PLR 200815008: Partnership gets time to make a late basis adjustment election

Plain-English summary

An LLC treated as a partnership lost one of its two members during the tax year. It filed its partnership return on time but inadvertently omitted a section 754 election, which can adjust the basis of partnership property when an interest transfers. The LLC relied on its tax adviser and asked for more time. The IRS found that it met the requirements for discretionary relief and granted 60 days from the letter date to file a written election effective for that year. The IRS did not decide whether the LLC was actually a partnership for federal tax purposes.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Could the LLC make a late section 754 election for the year a member died?
• Outcome: Approved: a 60-day extension was granted.
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 734(b), 743(b), 754; Treas. Reg. §§ 1.754-1(b), 301.9100-3.

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 200815008
Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 4/11/2008
Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Index Number: 754.02-00, 9100.15-00
Person To Contact:
---------------------
--------------------, ID No. -------------
-------------------------------
Telephone Number:
---------------------------
---------------------
-------------------------------------------------- Refer Reply To:
CC:PSI:B03
PLR-105511-07
Date:
January 09, 2008

LEGEND

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

State = --------

A = ----------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

B = ---------------------------

d1 = ---------------------

d2 = ---------------------------

Year = -------

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

This letter responds to a letter dated January 3, 2007, and subsequent correspondence, submitted on behalf of X, requesting an extension of time under § 301.9100-3 of the Procedure and Administration Regulations for X to file an election under § 754 of the Internal Revenue Code.

FACTS

X was formed on d1 as a limited liability company under the laws of State. X is treated as a partnership for Federal tax purposes. The members of X were A and B until d2 when B died. X relied on its tax advisor for advice. X’s partnership return for
PLR-105511-07
2

Year, the year of B’s death, was timely filed, however, X inadvertently failed to timely make a § 754 election. X represents that it has acted reasonably and in good faith, that granting relief will not prejudice the interests of the government, and that it is not using hindsight in making the election.

LAW AND ANALYSIS

Section 754 provides that if a partnership files an election, in accordance with the regulations prescribed by the Secretary, the basis of partnership property is adjusted, in the case of a transfer of a partnership interest, in the manner provided in § 743. Such an election shall apply with respect to all distributions of property by the partnership and to all transfers of interests in the partnership during the taxable year with respect to which the election was filed and all subsequent taxable years.

Section 1.754-1(b) of the Income Tax Regulations provides that an election under § 754 to adjust the basis of partnership property under §§ 734(b) and 743(b), with respect to a distribution of property to a partner or a transfer of an interest in a partnership, shall be made in a written statement filed with the partnership return for the taxable year during which the distribution or transfer occurs. For the election to be valid, the return must be filed not later than the time prescribed by § 1.6031-1(e) (including extensions thereof) for filing the return for that taxable year.

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) provides that the term "regulatory election" includes an election whose due date is prescribed by a regulation published in the Federal Register.

Sections 301.9100-2 and 301.9100-3 provide the standards the Commissioner will use to determine whether to grant an extension of time to make an election.

Section 301.9100-3 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 the taxpayer acted reasonably and in good faith, and that granting relief will not prejudice the interests of the government.

CONCLUSION

Based solely upon the information submitted and the representations made, we conclude that the requirements of §§ 301.9100-1 and 301.9100-3 have been satisfied. As a result, X is granted an extension of time of 60 days following the date of this letter
PLR-105511-07
3

to make an election under § 754 effective for Year. The election should be made in a written statement filed with the appropriate service center. A copy of this letter should be attached to the § 754 election. A copy is enclosed for that purpose.

Except as expressly set forth above, no opinion is expressed or implied concerning the federal tax consequences of the facts discussed above under any other provision of the Code. Specifically, we express no opinion as to whether or not X is a partnership 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.

In accordance with a power of attorney on file with this office, we are sending a copy of this letter to your authorized representative.

Sincerely,

/s/

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

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