Entity receives relief for late corporate classification and S elections

Plain-English summary

An eligible entity intended to elect association status taxable as a corporation and S corporation status from the same effective date. It failed to file both Form 8832 and Form 2553 properly and on time. The IRS concluded that the entity qualified for regulatory relief on the classification election and had reasonable cause for the late S election. It granted 120 days to file both forms with copies of the ruling. The IRS did not decide whether the entity otherwise met the definition of a small business corporation.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: May the entity make late corporate-classification and S corporation elections effective on its intended date?
• Outcome: Approved, with Forms 8832 and 2553 due within 120 days.
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 1361 and 1362; Treas. Reg. §§ 301.7701-3, 301.9100-1, and 301.9100-3.

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 201516053
Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 4/17/2015
Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Index Number: 1362.01-03, 9100.31-00
Person To Contact:
-----------------------, ID No. ---------------- ---------------------------------------------------- Telephone Number:
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-------------------------------------------------- Refer Reply To:
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CC:PSI:B03
PLR-134753-14
Date:
December 01, 2014

LEGEND

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

State = --------

Date1 = -----------------

Date2 = ---------------------

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

This responds to a letter dated August 29, 2014, and subsequent correspondence, submitted on behalf of X, requesting an extension of time under § 301.9100-3 of the Procedure and Administration Regulations to file an election under § 301.7701-3 to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation for federal tax purposes, and relief to file a late S corporation election under § 1362(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code.

FACTS

The information submitted states that X is an eligible entity that was formed on Date1 under the laws of State. X intended to elect to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation and to elect to be treated as an S corporation for federal tax purposes, with both elections effective Date2. However, X failed to properly and timely file the Form 8832, Entity Classification Election, and the Form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation.
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LAW AND ANALYSIS

Section 301.7701-3(a) provides that a business entity that is not classified as a corporation under § 301.7701-2(b)(1), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), or (8) (an eligible entity) can elect its classification for federal tax purposes. Elections are necessary only when an eligible entity does not want to be classified under the default classification or when an eligible entity chooses to change its classification.

Section 301.7701-3(b)(1) provides that, unless the entity elects otherwise, a domestic eligible entity is (i) a partnership if it has two or more members; or (ii) disregarded as an entity separate from its owner if it has a single owner.

Section 301.7701-3(c)(1)(i) provides that an eligible entity may elect to be classified other than as provided under § 301.7701-(3)(b) by filing Form 8832 with the appropriate service center. Under § 301.7701-3(c)(1)(iii), this election will be effective on the date specified by the entity on Form 8832 or on the date filed if no such date is specified. The date specified on Form 8832 cannot be more than 75 days prior to the date on which the election is filed.

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 301.9100-1(b) provides that the term “regulatory election” includes an election whose due date is prescribed by a regulation published in the Federal Register.

Sections 301.9100-1 through 301.9100-3 provide the standards the Commissioner will use to determine whether to grant an extension of time to make the election. Section 301.9100-2 provides the rules governing automatic extensions of time for making certain elections. Section 301.9100-3 provides 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 (1) the taxpayer acted reasonably and in good faith, and (2) granting relief will not prejudice the interests of the government.

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)(1) 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
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treated as an S corporation for the year in which the election is made. Under
§ 1362(b)(3), however, if an S election is made after the first two and one-half months of a corporation’s taxable year, then that corporation will not be treated as an S corporation until the taxable year after the year in which the S election is filed.

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 such election for such taxable year or no such election is made for any taxable year, and (B) the Secretary determines that there was reasonable cause for the failure to timely make such election, then the Secretary may treat such an election as timely made for such taxable year.

CONCLUSION

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, X is granted an extension of time of 120 days from the date of this letter to file a Form 8832 with the appropriate service center and elect to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation for federal tax purposes, effective Date2. A copy of this letter should be attached to the Form 8832.

In addition, based solely on the information submitted and the representations made, we conclude that X has established reasonable cause for failing to make a timely election to be an S corporation effective Date2. Accordingly, provided that X makes an election to be an S corporation by filing a complete Form 2553 effective Date2, along with a copy of this letter, with the appropriate service center within 120 days from the date of this letter, then such election will be treated as timely made for Date2.

Except as expressly provided herein, no opinion is expressed or implied concerning the federal income tax consequences of the facts described above under any other provision of the Code, including whether X was or is a small business corporation under § 1361(b) of the Code.

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.
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The ruling contained in this letter is based upon information and representations submitted by the taxpayer and accompanied by a penalty of perjury statement executed by an appropriate party. While this office has not verified any of the materials submitted as part of the ruling request, it is subject to verification on examination.

Sincerely,

Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs & Special Industries)

By: ______
Holly Porter
Branch Chief, Branch 3
Office of Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs & Special Industries)

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

cc: