PLR 200915025: Corporation received relief for a late S election

Plain-English summary

A corporation's shareholder intended the company to be treated as an S corporation from a specified date, but the election was not filed on time. The IRS found reasonable cause for the failure and granted relief under section 1362(b)(5). Provided the company otherwise qualified, it would be treated as an S corporation from the intended effective date. The company had 60 days from the ruling date to submit a properly completed Form 2553 with the ruling attached.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Could the corporation's late S election be treated as timely?
• Outcome: Approved, provided the corporation otherwise qualified and filed Form 2553 within 60 days.
• Key authorities: IRC § 1362(a) and (b).

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 200915025
Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 4/10/2009
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:B1
PLR-138949-08
Date:
January 05, 2009

Legend:

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

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

Date 2 = ----------------------

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

This letter responds to your letter dated July 12, 2008, submitted on behalf of X, requesting a ruling under § 1362(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Facts

The information submitted states that X was incorporated on Date 1 under the laws of State. The shareholder of X intended that X be treated as an S corporation effective Date 2 but the election to be treated as an S corporation as of Date 2 was not timely filed.

Law and Analysis

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

PLR-138949-08
2

Section 1362(b) provides the rule on when an S election will be effective. Section 1362(b)(2) provides in relevant part that 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. Under § 1362(b)(3), however, 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 after the year in which the S election is filed.

Section 1362(b)(5) provides that if: (1) 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 such election, then the Secretary may treat such an election as timely made for such taxable year and § 1362(b)(3) shall not apply.

X did not timely file an election to be treated as an S Corporation under § 1362(a) as of Date 2. X has, however, established reasonable cause for not making a timely S election and is entitled to relief under § 1362(b)(5).

Conclusion

Based solely on the facts submitted and the representations made, and provided that X otherwise qualifies as an S Corporation, we conclude that X will be treated as an S Corporation effective Date 2. Within 60 days from the date of this letter X should submit a properly completed Form 2553 effective Date 2, with a copy of this letter attached, to the relevant service center.

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(s) requesting it. Section 6110(k)(3) of the Code provides that it may not be used or cited as precedent.

Sincerely,

David R. Haglund

David R. Haglund
Senior Technician Reviewer, Branch 1
Office of the Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs & Special Industries)

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

cc: