PLR 200321016: Late S corporation election accepted with timely Form 2553 filing

Plain-English summary

A corporation intended to elect S corporation status as of a specified date but did not file Form 2553 on time. The IRS found reasonable cause for the late election under section 1362(b)(5). It ruled that the election would be treated as timely if the corporation filed a completed Form 2553, effective on the intended date, with a copy of the ruling within 60 days of the letter. The IRS did not decide whether the corporation otherwise met the requirements to be an S corporation.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Could the corporation's late S corporation election be treated as timely?
• Outcome: Approved, subject to filing Form 2553 and the ruling within 60 days.
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 1362(a), 1362(b)(5).

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury

Number: 200321016
Washington, DC 20224
Release Date: 5/23/2003
Index Number: 1362.01-03
Person to Contact:

Telephone Number:

Refer Reply To:
CC:PSI:2 - PLR-167959-02
Date:
Legend: February 13, 2003

X
=

A
=

B
=

D1 =

Dear
:

This letter responds to a letter dated November 11, 2002, and subsequent correspondence, submitted on behalf of X, requesting a ruling under § 1362(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The information submitted states that A and B are the shareholders of X. A, X’s president, represents that X was intended to be an S corporation effective D1. However, no Form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation, was timely filed for X.

Section 1362(b)(5) of the Code provides that if -- (A) an election under § 1362(a) is made for any taxable year after the date prescribed by § 1362(b) for making such election for such taxable year or no such election is made for any taxable year, and (B) 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.

Based solely on the facts and the representations submitted, we conclude that X has established reasonable cause for failing to make a timely election to be an S corporation effective D1. Accordingly, provided that X makes an election to be an S corporation by filing a completed Form 2553 effective D1, along with a copy of this

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PLR-167959-02

letter, with the appropriate service center within 60 days from the date of this letter, then such election will be treated as timely made for D1.

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, including whether X was or is a small business corporation under § 1361(b) of the Code.

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

Pursuant to a power of attorney on file with this office, a copy of this letter is being forwarded to X’s authorized representative.

Sincerely yours,

MATTHEW LAY
Senior Technician Reviewer, Branch 2
Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs and Special Industries)

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