact:

Telephone Number:
(202)622-3050
Refer Reply To:
CC:PSI:B01-PLR-143136-01
Date:
October 19, 2001

Legend:

X
=

State 1 =

Date 1 =

This letter responds to your request for a written determination, dated July 31, 2001, requesting relief under section 1362(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Facts

X was incorporated under State 1 law on Date 1. The shareholder of X intended that X elect to be treated as a S corporation effective Date 1. However, the election to be treated as a S corporation was not timely filed.

Law and Analysis

Section 1362(a) of the Code provides that a small business corporation can elect to be treated as an S corporation.

Section 1362(b) of the Code provides guidance on when the S election becomes effective. 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 was made. If the corporation makes an election after the first two and one-half months of a corporation’s taxable year, then the corporation will generally not be treated as an S corporation until the following taxable year.

Section 1362(b)(5) of the Code provides that if no election is made pursuant to section 1362(a), or if the election is made after the date prescribed for making such an election, and the Secretary determined reasonable cause existed for the failure to timely make the election, then the Secretary can treat such an election as being timely made for that taxable year and effective as of the first day of that taxable year. 2 PLR-143136-01

X did not file a timely election to be treated as a S corporation under section 1362(a). X has, however, established reasonable cause for not making a timely S election. Therefore, X is entitled to relief under section 13623(b)(5).

Conclusions

Based solely on the facts submitted and representations made, and provided that X otherwise qualifies as a subchapter S corporation, we conclude that X will be recognized as an S corporation effective Date 1. An original Form 2553 along with a copy of this letter must be forwarded to the relevant Service Center within sixty (60) days from the date of this letter.

Except as expressly provided herein, no opinion is expressed or implied concerning the tax consequences of any aspect of any transaction or item discussed or referenced in this letter.

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

Sincerely,
Dianna K. Miosi
Chief, Branch 1
Office of Office of the Associate Counsel (Passthroughs and Special Industries)

Enclosures (2)
Copy of this letter
Copy for section 6110 purposes