Exhibit 99.1
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
OFFER TO EXCHANGE
ANY AND ALL OUTSTANDING
7.500% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2021,
WHICH ARE NOT REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,
FOR ANY AND ALL OUTSTANDING
7.500% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2021,
WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,
OF
BEAZER HOMES USA, INC.
PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED , 2014.
THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON , 2014, UNLESS EXTENDED (THE “EXPIRATION DATE”). ORIGINAL NOTES TENDERED IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.
The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is:
U.S. Bank National Association
By Mail, Overnight Courier or Hand Delivery:
U.S. Bank National Association
111 Fillmore Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55107-1402
Attention: Specialized Finance Department
Reference: Beazer Homes USA, Inc. Exchange
By Facsimile: | To confirm by telephone or for information: | |
(651) 466-7372 | (800) 934-6802 | |
Attention: Specialized Finance Department | Reference: Beazer Homes USA, Inc. Exchange | |
Confirm by Telephone: | ||
(800) 934-6802 | ||
Reference: Beazer Homes USA, Inc. Exchange |
DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL VIA FACSIMILE TO A NUMBER OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE OR OTHERWISE THAN AS PROVIDED ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by holders of Original Notes (as defined below) either if Original Notes are to be forwarded herewith or if tenders of Original Notes are to be made by book-entry transfer to an account maintained by U.S. Bank National Association (the “Exchange Agent”) at The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) pursuant to the procedures set forth in “The Exchange Offer — Exchange Offer Procedures” in the Prospectus, dated , 2014 (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Prospectus”).
Holders of Original Notes (i) whose certificates (the “Certificates”) for such Original Notes are not immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Original Notes, the Letter of Transmittal or any other
required documents to the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date or (iii) who cannot complete the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date, must tender their Original Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in“The Exchange Offer — Guaranteed Delivery Procedures” in the Prospectus.
SEE INSTRUCTION 1. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.
NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
ALL TENDERING HOLDERS COMPLETE THIS BOX:
DESCRIPTION OF ORIGINAL NOTES TENDERED | ||||||
If blank, please print Name and Address of Registered Holder | Original Notes Tendered (Attach Additional List of Notes) | |||||
Certificate Number(s)* | Principal Amount of Original Notes | Principal Amount of Original Notes Tendered (If Less Than All)** | ||||
Total Amount Tendered: | ||||||
* Need not be completed by book-entry holders. ** Original Notes may be tendered in whole or in part in an initial denomination of $2,000 and $1,000 integral multiples thereafter. Unless otherwise indicated in this column, a holder will be deemed to have tendered ALL of the Original Notes held by such holder indicated in the corresponding column to the left of this column.
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BOXES BELOW TO BE CHECKED BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY: | ||||
¨ CHECK HERE IF TENDERED ORIGINAL NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING: | ||||
Name of Tendering Institution: |
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DTC Account Number: |
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Transaction Code No.: |
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¨ CHECK HERE AND ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IF TENDERED ORIGINAL NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING: | ||
Name (s) of Registered Holder (s): | ||
Window Ticket Number (if any): | ||
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery: | ||
Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery: |
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IF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IS TO BE MADE BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER: | ||||
Name of Tendering Institution: | ||||
DTC Account Number: | ||||
Transaction Code No.: | ||||
¨ CHECK HERE IF TENDERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND NON-EXCHANGED ORIGINAL NOTES ARE TO BE RETURNED BY CREDITING THE DTC ACCOUNT NUMBER SET FORTH ABOVE. | ||||
¨ CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED THE ORIGINAL NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET MAKING OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES (A “PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER”) AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO. | ||||
Name: | ||||
Address: |
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Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby tenders to Beazer Homes USA, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Issuer”), the above described aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 7.500% Senior Notes due 2021, which are not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Original Notes”), in exchange for a like aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s 7.500% Senior Notes due 2021, which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “New Notes”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and in this Letter of Transmittal (which, together with the Prospectus, constitute the “Exchange Offer”).
Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of all or any portion of the Original Notes tendered herewith in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including, if the Exchange Offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or amendment), the undersigned hereby tenders, exchanges, sells, assigns and transfers to or upon the order of the Issuer all right, title and interest in and to such Original Notes as are being tendered herewith. The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact (with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent is also acting as agent of the Issuer in connection with the Exchange Offer) with respect to the tendered Original Notes, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest), subject only to the right of withdrawal described in the Prospectus, to (i) deliver Certificates for Original Notes to the Issuer together with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity to, or upon the order of, the Issuer, upon receipt by the Exchange Agent, as the undersigned’s agent, of the New Notes to be issued in exchange for such Original Notes, (ii) present Certificates for such Original Notes for transfer, and to transfer the Original Notes on the books of the Issuer and (iii) receive for the account of the Issuer all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Original Notes, all in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer.
THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT THE UNDERSIGNED HAS FULL POWER AND AUTHORITY TO TENDER, EXCHANGE, SELL, ASSIGN AND TRANSFER THE ORIGINAL NOTES TENDERED HEREBY AND THAT, WHEN THE SAME 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 ORIGINAL NOTES TENDERED HEREBY ARE NOT SUBJECT TO ANY ADVERSE CLAIMS OR PROXIES. 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 ORIGINAL NOTES TENDERED HEREBY, AND THE UNDERSIGNED WILL COMPLY WITH ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 (THE “REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT”), AMONG THE ISSUER, THE GUARANTORS NAMED THEREIN AND THE INITIAL PURCHASER NAMED THEREIN, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE INITIAL PURCHASER AND THE HOLDERS OF THE ORIGINAL NOTES. THE UNDERSIGNED AGREES TO ALL OF THE TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
The name(s) and address(es) of the registered holder(s) of the Original Notes tendered hereby should be printed above, if they are not already set forth above, as they appear on the Certificates representing such Original Notes or, in the case of book-entry securities, on the relevant securities position listing. The Certificate number(s) and the Original Notes that the undersigned wishes to tender should be indicated in the appropriate boxes above.
If any tendered Original Notes are not exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer for any reason, or if Certificates are submitted for more Original Notes than are tendered or accepted for exchange, Certificates for such nonexchanged or nontendered Original Notes will be returned (or, in the case of Original Notes tendered by
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book-entry transfer, such Original Notes will be credited to an account maintained at DTC), without expense to the tendering holder, promptly following the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer.
The undersigned understands that tenders of Original Notes pursuant to any one of the procedures described in “The Exchange Offer — Exchange Offer Procedures” in the Prospectus and in the instructions hereto will, upon the Issuer’s acceptance for exchange of such tendered Original Notes, constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Issuer upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer. 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 Original Notes tendered hereby.
Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled “Special Issuance Instructions” below, the undersigned hereby directs that the New Notes be issued in the name(s) of the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry transfer of Original Notes, that such New Notes be credited to the account indicated above maintained at DTC. If applicable, substitute Certificates representing Original Notes not exchanged or not accepted for exchange will be issued to the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry transfer of Original Notes, will be credited to the account indicated above maintained at DTC. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under “Special Delivery Instructions,” please deliver New Notes to the undersigned at the address shown below the undersigned’s signature.
By tendering Original Notes and executing this Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned hereby represents and agrees that (i) any New Notes acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer are being obtained in the ordinary course of its business, (ii) the undersigned has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933) of New Notes to be received in the Exchange Offer in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, (iii) the undersigned is not an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933) of the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries, or, if the undersigned is an affiliate, the undersigned will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 to the extent applicable, (iv) the undersigned is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933) of such New Notes and (v) if the undersigned is a broker-dealer that received New Notes for its own account in the Exchange Offer, where such Original Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, such broker-dealer will deliver a Prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Notes (provided that, by so acknowledging and by delivering a Prospectus, such broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933). See “The Exchange Offer — Terms of the Exchange Offer — Purpose of the Exchange Offer,” “The Exchange Offer — Exchange Offer Procedures” and “Plan of Distribution” in the Prospectus.
The Issuer has agreed that, subject to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, the Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a Participating Broker-Dealer in connection with resales of New Notes received in exchange for Original Notes, where such Original Notes were acquired by such Participating Broker-Dealer for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, for a period ending 180 days after the date of the Prospectus (subject to extension under certain limited circumstances described in the Prospectus) or, if earlier, when all such New Notes have been disposed of by such Participating Broker-Dealer. However, a Participating Broker-Dealer who intends to use the Prospectus in connection with the resale of New Notes received in exchange for Original Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer must notify the Issuer, or cause the Issuer to be notified, on or prior to the Expiration Date, that it is a Participating Broker-Dealer. Such notice may be given in the space provided herein for that purpose or may be delivered to the Exchange Agent at one of the addresses set forth in the Prospectus under “The Exchange Offer — Exchange Agent.” In that regard, each Participating Broker-Dealer, by tendering such Original Notes and executing this Letter of Transmittal, agrees that, upon receipt of notice from the Issuer of the occurrence of (i) the request of the Securities and Exchange Commission for amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus included therein, (ii) the issuance by the Securities and Exchange Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for
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that purpose, (iii) the receipt by the Issuer or its legal counsel of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the New Notes for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose or (iv) the happening of any event that requires the Issuer to make changes in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order that the Registration Statement or the Prospectus does not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made), not misleading, such Participating Broker-Dealer shall suspend the use of such Prospectus, until the Issuer has promptly prepared and filed a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus and any other document required so that, the Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and has furnished an amended or supplemented Prospectus to the Participating Broker-Dealer or the Issuer has given notice that the sale of the New Notes may be resumed, as the case may be.
If the Issuer gives such notice to suspend the sale of the New Notes, it shall extend the 180-day period referred to above during which Participating Broker-Dealers are entitled to use the Prospectus in connection with the resale of New Notes by the number of days in the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when the Issuer shall have made available to Participating Broker-Dealers copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus necessary to resume resales of the New Notes or to and including the date on which the Issuer has given notice that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, as the case may be.
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 September 30, 2013. Such interest will be paid with the first interest payment on the New Notes on March 15, 2014.
All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of Transmittal shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned and any obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, trustees in bankruptcy, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as stated in the Prospectus, this tender is irrevocable.
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HOLDER(S) SIGN HERE
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1, 2, 5 AND 6)
(PLEASE COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 BELOW)
(NOTE: SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED IF REQUIRED BY INSTRUCTION 2)
Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on Certificate(s) for the Original Notes hereby tendered or on a security position listing, or by any person(s) authorized to become the registered holder(s) by endorsements and documents transmitted herewith (including such opinions of counsel, certifications and other information as may be required by the Issuer or the Trustee for the Original Notes to comply with the restrictions on transfer applicable to the Original Notes). If the signature is by an attorney-in-fact, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, officer of a corporation or another acting in a fiduciary capacity or representative capacity, please set forth the signer’s full title. See Instruction 5.
(SIGNATURE(S) OF HOLDER(S))
Signature(s): |
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Dated: |
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Name(s): |
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(Please Print) |
Address: |
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(Include Zip Code) |
Area Code and Telephone Number: |
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(Taxpayer Identification or Social Security No.) |
GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
(SEE INSTRUCTIONS 2 AND 5)
Authorized Signature: |
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Name: |
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(Please Print) |
Date: |
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Capacity or Title: |
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Name of Firm: |
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Address: |
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(Include Zip Code) |
Area Code and Telephone Number: |
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SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS (See Instructions 1, 5 AND 6)
To be completed ONLY if the New Notes are to be issued in the name of someone other than the registered holder of the Original Notes whose name(s) appear(s) above:
Issue New Notes to:
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Name: |
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(Please Print) |
Address: |
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(Include Zip Code) | ||||||
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(Taxpayer Identification or Social Security No.) |
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS (See Instructions 1, 5 AND 6)
To be completed ONLY if the New Notes are to be delivered to someone other than the registered holder of the Original Notes whose name(s) appear(s) above, or to such registered holder(s) at an address other than that shown above.
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Mail New Notes to: |
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Name: |
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(Please Print) |
Address: |
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(Include Zip Code) | ||||||||
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(Taxpayer Identification or Social Security No.)
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INSTRUCTIONS
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
1. Delivery of Letter of Transmittal and Certificates; Guaranteed Delivery Procedures. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed either if (a) Certificates are to be forwarded herewith or (b) tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedures for tender by book-entry transfer set forth in “The Exchange Offer — Exchange Offer Procedures” in the Prospectus. Certificates, or timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Original Notes into the Exchange Agent’s account at DTC, as well as a Letter of Transmittal (or manually signed facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees, or an Agent’s Message in the case of a book-entry delivery, and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth herein prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. Original Notes may be tendered in whole or in part in an initial principal amount of $2,000 and $1,000 integral multiples thereafter.
Holders who wish to tender their Original Notes and (i) whose Certificate of such Original Notes are not immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Original Notes, the Letter of Transmittal or any other required documents to the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date or (iii) who cannot complete the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date, must tender their Original 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” in the Prospectus. Pursuant to such procedures: (i) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Guarantor Institution (as defined below); (ii) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form made available by the Issuer, must be received by the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date; and (iii) the Certificates (or a book-entry confirmation (as defined in the Prospectus)) representing all tendered Original Notes, in proper form for transfer, together with a Letter of Transmittal (or manually signed facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees, or an Agent’s Message in the case of a book-entry delivery, and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent within three business days after the Expiration Date, all as provided in “The Exchange Offer — Guaranteed Delivery Procedures” in the Prospectus.
The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand, overnight courier or mail or transmitted by facsimile to the Exchange Agent, and must include a guarantee by an Eligible Guarantor Institution in the form set forth in such Notice. For Original Notes to be properly tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure, the Exchange Agent must receive a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. As used herein and in the Prospectus, “Eligible Guarantor Institution” means a firm or other entity identified in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as “an eligible guarantor institution,” including (as such terms are defined therein) (i) a bank; (ii) a broker, dealer, municipal securities broker or dealer or government securities broker or dealer; (iii) a credit union; (iv) a national securities exchange, registered securities association or clearing agency; or (v) a savings association.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE OPTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE TENDERING HOLDER AND THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, OR OVERNIGHT OR HAND DELIVERY SERVICE IS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.
The Issuer will not accept any alternative, conditional or contingent tenders. Each tendering holder, by executing a Letter of Transmittal (or manually signed facsimile thereof), waives any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of such tender.
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2. Guarantee of Signatures. No signature guarantee on this Letter of Transmittal is required if:
(i) this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder (which term, for purposes of this document, shall include any participant in DTC whose name appears on the relevant security position listing as the owner of the Original Notes) of Original Notes tendered herewith, unless such holder(s) has completed either the box entitled “Special Issuance Instructions” or the box entitled “Special Delivery Instructions” above, or
(ii) such Original Notes are tendered for the account of a firm that is an Eligible Guarantor Institution.
In all other cases, an Eligible Guarantor Institution must guarantee the signature(s) on this Letter of Transmittal. See Instruction 5.
3. Inadequate Space. If the space provided in the box captioned “Description of Original Notes” is inadequate, the Certificate number(s) and/or the aggregate principal amount of Original Notes and any other required information should be listed on a separate signed schedule which is attached to this Letter of Transmittal.
4. Partial Tenders and Withdrawal Rights. Tenders of Original Notes will be accepted only in an initial principal amount of $2,000 and $1,000 integral multiples thereafter. If less than all the Original Notes evidenced by any Certificate submitted are to be tendered, fill in the principal amount of Original Notes which are to be tendered in the box entitled “Principal Amount of Original Notes Tendered (if less than all).” In such case, new Certificate(s) for the remainder of the Original Notes that were evidenced by your old Certificate(s) will only be sent to the holder of the Original Notes, or such other party as you identify in the box captioned “Special Delivery Instructions” promptly after the Expiration Date. All Original Notes represented by Certificates delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.
Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of Original Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. In order for a withdrawal to be effective on or prior to that time, a written, telegraphic, telex or facsimile transmission of such notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth above or in the Prospectus prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. Any such notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person who tendered the Original Notes to be withdrawn, the aggregate principal amount of Original Notes to be withdrawn, and (if Certificates for Original Notes have been tendered) the name of the registered holder of the Original Notes as set forth on the Certificate for the Original Notes, if different from that of the person who tendered such Original Notes. If Certificates for the Original Notes have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Exchange Agent, then prior to the physical release of such Certificates for the Original Notes, the tendering holder must submit the serial numbers shown on the particular Certificates for the Original Notes to be withdrawn and the signature on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Guarantor Institution, except in the case of Original Notes tendered for the account of an Eligible Guarantor Institution. If Original Notes have been tendered pursuant to the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer set forth in “The Exchange Offer — Exchange Offer Procedures,” in the Prospectus, the notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawal of Original Notes, in which case a notice of withdrawal will be effective if delivered to the Exchange Agent by written, telegraphic, telex or facsimile transmission. Withdrawals of tenders of Original Notes may not be rescinded. Original Notes properly withdrawn will not be deemed validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer, but may be retendered at any subsequent time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date by following any of the procedures described in the Prospectus under “The Exchange Offer — Exchange Offer Procedures.”
All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of such withdrawal notices will be determined by the Issuer, in its reasonable discretion, whose determination shall be final and binding on all parties. Neither the Issuer, any affiliates or assigns of the Issuer, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to give any notification of any irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. Any Original Notes which have been tendered but which are withdrawn will be returned to the holder thereof without cost to such holder promptly after withdrawal.
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5. Signatures on Letter of Transmittal, Assignments and Endorsements. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Original Notes tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond exactly with the name(s) as written on the face of the Certificate(s) or, in the case of book-entry securities, on the relevant security position listing, without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.
If any of the Original Notes tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
If any tendered Original Notes are registered in different name(s) on several Certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal (or manually signed facsimiles thereof) as there are different registrations of Certificates.
If this Letter of Transmittal 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, in its reasonable discretion, of such persons’ authority to so act.
When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of the Original Notes listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsement(s) of Certificate(s) or separate bond power(s) are required unless New Notes are to be issued in the name of a person other than the registered holder(s). Signature(s) on such Certificate(s) or bond power(s) must be guaranteed by an Eligible Guarantor Institution.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered owner(s) of the Original Notes listed, the Certificates must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers, signed exactly as the name or names of the registered owner(s) appear(s) on the Certificates, and also must be accompanied by such opinions of counsel, certifications and other information as the Issuer or the Trustee for the Original Notes may require in accordance with the restrictions on transfer applicable to the Original Notes. Signatures on such Certificates or bond powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Guarantor Institution.
6. Special Issuance and Delivery Instructions. If New Notes are to be issued in the name of a person other than the signer of this Letter of Transmittal, or if New Notes are to be sent to someone other than the signer of this Letter of Transmittal or to an address other than that shown above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed. Certificates for Original Notes not exchanged will be returned by mail or, if tendered by book-entry transfer, by crediting the account indicated above maintained at DTC, in each case promptly following the Expiration Date or termination of the Exchange Offer, as applicable. See Instruction 4.
7. Irregularities. The Issuer determines, in its reasonable discretion, all questions as to the form of documents, validity, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for exchange of any tender of Original Notes, which determination shall be final and binding on all parties. The Issuer reserves the absolute right to reject any and all tenders determined by it not to be in proper form or the acceptance of which, or exchange for, may, in the view of counsel to the Issuer, be unlawful. The Issuer also reserves the absolute right, subject to applicable law, to waive any of the conditions of the Exchange Offer set forth in the Prospectus under “The Exchange Offer — Conditions” or any conditions or irregularity in any tender of Original Notes of any particular holder, and if the Issuer waives any conditions or irregularities with respect to a particular holder, the Issuer will waive such condition with respect to all holders. The Issuer’s interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including this Letter of Transmittal and the instructions hereto) will be final and binding. No tender of Original Notes will be deemed to have been validly made until all irregularities with respect to such tender have been cured or waived. Neither the Issuer, any affiliates or assigns of the Issuer, the Exchange Agent, nor any other person shall be under any duty to give notification of any irregularities in tenders or incur any liability for failure to give such notification.
8. Questions, Requests for Assistance and Additional Copies. Questions and requests for assistance may be directed to the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses and telephone number set forth on the front of this
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Letter of Transmittal. Additional copies of the Prospectus, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and the Letter of Transmittal may be obtained from the Exchange Agent or from your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee.
9. 28% Backup Withholding; Substitute Form W-9. Under U.S. Federal income tax law, a U.S. holder whose tendered Original Notes are accepted for exchange generally is required to provide the Exchange Agent with such U.S. holder’s correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) on the Substitute Form W-9 included below. If the Exchange Agent is not provided with the correct TIN, the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) may subject the U.S. holder or other payee to a $50 penalty. In addition, reportable payments (such as interest) to such U.S. holders or other payees may be subject to backup withholding at a 28% rate.
If the tendering U.S. holder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends to apply for a TIN in the near future, the holder should write “Applied For” in the space provided on the Substitute FormW-9and also complete the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number below.
The U.S. holder is required to give the Exchange Agent the TIN (e.g., social security number or employer identification number) of the registered owner of the Original Notes or of the last transferee appearing on the transfers attached to, or endorsed on, the Original Notes. If the Original Notes are registered in more than one name or are not in the name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed “Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9” for additional guidance on which number to report.
Certain U.S. holders (including corporations) may be exempt from these backup withholding and reporting requirements. Exempt U.S. holders should nevertheless complete the attached Substitute Form W-9 included below, and enter the appropriate exempt payee code in the space provided on Substitute Form W-9, to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. A foreign person may qualify as an exempt recipient by submitting a properly completed IRS Form W-8 BEN or other appropriate Form W-8, signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that U.S. holder’s exempt status.
Backup withholding is not an additional U.S. Federal income tax. Rather, the U.S. Federal income tax liability of a person subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained.
10. Lost, Destroyed or Stolen Certificates. If any Certificate(s) representing Original Notes has been lost, destroyed or stolen, the holder should promptly notify the Exchange Agent. The holder will then be instructed as to the steps that must be taken in order to replace the Certificate(s). This Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be processed until the procedures for replacing lost, destroyed or stolen Certificate(s) have been followed.
11. Security Transfer Taxes. Holders who tender their Original Notes for exchange will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection therewith. If, however, New Notes are to be delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of the Original Notes tendered, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Original Notes in connection with the Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such transfer tax (whether imposed on the registered holder or any other persons) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with the Letter of Transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering holder.
IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR MANUALLY SIGNED FACSIMILE THEREOF) 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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TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING U.S. HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
PAYER’S NAME: U.S. Bank, National Association
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Name (if in joint names, list first and circle the name of the person or entity whose number you enter in Part I as provided in the enclosed Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9 (the “Guidelines”))
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Business Name (Sole proprietors, see the instructions in the enclosed Guidelines)
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Check appropriate box: ¨ Individual/Sole Proprietor ¨ C Corporation ¨ S Corporation ¨ Partnership ¨ Trust/Estate
¨ Limited Liability Company. Enter the tax classification (C=C corporation, S=S corporation, P=partnership)
¨ Other
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Exempt payee code (if any)
Exemption from FATCA reporting code (if any) | |||
Address
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SUBSTITUTE
FORMW-9
Payer’s Request for Taxpayer Identification Number (“TIN”) And Certification | Part I — TIN Enter your TIN in the appropriate box at right. (For most individuals, this is your social security number. If you do not have a number, seeObtaining a Numberin the enclosed Guidelines). Certify by signing and dating below.
Note: If the account is in more than one name, see chart in the enclosed Guidelines to determine which number to enter. | Social Security number
OR Employer Identification number
OR if awaiting TIN write “Applied For”
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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 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 in the Guidelines); and
(4) The FATCA code(s) entered on this form (if any) indicating that I am exempt from FATCA reporting is correct.
Certification Instructions:You must cross out item (2) above if the IRS has notified you that you are currently subject to backup withholding because you have failed to report all interest and dividends on your tax return. However, if after being notified by the IRS that you were subject to backup withholding you received another notification from the IRS that you are no longer subject to backup withholding, do not cross out item (2). (Also see instructions in the enclosed Guidelines.)
The IRS does not require your consent to any provision of this document other than the certifications required to avoid backup withholding.
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SIGNATURE DATE
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YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU
WROTE “APPLIED FOR” IN PART I OF THIS SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number has not been issued to me, and either (a) I have mailed or delivered an application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office or (b) I intend to mail or deliver such application in the near future. I understand that, notwithstanding the information I provided in the Substitute Form W-9 (and the fact that I have completed this Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number), all reportable payments made to me will be subject to a 28% backup withholding tax unless I provide a properly certified taxpayer identification number.
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SIGNATURE
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NOTE: | FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING TAX OF 28% OF ANY REPORTABLE PAYMENTS (SUCH AS INTEREST) MADE TO YOU. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 AND CONTACT YOUR TAX ADVISOR FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. |
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GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
Definition of a U.S. Person
For U.S. 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 Treasury Regulations section 301.7701-7). |
Guidelines for Determining the Proper Identification Number to Give the Payer
Social security numbers have nine digits separated by two hyphens: i.e., 000-00-0000. Employer identification numbers have nine digits separated by only one hyphen: i.e., 00-0000000. The table below will help determine the number to give the Company.
For this type of account | Give the TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION number of — | |||
1. | An individual’s account | The individual | ||
2. | Two or more individuals (joint account) | The actual owner of the account or, if combined funds, the first individual on the account(1) | ||
3. | Custodian account of a minor (Uniform Gift to Minors Act) | The minor(2) | ||
4. | a. The usual revocable savings trust account (grantor is also trustee) | The grantor — trustee(1) | ||
b. So-called trust account that is not a legal or valid trust under state law | The actual owner(1) | |||
5. | Sole proprietorship account or single owner limited liability company (“LLC”) | The owner(3) | ||
For this type of account | Give the TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION number of — | |||
6. | Disregarded entity not owned by an individual | The owner | ||
7. | A valid trust, estate, or pension trust | The legal entity (Do not furnish the identifying number of the personal representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated in the account title)(4) | ||
8. | Corporation or LLC electing corporate status on Form 8832 | The corporation | ||
9. | Association, club, religious, charitable, educational, or other tax exempt organization account | The organization | ||
10. | Partnership or multimember LLC not electing corporate status on Form 8832 | The partnership | ||
11. | A broker or registered nominee | The broker or registered nominee | ||
12. | 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 |
(1) | List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish. If only one person on a joint account has a social security number, that person’s number must be furnished. |
(2) | Circle the minor’s name and furnish the minor’s social security number. |
(3) | You must show your individual name and you may also enter your business or “DBA” name on the “Business Name” line. You may use either your social security number or employer identification number (if you have one). If you are a sole proprietor, the IRS encourages you to use your social security number. |
(4) | List first and circle the name of the legal trust, estate, or pension trust. |
Note: | If no name is circled when there is more than one name listed, the number will be considered to be that of the first name listed. |
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Obtaining a Number
If you do not have a TIN, apply for one immediately. To apply for a social security number, 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 or by calling 1-800-772-1213. UseForm 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 visitingwww.irs.gov or by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676).
Payees Exempt From Backup Withholding
If you are exempt from backup withholding and/or FATCA reporting, enter in theExemptions box on the Substitute Form W-9, any code(s) that may apply to you.
Exempt Payee Code. 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. Corporations are not exempt from backup withholding for payments made in settlement of payment card or third party network transactions.
The following codes identify payees that 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
5 — A corporation
6 — A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United States, the District of Columbia, or a possession of the United States
7 — A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
8 — A real estate investment trust
9 — An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940
10 — A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a)
11 — A financial institution
12 — A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian
13 — A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section 4947
For interest and dividends, all listed payees are exempt except payees listed in category 7. For broker transactions, payees listed in categories 1 through 4 and 6 through 11 and all C corporations are exempt. For broker transactions, S corporations must not enter an exempt payee code because they are exempt only for sales of noncovered securities acquired prior to 2012.
Exempt payees described above should complete the SubstituteForm W-9 to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. ENTER YOUR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AND ANY APPLICABLE EXEMPT PAYEE CODE, SIGN AND DATE THE FORM AND RETURN IT TO THE PAYER.
Exemption from FATCA Reporting Code. The following codes identify payees that are exempt from reporting under FATCA. These codes apply to persons submitting this form for accounts maintained outside of the United States by certain foreign financial institutions. Therefore, if you are only submitting this form for an account you hold in the United States, you may
leave this field blank. Consult with the person requesting this form if you are uncertain if the financial institution is subject to these requirements.
A — An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a) or any individual retirement plan as defined in section 7701(a)(37)
B — The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities
C — A state, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities
D — A corporation the stock of which is regularly traded on one or more established securities markets, as described in Reg. section 1.1472-1(c)(1)(i)
E — A corporation that is a member of the same expanded affiliated group as a corporation described in Reg.section 1.1472-1(c)(1)(i)
F — A dealer in securities, commodities, or derivative financial instruments (including notional principal contracts, futures, forwards, and options) that is registered as such under the laws of the United States or any state
G — A real estate investment trust
H — A regulated investment company as defined in section 851 or an entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940
I — A common trust fund as defined in section 584(a)
J — A bank as defined in section 581
K — A broker
L — A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section 4947(a)(1)
M — A tax exempt trust under a section 403(b) plan or section 457(g) plan
Privacy Act Notice — Section 6109 of the Code requires most recipients to provide your correct taxpayer identification number to persons who must file information returns with the IRS to report interest, dividends, and certain other income paid to you, mortgage interest you paid, the acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, or contributions you made to an IRA, or Archer MSA or HSA. The IRS uses the numbers for identification purposes and to help verify the accuracy of your tax return. The IRS may also provide this information to the Department of Justice for civil and criminal litigation, and to cities, states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions to carry out their tax laws. The IRS may also disclose this information to other countries under a tax treaty, to federal and state agencies to enforce federal nontax criminal laws, or to federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat terrorism.
You must provide your taxpayer identification number whether or not you are required to file a tax return. Payers must generally withhold 28% of taxable interest, dividends, and certain other payments to a payee who does not give a taxpayer identification number to a payer. Certain penalties may also apply.
Penalties
(1) Penalties for Failure to Furnish Taxpayer Identification Number — If you fail to furnish your taxpayer identification number to a payer, you are subject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.
(2) Civil Penalty for False Information With Respect to Withholding — If you make a false statement with no reasonable basis which results in no imposition of backup withholding, you are subject to a penalty of $500.
(3) Criminal Penalty for Falsifying Information —Willfully falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.
(4) Misuse of Taxpayer Identification Number —If the requester discloses or uses taxpayer identification numbers in violation of federal law, the requester may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.
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