THE INSTRUCTIONS SET FORTH IN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
This Letter of Transmittal is to be used by stockholders of McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“MSSR”), either if (a) certificates representing shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (together with the associated preferred stock purchase rights, the “Shares”) are to be forwarded herewith or (b) unless an Agent’s Message (as defined in Instruction 2 below) is utilized, if delivery of Shares is to be made by book-entry transfer to an account maintained by the Depositary (as defined below) at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility (as defined in and pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 3 — “Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares” of the Offer to Purchase.
Stockholders whose Share Certificates are not immediately available, or who cannot complete the procedure for book-entry transfer on a timely basis, or who cannot deliver all other required documents to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date, must tender their Shares according to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in Section 3 — “Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares” of the Offer to Purchase in order to participate in the Offer. See Instruction 2. Delivery of documents to DTC does not constitute delivery to the Depositary.
IF ANY OF THE CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING SHARES THAT YOU OWN HAVE BEEN LOST OR DESTROYED, SEE INSTRUCTION 10.
If any Share Certificate(s) you are tendering with this Letter of Transmittal has been lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated, then you should contact Computershare Limited, as transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”), at (781) 575-3120, regarding the requirements for replacement. You may be required to post a bond to secure against the risk that the Share Certificate(s) may be subsequently recirculated. You are urged to contact the Transfer Agent immediately in order to receive further instructions, for a determination of whether you will need to post a bond and to permit timely processing of this documentation. See Instruction 10.
¨ | CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO AN ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE DEPOSITARY WITH THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING (ONLY PARTICIPANTS IN THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY MAY DELIVER SHARES BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER): |
Name of Tendering Institution | |
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DTC Account Number | |
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Transaction Code Number | |
¨ | CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY (AS DEFINED IN THE OFFER TO PURCHASE) PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE DEPOSITARY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING: |
Name(s) of Tendering Holder(s) | |
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery | |
Name of Eligible Institution that Guaranteed Delivery | |
If delivery is by book-entry transfer: |
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Account Number | |
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Transaction Code Number | |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned hereby tenders to Landry’s MSA Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Purchaser”) and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Landry’s, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the above described shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (together with the associated preferred stock purchase rights, the “Shares”), of McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“MSSR”), at a price of $8.75 per Share, net to the seller in cash, without interest thereon and less any required withholding of taxes (the “Offer Price”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Purchaser’s Offer to Purchase dated November 22, 2011 (as it may be amended, the “Offer to Purchase”) and in the related Letter of Transmittal (as it may be amended, the “Letter of Transmittal” and, together with the Offer to Purchase, the “Offer”), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references herein to the “Shares” shall be deemed to include the associated Rights.
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer (and if the Offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or amendment) and subject to, and effective upon, acceptance for payment of Shares validly tendered herewith and not properly withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date in accordance with the terms of the Offer, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, Purchaser all right, title and interest in and to all of the Shares that are being tendered hereby (and any and all other Shares or other securities or rights issued or issuable in respect thereof on or after November 22, 2011) and irrevocably constitutes and appoints Computershare Inc. (the “Depositary”), the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest), to the full extent of the undersigned’s rights with respect to such Shares (and any such other Shares or securities or rights), (a) to deliver certificates for such Shares (and any such other Shares or securities or rights) or transfer ownership of such Shares (and any such other Shares or securities or rights) on the account books maintained by the Book-Entry Transfer Facility together, in any such case, with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity to, or upon the order of, Purchaser, (b) to present such Shares (and any such other Shares or securities or rights) for transfer on MSSR’s books and (c) to receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Shares (and any such other Shares or securities or rights), all in accordance with the terms of the Offer.
The undersigned hereby irrevocably appoints Tilman J. Fertitta and Steven L. Scheinthal, or either of them, and any individual designated by either of them or Purchaser, and each of them individually, the attorneys-in-fact and proxies of the undersigned, each with full power of substitution, to vote at any annual, special or adjourned meeting of MSSR’s stockholders, to execute any written consent in lieu of any such meeting, and to otherwise act in such matter as each such attorney-in-fact and proxy or his or her substitute shall in his or her sole discretion deem proper with respect to, the Shares tendered hereby (and with respect to any and all other Shares or other securities or rights issued in respect thereof on or after November 22, 2011) that have been accepted for payment by Purchaser prior to the time any such action is taken and with respect to which the undersigned is entitled to vote. This appointment is effective when, and only to the extent that, Purchaser accepts for payment such Shares as provided in the Offer to Purchase. This proxy is coupled with an interest in the Shares tendered hereby and is irrevocable and is granted in consideration of the acceptance for payment of such Shares in accordance with the terms of the Offer. Upon such acceptance for payment, all prior powers of attorney, proxies and consents given by the undersigned with respect to such Shares will, without further action, be revoked and no subsequent powers of attorney, proxies, consents or revocations may be given (and, if given, will not be deemed effective) by the undersigned. The undersigned acknowledges that in order for Shares to be deemed validly tendered, immediately upon the acceptance for payment of such Shares, Purchaser and Purchaser’s designee must be able to exercise full voting and all other rights that inure to a record and beneficial holder with respect to such Shares.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the tendered Shares (and any and all other Shares or other securities or rights issued or issuable in respect thereof on or after November 22, 2011) and, when the same are accepted for payment by Purchaser, Purchaser will acquire good, marketable title thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, claims and encumbrances and the same will not be subject to any adverse claim. The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned is the registered owner of the Shares, or the Share Certificate(s) have been endorsed to the undersigned in blank, or the undersigned is a participant in DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the Shares. The undersigned will, upon request, execute any additional documents deemed by the Depositary or Purchaser to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the tendered Shares (and any such other Shares or other securities or rights).
All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred pursuant to this Letter of Transmittal shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives of the undersigned and shall not be affected by, and shall survive, the death or incapacity of the undersigned. Except as stated in the Offer to Purchase, this tender is irrevocable.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges that delivery of any Share Certificate shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to such Share Certificate shall pass, only upon the proper delivery of such Share Certificate to the Depositary.
The undersigned understands that the valid tender of Shares pursuant to any of the procedures described in Section 3 — “Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares” of the Offer to Purchase and in the Instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and Purchaser upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer. The undersigned recognizes that under certain circumstances set forth in the Offer to Purchase, Purchaser may not be required to accept for payment any of the Shares tendered hereby.
Unless otherwise indicated herein under “Special Payment Instructions,” please issue the check for the purchase price and/or return any certificates for Shares not tendered or accepted for payment in the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appearing under “Description of Shares Tendered.” Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under “Special Delivery Instructions,” please mail the check for the purchase price and/or return any certificates for Shares not tendered or accepted for payment (and accompanying documents, as appropriate) to the address(es) of the registered holder(s) appearing under “Description of Shares Tendered.” In the event that both the “Special Delivery Instructions” and the “Special Payment Instructions” are completed, please issue the check for the purchase price and/or return any certificates for Shares not tendered or accepted for payment (and any accompanying documents, as appropriate) in the name of, and deliver such check and/or return such certificates (and any accompanying documents, as appropriate) to, the person or persons so indicated. Please credit any Shares tendered herewith by book-entry transfer that are not accepted for payment by crediting the account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility designated above. The undersigned recognizes that Purchaser has no obligation pursuant to the “Special Payment Instructions” to transfer any Shares from the name of the registered holder thereof if Purchaser does not accept for payment any of the Shares so tendered.
NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW.
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.
Lost Certificates |
¨ I have lost my Share Certificate(s) that represented ______ Shares. I understand that I must contact the Transfer Agent to obtain additional documentation and instructions that are necessary to validly deliver my certificates (See Instruction 10). |
SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS (See Instructions 1, 5, 6 and 7) To be completed ONLY if certificates for Shares not tendered or not accepted for payment and/or the check for the purchase price of Shares accepted for payment are/is to be issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned.* |
Issue: ¨ Check and/or ¨ Share Certificate(s) to |
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| *Requires signature guarantee. See Instruction 1 to this Letter of Transmittal. | |
| (Also complete IRS Form W-9 included herein or appropriate IRS Form W-8, as applicable.) | |
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS (See Instructions 1, 5, 6 and 7) To be completed ONLY if certificates for Shares not tendered or not accepted for payment and/or the check for the purchase price of Shares accepted for payment are/is to be issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned.* |
Issue: ¨ Check and/or ¨ Share Certificate(s) to |
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| (Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number) | |
| *Requires signature guarantee. See Instruction 1 to this Letter of Transmittal. | |
| (Also complete IRS Form W-9 included herein or appropriate IRS Form W-8, as applicable.) | |
IMPORTANT |
STOCKHOLDER: SIGN HERE |
(Please complete and return the IRS Form W-9 included |
in this Letter of Transmittal or an applicable IRS Form W-8) |
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(Signature(s) of Holder(s) of Shares) |
Must be signed by registered holder(s) as name(s) appear(s) on the certificate(s) for the Shares or on a security position listing or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by certificates and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please provide the following information and see Instruction 5.) |
Dated: | |
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Name(s) | |
(Please Print) |
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Address | |
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(Including Zip Code) |
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Area Code and Telephone No. | |
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Taxpayer Identification or Social Security No. | |
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SIGNATURE GUARANTEE |
(If Required - See Instruction 1, if required) |
Authorized Signature | |
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Address | |
(Including Zip Code) |
Area Code and Telephone No. | |
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INSTRUCTIONS
Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions of the Offer
1. Guarantee of Signatures. No signature guarantee is required on this Letter of Transmittal if (a)(i) this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) (which term, for purposes of this Instruction, includes any participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility’s systems whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of such Shares) of Shares tendered herewith and (ii) such registered holder has not completed either the box entitled “Special Delivery Instructions” or the box entitled “Special Payment Instructions” on this Letter of Transmittal; or (b) such Shares are tendered for the account of a financial institution (including most commercial banks, savings and loan associations and brokerage houses) that is a participant in the Security Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Guarantee Program or the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program (such participant, an “Eligible Institution”). In all other cases, all signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. See Instruction 5.
2. Requirements of Tender. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by stockholders either if Share Certificates are to be forwarded herewith or, unless an Agent’s Message (as defined below) is utilized, if delivery of Shares (if available) is to be made pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in Section 3 — “Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares” of the Offer to Purchase. For a holder validly to tender Shares pursuant to the Offer, either (x) on or prior to the Expiration Date, (i) Share Certificates representing tendered Shares must be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth herein, or such Shares must be tendered pursuant to the book-entry transfer procedures set forth in Section 3 — “Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares” and a Book-Entry Confirmation (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) must be received by the Depositary, (ii) this Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile hereof), properly completed and duly executed, together with any required signature guarantees, or an Agent’s Message in connection with a book-entry transfer of Shares, must be received by the Depositary at one of such addresses and (iii) any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal must be received by the Depositary at one of such addresses; or (y) the tendering stockholder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth below and in Section 3 — “Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares” of the Offer to Purchase.
The term “Agent’s Message” means a message transmitted by the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to, and received by, the Depositary and forming a part of a Book-Entry Confirmation, that states that the Book-Entry Transfer Facility has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility tendering the Shares that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of this Letter of Transmittal and that Purchaser may enforce such agreement against such participant.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF SHARE CERTIFICATES, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY, IS AT THE ELECTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE TENDERING STOCKHOLDER. SHARES WILL BE DEEMED DELIVERED ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY (INCLUDING, IN THE CASE OF A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER, BY BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION). IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL, WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.
No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted and no fractional Shares will be purchased. All tendering holders, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof), waive any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of their Shares for payment.
3. Inadequate Spaces. If the space provided herein is inadequate, the certificate numbers and/or the number of Shares should be listed on a separate schedule attached hereto.
4. Partial Tenders (Not Applicable to Stockholders Who Tender By Book-Entry Transfer). If fewer than all the Shares evidenced by any certificate submitted are to be tendered, fill in the number of Shares that are to be tendered in the box entitled “Number of Shares Tendered.” In such cases, new certificate(s) for the remainder of the Shares that were evidenced by the old certificate(s) will be sent to the registered holder, unless otherwise provided in the appropriate box on this Letter of Transmittal, as soon as practicable after the acceptance for payment of, and payment for, the Shares tendered herewith. All Shares represented by certificates delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.
5. Signatures on Letter of Transmittal, Stock Powers and Endorsements. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder of the Shares tendered hereby, the signature must correspond with the name as written on the face of the certificate(s) without any change whatsoever.
If any of the Shares tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
If any tendered Shares are registered in different names on several certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal as there are different registrations of certificates.
If this Letter of Transmittal or any certificates or stock 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 proper evidence satisfactory to Purchaser of their authority so to act must be submitted.
When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsements of certificates or separate stock powers are required with respect to such Shares unless payment is to be made to, or certificates for Shares not tendered or accepted for payment are to be issued to, a person other than the registered holder(s). Signatures on such certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
If the certificates for Shares are registered in the name of a person other than the signer of this Letter of Transmittal, or if payment is to be made or certificates for Shares not tendered or not accepted for payment are to be returned to a person other than the registered holder of the certificates surrendered, the tendered certificates must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case signed exactly as the name or names of the registered holder or holders appear on the certificates, with the signatures on the certificates or stock powers guaranteed as aforesaid. See Instruction 1.
6. Stock Transfer Taxes. Purchaser will pay any stock transfer taxes with respect to the transfer and sale of Shares to it or its order pursuant to the Offer (for the avoidance of doubt, transfer taxes do not include United States federal income tax or backup withholding taxes). If, however, payment of the Offer Price is to be made to, or if certificates for Shares not tendered or accepted for payment are to be registered in the name of, any person(s) other than the registered holder(s), or if tendered certificates are registered in the name of any person(s) other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal, the amount of any stock transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder(s) or such person(s)) payable on account of the transfer to such person(s) will be deducted from the purchase price unless satisfactory evidence of the payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is submitted.
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS INSTRUCTION 6, IT WILL NOT BE NECESSARY FOR STOCK TRANSFER TAX STAMPS TO BE AFFIXED TO THE CERTIFICATES LISTED IN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
7. Special Payment and Delivery Instructions. If a check is to be issued for the purchase price of any Shares tendered by the Letter of Transmittal in the name of, and, if appropriate, Share Certificates for Shares not tendered or not accepted for payment are to be issued or returned to, any person(s) other than the signer of this Letter of Transmittal or if a check and, if appropriate, such Share Certificates are to be returned to any person(s) other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or to an address other than that shown in this Letter of Transmittal, then the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal must be completed.
8. Form W-9 and W-8. To avoid backup withholding tax, a tendering stockholder that is a United States person (as defined for United States federal income tax purposes) is required to provide the Depositary with a correct Taxpayer Identification Number (which we refer to as a “TIN”) on IRS Form W-9, which is included herein following “Important United States Federal Tax Information” below, and to certify, under penalties of perjury, that such number is correct and that such stockholder is not subject to backup withholding of federal income tax, and that such stockholder is a United States person (as defined for United States federal income tax purposes). If the tendering stockholder has been notified by the United States Internal Revenue Service (which we refer to as the “IRS”) that such stockholder is subject to backup withholding tax, such stockholder must cross out item (2) of the Certification section of the IRS Form W-9, unless such stockholder has since been notified by the IRS that such stockholder is no longer subject to backup withholding tax. Failure to provide the information on the IRS Form W-9 may subject the tendering stockholder to federal income tax withholding on the payment of the purchase price of all Shares purchased from such stockholder.
Certain stockholders (including, among others, corporations and certain foreign individuals and entities) may not be subject to backup withholding tax. Stockholders that are not United States persons (as defined for United States federal income tax purposes) should submit an appropriate and properly completed applicable IRS Form W-8, a copy of which may be obtained from the Depositary, in order to avoid backup withholding tax. Such stockholders should consult a tax advisor to determine which Form W-8 is appropriate. Exempt stockholders, other than non-United States stockholders, should furnish their TIN, check the “Exempt payee” box on the IRS Form W-9 and sign, date and return the IRS Form W-9 to the Depositary in order to avoid erroneous backup withholding tax. See the instructions enclosed with the IRS Form W-9 included in this Letter of Transmittal for more instructions.
EACH STOCKHOLDER SHOULD CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISOR AS TO HIS OR HER QUALIFICATION FOR EXEMPTION FROM BACKUP WITHHOLDING TAX REQUIREMENTS AND THE PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING AN EXEMPTION.
9. Request for Assistance or Additional Copies. Questions and requests for assistance may be directed to Okapi Partners LLC (the “Information Agent”) at its address listed below. Additional copies of the Offer to Purchase, this Letter of Transmittal, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and the Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Form W-9 may be obtained from the Information Agent or from brokers, dealers, banks, trust companies or other nominees.
10. Lost, Destroyed or Stolen Certificates. If any certificate representing Shares has been lost, destroyed or stolen, the stockholder should promptly notify MSSR’s transfer agent for the Shares, Computershare Limited at (781) 575-3120. The holder will then be instructed as to the steps that must be taken in order to replace the certificate. This Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be processed until the procedures for replacing lost or destroyed certificates have been completed.
11. Irregularities. All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including, without limitation, time of receipt) and acceptance for payment of any tender of Shares will be determined by Purchaser in its reasonable discretion. Purchaser reserves the right to reject any and all tenders determined by it not to be in proper form or the acceptance for payment of which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be unlawful. Purchaser also reserves the right to waive any defect or irregularity in the tender of any Shares of any particular stockholder, whether or not similar defects or irregularities are waived in the case of other stockholders. No tender of Shares will be deemed to have been validly made until all defects and irregularities have been cured or waived to the reasonable satisfaction of Purchaser. None of Purchaser, the Depositary, the Information Agent or any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in tenders or incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. Stockholders may challenge Purchaser’s interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Offer (including, without limitation, the Letter of Transmittal and the instructions thereto), and only a court of competent jurisdiction can make a determination that will be final and binding on all parties.
IMPORTANT: IN ORDER FOR SHARES TO BE VALIDLY TENDERED PURSUANT TO THE OFFER, (1) ON OR PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE (A) THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR A FACSIMILE HEREOF), PROPERLY COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED, TOGETHER WITH ANY REQUIRED SIGNATURE GUARANTEES, MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY, OR IN THE CASE OF A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER OF SHARES, AN AGENT’S MESSAGE MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY, (B) ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY AND (C) SHARE CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING TENDERED SHARES MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY OR SUCH SHARES AND RIGHTS MUST BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO THE PROCEDURES FOR BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND A BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY; OR (2) THE TENDERING STOCKHOLDER MUST COMPLY WITH THE PROCEDURES FOR GUARANTEED DELIVERY.
IMPORTANT UNITED STATES FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION
A United States stockholder whose tendered Shares are accepted for payment is required to provide the Depositary with such stockholder’s correct TIN on the IRS Form W-9 below or otherwise establish a basis for exemption from backup withholding. If such United States stockholder is an individual, the TIN is such United States stockholder’s social security number. If the Depositary is not provided with the correct TIN or an adequate basis for exemption, payments made to such United States stockholder with respect to Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer may be subject to backup withholding (currently, at a rate of 28%), and the United States stockholder may be subject to a penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service.
Certain stockholders (including, among others, corporations and certain foreign persons and foreign entities) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements. Exempt United States stockholders should indicate their exempt status on the IRS Form W-9. To prevent possible erroneous backup withholding, an exempt stockholder should check the “Exempt from Backup Withholding” box on the IRS Form W-9. A foreign person may qualify as an exempt recipient by submitting to the Depositary a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN, Form W-8ECI or Form W-8IMY, as applicable (instead of a Form W-9), signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to such stockholder’s exempt status. Such forms may be obtained from the Depositary or the IRS at its Internet website: www.irs.gov. Stockholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors to determine whether they are exempt from these backup withholding and reporting requirements.
If backup withholding tax applies, the Depositary is required to withhold 28% of any payments made to the United States stockholder or other payee. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. If the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service in a timely manner, the United States federal income tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding may 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.
Purpose of IRS Form W-9
To prevent backup withholding on any payments that are made to a United States stockholder with respect to Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer, the United States stockholder is required to provide the Depositary with (1) the United States stockholder’s correct TIN by completing the form below, certifying (a) that the TIN provided on the IRS Form W-9 is correct, (b) that (i) the United States stockholder is exempt from backup withholding, (ii) the United States stockholder has not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service that the United States stockholder is subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (iii) the Internal Revenue Service has notified the United States stockholder that the United States stockholder is no longer subject to backup withholding, and (c) that such stockholder is a United States person (including a United States resident alien); or (2) if applicable, an adequate basis for exemption. A United States stockholder must cross out item (2) in the Certification box of the IRS Form W-9 if such United States stockholder is subject to backup withholding.
What Number to Give the Depositary
The United States stockholder is required to give the Depositary the TIN (e.g., social security number or employer identification number) of the record holder of the Shares tendered by this Letter of Transmittal. If the Shares are 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 Form W-9 for additional guidance on which number to report.
FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE IRS FORM W-9 INCLUDED IN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING ON ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED INSTRUCTIONS ENCLOSED WITH THE IRS FORM W-9 INCLUDED IN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.