Estate receives 120 days to opt out of automatic GST exemption allocation

Plain-English summary

A decedent transferred cash to an irrevocable trust with generation-skipping transfer tax potential but did not intend to allocate GST exemption to the transfer. The accounting firm preparing the gift tax return failed to advise the decedent about the automatic allocation rules or the election to opt out. The omission was discovered while preparing the estate tax return after the decedent's death. Because the decedent reasonably relied on a qualified tax professional, the IRS granted the executrix 120 days to file a supplemental Form 709 electing out of the automatic allocation for the transfer.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Could the estate receive extra time to elect out of the automatic GST exemption allocation for the trust transfer?
• Outcome: Approved, with a 120-day extension from the ruling date.
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 2631, 2632(c), 2642(g); Treas. Reg. §§ 26.2632-1, 301.9100-3; Notice 2001-50

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 201826001
Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 6/29/2018
Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Index Number: 9100.00-00, 2632.00-00,
2642.00-00
Person To Contact:
--------------------- - ID No. ------------------ ---------------------------------------------------- Telephone Number:
----------------------------------------
----------------------
------------------------------------
Refer Reply To:
CC:PSI:B04
In Re: -------------- --------------------------- PLR-109626-18 Date:
April 03, 2018

LEGEND

Decedent = -----------------------------------------------------
Spouse = ------------------------------
Trust = -----------------------
Child 1 = ----------------------------
Child 2 = --------------------------------------
Accounting Firm = ---------------------------------------
Year = ---------------
Date 1 = ------------------------
Date 2 = ---------------------------
Date 3 = ---------------------------

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

This letter responds to the letter dated March 16, 2018, submitted by your authorized representative, requesting an extension of time pursuant to § 2642(g) of the Internal Revenue Code and § 301.9100-3 of the Procedure and Administration Regulations to make an election under § 2632(c)(5) to opt out of the generation-skipping transfer (GST) exemption automatic allocation rules under § 2632(c) with respect to a transfer to a trust.

FACTS

The facts submitted and the representations made are as follows:

On Date 1, a date after December 31, 2000, Decedent and Spouse created Trust, an irrevocable trust, for the benefit of Child 1. Trust has generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax potential.
PLR-109626-18
2

On Date 2, Decedent transferred cash to Trust (Date 2 Transfer).

Decedent retained Accounting Firm to advise and prepare Decedent’s Year Form 709 (United States Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return) reporting the Date 2 Transfer to Trust. Although Decedent did not intend for GST exemption to be allocated to the Date 2 Transfer, Accounting Firm failed to advise Decedent of the rules under
§ 2632(c) regarding the automatic allocation of GST exemption and the ability to elect out of the automatic allocation of GST exemption by making an election under
§ 2632(c)(5). Therefore, Decedent failed to elect out of the automatic allocation of GST exemption for the Date 2 Transfer to Trust.

Decedent died on Date 3. During the preparation of Decedent’s Form 706 (United States Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return), it was discovered that Decedent had not elected out of the automatic allocation of GST exemption on Decedent’s Form 709 for the Date 2 Transfer.

Child 2, as the executrix of Decedent’s estate, requests an extension of time to elect out of the automatic allocation rules with respect to Decedent’s Date 2 Transfer to Trust.

LAW AND ANALYSIS

Section 2601 imposes a tax on every generation-skipping transfer (GST) made by a “transferor” to a “skip person.” A GST is defined under § 2611(a) as: (1) a taxable distribution; (2) a taxable termination; and (3) a direct skip.

Section 2602 provides that the amount of GST tax imposed by § 2601 is the taxable amount multiplied by the applicable rate. Section 2641(a) defines the applicable rate as the product of the maximum federal estate tax rate and the inclusion ratio with respect to the transfer.

Section 2631(a) provides that, for purposes of determining the inclusion ratio, every individual shall be allowed a GST exemption amount which may be allocated by such individual (or his executor) to any property with respect to which such individual is the transferor.

Section 2631(b) provides that any allocation under § 2631(a), once made, shall be irrevocable.

Section 2631(c) provides that, for purposes of § 2631(a), the GST exemption amount for any calendar year shall be equal to the basic exclusion amount under § 2010(c) for such calendar year.
PLR-109626-18
3

Section 2632(a)(1) provides that any allocation by an individual of his or her GST exemption under § 2631(a) may be made at any time on or before the date prescribed for filing the estate tax return for such individual's estate (determined with regard to extensions), regardless of whether such a return is required to be filed. Section 2632(a)(2) provides that the manner in which allocations are to be made shall be prescribed by forms or regulations issued by the Secretary.

Section 2632(c)(1) provides that if any individual makes an “indirect skip” during such individual's lifetime, any unused portion of such individual's GST exemption is treated as allocated to the property transferred to the extent necessary to make the inclusion ratio for such property zero. If the amount of the indirect skip exceeds such unused portion, the entire unused portion shall be allocated to the property transferred.

