PLR 200744014: Foreign entity gets more time to elect disregarded status

Plain-English summary

A foreign entity was eligible to choose its federal tax classification. Its default status was a corporation, but it intended to be treated as disregarded from the date it was formed and missed the Form 8832 deadline. The IRS found that the standards for filing relief were met and gave it 60 days from the ruling date to file the election with the intended effective date. The letter did not address other federal tax consequences of the entity's situation.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Could the foreign entity file its disregarded entity election late?
• Outcome: Yes, if it filed Form 8832 within 60 days of the ruling letter.
• Key authorities: Treas. Reg. §§ 301.7701-3, 301.9100-3.

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 200744014
Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 11/2/2007
Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Index Number: 9100.00-00
Person To Contact:
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Telephone Number:
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Refer Reply To:
CC:PSI:B1
PLR-123967-07
Date: July 30, 2007

LEGEND:

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

Country = ---------------------

Date 1 = ----------------

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

This letter responds to a letter dated May 10, 2007, submitted on behalf of X, requesting an extension of time under § 301.9100-3 of the Procedure and Administration Regulations to make an entity classification election.

The information submitted states that X was formed in Country on Date 1 as an entity eligible to make a classification election. X's default status was as an association taxable as a corporation for federal tax purposes. X intended to be classified as a disregarded entity for federal tax purposes effective Date 1. However, a Form 8832, Entity Classification Election, for X to elect to be treated as a disregarded entity effective Date 1 was not timely filed.

Section 301.7701-3(a) provides 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. A "business entity" is any entity recognized for federal tax purposes that is not properly classified as a trust under § 301.7701-4 or otherwise subject to special treatment under the Internal Revenue Code.

Section 301.7701-3(b)(2)(i) provides that except as provided in § 301.7701- 3(b)(3), unless the entity elects otherwise, a foreign eligible entity is: (A) A partnership if
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it has two or more members and at least one member does not have limited liability; or (B) An association if all members have limited liability; or (C) Disregarded as an entity separate from its owner if it has a single owner that does not have limited liability.

Section 301.7701-3(c)(1)(i) provides that to elect to be classified other than as provided in § 301.7701-3(b), an eligible entity must file Form 8832 with the designated service center. Section 301.7701-3(c) provides that an entity classification election must be filed on Form 8832 and can be effective up to seventy-five (75) days prior to the date the form is filed or up to twelve (12) months after the date on which the form is filed.

Section 301.9100-1(c) provides that the Commissioner may grant a reasonable extension of time to make a regulatory election, or a statutory election (but no more than 6 months except in the case of a taxpayer who is abroad), under all subtitles of the Internal Revenue Code except subtitles E, G, H, and I. Section 301.9100-1(b) defines the term "regulatory election" as an election whose due date is prescribed by a regulation published in the Federal Register or a revenue ruling, revenue procedure, notice, or announcement 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 the election.

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

Section 301.9100-3 provides 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) granting relief will not prejudice the interests of the government.

Based solely on the information submitted and the representations made, we conclude that the requirements of § 301.9100-3 have been satisfied. As a result, X is granted an extension of time of 60 days from the date of this letter to file a Form 8832 with the appropriate service center and elect to be treated as a disregarded entity, effective Date 1. A copy of this letter should be attached to the Form 8832. A copy is enclosed for that purpose.

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.
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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.

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

Sincerely,

William P. O'Shea
Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs & Special Industries)

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