Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the S-Corp Inconsistent Treatment Election?
Available to S-corp shareholders who believe the corporation's tax return (Schedule K-1) is incorrect or who have not received a return from the corporation.
How does the S-Corp Inconsistent Treatment Election work?
Allows a shareholder to treat a subchapter S item differently than the corporation's return if they notify the Secretary of the inconsistency, protecting them from automatic mathematical error assessments.
What law authorizes the S-Corp Inconsistent Treatment Election?
The S-Corp Inconsistent Treatment Election is authorized under IRC §6037(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code (Title 26, United States Code).
Statutory Text — IRC §6037
Source: Internal Revenue Code, Title 26, United States Code
§ 6037. Return of S corporation(a) In generalEvery S corporation shall make a return for each taxable year, stating specifically the items of its gross income and the deductions allowable by subtitle A, the names and addresses of all persons owning stock in the corporation at any time during the taxable year, the number of shares of stock owned by each shareholder at all times during the taxable year, the amount of money and other property distributed by the corporation during the taxable year to each shareholder, the date of each such distribution, each shareholder’s pro rata share of each item of the corporation for the taxable year, and such other information, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of subchapter S of chapter 1, as the Secretary may by forms and regulations prescribe. Any return filed pursuant to this section shall, for purposes of chapter 66 (relating to limitations), be treated as a return filed by the corporation under section 6012.
(b) Copies to shareholdersEach S corporation required to file a return under subsection (a) for any taxable year shall (on or before the day on which the return for such taxable year was filed) furnish to each person who is a shareholder at any time during such taxable year a copy of such information shown on such return as may be required by regulations.
(c) Shareholder’s return must be consistent with corporate return or Secretary notified of inconsistency(1) In generalA shareholder of an S corporation shall, on such shareholder’s return, treat a subchapter S item in a manner which is consistent with the treatment of such item on the corporate return.
(2) Notification of inconsistent treatment(A) In generalIn the case of any subchapter S item, if—(i)(I) the corporation has filed a return but the shareholder’s treatment on his return is (or may be) inconsistent with the treatment of the item on the corporate return, or
(II) the corporation has not filed a return, and
(ii) the shareholder files with the Secretary a statement identifying the inconsistency,
paragraph (1) shall not apply to such item.
(B) Shareholder receiving incorrect informationA shareholder shall be treated as having complied with clause (ii) of subparagraph (A) with respect to a subchapter S item if the shareholder—(i) demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the treatment of the subchapter S item on the shareholder’s return is consistent with the treatment of the item on the schedule furnished to the shareholder by the corporation, and
(ii) elects to have this paragraph apply with respect to that item.
(3) Effect of failure to notifyIn any case—(A) described in subparagraph (A)(i)(I) of paragraph (2), and
(B) in which the shareholder does not comply with subparagraph (A)(ii) of paragraph (2),
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