PLR 200453005: Foreign entity gets more time to file classification election

Plain-English summary

A foreign company owned through other disregarded entities requested more time to file Form 8832. Its request sought classification as an entity disregarded from its owner, effective on a redacted date, after the form was not filed on time. The IRS found that the requirements for discretionary election relief were met. It gave the company 60 days from the ruling letter to file the form for the requested effective date. The letter does not decide other federal tax consequences of the arrangement.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Could the foreign company file a late Form 8832 to be disregarded from its owner?
• Outcome: Approved; the company has 60 days from the letter to file the form.
• Key authorities: Treas. Reg. §§ 301.7701-3, 301.9100-1, 301.9100-3.

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224
Number: 200453005
Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 12/31/2004
Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Index Number: 7701.31-00, 9100.00-00
Person To Contact:
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Telephone Number:
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Refer Reply To:
CC:PSI:3
PLR-128996-04
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Date:
September 13, 2004

LEGEND

X = -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Y = -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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D1 = ----------------------

D2 = ----------------------

Country1 = -----------------

Country2 = ---------------------

Dear ------------------:

This letter responds to your letter dated May 12, 2004, and subsequent correspondence on behalf of X, as X’s authorized representative, requesting an extension of time under § 301.9100-3 of the Procedure and Administration Regulations for X to file an election to be classified as an entity disregarded from its owner for federal tax purposes, effective D2.

FACTS

According to the information submitted, X was organized on D1 under the laws of Country1 as a Proprietary Limited Company. X is owned through a series of

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disregarded entities by Y, a Country2 entity treated as a partnership for federal tax purposes. X intended to elect under § 301.7701-3(c) to be treated as entity separate from its owner for federal tax purposes, effective D2. However, due to inadvertence, X failed to file its Form 8832, Entity Classification Election, timely.

LAW AND ANALYSIS

Section 301.7701-3(a) provides, in part, that a business entity that is not classified as a corporation under § 301.7701-2(b)(1), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), or (8) (an eligible entity) can elect its classification for federal tax purposes. It further provides that an eligible entity with a single owner can elect to be classified as an association or to be disregarded as an entity separate from its owner.

Section 301.7701-3(b)(2) provides guidance on the default classification of a foreign eligible entity for federal tax purposes. Section 301.7701-3(b)(2)(B) provides that unless it elects otherwise, a foreign eligible entity is an association if all members have limited liability.

Section 301.7701-3(c)(1)(i) provides that an eligible entity may elect to be classified other than as provided in ' 301.7701-3(b) by filing Form 8832, Entity Classification Election, with the service center designated on Form 8832.

Section 301.7701-3(c)(1)(iii) provides that an election under ' 301.7701-3(c)(1)(i) will be effective on the date specified on Form 8832 or on the date filed if no such date is specified on the election form. The effective date specified on Form 8832 cannot be more than 75 days prior to the date the election is filed and cannot be more than 12 months after the date on which the election is filed.

Section 301.9100-1(c) provides that the Commissioner has discretion to grant a reasonable extension of time under the rules set forth in '' 301.9100-2 and 301.9100-3, to make a regulatory election, or a statutory election (but no more than six months except in the case of a taxpayer who is abroad), under all subtitles of the Code, except subtitles E, G, H, and I. Section 301.9100-1(b) defines a regulatory election to include an election whose due date is prescribed by a regulation published in the Federal Register.

Section 301.9100-2 provides the rules governing automatic extensions of time for making certain elections.

Section 301.9100-3 sets forth the standards the Commissioner will use to determine whether to grant an extension of time for regulatory elections that do not meet the requirements of ' 301.9100-2. Under ' 301.9100-3, a request for relief will be granted when the taxpayer provides evidence to establish to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that (1) the taxpayer acted reasonably and in good faith, and (2) that granting relief will not prejudice the interests of the Government.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the facts submitted and representations made, we conclude that the requirements of '§ 301.9100-1 and 301.9100-3 have been satisfied. As a result, X is

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granted an extension of time of 60 days from the date of this letter to file Form 8832 with the appropriate service center and elect to be classified as a disregarded entity for federal tax purposes effective D2. A copy of this letter should be attached to the Form 8832.

Except as specifically set forth above, no opinion is expressed or implied as to the federal tax consequences of the transaction described above under any other provision of the Code.

Under a power of attorney on file with this office, we are sending a copy of this letter to X.

This ruling is directed only to the taxpayer on whose behalf it was requested.
Section 6110(k)(3) provides that it may not be used or cited as precedent.

Sincerely,

/s/

Heather C. Maloy
Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs and Special Industries)

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

cc: