GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTEFORM W-9
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Obtaining a Number
If you do not have a taxpayer identification number or you do not know your number, obtainForm SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card (for individuals), orForm SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number (for business and all other entities), orForm W-7, Application for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (for alien individuals required to file U.S. tax returns) and apply for a number. You may obtain these forms at an office of the Social Security Administration or from the IRS web site at www.irs.gov.
Payees Exempt from Backup Withholding
Payees specifically exempted from backup withholding on ALL payments include the following:
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| • | An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), or an 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 any agency or instrumentality thereof. |
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| • | A state, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or any subdivision or instrumentality thereof. |
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| • | A foreign government, a political subdivision of a foreign government, or any agency or instrumentality thereof. |
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| • | An international organization or any agency or instrumentality thereof. |
Payees that may be exempt from backup withholding include:
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| • | A financial institution. |
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| • | A corporation. |
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| • | A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the U.S., the District of Columbia, or a possession of the U.S. |
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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 foreign central bank of issue. |
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| • | A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. |
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| • | A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian. |
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| • | A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section 4947. |
Exempt payees should complete and return a SubstituteForm W-9 to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. EXEMPT PAYEES SHOULD COMPLETE THE SUBSTITUTEFORM W-9, CHECK THE “EXEMPT FROM BACKUP WITHHOLDING” BOX, SIGN AND DATE THE FORM, AND RETURN THE FORM WITH THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
If you are a nonresident alien or foreign entity not subject to backup withholding, please complete, sign and return an appropriateForm W-8 (which may be obtained from the Paying Agent or on the IRS website atwww.irs.gov) to establish your exemption from backup withholding.
In general, payments that are not subject to information reporting are not subject to backup withholding. For details, see sections 6041, 6041A, 6042, 6044, 6045, 6049, 6050A, and 6050N, and their regulations.
Privacy Act Notice. — Section 6109 requires you to give taxpayer identification numbers to payers who must file an information return with the IRS. The IRS uses the numbers for identification purposes and to help verify the accuracy of your tax return. 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
(1) Penalty for 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 Statements with Respect to Withholding. — If you make a false statement with no reasonable basis which results in no backup withholding, you are subject to a penalty of $500.
(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 ADVISOR OR THE IRS.