ReedSmith
Reed Smith LLP Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1886 412.288.3131 Fax 412.288.3063 | |
May 29, 2009
American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.
Growth Fund
4500 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64111-7709
American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc.
Life Sciences Fund
4500 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64111-7709
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion concerning certain federal income tax consequences of a transaction (the "Reorganization") in which all of the assets of Life Sciences Fund (the “Acquired Fund”), a portfolio of American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc., a Maryland corporation will be acquired by Growth Fund (the "Acquiring Fund"), a portfolio of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc., solely for Shares of the Acquiring Fund (the "Acquiring Fund Shares"), which shall thereafter be distributed to the shareholders of the Acquired Fund (the "Acquired Fund Shareholders") in liquidation of the Acquired Fund. Both the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund are separate portfolios, each of which is treated as a separate corporation under Section 851(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and has elected to be taxed as a Regulated Investment Company under Section 851(a) of the Code. The terms and conditions of the Reorganization are set forth in an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of May 29, 2009 (the “Agreement”), between the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund, attached hereto as Annex C. This opinion is rendered to you pursuant to paragraph 8.5 of the Agreement.
We have reviewed and relied upon the Registration Statement on Form N-14 (the "Registration Statement") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") in connection with the Reorganization, the certificates provided to us by the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund in connection with the rendering of this opinion, attached hereto as Annex A and Annex B, and such other documents and instruments as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of this opinion.
MUNICH * ABU DHABI * PRINCETON * NORTHERN VIRGINIA * WILMINGTON * BIRMINGHAM * DUBAI * CENTURY CITY * RICHMOND * GREECE
reedsmith.com
ReedSmith
Growth Fund
Life Sciences Fund
May 29, 2009
Page 2
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, and assuming that the Reorganization will take place as described in the Agreement, we are of the opinion that, for federal income tax purposes with the respect to the Acquiring Fund:
(a) The transfer of all of the Acquired Fund's assets solely in exchange for the Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of any liabilities of the Acquired Fund which are assumed (followed by the distribution of Acquiring Fund Shares to the Acquired Fund Shareholders in dissolution and liquidation of the Acquired Fund) will constitute a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund will each be a "party to a reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code.
(b) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquiring Fund upon the receipt of the assets of the Acquired Fund solely in exchange for Acquiring Fund Shares, and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of any liabilities of the Acquired Fund which are assumed.
(c) No gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquired Fund upon the transfer of the Acquired Fund's assets to the Acquiring Fund solely in exchange for Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of any liabilities of the Acquired Fund which are assumed or upon the distribution (whether actual or constructive) of Acquiring Fund Shares to Acquired Fund Shareholders in exchange for such shareholders' shares of the Acquired Fund.
(d) No gain or loss will be recognized by any Acquired Fund Shareholder upon the exchange of its Acquired Fund shares for Acquiring Fund Shares in the Reorganization.
(e) The aggregate tax basis for Acquiring Fund Shares received by each Acquired Fund Shareholder pursuant to the Reorganization will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the Acquired Fund shares held by it immediately prior to the Reorganization and exchanged therefore by such shareholder. The holding period of Acquiring Fund Shares to be received by each Acquired Fund Shareholder will include the period during which the Acquired Fund shares exchanged therefore were held by such shareholder, provided the Acquired Fund shares are held as capital assets at the time of Reorganization.
(f) The tax basis of the Acquired Fund's assets acquired by the Acquiring Fund will be the same as the tax basis of such assets to the Acquired Fund immediately before the Reorganization. The holding period of the assets of the Acquired Fund in the hands of the Acquiring Fund will include the period during which those assets were held by the Acquired Fund.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, we express no opinion as to the effect of the Reorganization on the Acquiring Fund, the Acquired Fund or any Acquired Fund Shareholder with respect to any asset as to which unrealized gain or loss is required to be recognized for federal income tax purposes as of the end of a taxable year (or on the termination or transfer thereof) under a mark-to-market system of accounting.
ReedSmith
Growth Fund
Life Sciences Fund
May 29, 2009
Page 3
This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof and is based upon the Code, Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, administrative positions of the Internal Revenue Service (the "Service"), and judicial decisions, all of which are subject to change either prospectively or retroactively. There can be no assurance that changes in the law will not take place which could affect the opinions expressed herein or that contrary positions may not be taken by the Service. We disclaim any undertaking to advise you with respect to any event subsequent to the date hereof.
The opinions contained herein are limited to those matters expressly covered; no opinion is to be implied in respect of any other matter. This opinion is addressed solely to you and may not be relied upon by any other person without our prior written consent. We hereby consent to the filing of a copy of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
| Very truly yours, | |
| /s/ Reed Smith LLP |
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