PLR 200611023: Late election allowed for foreign entity to be disregarded

Plain-English summary

A corporate group inadvertently missed the filing of Form 8832 for a foreign entity it wanted treated as disregarded from its owner. The group requested more time to make that entity classification election effective from a specified date. The IRS found that the extension requirements were met and gave it 60 days from the ruling to file the election. The letter directs the group to attach a copy of the ruling to the form.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Could the group file a late entity classification election for its foreign entity?
• Outcome: Approved a 60 day extension to file Form 8832.
• Key authorities: Treas. Reg. §§ 301.7701-3(c), 301.9100-1, 301.9100-3.

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224
Number: 200611023
Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 3/17/2006
Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Index Number: 7701.00-00, 9100.00-00
Person To Contact:
----------------------------------
----------------------, ID No. -------------
-----------------------------------
Telephone Number:
------------------------------
--------------------
------------
Refer Reply To:
----------------------
CC:PSI:B01
PLR-165856-04
Date:
October 25, 2005

Legend

X = ------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------

Y = -----------------------
-------------------------------------------------

Country = ---------

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

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

Dear -----------------------------

This is in response to a letter dated December 21, 2004 requesting an extension of time under § 301.9100-3 of the Procedure and Administration Regulations to file an election to treat Y as an entity disregarded as separate from its owner for federal tax purposes under § 301.7701-3(c).

FACTS

According to the information submitted and representations made within the request, X is the ultimate parent of an affiliated group of corporations. Among this affiliated group is Y, which is an entity that was formed under the laws of Country on D1. Due to inadvertence, a Form 8832, Entity Classification Election, to treat Y as an entity disregarded as separate from its owner effective D2 was not filed.

LAW AND ANALYSIS

PLR-165856-04
2

Section 301.7701-3(b)(2) provides guidance on the classification of a foreign eligible entity for federal tax purposes. Generally, unless the entity makes an election to be treated otherwise, a foreign eligible entity is treated as an association taxable as a corporation if all members have limited liability. If a foreign eligible entity has only one owner, it may elect to be treated as a disregarded entity pursuant to the rules in
§ 301.7701-3(c). If a foreign eligible entity has more than one owner, it may elect to be treated as a partnership pursuant to the rules in § 301.7701-3(c). Section 301.7701-3(c) further provides that an entity classification election must be filed on Form 8832, Entity Classification Election, and can be effective up to 75 days prior to the date the form is filed or up to 12 months after the date on which the form is filed.

Under § 301.9100-1(c), the Commissioner may grant a reasonable extension of time 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 the term regulatory election as including an election with a deadline prescribed by a regulation published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin.

Sections 301.9100-1 through 301.9100-3 provide the standards the Commissioner will use to determine whether to grant an extension of time to make an election.

Section 301.9100-2 provides automatic extensions of time for making certain elections. Section 301.9100-3 provides extensions of time for making elections that do not meet the requirements of § 301.9100-2.

Requests for relief under § 301.9100-3 will be granted when the taxpayer provides evidence to establish that the taxpayer acted reasonably and in good faith, and that granting relief will not prejudice the interests of the Government. Section 301.9100-3(a).

CONCLUSION

Based solely upon the information submitted, we conclude that the requirements of §§ 301.9100-1 and 301.9100-3 have been satisfied. As a result, an extension of 60 days from the date of this letter is granted to elect to treat Y as disregarded as an entity separate from its owner for federal tax purposes, effective D2. The entity classification election should be made by filing Form 8832 with the appropriate service center. A copy of this letter should be attached to the Form 8832. A copy is enclosed for that purpose.

Except as expressly provided herein, no opinion is expressed or implied concerning the tax consequences of any aspect of any transaction or item discussed or referenced in this letter.

PLR-165856-04
3

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

In accordance with the power of attorney on file with this office, a copy of this letter will be sent to your authorized representative.

Sincerely,

Heather C. Maloy

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

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

cc: