PLR 200924014: Partnership received more time to make a section 754 election

Plain-English summary

A limited partnership timely filed its return for the year in which a partner died, but inadvertently omitted an election under section 754. That election permits basis adjustments to partnership property after certain distributions or transfers of partnership interests. The IRS found that the partnership met the standards for discretionary late-election relief. It granted 60 days to file a written section 754 election, effective for the specified tax year and later years, with a copy of the ruling attached.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Could the partnership receive an extension to make the section 754 election omitted from its timely return?
• Outcome: Approved, with 60 days to file the election
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 734, 743, and 754; Treas. Reg. §§ 1.754-1(b) and 301.9100-3

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 200924014
Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 6/12/2009
Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Index Numbers: 754.02-00, 9100.15-00
Person To Contact:
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Telephone Number:
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Refer Reply To:
CC:PSI:B03
PLR-143729-08
Date:
March 05, 2009

LEGEND

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

Date = ------------------

Year = -------

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

This letter responds to a letter dated October 3, 2008, submitted on behalf of X by X's authorized representative, requesting an extension of time under § 301.9100-3 of the Procedure and Administration Regulations to file an election under § 754 of the Internal Revenue Code.

FACTS

X was formed as a limited partnership under State law. A, a partner of X, died on Date of Year. X's partnership return for Year was timely filed, but a § 754 election to adjust the basis of partnership property was inadvertently not filed with the return.

LAW AND ANALYSIS
PLR-143729-08
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Section 754 provides that if a partnership files an election, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, the basis of partnership property shall be adjusted, in the case of a distribution of property, in the manner provided in § 734 and, 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 such 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 such taxable year.

Section 301.9100-1(c) provides that the Commissioner may grant a reasonable extension of time under the rules set forth in §§ 301.9100-2 and 301.9100-3 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 a regulatory election to include an election whose due date is prescribed by a regulation published in the Federal Register.

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.

Section 301.9100-3(a) provides that requests for relief subject to § 301.9100-3 will be granted when the taxpayer provides the evidence (including affidavits described in § 301.9100-3(e)) to establish to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that the taxpayer acted reasonably and in good faith, and the grant of relief will not prejudice the interests of the Government.

CONCLUSION

Based on the facts 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 sixty (60) days from the date of this letter to make an election under § 754, effective for its Year taxable year and thereafter. The election should be made in a written statement filed with the appropriate service center for association with X's Year return. A copy of this letter should be attached to the § 754 election.
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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.

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

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

The ruling contained in this letter is based upon information and representations submitted by the taxpayer and accompanied by a penalty of perjury statement executed by an appropriate party. While this office has not verified any of the material submitted in support of the ruling request, it is subject to verification on examination.

Sincerely,

/s/

Curtis G. Wilson
Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs & Special Industries)

Enclosures (2)

Copy of this letter
Copy for § 6110 purposes