PLR 201143005: IRS grants relief for a late S corporation election

Plain-English summary

A corporation intended to elect S corporation status effective on its incorporation date but did not timely file Form 2553. The IRS found reasonable cause for the late filing and allowed the election to be treated as timely made for that tax year. The corporation must file a completed Form 2553 with the appropriate service center within 120 days after the ruling date and attach a copy of the letter. The ruling matters because it preserves the requested effective date for the S corporation election, subject to the stated filing condition.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: May the corporation make a late S corporation election effective as of its incorporation date?
• Outcome: Approved
• Key authorities: IRC § 1362(b)(5), with the election made under IRC § 1362(a); 26 U.S.C. § 6110(k)(3).

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 201143005
Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 10/28/2011
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:B02
PLR-108264-11
Date:
July 18, 2011

Legend

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

State = --------

D1 = --------------------------

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

This responds to a letter dated October 25, 2010 and subsequent correspondence, submitted by X, requesting a ruling under § 1362(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code.

FACTS

The information submitted states that X was incorporated in State on D1. It was intended that X elect S corporation treatment effective D1; however, a Form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation was not timely filed for X.

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. Generally, if an S election is made within the first two and one-half months of a corporation's taxable
PLR-108264-11
2

year, then the corporation will be treated as an S corporation for the year in which the election is made. Section 1362(b)(3) provides that if an S election is made after the first two and one-half months of a corporation's taxable year, then the corporation will 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 (1) an election under § 1362(a) is made for any taxable year after the date prescribed by § 1362(b) for making the election for the taxable year or 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 the election, then the Secretary may treat the election as timely made for such taxable year and § 1362(b)(3) shall not apply.

CONCLUSION

Based solely on the facts and the representations submitted, we conclude that X has established reasonable cause for failing to make a timely election to be an S corporation effective D1. Accordingly, provided that X makes an election to be an S corporation by filing a completed Form 2553 with the appropriate service center effective D1 within 120 days following the date of this letter, then such election will be treated as timely made for X's taxable year beginning D1. A copy of this letter should be attached to the Form 2553.

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 otherwise eligible to be an S corporation for federal tax purposes.

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.

Sincerely,

Melissa Liquerman
Chief, Branch 2
Office of the Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs & Special Industries)

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