Section 1502; Election to File Consolidated Return

Internal Revenue Service Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224
Number: 201631004
Release Date: 7/29/2016
Index Number: 9100.20-00, 1502.75-00
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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:CORP:B05
PLR-104149-16
Date:
May 03, 2016
Parent = ---
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Date 1 =
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Date 2 = ---
Date 3 = ---
Company Official & Tax Professional = ---
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Dear ---:
This letter ruling responds to a letter from your authorized representative, dated
February 4, 2016, requesting an extension of time under §§ 301.9100-1 through
301.9100-3 of the Procedure and Administration Regulations to file an election. The extension is being requested for Parent and the members of its affiliated group (the “Parent Group”) to make an election to file a consolidated federal income tax return, with Parent as the common parent, under § 1.1502-75(a)(1) of the Income Tax Regulations (the “Election”) for the taxable year ending Date 3. The information submitted in that request is summarized below.
On Date 1, Parent was incorporated in connection with the acquisition of an affiliated group which filed a consolidated federal income tax return (the “Acquired Group”). On Date 2, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary corporation of Parent merged into the common parent of Acquired Group in a cash merger.
PLR-104149-16 2
An election for Parent Group to file a consolidated income tax return, with Parent as the common parent, for the taxable year ending Date 3 was due on the last day prescribed by law (including extensions of time) for the filing of Parent’s return. Parent intended to file the Election, but for various reasons, a valid Election (i.e., the filing of the consolidated return) was not filed by the due date of Parent’s return. After the due date for the Election, it was discovered that the Election had not been filed.
Subsequently, this request was submitted, under § 301.9100-3, for an extension of time to file the Election. The period of limitations on assessment under § 6501(a) has not expired for the taxable year ending Date 3 or any subsequent taxable year. Parent has represented that it does not seek to alter a return position for which an accuracy-related penalty has been or could be imposed under § 6662 at the time of the request for relief (taking into account any qualified amended return within the mean of § 1.6664-2(c)(3)).
Section 1.1502-75(a)(1) of the Income Tax Regulations provides, in part, that an affiliated group of corporations which did not file a consolidated return for the immediately preceding taxable year may file a consolidated return in lieu of separate returns for the taxable year, provided that each corporation which has been a member of the group during any part of the taxable year for which the consolidated return is to be filed consents, in accordance with § 1.1502-75(b) of the regulations, to the regulations under § 1502. If a group wishes to exercise its privilege of filing a consolidated return, such consolidated return must be filed not later than the last day prescribed by law (including extensions of time) for the filing of the common parent’s return.
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 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 satisfaction of the Commissioner that the taxpayer 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 Parent and Company
Official & Tax Professional explain the circumstances that resulted in the failure to timely file the Election. The information establishes that Parent reasonably relied on a qualified tax professional who failed to make, or advise Parent to make, a valid election, and that the request for relief was filed before the failure to make the Election was discovered by the Internal Revenue Service. See § 301.9100-3(b)(1)(i) and (v).
PLR-104149-16 3
Based on the facts and information submitted, including the representations made, we conclude that Parent has shown it 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, provided that Parent Group qualifies substantively to file a consolidated return for the applicable tax year, we grant an extension of time, under § 301.9100-3, for sixty (60) days from the date on this letter for Parent to file the Election (by filing a consolidated return, with Parent as the common parent, and attaching a Form 1122 for each member of Parent Group for its taxable year ending Date 3). Parent Group must attach a copy of this ruling letter to such return, or if Parent Group files the return electronically, a statement must be attached to the return that provides the date and the control number of this ruling letter.
The above extension of time is condition on Parent Group’s tax liability (if any) being not lower, in the aggregate, for all years to which the Election applies, than it would have been if the Election had been timely made (taking into account the time value of money). No opinion is expressed as to Parent Group’s tax liability 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 with respect to whether, in fact, Parent Group qualifies substantively to file a consolidated return. In addition, we express no opinion as to the tax effects or consequences of filing the return or the Election late under the provisions of any other section of the Code or regulations, or as to the tax treatment of any conditions existing at the time of, or effects resulting from, filing the return or the Election late that are not specifically set forth in the above ruling.
For the purposes of granting relief under § 301.9100-3, we relied on certain statements and representations made by Parent and Company Official & 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 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, copies of this letter are being sent to your authorized representatives.
Sincerely,
Ken Cohen____
Ken Cohen
Senior Technician Reviewer, Branch 3
Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Corporate)