PLR 200218006: Late S corporation election allowed if Form 2553 is filed within 60 days

Plain-English summary

A corporation's sole shareholder intended S corporation treatment from the company's formation, but its advisers did not file the election form. The shareholder said the company had filed S corporation returns from its first tax year onward. The IRS found reasonable cause for the late election under § 1362(b)(5). It agreed to treat the election as timely for the first tax year if the company filed Form 2553 with the specified effective date within 60 days of the ruling. The IRS did not decide whether the company otherwise qualified as an S corporation.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: May the company make an S corporation election effective from its first tax year despite the missed filing?
• Outcome: Approved conditionally: Form 2553 must be filed within 60 days with the specified effective date.
• Key authorities: IRC § 1362(a) and (b)(5).

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury

Number: 200218006
Washington, DC 20224
Release Date: 5/3/2002
Index Number: 1362.01-03
Person to Contact:

Telephone Number:

Refer Reply To:
CC:PSI:3 PLR-155170-01
Date:
January 24, 2002

Legend

Company =

A
=

State =

D1 =

D2 =

Dear
:

This letter responds to your letter dated August 2, 2001, requesting a ruling on behalf of Company under Internal Revenue Code § 1362(b)(5).

FACTS

Company was incorporated in State on D1. Company’s sole shareholder, A, represents that on D1 and at all times thereafter A intended that Company be regarded as an S corporation. However, A also represents that Company’s legal and tax representatives failed to file the necessary form to elect S corporate status for Company.

A has represented that at all times since D1, A has treated Company as an S corporation, including causing Company to file forms 1120S for the tax year ending D2 and each subsequent tax year.

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.
Generally, 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 2 PLR-155170-01

the year in which the election is made. Section 1362(b)(3) provides that if an S election is made after the first two and one half months of a Corporation’s taxable year, that corporation will not be treated as an S corporation until the taxable year following the year in which the S election is made.

Section 1362(b)(5) provides that if (1) an election under § 1362(a) is made for any taxable year after the date prescribed by § 1362 for making the election or 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, the Secretary may treat such an election as timely made for such taxable year and § 1362(b)(3) shall not apply.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on facts submitted and representations made, we conclude that Company has established reasonable cause for its failure to make a timely election and that Company is eligible for relief under § 1362(b)(5). Accordingly, if Company makes an election to be an S corporation by filing a form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation, with an effective date of D1, with the appropriate Service Center within 60 days from the date of this ruling, Company’s § 1362(a) election will be treated as timely made for its taxable year that begins on D1. A copy of this letter should be attached to the Form 2553.

Except as expressly provided herein, we neither express nor imply any opinion concerning the tax consequences of any aspect of any transaction or item discussed or referenced in this letter. Specifically, we neither express nor imply any opinion as to whether Company qualifies as an S corporation.

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.

In accordance with the Power of Attorney on file with this office, a copy of this letter is being sent to the taxpayer.

Sincerely,
Christine E. Ellison
Chief, Branch 3
Office of Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs and Special Industries)

Enclosures (2):
Copy of this letter
Copy for § 6110 purposes