PLR 1226016: IRS grants relief for a late S corporation election

Plain-English summary

The IRS grants relief to a corporation that failed to timely file its S corporation election. The ruling finds reasonable cause and treats the election as timely if the corporation otherwise qualifies as an S corporation and submits a properly completed Form 2553 within 120 days from the letter date. It does not rule on the corporation's other eligibility for S corporation status.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: May a corporation receive relief for failing to timely file its S corporation election?
• Outcome: Approved
• Key authorities: IRC § 1362(b)(5)

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 201226016 Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 6/29/2012 Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Person To Contact:
Index Number: 1362.01-03 --------------, ID No. -----------------
Telephone Number:
---------------------
------------------------------ Refer Reply To:
--------------------------------------- CC:PSI:B01
------------------------ PLR-146575-11
---------------------------- Date:
March 08, 2012

LEGEND

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

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

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

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

This responds to a letter dated September 24, 2011, 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’s sole shareholder intended X 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-146575-11 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 120 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.

                                  Sincerely,


                                  Laura Fields
                                  Laura Fields
                                  Senior Technician Reviewer, 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: