PLR 201031003: IRS granted more time to make QSub elections

Plain-English summary

The IRS granted a corporation an extension of time to file Forms 8869 for 24 subsidiaries and elect to treat them as qualified subchapter S subsidiaries. The corporation intended the elections to be effective on a specified date, but failed to file the forms on time. The IRS concluded that the requirements for relief under IRC § 301.9100 were satisfied and granted 120 days from the letter date to file the forms. The ruling letter had to be attached to each Form 8869.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Could the corporation receive additional time to make QSub elections for its subsidiaries?
• Outcome: Approved
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 1361(b)(3)(B) and 1362(a); Treas. Reg. § 1.1361-3(a)

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 201031003
Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 8/6/2010
Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Index Number: 9100.00-00, 1361.05-00
Person To Contact:
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Telephone Number:
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----------------------------------------- Refer Reply To:
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CC:PSI:B02
PLR-104559-10
Date:
April 23, 2010

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

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

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

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

This responds to a letter dated January 26, 2010, submitted on behalf of X, requesting that the Service grant X an extension of time under § 301.9100-1(c) of the Procedure and Administration Regulations to elect to treat Sub 1, Sub 2, Sub 3, Sub 4, Sub 5, Sub 6, Sub 7, Sub 8, Sub 9, Sub 10, Sub 11, Sub 12, Sub 13, Sub 14, Sub 15, Sub 16, Sub 16, Sub 17, Sub 18, Sub 19, Sub 20, Sub 21, Sub 22, Sub 23, and Sub 24 (“the Subsidiaries”) as qualified subchapter S subsidiaries (QSubs) for federal tax purposes.

The information submitted states that X was formed under the laws of State on Date 1. X had intended to elect to treat each of the Subsidiaries as QSubs effective as of Date 2. However, due to inadvertence, X failed to timely file Forms 8869, Qualified Subchapter S Subsidiary Election, for any of the Subsidiaries.

X represents that X, the Subsidiaries, and X’s shareholders have filed tax returns for all of the relevant tax years that are not inconsistent with the income taxation of the Subsidiaries as QSubs from Date 2.

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

Section 1361(b)(3)(B) defines a QSub as a domestic corporation which is not an ineligible corporation, if 100 percent of the stock of the corporation is owned by the S corporation, and the S corporation elects to treat the corporation as a qualified subchapter S subsidiary.

Section 1.1361-3(a) of the Income Tax Regulations prescribes the time and manner for making an election to be classified a qualified subchapter S subsidiary.

Section 1.1361-3(a)(4) provides that an election to treat an eligible subsidiary as a qualified subchapter S subsidiary may be effective up to two months and 15 days prior to the date the election is filed or not more than 12 months after the election is filed. The proper form for making the election is Form 8869, Qualified Subchapter S Subsidiary.

Section 301.9100-1(c) provides that the Commissioner may grant a reasonable
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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.

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 that (2) granting relief will not prejudice the interests of the Government.

Based solely upon the information submitted and the representations made, we conclude that the requirements of § 301.9100 have been satisfied. Accordingly, X is granted an extension of time of 120 days from the date of this letter to file Forms 8869 with the appropriate service center to elect to treat the Subsidiaries as QSubs effective Date 2. A copy of this letter should be attached to each Form 8869 for the Subsidiaries. Twenty four copies are enclosed for that purpose.

Except for the specific rulings above, we express or imply no opinion concerning the federal income tax consequences of the facts of this case under any other provision of the Code. Specifically, we express no opinion regarding whether X qualifies as a small business corporation under § 1361, or whether the Subsidiaries otherwise meet the definition of QSub under § 1361(b)(3)(B).

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,

Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs & Special Industries)

By: ________ Bradford R. Poston
Senior Counsel, Branch 2
Office of Associate Chief Counsel
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(Passthroughs & Special Industries)

Enclosures (25)
24 copies of this letter
Copy for § 6110 purposes