Foreign entity receives late disregarded-entity election relief

Plain-English summary

A foreign entity intended to elect disregarded-entity treatment but did not timely file Form 8832. It represented that it was eligible for the election, acted reasonably and in good faith, did not use hindsight, and would not prejudice the government. The IRS found that the requirements for relief under Treas. Reg. § 301.9100-3 were satisfied. It granted 120 days to file Form 8832 with disregarded-entity treatment effective on the entity's redacted formation date. The relief was conditioned on the owner filing all required original or amended returns for open years within the same 120-day period, including any necessary Forms 5471 and 8858. The election would be ignored for section 965 computations if recognizing it would change any U.S. shareholder's section 965 elements.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: May the foreign entity make a late election to be disregarded from its formation date?
• Outcome: approved (the entity received 120 days to file Form 8832, subject to corrective return filings)
• Key authorities: Treas. Reg. §§ 301.7701-2, 301.7701-3, 301.9100-1, 301.9100-3, and 1.965-4(c)(2)

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 202019012 Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 5/8/2020 Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Index Number: 7701.00-00, 7701.02-00, Person To Contact:
9100.00-00, 9100.31-00 -------------------, ID No. -----------------
Telephone Number:
--------------------
------------------------- Refer Reply To:
---------------------------------------------- CC:PSI:01
------------------------- PLR-115604-19
Date:
December 27, 2019

Legend

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

Country = -------------

Date 1 = ----------------

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

This letter responds to your letter dated April 8, 2019 and subsequent correspondence,
submitted on behalf of X by X's representative, requesting an extension of time under
§ 301.9100-3 of the Procedure and Administration Regulations to file an election under
§ 301.7701-3(c) to be treated as a disregarded entity for federal tax purposes.

                                                FACTS

According to the information submitted, X was formed under the laws of Country on
Date 1. X represents that X is a foreign entity eligible to elect to be treated as a
disregarded entity. However, X did not timely file Form 8832, Entity Classification
Election, electing to treat X as a disregarded entity for federal tax purposes.

X represents that it has acted reasonably and in good faith, that granting relief will not
prejudice the interests of the government, and that it is not using hindsight in making the
election.

                                      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. An eligible entity with at least two

PLR-115604-19 2

members can elect to be classified as either an association or a partnership, and an
eligible entity with a single owner can elect to be classified as an association or to be
disregarded as an entity separate from its owner.

Section 301.7701-3(b)(2) provides guidance on the classification of a foreign eligible
entity for federal tax purposes. Generally, a foreign eligible entity is treated as an
association if all members have limited liability, unless the entity makes an election to
be treated otherwise. A foreign eligible entity with a single member having limited
liability may elect to be treated as a disregarded entity pursuant to the rules of
§ 301.7701-3(c). Section 301.7701-3(c) provides that an entity classification election
must be filed on Form 8832 and can be effective up to 75 days prior to the date the form
is filed or up to 12 months after the date the form is filed.

Section 301.7701-3(d)(1)(i) provides that, for purposes of § 301.7701-3, a foreign
eligible entity's classification is relevant when its classification affects the liability of any
person for federal tax or information purposes. The date that the classification of a
foreign eligible entity is relevant is the date an event occurs that creates an obligation to
file a federal tax return, information return, or statement for which the classification of
the entity must be determined. Thus, the classification of a foreign entity is relevant, for
example, on the date that an interest in the entity is acquired which will require a U.S.
person to file an information return on Form 5471.

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) defines
the term “regulatory election” as an election whose due date is prescribed by a
regulation published in the Federal Register or a revenue ruling, revenue procedure,
notice, or announcement published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin.

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.

                                   CONCLUSION

Based solely on the facts submitted and the representations made, we conclude that
the requirements of § 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 to elect to be treated as a disregarded entity for federal tax
purposes effective Date 1. A copy of this letter should be attached to the Form 8832. A
copy is enclosed for that purpose.

PLR-115604-19 3

This ruling is contingent on the owner of X filing within 120 days of the date of this letter
all required returns or amended returns for all open years consistent with the requested
relief. These returns may include, but are not limited to, the following forms: (i) Forms
5471, Information Return of U.S. Persons With Respect to Certain Foreign
Corporations, and (ii) Forms 8858, Information Return of U.S. Persons With Respect to
Disregarded Entities, such that these forms reflect the consequences of the relief
granted in this letter. A copy of this letter should be attached to any such returns.

If applicable, the election is disregarded for purposes of determining the amounts of all
section 965 elements of all United States shareholders of X if the election otherwise
would change the amount of any section 965 element of any such United States
shareholder. See §1.965-4(c)(2).

Except as specifically set forth above, no opinion is expressed or implied concerning the
tax consequences of any aspect of any transaction or item discussed or referenced in
this letter.

The ruling contained in this letter is based upon information and representations
submitted by the taxpayer and is accompanied by a penalty of perjury statement
executed by the 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.

This ruling is directed only to the taxpayer(s) 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 representatives.

                                   Sincerely,

                                   Associate Chief Counsel
                                   (Passthroughs & Special Industries)

                               By: Laura C. Fields
                                   Laura C. Fields
                                   Senior Technician Reviewer, Branch 1
                                   (Passthroughs & Special Industries)

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

cc: