75-day extension to file a late Section 336(e) election statement for an S-corporation stock sale

Plain-English summary

Buyers acquired all the stock of an S corporation and wanted the deal treated as an asset purchase for tax purposes, which a Section 336(e) election allows for a "qualified stock disposition." That election requires the shareholders and the target to sign a binding agreement and attach an election statement to the target's timely return. The parties relied on a tax professional who failed to file the election statement on time, so they asked the IRS for relief under Treas. Reg. § 301.9100-3. The IRS found the parties acted reasonably and in good faith (they relied on a qualified professional and asked for relief before the IRS caught the lapse) and granted an extension: 75 days from the date of the letter to file the election statement, and 150 days for all parties to file or amend returns to match the election. The relief is conditioned on the parties' total tax liability being no lower than if the election had been timely, and the IRS expressed no opinion on whether the sale actually qualifies or on the resulting tax.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: May parties to an S-corporation stock sale get more time to file a late Section 336(e) election statement?
• Outcome: approved (75-day extension to file the election statement; 150 days to conform returns)
• Key authorities: IRC § 336(e); Treas. Reg. §§ 1.336-2(h)(3), 301.9100-1, 301.9100-3

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 202216012
Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 4/22/2022
Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Index Number: 9100.00-00
Person To Contact:

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Telephone Number:
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Refer Reply To:
CC:CORP:B05
PLR-119061-21
Date:
January 27, 2022

Legend

S Corporation Target = ------------------------------------
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Sellers = -------------------------------------------------
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Purchasers = -----------------------
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Date 1 = -----------------------

Date 2 = ----------------------

Company Official = -------------------------------------
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Tax Professional = -----------------------------------------------
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Dear ---------------:

This letter responds to a letter dated September 10, 2021, submitted on behalf of S Corporation Target, Sellers, and Purchasers (collectively, the "Parties"), requesting an extension of time under §§301.9100-1 through 301.9100-3 of the Procedure and
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Administrative Regulations to file an election. The Parties are requesting an extension of time to file the election statement described in §1.336-2(h)(3)(iii) (the "Election Statement") with respect to Purchasers' acquisition of all the stock of S Corporation Target from Sellers as described below. The material information submitted is summarized below.

Pursuant to a stock purchase agreement entered on Date 1, Purchasers acquired all the stock of S Corporation Target from Sellers (the "Stock Disposition") effective Date 2. It has been represented that the Stock Disposition qualified as a "qualified stock disposition" as defined in §1.336-1(b)(6).

The Parties intended for the stock sale to be treated as an asset sale, but for various reasons, a timely section 336(e) election was not made. Subsequently, a request was submitted, under §301.9100-3, for an extension of time to file the Election Statement. The Parties each represented that they are not seeking to alter a return position for which an accuracy-related penalty has been or could be imposed under section 6662.

Regulations promulgated under section 336(e) permit certain sales, exchanges or distributions of stock of a corporation to be treated as an asset disposition if: (1) the disposition is a "qualified stock disposition" as defined in §1.336-1(b)(6); and (2) a section 336(e) election is made.

Section 1.336-2(h)(3) provides that a section 336(e) election for an S corporation target is made by: (i) all of the S corporation shareholders, including those who do not dispose of any stock in the qualified stock disposition, and the S corporation target entering into a written, binding agreement, on or before the due date (including extensions) of the federal income tax return of the S corporation target for the taxable year that includes the disposition date, to make a section 336(e) election; (ii) the S corporation target retaining a copy of the written agreement; and (iii) the S corporation target attaching the section 336(e) election statement, described in §1.336-2(h)(5) and (6), to its timely filed (including extensions) federal income tax return f or the taxable year that includes the disposition date.

Under §301.9100-1(c), the Commissioner has discretion to 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 Internal Revenue Code except for subtitles E, G, H, and I.

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 a regulatory election. Section 301.9100-1(a). Section 301.9100-2 provides automatic extensions of time for making certain elections. Requests for relief under §301.9100-3 will be granted when the taxpayer provides evidence to establish to the satisf action of the Commissioner that the taxpayer acted reasonably and in good faith, and that granting relief will not prejudice the interests of the government. Section 301.9100-3(a).
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The time for filing the Election Statement is fixed by the regulations (i.e., §1.336- 2(h)(3)(iii)). Therefore, the Commissioner has discretionary authority under §301.9100- 3 to grant an extension of time to file the Election Statement, provided the Parties acted reasonably and in good faith, the requirements of §§301.9100-1 and 301.9100-3 are satisfied, and granting relief will not prejudice the interests of the government.

Information, affidavits, and representations submitted by the Parties, Company Official, and Tax Professional explain the circumstances that resulted in the failure to timely file the Election Statement. The information establishes that the Parties reasonably relied on a qualified tax professional who failed to timely file, or to advise them to timely file, the Election Statement, and the request for relief was filed before the failure to file the Election Statement was discovered by the Internal Revenue Service. See §301.9100- 3(b)(1)(i) and (v).

Based on the facts and information submitted, including the representations made, we conclude that the Parties have acted reasonably and in good faith, the requirements of
§§301.9100-1 and 301.9100-3 are satisfied, and granting relief will not prejudice the interests of the government. Accordingly, an extension of time is granted under
§301.9100-3, until 75 days from the date on this letter to file the Election Statement.

WITHIN 75 DAYS OF THE DATE ON THIS LETTER, S Corporation Target must file the Election Statement in accordance with §1.336-2(h)(3)(iii). The Election Statement must be attached to S Corporation Target’s tax return for the taxable year that includes the disposition date. In addition, a copy of this letter must be attached to S Corporation Target’s return. Alternatively, if S Corporation Target files its return electronically, it may satisfy the requirement of attaching a copy of this letter to the return by attaching a statement to its return that provides the date on, and control number (PLR-119061-21) of, this letter ruling.

WITHIN 150 DAYS OF THE DATE ON THIS LETTER, all relevant parties must file or amend, as applicable, all returns and amended returns (if any) necessary to report the transaction consistently with the making of a section 336(e) election for the taxable year in which the transaction was consummated (and for any other affected taxable year).

The above extension of time is conditioned on all relevant parties' tax liabilities (if any) being not lower, in the aggregate, for all years to which the section 336(e) election applies than it would have been if the Election Statement had been timely filed (taking into account the time value of money). No opinion is expressed as to the taxpayers' tax liabilities for the years involved. A determination thereof will be made by the applicable Director's office upon audit of the federal income tax returns involved.

We express no opinion as to whether the Stock Disposition qualifies as a "qualified stock disposition" or any other tax consequences arising from the section 336(e) election. In addition, we express no opinion as to the tax consequences of filing the
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return or making the section 336(e) election late under the provisions of any other section of the Code and regulations, or as to the tax treatment of any conditions existing at the time of, or resulting from, filing the section 336(e) election late that are not specifically set forth in the above ruling. For purposes of granting relief under
§301.9100-3, we have relied on certain statements and representations made by the Parties, Company Official, and Tax Professional. However, the Director should verify all essential facts. In addition, notwithstanding that an extension is granted under
§301.9100-3 to file the section 336(e) election, penalties and interest that would otherwise be applicable, if any, continue to apply.

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.

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

Sincerely,

Thomas I. Russell_
Thomas I. Russell
Chief, Branch 1
Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Corporate)

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