Exhibit 99.6
GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
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 type of number to give the payer.
| Give the SOCIAL | ||||
| SECURITY number | ||||
| For this type of account: | 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, any one of the individuals(1) | ||
| 3. | Husband and wife (joint account) | The actual owner of the account or, if joint funds, either person(1) | ||
| 4. | Custodian account of a minor (Uniform Gift to Minors Act) | The minor(2) | ||
| 5. | Adult and minor (joint account) | The adult or, if the minor is the only contributor, the minor(1) | ||
| 6. | Account in the name of guardian or committee for a designated ward, minor or incompetent person | The ward, minor or incompetent person(3) | ||
| 7. | 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) | |||
| Give the EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION number | ||||
| For this type of account: | of — | |||
| 8. | Sole proprietorship account | The owner(4) | ||
| 9. | 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)(5) | ||
| 10. | Corporate account | The corporation | ||
| 11. | Religious, charitable, or educational organization account | The organization | ||
| 12. | Partnership account held in the name of the business | The partnership | ||
| 13. | Association, club, or other tax-exempt organization | The organization | ||
| 14. | A broker or registered nominee | The broker or nominee | ||
| 15. | 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 | ||
| Note: | If no name is circled when there is more than one name, the number will be considered to be that of the first name listed. |
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GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
Obtaining a Number
If you do not have a taxpayer identification number or if you do not know your number, obtain Form SS-5, Application for Social Security Number Card (for individuals), or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, at the local office of the Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and apply for a number.
Payees Exempt from Backup Withholding
Payees specifically exempted from backup withholding on ALL payments by brokers include the following:
| • | A corporation. |
| • | A financial institution. |
| • | An organization exempt from a tax under Section 501(a), or an individual retirement plan or a custodial account under Section 403(b)(7) if the account satisfies the requirements of Section 401(F)(2). |
| • | The United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof. |
| • | A State, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States or any subdivision or instrumentality thereof. |
| • | A foreign government, a political subdivision of a foreign government or any agency or instrumentality thereof. |
| • | An international organization or any agency or instrumentality thereof. |
| • | A registered dealer in securities or commodities registered in the U.S. or a possession of the U.S. |
| • | A real estate investment trust. |
| • | A common trust fund operated by a bank under Section 584(a). |
| • | An entity registered at all times under the Investment Company Act of 1940. |
| • | A foreign central bank of issue. |
| • | A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. |
| • | A person registered under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940 who regularly acts as a broker. |
Payments of dividends and patronage dividends not generally subject to backup withholding include the following:
| • | Payments to nonresident aliens subject to withholding under Section 1441. |
| • | Payments to partnerships not engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. and which have at least one nonresident partner. |
| • | Payments of patronage dividends where the amount received is not paid in money. |
| • | Payments made by certain foreign organizations. |
| • | Payments made to a nominee. |
Payments of interest not generally subject to backup withholding include the following:
| • | Payments of interest on obligations issued by individuals. Note: You may be subject to backup withholding if this interest is $600 or more and is paid in the course of the payer’s trade or business and you have not provided your correct taxpayer identification number to the payer. |
| • | Payments of tax-exempt interest (including exempt-interest dividends under Section 852). |
| • | Payments described in Section 6049(b)(5) to nonresident aliens. |
| • | Payments on tax-free covenant bonds under Section 1451. |
| • | Payments made by certain foreign corporations. |
| • | Payments made to a nominee. |
Exempt payees described above should file Form W-9 to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. FILE THIS FORM WITH THE PAYER, FURNISH YOUR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, CHECK “EXEMPT” IN PART II OF THE FORM, SIGN AND DATE THE FORM AND RETURN IT TO THE PAYER.
Certain payments other than interest, dividends and patronage dividends, that are not subject to information reporting are also not subject to backup withholding. For details, see the regulations under Section 6041, 6041(A)(a), 6045, and 6050A.
Privacy Act Notice. —Section 6109 requires most recipients of dividend, interest, or other payments to give taxpayer identification numbers to payers who must report the payments to the IRS. The IRS uses the numbers for identification purposes. Payers must be given the numbers whether or not recipients are required to file tax returns. Payers must generally withhold up to 31% of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not furnish a taxpayer identification number to a payer. Certain penalties may also apply.
Penalties
(1) Penalty 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) Failure to Report Certain Dividend and Interest Payments. —If you fail to include any portion of an includible payment for interest, dividends, or patronage dividends in gross income, such failure will be treated as being due to negligence and will be subject to a penalty of 5% on any portion of an under-payment attributable to that failure unless there is clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.
(3) 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.
(4) Criminal Penalty for Falsifying Information. —Falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.
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