Partnership received 120 days to make late section 754 election

Plain-English summary

A limited partnership failed to make a timely section 754 election for a year in which partnership interests were treated as transferred. The partnership represented that it acted reasonably and in good faith, was not using hindsight, and would amend its returns consistently with a timely election. The IRS granted 120 days to file the election. Relief was conditioned on the partnership making all section 734(b) and 743(b) basis and depreciation adjustments that a timely election would have required, and on the partners making corresponding interest-basis adjustments, even for years whose limitation periods had expired.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Could the partnership receive additional time to make its missed section 754 election?
• Outcome: Yes, with 120 days to elect and subject to full retroactive basis adjustments.
• Key authorities: IRC §§ 734, 743, and 754; Treas. Reg. §§ 1.754-1 and 301.9100-1 through 301.9100-3.

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 201924012 [Third Party Communication:
Release Date: 6/14/2019 Date of Communication: Month DD, YYYY]
Index Number: 754.00-00, 754.02-00,
9100.00-00, 9100.15-00 Person To Contact:
-----------------, ID No. -----------
------------------------------------------------- Telephone Number:
--------------------------------- ----------------------
-------------------------- Refer Reply To:
---------------------------------- CC:PSI:01
PLR-124854-18
Date:
February 11, 2019

Legend

Company = ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------

State = -------------------

Year = ----------------------------------------------------------------

Date = ---------------------------

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

This letter responds to a letter dated August 14, 2018, submitted on behalf of Company
by its authorized representative, requesting an extension of time under § 301.9100-3 of
the Procedure and Administration Regulations to file an election under § 754 of the
Internal Revenue Code (“Code”).

FACTS

The information submitted states that Company is a State limited partnership that was
formed on Date and is classified as a partnership for federal tax purposes. During Year,
interests in Company were treated as transferred for federal income tax purposes.
Company inadvertently failed to file a timely election under § 754 for Year.

Company represents that it will file amended returns for Year and subsequent years
consistent with the election having been made. Further, Company represents that it has

PLR-124854-18 2

acted reasonably and in good faith, that granting relief will not prejudice the interests of
the government, and that it is not using hindsight in making the election.

LAW

Section 754 provides, in part, 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 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)(1) 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 the taxable year.

Section 301.9100-1(c) provides that the Commissioner may grant a reasonable
extension of time 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
Code except subtitles E, G, H, and I. Section 301.9100-1(b) defines the term “regulatory
election” as an election whose due date is prescribed by a regulation published in the
Federal Register, or a revenue ruling, revenue procedure, notice, or announcement
published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin.

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 an election. 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.

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.

PLR-124854-18 3

CONCLUSION

Based solely on 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, Company is granted an extension of time of 120 days from the date of this letter
to make an election under § 754 effective for its Year taxable year and thereafter. The
election should be made in a written statement filed with the appropriate service center
for association with Company's Year return. A copy of this letter should be attached to
the statement filed.

This ruling is contingent on Company 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 depreciation
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 depreciation deduction
allowable for an open year is to be computed based upon the remaining useful life and
using property basis as adjusted by the greater of any depreciation deduction allowed or
allowable in any prior year had the § 754 election been timely made. Additionally, the
partners of Company must adjust the basis of their interests in Company to reflect what
that basis would be 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. Specifically, the partners of Company
must reduce the basis of their interests in Company in the amount of any additional
depreciation that would have been allowable if the § 754 election had been timely
made.

Except as specifically ruled upon above, we express or imply no opinion concerning the
tax consequences of any facts discussed or referenced in this letter. Specifically, we
express no opinion as to whether Company is a partnership 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.

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.

PLR-124854-18 4

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

                                  Sincerely,


                                  Laura C. Fields
                                  Laura C. Fields
                                  Senior Technician Reviewer, Branch 1
                                  (Passthroughs & Special Industries)

Enclosures: Copy of this letter

Copy of this letter for § 6110 purposes