Partnership receives 120 days to make section 754 election

Plain-English summary

A limited partnership failed to make a timely IRC § 754 election for the year in which one of its partners died. That election permits basis adjustments under sections 734(b) and 743(b) after partnership distributions or transfers of partnership interests and generally continues for later years. The partnership represented that it acted reasonably and in good faith and that relief would not prejudice the government. The IRS found the regulatory relief standards satisfied and gave the partnership 120 days to file a written election for the relevant year and later years.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: May the partnership make a late section 754 election for the year of a partner's death?
• Outcome: Approved. The partnership received 120 days from the ruling date to file the election.
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 734(b), 743(b), 754; Treas. Reg. §§ 1.754-1(b), 301.9100-1, 301.9100-3

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 201719007 Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 5/12/2017 Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Index Numbers: 754.02-00, 9100.15-00
Person To Contact:
------------------------------ -------------------------, ID No. -----------------
-------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------- Telephone Number:
------------------------------ --------------------
Refer Reply To:
CC:PSI:B03
PLR-125491-16

                                                             Date:
                                                             February 08, 2017
      LEGEND

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

       A         =       --------------------------

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

      Date       =      --------------------------

      Year       =     --------

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

   This letter responds to a letter dated June 27, 2016, 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
§ 754 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code).

     The information submitted states that X is a State limited partnership and is

classified as a partnership for federal tax purposes. A, a partner of X, died on Date. X
inadvertently failed to make a timely election under § 754 for the year of A’s death
(Year).

     X represents that it has acted reasonably and in good faith, and that granting

relief will not prejudice the interests of the government.

   Section 754 provides that a partnership may elect to adjust the basis of

partnership property when there is a distribution of property or a transfer of a
PLR-125491-16 2

partnership interest. An election under § 754 applies with respect to all distributions of
property by the partnership and to all transfers of interests in the partnership during the
taxable year with respect to which the election was filed and all subsequent taxable
years.

   Section 1.754-1(b) of the Income Tax Regulations provides that an election

under § 754 to adjust the basis of partnership property under §§ 734(b) and 743(b), with
respect to a distribution of property to a partner or a transfer of an interest in a
partnership, must be made in a written statement filed with the partnership return for the
taxable year during which the distribution or transfer occurs. For the election to be valid,
the return must be filed not later than the time prescribed by § 1.6031(a)-1(e) (including
extensions) for filing the return for such taxable year.

    Under § 301.9100-1(c), the Commissioner may grant a reasonable extension of

time to make a regulatory election, or a statutory election (but no more than six months
except in the case of a taxpayer who is abroad), under all subtitles of the Code, except
subtitles E, G, H, and I. Section 301.9100-1(b) defines the term “regulatory election” as
including 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 that the

Commissioner will use to determine whether to grant an extension of time to make an
election. Section 301.9100-2 provides automatic extensions of time for making certain
elections. Section 301.9100-3 provides rules for requesting extensions of time for
regulatory elections that do not meet the requirements of § 301.9100-2.

   Section 301.9100-3(a) provides that requests for relief under § 301.9100-3 will be

granted when the taxpayer provides the evidence (including affidavits described in
§ 301.9100-3(e)) to establish to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that the taxpayer
acted reasonably and in good faith, and the grant of relief will not prejudice the interests
of the Government.

   Based solely upon the facts 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
make a § 754 election for its Year taxable year and thereafter. The election should be
made in a written statement filed with the appropriate service center for association with
X’s Year tax return. A copy of this letter should be attached to the statement filed.

  Except as specifically ruled upon above, we express or imply no opinion

concerning the tax consequences of any facts discussed or referenced in this letter.

  This ruling is directed only to the taxpayer who requested it. Section 6110(k)(3) of

the Code provides that it may not be used or cited as precedent.
PLR-125491-16 3

  In accordance with the power of attorney on file with this office, we are sending a

copy of this letter ruling to your authorized representative.

   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 material submitted
in support of the ruling request, it is subject to verification on examination.

                                               Sincerely,

                                               Associate Chief Counsel
                                               (Passthroughs and Special Industries)



                                     By:       ________________________________
                                               Mary Beth Carchia
                                               Senior Technician Reviewer, Branch 3
                                               Office of Associate Chief Counsel
                                               (Passthroughs & Special Industries)

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