PLR 200737041: Late S corporation election allowed if filed within 60 days

Plain-English summary

A corporation intended to elect S corporation status from a redacted date but did not file Form 2553 on time. It asked the IRS to treat the election as timely under section 1362(b)(5). Based on the submitted facts and representations, the IRS found reasonable cause for the missed deadline. It allowed the election to take effect from the requested date if the corporation filed a completed Form 2553 within 60 days of the letter and attached a copy of the ruling. The IRS expressly gave no opinion on whether the corporation actually qualified as an S corporation.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Could the corporation's late S election be treated as timely from its intended effective date?
• Outcome: Approved, conditioned on filing Form 2553 within 60 days.
• Key authorities: IRC § 1362(a), (b)(3), (b)(5).

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 200737041
Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 9/14/2007
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:
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CC:PSI:B02
PLR-157953-06
Date:
June 06, 2007

Legend

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

D1 = ----------------------------
D2 = --------------------------

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

This responds to a letter dated November 13, 2006 and subsequent correspondence, submitted on behalf of X by X’s authorized representative, requesting a ruling under § 1362(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The information submitted states that X was incorporated in State on D1. It was intended that X elect to be an S corporation effective D2; however, a Form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation, was not timely filed for X.

Section 1362(a) provides that a small business corporation may elect to be an S corporation.
PLR-157953-06
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Section 1362(b) provides the rule on 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 the 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 the corporation will not be treated as an S corporation until the taxable year after the year in which the S election is made.

Section 1362(b)(5) provides that if (1) 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 (2) the Secretary determines that there was reasonable cause for the failure to timely make the election, then the Secretary may treat the election as timely made for such taxable year and § 1362(b)(3) shall not apply.

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 D2. Accordingly, provided that X makes an election to be an S corporation by filing a completed Form 2553 with the appropriate service center effective D2 within 60 days following the date of this letter, then such election will be treated as timely made for X's taxable year beginning D2. A copy of this letter should be attached to the Form 2553.

Except as specifically set forth above, no opinion is expressed or implied as to the federal income tax consequences of the transaction described above under any other provision of the Code. Specifically, no opinion is expressed concerning whether X is, in fact, an S corporation for federal tax purposes.

This ruling is directed only to the taxpayer requesting it. Section 6110(k)(3) provides that it may not be used or cited as precedent.
PLR-157953-06
3

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

Sincerely,

James A. Quinn
Senior Technician Reviewer (Acting), Branch 2 Office of the Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs & Special Industries)

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