Alpha Corporation Owns 100% of Beta Company, and Beta Owns

Alpha Corporation owns 100% of Beta Company, and Beta owns 80% of Gamma, Inc., all of which are domestic corporations. There were no excess allocation values at the date of acquisition of the subsidiaries. Information for the three companies for the year ending December 31, 2021 follows: Which of the following statements is true?

A) Alpha and Beta must file a consolidated income tax return, but must exclude Gamma from the consolidated return.
B) Alpha, Beta, and Gamma must file a consolidated income tax return.
C) Alpha, Beta, and Gamma must file separate income tax returns because the ownership of Beta is less than 100%.
D) Alpha, Beta, and Gamma will probably not file a consolidated income tax return.
E) Alpha, Beta, and Gamma may file separate income tax returns or a consolidated income tax return.