PLR 200209050: Late S corporation election allowed for reasonable cause

Plain-English summary

A corporation's shareholders intended to elect S corporation status from the corporation's formation date, but the election was filed late. The IRS found that the corporation established reasonable cause for the late filing. It ruled that the corporation would be treated as an S corporation from the requested effective date, provided it otherwise qualified. The corporation was directed to submit Form 2553 within 60 days with a copy of the ruling attached.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: May the corporation receive relief for its late S corporation election?
• Outcome: Approved under IRC § 1362(b)(5), subject to the stated conditions.
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 1362(a), 1362(b), 1362(b)(2), 1362(b)(3), and 1362(b)(5).

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury

Number: 200209050
Washington, DC 20224
Release Date: 3/1/2002
Index Number: 1362.01-03
Person to Contact:

Telephone Number:

Refer Reply To:
CC:PSI:B1-PLR-148011-01
Date:
December 3, 2001

Legend:

X
=

Date 1 =

This responds to a letter dated August 29, 2001, and subsequent correspondence, submitted on behalf of X, requesting relief under § 1362(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Facts

X was incorporated on Date 1. The shareholders of X desired that X elect S corporation treatment effective on Date 1, but the election to be treated as an S corporation was not timely filed. Accordingly, X requests a ruling that it will be treated as an S corporation effective Date 1.

Law and Analysis

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

Section 1362(b) provides the rule on when an S election will be effective.
Section 1362(b)(2) provides in relevant part that if an S election is made within the first two and one-half months of a corporation's taxable year, then the corporation will be treated as an S corporation for the year in which the election is made. Under
§ 1362(b)(3), however, if an S 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 an S corporation until the taxable year after the year in which the S election is filed.

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 § 1362(b)(3) shall not apply.

X did not timely file an election to be treated as an S corporation under 2
PLR-148011-01

§ 1362(a). X has, however, established reasonable cause for not making a timely S election and is entitled to relief under § 1362(b)(5).

Conclusion

Based solely on the facts submitted and the representations made, and provided that X otherwise qualifies as an S corporation, we conclude that X will be treated as an S corporation effective Date 1. Within 60 days from the date of this letter X should submit a properly completed Form 2553 effective Date 1, with a copy of this letter attached, to the relevant service center.

Except as specifically set forth above, no opinion is expressed or implied as to the federal income tax consequences of the transaction described above under any other provision of the Code. Specifically, no opinion is expressed concerning whether X is, in fact, an S corporation for federal tax purposes.

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 the Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs and Special Industries)
Enclosures (2)
Copy of this letter
Copy for § 6110 purposes