EXHIBIT 10.5 TAX SHARING AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN COMMERCIAL INTERTECH CORP. AND CUNO INCORPORATED TABLE OF CONTENTS ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS.................................... -2- "1996 Fiscal Year"....................................... -2- "AAA".................................................... -2- "Affiliate".............................................. -2- "Control"................................................ -2- "Carryover" and "Carryback".............................. -2- "Chairman"............................................... -2- "Code"................................................... -2- "Commercial Intertech"................................... -2- "Commercial Intertech Group"............................. -2- "Commercial Intertech Tax Reduction"..................... -2- "Compromising Party"..................................... -2- "CUNO"................................................... -2- "CUNO 1996 Tax".......................................... -2- "CUNO Carryback"......................................... -2- "CUNO Group"............................................. -2- "Cutoff Date"............................................ -2- "Deemed Tax Reduction"................................... -3- "Dispute Resolution Committee"........................... -3- "Distribution"........................................... -3- "Distribution Agreement"................................. -3- "Distribution Date"...................................... -3- "Foreign Taxes".......................................... -3- "Gross-up Payment"....................................... -3- "Group".................................................. -3- "Indemnification Payment"................................ -3- "Indemnified Party"...................................... -3- "Indemnifying Party"..................................... -3- "IRS".................................................... -3- "Joint Contest".......................................... -3- "Law".................................................... -3- "Liable Party"........................................... -3- "Non-Compromising Party"................................. -3- "Officers' Certificate".................................. -3- "Person"................................................. -3- "Pre-Distribution Period"................................ -4- "Preparing Party"........................................ -4- "Prime Rate"............................................. -4- "Post-Distribution Period"............................... -4- "Restructuring Taxes".................................... -4- "Return"................................................. -4- "Separate Contest"....................................... -4- "Spin-Off Taxes"......................................... -4- -i- "State Taxes"............................................ -4- "Straddle Period"........................................ -4- "Taxes".................................................. -4- "Tax Adjustment"......................................... -5- "Tax Authority".......................................... -5- "Tax Benefit"............................................ -5- "Tax Contest"............................................ -5- "Tax Period"............................................. -5- "Tax Records"............................................ -5- "Transaction Steps"...................................... -5- "United States Federal Taxes"............................ -5- ARTICLE II ALLOCATION OF TAX LIABILITIES................. -6- 2.01 United States Federal Tax Liabilities.............. -6- 2.02 State Tax Liabilities.............................. -7- 2.03 Foreign Tax Liabilities............................ -9- 2.04 Restructuring Taxes................................ -10- 2.05 Spin-Off Taxes..................................... -10- 2.06 Gross-up Payment................................... -10- ARTICLE III PREPARATION AND FILING OF TAX RETURNS......... -11- 3.01 General............................................ -11- 3.02 Joint Returns...................................... -11- 3.03 Method of Pro Ration For Straddle Periods.......... -11- 3.04 Tax Accounting Practices........................... -12- 3.05 Right to Review Returns............................ -12- ARTICLE IV TAX REFUNDS AND CARRYBACKS.................... -12- 4.01 Refunds............................................ -12- 4.02 Carrybacks......................................... -13- ARTICLE V TAX PAYMENTS.................................. -14- 5.01 Payment of Consolidated Federal Income Tax for Pre-Distribution Periods........................... -14- 5.02 Payment of State and Foreign Taxes for Which Commercial Intertech has Filing Responsibility..... -14- 5.03 Payment of State and Foreign Taxes for Which CUNO has Filing Responsibility..................... -14- 5.04 Indemnification Payments........................... -15- ARTICLE VI TAX RECORDS: COOPERATION...................... -15- 6.01 Tax Records........................................ -15- 6.02 Cooperation........................................ -16- ARTICLE VI TAX AUDITS AND APPEALS........................ -16- 7.01 Notice............................................. -16- 7.02 Control of Audits and Appeals...................... -16- -ii- 7.03 Consent to Settlements in Joint Contests........... -17- 7.04 Expenses........................................... -18- ARTICLE VIII DISPUTE RESOLUTION............................ -18- 8.01 Dispute Resolution Committee....................... -18- 8.02 Binding Arbitration................................ -18- ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS......................... -19- 9.01 No Inconsistent Actions............................ -19- 9.02 Amendment and Waiver............................... -19- 9.03 Tax Allocation Agreements.......................... -20- 9.04 Entire Agreement; Inconsistent Provisions.......... -20- 9.05 Affiliate Obligations.............................. -20- 9.06 Further Action..................................... -20- 9.07 Time for Notice.................................... -20- 9.08 Notices............................................ -20- 9.09 Remedies........................................... -21- 9.10 Successors and Assigns............................. -21- 9.11 Severability....................................... -21- 9.12 Counterparts....................................... -21- 9.13 Descriptive Headings............................... -21- 9.14 No Third-Party Beneficiaries....................... -21- 9.15 Construction....................................... -22- 9.16 Form of Payments and Late Payments................. -22- 9.17 Treatment of Payments.............................. -22- 9.18 Governing Law...................................... -22- 9.19 Confidentiality.................................... -22- SCHEDULE 1 PREPARATION AND FILING OF TAX RETURNS......... -23- -iii- TAX SHARING AGREEMENT --------------------- THIS TAX SHARING AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and entered into as of ___________________________, 1996, by and between Commercial Intertech Corp., an Ohio corporation ("Commercial Intertech") and CUNO Incorporated, a Delaware corporation ("CUNO"), on behalf of themselves and their respective Affiliates. RECITALS -------- WHEREAS, the Commercial Intertech Board of Directors has determined that it is appropriate and desirable to distribute all outstanding shares of CUNO common stock on a pro rata basis to the holders of the Commercial Intertech common stock (the "Distribution") in a transaction intended to qualify as a tax-free distribution for federal income tax purposes under Section 355 of the Code; and WHEREAS, CUNO and its Affiliates will accordingly cease to be members of the affiliated group (within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Code) of which Commercial Intertech is the common parent, effective as of the Distribution Date; and WHEREAS, Commercial Intertech and CUNO have set forth the principal corporate transactions required to effect such Distribution in the Distribution and Interim Services Agreement between Commercial Intertech and CUNO dated as of the date hereof, and to which this Agreement is attached as an exhibit (the "Distribution Agreement"); and WHEREAS, Commercial Intertech and CUNO desire to provide for and agree upon the allocation of liabilities for Taxes with respect to the parties prior to, arising out of, and subsequent to the Distribution; and WHEREAS, the parties hereto also desire to provide for: (1) the preparation and filing of Tax Returns along with the payment of Taxes thereon, (2) the retention and maintenance of relevant records necessary to prepare and file appropriate Tax Returns, as well as the provision for appropriate access to those records, (3) the conduct of audits, examinations and proceedings by appropriate governmental entities which could result in a redetermination of Taxes of the parties to this Agreement, (4) the treatment of refunds of Taxes and Carryovers and Carrybacks of the parties, (5) the cooperation of all parties with one another in order to fulfill their duties and responsibilities under this Agreement and under the Code and other applicable Law, and (6) any other matters related to Taxes. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual promises, covenants and conditions hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows: ARTICLE I --------- DEFINITIONS ----------- As used in this Agreement, (including the recitals hereof), the following terms shall have the following meanings: "1996 Fiscal Year" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.01 below. "AAA" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.02(b) below. "Affiliate" means any Person that directly or indirectly controls, is under the control of, or is under common control with, the Person in question. "Control" of a Person means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through ownership or voting securities, by contract or otherwise. Except as otherwise provided herein, the term "Affiliate" shall refer to Affiliates of a Person determined immediately after the Distribution Date. "Carryover" and "Carryback" mean any net operating loss, net capital loss, excess tax credit, or other similar Tax item which may or must be carried forward or back, respectively, from one Tax Period to another under the Code or other applicable Laws. "Chairman" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.02(b) below. "Code" means the U. S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor law. "Commercial Intertech" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals above. "Commercial Intertech Group" means Commercial Intertech and its Affiliates. "Commercial Intertech Tax Reduction" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(b) below. "Compromising Party" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.03(b) below. "CUNO" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals above. "CUNO 1996 Tax" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.01(a) below. "CUNO Carryback" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(a) below. "CUNO Group" means CUNO and its Affiliates. "Cutoff Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.03 below. "Deemed Tax Reduction" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(c) below. -2- "Dispute Resolution Committee" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01 below. "Distribution" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals above. "Distribution Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals above. "Distribution Date" means the effective date of the Distribution as set forth in the Distribution Agreement. "Foreign Taxes" means any Taxes imposed or collected by any foreign government, and the term "Foreign Tax" means any one of the foregoing Foreign Taxes. "Gross-up Payment" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.06 below. "Group" means each of the Commercial Intertech Group and the CUNO Group whenever no distinction is otherwise required between them. "Indemnification Payment" means a payment subject to Section 5.05 below. "Indemnified Party" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.05 below. "Indemnifying Party" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.05 below. "IRS" means the United States Internal Revenue Service and any successor department, agency or organization of the United States. "Joint Contest" means any Tax Contest seeking a redetermination of Taxes which involves or could involve one or more members of both the Commercial Intertech Group and the CUNO Group. "Law" means the law of any governmental entity or political subdivision thereof, other than the Code, relating to any Tax. "Liable Party" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(c)(3) below. "Non-Compromising Party" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.03(b) below. "Officers' Certificate" means the Officers' Certificate, dated July 29, 1996, of Commercial Intertech and CUNO issued in connection with the Tax Opinion. "Person" means any individual and any partnership, joint venture, corporation, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization or other business entity formed or operating under United States or foreign law. -3- "Pre-Distribution Period" means any Tax Period ending on or before the Distribution Date, and, in the case of any Tax Period that begins before and ends after the Distribution Date, the portion of such Tax Period ending on the Distribution Date. "Preparing Party" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.04 below. "Prime Rate" means the prime interest rate published in The Wall Street Journal from time to time. "Post-Distribution Period" means any Tax Period beginning after the Distribution Date, and in the case of any Tax Period that begins before and ends after the Distribution Date, the portion of such Tax Period ending after the Distribution Date. "Restructuring Taxes" means any Taxes (other than Spin-Off Taxes) incurred by or imposed on either Commercial Intertech or CUNO (or their respective Affiliates) resulting from any of the Transaction Steps (including, without limitation, any United States federal income Taxes attributable to the recognition of intercompany gains or any other deferred Taxes that must be taken into account as a result of any of the Transaction Steps). "Return" means any report of Taxes due, any information return with respect to Taxes, or any other similar report, statement, declaration, or document required to be filed under the Code or other laws, any claims for refund of Taxes paid, and any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing. "Separate Contest" means a Tax Contest which involves (i) only Commercial Intertech and members of the Commercial Intertech Group, or (ii) only CUNO and members of the CUNO Group. "Spin-Off Taxes" means any income taxes imposed on Commercial Intertech solely as a result of the Distribution failing to qualify under Code Section 355. "State Taxes" means all Taxes imposed or collected by any state or local government in the United States (including possessions and territories of the United States), and the term "State Tax" means any one of the foregoing State Taxes. "Straddle Period" means (i) any Tax Period that begins before and ends after the Distribution Date, (ii) any Short Period that ends on the Distribution Date and (iii) any Short Period that begins on the first day following the Distribution Date. The term "Short Period" means any Tax Period which is based on an accounting period which is shorter than the normal accounting period used for determining such Tax (e.g., in the case of the United States federal income Tax, any Tax Period of less than one year). "Taxes" means all federal, state, territorial, local, foreign and other net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, value added, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license, lease, service, service use, withholding, payroll, employment, unemployment insurance, workers compensation, social security, excise, severance, stamp, business license, occupation, premium, property, environmental, windfall profits, customs, duties, alternative minimum, estimated or other taxes, fees, -4- premiums, assessments or charges of any kind whatever imposed or collected by any governmental entity or political subdivision thereof, which any member of the Commercial Intertech Group or the CUNO Group is required to pay, collect or withhold, together with any interest and any penalties, additions to Tax or additional amounts with respect thereto, and the term "Tax" means any one of the foregoing Taxes. "Tax Adjustment" has the meaning provided in Section 2.01(c) below. "Tax Authority" means, with respect to any Tax, the governmental entity or political subdivision thereof that imposes such Tax and the agency (if any) charged with the determination or collection of such Taxes for such entity or subdivision. "Tax Benefit" means any refund, credit Carryover, Carryback or other reduction in otherwise required Tax payments. Such term does not include a decrease in any Tax in one Tax Period that results from a Tax Adjustment in another Tax Period, such as an increase in a deduction for depreciation that results from a determination that, in a previous Tax Period, an expenditure is capitalized and not deducted, or an item of gain is recognized. "Tax Contest" means an audit, review, examination, or any other administrative or judicial proceeding (including any determination with respect to a claim for refund) with the purpose or effect of redetermining Taxes of any member of either the Commercial Intertech Group or the CUNO Group for (1) any Pre-Distribution Period, (2) any Straddle Period, or (3) any Post-Distribution Period, if such proceeding could result in any Tax Adjustment or Tax Benefit for any Pre-Distribution Period or Straddle Period (without regard to whether such matter was initiated by an appropriate Tax Authority or in response to a claim for a refund of Taxes). "Tax Period" means, with respect to any Tax, the period for which the Tax is reported as provided under the Code or other applicable Laws, "Tax Records" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01(a) below. "Transaction Steps" means the transaction steps as set forth in Sections 3.01 and 3.02 of the Distribution Agreement. "United States Federal Taxes" means all Taxes imposed or collected by the United States Federal Government, and the term "United States Federal Tax" means any one of the foregoing United States Federal Taxes. Any capitalized term not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the Distribution Agreement. -5- ARTICLE II ---------- ALLOCATION OF TAX LIABILITIES ----------------------------- 2.01 United States Federal Tax Liabilities. (a) Subject to Sections 2.04 and 2.05, Commercial Intertech and its Affiliates shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold CUNO and the CUNO Group harmless from: (1) any United States Federal Taxes for any Pre-Distribution Period imposed on Commercial Intertech, CUNO or their respective Affiliates, but only to the extent such Taxes arise from the income, profits, or transactions of, or are otherwise attributable to, Commercial Intertech or any member of the Commercial Intertech Group; and (2) all United States Federal Taxes imposed on, or with respect to, Commercial Intertech and its Affiliates for any Post-Distribution Period. (b) Subject to Sections 2.04 and 2.05, CUNO and its Affiliates shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold Commercial Intertech and the Commercial Intertech Group harmless from: (1) any United States Federal Taxes for any Pre-Distribution Period imposed on Commercial Intertech, CUNO or their respective Affiliates, but only to the extent such Taxes arise from the income, profits, or transactions of, or are otherwise attributable to, CUNO or any member of the CUNO Group; and (2) all United States Federal Taxes imposed on, or with respect to, CUNO and its Affiliates for any Post-Distribution Period. (c) For purposes of this Section 2.01, if, as a result of any Tax Contest, there is any redetermination of United States Federal Taxes on a consolidated basis for any Pre-Distribution Period, the determination of whether additional United States Federal Taxes imposed on Commercial Intertech or CUNO (or their respective Affiliates) for any Pre-Distribution Period shall be deemed to arise from the income, profits or transactions of, or are otherwise attributable to, Commercial Intertech or CUNO (or their respective Affiliates), shall be made pursuant to the following principles: (1) Each party shall compute the difference between (A) the recomputed consolidated federal tax liability for each Pre-Distribution Period affected, taking into account solely those adjustments which relate to or arise out of the income, profits or activities of such party or its Affiliates, and (B) the consolidated federal tax liability of the consolidated group for such Tax Period based on the Tax Return as originally filed (the difference between (A) and (B) shall be referred to herein as a party's "Tax Adjustment"). (2) If one party's Tax Adjustment for the Tax Period is greater than or equal to zero, that party shall then be liable for that portion of additional Taxes equal to the amount -6- obtained by multiplying the additional Taxes by a percentage equal to such party's Tax Adjustment divided by the aggregate Tax Adjustment of the parties. (3) If one party's Tax Adjustment for the Tax Period is greater than zero (the "Liable Party") and the other party's Tax Adjustment for the Tax Period is less than zero (the "Other Party"), the Liable Party shall be responsible for all of the additional Taxes owed for such Tax Period. In addition, the Liable Party shall make an Indemnification Payment to the Other Party equal to the Other Party's Tax Adjustment for such Tax Period (for this purpose, the Tax Adjustment of the Other Party shall be deemed to be positive); provided, however, that such Indemnification Payment shall not exceed the amount by which the Liable Party's Tax Adjustment exceeds the additional Taxes for the Tax Period. Further, the Other Party shall be entitled to any refund received in respect of such Tax Period. (4) If each party's Tax Adjustment for the Tax Period is less than or equal to zero, each party shall be entitled to that portion of any refund received in respect of such Tax Period equal to the amount obtained by multiplying the amount of the refund by a percentage equal to such party's Tax Adjustment divided by the aggregate Tax Adjustment of the parties. (5) If a Tax Adjustment is due to an increase in the amount of expenses or losses allocated under Reg. Section 1.861-8 against foreign source income which decreases the consolidated foreign tax credit for the applicable Tax Period, the Tax Adjustment shall be allocated to Commercial Intertech and CUNO pro rata to the amount that each party contributed to the foreign tax credit for the Tax Period. 2.02 State Tax Liabilities. Subject to Sections 2.04 and 2.05, each party's liability for State Taxes shall be determined under this Section 2.02. (a) Commercial Intertech and its Affiliates shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold CUNO and the CUNO Group harmless from, the following State Taxes: (1) in the case of any Pre-Distribution Period: (A) any State Taxes imposed with respect to a separate Tax Return of Commercial Intertech or any member of the Commercial Intertech Group for such Tax Period, and (B) with respect to any joint, combined, consolidated or unitary Tax Return filed for such Tax Period, any State Taxes for such Tax Period, whether imposed on Commercial Intertech or CUNO (or their respective Affiliates), but only to the extent such Taxes arise from the income, profits, or transactions of, or are otherwise attributable to, Commercial Intertech or any member of the Commercial Intertech Group; and (2) any State Taxes imposed on, or with respect to, Commercial Intertech or any member of the Commercial Intertech Group for any Post- Distribution Period. (b) CUNO and its Affiliates shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold Commercial Intertech and the Commercial Intertech Group harmless from, the following State Taxes: -7- (1) in the case of any Pre-Distribution Period: (A) any State Taxes imposed with respect to a separate Tax Return of CUNO or any member of the CUNO Group for such Tax Period, and (B) with respect any joint, combined, consolidated or unitary Tax Return filed for such Tax Period, any State Taxes for such Tax Period, whether imposed on Commercial Intertech or CUNO (or their respective Affiliates), but only to the extent such Taxes arise from the income, profits, or transactions of, or are otherwise attributable to, CUNO or any member of the CUNO Group; and (2) any State Taxes imposed on, or with respect to, CUNO or any member of the CUNO Group for any Post-Distribution Period. (c) For purposes of Section 2.02(a)(1)(B) and 2.02(b)(1)(B) hereof, the determination of whether additional State Taxes for any Pre-Distribution Period shall be deemed to arise from the income, profits or transactions of, or to otherwise be attributable to, a party, shall be made pursuant to the following principles: (1) Each party shall compute the difference between (A) the recomputed net taxable income (computed in accordance with the rules applied by the state in question) for each Pre-Distribution Period affected, and (B) the net taxable income of its Group for such Tax Period based on the State Tax Return as originally filed (the difference between (A) and (B) shall be referred to herein as a party's "State Tax Adjustment"). (2) If one party's State Tax Adjustment for the Tax Period is greater than or equal to zero, that party shall then be liable for that portion of additional Taxes equal to the amount obtained by multiplying the additional State Taxes by a percentage equal to such party's State Tax Adjustment divided by the aggregate State Tax Adjustment of the parties. (3) If one party's State Tax Adjustment for the Tax Period is greater than zero and the other party's State Tax Adjustment for the Tax Period is less than zero, the liable party shall be responsible for all of the additional Taxes owed for such Tax Period (provided, however, that such party shall not be liable for making any payment to the other party in respect of such other party's negative State Tax Adjustment). In addition, the other party shall be entitled to any refund received in respect of such Tax Period. (4) If each party's State Tax Adjustment for the Tax Period is less than or equal to zero, each party shall be entitled to that portion of any refund received in respect of such Tax Period equal to the amount obtained by multiplying the amount of the refund by a percentage equal to such party's State Tax Adjustment divided by the aggregate State Tax Adjustment of the parties. (5) If a Tax Adjustment is due to an increase in the amount of expenses or losses allocated against any type of income which decreases the utilization of any state or foreign tax credit for the applicable Tax Period, the Tax Adjustment shall be allocated to Commercial Intertech and CUNO pro rata to the amount that each party contributed to the state or foreign tax credit for the Tax Period. -8- (d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary above, with respect to any joint, combined, consolidated or unitary State Tax Return for any Pre- Distribution Period, if Commercial Intertech or CUNO (or any of their respective Affiliates) is required to file an amended Return (or Returns) on a separate company basis, each Person filing such a separate Return shall be liable for, and shall hold the other parties to this Agreement harmless from, any Taxes owed with respect to such separate Return (or Returns). 2.03 Foreign Tax Liabilities. (a) Subject to Sections 2.04 and 2.05, each party's liability for Foreign Taxes shall be determined under this Section 2.03(a). (1) Commercial Intertech and its Affiliates shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold CUNO and the CUNO Group harmless from, the following Foreign Taxes: (A) in the case of any Pre-Distribution Period: (i) any Foreign Taxes imposed with respect to a separate Tax Return filed by Commercial Intertech or any member of the Commercial Intertech Group for such Tax Period, and (ii) with respect to any joint, combined, consolidated or unitary Tax Return filed for such Tax Period, any Foreign Taxes for such Tax Period imposed on Commercial Intertech or CUNO (or their respective Affiliates) but only to the extent such Taxes arise from the income, profits, or transactions of, or are otherwise attributable to, Commercial Intertech or any member of the Commercial Intertech Group; and (B) any Foreign Taxes imposed on, or with respect to, Commercial Intertech or any member of the Commercial Intertech Group for any Post-Distribution Period. (2) CUNO and its Affiliates shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold Commercial Intertech and the Commercial Intertech Group harmless from, the following Foreign Taxes: (A) in the case of any Pre-Distribution Period: (i) any Foreign Taxes imposed with respect to a separate Tax Return filed by CUNO or any member of the CUNO Group for such Tax Period, and (ii) with respect to any joint, combined, consolidated or unitary Tax Return filed for such Tax Period, any Foreign Taxes for such Tax Period imposed on Commercial Intertech or CUNO (or their respective Affiliates) but only to the extent such Taxes arise from the, income, profits, or transactions of, or are otherwise attributable to, CUNO or any member of the CUNO Group, and (B) any Foreign Taxes imposed on, or with respect to CUNO or any member of the CUNO Group for any Post-Distribution Period. -9- (3) For purposes of Section 2.03(a)(1)(A)(ii) and 2.03(a)(2)(A)(ii) hereof, the determination of whether additional Foreign Taxes for any Pre-Distribution Period shall be deemed to arise from the income, profits or transactions of, or to otherwise be attributable to, a party, shall be made in the same manner as provided in Section 2.01(c) hereof. 2.04 Restructuring Taxes. CUNO and its Affiliates shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold Commercial Intertech and the Commercial Intertech Group harmless from, all Restructuring Taxes. 2.05 Spin-Off Taxes. If the Distribution is ultimately determined to not qualify under Code Section 355, any Spin-Off Taxes shall be allocated as follows: (i) If the Spin-Off Taxes are incurred in whole or in part due to a change of control of Commercial Intertech pursuant to a tender offer, Commercial Intertech shall pay, indemnify and hold the CUNO Group harmless from all Spin-Off Taxes. (ii) If the Spin-Off Taxes are incurred due to either party breaching any of the representations or covenants in the Officers' Certificate, any Spin-Off Taxes shall be paid by and be the responsibility of the breaching party which shall indemnify and hold the non-breaching party harmless from such Spin-Off Taxes. (iii) If the Spin-Off Taxes are incurred for any reason other than (i) or (ii) above, CUNO and Commercial Intertech will each pay 50% of such taxes and indemnify and hold harmless the other party for the other 50% of such taxes. 2.06 Gross-up Payment. Commercial Intertech and CUNO acknowledge that in determining the proper amount of working capital required by each Group after the Distribution, it is assumed by the parties that the Distribution will qualify for tax-free treatment under Code Section 355 and that such working capital would be allocated differently if the Spin-Off Taxes, were anticipated. Therefore, it is agreed that any payment or indemnification made relating to Spin-Off Taxes as well as any Restructuring Taxes, shall, for income tax purposes, relate back and be deemed to have been paid immediately prior to the Distribution. If the Indemnified Party is required to pay Taxes on the receipt of indemnification for the Spin-Off Taxes, the Indemnifying Party shall further compensate the Indemnified Party by making an additional payment (a "Gross-up Payment") equal to the income tax on the sum of (A) the indemnification for the Spin-Off Taxes and (B) the Gross-up Payment, such that the Indemnified Party will be made whole on an after-tax basis for the amounts received pursuant to this Section. For purposes of calculating the required Gross-up Payment, the highest United States federal marginal income tax rate in the year of payment plus 4% shall be used. -10- ARTICLE III ----------- PREPARATION AND FILING OF TAX RETURNS ------------------------------------- 3.01 General. Except as otherwise provided in this Article III, Tax Returns shall be prepared and filed by the Person liable for the Tax reported on such Tax Return, or otherwise obligated to file such Return, under the Code or other applicable Laws. Without limiting the foregoing, the party responsible for filing such a Return shall also be responsible for filing and/or responding to any revenue agent request or any other formal or informal request for information or otherwise relating to such Return by the IRS or any other applicable Tax Authority. The parties shall assist and cooperate with one another in accordance with Section 6.02 hereof with respect to the preparation and filing of Tax Returns. 3.02 Joint Returns. (a) Any Tax Returns for United States Federal Taxes imposed for any Pre- Distribution Period which reflect Taxes for which one or more members of both the Commercial Intertech Group and the CUNO Group have liability under Article II hereof (including, without limitation, Commercial Intertech's consolidated federal income Tax Return for the Tax Period in which the Distribution occurs) shall be prepared by and filed by Commercial Intertech. (b) Any Tax Returns for State Taxes for any Pre-Distribution Period which reflect Taxes for which one or more members of the Commercial Intertech Group and the CUNO Group have liability under Article II hereof, shall be prepared and filed by Commercial Intertech. (c) Any Tax Returns for Foreign Taxes for any Pre-Distribution Period which reflect Taxes for which one or more members of both the Commercial Intertech Group and the CUNO Group have liability under Article II hereof, shall be prepared and filed by Commercial Intertech. 3.03 Method of Pro Ration For Straddle Periods. In the case of any Straddle Period relating to Commercial Intertech, CUNO or their respective Affiliates, unless the books of such Person are closed on the Distribution Date, Taxes shall be apportioned for purposes of Article II, between Pre-Distribution and Post-Distribution Periods, as follows: First, Taxes for Tax Periods or portions thereof ending on the last day of the calendar month preceding the Distribution Date (such date is hereinafter referred to as the "Cutoff Date") shall be based on actual events and activities through the Cutoff Date and in accordance with past accounting practices. Second, Taxes for the Tax Period from the Cutoff Date through the Distribution Date shall be computed by prorating the activities of the calendar month which includes the Distribution Date on a daily pro rata basis. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.03, (i) depreciation, amortization and depletion for any Straddle Period shall be apportioned on a daily pro rata basis and (ii) extraordinary items not arising in the ordinary course of business shall be apportioned to the Tax Period in which the event giving rise to such item occurs. 3.04 Tax Accounting Practices. Any Straddle Period Returns prepared by one or more members of the Commercial Intertech Group or the CUNO Group, as the case may be (the "Preparing Party"), shall be prepared in accordance with past Tax accounting practices used with -11- respect to the Returns in question (unless such past practices are no longer permissible under the Code or other applicable Laws), and to the extent any items are not covered by past practices (or in the event such past practices are no longer permissible under the Code or other applicable Laws), in accordance with reasonable Tax accounting practices selected by the Preparing Party (except that accounting elections and determinations shall be made, where reasonably possible, in a manner that minimizes the net Tax incurred by the other party and its Affiliates). In the event the Preparing Party files Tax Returns for Straddle Periods inconsistently with such past Tax accounting practices, then, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in addition to any other remedies available, the other party and its Affiliates shall only be responsible for the amount of Taxes they would owe if such Tax Returns had been filed consistently with such past Tax accounting practices. 3.05 Right to Review Returns. Upon the request of either party, the other party shall make available for inspection and copying all Tax Returns (and related workpapers) with respect to Taxes to the extent that (i) such Return relates to Taxes for which the requesting party may be liable under this Agreement, (ii) such Return relates to Taxes for which the requesting party may have a claim for Tax Benefits hereunder, or (iii) the requesting party reasonably determines that it must inspect such Return to confirm compliance with the terms of this Agreement. Commercial Intertech and CUNO shall attempt in good faith to resolve any issues arising out of the review of such Returns. ARTICLE IV ---------- TAX REFUNDS AND CARRYBACKS -------------------------- 4.01 Refunds. (a) In the case of any separate Tax Return filed by Commercial Intertech, CUNO or their respective Affiliates for a Pre-Distribution Period, the Person that filed such Tax Return shall be entitled to any refund of Taxes with respect to such Return. (b) Subject to Section 4.02, any refund of Taxes with respect to a joint, combined, consolidated or unitary Tax Return for any Pre-Distribution Period shall be allocated between the Commercial Intertech Group and the CUNO Group in accordance with the principles in Section 2.01(c) or 2.02(c) as applicable. (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary above, with respect to any refund or credit for overpayment of any estimated taxes for any Tax Period ending in 1996, the Person that filed the Tax Return to which the refund or credit for overpayment relates shall be entitled to the refund or credit for overpayment. (d) If any amounts become payable under this Section 4.01, the Person obligated to make such payment shall notify the Person entitled to receive such payment within 30 days after receipt of the refund or credit for overpayment and shall remit the amount of the refund to such Person within 30 days after such receipt. -12- 4.02 Carrybacks. (a) In the event CUNO or any member of the CUNO Group desires to carry back a loss or other Tax attribute arising after the Distribution Date (the "CUNO Carryback") to a Pre-Distribution Period with respect to a joint, combined, consolidated or unitary Tax Return, CUNO shall notify Commercial Intertech in writing of its intent to carry back such item (and to forego any election to waive such Carryback). Such notification shall include a certification by an appropriate officer of CUNO setting forth CUNO's belief, based on a thorough examination of the facts and law relating to the tax treatment of such item, that the tax treatment of such item is supported by "substantial authority" within the meaning of Section 6662 of the Code (and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder). Promptly upon its receipt of such notification, Commercial Intertech shall notify CUNO, in writing, as to whether Commercial Intertech believes that the filing of the CUNO Carryback will result in any Deemed Tax Reduction under Section 4.02(c) and if so, Commercial Intertech shall provide information to CUNO pertaining to the amount of such Deemed Tax Reduction and the computation thereof. Commercial Intertech shall cooperate with CUNO in connection with the filing and processing of any CUNO Carryback and shall provide CUNO with copies of all correspondence in connection therewith. (b) Subject to Section 4.02(c), if, pursuant to the terms of Section 4.02(a) hereof, CUNO elects to carry back a loss or other Tax attribute to a Pre-Distribution Period, Commercial Intertech shall be obligated to make a payment to CUNO equal to the amount by which the Taxes imposed on the Commercial Intertech Group for such Pre-Distribution Period have been reduced as a result of utilization of the CUNO Carryback (the "Commercial Intertech Tax Reduction"). (c) For purposes of computing the amount of the Commercial Intertech Tax Reduction, if, in the absence of the CUNO Carryback, losses or other Tax attributes of Commercial Intertech or its Affiliates would have resulted in a reduction of Taxes of the Commercial Intertech Group for such Period (the "Deemed Tax Reduction"), the amount of the Commercial Intertech Tax Reduction shall be reduced by the amount of the Deemed Tax Reduction. In the event any losses or other Tax attributes of Commercial Intertech which are taken into account in computing a Deemed Tax Reduction are subsequently utilized by the Commercial Intertech Group to reduce Taxes in a future Tax Period, Commercial Intertech shall be obligated to pay to CUNO the amount of such subsequent Tax reduction (provided that the aggregate amount of payments to CUNO with respect to any CUNO Carryback shall not exceed the Commercial Intertech Tax Reduction computed without regard to the first sentence of this Section 4.02(c)). (d) If Commercial Intertech is required to make a payment to CUNO with respect to any CUNO Carryback under this Section 4.02(b), Commercial Intertech shall have the option, in its sole discretion, of (i) making such payment within 30 days of receiving the Tax refund attributable to such CUNO Carryback, or (ii) making such payment not later than 30 days of the date on which the statutory period (under the Code of other applicable law) for examining the Return on which such CUNO Carryback was claimed has expired (provided, such payment shall bear interest at the Prime Rate for the period commencing 30 days from the date of receipt of such refund and ending on the date of such payment). -13- ARTICLE V --------- TAX PAYMENTS ------------ 5.01 Payment of Consolidated Federal Income Tax for Pre-Distribution Periods. Commercial Intertech shall pay to the IRS all Taxes due (or shall receive all refunds) in connection with the filing of Commercial Intertech's consolidated federal income Tax Return for the Tax Period ending on October 31, 1996 (the "1996 Fiscal Year"). If the consolidated federal income Tax Return for the 1996 Fiscal Year has not been filed on the Distribution Date, immediately prior to the due date for filing Commercial Intertech's consolidated federal income Tax Return for the 1996 Fiscal Year (taking into account any extension of time for filing that Commercial Intertech requests and is granted), the parties shall compute, based on the information contained in the federal consolidated income Tax Return for the 1996 Fiscal Year, CUNO's share of the consolidated federal income Tax liability for the 1996 Fiscal Year determined as if the CUNO Group were a separate group of companies filing a consolidated federal income Tax Return (the "CUNO 1996 Tax"). CUNO shall pay to Commercial Intertech the CUNO 1996 Tax immediately prior to the due date for filing Commercial Intertech's consolidated federal income Tax Return for the 1996 Fiscal Year. 5.02 Payment of State and Foreign Taxes for Which Commercial Intertech has Filing Responsibility. Commercial Intertech shall pay to the appropriate Tax Authority all State and Foreign Taxes for Tax Returns with respect to which Commercial Intertech (or another member of the Commercial Intertech Group) has filing responsibility pursuant to Article III of this Agreement. Immediately prior to the Distribution and immediately before such Return is due (taking into account any extension of time for filing that Commercial Intertech requests and is granted), or immediately after receipt of any refund, CUNO shall make payments to Commercial Intertech (or Commercial Intertech shall make payments to CUNO) of amounts which shall, in each case, be determined in accordance with the principles, applied mutatis mutandis, set forth in Section 5.01 of the Agreement. 5.03 Payment of State and Foreign Taxes for Which CUNO has Filing Responsibility. CUNO shall pay to the appropriate Tax Authority all State and Foreign Taxes for Tax Returns with respect to which CUNO (or another member of the CUNO Group) has filing responsibility pursuant to Article III of this Agreement. Immediately prior to the Distribution and immediately before the time such Return is due (taking into account any extension of time for filing that CUNO requests and is granted), or immediately after receipt of any refund, Commercial Intertech shall make payments to CUNO (or CUNO shall make payments to Commercial Intertech) of amounts which shall, in each case, be determined in accordance with the principles, applied mutatis mutandis, set forth in Section 5.01 of the Agreement. 5.04 Indemnification Payments. (a) Upon payment of any Taxes with respect to which a party is entitled to receive indemnification hereunder, such party (the "Indemnified Party") shall send the other party (the "Indemnifying Party") an invoice accompanied by evidence of payment and a statement detailing the Taxes paid and describing in reasonable detail the particulars relating thereto. The Indemnifying Party (or such one or more members of the Indemnifying Party's Group as it shall nominate) shall remit payment for Taxes for which the Indemnifying Party is liable for indemnification hereunder -14- to the Indemnified Party (or such one or more members of the Indemnified Party's Group as it shall nominate) within 30 days of receipt of such invoice, evidence of payment and statement, or at any earlier time identified by the Indemnifying Party. (b) If any Indemnified Party realizes a Tax Benefit or a Tax detriment in one or more Tax Periods by reason of having, incurred any Tax for which such Indemnified Party receives indemnification hereunder, then such Indemnified Party shall pay to such Indemnifying Party an amount equal to the Tax Benefit or such Indemnifying Party shall pay to such Indemnified Party an additional amount equal to the Tax detriment (taking into account any Tax detriment resulting from the receipt of such additional amounts), as the case may be. The amount of any Tax Benefit or any Tax detriment for a Tax Period realized by an Indemnified Party by reason of having incurred a Tax for which such Indemnified Party received indemnification hereunder shall be deemed to equal the product obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of any deduction or inclusion in income for such period resulting from such Tax or the payment thereof, as the case ma be, by (ii) the highest applicable marginal Tax rate for such Period. Any payment due under this Section 5.05(b) with respect to a Tax benefit or Tax detriment realized by an Indemnified Party in a Tax Period shall be due and payable within 30 days from the time the Return for such Tax Period is due, without taking into account any extension of time granted to the party filing such Return. ARTICLE VI ---------- TAX RECORDS: COOPERATION ------------------------ 6.01 Tax Records. (a) Commercial Intertech and CUNO (and their respective Affiliates) shall keep in their possession all Tax Records relating to Taxes for which the other party may have liability under this Agreement, until the expiration of any applicable statute of limitations and as otherwise required by law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, CUNO shall retain all Tax Records relating to Pre-Distribution Periods until such time as Commercial Intertech shall consent to the disposition of such Tax Records, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. For purposes of this Article VI, "Tax Records" shall include, inter alia, journal vouchers, cash vouchers, general ledgers, material contracts and authorizations for expenditures. (b) Commercial Intertech and CUNO (and their respective Affiliates) shall make available to each other for inspection and copying during normal business hours all Tax Records in their possession, to the extent such Tax Records are reasonably required by the other party in connection with the preparation of Tax Returns, audits, litigation or the resolution of items under this Agreement. (c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if either party fails to comply with the requirements of this Section 6.01, the party failing so to comply shall be liable for, and shall hold the other party harmless from, any Taxes (including penalties for failure to comply with the record retention requirements of the Code) and other costs resulting from such party's failure to comply. -15- 6.02 Cooperation. Commercial Intertech and CUNO shall each provide the other with such assistance as may reasonably be requested in connection with the preparation of any Tax Return, audit or other examination by any Tax Authority or judicial or administrative proceedings relating to liability for any Taxes. ARTICLE VI ---------- TAX AUDITS AND APPEALS ---------------------- 7.01 Notice. Commercial Intertech and CUNO shall provide prompt notice to the other party of any pending or threatened Tax Contest that it becomes aware of relating to Taxes for Tax Periods for which it is indemnified by, or is to indemnify, the other party hereunder. Such notice shall contain factual information (to the extent known) describing any asserted Tax liability in reasonable detail and shall be accompanied by copies of any notice or other document received from any Tax Authority in respect of any such matter. If any party has knowledge of an asserted Tax liability with respect to a matter for which it is to be indemnified hereunder and such party fails to give the indemnifying party notice of such asserted Tax liability within 30 days after it has received written notice thereof, then, unless such failure has no material adverse effect upon the indemnifying party's ability to participate in the Tax Contest, the indemnifying party shall have no obligation to indemnify the indemnified party for any Taxes arising out of such asserted Tax liability. 7.02 Control of Audits and Appeals. (a) Separate Contests. Any Separate Contest shall be controlled solely by the party involved in the Tax Contest. (b) Joint Contests. (1) Commercial Intertech shall control any Joint Contest. The personnel and outside advisers (including counsel) of CUNO may shall participate, at CUNO's expense, in the proceeding to the extent such proceeding relates to items or adjustments for which CUNO may incur indemnity liability under this Agreement. Such participation shall include: (i) participation in all conferences, meetings or proceedings with any Tax Authority; (ii) participation in all appearances before any court; (iii) with respect to matters described in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii), participation in the submission and determination of content of documentation, protests, memoranda of fact and law and briefs, the conduct of oral arguments or presentations, the selection of witnesses and the negotiation of stipulations of fact in such matters. If CUNO fails to timely and fully participate in any proceeding to the extent to which such proceeding relates to items or adjustments for which CUNO has indemnity liability under this Agreement, CUNO shall be liable for, in addition to all Taxes for which CUNO shall be liable under this Agreement, any and all costs imposed on, or incurred by, Commercial Intertech as a result of CUNO's failure to participate. (2) Each of the parties hereto agrees to cooperate in seeking an agreement with the IRS or any other Tax authority under which such authority would conduct separate -16- audits of Commercial Intertech and CUNO with respect to returns including both parties. To the extent permitted by such an Agreement, each party would control its separate audits in accordance with the terms thereof, and the procedures provided in the remainder of this Section 7.02(b) and in Section 7.03 hereof shall not apply. 7.03 Consent to Settlements in Joint Contests. (a) With respect to any Joint Contest, neither party shall have the right to accept or enter into the settlement of any Tax liability, or compromise any Tax claim to the extent such liability or claim relates to an item for which the other party has indemnity liability hereunder, without the prior written consent of the other party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). (b) In the case of any Joint Contest, either party (the "Compromising Party"), without the consent or permission of the other party (the "Non- Compromising Party"), may, if permitted by the appropriate agency or tribunal, accept or enter into the settlement of any Tax liability to the extent such liability relates solely to items for which such party has indemnity liability hereunder. In the event the Non-Compromising Party's refusal to settle its portion of the contest prevents the Compromising Party from reaching a settlement as to its portion of the contest, the Non-Compromising Party shall indemnify the Compromising Party from and against any outcome less favorable than the settlement which the Compromising Party was willing to accept. With respect to any Joint Contest, each of CUNO and Commercial Intertech hereby agrees that it shall not participate in the negotiation, settlement or other resolution of any item at issue in such Joint Contest in a manner discriminating against the other party's interests in such contest. (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, in the event the judgment of the United States Tax Court or other court of competent jurisdiction results in an adverse determination with respect to the liability of either party hereunder, such party shall have the right (at its own expense) to appeal such adverse determination; provided, however, that the second sentence of Section 7.03(b) shall apply for purposes of determining the liability of any non-appealing party hereunder. 7.04 Expenses. (a) With respect to any Separate Contest, the party involved in such contest shall bear all expenses related thereto. (b) With respect to any Joint Contest, except as otherwise provided herein, the parties shall share any and all costs and expenses incurred in connection with such contest based on each party's potential liability with respect to such contest as agreed to by the parties at the outset of such contest. -17- ARTICLE VIII ------------ DISPUTE RESOLUTION ------------------ 8.01 Dispute Resolution Committee. In the event of any dispute or disagreement relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Commercial Intertech and CUNO shall each appoint two members from their respective management staffs to serve on a joint committee (the "Dispute Resolution Committee"). The Dispute Resolution Committee shall meet at either Commercial Intertech or CUNO's offices, whichever is more appropriate in view of the issues under consideration, at such reasonable time as either party may notify the other in writing, for the purpose of resolving any dispute arising under this Agreement. No dispute arising under this Agreement shall be the subject of arbitration or other formal proceedings until such dispute has been considered by the Dispute Resolution Committee. If the Dispute Resolution Committee is unable to resolve any dispute submitted to it within 30 days of such submission, the Dispute Resolution Committee shall refer the issue to the Chief Executive Officers of Commercial Intertech and CUNO for their resolution. If such officers are unable to resolve such dispute within 15 days after referral, any member of the Dispute Resolution Committee may refer such dispute to binding arbitration as provided in Section 8.02 hereof. 8.02 Binding Arbitration. (a) Any controversy, dispute or claim (whether in contract or tort) between the parties arising out of or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, shall, after the dispute resolution process set forth in Section 8.01 has been completed, at the request of any party, be submitted to arbitration in accordance with this Section 8.02. (b) Each controversy, dispute or claim submitted by a party to arbitration shall be heard by an arbitration panel composed of three arbitrators. Commercial Intertech and CUNO shall each appoint one arbitrator who shall be an independent tax attorney or accountant with at least ten years professional experience in the matters subject to the arbitration and not be related to the appointing party, within 15 days after the matter has been submitted to arbitration. If any party fails to appoint its arbitrator within such 15 day period, any party may apply to the American Arbitration Association (the "AAA") to appoint an arbitrator on behalf of the party that has failed to appoint its arbitrator. The two arbitrators appointed by, or on behalf of, the parties shall jointly appoint a third arbitrator with similar background who shall chair the arbitration panel (the "Chairman"). If the arbitrators appointed by, or on behalf of, the parties do not succeed in appointing a Chairman within 15 days of the latter of the two arbitrators appointed by, or on behalf of, the parties has been appointed, the Chairman shall, at the request of either party, be appointed by the AAA. If for any reason an arbitrator is unable to perform his or her function, he or she shall be replaced and a substitute shall be appointed in the same manner as the arbitrator replaced. (c) Except as otherwise specified herein, arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with such rules as the parties mutually agree. In any arbitration proceeding hereunder: (i) proceedings shall, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, be held in Cleveland, Ohio; -18- (ii) the arbitration panel shall have no power to award punitive damages and shall be bound by all statutes of limitation which would otherwise be applicable in a judicial action brought by a party; and (iii) the decision of a majority of the arbitrators (or the Chairman if there is no such majority) shall be final and binding on the parties to this Agreement and shall be enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction. The parties hereby waive any rights to appeal or to review of such decision by any court or tribunal and also waive any objections to such enforcement. THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE TO WAIVE ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CLAIM SUBMIT TO ARBITRATION UNDER THIS AGREEMENT. (d) Notice preliminary to, in conjunction with, or incident to any arbitration proceeding may be sent to the parties by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) at the address set forth in Section 9.08 hereof and personal service is hereby waived. The arbitrators shall award recovery of all costs and fees incurred in connection with the arbitration and the proceeding, and obtaining any judgment related thereto, of each disputed matter (including reasonable attorney's fees and expenses and arbitrator's fees and expenses and court costs) in each case, with respect to such disputed matter, to the party that substantially prevails in the arbitration proceeding with respect to such disputed matter. (e) No provision of this Section 8.02 shall limit the right of any party to this Agreement to exercise self-help remedies such as set-off, or obtaining provisional, equitable or ancillary remedies from a court of competent jurisdiction before, after or during the pendency of any arbitration or other proceeding. The exercise of a remedy does not waive the right of either party to resort to arbitration. ARTICLE IX ---------- MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS --------------------- 9.01 No Inconsistent Actions. Neither Commercial Intertech nor CUNO (nor their respective Affiliates) shall take any action inconsistent with, nor fail to take any action required by any representations covenants or other similar conditions made in connection with the Officers' Certificate. 9.02 Amendment and Waiver. This Agreement shall not be amended or modified in any manner whatsoever without the written consent of each of the parties hereto. No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition. 9.03 Tax Allocation Agreements. Immediately prior to the Distribution, Commercial Intertech shall cause any and all tax allocation, tax sharing and similar agreements or arrangements existing between Commercial Intertech (including its Affiliates) and CUNO (including its Affiliates) to be terminated with respect to the CUNO Group, as of an effective date agreed to by the parties prior to the Distribution Date, and shall cause any amounts due under such agreements or arrangements to be settled in the manner agreed to by the parties prior to the Distribution Date. -19- Upon such termination and settlement, no further payments made by one party to the other with respect to such agreements or arrangements shall be made, and all other rights and obligations resulting from such agreements or arrangements between the parties shall cease as of such time. 9.04 Entire Agreement; Inconsistent Provisions. The parties agree that this Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between them in respect of the subject matter of this Agreement, and that, in the event of a conflict or other inconsistency between any provision or term of this Agreement and any provision or term of the Distribution Agreement or the Employee Benefits and Compensation Allocation Agreement this Agreement shall prevail. 9.05 Affiliate Obligations. To the extent that the provisions of this Agreement pertain to an Affiliate of Commercial Intertech or CUNO, Commercial Intertech and CUNO hereby respectively agree that they will cause such Affiliate to carry out the terms of this Agreement. 9.06 Further Action. The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information, and take or refrain from taking any action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement. Without limiting the preceding sentence, and subject to Section 7.02(b) hereof, each party and its Affiliates shall provide the other party and its Affiliates with such powers of attorney or other authorizing documentation as is reasonably necessary to empower them to execute and file Tax Returns, refunds and equivalent claims for Taxes for which they are responsible hereunder, and contest, settle and resolve any Tax Contests that they control under Article VII hereof. 9.07 Time for Notice. Notice of any indemnification claim under this Agreement must be received by the party against whom such claim is made no later than six months from the date on which the Taxes to which such claim relates have been paid. 9.08 Notices. All notices, demands or other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been given when delivered personally to the recipient or when sent to the recipient by telecopy (receipt confirmed), one business day after the date when sent to the recipient by reputable express courier service (charges prepaid) or two business days after the date when mailed to the recipient by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid. Such notices, demands and other communications will be sent to the parties at their addresses indicated below: If to Commercial Intertech: Commercial Intertech Corp. 1775 Logan Avenue Youngstown, Ohio 44505 Attention: Director, Taxes -20- If to CUNO Incorporated: CUNO Incorporated 400 Research Parkway Meriden, Connecticut 06450 Attention: President Or to such other address or to the attention of such other Person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party. 9.09 Remedies. Any party having any rights under any provision of this Agreement will have all rights and remedies set forth in this Agreement and all rights and remedies which such party may have been granted at any time under any other agreement or contract and all of the rights which such party may have under any law. Any such party will be entitled to enforce such rights specifically, without posting a bond or other security, to recover damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights granted by law. 9.10 Successors and Assigns. No party hereto may assign or delegate any of such party's rights or obligations under or in connection with this Agreement without the written consent of the other parties hereto. All covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement by or on behalf of any of the parties hereto will be binding upon and enforceable against the respective successors and assigns of such party and will be enforceable by and will inure to the benefit of the respective successors and permitted assigns of such party. 9.11 Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of this Agreement. 9.12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than one party, but all such counterparts taken together will constitute one and the same Agreement. 9.13 Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement. 9.14 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement will not confer any rights or remedies upon any Person other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. 9.15 Construction. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language mutually chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rule of strict construction will -21- be applied against any party. The use of the word "including" in this Agreement means "including without limitation" and is intended by the parties to be by way of example rather than limitation. 9.16 Form of Payments and Late Payments. Any payments owed by one party to another under this Agreement shall be made in the currency in which the Tax to which such payment relates is assessed by the Tax Authority, and shall be paid in immediately available funds and in such other manner as the party to whom such payment is owed may reasonably request. Any payments required by this Agreement that are not made when due shall bear interest at the Prime Rate plus six percent from the due date of the payment to the date paid. 9.17 Treatment of Payments. The parties agree that, in the absence of any change in law or fact, any Indemnification Payments made under this agreement shall be reported for tax purposes by the payor and the recipient as capital contributions or dividends, as appropriate, relating back to the Tax Period beginning before the Distribution Date. 9.18 Governing Law. ALL QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY AND INTERPRETATION OF THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL LAW, AND NOT THE LAW OF CONFLICTS, OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 9.19 Confidentiality. If, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, either Commercial Intertech or CUNO (or any of their respective Affiliates) is required to provide or disclose any information to the other party to this Agreement (or any Affiliate of such other party), the Person receiving such information shall hold and keep such information confidential, and shall not disclose such information (except as otherwise required by Law) without the prior written consent of the Person from whom such information was received. -22- IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Agreement has been duly executed as of the day and year first above written. COMMERCIAL INTERTECH CORP. By ________________________________________________________________________ Name: _____________________________________________________________________ Title: ____________________________________________________________________ CUNO INCORPORATED By ________________________________________________________________________ Name: _____________________________________________________________________ Title: ____________________________________________________________________ -23- SCHEDULE 1 ---------- PREPARATION AND FILING OF TAX RETURNS This schedule lists the Tax Returns that Commercial Intertech will file which includes members of both the Commercial Intertech Group and the CUNO Group. The returns will include members of the CUNO Group through the distribution date for 1996. 1996 - -------- TAX DUE PERIOD DESCRIPTION DATE - ------ ----------- ---- 1996 U.S. Consolidated Corporation 01/15/97 Income Tax Return 1996 California Unitary Tax Return 02/15/97 1996 Illinois Combined Tax Return 02/15/97 -24-