Obtaining a Number
If you don’t have a taxpayer identification number or you don’t know your number, obtainForm SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, at the local Social Administration office, orForm SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, by calling 1 (800) TAX-FORM, and apply for a number.
Payees Exempt from Backup Withholding
Payees specifically exempted from withholding include:
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| • | An organization exempt from tax under Section 501(a), an individual retirement account (IRA), or a custodial account under Section 403(b)(7), if the account satisfies the requirements of Section 401(f)(2). |
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| • | The United States or a state thereof, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or a political subdivision or instrumentality of any one or more of the foregoing. |
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| • | An international organization or any agency or instrumentality thereof. |
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| • | A foreign government and any political subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof. |
Payees that may be exempt from backup withholding include:
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| • | A corporation. |
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| • | A financial institution. |
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| • | A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United States, the District of Columbia, or a possession of the United States. |
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| • | A real estate investment trust. |
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| • | A common trust fund operated by a bank under Section 584(a). |
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| • | An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940. |
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| • | A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee who is listed in the most recent publication of the American Society of Corporate Secretaries, Inc., Nominee List. |
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| • | A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. |
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| • | A foreign central bank of issue. |
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| • | A trust exempt from tax under Section 664 or described in Section 4947. |
Payments of dividends and patronage dividends generally exempt from backup withholding include:
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| • | Payments to nonresident aliens subject to withholding under Section 1441. |
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| • | Payments to partnerships not engaged in a trade or business in the United States and that have at least one nonresident alien partner. |
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| • | Payments of patronage dividends not paid in money. |
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| • | Payments made by certain foreign organizations. |
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| • | Section 404(k) payments made by an ESOP. |
Payments of interest generally exempt from backup withholding include:
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| • | Payments of interest on obligations issued by individuals. However, if you pay $600 or more of interest in the course of your trade or business to a payee, you must report the payment. Backup withholding applies to the reportable payment if you have not provided your correct taxpayer identification number to the payer. |
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| • | Payments of tax-exempt interest (including exempt-interest dividends under Section 852). |
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| • | Payments described in Section 6049(b)(5) to nonresident aliens. |
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| • | Payments on tax-free covenant bonds under Section 1451. |
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| • | Payments made by certain foreign organizations. |
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| • | Mortgage or student loan interest paid to you. |
Certain payments, other than payments of interest, dividends, and patronage dividends, that are exempt from information reporting are also exempt from backup withholding. For details, see the regulations under sections 6041, 6041A, 6042, 6044, 6045, 6049, 6050A and 6050N.
Exempt payees described above must fileForm W-9 or a substituteForm W-9 to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. FILE THIS FORM WITH THE PAYER, FURNISH YOUR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, CHECK THE BOX IN PART 4 OF THE FORM, SIGN AND DATE THE FORM, AND RETURN IT TO THE PAYER.
Privacy Act Notice — Section 6109 requires you to provide your correct taxpayer identification number to payers, who must report the payments to the IRS. The IRS uses the number for identification purposes and may also provide this information to various government agencies for tax enforcement or litigation purposes. Payers must be given the numbers whether or not recipients are required to file tax returns. Payers must generally withhold 28% of taxable interest, dividends, and certain other payments to a payee who does not furnish a taxpayer identification number to the payer. Certain penalties may also apply.
Penalties
(1) Failure to Furnish Taxpayer Identification Number. — If you fail to furnish your taxpayer identification number to a payer, you are subject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.
(2) Civil Penalty for False Information With Respect to Withholding. — If you make a false statement with no reasonable basis that results in no backup withholding, you are subject to a $500 penalty.
(3) Criminal Penalty for Falsifying Information. — Willfully falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including finesand/or imprisonment.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT
OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE