OBTAINING A NUMBER
If you don’t have a taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) or you don’t know your number, obtainForm SS-5, Application for a Social Security Number Card at the local office of the Social Security Administration, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, orForm W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, from the Internal Revenue Service by calling1-800-Tax-Form(1-800-829-3676) or from the IRS’s Internet website at www.irs.gov. If you do not have a TIN, write “Applied For” in the space for the TIN.
PAYEES EXEMPT FROM BACKUP WITHHOLDING
Payees specifically exempted from backup withholding include:
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| 1. | An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), an individual retirement account (IRA), or a custodial account under Section 403(b)(7) if the account satisfies the requirements of Section 401(f)(2). |
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| 2. | The United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof. |
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| 3. | A State, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or any subdivision of a foreign government, or any agency or instrumentality thereof. |
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| 4. | A foreign government, a political subdivision of a foreign government, or any agency or instrumentality thereof. |
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| 5. | An international organization or any agency, or instrumentality thereof. |
Payees that may be exempt from backup witholding include:
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| 6. | A corporation. |
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| 7. | A foreign central bank of issue. |
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| 8. | A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United States, the District of Columbia or a possession of the United States. |
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| 9. | A common trust fund operated by a bank under Section 584(a). |
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10. | A financial institution. |
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11. | A real estate investment trust. |
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12. | A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. |
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13. | An entity registered at all times under the Investment Company Act of 1940. |
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14. | A trust exempt from tax under Section 664 or Section 4947 |
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15. | A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian. |
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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 recipients except for 12. |
Broker transactions | | Exempt recipients 1 through 13. |
Exempt payees described above should fileForm W-9 to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding.FILE THIS FORM WITH THE PAYER, FURNISH YOUR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WRITE “EXEMPT” ON THE FACE OF THE FORM, AND RETURN IT TO THE PAYER. ALSO SIGN AND DATE THE FORM.
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 sections 6041, 6041A(a), 6045, and 6050A.
Privacy Act Notice. — Section 6019 requires most recipients of dividend, interest, or other payments to give taxpayer identification numbers to payers who must report the payments to 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 28% of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not furnish a taxpayer identification number to 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) CIVIL PENALTY FOR FALSE INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO WITHHOLDING. — If you make a false statement with no reasonable basis which results in no imposition of backup withholding, you are subject to a penalty of $500.
(3) CRIMINAL PENALTY FOR FALSIFYING INFORMATION. — Falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including finesand/or imprisonment.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT
OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.