TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a discussion of the material Marshall Islands and U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to an investment decision by a “U.S. Holder”, as defined below, with respect to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our securities. This discussion does not purport to deal with the tax consequences of owning securities to all categories of investors, some of which (such as financial institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts,tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, persons holding our securities as part of a hedging, integrated, conversion or constructive sale transaction or a straddle, traders in securities that have elected themark-to-market method of accounting for their securities, persons liable for alternative minimum tax, persons who are investors in pass-through entities, dealers in securities or currencies and investors whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar) may be subject to special rules.
WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE OVERALL TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING IN YOUR OWN PARTICULAR SITUATION UNDER U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN LAW OF THE OWNERSHIP OR DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK.
Marshall Islands Tax Considerations
The following are the material Marshall Islands tax consequences of our activities to us and holders of our common stock. We are incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and operate as anon-resident corporation under the laws thereof. Under current Marshall Islands law, we are not subject to tax on income or capital gains by the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and no Marshall Islands withholding tax will be imposed upon payments of dividends by us to holders of our common stock or preferred stock. We also anticipate that payments made by us with respect to any rights or warrants issued by us would not be subject to any Marshall Islands withholding tax.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following discussion represents the opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP regarding the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to us of our activities and, subject to the limitations described above, to you as a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock or preferred stock.
This discussion is based on the Code, the Treasury regulations issued thereunder, published administrative interpretations of the IRS and judicial decisions as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change at any time, possibly on a retroactive basis. We have not and will not seek any rulings from the IRS with respect to the U.S. federal income tax consequences discussed below. The discussion below is not in any way binding on the IRS or the courts or in any way an assurance that the U.S. federal income tax consequences discussed herein will be accepted by the IRS or the courts.
The U.S. federal income tax consequences to a beneficial owner of our common stock or preferred stock may vary depending on such beneficial owner’s particular situation or status. This discussion is limited to beneficial owners of our common stock or preferred stock who purchase such stock in an offering of such stock pursuant to this Registration Statement and who hold such stock as capital assets. This discussion does not purport to deal with the tax consequences of owning or disposing of our common stock or preferred stock to all categories of investors, some of which (such as financial institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts,tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, persons holding our common stock or preferred stock as part of a hedging, integrated, conversion or constructive sale transaction or a straddle, traders in securities that have elected themark-to-market method of accounting for their securities, U.S. expatriates, persons liable for alternative minimum tax, persons who are investors in pass-through entities, dealers in securities or currencies and investors whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar) may be subject to special rules. In addition, this discussion does not address any U.S. state or local tax matters, anynon-U.S. tax matters, or any U.S. federal taxes other than income taxes (such as estate and gift taxes).
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