Exhibit 8.1
90 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10016
212-210-9400 | Fax: 212-210-9444
| Heather M. Ripley | Direct Dial: 212-210-9549 | Email: heather.ripley@alston.com |
June 16, 2022
The First Bancshares, Inc.
6480 U.S. Highway 98 West
Hattiesburg, MS 39404-5549
| Re: | Tax Opinion – Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between The First Bancshares, Inc. and Beach Bancorp, Inc. |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have requested our opinion regarding certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 26, 2022 (the “Agreement”), by and between The First Bancshares, Inc., a Mississippi corporation (“First Bancshares”), and Beach Bancorp, Inc., a Florida corporation (“BBI”), pursuant to which, at the Effective Time, BBI will merge with and into First Bancshares, with First Bancshares as the surviving entity (the “Merger”). This opinion is being delivered in connection with the amended registration statement on Form S-4 of First Bancshares (the “Registration Statement”), filed by First Bancshares with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on the date hereof and to which this opinion is an exhibit. All capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Agreement.
In formulating our opinion, we have examined and relied on originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the Agreement; the Registration Statement; the letters of First Bancshares and BBI to Alston & Bird LLP and Hacker, Johnson & Smith, PA, dated as of the date hereof, containing certain facts and representations (the “Officer Certificates”); and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for such opinion. We have not assumed any responsibility for investigating or independently verifying the facts or representations set forth in the Agreement, Registration Statement, Officer Certificates, or other documents.
We have assumed, with your consent, that (i) the parties will act and that the Merger will be effectuated in accordance with the Agreement; (ii) the Agreement and the Registration Statement accurately reflect the material facts of the Merger; (iii) the representations made by First Bancshares and BBI in their respective Officer Certificates are true, correct, and complete, and will be true, correct, and complete at the Effective Time; and (iv) any representations by First Bancshares and BBI in the Agreement, Registration Statement, or Officer Certificates that are made to the best of any person’s knowledge, or that are similarly qualified, are based on the belief of such person and will be true, correct, and complete at the Effective Time without regard to any knowledge or similar qualification. We have also assumed, with your consent, that you have acknowledged that the opinion set forth herein may not be relied upon if and when any of the facts or representations upon which the opinion is based should prove inaccurate or incomplete in any material respect.
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Tax Opinion – Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between The First Bancshares, Inc. and Beach Bancorp, Inc.
June 16, 2022
Page 2
In rendering our opinion, we have considered and relied upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Regulations”), administrative rulings, and other interpretations of the Code and the Regulations by the courts and the Internal Revenue Service, as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change at any time, possibly with retroactive effect. A change in law or the facts and assumptions underlying our opinion could affect the conclusions herein. We do not undertake and are under no obligation to update or supplement the opinion to reflect any facts or circumstances that may hereafter come to our attention or any changes in law that may hereafter occur. There can be no assurance that any of the opinions expressed herein will be accepted by the Internal Revenue Service or, if challenged, by a court.
Based on and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that under current law the Merger will qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
This opinion is limited to the U.S. federal income tax issues addressed above. Except as set forth above, we express no opinion to any party as to the tax consequences, whether federal, state, local, or foreign, of the Merger or of any transaction related to the Merger or contemplated by the Agreement. Additional issues may exist that could affect the tax treatment of the Merger, and this opinion does not consider or provide a conclusion with respect to any additional issues. This opinion letter is delivered solely for the benefit of First Bancshares in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement, and no other party or entity is entitled to rely on this opinion without our express written consent.
We hereby consent to the use of our name in the Registration Statement and to the filing of this opinion of counsel as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons who consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
| Sincerely, | | |
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| ALSTON & BIRD LLP | | |
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| By: | | | |
| Heather M. Ripley | | |
| A Partner | | |
