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8-K Filing
Mondelez International (MDLZ) 8-KEntry into a Material Definitive Agreement
Filed: 30 Mar 07, 12:00am
Exhibit 10.3
TAX SHARING AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
ALTRIA GROUP, INC.
AND
KRAFT FOODS INC.
DATED AS OF MARCH 30, 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I |
| DEFINITIONS |
| 1 |
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1.01 |
| General |
| 1 |
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ARTICLE II |
| TAX SHARING |
| 6 |
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2.01 |
| General |
| 6 |
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2.02 |
| Payment of Taxes |
| 6 |
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2.03 |
| Carrybacks from Post-Distribution Period |
| 7 |
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2.04 |
| Preparation of Returns |
| 8 |
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ARTICLE III |
| REFUNDS |
| 9 |
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3.01 |
| Refunds |
| 9 |
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ARTICLE IV |
| INDEMNIFICATION |
| 9 |
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4.01 |
| General Indemnification |
| 9 |
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4.02 |
| Indemnification for Distribution Taxes |
| 10 |
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4.03 |
| Indemnification Payments |
| 11 |
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ARTICLE V |
| REPRESENTATIONS |
| 11 |
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5.01 |
| Altria and Kraft Representations |
| 11 |
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ARTICLE VI |
| COVENANTS |
| 11 |
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6.01 |
| Altria and Kraft Covenants |
| 11 |
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6.02 |
| Specific Kraft Covenants |
| 11 |
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ARTICLE VII |
| TAX CONTESTS |
| 13 |
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7.01 |
| Representation with Respect to Tax Contests |
| 13 |
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ARTICLE VIII |
| PAYMENTS |
| 13 |
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8.01 |
| Method of Payment |
| 13 |
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8.02 |
| Interest |
| 14 |
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8.03 |
| Characterization of Payments |
| 14 |
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ARTICLE IX |
| MISCELLANEOUS |
| 14 |
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9.01 |
| Allocation |
| 14 |
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9.02 |
| Payment of Reserves |
| 14 |
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9.03 |
| Cooperation and Exchange of Information |
| 15 |
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9.04 |
| Retention of Records |
| 15 |
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9.05 |
| Dispute Resolution |
| 16 |
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9.06 |
| Changes in Law |
| 16 |
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9.07 |
| Confidentiality |
| 16 |
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9.08 |
| Successors |
| 16 |
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9.09 |
| Authorization |
| 17 |
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9.10 |
| Notices |
| 17 |
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9.11 |
| Entire Agreement |
| 17 |
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9.12 |
| Section Captions |
| 18 |
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9.13 |
| Governing Law |
| 18 |
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9.14 |
| Counterparts |
| 18 |
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9.15 |
| Waiver and Amendments |
| 18 |
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9.16 |
| Effective Date |
| 18 |
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9.17 |
| Termination |
| 18 |
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TAX SHARING AGREEMENT
THIS TAX SHARING AGREEMENT dated as of March 30, 2007 (the “Agreement”) is between Altria Group, Inc., a Virginia corporation (“Altria”), and Kraft Foods Inc., a Virginia corporation (“Kraft”) (sometimes referred to herein individually as “Party”, or together, as “Parties”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Altria is the common parent corporation of an affiliated group of corporations (the “Altria Consolidated Return Group”) within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”);
WHEREAS, Kraft is a member of the affiliated group of corporations with respect to which Altria is the common parent corporation;
WHEREAS, as set forth in the Distribution Agreement by and between Altria and Kraft, dated as of January 31, 2007 (the “Distribution Agreement”), and subject to the terms and conditions thereof, Altria will distribute on a pro rata basis to the holders of Altria common stock all of the outstanding shares of Kraft common stock then owned by Altria (the “Distribution”);
WHEREAS, the Distribution is intended to qualify as a tax-free distribution to Altria and its shareholders under Section 355 of the Code; and
WHEREAS, in contemplation of the Distribution, pursuant to which Kraft (and its direct and indirect Subsidiaries) will cease to be a member of the Altria Consolidated Return Group, the Parties hereto have determined to enter into this Agreement, setting forth their agreement with respect to certain tax matters;
NOW, THEREFORE in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein contained, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
1.01 General. For the purposes of this Agreement, the terms set forth below shall have the following meanings.
“Altria Non-Food Group” means Altria and any direct or indirect Subsidiary of Altria that is not also a member of the Kraft Group or otherwise a direct or indirect Subsidiary of Kraft and that would be eligible, from time to time, to join with Altria, with respect to Federal Income Taxes, in the filing of a consolidated United States Federal Income Tax return and, with respect to Combined State Taxes, in the filing of a consolidated, combined or unitary income or franchise tax return.
“Altria Non-Food Group Tax” means (i) the Federal Income Tax liability of the Altria Consolidated Return Group less the Kraft Federal Income Tax Liability; (ii) the Altria Combined State Tax liability less the Kraft Combined State Tax Liability; (iii) any other Tax imposed on any member of the Altria Non-Food Group or, with respect to any taxable year, any other Tax imposed on any direct or indirect Subsidiary of Altria (excluding, however, the Kraft Group and any direct or indirect Subsidiary of Kraft) that is not a member of the Altria Non-Food Group; and (iv) liability of any member of the Altria Non-Food Group for the payment of any amounts of the type described in (i), (ii) or (iii) as a result of any express or implied obligation to indemnify any other person.
“Combined State Tax” means, with respect to each state or local taxing jurisdiction, any income or franchise tax payable to such state or local taxing jurisdiction in which a member of the Kraft Group files tax returns with a member of the Altria Consolidated Return Group that is not also a member of the Kraft Group on a consolidated, combined or unitary basis for purposes of such income or franchise tax.
“Distribution Date” shall mean the date on which the Distribution becomes effective.
“Distribution Taxes” shall mean any Taxes imposed on, increase in Taxes incurred by, or reduction of a Tax Asset of Altria, and any Taxes of an Altria shareholder that are paid or reimbursed by Altria, together with any fines or penalties, pursuant to a Final Determination resulting from, or arising in connection with, the failure of the Distribution to qualify as a tax-free transaction under Section 355 of the Code (including, without limitation, any Tax resulting from the application of Section 355(d) or Section 355(e) to the Distribution) or corresponding provisions of the laws of any other jurisdictions. Any Tax referred to in the immediately preceding sentence shall be determined using the highest applicable statutory corporate income tax rate for the relevant taxable period (or portion thereof).
“Effective Realization” (and the correlative term “Effectively Realized”) means, with respect to a tax saving or tax benefit, including from the use of any Tax Asset, the earliest to occur of (i) the receipt by Altria or Kraft (or any other member of Altria Non-Food Group or Kraft Group) of cash from a Taxing Authority reflecting such tax saving or tax benefit, or (ii) the application of such tax saving or tax benefit to reduce any payments, including estimated tax payments, with respect to (A) the tax liability on a return of any of such entities or of any consolidated group of which any of such entities is
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a member, or (B) any other outstanding tax liability of any of such entities or of any such consolidated group, provided that any reference in this definition to tax shall include, without limitation, a reference to a recovery of statutory interest.
“Federal Income Tax” means any Tax imposed under Subtitle A of the Code and any related interest and any penalties, additions to such Tax, or additional amounts imposed with respect thereto.
“Final Determination” shall mean (i) with respect to Federal Income Taxes, a “determination” as defined in Section 1313(a) of the Code or execution of an Internal Revenue Service Form 870-AD and, with respect to taxes other than Federal Income Taxes, any decision, judgment, decree or other order by a court of competent jurisdiction that, under applicable law, is not subject to further appeal, review or modification through proceedings or otherwise; (ii) a closing agreement or accepted offer in compromise under Sections 7121 or 7122 of the Code, or a comparable agreement under the laws of a State, local, or foreign taxing jurisdiction; (iii) the payment of tax by any member of the Altria Consolidated Return Group with respect to any item disallowed or adjusted by a Taxing Authority, provided that Altria determines that no action should be taken to recoup such payment; or (iv) any other final disposition, by mutual agreement of the Parties or by reason of the expiration of a statute of limitations or period for the filing of claims for refunds, amended returns, or appeals from adverse determinations.
“Kraft Combined State Tax Liability” shall mean, with respect to any taxable period (or portion thereof) in the Pre-Distribution Period, an amount of Combined State Taxes, including any interest, penalties and other additions to such taxes for such taxable year except to the extent attributable to Altria’s negligence, determined by taking the total separately computed state income or franchise tax liabilities of the Kraft Group over the total separately computed state income or franchise tax liabilities of the Altria Consolidated Return Group multiplied by the combined state income or franchise tax liability of the Altria Consolidated Return Group.
“Kraft Current Federal Income Tax Provision” shall mean, with respect to any financial statement year (or portion thereof) in the Pre-Distribution Period, the sum of the Kraft Group’s current federal income tax provision determined in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) recorded on the Kraft Group’s books and records and reported in the Kraft Group’s published financial statements.
“Kraft Federal Income Tax Liability” shall mean, with respect to any taxable period (or portion thereof) in the Pre-Distribution Period, the sum of the Kraft Group’s Federal Income Tax liability and other additions to such Taxes except to the extent attributable to Altria’s negligence (as determined under the applicable principles of agency law rather than Section 6662 of the Code) for such taxable period (or portion thereof), computed as if the Kraft Group were not and never were part of the Altria
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Consolidated Return Group, but rather were a separate affiliated group of corporations filing a consolidated United States Federal Income Tax return pursuant to Section 1501 of the Code (provided, however, that transactions with members of the Altria Non-Food Group or between members of the Kraft Group shall be reflected according to the provisions of the consolidated return regulations promulgated under the Code governing intercompany transactions). Such computation shall be made: (A) without regard to the income, deductions (including net operating loss and capital loss deductions) and credits in any year of any member of the Altria Consolidated Return Group that is not a member of the Kraft Group, (B) by taking account of any Tax Asset of the Kraft Group in accordance with Section 2.02(e) hereof, (C) with regard to net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards and carrybacks and minimum tax credits from earlier years of the Kraft Group, (D) as though the highest rate of tax specified in Section 11(b) of the Code were the only rate set forth in that subsection, and (E) reflecting the positions, elections and accounting methods and periods used with respect to the Kraft Group in preparing the Altria consolidated Federal Income Tax return.
“Kraft Group” shall mean Kraft and any direct or indirect Subsidiary of Kraft that would be eligible, from time to time, to join with Kraft, with respect to Federal Income Taxes, in the filing of a consolidated United States Federal Income Tax return and, with respect to Combined State Taxes, in the filing of a consolidated, combined or unitary income or franchise tax return if Kraft were not a member of the Altria Consolidated Return Group.
“Kraft Group Tax” means (i) Kraft Federal Income Tax Liability; (ii) Kraft Combined State Tax Liability; (iii) any other Tax imposed on any member of the Kraft Group with respect to any taxable year, or, with respect to any taxable year, any other Tax imposed on any direct or indirect Subsidiary of Kraft that is not a member of the Kraft Group; and (iv) liability of any member of the Kraft Group for the payment of any amounts of the type described in (i), (ii) or (iii) as a result of any express or implied obligation to indemnify any other person.
“Kraft Pro Forma Combined State Return” means, for each state in which a combined state income tax return may be filed, either a formal combined state income tax return, or, in the alternative, a schedule on which the Kraft Combined State Tax Liability is reflected.
“Kraft Pro Forma Federal Return” means either a formal Form 1120, or, in the alternative, a schedule on which the Kraft Federal Income Tax Liability is reflected.
“Post-Distribution Period” means any taxable period (or portion thereof) beginning after the close of business on the Distribution Date.
“Pre-Distribution Period” means any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or before the close of business on the Distribution Date.
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“Subsidiary” means any corporation or other legal entity (or any successor thereto) directly or indirectly “controlled”, where “control” means the ownership of 50% or more of the ownership interests (by vote or value) of such corporation or other legal entity (or any successor thereto) or the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such corporation or other legal entity.
“Tax” or “Taxes” shall mean all national, federal, state (including, but not limited to the Ohio Commercial Activities tax or the Texas Margin tax), county, local, foreign or other taxes, levies, or imposts, including any net income, alternative or add-on minimum tax, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, value added, transfer, franchise, profits, license, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, capital stock, occupation, property, real property gains, social security or disability, environmental or windfall profit tax, premium, custom duty or other tax, governmental fee, or other like assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest, penalty, addition to tax or additional amount imposed by any Taxing Authority responsible for the imposition of any such tax (United States or non-United States).
“Tax Asset” means any federal or state net operating loss, net capital loss, general business credit, foreign tax credit, charitable deduction, or any other loss, credit, deduction, or tax attribute which could reduce any Tax (including, without limitation, deductions, credits, alternative minimum net operating loss carryforwards related to alternative minimum taxes or additions to the basis of property).
“Taxing Authority” means any governmental authority (whether United States or non-United States, and including, without limitation, any state, municipality, political subdivision or governmental agency) responsible for the imposition of any Tax.
“Tax Contest” means any audit, review, examination, assessment, notice of deficiency or any other administrative or judicial proceeding with the purpose or effect of redetermining any Taxes (including any administrative or judicial review of any claim for refund).
“Tax-Free Status” means qualification of the Distribution as tax-free under Section 355 of the Code.
“Tax Opinion Document” means the tax opinion related to the Distribution delivered by Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP (“Tax Advisor”) and including all exhibits thereto, which contain, inter alia, information and representations provided by Altria and Kraft in connection with the Distribution.
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ARTICLE II
TAX SHARING
2.01 General. For each taxable year of the Altria Consolidated Return Group for which a United States consolidated Federal Income Tax return is filed that includes any Pre-Distribution Period of the Kraft Group, Kraft shall pay to Altria an amount equal to the sum of the Kraft Federal Income Tax Liability for such taxable year as shown on a Kraft Pro Forma Federal Return. For each taxable year of the Altria Consolidated Return Group for which a Combined State Tax return is filed that includes any Pre-Distribution Period of the Kraft Group, Kraft shall pay to Altria an amount equal to the Kraft Combined State Tax Liability for such taxable year as shown on a Kraft Pro Forma Combined State Return.
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ARTICLE IV
INDEMNIFICATION
4.01 General Indemnification.
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(b) Kraft will indemnify each member of the Altria Non-Food Group or any other direct or indirect Subsidiary of Altria other than a member of the Kraft Group or any other direct or indirect Subsidiary of Kraft against and hold it harmless from (1) any Kraft Group Tax, or any adjustments made by a Taxing Authority that would result in an increase in any Kraft Group Tax (including, but not limited to, any Taxes or adjustments attributable to taxable years ending prior to January 1, 2001), or any adjustments by a Taxing Authority that result in a disallowance or reduction of any Tax Asset of the Kraft Group that was used to reduce any Altria Non-Food Group Tax; and (2) all liabilities, costs, expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable expenses of investigation and attorney’s fees and expenses), losses, damages, assessments, settlements or judgments arising out of or incident to the imposition, assessment or assertion of any Tax or adjustment described in this subsection. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, Kraft’s indemnification responsibility for Distribution Taxes, if any, shall be determined solely under Section 4.02(b) of this Agreement.
4.02 Indemnification for Distribution Taxes.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, Altria shall indemnify and hold harmless each member of the Kraft Group or any other direct or indirect Subsidiary of Kraft from and against (1) any and all Distribution Taxes that are not the responsibility of Kraft pursuant to Section 4.02(b) of this Agreement and (2) all liabilities, costs, expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable expenses of investigation and attorney’s fees and expenses), losses, damages, assessments, settlements or judgments arising out of or incident to the imposition, assessment or assertion of any Tax or adjustment described in this subsection.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, Kraft agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each member of the Altria Non-Food Group or any other direct or indirect Subsidiary of Altria other than a member of the Kraft Group or any other direct or indirect Subsidiary of Kraft from and against (1) any and all Distribution Taxes resulting from or attributable to (i) any act or failure to act on the part of Kraft (or any member of the Kraft Group or any other direct or indirect Subsidiary of Kraft) following the Distribution; or (ii) any breach by Kraft (or any other member of Kraft Group or any other direct or indirect Subsidiary of Kraft) of any of the representations or covenants set forth in Articles V and VI of this Agreement or any representations or covenants made by Kraft in the Tax Opinion Document and (2) all liabilities, costs, expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable expenses of investigation and attorney’s fees and expenses), losses, damages, assessments, settlements or judgments arising out of or incident to the imposition, assessment or assertion of any Tax or adjustment described in this subsection.
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4.03 Indemnification Payments. In the event that a Party is entitled to receive indemnification under this Article IV with respect to any Tax for which there has been a Final Determination, such Party (“Indemnified Party”) shall send to the other Party (“Indemnifying Party”) an invoice requesting payment accompanied by a statement describing in reasonable detail the amount owed and the particulars relating thereto. The Indemnifying Party shall pay to the Indemnified Party any payment owed under this Article IV within thirty days (or within another time period mutually agreed to by the Parties) after the receipt of the invoice for such payment.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS
5.01 Altria and Kraft Representations. Altria and Kraft each represent that the information and representations furnished by Altria or Kraft, as the case may be, in any Tax Opinion Document are accurate and complete as of the date hereof.
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS
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(e) During the two-year period following the Distribution Date, Kraft will not issue, in one or more transactions, Kraft stock (or any instrument that is convertible or exchangeable into such Kraft stock) that in the aggregate represents more than a forty percent interest (by vote or value) of Kraft.
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ARTICLE VII
TAX CONTESTS
7.01 Representation with Respect to Tax Contests. Altria shall have the right to (i) contest, compromise, or settle any adjustment or deficiency proposed, asserted or assessed as a result of any audit of any consolidated or combined return filed by the Altria Consolidated Return Group; (ii) file, prosecute, compromise or settle any claim for refund; and (iii) determine whether any refunds to which the Altria Consolidated Return Group may be entitled shall be received by way of refund or credited against the tax liability of the Altria Consolidated Return Group; provided, however, that Altria shall be obligated to act in good faith with respect to any Tax Contest of any consolidated or combined return filed by the Altria Consolidated Return Group which involves a Tax or adjustment for which Kraft is liable pursuant to this Agreement (“Kraft Tax Contest”). Specifically, Altria shall, in good faith, (i) consult with Kraft regarding its comments with respect to any such Kraft Tax Contest, including any correspondence or filings submitted in connection therewith; (ii) consult with Kraft as to strategy and settlement decisions with respect to any Kraft Tax Contest, including any correspondence or filings submitted in connection therewith; and (iii) use its best efforts to arrive at a settlement of any such Kraft Tax Contest that reflects the ultimate merits of the issues without taking into account the fact that Kraft is liable for the Tax or adjustment under this Agreement.
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ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
9.01 Allocation. Altria may, at its option, elect, and the Kraft Group shall join it in electing (if necessary), to ratably allocate items (other than extraordinary items) of the Kraft Group in accordance with relevant provisions of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-76. If Altria makes such an election, the members of the Kraft Group shall provide to Altria such statements as are required under the regulations and other appropriate assistance.
9.02 Payment of Reserves. Within thirty days after the Distribution Date, Altria shall pay to Kraft an amount equal to the Federal Income Tax reserve for uncertain Tax positions attributable to the Kraft Group and recorded on the books and records of Altria as of the Distribution Date. The amount paid by Altria to Kraft under this Section 9.02 shall include interest at the intercompany rate accruing on such reserve amounts from the later of January 1, 2001 or the various dates on which Kraft paid particular amounts to Altria with respect to such reserve, through the date that Altria pays the amount equal to the reserve to Kraft pursuant to this Section 9.02.
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9.03 Cooperation and Exchange of Information.
9.04 Retention of Records. A Party intending to dispose of documentation of Altria (or any other member of Altria Non-Food Group) or Kraft (or any other member of Kraft Group), including without limitation, books, records, Tax returns and all supporting schedules and information relating thereto (after the expiration of the
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applicable statute of limitations), which relates to Tax returns described in Section 2.04 (to the extent it affects the separate Tax liability of Kraft (or any other member of Kraft Group) or Altria (or any other member of Altria Non-Food Group) shall provide written notice to the other Party describing the documentation to be destroyed or disposed of at least sixty days prior to taking such action. The other Party may arrange to take delivery of the documentation described in the notice at its expense during the succeeding sixty day period. The documentation described in the notice will not be disposed of without the affirmative written consent of an officer of the notified Party.
9.05 Dispute Resolution. Any and all disputes between the Parties relating to this Agreement, including the interpretation or application thereof, shall be resolved through the procedures provided in Article VI of the Distribution Agreement.
9.06 Changes in Law. Any reference to a provision of the Code or a law of another jurisdiction shall include a reference to any applicable successor provision or law. If, due to any change in applicable law or regulations or their interpretation by any court of law or other governing body having jurisdiction subsequent to the date of this Agreement, performance of any provision of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated thereby shall become unlawful, impracticable or impossible, the Parties hereto shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such provision.
9.07 Confidentiality. Each Party shall hold and cause its directors, officers, employees, advisors and consultants to hold in strict confidence, unless compelled to disclose by judicial or administrative process or, in the opinion of its counsel, by other requirements of law, all information (other than any such information relating solely to the business or affairs of such Party) concerning the other Party hereto furnished to it by such other Party or its representatives pursuant to this Agreement (except to the extent that such information can be shown to have been (1) in the public domain through no fault of such Party, (2) later lawfully acquired from other sources not known to be under a duty of confidentiality by the Party to which it was furnished, or (3) independently developed), and each Party shall not release or disclose such information to any other person, except its directors, officers, employees, auditors, attorneys, financial advisors, bankers and other consultants who shall be advised of and agree to be bound by the provisions of this Section 9.07. Each Party shall be deemed to have satisfied its obligation to hold confidential information concerning or supplied by the other Party if it exercises the same care as it takes to preserve confidentiality for its own similar information.
9.08 Successors. This agreement shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of any successor, by merger, acquisition of assets or otherwise, to any of the Parties hereto (including, but not limited to, any successor of Altria and Kraft succeeding to the tax
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attributes of such Party under Section 381 of the Code), to the same extent as if such successor had been an original Party hereto.
9.09 Authorization, etc. Each of the Parties hereto hereby represents and warrants that it has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement; that this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of such Party; that this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each such Party; and that the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Party does not contravene or conflict with any provision of law or of its charter or bylaws or any agreement, instrument or order binding on such Party.
9.10 Notices. All notices, requests, and other communications to any Party hereunder shall be in writing (including electronic mail and facsimile transmission) and shall be given to:
If to Altria, to:
Altria Group, Inc.
120 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attn: Vice President, Taxes
If to Kraft, to:
Kraft Foods Inc.
Three Lakes Drive
Northfield, Illinois 60093
Attn: Vice President, Taxes
9.11 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement among the Parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior tax sharing agreements, and such prior tax sharing agreements shall have no further force and effect; provided, however, that regardless of whether this Agreement specifically refers to any prior tax sharing agreement entered into by the Parties, that payments already made and actions already taken pursuant to any such prior tax sharing agreement shall be taken into account in determining the respective rights and obligations of the Parties pursuant to this Agreement. In addition, the provisions of any prior tax sharing agreement shall be taken into account to the extent necessary for the implementation of this Agreement but only if not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement. If and to the extent that the provisions of this Agreement conflict with the Distribution Agreement or any other agreement entered into in connection with the Distribution, the provisions of this Agreement shall control.
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9.12 Section Captions. Section captions used in this Agreement are for convenience and reference only and shall not affect the construction of this Agreement.
9.13 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia (other than the laws regarding choice of laws and conflicts of laws) as to all matters, including matters of validity, construction, effect, performance and remedies; provided, however, that the United States Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1-16 (as may be amended from time to time) shall govern the matters described in Section 9.05 of this Agreement.
9.14 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
9.15 Waivers and Amendments. This Agreement shall not be waived, amended or otherwise modified except in writing, duly executed by all of the Parties hereto.
9.16 Effective Date. This Agreement shall be effective as of the Distribution Date.
9.17 Termination. The Agreement shall remain in force and be binding so long as the applicable period of assessments (including extensions) remains unexpired for any taxes contemplated by the Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties hereto has caused this agreement to be executed by a duly authorized officer as of the date first above written.
ALTRIA GROUP, INC. | |||
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| By: | /s/ Dinyar S. Devitre | |
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| Name: | Dinyar S. Devitre |
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| Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
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| KRAFT FOODS INC. | ||
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| By: | /s/ James P. Dollive | |
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| Name: | James P. Dollive |
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| Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
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