PLR 201252013: IRS grants late-election relief for S corporation status

Plain-English summary

The IRS ruled that a corporation had reasonable cause for failing to timely file its election to be treated as an S corporation. The corporation intended its S election to take effect when it was incorporated, but did not timely file Form 2553. The IRS allowed the election to be treated as timely made, provided the corporation filed the completed form within 120 days after the ruling date and attached a copy of the ruling. The relief was limited to the facts and representations submitted.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Could the corporation's late S corporation election be treated as timely made?
• Outcome: Approved
• Key authorities: IRC § 1362(b)(5)

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 201252013
Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 12/28/2012
Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Person To Contact:
Index Number: 1362.01-03
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Telephone Number:
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Refer Reply To:
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CC:PSI:B02
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PLR-139392-12
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Date:
September 21, 2012

Legend

X = -------------------
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State =--------------------

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

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

This responds to a letter dated August 8, 2012 submitted on behalf of X by X’s authorized representative, requesting a ruling under § 1362(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The information submitted states that X was incorporated in State on D1. X’s sole shareholder 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.

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 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
PLR-139392-12
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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.

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, in fact, 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.

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

Sincerely,

Bradford R. Poston
Senior Counsel, Branch 2
(Passthroughs & Special Industries)

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