PLR 1030006: Late S corporation election relief granted

Plain-English summary

The IRS granted a corporation relief for failing to timely file its election to be treated as an S corporation. The corporation intended the election to be effective on a specified date and established reasonable cause for the late filing. The IRS recognized the corporation as an S corporation from that date, provided it otherwise qualified as a subchapter S corporation. The relief required the corporation to submit a properly completed Form 2553, with a copy of the ruling attached, to the appropriate service center within 60 days. The ruling did not address the corporation's other eligibility requirements.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Could the corporation's late S corporation election be treated as timely and effective from the intended date?
• Outcome: Approved
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 1362 and 6110

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 201030006 Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 7/30/2010 Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Person To Contact:
Index Number: 1362.01-03 --------------, ID No. -----------------
Telephone Number:
--------------------
------------------------------------------ Refer Reply To:
------------------------- CC:PSI:B01
----------------------------------------- PLR-109126-10
------------------------------ Date:
April 26, 2010

LEGEND

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

D = ------------------

State = -------------

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

This responds to a letter dated ------------------------, submitted on behalf of X, requesting
relief under § 1362(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code.

FACTS

According to the information submitted, X was incorporated on D under the laws of
State. X intended to be treated as an S corporation for Federal tax purposes effective
D, but the proper election was not timely filed.

LAW AND ANALYSIS

Section 1362(a) provides that a small business corporation may elect to be an S
corporation. Section 1362(b) provides the rule on when an S election will be effective.

Section 1362(b)(2) provides 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. If the election is made after the
first two and one-half months of a corporation's taxable year, then the corporation will
PLR-109126-10 2

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 no election is made pursuant to § 1362(a), or, if
made, the election is made after the date prescribed for making such an election, and
the Secretary determines there was reasonable cause for the failure to timely make the
election, then the Secretary may treat such election as timely made for such taxable
year and effective as of the first day of that year.

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

CONCLUSION

Based solely on the facts submitted and representations made, and provided that X
otherwise qualifies as a subchapter S corporation, we conclude that X will be
recognized as an S corporation effective D if, within 60 days from the date of this letter,
X submits a properly completed Form 2553, with a copy of this letter attached, to the
appropriate service center.

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. Specifically, no opinion is expressed or implied concerning whether X
otherwise qualifies as 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.

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

                                    Sincerely,

                                      /s/

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

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

cc: