GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTEFORM W-9
Obtaining a Number
If you do not have a taxpayer identification number, apply for one immediately. To apply for a SSN, getForm SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, from your local Social Security Administration office. GetForm W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, to apply for a TIN, orForm SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, to apply for an EIN. You can getForms W-7 and SS-4 from the IRS by calling 1 (800) TAX-FORM, or from the IRS website atwww.irs.gov.
Payees Exempt From Backup Withholding
Payees specifically exempted from backup withholding include:
1. 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).
2. The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.
3. A state, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities.
4. A foreign government or any of its political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities.
5. An international organization or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.
Payees that may be exempt from backup withholding include:
6. A corporation.
7. A foreign central bank of issue.
8. A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United States, the District of Columbia, or a possession of the United States.
9. A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
10. A real estate investment trust.
11. An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
12. A common trust fund operated by a bank under Section 584(a).
13. A financial institution.
14. A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian.
15. A trust exempt from tax under Section 664 or described in Section 4947.
The chart below shows types of payments that may be exempt from backup withholding. The chart applies to the exempt recipients listed above, 1 through 15.
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If the payment is for ...
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Interest and dividend payments Broker transactions | | | All exempt recipients except for9 Exempt recipients1through13. Also, a person registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 who regularly acts as a broker |
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Exempt payees should complete a substituteForm W-9 to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. Furnish your taxpayer identification number, check the appropriate box for your status, write “EXEMPT” in part II of the form, sign and date the form and return it to the payer. Foreign payees who are not subject to backup withholding should complete an appropriateForm W-8 and return it to the payer.
Privacy Act Notice. Section 6109 requires you to provide your correct taxpayer identification number to payers who must file information returns with the IRS to report interest, dividends, and certain other income paid to you to the IRS. The IRS uses the numbers for identification purposes and to help verify the accuracy of your return and may also provide this information to various government agencies for tax enforcement or litigation purposes and to cities, states, and the District of Columbia to carry out their tax laws, and may also disclose this information to other countries under a tax treaty, or to Federal and state agencies to enforce Federal nontax criminal laws and to combat terrorism. Payers must be given the numbers whether or not recipients are required to file tax returns. Payers must generally withhold 28% of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not furnish a taxpayer identification number to a payer. Certain penalties may also apply.
Penalties
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(1) | | Failure to Furnish Taxpayer Identification Number.If you fail to furnish your correct 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. |
(4) | | Misuse of Taxpayer Identification Numbers. If a requestor discloses or uses taxpayer identification numbers in violation of Federal law, it may be subject to civil and criminal penalties. |
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT OR THE IRS.