Exhibit 99.1
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
FOR
WMG ACQUISITION CORP.
OFFER TO EXCHANGE ANY AND ALL OUTSTANDING 11.50% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2018 FOR AN EQUAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF ITS 11.50% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2018, WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED , 2012
THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON , 2012 UNLESS EXTENDED (SUCH TIME AND DATE AS TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER, AS THE SAME MAY BE EXTENDED, THE “EXPIRATION DATE”). TENDERS MAY BE WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.
The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is:
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
By Registered or Certified Mail: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A Corporate Trust Operations MAC N9303-121 PO Box 1517 Minneapolis, MN 55480 | By Regular Mail or Overnight Courier: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Corporate Trust Operations MAC N9303-121 Sixth & Marquette Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55479 | In Person by Hand Only: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. 12th Floor — Northstar East Building Corporate Trust Operations 608 Second Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55479 | ||
By Facsimile (for Eligible Institutions only): (612) 667-6282
For Information or Confirmation by Telephone: (800) 344-5128 | ||||
DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS, OR TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA FACSIMILE TO A NUMBER, OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED. YOU MUST SIGN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IN THE APPROPRIATE SPACE PROVIDED THEREFOR, WITH SIGNATURE GUARANTEE IF REQUIRED, AND COMPLETE THE ACCOMPANYING IRS FORM W-9 INCLUDED HEREIN. SEE INSTRUCTION 8.
DESCRIPTION OF OLD NOTES(See Instructions 2 and 3.) List below the Old Notes (as defined below) to which this Letter of Transmittal relates.
Name(s) and Address(es) of Registered Owner(s) (Please Fill in, if Blank, Exactly as Name(s) Appear(s) on the Old Note(s)) | Certificate Number (s)(*) | Aggregate Principal Amount of Old Notes (*) | Principal Amount Tendered (**) | |||||
| Total Principal Amount | ||||||||
(*) Need not be completed if Old Notes are being transferred by book-entry transfer. (**) Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that ALL Old Notes described above are being tendered. See Instruction 3. | ||||||||
The undersigned acknowledges that he, she or it has received and reviewed this Letter of Transmittal (the “Letter”) and that he, she or it has received the Prospectus, dated , 2012 (as the same may be amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, the “Prospectus”), of WMG Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), which together constitute its offer to exchange up to $765,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 11.50% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “New Notes”), which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for a like principal amount of its issued and outstanding 11.50% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “Old Notes”), from the registered holders thereof (each, a “Holder” and, collectively, the “Holders”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and this Letter (such exchange offer, the “Exchange Offer”).
For each Old Note accepted for exchange, the Holder of such Old Note will receive a New Note having a principal amount equal to that of the surrendered Old Note. The New Notes will accrue interest from the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on the Old Notes. Accordingly, registered Holders of New Notes on the relevant record date for the first interest payment date following the consummation of the Exchange Offer will receive interest accruing from the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on the Old Notes. Old Notes accepted for exchange will cease to accrue interest from and after the date of consummation of the Exchange Offer. Holders of Old Notes whose Old Notes are accepted for exchange will not receive any payment in respect of accrued interest on such Old Notes otherwise payable on any interest payment date the record date for which occurs on or after consummation of the Exchange Offer.
This Letter is to be completed by a Holder of Old Notes either if certificates are to be forwarded herewith or if a tender of certificates for Old Notes, if available, is to be made by book-entry transfer (the “Book-Entry Transfer Facility”) to the account maintained by the Exchange Agent at The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) pursuant to the procedures set forth in “The Exchange Offer — Book-Entry Transfer” section of the Prospectus and an Agent’s Message is not delivered. Holders of Old Notes whose certificates are not immediately available or who are unable to deliver their certificates or confirmation of the book-entry tender of their Old Notes into the Exchange Agent’s account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility (a “Book-Entry Confirmation”) and all other documents required by this Letter to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date, must tender their Old Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in “The Exchange Offer — Guaranteed Delivery Procedures” section of the Prospectus. See Instruction 1. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.
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MUTILATED, LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED NOTES
| ¨ | CHECK HERE IF ANY OF THE CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING NOTES THAT YOU OWN HAVE BEEN MUTILATED, LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED AND SEE INSTRUCTION 9. |
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
| ¨ | CHECK HERE IF TENDERED NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO AN ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING (ONLY PARTICIPANTS IN THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY MAY DELIVER NOTES BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER): |
Name(s) of Tendering Institution(s)
Account Number(s)
Transaction Code Number(s)
GUARANTEED DELIVERY
| ¨ | CHECK HERE IF TENDERED NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING. (PLEASE ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF SUCH NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY): |
Name(s) of Registered Holder(s)
Window Ticket Number (if any)
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
Name of Institution that Guaranteed Delivery
If delivered by book-entry transfer:
Account Number at Book-Entry Transfer Facility
Transaction Code Number
| ¨ | CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO. |
Name
Address
If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of New Notes. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive New Notes for its own account in exchange for Old Notes that were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, it acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Notes; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.
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NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW.
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the undersigned hereby tenders to the Issuer the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes described above. Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance for exchange of the Old Notes tendered hereby, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Issuer all right, title and interest in and to such Old Notes as are being tendered hereby and any and all Notes or other securities issued, paid or distributed or issuable, payable or distributable in respect of such Notes on or after , 2012.
The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent as the undersigned’s true and lawful agent, attorney-in-fact and proxy with respect to Old Notes tendered hereby, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest), among other things, to cause the Old Notes to be assigned, transferred and exchanged.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, exchange, sell, assign and transfer the Old Notes tendered hereby and that, when such Old Notes are accepted for exchange, the Issuer will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances, and that the Old Notes tendered hereby are not subject to any adverse claims or proxies when such Old Notes are accepted for exchange by the Issuer. The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Issuer or the Exchange Agent to be necessary or desirable to complete the exchange, assignment and transfer of the Old Notes tendered hereby, and the undersigned will comply with its obligations under the registration rights agreement referred to in the Prospectus with respect to the Old Notes being tendered hereby. The undersigned has read and agrees to all of the terms of the Exchange Offer.
By tendering Old Notes and executing this Letter of Transmittal, or transmitting an Agent’s Message in lieu thereof, the undersigned hereby represents and agrees that it: (i) is acquiring the New Notes in the ordinary course of business, (ii) has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution of the New Notes or the Old Notes within the meaning of the Securities Act, (iii) is not an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) of the Issuer or the Guarantors, (iv) if the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, the distribution of the New Notes, (v) if the undersigned is a broker-dealer, it will receive the New Notes for its own account in exchange for Old Notes that were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale or transfer of such New Notes, and (vi) is not acting on behalf of any person who could not truthfully make the foregoing representations.
The undersigned acknowledges that the Exchange Offer is being made in reliance on interpretations by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties, that the New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange for the Old Notes may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by Holders thereof (other than any such Holder that is a broker-dealer or an “affiliate” of the Issuer within the meaning of Rule 405 of the Securities Act), without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such New Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such Holder’s business, at the time of commencement of the Exchange Offer such Holder has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution of such New Notes, and such Holder is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of such New Notes. However, the SEC has not considered the Exchange Offer in the context of a no-action letter, and there can be no assurance that the staff of the SEC would make a similar determination with respect to the Exchange Offer as made in other circumstances. If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in a distribution of New Notes and has no arrangement or understanding to participate in a distribution of New Notes. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive New Notes for its own
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account in exchange for Old Notes, it represents that the Old Notes to be exchanged for the New Notes were acquired by it as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such New Notes; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.
The SEC has taken the position that such broker-dealers may fulfill their prospectus delivery requirements with respect to the New Notes (other than a resale of New Notes received in exchange for an unsold allotment from the original sale of the Old Notes) with the Prospectus. The Prospectus may be used by certain broker-dealers (as specified in the Registration Rights Agreement with respect to the Old Notes referenced in the Prospectus) (“Participating Broker-Dealers”) for a period of time, starting on the Expiration Date and ending on the close of business 90 days after the Expiration Date in connection with the sale or transfer of such New Notes. The Issuer has agreed that, for such period of time, it will make the Prospectus available to such a broker-dealer which elects to exchange Old Notes, acquired for its own account as a result of market making or other trading activities, for New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer for use in connection with any resale of such New Notes. By tendering in the Exchange Offer, each broker-dealer that receives New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer acknowledges and agrees to notify the Issuer prior to using the Prospectus in connection with the sale or transfer of New Notes and agrees that, upon receipt of notice from the Issuer of the existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes any statement of a material fact made in the Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein untrue, or that requires the making of any changes in the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein (in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, such broker-dealer will suspend use of the Prospectus until (i) the Issuer has amended or supplemented the Prospectus to correct such misstatement or omission and such broker-dealer has obtained a copy of such amended or supplemented Prospectus or (ii) such broker-dealer is advised in writing by the Issuer that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus. Except as described above, the Prospectus may not be used for or in connection with an offer to resell, a resale or any other retransfer of New Notes. A broker-dealer that would receive New Notes for its own account for its Old Notes, where such Old Notes were not acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, will not be able to participate in the Exchange Offer.
The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Issuer to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the Old Notes tendered hereby.
All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter and every obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy and legal representatives of the undersigned and shall not be affected by, and shall survive, the death or incapacity of the undersigned.
Tenders of Old Notes made pursuant to the Exchange Offer are irrevocable, except that Old Notes tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date. See information described in “The Exchange Offer — Withdrawal of Tenders” section of the Prospectus.
The undersigned understands that tender of Old Notes pursuant to any of the procedures described in the “Procedures for Tendering” section of the Prospectus and in the instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Issuer upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus, including the undersigned’s representation that the undersigned owns the Old Notes being tendered. The undersigned recognizes that, under certain circumstances set forth in the Prospectus, the Issuer may not be required to accept for exchange any of the Old Notes tendered hereby.
Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled “Special Issuance Instructions” below, please deliver the New Notes (and, if applicable, substitute certificates representing Old Notes for any Old Notes not
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exchanged) in the name of the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry delivery of Old Notes, please credit the account indicated above maintained at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under the box entitled “Special Delivery Instructions” below, please send the New Notes (and, if applicable, substitute certificates representing Old Notes for any Old Notes not exchanged) to the undersigned at the address shown above in the box entitled “Description of Old Notes.”
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THE UNDERSIGNED BY COMPLETING THE BOX ENTITLED “DESCRIPTION OF OLD NOTES” ABOVE AND SIGNING THIS LETTER, WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE TENDERED THE OLD NOTES AS SET FORTH IN SUCH BOX ABOVE.
PLEASE SIGN HERE (TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING HOLDERS)
SIGNATURE(S) OF OWNER) Area Code and Telephone Number Dated: , 2012
If a Holder is tendering an Old Note, this Letter must be signed by the registered Holder(s) exactly as the name(s) appear(s) on the certificate(s) for the Old Note or by any person(s) authorized to become registered Holder(s) by endorsements and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, officer or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please set forth full title. See Instruction 4.
Name(s): (Please Print or Type)
Capacity (full title):
Address:
Zip Code Area Code and Telephone Number:
Tax Identification or Social Security Number: |
| Book Entry Account Number: |
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S) (IF REQUIRED BY INSTRUCTION 4) |
SIGNATURE(S) GUARANTEED BY |
AN ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION |
| (Authorized Signatures) |
Name: |
| (Please Print or Type) |
Capacity (full title): |
Name of Firm: |
Address: |
|
| Zip Code |
Area Code and Telephone Number: |
Dated: 2012 |
| (PLEASE COMPLETE ACCOMPANYING IRS FORM W-9 HEREIN. SEE INSTRUCTION 8.) |
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SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS (See Instructions 4, 5 and 6) | ||||
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Old Notes not exchanged and/or New Notes are to be issued in the name of and sent to someone other than the person or persons whose signature(s) appear(s) on this Letter above, or if Old Notes delivered by book-entry transfer which are not accepted for exchange are to be returned by credit to an account maintained at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility other than the account indicated above.
Issue: New Notes and/or Old Notes to:
| ||||
| Name(s): | ||||
| (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT) | ||||
| (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT) | ||||
| Address: | ||||
| (ZIP CODE) | ||||
(Tax Identification or Social Security No.) (See IRS Form W-9 Included Herein) | ||||
¨ Credit unexchanged Old Notes delivered by book-entry transfer to the Book-Entry Facility account set forth below: | ||||
(BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY ACCOUNT NUMBER(S) IF APPLICABLE) | ||||
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS (See Instructions 4, 5 and 6) | ||||
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Old Notes not exchanged and/or New Notes are to be sent to someone other than the person or persons whose signature(s) appear(s) on this Letter above or to such person or persons at an address other than shown in the box entitled “Description of Old Notes” on this Letter above.
Mail: New Notes and/or Old Notes to:
| ||||
| Name(s): | ||||
| (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT) | ||||
| (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT) | ||||
| Address: | ||||
| (ZIP CODE) | ||||
(Tax Identification or Social Security No.) (See IRS Form W-9 Included Herein)
| ||||
| IMPORTANT: | UNLESS GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES ARE COMPLIED WITH, THIS LETTER OR A FACSIMILE HEREOF (TOGETHER WITH THE CERTIFICATES FOR OLD NOTES OR A BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS) MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE. |
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INSTRUCTIONS
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER TO EXCHANGE ANY AND ALL OUTSTANDING 11.50% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2018 OF WMG ACQUISITION CORP. FOR AN EQUAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF ITS 11.50% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2018, WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED
1.Delivery of this Letter and Notes; Guaranteed Delivery Procedures. This Letter is to be completed by Holders of Old Notes either if certificates are to be forwarded herewith or if tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedures for tender by book-entry transfer set forth in “The Exchange Offer — Procedures for Tendering” section of the Prospectus and an Agent’s Message is not delivered. Certificates for all physically tendered Old Notes, or Book-Entry Confirmation (as defined below), as the case may be, as well as a properly completed and duly executed Letter (or manually signed facsimile hereof) and any other documents required by this Letter, must be received by the Exchange Agent at the address set forth herein on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date, or the tendering Holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth below. Old Notes tendered hereby must be in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Tenders by book-entry transfer may also be made by delivering an Agent’s Message in lieu of this Letter. “Agent’s Message” means a message transmitted by the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to, and received by, the Exchange Agent and forming a part of a Book-Entry Confirmation (as defined below), which message states that the Book-Entry Transfer Facility has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility tendering the Old Notes which are the subject of the Book-Entry Confirmation that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the Letter and that the Issuer may enforce the Letter against such participant. “Book-Entry Confirmation” means a timely confirmation of book-entry transfer of Notes into the Exchange Agent’s account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility.
Holders whose certificates are not immediately available or who cannot deliver their certificates and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Expiration Date or who cannot complete the procedure for book-entry transfer prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Expiration Date may tender their Old Notes by properly completing and duly executing a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in “The Exchange Offer — Guaranteed Delivery Procedures” section of the Prospectus. Pursuant to such procedures: (i) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution (as defined below); (ii) prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent must receive from such Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly executed Letter (or a facsimile thereof) and Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form provided by the Issuer (by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery), setting forth the name and address of the Holder of Old Notes and the aggregate amount of Old Notes tendered, stating that the tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing that within three New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) trading days after the date of execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, the certificates for all physically-tendered Old Notes, in proper form for transfer, or a Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be, and any other documents required by this Letter will be deposited by the Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent, and (iii) the certificates for all physically-tendered Old Notes, in proper form for transfer, or a Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case may be, and all other documents required by this Letter, are received by the Exchange Agent within three NYSE trading days after the date of execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER, THE OLD NOTES AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING HOLDERS, BUT THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED OR CONFIRMED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT. IF OLD NOTES ARE SENT BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE MAILING BE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, PROPERLY INSURED, WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, MADE SUFFICIENTLY IN ADVANCE OF THE EXPIRATION DATE TO PERMIT DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.
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THE ISSUER WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY ALTERNATIVE, CONDITIONAL OR CONTINGENT TENDERS. EACH TENDERING HOLDER, BY EXECUTION OF A LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR FACSIMILE THEREOF OR AGENT’S MESSAGE IN LIEU THEREOF), WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO RECEIVE ANY NOTICE OF THE ACCEPTANCE OF SUCH TENDER.
2.Inadequate Space. If the space provided in the box captioned “Description of Old Notes” above is inadequate, the certificate number(s) and/or the principal amount of Notes and any other required information should be listed on a separate signed schedule and such schedule should be attached to this Letter.
3.Partial Tenders (Not Applicable to Noteholders Who Tender by Book-Entry Transfer). If fewer than all of the Old Notes evidenced by a submitted certificate are to be tendered, the tendering Holder(s) should fill in the aggregate principal amount of Old Notes to be tendered in the box entitled “Description of Old Notes — Principal Amount of Notes Tendered.” A reissued certificate or book-entry representing the balance of nontendered Old Notes will be sent to such tendering Holder(s), unless otherwise provided in the appropriate box on this Letter, promptly after the Expiration Date. ALL OF THE OLD NOTES DELIVERED TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN TENDERED UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED.
4.Signatures on this Letter; Bond Powers and Endorsements. If this Letter is signed by the registered Holder(s) of the Notes tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond exactly with the name(s) as written on the face of the certificate(s) without any change whatsoever.
If any of the Old Notes tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter.
If any of the Old Notes are registered in different name(s) on several certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate Letters (or facsimiles thereof or Agent’s Messages in lieu thereof) as there are different registrations of certificates.
If this Letter is signed by the registered Holder(s) of the Old Notes specified herein and tendered hereby, no endorsements of certificates or separate bond powers are required. If, however, the New Notes are to be issued, or any untendered Old Notes are to be reissued, to a person other than the registered Holder, then endorsements of any certificates transmitted hereby or separate bond powers are required. Signatures on such certificate(s) must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution (as defined below).
If this Letter is signed by a person other than the registered Holder(s) of any certificate(s) specified herein, such certificate(s) must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, in either case signed exactly as the name or names of the registered Holder(s) appear(s) on the certificate(s) and the signatures on such certificate(s) must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
If this Letter or any certificates or bond powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing and must submit proper evidence satisfactory to the Issuer of such persons’ authority to so act, unless such submission is waived by the Issuer.
ENDORSEMENTS ON CERTIFICATES FOR OLD NOTES OR SIGNATURES ON BOND POWERS REQUIRED BY THIS INSTRUCTION 4 MUST BE GUARANTEED BY A FIRM WHICH IS A BANK, BROKER, DEALER, CREDIT UNION, SAVINGS ASSOCIATION OR OTHER ENTITY WHICH IS A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING OF A RECOGNIZED MEDALLION PROGRAM APPROVED BY THE SECURITIES TRANSFER ASSOCIATION INC., INCLUDING THE SECURITIES TRANSFER AGENTS MEDALLION PROGRAM (STAMP), THE STOCK EXCHANGE MEDALLION PROGRAM (SEMP) AND THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE MEDALLION SIGNATURE PROGRAM (MSP), OR ANY OTHER
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“ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 17AD-15 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED) (EACH OF THE FOREGOING, AN “ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION”).
SIGNATURES ON THIS LETTER NEED NOT BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION, PROVIDED THE OLD NOTES ARE TENDERED: (I) BY A REGISTERED HOLDER OF OLD NOTES (WHICH TERM, FOR PURPOSES OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER, INCLUDES ANY PARTICIPANT IN THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY SYSTEM WHOSE NAME APPEARS ON A SECURITY POSITION LISTING AS THE HOLDER OF SUCH OLD NOTES) WHO HAS NOT COMPLETED THE BOX ENTITLED “SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS” OR “SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS” IN THIS LETTER, OR (II) FOR THE ACCOUNT OF AN ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION.
5.Special Issuance and Delivery Instructions.Tendering Holders of Old Notes should indicate in the applicable box the name and address to which New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer and/or substitute certificates evidencing Old Notes not exchanged are to be issued or sent, if different from the name or address of the person signing this Letter. In the case of issuance in a different name, the employer identification or social security number of the person named must also be indicated. Holders tendering Old Notes by book-entry transfer may request that Old Notes not exchanged be credited to such account maintained at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility as such Holder may designate herein. If no such instructions are given, such Old Notes not exchanged will be returned to the name and address of the person signing this Letter.
6.Transfer Taxes.Except as otherwise provided in this Instruction 6, the Issuer will pay or cause to be paid any transfer taxes with respect to the transfer of Old Notes to it or to its order pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If, however, New Notes or substitute Old Notes not exchanged are to be delivered to or registered or issued in the name of any person other than the registered Holder(s) of the Old Notes tendered hereby, or if tendered Old Notes are registered in the name of any person other than the person(s) signing this Letter, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the transfer of Old Notes to the Issuer or to its order pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the amount of any transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered Holder(s) or any other person) payable in connection therewithwill be payable by the Holder(s) so transferring or treated as transferring such Old Notes. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted herewith, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering Holder(s).
7.Waiver of Conditions. The Issuer reserves the absolute right to waive satisfaction of any or all conditions enumerated in the Prospectus.
8.IRS Form W-9; Backup Withholding.
IRS Circular 230 disclosure: Each taxpayer is hereby notified that: (a) any discussion of U.S. federal tax issues in this Letter is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on such taxpayer under U.S. federal tax law; (b) any such discussion is written to support the promotion or marketing of the transactions or matters addressed in the Prospectus; and (c) the taxpayer should seek advice based on its particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.
U.S. federal income tax law generally requires that a tendering Holder of Old Notes that is a U.S. person for U.S. tax purposes provide the Exchange Agent with such Holder’s correct Taxpayer Identification Number (“TIN”) on IRS Form W-9, Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification, below (the “IRS Form W-9”), which in the case of a Holder who is an individual is his or her social security number. If the Exchange Agent is not provided with the correct TIN or an adequate basis for an exemption from backup withholding, such Holder may be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). In addition, failure to provide the Exchange Agent with the correct TIN or an adequate basis for an exemption from backup withholding may result in backup withholding on payments made to such Holder pursuant to the Exchange Offer at a current rate of 28%. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, such Holder may obtain a refund from the IRS.
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Exempt Holders of Notes (including, among others, all corporations) are not subject to these backup withholding requirements, provided that if required they properly demonstrate their eligibility for exemption. See the instructions accompanying the IRS Form W-9 (the “W-9 Guidelines”) for additional instructions.
To prevent backup withholding, each tendering Holder that is a U.S. person for U.S. tax purposes must provide its correct TIN by completing the IRS Form W-9, certifying, under penalties of perjury, that such Holder is a U.S. person for U.S. tax purposes, that the TIN provided is correct (or that such Holder is awaiting a TIN) and that (i) such Holder is exempt from backup withholding, or (ii) such Holder has not been notified by the IRS that such Holder is subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (iii) the IRS has notified such Holder that such Holder is no longer subject to backup withholding. If the Old Notes being tendered by such Holder are in more than one name or are not in the name of their actual owner, such Holder should consult the W-9 Guidelines for information on which TIN to report. If such Holder does not have a TIN, such Holder should consult the W-9 Guidelines for instructions on applying for a TIN and write “Applied For” in the space reserved for the TIN, as shown on the IRS Form W-9. Note: Writing “Applied For” on the IRS Form W-9 means that such Holder has already applied for a TIN or that such Holder intends to apply for one in the near future. If such Holder does not provide its TIN to the Exchange Agent within 60 days, backup withholding will begin and continue until such Holder furnishes its TIN to the Exchange Agent.
A tendering Holder of Old Notes that is not a U.S. person for U.S. tax purposes must submit the appropriate completed IRS Form W 8 (generally IRS Form W-8BEN, Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding) to avoid backup withholding. The appropriate form may be obtained via the IRS website atwww.irs.gov or by contacting the Exchange Agent at the address on the face of this Letter.
FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE IRS FORM W-9, THE IRS FORM W-8BEN OR ANOTHER APPROPRIATE FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING AT THE RATE DESCRIBED ABOVE ON ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
9.Mutilated, Lost, Destroyed or Stolen Certificates. Any Holder whose certificate(s) representing Old Notes have been mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen should promptly notify the Exchange Agent at the address included herein or at (800) 344-5128 for further instructions. This Letter and related documents cannot be processed until the procedures for replacing mutilated, lost, destroyed or stolen certificate(s) have been followed.
10.Withdrawal Rights. Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. For a withdrawal to be effective, a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the Exchange Agent at the address set forth above prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must (i) specify the name of the person who tendered the Old Notes to be withdrawn, (ii) identify the Old Notes to be withdrawn, including the aggregate principal amount of such Old Notes or, in the case of Notes transferred by book-entry transfer, specify the number of the account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility from which the Old Notes were tendered and specify the name and number of the account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to be credited with the withdrawn Old Notes and otherwise comply with the procedures of such facility; (iii) contain a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its election to have such Old Notes exchanged; (iv) specify the name in which such Old Notes are registered, if different from that of the person who tendered the Old Notes.
All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of such notices will be determined by the Issuer, whose determination shall be final and binding on all parties.
Any Old Notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for exchange for purposes of the Exchange Offer and no New Notes will be issued with respect thereto unless the Old Notes so withdrawn are validly retendered. Properly withdrawn Old Notes may be retendered by following the procedures described above at any time on or prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Expiration Date with respect to such Old Notes.
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Any Old Notes that have been tendered for exchange but which are not exchanged for any reason will be returned to the tendering Holder thereof without cost to such Holder (or, in the case of Old Notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent’s account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility pursuant to the book-entry transfer procedures set forth in “The Exchange Offer — Book-Entry Transfer” section of the Prospectus, such Old Notes will be credited to an account maintained with the Book-Entry Transfer Facility for the Old Notes) promptly after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the Exchange Offer.
11.Requests For Assistance and Additional Copies. Questions and requests for assistance regarding this Letter, as well as requests for additional copies of the Prospectus, this Letter, Notices of Guaranteed Delivery and other related documents may be directed to the Exchange Agent at its address and telephone number set forth on the front of this Letter.
IMPORTANT: | THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR FACSIMILE THEREOF) AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE. |
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Form W-9 (Rev. December 2011) Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service | Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification | Give Form to the requester. Do not send to the IRS. | ||
Print or type See Specific Instructions on page 2.
| Name (as shown on your income tax return)
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Business name/disregarded entity name, if different from above
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| Check appropriate box for federal tax classification: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ¨ Individual/sole proprietor | ¨ | C Corporation | ¨ | S Corporation | ¨ | Partnership | ¨ | Trust/estate | Exempt payee
| |||||||||||||||
¨ Limited liability company. Enter the tax classification (C=C corporation, S=S corporation, P=partnership) u ¨ Other (see instructions) u
| ¨ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Address (number, street, and apt. or suite no.)
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Requester’s name and address (optional) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
City, state, and ZIP code
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List account number(s) here (optional)
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| Part I | Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) |
Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. The TIN provided must match the name given on the “Name” line to avoid backup withholding. For individuals, this is your social security number (SSN). However, for a resident alien, sole proprietor, or disregarded entity, see the Part I instructions on page 3. For other entities, it is your employer identification number (EIN). If you do not have a number, seeHow to get a TIN on page 3.
Note. If the account is in more than one name, see the chart on page 4 for guidelines on whose number to enter.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Social security number | ||||||||||||||||||
Employer identification number | ||||||||||||||||||
| Part II | Certification |
Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
| 1. | The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me), and |
| 2. | I am not subject to backup withholding because: (a) I am exempt from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding, and |
| 3. | I am a U.S. citizen or other U.S. person (defined below). |
Certification instructions.You must cross out item 2 above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject to backup withholding because you have failed to report all interest and dividends on your tax return. For real estate transactions, item 2 does not apply.For mortgage interest paid, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, contributions to an individual retirement arrangement (IRA), and generally, payments other than interest and dividends, you are not required to sign the certification, but you must provide your correct TIN. See the instructions on page 4.
| Sign Here | Signature of U.S. person u | Date u |
General Instructions
Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless otherwise noted.
Purpose of Form
A person who is required to file an information return with the IRS must obtain your correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) to report, for example, income paid to you, real estate transactions, mortgage interest you paid, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, or contributions you made to an IRA.
Use Form W-9 only if you are a U.S. person (including a resident alien), to provide your correct TIN to the person requesting it (the requester) and, when applicable, to:
1. Certify that the TIN you are giving is correct (or you are waiting for a number to be issued),
2. Certify that you are not subject to backup withholding, or
3. Claim exemption from backup withholding if you are a U.S. exempt payee. If applicable, you are also certifying that as a U.S. person, your allocable share of any partnership income from a U.S. trade or business is not subject to the withholding tax on foreign partners’ share of effectively connected income.
Note.If a requester gives you a form other than Form W-9 to request your TIN, you must use the requester’s form if it is substantially similar to this Form W-9.
Definition of a U.S. person.For federal tax purposes, you are considered a U.S. person if you are:
— An individual who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien,
— A partnership, corporation, company, or association created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States,
— An estate (other than a foreign estate), or
— A domestic trust (as defined in Regulations section 301.7701-7).
Special rules for partnerships.Partnerships that conduct a trade or business in the United States are generally required to pay a withholding tax on any foreign partners’ share of income from such business. Further, in certain cases where a Form W-9 has not been received, a partnership is required to presume that a partner is a foreign person, and pay the withholding tax. Therefore, if you are a U.S. person that is a partner in a partnership conducting a trade or business in the United States, provide Form W-9 to the partnership to establish your U.S. status and avoid withholding on your share of partnership income.
The person who gives Form W-9 to the partnership for purposes of establishing its U.S. status and avoiding withholding on its allocable share of net income from the partnership conducting a trade or business in the United States is in the following cases:
— The U.S. owner of a disregarded entity and not the entity,
— The U.S. grantor or other owner of a grantor trust and not the trust, and
| Cat. No. 10231X | FormW-9(Rev. 12-2011) |
Form W-9 (Rev. 12-2011) | Page 2 |
— The U.S. trust (other than a grantor trust) and not the beneficiaries of the trust.
Foreign person.If you are a foreign person, do not use Form W-9. Instead, use the appropriate Form W-8 (see Publication 515, Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities).
Nonresident alien who becomes a resident alien.Generally, only a nonresident alien individual may use the terms of a tax treaty to reduce or eliminate U.S. tax on certain types of income. However, most tax treaties contain a provision known as a “saving clause.” Exceptions specified in the saving clause may permit an exemption from tax to continue for certain types of income even after the payee has otherwise become a U.S. resident alien for tax purposes.
If you are a U.S. resident alien who is relying on an exception contained in the saving clause of a tax treaty to claim an exemption from U.S. tax on certain types of income, you must attach a statement to Form W-9 that specifies the following five items:
1. The treaty country. Generally, this must be the same treaty under which you claimed exemption from tax as a nonresident alien.
2. The treaty article addressing the income.
3. The article number (or location) in the tax treaty that contains the saving clause and its exceptions.
4. The type and amount of income that qualifies for the exemption from tax.
5. Sufficient facts to justify the exemption from tax under the terms of the treaty article.
Example.Article 20 of the U.S.-China income tax treaty allows an exemption from tax for scholarship income received by a Chinese student temporarily present in the United States. Under U.S. law, this student will become a resident alien for tax purposes if his or her stay in the United States exceeds 5 calendar years. However, paragraph 2 of the first Protocol to the U.S.-China treaty (dated April 30, 1984) allows the provisions of Article 20 to continue to apply even after the Chinese student becomes a resident alien of the United States. A Chinese student who qualifies for this exception (under paragraph 2 of the first protocol) and is relying on this exception to claim an exemption from tax on his or her scholarship or fellowship income would attach to Form W-9 a statement that includes the information described above to support that exemption.
If you are a nonresident alien or a foreign entity not subject to backup withholding, give the requester the appropriate completed Form W-8.
What is backup withholding?Persons making certain payments to you must under certain conditions withhold and pay to the IRS a percentage of such payments. This is called “backup withholding.” Payments that may be subject to backup withholding include interest, tax-exempt interest, dividends, broker and barter exchange transactions, rents, royalties, nonemployee pay, and certain payments from fishing boat operators. Real estate transactions are not subject to backup withholding.
You will not be subject to backup withholding on payments you receive if you give the requester your correct TIN, make the proper certifications, and report all your taxable interest and dividends on your tax return.
Payments you receive will be subject to backup withholding if:
1. You do not furnish your TIN to the requester,
2. You do not certify your TIN when required (see the Part II instructions on page 3 for details),
3. The IRS tells the requester that you furnished an incorrect TIN,
4. The IRS tells you that you are subject to backup withholding because you did not report all your interest and dividends on your tax return (for reportable interest and dividends only), or
5. You do not certify to the requester that you are not subject to backup withholding under 4 above (for reportable interest and dividend accounts opened after 1983 only).
Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding. See the instructions below and the separate Instructions for the Requester of Form W-9.
Also seeSpecial rules for partnerships on page 1.
Updating Your Information
You must provide updated information to any person to whom you claimed to be an exempt payee if you are no longer an exempt payee and anticipate receiving reportable payments in the future from this person. For example, you may need to provide updated information if you are a C corporation that elects to be an S corporation, or if you no longer are tax exempt. In addition, you must furnish a new Form W-9 if the name or TIN changes for the account, for example, if the grantor of a grantor trust dies.
Penalties
Failure to furnish TIN.If you fail to furnish your correct TIN to a requester, 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.
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.
Criminal penalty for falsifying information. Willfully falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.
Misuse of TINs.If the requester discloses or uses TINs in violation of federal law, the requester may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.
Specific Instructions
Name
If you are an individual, you must generally enter the name shown on your income tax return. However, if you have changed your last name, for instance, due to marriage without informing the Social Security Administration of the name change, enter your first name, the last name shown on your social security card, and your new last name.
If the account is in joint names, list first, and then circle, the name of the person or entity whose number you entered in Part I of the form.
Sole proprietor.Enter your individual name as shown on your income tax return on the “Name” line. You may enter your business, trade, or “doing business as (DBA)” name on the “Business name/disregarded entity name” line.
Partnership, C Corporation, or S Corporation. Enter the entity’s name on the “Name” line and any business, trade, or “doing business as (DBA) name” on the “Business name/disregarded entity name” line.
Disregarded entity.Enter the owner’s name on the “Name” line. The name of the entity entered on the “Name” line should never be a disregarded entity. The name on the “Name” line must be the name shown on the income tax return on which the income will be reported. For example, if a foreign LLC that is treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal tax purposes has a domestic owner, the domestic owner’s name is required to be provided on the “Name” line. If the direct owner of the entity is also a disregarded entity, enter the first owner that is not disregarded for federal tax purposes. Enter the disregarded entity’s name on the “Business name/disregarded entity name” line. If the owner of the disregarded entity is a foreign person, you must complete an appropriate Form W-8.
Note.Check the appropriate box for the federal tax classification of the person whose name is entered on the “Name” line (Individual/sole proprietor, Partnership, C Corporation, S Corporation, Trust/estate).
Limited Liability Company (LLC).If the person identified on the “Name” line is an LLC, check the “Limited liability company” box only and enter the appropriate code for the tax classification in the space provided. If you are an LLC that is treated as a partnership for federal tax purposes, enter “P” for partnership. If you are an LLC that has filed a Form 8832 or a Form 2553 to be taxed as a corporation, enter “C” for C corporation or “S” for S corporation. If you are an LLC that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner under Regulation section 301.7701-3 (except for employment and excise tax), do not check the LLC box unless the owner of the LLC (required to be identified on the “Name” line) is another LLC that is not disregarded for federal tax purposes. If the LLC is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner, enter the appropriate tax classification of the owner identified on the “Name” line.
Form W-9 (Rev. 12-2011) | Page 3 |
Other entities.Enter your business name as shown on required federal tax documents on the “Name” line. This name should match the name shown on the charter or other legal document creating the entity. You may enter any business, trade, or DBA name on the “Business name/ disregarded entity name” line.
Exempt Payee
If you are exempt from backup withholding, enter your name as described above and check the appropriate box for your status, then check the “Exempt payee” box in the line following the “Business name/ disregarded entity name,” sign and date the form.
Generally, individuals (including sole proprietors) are not exempt from backup withholding. Corporations are exempt from backup withholding for certain payments, such as interest and dividends.
Note.If you are exempt from backup withholding, you should still complete this form to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding.
The following payees are exempt from backup withholding:
1. An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), any 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, or
5. An international organization or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.
Other 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, or
15. A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section 4947.
The following chart shows types of payments that may be exempt from backup withholding. The chart applies to the exempt payees listed above, 1 through 15.
| IF the payment is for . . . | THEN the payment is exempt for . . . | |
| Interest and dividend payments | All exempt payees except for 9 | |
| Broker transactions | Exempt payees 1 through 5 and 7 through 13. Also, C corporations. | |
| Barter exchange transactions and patronage dividends | Exempt payees 1 through 5 | |
| Payments over $600 required to be reported and direct sales over $5,0001 | Generally, exempt payees 1 through 72 |
| 1 | See Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, and its instructions. |
| 2 | However, the following payments made to a corporation and reportable on Form 1099-MISC are not exempt from backup withholding: medical and health care payments, attorneys’ fees, gross proceeds paid to an attorney, and payments for services paid by a federal executive agency. |
Part I. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
Enter your TIN in the appropriate box.If you are a resident alien and you do not have and are not eligible to get an SSN, your TIN is your IRS individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Enter it in the social security number box. If you do not have an ITIN, seeHow to get a TIN below.
If you are a sole proprietor and you have an EIN, you may enter either your SSN or EIN. However, the IRS prefers that you use your SSN.
If you are a single-member LLC that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner (seeLimited Liability Company (LLC) on page 2), enter the owner’s SSN (or EIN, if the owner has one). Do not enter the disregarded entity’s EIN. If the LLC is classified as a corporation or partnership, enter the entity’s EIN.
Note.See the chart on page 4 for further clarification of name and TIN combinations.
How to get a TIN.If you do not have a TIN, apply for one immediately. To apply for an SSN, get Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, from your local Social Security Administration office or get this form online atwww.ssa.gov. You may also get this form by calling 1-800-772-1213. Use Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, to apply for an ITIN, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, to apply for an EIN. You can apply for an EIN online by accessing the IRS website atwww.irs.gov/businesses and clicking on Employer Identification Number (EIN) under Starting a Business. You can get Forms W-7 and SS-4 from the IRS by visiting IRS.gov or by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676).
If you are asked to complete Form W-9 but do not have a TIN, write “Applied For” in the space for the TIN, sign and date the form, and give it to the requester. For interest and dividend payments, and certain payments made with respect to readily tradable instruments, generally you will have 60 days to get a TIN and give it to the requester before you are subject to backup withholding on payments. The 60-day rule does not apply to other types of payments. You will be subject to backup withholding on all such payments until you provide your TIN to the requester.
Note.Entering “Applied For” means that you have already applied for a TIN or that you intend to apply for one soon.
Caution:A disregarded domestic entity that has a foreign owner must use the appropriate Form W-8.
Part II. Certification
To establish to the withholding agent that you are a U.S. person, or resident alien, sign Form W-9. You may be requested to sign by the withholding agent even if item 1, below, and items 4 and 5 on page 4 indicate otherwise.
For a joint account, only the person whose TIN is shown in Part I should sign (when required). In the case of a disregarded entity, the person identified on the “Name” line must sign. Exempt payees, seeExempt Payee on page 3.
Signature requirements.Complete the certification as indicated in items 1 through 3, below, and items 4 and 5 on page 4.
1. Interest, dividend, and barter exchange accounts opened before 1984 and broker accounts considered active during 1983. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification.
2. Interest, dividend, broker, and barter exchange accounts opened after 1983 and broker accounts considered inactive during 1983.You must sign the certification or backup withholding will apply. If you are subject to backup withholding and you are merely providing your correct TIN to the requester, you must cross out item 2 in the certification before signing the form.
3. Real estate transactions.You must sign the certification. You may cross out item 2 of the certification.
4. Other payments.You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification unless you have been notified that you have previously given an incorrect TIN. “Other payments” include payments made in the course of the requester’s trade or business for rents, royalties, goods (other than bills for merchandise),
Form W-9 (Rev. 12-2011) | Page 4 |
medical and health care services (including payments to corporations), payments to a nonemployee for services, payments to certain fishing boat crew members and fishermen, and gross proceeds paid to attorneys (including payments to corporations).
5. Mortgage interest paid by you, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, qualified tuition program payments (under section 529), IRA, Coverdell ESA, Archer MSA or HSA contributions or distributions, and pension distributions.You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification.
| What Name and Number To Give the Requester | ||||||
| For this type of account: | Give name and SSN of: | |||||
| 1. | Individual | The individual | ||||
| 2. | Two or more individuals (joint account) | The actual owner of the account or, if combined funds, the first individual on the account1 | ||||
| 3. | Custodian account of a minor (Uniform Gift to Minors Act) | The minor2 | ||||
| 4. | a. The usual revocable savings trust (grantor is also trustee) b. So-called trust account that is not a legal or valid trust under state law | The grantor-trustee1
The actual owner1 | ||||
| 5. | Sole proprietorship or disregarded entity owned by an individual | The owner3 | ||||
| 6. | Grantor trust filing under Optional Form 1099 Filing Method 1 (see Regulation section 1.671-4(b)(2)(i)(A)) | The grantor* | ||||
| For this type of account: | Give name and EIN of: | |||||
7. | Disregarded entity not owned by an individual | The owner | ||||
| 8. | A valid trust, estate, or pension trust | Legal entity4 | ||||
| 9. | Corporation or LLC electing corporate status on Form 8832 or Form 2553 | The corporation | ||||
| 10. | Association, club, religious, charitable, educational, or other tax-exempt organization | The organization | ||||
| 11. | Partnership or multi-member LLC | The partnership | ||||
| 12. | A broker or registered nominee | The broker or nominee | ||||
| 13. | Account with the Department of Agriculture in the name of a public entity (such as a state or local government, school district, or prison) that receives agricultural program payments | The public entity | ||||
| 14. | Grantor trust filing under the Form 1041 Filing Method or the Optional Form 1099 Filing Method 2 (see Regulation section 1.671-4(b)(2)(i)(B)) | The trust | ||||
1 List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish. If only one person on a joint account has an SSN, that person’s number must be furnished.
2 Circle the minor’s name and furnish the minor’s SSN.
3 You must show your individual name and you may also enter your business or “DBA” name on the “Business name/disregarded entity” name line. You may use either your SSN or EIN (if you have one), but the IRS encourages you to use your SSN.
4 List first and circle the name of the trust, estate, or pension trust. (Do not furnish the TIN of the personal representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated in the account title.) Also seeSpecial rules for partnerships on page 1.
*Note. Grantor also must provide a Form W-9 to trustee of trust.
Note.If no name is circled when more than one name is listed, the number will be considered to be that of the first name listed.
Secure Your Tax Records from Identity Theft
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, social security number (SSN), or other identifying information, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. An identity thief may use your SSN to get a job or may file a tax return using your SSN to receive a refund.
To reduce your risk:
• Protect your SSN,
• Ensure your employer is protecting your SSN, and
• Be careful when choosing a tax preparer.
If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS, respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter.
If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you are at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity or credit report, contact the IRS Identity Theft Hotline at 1-800-908-4490 or submit Form 14039.
For more information, see Publication 4535, Identity Theft Prevention and Victim Assistance.
Victims of identity theft who are experiencing economic harm or a system problem, or are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, may be eligible for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance. You can reach TAS by calling the TAS toll-free case intake line at 1-877-777-4778 or TTY/TDD 1-800-829-4059.
Protect yourself from suspicious emails or phishing schemes. Phishing is the creation and use of email and websites designed to mimic legitimate business emails and websites. The most common act is sending an email to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft.
The IRS does not initiate contacts with taxpayers via emails. Also, the IRS does not request personal detailed information through email or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts.
If you receive an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, forward this message tophishing@irs.gov. You may also report misuse of the IRS name, logo, or other IRS property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484. You can forward suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at:spam@uce.gov or contact them atwww.ftc.gov/idtheft or 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338).
Visit IRS.gov to learn more about identity theft and how to reduce your risk.
Privacy Act Notice
Section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code requires you to provide your correct TIN to persons (including federal agencies) who are required to file information returns with the IRS to report interest, dividends, or certain other income paid to you; mortgage interest you paid; the acquisition or abandonment of secured property; the cancellation of debt; or contributions you made to an IRA, Archer MSA, or HSA. The person collecting this form uses the information on the form to file information returns with the IRS, reporting the above information. Routine uses of this information include giving it to the Department of Justice for civil and criminal litigation and to cities, states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions for use in administering their laws. The information also may be disclosed to other countries under a treaty, to federal and state agencies to enforce civil and criminal laws, or to federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat terrorism. You must provide your TIN whether or not you are required to file a tax return. Under section 3406, payers must generally withhold a percentage of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not give a TIN to the payer. Certain penalties may also apply for providing false or fraudulent information.
Questions and requests for assistance may be directed to the Exchange Agent at its address and telephone number set forth below. Additional copies of the Prospectus, this Letter or other materials related to the Exchange Offer may be obtained from the Exchange Agent or from brokers, dealers, commercial banks or trust companies.
The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is:
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
| By Registered or Certified Mail: | By Regular Mail or Overnight Courier: | In Person by Hand Only | ||
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A Corporate Trust Operations MAC N9303-121 PO Box 1517 Minneapolis, MN 55480 | WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Corporate Trust Operations MAC N9303-121 Sixth & Marquette Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55479 | WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. 12th Floor — Northstar East Building Corporate Trust Operations 608 Second Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55479 | ||
| By Facsimile (for Eligible Institutions only):(612) 667-6282 | ||||
For Information or Confirmation by Telephone: (800) 344-5128 | ||||
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