IRS grants a partnership 120 days to make a late Section 754 election

Plain-English summary

The IRS granted a partnership an additional 120 days to make a late election under IRC § 754 to adjust the basis of partnership property. The partnership had inadvertently failed to make the election for the relevant tax year after a partner's death, although another partnership connected with the transaction had made its own election. The IRS found that the taxpayer acted reasonably and in good faith and that granting relief would not prejudice the government. The partnership and affected taxpayers must file consistent amended returns within 120 days and attach a copy of the ruling.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: May the partnership make a late IRC § 754 election effective for the specified tax year?
• Outcome: approved
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 734(b), 743(b), 754, and 6110(k)(3); Treas. Reg. §§ 1.6031-1(e), 1.754-1(b), 301.9100-1, and 301.9100-3.

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

                                                    Third Party Communication: None

Number: 201149006 Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Release Date: 12/9/2011
Person To Contact:
Index Number: 9100.00-00, 9100.15-00 -------------------, ID No. -------------
Telephone Number:
----------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
---------------------------------- Refer Reply To:

---------------- CC:PSI:B02
-------------------------- PLR-110077-11
Date:
July 07, 2011

Legend

P = ----------------------------------------

Q = --------------------------------

Decedent = ----------------------------

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

Year 1 = -------

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

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

Date 3 = ---------------------------

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

  This responds to a letter dated February 28, 2011, and subsequent

correspondence, submitted on behalf of Taxpayer by its authorized representative,
requesting an extension of time under § 301.9100-3 of the Procedure and
Administration Regulations for Taxpayer to make an election under § 754 of the Internal
Revenue Code.

   The information states that P was formed as a limited partnership under the laws

of State in Year 1 and is treated as a partnership for federal tax purposes. As of Date 1,
Q, also treated as a partnership for federal tax purposes, was a partner of P, and

PLR-110077-11 2

Decedent was a partner of Q. Decedent died on Date 2. As a result of Decedent’s
death, Q filed an election under § 754 to adjust the basis of its assets effective the
taxable year ending on Date 3. P, however, inadvertently failed to timely make an
election under § 754 for the taxable year ending Date 3. P represents that it relied on its
tax advisor for tax advice, that it has acted reasonably and in good faith, that granting
relief will not prejudice the interests of the government, and that it is not using hindsight
in making the election.

    Section 754 provides that if a partnership files an election, in accordance with the

regulations prescribed by the Secretary, the basis of the partnership property is
adjusted 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 the 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 that taxable year.

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

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 301.91000-1(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 301.9100-3 provides that 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 the taxpayer acted reasonably and in good faith, and that granting
relief will not prejudice the interests of the government.

   Based solely on the information submitted and the representations made, we

conclude that the requirements of §§ 301.9100-1 and 301.9100-3 have been satisfied.
As a result, P is granted an extension of time of 120 days from the date of this letter to
make an election under § 754, effective for the taxable year ending Date 3. The election
should be made in a written statement filed with the appropriate service center for
association with P's return for the taxable year ending Date 3. A copy of this letter

PLR-110077-11 3

should be attached to the statement filed.

   As a condition for this late election relief, P and any affected taxpayers must file,

within 120 days of the date of this letter, any amended federal income tax returns for the
taxable year ending Date 3 and subsequent years consistent with P having made a timely
§ 754 election effective for the taxable year ending Date 3. Copies of this letter should
be attached to any such amended returns.

   Except as specifically set forth above, no opinion is expressed concerning the

federal tax consequences of the facts described above under any other provision of the
Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder. Specifically, no opinion is
expressed or implied concerning whether P was or is a partnership 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. In accordance with the
power of attorney on file with this office, a copy of this letter is being sent to your
authorized representative.

                                      Sincerely,


                                      Associate Chief Counsel
                                      (Passthroughs & Special Industries)



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

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