EX-99.(A)(1)(B) 3 d352545dex99a1b.htm EXHIBIT (A)(1)(B) Exhibit (a)(1)(B)

Exhibit (a)(1)(B)

Letter of Transmittal

To Tender Ordinary Shares

of

AVG TECHNOLOGIES N.V.

at $25.00 Per Share, in Cash,

Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase dated July 29, 2016

by

AVAST SOFTWARE B.V.,

a direct wholly owned subsidiary of

AVAST HOLDING B.V.

The undersigned represents that I (we) have full authority to tender without restriction the Shares (as defined below) listed below. You are hereby authorized and instructed to deliver to one of the addresses indicated below (unless otherwise instructed in the boxes in the following page) a check representing a cash payment for ordinary shares, with a nominal value of €0.01 per share (the “Shares”), of AVG Technologies N.V. (“AVG”) tendered pursuant to this Letter of Transmittal, at a price of $25.00 per share, in cash, without interest and less applicable withholding taxes or other taxes, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated July 29, 2016 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer to Purchase” and, together with this Letter of Transmittal, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer”).

 

THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 11:59 P.M.,

NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON AUGUST 31, 2016 (SUCH DATE AND TIME, AS IT MAY BE EXTENDED, THE “EXPIRATION TIME”), UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED OR EARLIER TERMINATED.

Mail or deliver this Letter of Transmittal to:

 

LOGO

 

 

If delivering by mail:

 

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

Operations Center

Attn: Reorganization Department

P.O. Box 2042

New York, New York 10272-2042

 

If delivering by hand or courier:

 

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

Operations Center

Attn: Reorganization Department

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11219

Pursuant to the offer of Avast Software B.V. to purchase all outstanding Shares of AVG, the undersigned encloses herewith and tenders the following Shares of AVG:

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES TENDERED

 

 

Name(s) and Address(es) of Registered Holder(s)

 

 

 

Shares Tendered

(attached additional list if necessary)

 

   

 

Total Number of Shares

Represented by Book Entry*

 

 

 

Total Number of Shares Tendered*

 

         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
   

Total Shares

 

        
   

*       Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all Book-Entry Shares within the account are being tendered hereby. See Instruction 4.

 


PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR ANY OF THE OTHER OFFERING DOCUMENTS, YOU SHOULD CONTACT INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED, THE INFORMATION AGENT FOR THE OFFER (“THE INFORMATION AGENT”), TOLL FREE AT (888) 750-5834 (FOR SHAREHOLDERS) OR COLLECT AT (212) 750-5833 (FOR BANKS AND BROKERS).

You have received this Letter of Transmittal in connection with the offer of Avast Software B.V., a private company with limited liability (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) organized under the laws of The Netherlands (“Purchaser”) and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Avast Holding B.V., a private company with limited liability (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) organized under the laws of The Netherlands (“Parent”), to purchase all outstanding ordinary shares, with a nominal value of €0.01 per share (the “Shares”), of AVG Technologies N.V., a public limited liability company (naamloze vennootschap) organized under the laws of The Netherlands (“AVG”), at a purchase price of $25.00 per Share (the “Offer Price”), in cash, without interest and less applicable withholding taxes or other taxes, as described in the Offer to Purchase, dated July 29, 2016 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer to Purchase” and, together with this Letter of Transmittal, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer”).

The Offer is not being made to (nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of) AVG shareholders in any jurisdiction in which the making of the Offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. However, Purchaser may, in its discretion, take such action as Purchaser deems necessary to make the Offer comply with the laws of any such jurisdiction and extend the Offer to AVG shareholders in such jurisdiction in compliance with applicable laws.

You should use this Letter of Transmittal to deliver to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Depositary”) Shares, for tender, if (a) you are a record holder and you hold uncertificated Shares in book-entry form on the books of AVG’s transfer agent or (b) unless an Agent’s Message (as defined in Instruction 2 below) in lieu of this Letter Transmittal is utilized, if your Shares are held in “street” name and are being tendered by book-entry transfer into the Depositary’s account at The Depository Trust Company (the “Book-Entry Transfer Facility”).

If you cannot complete the procedure for delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely basis, or you otherwise cannot deliver all required documents to the Depositary before the Expiration Time, you may nevertheless tender your Shares according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. See Instruction 2 below. Delivery of documents to the Book-Entry Transfer Facility will not constitute delivery to the Depositary.

 

¨

   CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER INTO THE DEPOSITARY’S ACCOUNT AT THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING (ONLY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE PARTICIPANTS IN THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY MAY DELIVER SHARES BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER):
   Name of Tendering
   Institution:  

 

    DTC Participant
   Number:  

 

   Transaction Code  
   Number:  

 

 

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¨

   CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE DEPOSITARY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING (PLEASE ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF SUCH NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY):
  Name(s) of Registered Holder(s):   

 

  Window Ticket Number (if any) or DTC Participant
  Number:   

 

 

Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed

  Delivery:   

 

 

Name of Institution which Guaranteed

  Delivery:   

 

NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW.

PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

 

¨ CHECK HERE IF THE TENDERED SHARES ARE DIRECTLY REGISTERED IN YOUR OWN NAME IN AVG’S SHAREHOLDER REGISTER.

SUBJECT TO, AND UPON, ACCEPTANCE FOR PAYMENT OF THE SHARES VALIDLY TENDERED HEREWITH AND NOT PROPERLY WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION TIME IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER, THE COMPLETION AND SIGNING OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL WILL (IN ACCORDANCE WITH DUTCH LAW AND AVG’S ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION) (A) CONSTITUTE THE TRANSFER OF THE SHARES TO THE PURCHASER AND (B) AVG’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE TRANSFER OF SHARES.

 

Share Number(s) reflected in AVG’s shareholders’ register:

 

 

(Please contact the Depositary (using the contact information on the last page of this Letter of Transmittal) if your shares are directly registered in your own name in AVG’s shareholders’ register and you do not have the numbers reflected in that register readily available).

 

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Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned hereby tenders to Avast Software B.V., a private company with limited liability (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) organized under the laws of The Netherlands (“Purchaser”) and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Avast Holding B.V., a private company with limited liability (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) organized under the laws of The Netherlands (“Parent”), the above-described ordinary shares (the “Shares”), with a nominal value of €0.01 per share, of AVG Technologies N.V., a public limited liability company (naamloze vennootschap) organized under the laws of The Netherlands (“AVG”), at a purchase price of $25.00 per Share (the “Offer Price”), in cash, without interest and less applicable withholding taxes or other taxes, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated July 29, 2016 (the “Offer to Purchase”), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and this Letter of Transmittal (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, this “Letter of Transmittal” and, together with the Offer to Purchase, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer”). The undersigned understands that Purchaser reserves the right to transfer or assign, from time to time, in whole or in part, to one or more of its affiliates, the right to purchase the Shares tendered herewith.

On the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer (including, if the Offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of such extension or amendment), subject to, and effective upon, acceptance for payment and payment for the Shares validly tendered herewith, and not properly withdrawn, prior to the Expiration Time 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 being tendered hereby (and any and all cash dividends, distributions, rights, other Shares or other securities issued or issuable in respect of such Shares on or after the date hereof (collectively, “Distributions”)). In addition, the undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “Depositary”) the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact and proxy of the undersigned with respect to such Shares (and any and all Distributions) with full power of substitution (such proxies and power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest in the Shares tendered by this Letter of Transmittal) to the full extent of such shareholder’s rights with respect to such Shares (and any and all Distributions) to (a) transfer ownership of such Shares (and any and all Distributions) on the account books maintained by the Book-Entry Transfer Facility (as defined in Section 2 — “Acceptance for Payment and Payment for Shares” of the Offer to Purchase), together with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity, to or upon the order of Purchaser, (b) present such Shares (and any and all Distributions) for transfer on the books of AVG, and (c) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Shares (and any and all Distributions), all in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.

By executing this Letter of Transmittal (or taking action resulting in the delivery of an Agent’s Message (as defined in Instruction 2 below)), the undersigned hereby irrevocably appoints each of the designees of Purchaser the attorneys-in-fact and proxies of the undersigned, each with full power of substitution, to the full extent of such shareholder’s rights, to (a) vote at any annual or extraordinary general meeting of AVG shareholders or otherwise in such manner as each such attorney-in-fact and proxy or its, his or her substitute shall in its, his or her sole discretion deem proper with respect to, (b) execute any written consent concerning any matter as each such attorney-in-fact and proxy or its, his or her substitute shall in its, his or her sole discretion deem proper with respect to and (c) to otherwise act as each such attorney-in-fact and proxy or its, his or her substitute shall in its, his or her sole discretion deem proper with respect to, all of the Shares (and any and all Distributions) tendered hereby and accepted for payment by Purchaser. This proxy and power of attorney will be irrevocable and coupled with an interest in the Shares tendered hereby in accordance with the terms of the Offer. Such appointment is effective when, and only to the extent that, Purchaser accepts the Shares tendered hereby for payment pursuant to the Offer. Upon the effectiveness of such appointment, without further action, all prior powers of attorney, proxies and consents given by the undersigned with respect to such Shares (and any and all associated Distributions) will be revoked and no subsequent powers of attorney, proxies, consents or revocations may be given by the undersigned with respect thereto (and, if given, will not be deemed effective). Purchaser reserves the right to require that, in order for Shares to be deemed validly tendered, immediately upon Purchaser’s acceptance

 

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for payment of such Shares, Purchaser or its designees must be able to exercise full voting, consent and other rights, to the extent permitted under applicable law, with respect to such Shares (and any and all associated Distributions), including voting at any meeting of AVG shareholders or executing a written consent concerning any matter.

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer any and all of the Shares tendered with this Letter Transmittal (and any and all Distributions) and that, when the same are accepted for payment by Purchaser, Purchaser will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title to such Shares (and such Distributions), free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and the same will not be subject to any adverse claims. The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned is the registered owner of the Shares or the undersigned is a participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the Shares. The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Depositary or Purchaser to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the Shares tendered hereby (and any and all Distributions). In addition, the undersigned shall promptly remit and transfer to the Depositary for the account of Purchaser any and all Distributions in respect of any and all of the Shares tendered hereby, accompanied by appropriate documentation of transfer, and, pending such remittance or appropriate assurance thereof, Purchaser shall be entitled to all rights and privileges as owner of each such Distribution and may withhold the entire purchase price of the Shares tendered hereby or deduct from such purchase price the amount or value of such Distribution, as determined by Purchaser in its sole discretion.

It is understood that the undersigned will not receive payment for the Shares unless and until the Shares are accepted for payment and ownership of Shares is validly transferred on the account books maintained by Book-Entry Transfer Facility, and until the same are processed for payment by the Depositary.

IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THE SHARES AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY) IS AT THE OPTION AND RISK OF THE UNDERSIGNED AND THAT THE RISK OF LOSS OF SUCH SHARES, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS SHALL PASS ONLY AFTER THE DEPOSITARY HAS ACTUALLY RECEIVED THE SHARES (INCLUDING, IN THE CASE OF A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER, BY BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3 — “PROCEDURES FOR ACCEPTING THE OFFER AND TENDERING SHARES” OF THE OFFER TO PURCHASE)). IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL SUCH DOCUMENTS BE SENT BY PROPERLY INSURED REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.

All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred pursuant to this Letter of Transmittal shall not be affected by, and shall survive, the death or incapacity of the undersigned, and any obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as stated in the Offer to Purchase, this tender is irrevocable.

The undersigned understands that the valid tender of Shares tendered pursuant to one of the procedures described in the Offer to Purchase and in the instructions hereto will constitute the undersigned’s acceptance of the terms and conditions of the Offer. Purchaser’s acceptance of such Shares for payment will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and Purchaser upon the terms and conditions of the Offer (and if the Offer is extended or amended, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of any such extension or amendment). The undersigned recognizes that under certain circumstances set forth in the Offer, Purchaser may not be required to accept for payment any Shares tendered hereby.

Unless otherwise indicated herein under “Special Payment Instructions,” please issue the check for the purchase price of all Shares purchased in the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appearing under “Description of

 

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Shares Tendered.” Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under “Special Delivery Instructions,” please mail the check for the purchase price of all Shares purchased 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 of all Shares purchased in the name of, and deliver such check to, the person or persons so indicated. Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box titled “Special Payment Instructions,” please credit any Shares tendered by this Letter of Transmittal or by an Agent’s Message and delivered by book-entry transfer, but which 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(s) thereof if Purchaser does not accept for payment any of the Shares so tendered.

 

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SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS

(See Instructions 1, 4, 5 and 7)

 

To be completed ONLY if the check for the purchase price in consideration of Shares accepted for payment are to be issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned or if Shares tendered by book-entry transfer which are not accepted for payment are to be returned by credit to an account maintained at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility other than that designated above.

 

Issue:  ¨     Check to:

 

Name:         
  (Please Print)
Address:    
 
 
(Include Zip Code)
 
(Tax Identification or Social Security Number)
¨ Credit Shares tendered by book-entry transfer that are not accepted for payment to the Book-Entry Transfer Facility account set forth below.
 
(DTC Account Number)

SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

(See Instructions 1, 4, 5 and 7)

 

To be completed ONLY if the check for the purchase price of Shares accepted for payment are to be sent to someone other than the undersigned or to the undersigned at an address other than that shown in the box titled “Description of Shares Tendered” above.

 

Deliver:  ¨     Check(s) to:

 

Name:         
  (Please Print)
Address:    
 
 

(Include Zip Code)

 

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

 

 

 

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IMPORTANT—SIGN HERE

(U.S. Holders Please Also Complete the Enclosed Internal Revenue Service Form W-9) 

(Non-U.S. Holders Please Obtain and Complete Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Other Applicable Internal Revenue Service Form W-8)

 

 

 

(Signature(s) of Shareholder(s))

Dated:                     , 2016

(Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on a security position listing or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please set forth full title and see Instruction 5. For information concerning signature guarantees, see Instruction 1.)

 

Name(s): 

   
(Please Print)

Capacity (full title): 

   

Address: 

   

 

(Include Zip Code)

Area Code and Telephone Number: 

   

Tax Identification or Social Security No.: 

   

 

GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)

(For use by Eligible Institutions only;

see Instructions 1 and 5)

 

Name of Firm: 

   
     
(Include Zip Code)

Authorized Signature: 

   

Name: 

   
 
(Please Type or Print)

Area Code and Telephone Number: 

   

Dated:                    ,  2016

 

     
Place medallion guarantee in space below:

 

 

 

 


 

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INSTRUCTIONS

Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions of the Offer

1. Guarantee of Signatures. Except as otherwise provided below, all signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by a financial institution (including most commercial banks, savings and loan associations and brokerage houses) that is a member of or participant in a recognized “Medallion Program” approved by the Securities Transfer Association Inc., including the Security Transfer Agents Medallion Program (STAMP), the Stock Exchange Medallion Program (SEMP) and the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program (MSP), or any other “eligible guarantor institution,” as such term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (each, an “Eligible Institution” and collectively, “Eligible Institutions”). Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal need not be guaranteed (a) if signed by the registered holder(s) (which term, for purposes of this Instruction 1, includes any participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility’s systems whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of Shares) of Shares tendered therewith, unless such registered holder has completed either the section entitled “Special Delivery Instructions” or the section entitled “Special Payment Instructions” on this Letter of Transmittal or (b) if such Shares are tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. See Instruction 5.

2. Delivery of Letter of Transmittal or Book-Entry Confirmations. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed (a) if you are a record holder and you hold uncertificated Shares in book-entry form on the books of AVG’s transfer agent or (b) unless an Agent’s Message in lieu of this Letter Transmittal is utilized, if your Shares are held in “street” name and are being tendered by book-entry transfer into the Depositary’s account at Book-Entry Transfer Facility (as defined in Section 3 — “Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares” of the Offer to Purchase) pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 3 — “Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares” of the Offer to Purchase. The following must be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth herein before the Expiration Time (unless the tender is made during the Subsequent Offering Period (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) (which includes the Minority Exit Offering Period (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), if applicable), in which case the Shares, the Letter of Transmittal and other documents must be received prior to the expiration of the Subsequent Offering Period (which includes the Minority Exit Offering Period, if applicable)): (i) if you are a record holder and you hold uncertificated Shares in book-entry form on the books of AVG’s transfer agent, (A) this Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly executed, and (B) any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal or (ii) if your Shares are held in “street” name and are being tendered by book-entry transfer, (A) a Book-Entry Confirmation into the Depositary’s account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 3 — “Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares” of the Offer to Purchase, (B) this Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees, or an Agent’s Message (as defined below) in lieu of a Letter of Transmittal and (C) any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal.

Shareholders who cannot deliver all required documents to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Time or who cannot complete the procedures for book-entry transfer on a timely basis may nevertheless tender their Shares by properly completing and duly executing a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in Section 3 — “Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares” of the Offer to Purchase. Pursuant to such procedure: (a) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution, (b) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery substantially in the form provided by Purchaser must be received by the Depositary prior to the Expiration Time (or prior to the expiration of the Subsequent Offering Period (which includes the Minority Exit Offering Period, if applicable)), and (c) the following must be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth in this Letter of Transmittal within three trading days after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery: (i) if you are a record holder and you hold uncertificated Shares in book-entry form on the books of AVG’s transfer agent, (A) this Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly executed, and (B) any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal or (ii) if your Shares are held in “street” name and are being tendered by book-entry transfer, (A) Book-Entry Confirmation into the Depositary’s account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility pursuant to the

 

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procedures set forth in Section 3 — “Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares” of the Offer to Purchase, (B) this Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees, or an Agent’s Message and (C) any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal.

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, stating that the Book-Entry Transfer Facility has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in the Book-Entry Transfer Facility tendering Shares that are the subject of such Book-Entry Confirmation that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the Letter of Transmittal and that Purchaser may enforce such agreement against such participant. The term “Agent’s Message” also includes any hard copy printout evidencing such message generated by a computer terminal maintained at the Depositary’s office. For Shares to be validly tendered during the Subsequent Offering Period (which includes the Minority Exit Offering Period, if applicable), the tendering shareholder must comply with the foregoing procedures, except that the required documents and certificates must be received before the expiration of the Subsequent Offering Period (which includes the Minority Exit Offering Period, if applicable) and no guaranteed delivery procedure will be available during the Subsequent Offering Period (which includes the Minority Exit Offering Period, if applicable).

Beneficial owners should be aware that their broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee may establish its own earlier deadline for participation in the Offer. Accordingly, beneficial owners wishing to participate in the Offer should contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee as soon as possible in order to determine the times by which such owner must take action in order to participate in the Offer.

THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THE SHARES, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY, IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING SHAREHOLDER. DELIVERY OF ALL SUCH DOCUMENTS WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY (INCLUDING, IN THE CASE OF A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER, BY BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION). IF SUCH DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL SUCH DOCUMENTS BE SENT BY PROPERLY INSURED REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED. 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 shareholders, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), waive any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of their Shares for payment.

3. Inadequate Space. If the space provided herein is inadequate, the certificate numbers and/or the number of Shares tendered should be listed on a separate schedule attached hereto and separately signed on each page thereof in the same manner as this Letter of Transmittal is signed.

4. Partial Tenders. If fewer than all Shares evidenced by any book-entry position are to be tendered, fill in the number of Shares which are to be tendered in the box entitled “Total Number of Shares Tendered.” In such case, a new book-entry position for the remainder of Shares evidenced by the book-entry position will be established for, as applicable, the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal, unless otherwise provided in the appropriate box in this Letter of Transmittal, as promptly as practicable following the expiration or termination of the Offer. All Shares evidenced by book-entry positions delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.

5. Signatures on Letter of Transmittal; Stock Powers and Endorsements.

(a) Exact Signatures. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond with the name(s) as written on the books of the Depositary without alteration or any other change whatsoever.

 

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(b) Joint Holders. 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.

(c) Evidence of Fiduciary Capacity. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other legal entity or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person should so indicate when signing, and proper evidence satisfactory to the Depositary of the authority of such person so to act must be submitted and all signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. Proper evidence of authority includes a power of attorney, a letter of testamentary or a letter of appointment.

6. Stock Transfer Taxes. Purchaser or any successor entity thereto will pay any transfer taxes with respect to the transfer and sale of any Shares to it or to its order pursuant to the Offer (for the avoidance of doubt, transfer taxes do not include U.S. federal income or backup withholding taxes). If, however, payment of the purchase price for any of the Shares tendered hereby is to be made to any person other than the registered holder(s), Purchaser will not be responsible for any stock transfer or similar taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder(s) or such other person(s) or otherwise) payable on account of the transfer to such other person(s) and no consideration shall be paid in respect of such Share(s) unless evidence satisfactory to Purchaser of the payment of such taxes, or exemption therefrom, is submitted.

Except as provided in this Instruction 6, it will not be necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Share Certificates listed in this Letter of Transmittal.

7. Special Payment and Delivery Instructions. If a check for the purchase price of any Shares tendered hereby is to be issued in the name of a person other than the signer(s) of this Letter of Transmittal or to an address other than that shown in the box titled “Description of Shares Tendered” above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed. Shareholders delivering Shares tendered hereby or by Agent’s Message by book-entry transfer may request that Shares not purchased be credited to an account maintained at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility as such shareholder may designate in the section titled “Special Payment Instructions” herein. If no such instructions are given, all such Shares not purchased will be returned by crediting the same account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility as the account from which such Shares were delivered.

8. Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies. Questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent its address and telephone number set forth below or to your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee. Additional copies of the Offer to Purchase, this Letter of Transmittal, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and other tender offer materials may be obtained from the Information Agent as set forth below, and will be furnished at Purchaser’s expense.

9. Backup Withholding. In order to avoid U.S. federal backup withholding (currently at a rate of 28 percent) on payments of the purchase price with respect to Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer, each tendering shareholder that is a “U.S. Person” (as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code), must provide the Depositary with a properly completed Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form W-9 furnishing such shareholder’s correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) and certifying, under penalties of perjury, that such number is correct, such shareholder is not subject to U.S. federal backup withholding and such shareholder is a U.S. Person, or by otherwise establishing a basis for exemption. If a tendering shareholder that is a U.S. Person does not have a TIN, such shareholder should consult the instructions to IRS Form W-9 for information on applying for a TIN and apply for a TIN immediately. If a tendering shareholder that is a U.S. Person does not provide its TIN to the Depositary by the time of payment, U.S. federal backup withholding may apply. Certain shareholders (including, among others, certain corporations, non-resident non-U.S. individuals and non-U.S. entities) may not be subject to the U.S. federal backup withholding and reporting requirements.

In order for a tendering shareholder that is not a U.S. Person to avoid U.S. federal backup withholding on payments of the purchase price with respect to Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer, each such tendering

 

11


shareholder must provide the Depositary with a properly completed copy of the appropriate IRS Form W-8, certifying, under penalties of perjury, that such shareholder is not a U.S. Person and is the beneficial owner of payments received pursuant to the Offer. The applicable IRS Form W-8 may be obtained from the Depositary or downloaded from the IRS’s website at the following address: http://www.irs.gov.

Failure to provide the Depositary with a properly completed IRS Form W-9 or appropriate IRS Form W-8 will not, by itself, cause Shares to be deemed invalidly tendered, but may require the Depositary to withhold on payments of the purchase price with respect to Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer. Please consult your tax advisor or the Depositary for further guidance regarding the completion of IRS Form W-9 or the appropriate IRS Form W-8 to claim exemption from U.S. federal backup withholding.

NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN IRS FORM W-9 OR THE APPROPRIATE IRS FORM W-8 MAY RESULT IN U.S. FEDERAL BACKUP WITHHOLDING ON A PORTION OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE “IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION” SECTION BELOW.

10. Irregularities. All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for payment of any tender of Shares will be determined by Purchaser, in its sole discretion. Purchaser reserves the absolute 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 absolute right to waive any defect or irregularity in the tender of any Shares of any particular shareholder, whether or not similar defects or irregularities are waived in the case of other shareholders. No tender of Shares will be deemed to have been validly made until all defects and irregularities have been waived or cured within such time as Purchaser may determine. None of Parent, Purchaser, the Depositary, the Information Agent or any other person will be under any duty to give notice of any defects or irregularities in tenders or incur any liability for failure to give any such notice. Any determinations made by Purchaser with respect to the terms and conditions of the Offer may be challenged by AVG shareholders, to the extent permitted by law, and are subject to review by a court of competent jurisdiction.

11. Waiver of Conditions. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Purchase Agreement (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Purchaser expressly reserves the reserves the right at any time prior to the Expiration Time to waive, in whole or in part, any condition to the Offer and to make any change in the terms of or conditions to the Offer. However, Purchaser will not (without the prior written consent of AVG): (a) waive or change the Minimum Condition (as defined in the Offer to Purchase); (b) decrease the Offer Price; (c) change the form of consideration to be paid in the Offer; (d) decrease the number of Shares sought in the Offer; (e) extend or otherwise change the Expiration Time other than in accordance with the Purchase Agreement; or (f) impose additional conditions to the Offer or otherwise amend, modify or supplement any of the conditions to the Offer or terms of the Offer in a manner adverse to AVG shareholders.

If you are a record holder and you hold uncertificated Shares in book-entry form on the books of AVG’s transfer agent, (a) this Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly executed, and (b) any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal or, if your Shares are held in “street” name and are being tendered by book-entry transfer, (i) a Book-Entry Confirmation, (ii) this Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly executed, or an Agent’s Message and (iii) any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received before the Expiration Time.

 

12


IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION

Under U.S. federal income tax laws, to prevent U.S. federal backup withholding on payments of the purchase price with respect to Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer to a tendering shareholder that is a U.S. Person, such shareholder is generally required to provide the Depositary (as payor) with its correct TIN by completing the attached IRS Form W-9 and certifying, under penalties of perjury, that the TIN provided on IRS Form W-9 is correct (or that such shareholder is awaiting a TIN), such shareholder is not subject to U.S. federal backup withholding and such shareholder is a U.S. Person, or otherwise establish a basis for exemption. A TIN is generally an individual shareholder’s social security number or a non-individual shareholder’s employer identification number. If the Depositary is not provided with the correct TIN, a penalty may be imposed by the IRS and payments made with respect to Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer may be subject to U.S. federal backup withholding. Failure to comply truthfully with the U.S. federal backup withholding requirements may also result in the imposition of criminal and/or civil fines and penalties. If a tendering shareholder that is a U.S. Person has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends to apply for a TIN in the near future, such shareholder should write “Applied For” in Part I of the IRS Form W-9. Notwithstanding that “Applied For” is written in Part I of the IRS Form W-9, the Depositary will withhold 28 percent of all payments of the purchase price with respect to Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer to such shareholder until a TIN is provided to the Depositary. Under certain circumstances, a shareholder’s IRS Form W-9, including its TIN, may be transferred from the Depositary to AVG’s paying agent.

Certain shareholders (including certain corporations, non-resident non-U.S. individuals and non-U.S. entities) may not be subject to the U.S. federal backup withholding requirements. An exempt shareholder that is a U.S. Person should provide the Depositary with a properly completed IRS Form W-9 that furnishes such shareholder’s correct TIN and any applicable “exempt payee codes” in the “Exemptions” box of the IRS Form W-9. A shareholder (whether an individual or an entity) that is not a U.S. Person may qualify as an exempt recipient by submitting to the Depositary a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN, Form W-8BEN-E or Form W-8ECI (or other applicable IRS Form W-8) certifying, under penalties of perjury, that such shareholder is not a U.S. Person and is the beneficial owner of payments received pursuant to the Offer. In general, a person is not a beneficial owner of income if the person receives the income as nominee, agent or custodian, or to the extent the person is a conduit whose participation in the transaction is disregarded. Please consult your tax advisor for more information. The appropriate IRS Form W-8 can be obtained from the Depositary or downloaded from the IRS’s website at the following address: http://www.irs.gov.

Please consult your accountant or tax advisor or the Depositary for further guidance regarding the completion of IRS Form W-9, Form W-8BEN, Form W-8BEN-E or Form W-8ECI (or other applicable IRS Form W-8) to claim exemption from U.S. federal backup withholding.

If U.S. federal backup withholding applies, the Depositary is required to withhold and pay over to the IRS a portion of any payment made to a shareholder. U.S. federal backup withholding is not an additional U.S. federal income tax. Rather, the U.S. federal income tax liability of persons subject to U.S. federal backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If U.S. federal backup withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained from the IRS, provided that the required information is properly furnished to the IRS.

 

13


Form  W-9

(Rev. December 2014)

Department of the Treasury

Internal Revenue Service

 

 

Request for Taxpayer

Identification Number and Certification

 

 

Give Form to the

requester. Do not

send to the IRS.

 

Print or type

See

Specific Instructions

on page 2.

 

 

 

 1  Name (as shown on your income tax return). Name is required on this line; do not leave this line blank.

 

    
 

 

 2  Business name/disregarded entity name, if different from above

 

                        
   3  Check appropriate box for federal tax classification; check only one of the following seven boxes:      

Exemptions (codes apply only to

certain entities, not individuals; see

instructions on page 3):

Exempt payee code (if any)                

 

Exemption from FATCA reporting

code (if any)                                     

(Applies to accounts maintained outside the U.S.)

 

  ¨   Individual/sole proprietor or
    single-member LLC    
  ¨   C Corporation       ¨   S Corporation       ¨   Partnership       ¨   Trust/estate          
 

¨ Limited liability company. Enter the tax classification (C=C corporation, S=S corporation, P=partnership) u               

 

Note. For a single-member LLC that is disregarded, do not check LLC; check the appropriate box in the
line above for the tax classification of the single-member owner.

 

¨ Other (see instructions) u

 

     
 

 

 5  Address (number, street, and apt. or suite no.)

 

      

 

  Requester’s name and address (optional)

 

 

 6  City, state, and ZIP code

 

        
    

 

 7  List account number(s) here (optional)

 

                    
Part I    Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
                   

 

Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. The TIN provided must match the name given on line 1 to avoid backup withholding. For individuals, this is generally your social security number (SSN). However, for a resident alien, sole proprietor, or disregarded entity, see the Part I instructions on page 3. For other entities, it is your employer identification number (EIN). If you do not have a number, see How to get a TIN on page 3.

 

   

Social security number

 

                                 
    or
Note. If the account is in more than one name, see the instructions for line 1 and the chart on page 4 for guidelines on whose number to enter.      

Employer identification number

 

                                     
Part II    Certification

Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:

 

1.   The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me); and

 

2.   I am not subject to backup withholding because: (a) I am exempt from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding; and

 

3.   I am a U.S. citizen or other U.S. person (defined below); and

 

4.   The FATCA code(s) entered on this form (if any) indicating that I am exempt from FATCA reporting is correct.

Certification instructions. You must cross out item 2 above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject to backup withholding because you have failed to report all interest and dividends on your tax return. For real estate transactions, item 2 does not apply. For mortgage interest paid, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, contributions to an individual retirement arrangement (IRA), and generally, payments other than interest and dividends, you are not required to sign the certification, but you must provide your correct TIN. See the instructions on page 3.

 

Sign
Here
   Signature of
U.S. person  
u
     Date   u

 

General Instructions

Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless otherwise noted.

Future developments. Information about developments affecting Form W-9 (such as legislation enacted after we release it) is at www.irs.gov/fw9.

Purpose of Form

An individual or entity (Form W-9 requester) who is required to file an information return with the IRS must obtain your correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) which may be your social security number (SSN), individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), adoption taxpayer identification number (ATIN), or employer identification number (EIN), to report on an information return the amount paid to you, or other amount reportable on an information return. Examples of information returns include, but are not limited to, the following:

● Form 1099-INT (interest earned or paid)

● Form 1099-DIV (dividends, including those from stocks or mutual funds)

● Form 1099-MISC (various types of income, prizes, awards, or gross proceeds)

● Form 1099-B (stock or mutual fund sales and certain other transactions by brokers)

● Form 1099-S (proceeds from real estate transactions)

● Form 1099-K (merchant card and third party network transactions)

● Form 1098 (home mortgage interest), 1098-E (student loan interest), 1098-T (tuition)

● Form 1099-C (canceled debt)

● Form 1099-A (acquisition or abandonment of secured property)

Use Form W-9 only if you are a U.S. person (including a resident alien), to provide your correct TIN.

If you do not return Form W-9 to the requester with a TIN, you might be subject to backup withholding. See What is backup withholding? on page 2.

By signing the filled-out form, you:

1. Certify that the TIN you are giving is correct (or you are waiting for a number to be issued),

2. Certify that you are not subject to backup withholding, or

3. Claim exemption from backup withholding if you are a U.S. exempt payee. If applicable, you are also certifying that as a U.S. person, your allocable share of any partnership income from a U.S. trade or business is not subject to the withholding tax on foreign partners’ share of effectively connected income, and

4. Certify that FATCA code(s) entered on this form (if any) indicating that you are exempt from the FATCA reporting, is correct. See What is FATCA reporting? on page 2 for further information.

 

 

 

    Cat. No. 10231X  

Form W-9 (Rev. 12-2014)


Form W-9 (Rev. 12-2014)

Page 2

 

 

Note. If you are a U.S. person and a requester gives you a form other than Form W-9 to request your TIN, you must use the requester’s form if it is substantially similar to this Form W-9.

Definition of a U.S. person. For federal tax purposes, you are considered a U.S. person if you are:

● An individual who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien;

● A partnership, corporation, company, or association created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States;

● An estate (other than a foreign estate); or

● A domestic trust (as defined in Regulations section 301.7701-7).

Special rules for partnerships. Partnerships that conduct a trade or business in the United States are generally required to pay a withholding tax under section 1446 on any foreign partners’ share of effectively connected taxable income from such business. Further, in certain cases where a Form W-9 has not been received, the rules under section 1446 require a partnership to presume that a partner is a foreign person, and pay the section 1446 withholding tax. Therefore, if you are a U.S. person that is a partner in a partnership conducting a trade or business in the United States, provide Form W-9 to the partnership to establish your U.S. status and avoid section 1446 withholding on your share of partnership income.

