Exhibit 99.1
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
Telesat Canada
Telesat LLC
OFFER TO EXCHANGE
Up to US$692,825,000 aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2015 issued by Telesat Canada and Telesat LLC, as co-issuer, which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, for any and all outstanding Senior Notes due 2015 issued by Telesat Canada and Telesat LLC, as co-issuer.
(CUSIP Nos. 87952V AA4, C8814P AA8 and 87952V AC0)
THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON , 2009 UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED (the “EXPIRATION DATE”). TENDERS MAY BE WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.
THE EXCHANGE AGENT FOR THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
Delivery to: The Bank of New York Mellon, Exchange Agent
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By Registered Mail, Certified Mail, Overnight Courier of Hand Delivery: | | By Facsimile Transmission: |
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The Bank of New York Mellon Corporate Trust Operations 101 Barclay Street -- 7 East New York, New York 10286 Attention: Evangeline R. Gonzales Corporate Trust Operations - Reorganization Unit | | (212) 298-1915
Confirm By Telephone:
(212) 815-3738 |
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, WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
Holders of Outstanding Notes (as defined below) should complete this Letter of Transmittal either if Outstanding Notes are to be forwarded herewith or if tenders of Outstanding Notes are to be made by book-entry transfer to an account maintained by the Exchange Agent at The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) pursuant to the procedures set forth in “The Exchange Offer -- Book-entry Delivery Procedures” and “The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes” in the Prospectus (as defined below) and an “Agent’s Message” (as defined below) is not delivered. If tender is being made by book-entry transfer, the holder must have an Agent’s Message delivered in lieu of this Letter of Transmittal.
Holders of Outstanding Notes whose certificates (the “Certificates”) for such Outstanding Notes are not immediately available or who cannot deliver their Certificates and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date or who cannot complete the procedures for book-entry transfer on a timely basis, must tender their Outstanding Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in “The Exchange Offer -- Guaranteed Delivery Procedures” in the Prospectus.
As used in this Letter of Transmittal, the term “holder” with respect to the Exchange Offer (as defined below) means any person in whose name Outstanding Notes are registered on the books of Telesat Canada, a Canadian corporation, and Telesat LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together, the “Issuers”), or, with respect to interests in the Outstanding Notes held by DTC, any DTC participant listed in an official DTC proxy. The undersigned has completed, signed and delivered this Letter of Transmittal to indicate the action the undersigned desires to take with respect to the Exchange Offer. Holders who wish to tender their Outstanding Notes must complete this Letter of Transmittal in its entirety.
SEE INSTRUCTION 1. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.
BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF OUTSTANDING NOTES SEE INSTRUCTION 10
(QUESTIONS AND REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES).
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus, dated , 2009 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Prospectus”), of the Issuers and certain domestic and foreign parent companies and subsidiaries of the Issuers (the “Guarantors,” and each, a “Guarantor”) and this Letter of Transmittal, which together constitute the offer (the “Exchange Offer”) to exchange up to US$692,825,000 aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2015 issued by Telesat Canada and Telesat LLC, as co-issuer, guaranteed by the Guarantors, that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) (collectively, the “Exchange Notes”) for an equal principal amount of Senior Notes due 2015 issued by Telesat Canada and Telesat LLC, as co-issuer, guaranteed by the Guarantors, that were originally sold pursuant to a private offering (collectively, the “Outstanding Notes”). The Outstanding Notes are unconditionally guaranteed (the “Old Guarantees”) by the Guarantors, and the Exchange Notes will be unconditionally guaranteed (the “New Guarantees”) by the Guarantors. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal, the Guarantors offer to issue the New Guarantees with respect to all Exchange Notes issued in the Exchange Offer in exchange for the Old Guarantees of the Outstanding Notes for which such Exchange Notes are issued in the Exchange Offer. Throughout this Letter of Transmittal, unless the context otherwise requires and whether so expressed or not, references to the “Exchange Offer” include the Guarantors’ offer to exchange the New Guarantees for the Old Guarantees, references to the “Exchange Notes” include the related New Guarantees and references to the “Outstanding Notes” include the related Old Guarantees. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meaning given to them in the Prospectus.
For each Outstanding Note accepted for exchange, the holder of such Outstanding Note will receive an Exchange Note having a principal amount equal to that of the surrendered Outstanding Note. The Exchange Notes will accrue interest at the rate of 11% per annum, commencing on , 2009, payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 of each year.
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YOUR BANK OR BROKER CAN ASSIST YOU IN COMPLETING THIS FORM. THE INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED IN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MUST BE FOLLOWED. QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR FOR ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT, WHOSE ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
See Instruction 10 below.
The undersigned has completed the appropriate boxes below and signed this Letter of Transmittal to indicate the action that the undersigned desires to take with respect to the Exchange Offer.
List below the Outstanding Notes to which this Letter of Transmittal relates. If the space below is inadequate, the Certificate or registration numbers and principal amounts of Outstanding Notes should be listed on a separately signed schedule affixed hereto.
All Tendering Holders Complete Box 1
Box 1
Description of Outstanding Notes Tendered
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Name(s) and Address(es) of
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Registered Holder(s)
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| | Aggregate Principal
| | Aggregate Principal
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(Please fill in, if blank, exactly as name(s)
| | Registration Number(s)
| | Amount Represented
| | Amount of Outstanding
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appear(s) on Certificate(s)) | | of Outstanding Notes* | | by Outstanding Notes | | Notes Being Tendered** |
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* | | Need not be completed by book-entry holders (see below). |
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** | | The minimum permitted tender is $2,000 in principal amount. The aggregate principal amount of all of the Outstanding Notes represented by the Outstanding Notes identified in this column, or delivered to the Exchange Agent herewith, will be deemed tendered unless a lesser amount is specified in this column. See Instruction 4. |
Box 2
Book-Entry
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o | CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OUTSTANDING NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING: |
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| Name of Tendering Institution: | |
Holders of Outstanding Notes that are tendering by book-entry transfer to the Exchange Agent’s account at DTC can execute the tender through DTC’s Automated Tender Offer Program (“ATOP”) for which the
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transaction will be eligible. DTC participants that are accepting the Exchange Offer must transmit their acceptances to DTC, which will verify the acceptance and execute a book-entry delivery to the Exchange Agent’s account at DTC. DTC will then send a computer-generated message (an “Agent’s Message”) to the Exchange Agent for its acceptance in which the holder of the Outstanding Notes acknowledges and agrees to be bound by the terms of, and makes the representations and warranties contained in, this Letter of Transmittal, and the DTC participant confirms on behalf of itself and the beneficial owners of such Outstanding Notes all provisions of this Letter of Transmittal (including any representations and warranties) applicable to it and such beneficial owner as fully as if it had completed the information required herein and executed and transmitted this Letter of Transmittal to the Exchange Agent. Each DTC participant transmitting an acceptance of the Exchange Offer through the ATOP procedures will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by the terms of this Letter of Transmittal. Delivery of an Agent’s Message by DTC will satisfy the terms of the Exchange Offer as to execution and delivery of a Letter of Transmittal by the participant identified in the Agent’s Message. DTC participants may also accept the Exchange Offer by submitting a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery through ATOP.
Box 3
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (See Instruction 2 below)
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o | CHECK HERE IF TENDERED OUTSTANDING NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING: |
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| Name(s) of Registered Holder(s): | |
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| Window Ticket Number (if any): | |
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| Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery: | |
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| Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery: | |
IF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IS TO BE MADE BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER:
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| Name of Tendering Institution: | |
Box 4
Return of Non-Exchanged Outstanding Notes Tendered by Book-Entry Transfer
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o | CHECK HERE IF OUTSTANDING NOTES TENDERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND NON-EXCHANGED OUTSTANDING NOTES ARE TO BE RETURNED BY CREDITING THE DTC ACCOUNT NUMBER SET FORTH ABOVE. |
Box 5
Participating Broker-Dealer
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o | CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER WHO ACQUIRED THE OUTSTANDING NOTES FOR YOUR OWN ACCOUNT AS A RESULT OF MARKET-MAKING OR OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES (A “PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER”) AND WISH TO RECEIVE TEN (10) ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO, AS WELL AS ANY NOTICES FROM THE ISSUERS TO SUSPEND AND RESUME USE OF THE PROSPECTUS. PROVIDE THE NAME OF THE INDIVIDUAL WHO SHOULD RECEIVE, ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDER, ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE |
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| PROSPECTUS, AND AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO, AND ANY NOTICES TO SUSPEND AND RESUME USE OF THE PROSPECTUS. |
If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it is acquiring the Exchange Notes in the ordinary course of its business and that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a distribution of the Exchange Notes. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Outstanding Notes, it represents that the Outstanding Notes to be exchanged for the Exchange 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 or transfer of such Exchange 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.
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 Issuers the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes indicated above. Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance for exchange of the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby 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 exchanges, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Issuers all right, title and interest in and to such Outstanding Notes as are being tendered hereby.
The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent as the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned (with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent also acts as agent of the Issuers) with respect to the tendered Outstanding Notes, with full power of substitution and resubstitution (such power of attorney being deemed an irrevocable power coupled with an interest) to (1) deliver certificates representing such Outstanding Notes, or transfer ownership of such Outstanding Notes on the account books maintained by DTC, together, in each such case, with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity to, or upon the order of, the Issuers, (2) present and deliver such Outstanding Notes for transfer on the books of the Issuers and (3) receive all benefits or otherwise exercise all rights and incidents of beneficial ownership of such Outstanding Notes, all in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that (a) the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, exchange, assign and transfer the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby, (b) when such tendered Outstanding Notes are accepted for exchange, the Issuers will acquire good and unencumbered title thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and (c) the Outstanding Notes tendered for exchange are not subject to any adverse claims or proxies when the same are accepted by the Issuers. The undersigned hereby further represents that (d) any Exchange Notes acquired in exchange for Outstanding Notes tendered hereby will have been acquired in the ordinary course of business of the person receiving such Exchange Notes, whether or not such person is the undersigned, (e) neither the holder of such Outstanding Notes nor any such other person is engaged in, or intends to engage in, a distribution of such Exchange Notes within the meaning of the Securities Act, or has an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of such Exchange Notes, and (f) neither the holder of such Outstanding Notes
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nor any such other person is an “affiliate,” as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of the Issuers or any Guarantor.
The undersigned also acknowledges that this Exchange Offer is being made based on the Issuers’ understanding of an interpretation by the staff of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties, including Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991), Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the SEC’s letter to Shearman & Sterling (available July 2, 1993), or similar no-action letters, that the Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Outstanding Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by each holder thereof (other than a broker-dealer who acquires such Exchange Notes directly from the Issuers for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act or any other available exemption under the Securities Act or any such holder that is an “affiliate” of the Issuers or any Guarantor within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act), without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such Exchange Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holder’s business and such holder is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of such Exchange Notes and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of such Exchange Notes. If a holder of the Outstanding Notes is an affiliate of the Issuers or any Guarantor, is not acquiring the Exchange Notes in the ordinary course of its business, is engaged in, or intends to engage in, a distribution of the Exchange Notes or has any arrangement or understanding with respect to the distribution of the Exchange Notes to be acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer, such holder (x) may not rely on the applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC and (y) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any secondary resale transaction. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive the Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for the Outstanding Notes, it represents that the Outstanding Notes to be exchanged for the Exchange 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 or transfer of such Exchange 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.
The undersigned will, upon request, sign and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Issuers or the Exchange Agent to be necessary or desirable to complete the exchange, assignment and transfer of the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby. The undersigned further agrees that acceptance of any and all validly tendered Outstanding Notes by the Issuers and the issuance of Exchange Notes in exchange therefor shall constitute performance in full by the Issuers and the Guarantors of their obligations under the registration rights agreement dated June 30, 2008, among the Issuers, the Guarantors and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, UBS Securities LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. and Jefferies & Company, Inc. and that the Issuers and the Guarantors shall have no further obligations or liabilities thereunder except as provided in Section 5 of such agreement. The undersigned will comply with its obligations under the registration rights agreement.
The Exchange Offer is subject to certain conditions as set forth in the Prospectus under the caption “The Exchange Offer -- Conditions to the Exchange Offer.” The undersigned recognizes that as a result of these conditions (which may be waived, in whole or in part, by the Issuers), as more particularly set forth in the Prospectus, the Issuers may not be required to exchange any of the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby and, in such event, the Outstanding Notes not exchanged will be returned to the undersigned at the address shown above, promptly following the Expiration Date if any of the conditions set forth under “The Exchange Offer -- Conditions to the Exchange Offer” occur.
All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of Transmittal 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. Tendered Outstanding Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Prospectus.
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Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled “Special Registration Instructions” below, please deliver the Exchange Notes (and, if applicable, substitute certificates representing the Outstanding Notes for any Outstanding Notes not exchanged) in the name of the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry delivery of the Outstanding Notes, please credit the account indicated above maintained at DTC. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated in the box entitled “Special Delivery Instructions” below, please send the Exchange Notes (and, if applicable, substitute certificates representing the Outstanding Notes for any Outstanding Notes not exchanged) to the undersigned at the address shown above in the box entitled “Description of Outstanding Notes Tendered.”
THE UNDERSIGNED, BY COMPLETING THE BOX ENTITLED “DESCRIPTION OF OUTSTANDING NOTES TENDERED” ABOVE AND SIGNING THIS LETTER, WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE TENDERED THE OUTSTANDING NOTES AS SET FORTH IN SUCH BOX.
Box 6
Special Registration Instructions
(See Instructions 1, 5 and 6 below)
To be completed ONLY if Certificates for the Outstanding Notes not exchangedand/or Certificates for the Exchange Notes are to be issued in the name of someone other than the registered holder(s) of the Outstanding Notes whose name(s) appear(s) above.
Issue the Exchange Notesand/or the Outstanding Notes to:
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Name(s): | | |
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Address: | | |
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(Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number)
Box 7
Special Delivery Instructions
(See instructions 1, 5 and 6 below)
To be completed ONLY if Certificates for the Outstanding Notes not exchangedand/or Certificates for the Exchange Notes are to be sent to someone other than the registered holder(s) of the Outstanding Notes whose name(s) appear(s) above, or to such registered holder(s) at an address other than that shown above.
Deliver the Exchange Notesand/or the Outstanding Notes to:
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Name(s): | | |
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Address: | | |
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(Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number)
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Box 8
PLEASE SIGN HERE
Tendering Holder Signature
In Addition, CompleteForm W-9 -- See Attachment A
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Signature of registered holder(s) or Authorized Signature: | | |
Note: The above lines must be signed by the registered holder(s) of the Outstanding Notes as their name(s) appear(s) on the Outstanding Notes or on a security position listing as the owner of the Outstanding Notes or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by properly completed bond powers or endorsements transmitted herewith. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person must set forth his or her full title below. See Instruction 5.
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Name(s): | | |
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Capacity (full title) | | |
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Address: | | |
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Area Code and Telephone Number: | |
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Tax Identification or Social Security Number: | |
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
(IF REQUIRED BY INSTRUCTION 5)
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Signature(s) Guaranteed by an Eligible Guarantor Institution: | | |
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(Title)
(Name and Firm)
(Address)
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| Area Code and Telephone Number: | |
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| Tax Identification or Social Security Number | |
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INSTRUCTIONS TO LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND
CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
General
Please do not send Certificates for Outstanding Notes directly to the Issuers. Your Certificates for Outstanding Notes, together with your signed and completed Letter of Transmittal and any required supporting documents, should be mailed or otherwise delivered to the Exchange Agent at the address set forth on the first page hereof. The method of delivery of Certificates, this Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents is at your sole option and risk 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.
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1. | Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal and Certificates. |
This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by holders of Outstanding Notes (which term, for purposes of the Exchange Offer, includes any participant in DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the holder of such Outstanding Notes) if either (a) Certificates for such Outstanding Notes 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 -- Book-entry Delivery Procedures” in the Prospectus and an Agent’s Message (as defined below) is not delivered. The term “Agent’s Message” means a message, transmitted by DTC to, and received by, the Exchange Agent and forming a part of a book-entry confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the tendering participant, which acknowledgment states that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by, and makes the representations and warranties contained in, this Letter of Transmittal and that the Issuers may enforce this Letter of Transmittal against such participant. Certificates representing the tendered Outstanding Notes, or timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Outstanding Notes into the Exchange Agent’s account at DTC, as well as a properly completed and duly executed copy of this Letter of Transmittal, or a facsimile hereof (or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent’s Message), aForm W-9 and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth herein on or prior to the Expiration Date, or the tendering holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth below.
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2. | Guaranteed Delivery Procedures. |
Holders who wish to tender their Outstanding Notes and (i) whose Outstanding Notes are not immediately available or (ii) who cannot deliver their Outstanding Notes, this Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date or (iii) who cannot complete the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely basis, may effect a tender 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 and by completing Box 3. Pursuant to these procedures, holders may tender their Outstanding Notes if: (i) the tender is made by or through an Eligible Guarantor Institution (as defined below); (ii) a properly completed and signed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery in the form provided with this Letter of Transmittal is delivered to the Exchange Agent on or before the Expiration Date (by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery), setting forth the name and address of the holder of Outstanding Notes, the registered number(s) of such Outstanding Notes and the amount of Outstanding Notes tendered, stating that the tender is being made thereby; and (iii) the Certificates or a confirmation of book-entry transfer and a properly completed and signed Letter of Transmittal is delivered to the Exchange Agent within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the Expiration Date. The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand, facsimile or mail to the Exchange Agent, and a guarantee by an Eligible Guarantor Institution must be included in the form described in the notice.
Any holder who wishes to tender Outstanding Notes pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures described above must ensure that the Exchange Agent receives the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery relating to such Outstanding Notes prior to the Expiration Date. Failure to complete the guaranteed delivery procedures
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outlined above will not, of itself, affect the validity or effect a revocation of any Letter of Transmittal form properly completed and executed by a holder who attempted to use the guaranteed delivery procedures.
The Issuers will not accept any alternative, conditional or contingent tenders. Each tendering holder of Outstanding Notes, by execution of a Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), waives any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of such tender.
Guarantee of Signatures
No signature guarantee on this Letter of Transmittal is required if:
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| (i) | this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) (which term, for purposes of this document, shall include any participant in DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the Outstanding Notes) of Outstanding Notes tendered herewith, unless such holder(s) has (have) completed either the box entitled “Special Registration Instructions” (Box 6) or “Special Delivery Instructions” (Box 7) above; or |
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| (ii) | such Outstanding 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) in Box 8 on this Letter of Transmittal. See Instruction 5.
Inadequate Space
If the space provided in the box captioned “Description of Outstanding Notes Tendered” (Box 1) is inadequate, the Certificate or registration number(s)and/or the principal amount of Outstanding Notes and any other required information should be listed as a separate, signed schedule and attached to this Letter of Transmittal.
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3. | Beneficial Owner Instructions. |
Only a holder of Outstanding Notes (i.e., a person in whose name Outstanding Notes are registered on the books of the registrar or, with respect to interests in the Outstanding Notes held by DTC, a DTC participant listed in an official DTC proxy), or the legal representative or attorney-in-fact of a holder, may execute and deliver this Letter of Transmittal. Any beneficial owner of Outstanding Notes who wishes to accept the Exchange Offer must arrange promptly for the appropriate holder to execute and deliver this Letter of Transmittal on his or her behalf through the execution and delivery to the appropriate holder of the “Instructions to Registered Holderand/or DTC Participant from Beneficial Owner of Senior Notes due 2015” form accompanying this Letter of Transmittal.
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4. | Partial Tenders; Withdrawals. |
If less than the entire principal amount of Outstanding Notes evidenced by a submitted Certificate is tendered, the tendering holder(s) should fill in the aggregate principal amount tendered in the column entitled “Aggregate Principal Amount of Outstanding Notes Being Tendered” in Box 1 above. A newly issued Certificate for the principal amount of Outstanding Notes submitted but not tendered will be sent to such holder as soon as practicable after the Expiration Date, unless otherwise provided in the appropriate box on this Letter of Transmittal. All Outstanding Notes delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered in full unless otherwise indicated.
Outstanding Notes tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date, after which tenders of Outstanding Notes are irrevocable. To be effective, a written, telegraphic or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the Exchange Agent at the address set forth on the first page hereof. Any such notice of withdrawal must (i) specify the name of the person having deposited the Outstanding Notes to be withdrawn (the “Depositor”), (ii) identify the Outstanding Notes to be withdrawn (including the registration number(s) and principal amount of such Outstanding Notes, or, in the case
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of Outstanding Notes transferred by book-entry transfer, the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited), (iii) be signed by the holder in the same manner as the original signature on this Letter of Transmittal (including any required signature guarantees) or be accompanied by documents of transfer sufficient to have the Trustee with respect to the Outstanding Notes register the transfer of such Outstanding Notes in the name of the person withdrawing the tender, (iv) specify the name in which any such Outstanding Notes are to be registered, if different from that of the Depositor and (v) include a statement that the Depositor is withdrawing its election to have such Outstanding Notes exchanged. All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of such notices will be determined by the Issuers, whose determination shall be final and binding on all parties. Any Outstanding Notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer and no Exchange Notes will be issued with respect thereto unless the Outstanding Notes so withdrawn are validly re-tendered. Any Outstanding Notes which have been tendered but which are not accepted for exchange for any reason will be returned to the holder thereof without cost to such holder (or, in the case of Outstanding 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 described above, such Outstanding Notes will be credited to an account with such book-entry transfer facility specified by the holder) as soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the Exchange Offer. Properly withdrawn Outstanding Notes may be retendered by following one of the procedures described under the caption “The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes” in the Prospectus at any time prior to the Expiration Date.
Neither the Issuers, the Guarantors, any affiliates or assigns of the Issuers, the Exchange Agent nor any other person will be under any duty to give any notification of any irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to give such notification (even if such notice is given to other persons).
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5. | Signature on Letter of Transmittal; Written Instruments and Endorsements; Guarantee of Signatures. |
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby, the signature must correspond exactly with the name(s) as written on the face of the Certificates without alteration, addition, enlargement or any change whatsoever. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a participant in DTC, the signature must correspond with the name as it appears on the security position listing as the owner of the Outstanding Notes.
If any of the Outstanding Notes tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
If a number of Outstanding Notes registered in different names are tendered, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate copies of this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimiles thereof) as there are different registrations of Outstanding Notes.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of Outstanding Notes (which term, for the purposes described herein, shall include a participant in DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the Outstanding Notes) listed and tendered hereby, no endorsements of the tendered Outstanding Notes or separate written instruments of transfer or exchange are required. In any other case, the registered holder(s) (or acting holder(s)) must either properly endorse the Outstanding Notes or transmit properly completed bond powers with this Letter of Transmittal (in either case, executed exactly as the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on the Outstanding Notes, and, with respect to a participant in DTC whose name appears on such security position listing), with the signature on the Outstanding Notes or bond power guaranteed by an Eligible Guarantor Institution (except where the Outstanding Notes are tendered for the account of an Eligible Guarantor Institution).
If this Letter of Transmittal, any Certificates, bond powers or separate written instruments of transfer or exchange 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, unless waived by the Issuers, must submit proper evidence satisfactory to the Issuers, in its sole discretion, of such persons’ authority to so act.
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Endorsements on certificates for the Outstanding Notes or signatures on bond powers required by this Instruction 5 must be guaranteed by a firm that is a member of the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Signature Program or by any other “Eligible Guarantor Institution” within the meaning ofRule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal need not be guaranteed by an Eligible Guarantor Institution, provided the Outstanding Notes are tendered: (i) by a registered holder of the Outstanding Notes (which term, for purposes of the Exchange Offer, includes any participant in the DTC system whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of such Outstanding Notes) tendered who has not completed Box 6 entitled “Special Registration Instructions” or Box 7 entitled “Special Delivery Instructions” on this Letter of Transmittal or (ii) for the account of an Eligible Guarantor Institution.
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6. | Special Registration and Delivery Instructions. |
Tendering holders should indicate, in the applicable Box 6 or Box 7, the name and address in/to which the Exchange Notesand/or substitute certificates evidencing Outstanding Notes for principal amounts not tendered or not accepted for exchange are to be issued or sent, if different from the name(s) and address(es) of the person signing this Letter of Transmittal. In the case of issuance in a different name, the employer identification number or social security number of the person named must also be indicated and the tendering holder should complete the applicable box. A holder tendering the Outstanding Notes by book-entry transfer may request that the Outstanding Notes not exchanged be credited to such account maintained at DTC as such holder may designate hereof (See Box 4).
If no instructions are given, the Exchange Notes (and any Outstanding Notes not tendered or not accepted) will be issued in the name of and sent to the holder signing this Letter of Transmittal or deposited into such holder’s account at DTC.
The Issuers will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the transfer and exchange of Outstanding Notes to it or its order pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If, however, a transfer tax is imposed because Exchange Notes are delivered or issued in the name of a person other than the registered holder or if a transfer tax is imposed for any other reason other than the transfer and exchange of Outstanding Notes to the Issuers or its order pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or any other person) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted herewith, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed to the tendering holder by the Exchange Agent.
Except as provided in this Instruction 7, it will not be necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Outstanding Notes listed in the Letter of Transmittal.
The Issuers reserve the right to waive, in whole or in part, any of the conditions to the Exchange Offer set forth in the Prospectus.
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9. | Mutilated, Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Outstanding Notes. |
Any holder whose Outstanding Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed should promptly contact the Exchange Agent at the address set forth on the first page hereof for further instructions. 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 completed.
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10. | Questions and Request for Assistance or Additional Copies. |
Questions relating to the procedure for tendering as well as requests for additional copies of the Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal, may be directed to the Exchange Agent at the address and telephone number set forth on the first page hereof.
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11. | Validity and Form; No Conditional Tenders; No Notice of Irregularities. |
All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt), acceptance of tendered Outstanding Notes and withdrawal of tendered Outstanding Notes will be determined by the Issuers in their sole discretion, which determination will be final and binding. No alternative, conditional, irregular or contingent tenders will be accepted. All tendering holders, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal, shall waive any right to receive notice of the acceptance of their Outstanding Notes for exchange. The Issuers also reserve the right, in its reasonable judgment, to waive any defects, irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular Outstanding Notes. The Issuers’ interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the instructions in this Letter of Transmittal) will be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of Outstanding Notes must be cured within such time as the Issuers shall determine. Although the Issuers intend to notify holders of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Outstanding Notes, neither the Issuers, the Exchange Agent nor any other person is under any obligation to give such notice nor shall they incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of Outstanding Notes will not be deemed to have been made until such defects or irregularities have been cured or waived. Any Outstanding Notes received by the Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned by the Exchange Agent to the tendering holder as soon as practicable following the Expiration Date.
IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
Under U.S. federal income tax law, a holder tendering Outstanding Notes whose Outstanding Notes are accepted for exchange may be subject to backup withholding unless the holder provides either (i) such holder’s correct taxpayer identification (“TIN”) on theForm W-9 included as Attachment A hereto, certifying (A) that the TIN provided onForm W-9 is correct (or that such holder of Outstanding Notes is awaiting a TIN), (B) that the holder of Outstanding Notes is not subject to backup withholding because (x) such holder of Outstanding Notes is exempt from backup withholding, (y) such holder of Outstanding Notes has not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that he or she is subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends or (z) the Internal Revenue Service has notified the holder of Outstanding Notes that he or she is no longer subject to backup withholding and (C) that the holder of Outstanding Notes is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien); or (ii) an adequate basis for exemption from backup withholding. If such holder is an individual, the TIN is his or her social security number. If the Exchange Agent is not provided with the correct TIN, the holder may be subject to certain penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue Service and any payments that are made to such holder may be subject to backup withholding (see below).
Certain holders (including, among others, all corporations and certain foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements. However, exempt holders of Outstanding Notes should indicate their exempt status onForm W-9. For example, a corporation should complete theForm W-9, providing its TIN and indicating that it is exempt from backup withholding. In order for a foreign individual to qualify as an exempt recipient, that holder must submit a statement, signed under penalty of perjury, attesting to that individual’s exempt status(Form W-8BEN). Forms for such statements can be obtained from the Exchange Agent. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors to determine whether they are exempt from these backup withholding and reporting requirements.
If backup withholding applies, the Exchange Agent is required to withhold 28% of any payments to be made to the holder or other payee. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the tax liability of persons 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 from the Internal Revenue Service provided the required
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information is furnished. The Exchange Agent cannot refund amounts withheld by reason of backup withholding.
The holder of Outstanding Notes is required to give the Exchange Agent the TIN (e.g., social security number or employer identification number) of the record owner of the Outstanding Notes. If the Outstanding Notes are in more than one name or are not in the name of the actual owner, consult Part II – Certification of the Specific Instructions onForm W-9 for additional guidance on which number to report.
IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR A FACSIMILE THEREOF (TOGETHER WITH OUTSTANDING NOTES OR CONFIRMATION OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS) OR A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.
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Print or type
SeeSpecific Instructions on page 2.
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Form W-9 (Rev. October 2007) 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. |
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| | | Name (as shown on your income tax return) |
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| | | Business name, if different from above |
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| | | Check appropriate box: o Individual/Sole proprietor o Corporation o Partnership o Limited liability company, Enter the tax classification (D=disregarded entity, C=corporation, P=partnership o Other (see instructions) | | | o Exempt payee |
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| | | Address (number, street, and apt. or suite no.) | | | Requester’s name and address (optional) |
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| | | 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)
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Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. The TIN provided must match the name given on Line 1 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, see How to get a TIN on page 3. | | | Social security number
or | | | | | |
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Note. If the account is in more than one name, see the chart on page 4 for guidelines on whose number to enter.
| | | Employer identification number
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Part II
Certification
Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
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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 |
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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.
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Sign Here | | | Signature of U.S. person | | Date |
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Cat. No. 10231X
FormW-9(Rev. 10-2007)
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Form W-9(Rev. 10-2007) | Page 2 |
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.
UseForm 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 thanForm W-9 to request your TIN, you must use the requester’s form if it is substantially similar to thisForm W-9.
Definition of a U.S. person. For federal tax purposes, you are considered a U.S. person if you are:
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• | An individual who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien, |
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• | A partnership, corporation, company, or association created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States, |
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• | An estate (other than a foreign estate), or |
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• | A domestic trust (as defined in Regulationssection 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 givesForm 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:
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• | The U.S. owner of a disregarded entity and not the entity, |
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• | The U.S. grantor or other owner of a grantor trust and not the trust, and |
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• | 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 useForm W-9. Instead, use the appropriateForm 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 toForm 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 theU.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 theU.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 toForm 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 28% 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.
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Form W-9 (Rev.10-2007) | Page3 |
Payments you receive will be subject to backup withholding if:
1. You do not furnish your TIN to the requester,
1. You do not certify your TIN when required (see the Part II instructions on page 3 for details),
2. The IRS tells the requester that you furnished an incorrect TIN,
1. 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
2. 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 ofForm W-9.
Also seeSpecial rules for partnershipson page 1.
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 finesand/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” line.
Limited liability company (LLC). Check the “Limited liability company” box only and enter the appropriate code for the tax classification (“D” for disregarded entity, “C” for corporation, “P” for partnership) in the space provided.
For a single-member LLC (including a foreign LLC with a domestic owner) that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner under Regulationssection 301.7701-3, enter the owner’s name on the “Name” line. Enter the LLC’s name on the “Business name” line.
For an LLC classified as a partnership or a corporation, enter the LLC’s name on the “Name” line and any business, trade, or DBA name on the “Business name” line.
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” line.
Note. You are requested to check the appropriate box for your status (individual/sole proprietor, corporation, etc.).
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, 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:
1. A corporation,
2. A foreign central bank of issue,
1. A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United States, the District of Columbia, or a possession of the United States,
2. A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission,
10. A real estate investment trust,
1. An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
2. A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a),
13. A financial institution,
1. A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian, or
2. A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section 4947.
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Form W-9 (Rev.10-2007) | Page4 |
The chart below shows types of payments that may be exempt from backup withholding. The chart applies to the exempt payees listed above, 1 through 15.
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IF the payment is for. . . | | | THEN the payment is exempt for. . . |
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Interest and dividend payments | | | All exempt payees except for 9 |
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Broker transactions | | | Exempt payees 1 through 13. Also, a person registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 who regularly acts as a broker |
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Barter exchange transactions and patronage dividends | | | Exempt payees 1 through 5 |
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Payments over $600 required to be reported and direct sales over $5,0001 | | | Generally, exempt payees 1 through 72 |
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1SeeForm 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, and its instructions.
2However, the following payments made to a corporation (including gross proceeds paid to an attorney under section 6045(f), even if the attorney is a corporation) and reportable onForm 1099-MISC are not exempt from backup withholding: medical and health care payments, attorneys’ fees, 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 TINbelow.
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, getForm 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 calling1-800-772-1213. UseForm W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, to apply for an ITIN, orForm 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/businessesand clicking on Employer Identification Number (EIN) under Starting a Business. You can getForms W-7 and SS-4 from the IRS by visitingwww.irs.govor by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM(1-800-829-3676).
If you are asked to completeForm 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. The60-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 appropriateForm W-8.
Part II. Certification
To establish to the withholding agent that you are a U.S. person, or resident alien, signForm W-9. You may be requested to sign by the withholding agent even if items 1, 4, and 5 below indicate otherwise.
For a joint account, only the person whose TIN is shown in Part I should sign (when required). Exempt payees, seeExempt Payeeon page 2.
Signature requirements. Complete the certification as indicated in 1 through 5 below.
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.
1. Real estate transactions. You must sign the certification. You may cross out item 2 of the certification.
2. 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), 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).
3. 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.
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Form W-9 (Rev.10-2007) | Page5 |
What Name and Number To Give the Requester
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For this type of account: | | Give name and SSN of: |
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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) | | The grantor-trustee1 |
b. So-called trust account that is not a legal or valid trust under state law | | The actual owner1 |
5. Sole proprietorship or disregarded entity owned by an individual | | The owner3 |
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For this type of account: | | Give name and EIN of: |
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A valid trust, estate, or pension trust | | |
6. Corporate or LLC electing corporate status on Form 8832 | | Legal entity4 |
7. Association, club, religious, charitable, educational, or other tax-exempt organization | | The corporation |
8. Partnership or multi-member LLC | | The organization |
9. A broker or registered nominee | | The partnership |
10. 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 broker or nominee |
11. Disregarded entity not owned by an individual 12. | | The public entity The owner |
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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. |
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2 | Circle the minor’s name and furnish the minor’s SSN. |
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3 | You must show your individual name and you may also enter your business or “DBA” name on the second name line. You may use either your SSN or EIN (if you have one), but the IRS encourages you to use your SSN. |
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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 partnershipson page 1. |
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:
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| • | Protect your SSN, |
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| • | Ensure your employer is protecting your SSN, and |
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| • | Be careful when choosing a tax preparer. |
Call the IRS at1-800-829-1040 if you think your identity has been used inappropriately for tax purposes.
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/TDD1-800-829-4059.
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 personal property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at1-800-366-4484. You can forward suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at:spam@uce.govor contact them atwww.consumer.gov/idtheftor1-877-IDTHEFT(438-4338).
Visit the IRS website atwww.irs.govto 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 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. We 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 TIN whether or not you are required to file a tax return. Payers must generally withhold 28% of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not give a TIN to a payer. Certain penalties may also apply.