Reg. 301.7701-3 Classification of Certain Business Entities

Internal Revenue Service Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224
Number: 202130004
Release Date: 7/30/2021
Index Number: 1362.00-00, 1362.01-03,
9100.00-00, 9100.31-00
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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:B01
PLR-117191-20
Date:
February 01, 2021
LEGEND
X = ---
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State = ---
Date 1 = ---
Date 2 = ---
Dear ---:
This responds to a letter dated July 1, 2020, and subsequent correspondence, submitted on behalf of X by X's authorized representative, requesting that the Service grant X an extension of time under § 301.9100-3 of the Procedure and Administration Regulations to elect to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation for federal tax purposes, and relief to file a late S corporation election under § 1362(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code.

# FACTS

According to the information submitted, X was formed as a limited liability company under the laws of State on Date 1. X was eligible to elect S corporation treatment effective Date 2; however, X inadvertently failed to properly and timely file Form 2553, Election by a Small Business Corporation. It is represented that X intended to be an S corporation effective Date 2. Since Date 2, X has filed tax returns consistent with S corporation treatment. X represents that it has acted reasonably and in good faith, that PLR-117191-20 2 granting relief will not prejudice the interests of the government, and that it is not using hindsight in making the late election.

# 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 1362(a) generally provides that a small business corporation may elect to be an
S corporation.
Section 1362(b) provides when an S corporation election will be effective. Generally, if an S corporation election is made within the first two and one half months of a corporation's taxable year, then that corporation will be treated as an S corporation beginning the year in which the election is made.
Section 1362(b)(3) provides that if an S corporation election is made after the first two and one half months of a corporation's taxable year, then that corporation will not be treated as an S corporation until the taxable year after the year in which the S election is made.
Section 1362(b)(5) provides that if (1) an election under § 1362(a) is made for any taxable year after the date prescribed by § 1362 for making the election or no § 1362(a) election is made for any taxable year; and (2) the Secretary determines that there was reasonable cause for the failure to timely make the election, then the Secretary may treat the election as timely made for such taxable year.
Section 301.7701-3(a) provides that a business entity that is not classified as a corporation under § 301.7701-2(b)(1), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), or (8) (an eligible entity) can elect its classification for federal tax purposes. Elections are necessary only when an eligible entity chooses to be classified initially as other than the default classification or when an eligible entity chooses to change its classification.
Section 301.7701-3(b)(1) provides that unless the entity elects otherwise, a domestic eligible entity is: (i) a partnership if it has two or more members; or (ii) disregarded as an entity separate from its owner if it has a single owner.
Section 301.7701-3(c)(1)(i) provides that an eligible entity may elect to be classified other than as provided under § 301.7701-3(b) by filing Form 8832 with the appropriate service center. Section 301.7701-3(c)(1)(iii) provides that this election will be effective on the date specified by the entity on Form 8832 or on the date filed if no such date is specified. The date specified on Form 8832 cannot be more than 75 days prior to the date on which the election is filed.
PLR-117191-20 3
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 not more than 6 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.
Section 301.9100-2 provides the rules governing automatic extensions of time for making certain elections. Section 301.9100-3 provides the standards the Commissioner will use to determine whether to grant an extension of time for regulatory elections that do not meet the requirements of § 301.9100-2.
Section 301.9100-3(a) provides that requests for relief subject to § 301.9100-3 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 on the facts submitted and representations made, we conclude that X has satisfied the requirements of §§ 301.9100-1 and 301.9100-3. As a result, X is granted an extension of time of 120 days from the date of this letter to file a Form 8832, Entity Classification Election, with the appropriate service center to elect to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation for federal tax purposes, effective Date 2. A copy of this letter should be attached to the Form 8832.
Additionally, based solely upon the facts submitted and representations made, we conclude that X has established reasonable cause for not making a timely S election and is eligible for relief under § 1362(b)(5). Accordingly, X's S corporation election will be treated as timely made for its taxable year that began on Date 2.
This ruling is contingent on X filing Form 2553, Election by a Small Business
Corporation, with an effective date of Date 2, with the appropriate Service Center within
120 days from the date of this ruling. A copy of this letter should be attached to the
Form 2553 filed with the Service Center.
Except as specifically set forth above, we express or imply no opinion concerning the federal tax consequences of the facts described above under any other provision of the
Code. Specifically, we express or imply no opinion concerning whether X otherwise qualifies as an S corporation for federal tax purposes.
This ruling is directed only to the taxpayer who requested 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 the power of attorney on file with this office, we are sending a copy of this letter ruling to your 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,
Joy C. Spies
Joy C. Spies, Senior Technician Reviewer
Branch 1
Office of the Associate Chief Counsel
(Passthroughs & Special Industries)
Enclosures (2)
Copy of this letter
Copy of this letter for section 6110 purposes cc: