IRS grants a partnership extra time to make a late § 754 basis-adjustment election

Plain-English summary

A limited partnership wanted to make a section 754 election, which lets a partnership adjust the tax basis of its property when a partner transfers an interest or receives a distribution. That adjustment (under sections 734(b) and 743(b)) can give the incoming or continuing partners the benefit of extra depreciation and other basis recovery. The election must be filed with the partnership's timely return for the year of the transfer, and this partnership inadvertently missed that deadline after a partner acquired an interest in it.

The partnership asked the IRS for relief under the section 301.9100-3 regulations, which allow more time for a missed regulatory election when the taxpayer acted reasonably and in good faith and relief will not prejudice the government. The IRS granted a 120-day extension to make the late election effective for the year of the transfer. The relief is conditional: the partnership's filings must include the basis adjustments (and any additional basis-recovery deductions) that would have been made had the election been timely, even for years now closed by the statute of limitations, and the partners must correspondingly adjust the basis in their partnership interests. If an amended partnership return is required, it must be done through the centralized-partnership-audit process on Form 1065-X or Form 8082.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Should the partnership get an extension of time under § 301.9100-3 to file a late § 754 election?
• Outcome: Approved (120-day extension, subject to conditions).
• Key authorities: IRC § 754 (with §§ 734(b), 743(b)); Treas. Reg. § 1.754-1(b); Treas. Reg. § 301.9100-1 through 301.9100-3.

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 202610015
Release Date: 3/6/2026
Index Number: 754.02-00, 9100.00-00, 9100.15-00

Third Party Communication: None
Date of Communication: Not Applicable

Person To Contact: [redacted], ID No. [redacted]
Telephone Number: [redacted]
Refer Reply To: CC:PT&E:01
PLR-117597-25

Date: December 10, 2025

LEGEND

X = [redacted]
A = [redacted]
Date 1 = [redacted]
Date 2 = [redacted]
Date 3 = [redacted]
State = [redacted]

Dear [redacted]:

This letter responds to a letter dated September 25, 2025, submitted on behalf of X by X's authorized representative, requesting an extension of time under § 301.9100-3 of the Procedure and Administration Regulations for X to file an election under § 754 of the Internal Revenue Code.

FACTS

X was formed in Date 1 as a limited partnership under the laws of State and is treated as a partnership for federal tax purposes. On Date 2, A acquired interests in X. X inadvertently failed to make a § 754 election for its taxable year ended Date 3.

LAW AND ANALYSIS

Section 754 provides, in part, that if a partnership files an election, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, the basis of partnership property is adjusted, in the case of a distribution of property, in the manner provided in § 734 and, in the case of a transfer of a partnership interest, in the manner provided in § 743. Such an election shall apply 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, in part, 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, shall 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 thereof) for filing the return for that taxable year.

Section 301.9100-1(c) provides that the Commissioner may grant a reasonable extension of time under the rules set forth in §§ 301.9100-2 and 301.9100-3 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) provides that the term "regulatory election" includes 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.

Under § 301.9100-3, a request for relief 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 (1) the taxpayer acted reasonably and in good faith, and (2) the grant of relief will not prejudice the interests of the Government.

CONCLUSION

Based solely upon the information 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 an election under § 754 effective for X's taxable year ended Date 3. The election should be made in a written statement filed with the appropriate service center either (1) to be associated with X's return for its taxable year ended Date 3, or (2) accompanying For 1065-X, Amended Return or Administrative Adjustment Request (AAR), or Form 8082, Notice of Inconsistent Treatment or AAR, and for any related filings as instructed in Form 1065-X or Form 8082, as appropriate. A copy of this letter should be attached to the relevant filing.

This ruling is contingent on X's relevant filing(s) containing adjustments to the basis of X's properties to reflect any § 734(b) or § 743(b) adjustments that would have been made if the § 754 election had been timely made. These basis adjustments must reflect any additional deductions for recovery of basis related to X's property that would have been allowable if the § 754 election had been timely made, regardless of whether the statutory period of limitations on assessment or filing a claim for refund has expired for any year subject to his grant of late relief. Any deductions for recovery of basis allowable for an open year are to be computed based on the remaining useful life or recovery period and using property basis adjusted by the greater of such deductions allowed or allowable in any prior year had the § 754 election been timely made. If the partnership is required to file an AAR to properly amend a partnership return, then this ruling is also contingent on X filing Form 1065-X or Form 8082 and taking into account the adjustments as required by § 6227(b).

Additionally, the partners of X must adjust the basis of their interests in X to reflect what the basis would be if the § 754 election had been timely made, regardless of whether the statutory period of limitations on assessment or filing a claim for refund has expired for any year subject to his grant of late relief. Specifically, the partners of X must reduce the basis of their interest in X in the amount of any additional deductions for the recovery of basis related to X's property that would have been allowable if the § 754 election had been timely made.

Except for the specific ruling above, we express or imply no opinion concerning the federal tax consequences of the facts of this case under any other provision of the Code. In addition, § 301.9100-1(a) provides that the granting of an extension of time for making an election is not a determination that the taxpayer is otherwise eligible to make the election.

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.

This ruling is directed only to the taxpayer requesting it. Section 6110(k)(3) provides that it may not be used or cited as precedent.

In accordance with a power of attorney on file with this office, we are sending a copy of this letter to your authorized representatives.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey A. Van Hove
Acting Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs, Trusts, and Estates)

By:
Christiaan T. Cleary
Senior Technician Reviewer, Branch 1
Office of Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs, Trusts, and Estates)

Enclosure: Copy for § 6110 purposes

cc: [redacted]