PLR 200323019: Late S corporation election granted for first tax year

Plain-English summary

A corporation's sole shareholder intended S corporation treatment from the date of incorporation, but the corporation did not timely file Form 2553. The IRS found reasonable cause for the missed election under section 1362(b)(5). It ruled that the election would be treated as timely for the corporation's first tax year if a completed Form 2553 was filed within 60 days of the letter. The IRS gave no opinion on whether the corporation qualified as a small business corporation under section 1361(b).

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Could the corporation's late S election take effect for its first tax year?
• Outcome: Approved, subject to filing Form 2553 within 60 days.
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 1361(b), 1362(b)(5).

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury

Number: 200323019
Washington, DC 20224
Release Date: 6/6/2003
Index Number:1362.01-03
Person to Contact:

Telephone Number:

Refer Reply To:
CC:PSI:2- PLR-157598-02
Date:
February 20, 2003

X
=
EIN:

Date 1 =

Year 1 =

Dear . :

This letter responds to a letter September 12, 2002 requesting a ruling under § 1362(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The information submitted states that X was incorporated on Date 1. The sole shareholder of X intended for X to be an S corporation beginning on Date 1. However, no timely filed Form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation, was filed on behalf of X for Year 1.

Section 1362(b)(5) 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. Accordingly, provided that X makes an election to be an S corporation by filing a completed Form 2553 with the appropriate service center effective for its Year 1 taxable year within 60 days following the date of this letter, then such election will be treated as timely made for X's Year 1 taxable year. A copy of this letter should be attached to the Form 2553.

PLR-157598-02
2

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 sent to X and X’s second 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