PLR 200302020: Late S corporation election receives relief

Plain-English summary

A corporation's shareholders intended to elect S corporation status effective on the company's incorporation date, but the election was not filed on time. The IRS found reasonable cause for the late filing and agreed to treat the election as effective from that date, provided the company otherwise qualifies as an S corporation. The company was directed to submit Form 2553 with a copy of the ruling within 60 days. The IRS did not decide whether the company actually meets the other S corporation requirements.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: May the corporation's late S election take effect from its incorporation date?
• Outcome: Approved, subject to S corporation eligibility and filing Form 2553 within 60 days.
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 1362(a), 1362(b)(2), 1362(b)(3), 1362(b)(5).

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury

Number: 200302020
Washington, DC 20224
Release Date: 01/10/2003
Index Number: 1362.01-03
Person to Contact:

Telephone Number:

Refer Reply To:
CC:PSI:1-PLR-115707-02
Date:
Sept 30 2002

Legend

X =

State =
D1 =

This responds to your letter dated August 30, 2002, requesting relief under § 1362(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Facts

X was incorporated on D1 under the law of State. The shareholders of X intended that X be treated as an S corporation effective on D1, 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 D1.

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 2
PLR-115707-02

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 file an election to be treated as an S corporation under § 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 D1. Within 60 days from the date of this letter, X should submit a properly completed Form 2553, with a copy of this letter attached, to the appropriate service center.

Except as specifically set forth above, no opinion is expressed or implied as to the federal tax consequences of the facts 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 requesting it. Section 6110(k)(3) provides that it may not be used or cited as precedent.

Sincerely,

/s/ David R. Haglund

David R. Haglund
Senior Technician Reviewer, Branch 1
Office of the Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs and Special Industries)

Enclosures:
Copy of this letter; Copy for § 6110 purposes