120-day extension to fix the effective date of an LLC's corporate-classification election

Plain-English summary

An LLC can choose to be taxed as a corporation by filing Form 8832, and it specifies on the form the date the election takes effect. Here an LLC wanted its corporate classification to be effective as of its formation date, but it filed the Form 8832 with a later, incorrect effective date. It asked the IRS for relief under Treas. Reg. § 301.9100-3 to correct the mistake. The IRS found the LLC acted reasonably and in good faith and granted 120 days from the date of the letter to file a corrected election effective the intended (formation) date. The ruling does not decide whether the LLC was otherwise eligible to make the election and does not address any penalties.

Ruling snapshot

• Question: Should the LLC get an extension of time to correct the effective date of its election to be taxed as a corporation?
• Outcome: Approved (120-day extension granted)
• Key authorities: Treas. Reg. §§ 301.7701-3, 301.9100-1, 301.9100-3

Full text (IRS public release)

Internal Revenue Service Department of the Treasury
Washington, DC 20224

Number: 202525010 Third Party Communication: None
Release Date: 6/20/2025 Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Index Number: 7701.00-00, 9100.31-00
Person To Contact:
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-------------------------------------------------------- Refer Reply To:
CC:PTE:B01

                                                         PLR-121305-24

                                                         Date:
                                                         March 25, 2025



                                               LEGEND

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

Date 1 = -----------------
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Date 2 = -----------------

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

This letter responds to a letter dated November 22, 2024, submitted on behalf of X by
its authorized representative, requesting an extension of time under § 301.9100-3 of the
Procedure and Administration Regulations for X to file an election under § 301.7701-3
to be classified as an association taxable as a corporation for federal tax purposes.

                                                 FACTS

According to the information submitted, X, a State limited liability company, was formed
on Date 1. X intended to be classified as an association taxable as a corporation for
federal income tax purposes effective Date 1. However, X incorrectly filed Form 8832,
Entity Classification Election, electing to be classified as an association taxable as a
corporation effective Date 2.
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LAW AND ANALYSIS

Section 301.7701-3(a) provides, in part, 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 as provided in § 301.7701-3. An eligible
entity with at least two members can elect to be classified as either an association (and
thus a corporation under § 301.7701-2(b)(2)) or a partnership, and an eligible entity with
a single owner can elect to be classified as an association or to be disregarded as an
entity separate from its owner.

Section 301.7701-3(b)(1) provides that, except as provided in § 301.7701-3(b)(3),
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, in part, that an eligible entity may elect to be
classified other than as provided under § 301.7701-3(b), or to change its classification,
by filing Form 8832 with the service center designated on Form 8832.

Section 301.7701-3(c)(1)(iii) provides that an election made under § 301.7701- 3(c)(1)(i)
will be effective on the date specified by the entity on Form 8832 or on the date filed if
no such date is specified on the election form. The effective date specified on Form
8832 cannot be more than 75 days prior to the date on which the election is filed and
cannot be more than 12 months after the date on which the election is filed. If an
election specifies an effective date more than 75 days prior to the date on which the
election is filed, it will be effective 75 days prior to the date it was filed.

Section 301.9100-1(c) provides that the Commissioner in exercising the
Commissioner's discretion 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 Internal Revenue Code (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 the Commissioner will
use to determine whether to grant an extension of time to make the election. Section
301.9100-2 provides the standards the Commissioner will use to determine whether to
grant an automatic extension of time for making certain elections. Section 301.9100-3
provides the guidelines for granting extensions of time for making 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 evidence (including affidavits described in
PLR-121305-24
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§ 301.9100-3(e)) to establish to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that the taxpayer
acted reasonably and in good faith, and the grant of relief will not prejudice the interests
of the Government.

                                  CONCLUSION

Based solely on the facts submitted and the representations made, we conclude that X
has satisfied the requirements of §§ 301.9100-1 and 301.9100-3. As a result, we grant
X an extension of time of 120 days from the date of this letter to make an election to be
treated as an association taxable as a corporation for federal tax purposes effective
Date 1. A copy of this letter should be attached to the Form 8832.

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 and regulations thereunder. In addition, § 301.9100-1(a) provides that the
granting of an extension of time for making an election is not a determination that the
taxpayer is otherwise eligible to make the election.

In addition, we express no opinion concerning the assessment of any interest, additions
to tax, additional amounts, or penalties for failure to file a timely income tax or
information return with respect to any taxable year that may be affected by this ruling.
For example, we express no opinion as to whether a taxpayer is entitled to relief from
any penalty on the basis that the taxpayer had reasonable cause for failure to file timely
any income tax or information returns.

The ruling contained in this letter is based on 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.

This ruling is directed to the taxpayer requesting it. Section 6110(k)(3) provides that it
may not be used or cited as precedent.

In accordance with a power of attorney on file with this office, we are sending a copy of
this letter ruling to X's authorized representative.
PLR-121305-24
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Sincerely,

                                           Jeffrey Erickson
                                           Associate Chief Counsel
                                           (Passthroughs, Trusts, and Estates)



                                    By: _____________________________
                                        Laura Fields
                                        Chief, Branch 1
                                        Office of Associate Chief Counsel
                                        (Passthroughs, Trusts, and Estates)

Enclosure
Copy of letter for § 6110 purposes

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