LLC’s Opportunity Fund Form Deemed Timely Filed

Third Party Communication: None
Date of Communication: Not Applicable
Person To Contact: * * *, ID No. * * *
Telephone Number: * * *

Index Number: 1400Z.02-00
Release Date: 10/15/2021

Date: July 21, 2021

Refer Reply To: CC:ITA:5 - PLR-109639-21

LEGEND:

Taxpayer = * * *
B = * * *
State Z = * * *
Tax Advisor = * * *
Accounting Firm = * * *
Accounting Firm C = * * *
Entity = * * *
Date 1 = * * *
Date 2 = * * *
Date 3 = * * *
Date 4 = * * *
* * * = * * *
X% = * * *
Year 1 = * * *
Year 2 = * * *

Dear * * *:

This ruling responds to Taxpayer's request for a letter ruling dated Date 1. Specifically, Taxpayer requests an extension under sections 301.9100-1 and 301.9100-3 of the Income Tax Regulations to (1) make a timely election under section 1.1400Z2(a)-1(a)(2)(i) to be certified as a qualified opportunity fund (QOF), as defined in section 1400Z-2(d) of the Internal Revenue Code, and (2) for Taxpayer to be treated as a QOF as of the first month of its taxable year ending Date 2, as provided by section 1400Z-2 and section 1.1400Z2(d)-1(a).

FACTS

Taxpayer is a limited liability company organized under the laws of State Z on Date 3 and is treated as a partnership for Federal income tax purposes. Taxpayer was organized for the purpose of investing in and rehabilitating qualified opportunity zone property as defined in section 1400Z-2(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code. Taxpayer's method of accounting is the accrual method of accounting with a tax year end Date 4. Taxpayer is requesting an extension of time under section 301.9100-3(b)(1) of the Income Tax Regulations to self-certify as a Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) under section 1.1400Z2(d)-1.

Taxpayer was formed with the intent to be the X% owner of Entity. Entity is an LLC classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes and was formed for the purpose of operating as a Qualified Opportunity Zone Business as defined in § 1400Z-2(d)(3) and section 1400Z2(d)(-1).

Taxpayer engaged the services of Accounting Firm in Year 1. Tax Advisor was the primary contact for Taxpayer, and aware of Entity's acquisition of the property in a qualified opportunity zone. According to the affidavits and additional information provided to us, B and Taxpayer discussed forming a QOF. However, Tax Advisor was unaware of the requirement to file Form 8996, Qualified Opportunity Fund with the Taxpayer's timely filed Year 1 Federal income tax return for Taxpayer to self-certify QOF status, as Taxpayer otherwise had no filing obligation for that taxable year. As a result, Taxpayer failed to file Form 8996 and its Form 1065, U.S. Return of Partnership Income for Year 1 by the due date. B became concerned with the level of service Taxpayer received from Tax Advisor. B engaged the services of Accounting Firm C in Year 2. In discussions with Accounting Firm C concerning the qualification of Taxpayer as a QOF,B was informed of the need to file Form 8996 with the tax return for the Year 1. B subsequently authorized Accounting Firm C to file a private ruling request for relief under sections 301.9100-1 and 301.9100-3 on Date 1.

LAW AND ANALYSIS

Section 1400Z-2(e)(4)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations for rules for the certification of QOFs. Section 1.1400Z2(d)-1(a)(2) of the Income Tax Regulations provides that the rules for an entity to self-certify as a QOF. Section 1.1400Z2(a)-1(a)(2)(i) provides that the entity electing to be certified as a QOF must do so annually on a timely filed return in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue in the Internal Revenue Service forms or instructions, or in publications or guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin.

To self-certify as a QOF, a taxpayer must file Form 8996, Qualified Opportunity Fund, with its tax return for the year to which the certification applies. The Form 8996 must be filed by the due date of the tax return (including extensions). The information provided indicates that the taxpayer did not file its Form 8996 by the due date of its income tax return (including extensions) due to his belief that submission was not required for the year at issue.

Because section 1.1400Z2(d)-1(a)(2)(i) sets forth the manner and timing for an entity to self-certify as a QOF, these elections are regulatory elections, as defined in section 301.9100-1(b).

Sections 301.9100-1 through 301.9100-3 provide the standards that the Commissioner will use to determine whether to grant an extension of time to make a regulatory election. Section 301.9100-3(a) provides that requests for extensions of time for regulatory elections (other than automatic extensions covered in section 301.9100-2) will be granted when the taxpayer provides evidence (including affidavits) to establish that the taxpayer acted reasonably and in good faith and the grant of relief will not prejudice the interests of the Government.

Under section 301.9100-3(b) a taxpayer is deemed to have acted reasonably and in good faith if the taxpayer requests relief before the failure to make the regulatory election is discovered by the Service, or reasonably relied on a qualified tax professional, and the tax professional failed to make, or advise the taxpayer to make, the election. However, a taxpayer is not considered to have reasonably relied on a qualified tax professional if the taxpayer knew or should have known that the professional was not competent to render advice on the regulatory election or was not aware of all relevant facts.

In addition, section 301.9100-3(b)(3) provides that a taxpayer is deemed not to have acted reasonably and in good faith if the taxpayer —

Section 301.9100-3(c)(1) provides that the Commissioner will grant a reasonable extension of time to make the regulatory election only when the interests of the Government will not be prejudiced by the granting of relief.

Section 301.9100-3(c)(1)(i) provides that the interests of the Government are prejudiced if granting relief would result in a taxpayer having a lower tax liability in the aggregate for all taxable years affected by the election than the taxpayer would have had if the election had been timely made (taking into account the time value of money).

Section 301.9100-3(c)(1)(ii) provides that the interests of the government are ordinarily prejudiced if the taxable year in which the regulatory election should have been made or any taxable year that would have been affected by the election had it been timely made are closed by the period of limitations on assessment under § 6501(a) before the taxpayer's receipt of a ruling granting relief under this section.

Based on the facts and information submitted and the representations made, we conclude that Taxpayer has acted reasonably and in good faith, and that the granting of relief would not prejudice the interests of the government. Accordingly, based solely on the facts and information submitted, and the representations made in the ruling request, we grant the taxpayer an extension of 45 days from the date of this letter ruling to file an amended return to make the election under section 1400Z-2 and section 1.1400Z2(d)-1(a)(2)(i). The election is to be made on Form 8996.

This ruling is based upon facts and representations submitted by Taxpayer and accompanied by a penalty of perjury statement executed by an appropriate party. This office has not verified any of the material submitted in support of the request for a ruling. However, as part of an examination process, the Service may verify the factual information, representations, and other data submitted.

Except as expressly provided herein, no opinion is expressed or implied concerning the tax consequences of any aspect of any transaction or item discussed or referenced in this letter. Specifically, we express no opinion, either express or implied, concerning whether any investments made into Taxpayer are qualifying investments as defined in section 1.1400Z2(a)-1(b)(3) or whether the taxpayer meets the requirements under section 1400Z-2 and the regulations thereunder to be a QOF. We express no opinion regarding the tax treatment of the instant transaction under the provisions of any other sections of the Code or regulations that may be applicable, or regarding the tax treatment of any conditions existing at the time of, or effects resulting from, the instant transaction.

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, a copy of this letter is being sent to your authorized representative.

Sincerely,

Shareen S. Pflanz
Chief, Branch 5
Office of Associate Chief Counsel
(Income Tax & Accounting)

cc:
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