Under § 2632(c)(3)(A), the term “indirect skip” means any transfer of property (other than a direct skip) subject to the tax imposed by chapter 12 made to a GST trust, as defined in § 2632(c)(3)(B). Under § 2632(c)(3)(B), a GST trust is a trust that could have GST potential with respect to the transferor unless the trust satisfies any of the exceptions listed in § 2632(c)(3)(B)(i)-(vi).

Section 2632(c)(5)(A)(i) provides that an individual may elect to have the automatic allocation rules of § 2632(c)(1) not apply to an indirect skip, or any or all transfers made by such individual to a particular trust. Section 2632(c)(5)(B)(ii) provides that the election may be made on a timely filed gift tax return for the calendar year for which the election is to become effective.

Section 26.2632-1(b)(2)(iii)(A)(2) of the Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Regulations provides, in part, that a transferor may prevent the automatic allocation of GST exemption (elect out) with respect to any transfer or transfers constituting an indirect skip made to a trust. A transferor may elect out with respect to one or more (or all) current-year transfers made by the transferor to a specified trust or trusts.

Section 26.2632-1(b)(2)(iii)(B) provides that to elect out, the transferor must attach an election out statement to a Form 709 filed within the time period provided in
§ 26.2632-1(b)(2)(iii)(C). In general, the election out statement must identify the trust, and specifically must provide that the transferor is electing out of the automatic allocation of GST exemption with respect to the described transfer or transfers. Under
§ 26.2632-1(b)(2)(iii)(C), to elect out, the Form 709 with the attached election out statement must be filed on or before the due date for timely filing the Form 709 for the calendar year in which the transfer to be covered by the election out was made.

Section 2642(g)(1)(A) provides, generally, that the Secretary shall by regulation prescribe such circumstances and procedures under which extensions of time will be granted to make an allocation of GST exemption described in § 2642(b)(1) or (2), and an election under § 2632(b)(3) or (c)(5).
PLR-109626-18
4

Section 2642(g)(1)(B) provides that in determining whether to grant relief under
§ 2642(g)(1), the Secretary shall take into account all relevant circumstances, including evidence of intent contained in the trust instrument or instrument of transfer and such other factors as the Secretary deems relevant. For purposes of determining whether to grant relief, the time for making the allocation (or election) shall be treated as if not expressly prescribed by statute.

Notice 2001-50, 2001-2 C.B. 189, provides that, under § 2642(g)(1)(B), the time for allocating the GST exemption to lifetime transfers and transfers at death, the time for electing out of the automatic allocation rules, and the time for electing to treat any trust as a GST trust are to be treated as if not expressly prescribed by statute. The Notice further provides that taxpayers may seek an extension of time to make an allocation described in § 2642(b)(1) or (b)(2) or an election described in § 2632(b)(3) or (c)(5) under the provisions of § 301.9100-3.

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 an election. Section 301.9100-2 provides an automatic extension of time for making certain elections. Section 301.9100-3 provides the standards used to determine whether to grant an extension of time to make an election whose date is prescribed by a regulation (and not expressly provided by statute). In accordance with § 2642(g)(1)(B) and Notice 2001-50, taxpayers may seek an extension of time to make an allocation described in
§ 2642(b)(1) or (b)(2) or an election described in § 2632(b)(3) or (c)(5) under the provisions of § 301.9100-3.

Section 301.9100-3(a) provides, in part, that requests for relief subject to § 301.9100-3 will be granted when the taxpayer provides the evidence 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.

Section 301.9100-3(b)(1)(v) provides that a taxpayer is deemed to have acted reasonably and in good faith if the taxpayer reasonably relied on a qualified tax professional, including a tax professional employed by the taxpayer, and the tax professional failed to make, or advise the taxpayer to make, the election.

Based on the facts submitted and the representations made, we conclude that the requirements of § 301.9100-3 have been satisfied. Accordingly, the executrix of Decedent’s estate is granted an extension of time of 120 days from the date of this letter to make an election under § 2632(c)(5) that the automatic allocation rules do not apply to the Date 2 Transfer to Trust.

The executrix should make the election on a supplemental Form 709 for Year. The supplemental Form 709 should be filed with the Cincinnati Service Center at the
PLR-109626-18
5

following address: Internal Revenue Service Center, Cincinnati, OH 45999. A copy of this letter should be attached to the supplemental Form 709. A copy is enclosed for this purpose.

In accordance with the Power of Attorney on file with this office, a copy of this letter is being sent to your authorized representatives.

Except as expressly provided herein, no opinion is expressed or implied concerning the tax consequences of any aspect of any transaction or item discussed or referenced in this letter.

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.

Sincerely,

Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs & Special Industries)

Karlene M. Lesho
By: ______
Karlene M. Lesho
Senior Technician Reviewer, Branch 4
Office of the Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs & Special Industries)

Enclosures (2)

Copy for §6110 purposes
Copy of this letter