Source: http://cancergiving.org/?pageID=39&docID=1058
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 10:03:25+00:00

Document:
Decedent died and was survived by Spouse. Spouse was appointed as personal representative of Decedent's estate. Spouse hired Attorney to prepare and file the required Form 706 estate tax return. Decedent's estate included farmland. Attorney failed to inform Spouse that Decedent's estate could elect to specially value the farmland under Sec. 2032A. An estate tax return was timely filed without a Sec. 2032A election. Spouse was removed as personal representative of Decedent's estate and Administrator was appointed to complete the estate administration. Administrator hired Accountant to complete any additional necessary forms for Decedent's estate. Accountant failed to inform Administrator that an extension to file a Sec. 2032A election could be made. A supplemental Form 706 was filed to correct errors on the original Form 706. The supplemental Form 706 failed to make a Sec. 2032A election. Decedent's estate requests an extension of time under Reg. 301.9100-3 to make a Sec. 2032A election.
The transfer of the taxable estate of every decedent who is a U.S. citizen or resident is subject to tax under Sec. 2001(a). Section 2032A(a)(1) allows the executor to file a Sec. 2032A election if the decedent was a U.S. citizen or resident and the appropriate agreement is filed. Under Sec. 2032A, qualified real property will be valued at its use under which it qualifies under Sec. 2032A(b)(1). Under Sec. 2032A(d)(1), the election must be made on the estate tax return under Sec. 2001. All elections shall be irrevocable and must be made consistent with IRS regulations. Regulation 301.9100-1(c) gives the Commissioner discretion to grant a reasonable extension of time to make an election. Under Reg. 301.9100-3, the Commissioner will grant relief when it is established that the taxpayer acted reasonably and in good faith and that granting the relief will not prejudice the interests of the government. Here, based on the representations of Decedent's estate, the Service granted an extension of 120 days to make the Sec. 2032A election.
This letter responds to your authorized representative's letter of July 9, 2018, requesting an extension of time pursuant to § 301.9100-3 of the Procedure and Administration Regulations to elect to specially value qualified real property under § 2032A of the Internal Revenue Code.
Decedent died on Date 1. Decedent named Spouse as personal representative of his estate. Decedent's estate included farmland. Spouse retained Attorney to prepare and timely file Decedent's Form 706, United States Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return. Attorney failed to advise Spouse that the Decedent's estate had an option to elect to specially value the farmland under § 2032A. On Date 2, Spouse timely filed Form 706; however, she failed to make the § 2032A election. On Date 3, Court removed Spouse as personal representative of Decedent's estate and appointed Administrator Ad Litem to complete the administration of Decedent's estate. Administrator Ad Litem retained Accounting Firm to prepare and file any additional tax returns necessary to completion of the estate administration. Accounting Firm failed to advise Administrator Ad Litem of actions he could take to request an extension of time to make the § 2032A election. On Date 4, Administrator Ad Litem filed a supplemental Form 706 to correct errors on the original Form 706; however, he failed to make the § 2032A election.
Section 2001 imposes a tax on the transfer of the taxable estate of every decedent who is a citizen or resident of the United States.
Section 2032A(a)(1) provides, generally, that if the decedent was (at the time of his death) a citizen or resident of the United States, and the executor elections the application of § 2032A and files the agreement referred to in § 2032A(d)(2), then, for purposes of chapter 11, the value of qualified real property shall be its value for the use under which it qualifies under § 2032A(b)(1), as qualified real property.
Section 2032A(d)(1) provides that the election under § 2032A shall be made on the return of tax imposed by § 2001. Such elections shall be made in such manner as the Secretary shall by regulations prescribe. Such an election, once made, shall be irrevocable.
Section 301.9100-3(b)(1)(v) provides that a taxpayer is deemed to have acted reasonably and in good faith if the taxpayer reasonably relied on a qualified tax professional, including a tax professional employed by the taxpayer, and the tax professional filed to make, or advise the taxpayer to make, the election.
Based upon the facts submitted and the representations made, we conclude that the requirements of §§ 301.9100-1 and 301.9100-3 have been satisfied. Accordingly, we grant an extension of time of 120 days from the date of this letter to elect to specially value the farmland under § 2032A. The election should be made on a supplemental Form 706 filed with the Cincinnati Service Center at the following address: Internal Revenue Service, Cincinnati Service Center  Stop 82, Cincinnati, Ohio 45999. A copy of this letter should be attached to the supplemental Forms 709. A copy is enclosed for this purpose.
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 or imply no opinion on whether the estate qualifies for special use valuation under § 2032A.
In accordance with the Power of Attorney on file with this office, we have sent a copy of this letter to your authorized representative.

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