Late accounting-period change application is treated as timely

Plain-English summary

A taxpayer filed Form 1128 late when seeking to change its annual accounting period. It requested discretionary relief and submitted the form within 90 days after the filing deadline. The IRS found that the taxpayer acted reasonably and in good faith and that relief would not prejudice the government, so it treated the application as timely filed. The ruling addressed timeliness only and did not decide whether the taxpayer was otherwise eligible to make the requested change.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Should the taxpayer's late Form 1128 application to change its tax year be treated as timely?
• Outcome: Approved
• Key authorities: IRC § 442; Treas. Reg. §§ 1.442-1(b), 301.9100-3; Rev. Proc. 2006-45

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 201552021
Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 12/24/2015
Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Index Number: 9100.09-00
Person To Contact:
-------------------
-------------------, ID No. ------------
---------------------------------
Telephone Number:
----------------------------
---------------------
Refer Reply To:
---------------------------------------------------------- CC:ITA:B05 PLR-114206-15
Date:
September 21, 2015

Taxpayer Identification Number: ----------------

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

This is in reference to a request by the taxpayer named above that its Form 1128, Application to Adopt, Change, or Retain a Tax Year, be considered timely filed under
§ 301.9100-3 of the Procedures and Administration Regulations.

Taxpayer filed a late Form 1128 to change its annual accounting period for federal income tax purposes, from a taxable year ending March 31 to a taxable year ending October 31, effective for the taxable year beginning April 1, 2014, and ending October 31, 2014. Taxpayer submitted the request for discretionary administrative relief, as well as the Form 1128, within 90 days from the due date for the Form 1128.

Section 1.442-1(b) of the Income Tax Regulations provides that, in order to secure the consent of the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue to a change in annual accounting period, a taxpayer must file an application (generally on Form 1128) with the Commissioner within such time and in such manner as is provided in administrative procedures published by the Commissioner. Revenue Procedure 2006-45, as modified and clarified by Rev. Proc. 2007-64, 2007-2 C.B. 818, provides the exclusive procedures whereby certain corporations may obtain automatic consent to change their accounting periods. Section 7.02(2)(a) of Rev. Proc. 2006-45 provides that a Form 1128 filed pursuant to the revenue procedure is considered timely filed for purposes of
§ 1.442-1(b)(1) only if it is filed on or before the time (including extensions) for filing the return for the short period required to effect the change.

Requests for extensions of time for regulatory elections that do not meet the requirements of § 301.9100-2 (automatic extensions), such as in the instant case, must be made under the rules of § 301.9100-3. See § 301.9100-3(a). A request for relief
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subject to § 301.9100-3 is granted when the taxpayer provides evidence establishing that the taxpayer acted reasonably and in good faith, and that the granting of relief will not prejudice the interests of the government. See id.

Based on the information submitted and the representations made, we conclude that taxpayer has acted reasonably and in good faith, and that the granting of relief will not prejudice the interests of the government. The requirements of § 301.9100-3 have been satisfied in this case. Accordingly, taxpayer's Form 1128 requesting a change to a taxable year ending June 30, effective for the short taxable year beginning April 1, 2014, and ending October 31, 2014, is considered timely filed.

A change in accounting period under Rev. Proc. 2006-45 is under the jurisdiction of the Director, Internal Revenue Service Center, where the taxpayer's returns are filed. Accordingly, we are forwarding a copy of this letter ruling and taxpayer's Form 1128 to the Director, -------------------Service Center, with instructions that the Form 1128 be considered timely filed and processed in accordance with established procedures under Rev. Proc. 2006-45. Any further communication regarding this matter should be directed to the -----------Service Center.

The ruling contained in this letter is based on information and representations furnished by taxpayer. This office has not verified any of the taxpayer's representations or the material submitted in support of the request for rulings. As part of an examination process, the Service may verify the information, representations and other data submitted.

This letter ruling addresses the grant of relief under § 301.9100-3 only. We express no opinion on the tax treatment of the instant transaction under any provision of the Code or the regulations that may be applicable. Specifically, we express no opinion as to whether taxpayer may, under the Code and application regulations, change to the taxable year requested in the Form 1128, or whether the change may be effected under Rev. Proc. 2006-45.

A copy of this letter may be attached to any income tax return to which it is relevant. Alternatively, a taxpayers filing its return electronically may satisfy this requirement by attaching a statement to the return that provides the date and control number of the letter ruling.

This ruling is directed only to the taxpayer that requested it. Section 6110(k)(3) provides that it may not be used or cited as precedent.
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In accordance with the Power of Attorney on file with this office, a copy of this letter is being sent to the taxpayer's authorized representative.

Sincerely,

Amy J. Pfalzgraf
Senior Counsel, Branch 5
Office of Associate Chief Counsel
(Income Tax & Accounting)

Enclosure:
Copy for § 6110 purposes

cc: