Inadvertent Terminations

Internal Revenue Service Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224
Number: 201624003
Release Date: 6/10/2016
Index Number: 1362.04-00
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Third Party Communication: None
Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Person To Contact:
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Telephone Number:
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Refer Reply To:
CC:PSI:B03
PLR-127913-15
Date: February 4, 2016
LEGEND
X = ---
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State = ---
D1 = ---
D2 = ---
Dear ---:
This letter responds to a letter dated August 18, 2015, and subsequent correspondence submitted on behalf of X requesting a ruling under § 1362(f) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code).

# FACTS

According to the information submitted, X was organized as a limited liability company under the laws of State on D1. Subsequently, X made an election to be treated as an S corporation effective D2. At the time of its S corporation election, X’s operating agreement included provisions relating to partnerships that caused X to have more than one class of stock. When X’s members later discovered the effect of the partnership provisions, they amended the operating agreement to remove the provisions and provide identical distribution and liquidation rights to X’s members.
X represents that the ineffective S corporation election was inadvertent and not the result of tax avoidance or retroactive tax planning. X further represents that no PLR-127913-15 2 federal tax return of any person has been filed inconsistent with a valid S corporation election having been made for X effective D2. X also represents that all distributions and allocations of income to its shareholders have been made pro rata in accordance with their interests in X. X and its shareholders have agreed to make any adjustments required by the Service consistent with the treatment of X as an S corporation.

# LAW AND ANALYSIS

Section 1361(a) provides that the term "S corporation" means, with respect to any taxable year, a small business corporation for which an election under § 1362(a) is in effect for such year.
Section 1361(b)(1) defines a "small business corporation" as a domestic corporation which is not an ineligible corporation and which does not (A) have more than 100 shareholders, (B) have as a shareholder a person (other than an estate, a trust described in § 1361(c)(2), or an organization described in § 1361(c)(6)) who is not an individual, (C) have a nonresident alien as a shareholder, and (D) have more than one class of stock.
Section 1362(f) provides that if (1) an election under § 1362(a) or
§ 1361(b)(3)(B)(ii) by any corporation (A) was not effective for the taxable year for which made (determined without regard to § 1362(b)(2)) by reason of a failure to meet the requirements of § 1361(b) or to obtain shareholder consents or (B) was terminated under § 1362(d)(2) or (3) or § 1361(b)(3)(C), (2) the Secretary determines that the circumstances resulting in the ineffectiveness or termination were inadvertent, (3) no later than a reasonable period of time after discovery of the circumstances resulting in the ineffectiveness or termination, steps were taken (A) so that the corporation for which the election was made or the termination occurred is a small business corporation or a qualified subchapter S subsidiary, as the case may be, or (B) to acquire the shareholder consents, and (4) the corporation for which the election was made or the termination occurred, and each person who was a shareholder of the corporation at any time during the period specified pursuant to § 1362(f), agrees to make such adjustments (consistent with the treatment of the corporation as an S corporation or a qualified subchapter S subsidiary, as the case may be) as may be required by the Secretary with respect to such period, then, notwithstanding the circumstances resulting in the ineffectiveness or termination, the corporation will be treated as an S corporation or a qualified subchapter S subsidiary, as the case may be, during the period specified by the Secretary.
Section 1.1361-1(l)(1) of the Income Tax Regulations provides, in part, that a corporation is generally treated as having only one class of stock if all outstanding shares of stock of the corporation confer identical rights to distribution and liquidation proceeds.
PLR-127913-15 3
Section 1.1361-1(l)(2)(i) provides that the determination of whether all outstanding shares of stock confer identical rights to distribution and liquidation proceeds is made based on the corporate charter, articles of incorporation, bylaws, applicable state laws, and binding agreements relating to distribution and liquidation proceeds (collectively, governing provisions).

# CONCLUSION

Based solely on the facts submitted and representations made, we conclude that
X’s S corporation election was ineffective for having more than one class of stock. We also conclude that the circumstances resulting in any ineffectiveness of X’s S corporation election were inadvertent within the meaning of § 1362(f). Thus, under the provisions of § 1362(f), X will be treated as an S corporation effective on D2, and thereafter, provided that X’s S corporation election was otherwise valid and not otherwise terminated under § 1362(d).
Except as expressly provided herein, we express or imply no opinion concerning the federal tax consequences of the facts of this case under any other provisions of the
Code. Specifically, we express or imply no opinion on whether X was otherwise eligible to be an S corporation.
This ruling is directed only to the taxpayer that requested 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, we are sending a copy of this letter to X’s authorized representative.
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.
Sincerely,
/s/
Holly Porter
Chief, Branch 3
Office of the Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs & Special Industries)
Enclosures (2)
Copy of this letter
Copy for § 6110 purposes