Partnership gets 120 days to file late basis election

Plain-English summary

A partnership missed the deadline to elect optional adjustments to the basis of partnership property under IRC § 754 after a partner died. The IRS found that the partnership met the requirements for an extension under Treasury Regulations §§ 301.9100-1 and 301.9100-3. It gave the partnership 120 days from the letter date to file a written election. The relief requires the partnership and affected partners to adjust their bases as if the election had been timely, including adjustments related to deductions in closed years. The letter does not decide whether the partnership is otherwise eligible to make the election.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: May the partnership file a late IRC § 754 election for its prior tax year?
• Outcome: Approved; it has 120 days from the letter date, subject to basis adjustments.
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 734(b), 743(b), 754; Treas. Reg. §§ 301.9100-1, 301.9100-3.

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service
Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 202640006
Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 10/2/2026
Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Index Numbers: 754.00-00, 754.02-00,
9100.00-00, 9100.15-00
Person To Contact:
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Refer Reply To:
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CC:PT&E:B03
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PLR-120363-25
Date:
June 15, 2026

LEGEND

X = ----------------------------
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State = ------------

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

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

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

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

This letter responds to a letter dated September 25, 2025, and subsequent correspondence, submitted on behalf of X by its authorized representatives, requesting an extension of time under §§ 301.9100-1 and 301.9100-3 of the Procedure and Administration Regulations for X to file an election under § 754 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code).

FACTS
According to the information submitted, X was formed as a limited liability company under the laws of State and is classified as a partnership for federal tax
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purposes. On Date 1, A, a partner in X, died. X inadvertently failed to make a § 754 election with its partnership return for its taxable year ended Date 2.

LAW AND ANALYSIS

Section 754 provides that if a partnership files an election, in accordance with the 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 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)(1) 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 no 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 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) 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.
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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 a § 754 election for its taxable year ended Date 2. The election should be made in a written statement filed with the appropriate service center for association with X’s return for its taxable year ended Date 2. A copy of this letter should be attached to the statement filed.

This ruling is contingent on X adjusting the basis of its 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 limitation on assessment or filing a claim for refund has expired for any year subject to this grant of late relief. Any deductions for the 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 as adjusted by the greater of any such deductions allowed or allowable in any prior year had the § 754 election been timely made.

Finally, affected partner(s) 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 this grant of late relief. Specifically, the affected partner(s) of X must reduce the basis of their interests 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 a 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 requested ruling, it is subject to verification on examination.

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

Sincerely,

Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs, Trusts, and Estates)

By: ______
Richard T. Probst
Senior Technician Reviewer, Branch 3
Office of the Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs, Trusts, and Estates)

Enclosure:
Copy of this letter for § 6110 purposes

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