PLR 200518059: Late S election could take effect from incorporation

Plain-English summary

A corporation's sole shareholder intended S corporation treatment from the date of incorporation, but the corporation filed Form 2553 late. The IRS found reasonable cause and granted relief under IRC § 1362(b)(5). If the corporation filed a completed Form 2553 with a copy of the ruling within 60 days of the letter, the election would be treated as timely from the requested date. The IRS did not decide whether the corporation otherwise qualified as an S corporation.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Could the corporation's late S election be treated as timely from its incorporation date?
• Outcome: Approved, if Form 2553 is filed within 60 days.
• Key authorities: IRC § 1362(b)(5).

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224
Number: 200518059
Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 5/6/2005
Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Index Number: 1362.01-03
Person To Contact:
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Telephone Number:
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Refer Reply To:
CC:PSI:3
PLR-157325-04
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Date:
January 21, 2005

LEGEND

X = ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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A = ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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State = ---------

D1 = -------------------

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

This letter responds to your letter dated September 21, 2004, and subsequent correspondence written on behalf of X, requesting a ruling under § 1362(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code.

FACTS

According to the information submitted, X was incorporated under State law on
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D1. X’s sole shareholder, A, intended for X to be an S corporation beginning D1. However, X’s Form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation, was not filed timely.

LAW AND ANALYSIS

Section 1362(a)(1) provides that a small business corporation may elect to be an S corporation.

Section 1362(b) provides 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 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, then 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 an election under § 1362(a) is made for any taxable year after the date prescribed by § 1362(b) for making the election for the taxable year or no § 1362(a) election is made for any taxable year, and the Secretary determines that there was reasonable cause for the failure to timely make the election, the Secretary may treat the election as timely made for the taxable year and § 1362(b)(3) shall not apply.

CONCLUSION

Based on the facts submitted and representations made, we conclude that X has established reasonable cause for its failing to make a timely S corporation election, and that X is eligible for relief under § 1362(b)(5). Accordingly, if X makes an election to be an S corporation by filing with the appropriate service center a completed Form 2553 effective D1, within 60 days following the date of this letter, the election will be treated as timely made. A copy of this letter should be attached to the Form 2553 filed with the service center.

Except as expressly provided herein, we express or imply no opinion concerning the federal tax consequences of any aspect of any transaction or item discussed or referenced in this letter. Specifically, we express or imply no opinion concerning whether X is otherwise eligible to be an S corporation for federal tax purposes.
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This ruling is directed only to the taxpayer who requested it. Section 6110(k)(3) provides that it may not be used or cited as precedent.

Sincerely yours,

/s/

Mary Beth Collins
Senior Technician Reviewer, Branch 3
Office of the Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs and Special Industries)

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

cc: