MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
This following discussion summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership, and disposition of the notes by U.S. Holders (as defined below) and Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below). This summary does not provide a complete analysis of all potential tax considerations. The information provided below is based on the Code, Treasury regulations issued under the Code, judicial authority and administrative rulings and practice, all as of the date of this prospectus supplement and all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis, which could affect the tax consequences described below. We have not sought, and will not seek, any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in this summary, and we cannot assure you that the IRS will agree with such statements and conclusions.
This summary addresses only holders that purchase notes pursuant to this offering at their issue price, which will equal the first price at which a substantial amount of the notes is sold to the public (not including bond houses, brokers or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers), and that hold the notes as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, held for investment).
This summary does not purport to address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that might be relevant to particular holders in light of their circumstances or status, nor does it deal with persons in special tax situations, such as financial institutions, insurance companies, “regulated investment companies,” “real estate investment trusts,” partnerships or other pass-through entities, partners in such entities, governmental organizations, tax-exempt investors, broker-dealers, traders in securities that elect mark-to-market treatment, U.S. expatriates, U.S. Holders that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar, persons subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of any item of gross income with respect to the notes being taken into account in an “applicable financial statement,” or persons holding notes as a position in a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction,” or other integrated transaction.
Further, this discussion does not address the consequences under U.S. alternative minimum tax rules, U.S. federal estate or gift tax laws, the tax laws of any U.S. state or locality, or any non-U.S. tax laws.
If a partnership (or an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds the notes, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partner in a partnership holding the notes should consult its tax advisor with regard to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of purchasing, owning, and disposing of the notes.
THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS IN THE NOTES ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF ACQUIRING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF THE NOTES, AS WELL AS THE APPLICATION OF STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S. INCOME AND OTHER TAX LAWS.
Certain Additional Payments
In certain circumstances, we may be obligated to pay amounts in excess of stated interest or principal on the notes. For example, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event (as defined under “Description of the Notes—Change of Control”), we will be required to offer to repurchase the notes at 101% of their aggregate principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The obligation to make such payments may implicate the provisions of Treasury regulations relating to “contingent payment debt instruments” (“CPDI”). One or more contingencies will not cause the notes to be treated as CPDIs if, as of the issue date, each such contingency is (and all such contingencies in the aggregate are) considered remote or incidental or, in certain
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