IRS grants relief for a late S corporation election

Plain-English summary

The IRS granted a corporation relief for failing to timely file its S corporation election. The corporation intended to elect S corporation status when it was formed and had filed its tax returns as an S corporation since formation. The IRS found reasonable cause for the late filing under IRC § 1362(b)(5). The corporation will be recognized as an S corporation from its intended effective date if it otherwise qualifies and files a completed Form 2553 with the appropriate service center within 120 days of the letter.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Can the corporation make a late S corporation election effective from its intended date?
• Outcome: Approved, subject to filing Form 2553 within 120 days and otherwise qualifying as an S corporation
• Key authorities: IRC § 1362(a), (b), and (b)(5)

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 201411013 Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 3/14/2014 Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Index Number: 1362.01-03
Person To Contact:
--------------------------------------- -----------------------------, ID No. -------------
-------------------------- -----------------
------------------------- Telephone Number:
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Refer Reply To:
CC:PSI:02
PLR-128718-13
Date:
August 23, 2013

Legend
X = ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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D1 = --------------------
State = ------------

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

   This letter responds to a letter dated June 19, 2013, and subsequent

correspondence, submitted on behalf of X, requesting relief to file a late S corporation
election under § 1362(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code.

   The information submitted states that X was formed on D1 as a corporation

under the laws of State. X intended to elect to be treated as an S corporation for federal
tax purposes effective D1. However, Form 2553, Election by a Small Business
Corporation, was not timely filed for X. X has timely filed as an S corporation since its
formation.

   Section 1362(a) provides that a small business corporation may make an

election to be an S corporation.

    Section 1362(b) provides the rule on when an S election will be effective.

Section 1362(b)(2) provides, in relevant part, 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. Under
§ 1362(b)(3), an S election made after the first two and one-half months of a
corporation’s taxable year, results in the corporation not be treated as an S corporation
until the taxable year following the year in which the S election is filed.
PLR-128718-13 2

   Section 1362(b)(5) provides that if (A) 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 (B) 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 submitted and representations made, we conclude

that X established reasonable cause for failing to timely make an election to be an S
corporation and, thus, is eligible for relief under § 1362(b)(5). Provided that X otherwise
qualifies as an S corporation, we conclude that X will be recognized as an S
corporation effective D1, if X files a completed Form 2553 effective D1 with the
appropriate service center within one hundred and twenty (120) days from the date of
this letter. A copy of this letter should be attached to the election.

   Except as expressly set forth herein, no opinion is expressed or implied

concerning the federal tax consequences of the facts described above under any other
provision of the Code, including 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.
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



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

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