In the cases below, the following person must give Form W-9 to the partnership for purposes of establishing its U.S. status and avoiding withholding on its allocable share of net income from the partnership conducting a trade or business in the United States:

● In the case of a disregarded entity with a U.S. owner, the U.S. owner of the disregarded entity and not the entity;

● In the case of a grantor trust with a U.S. grantor or other U.S. owner, generally, the U.S. grantor or other U.S. owner of the grantor trust and not the trust; and

● In the case of a U.S. trust (other than a grantor trust), the U.S. trust (other than a grantor trust) and not the beneficiaries of the trust.

Foreign person. If you are a foreign person or the U.S. branch of a foreign bank that has elected to be treated as a U.S. person, do not use Form W-9. Instead, use the appropriate Form W-8 or Form 8233 (see Publication 515, Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities).

Nonresident alien who becomes a resident alien. Generally, only a nonresident alien individual may use the terms of a tax treaty to reduce or eliminate U.S. tax on certain types of income. However, most tax treaties contain a provision known as a “saving clause.” Exceptions specified in the saving clause may permit an exemption from tax to continue for certain types of income even after the payee has otherwise become a U.S. resident alien for tax purposes.

If you are a U.S. resident alien who is relying on an exception contained in the saving clause of a tax treaty to claim an exemption from U.S. tax on certain types of income, you must attach a statement to Form W-9 that specifies the following five items:

1. The treaty country. Generally, this must be the same treaty under which you claimed exemption from tax as a nonresident alien.

2. The treaty article addressing the income.

3. The article number (or location) in the tax treaty that contains the saving clause and its exceptions.

4. The type and amount of income that qualifies for the exemption from tax.

5. Sufficient facts to justify the exemption from tax under the terms of the treaty article.

Example. Article 20 of the U.S.-China income tax treaty allows an exemption from tax for scholarship income received by a Chinese student temporarily present in the United States. Under U.S. law, this student will become a resident alien for tax purposes if his or her stay in the United States exceeds 5 calendar years. However, paragraph 2 of the first Protocol to the U.S.-China treaty (dated April 30, 1984) allows the provisions of Article 20 to continue to apply even after the Chinese student becomes a resident alien of the United States. A Chinese student who qualifies for this exception (under paragraph 2 of the first protocol) and is relying on this exception to claim an exemption from tax on his or her scholarship or fellowship income would attach to Form W-9 a statement that includes the information described above to support that exemption.

If you are a nonresident alien or a foreign entity, give the requester the appropriate completed Form W-8 or Form 8233.

Backup Withholding

What is backup withholding? Persons making certain payments to you must under certain conditions withhold and pay to the IRS 28% of such payments. This is called “backup withholding.” Payments that may be subject to backup withholding include interest, tax-exempt interest, dividends, broker and barter exchange transactions, rents, royalties, nonemployee pay, payments made in settlement of payment card and third party network transactions, and certain payments from fishing boat operators. Real estate transactions are not subject to backup withholding.

You will not be subject to backup withholding on payments you receive if you give the requester your correct TIN, make the proper certifications, and report all your taxable interest and dividends on your tax return.

Payments you receive will be subject to backup withholding if:

1. You do not furnish your TIN to the requester,

2. You do not certify your TIN when required (see the Part II instructions on page 3 for details),

3. The IRS tells the requester that you furnished an incorrect TIN,

4. The IRS tells you that you are subject to backup withholding because you did not report all your interest and dividends on your tax return (for reportable interest and dividends only), or

5. You do not certify to the requester that you are not subject to backup withholding under 4 above (for reportable interest and dividend accounts opened after 1983 only).

Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding. See Exempt payee code on page 3 and the separate Instructions for the Requester of Form W-9 for more information.

Also see Special rules for partnerships above.

What is FATCA reporting?

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) requires a participating foreign financial institution to report all United States account holders that are specified United States persons. Certain payees are exempt from FATCA reporting. See Exemption from FATCA reporting code on page 3 and the Instructions for the Requester of Form W-9 for more information.

Updating Your Information

You must provide updated information to any person to whom you claimed to be an exempt payee if you are no longer an exempt payee and anticipate receiving reportable payments in the future from this person. For example, you may need to provide updated information if you are a C corporation that elects to be an S corporation, or if you no longer are tax exempt. In addition, you must furnish a new Form W-9 if the name or TIN changes for the account; for example, if the grantor of a grantor trust dies.

Penalties

Failure to furnish TIN. If you fail to furnish your correct TIN to a requester, 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.

Civil penalty for false information with respect to withholding. If you make a false statement with no reasonable basis that results in no backup withholding, you are subject to a $500 penalty.

Criminal penalty for falsifying information. Willfully falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.

Misuse of TINs. If the requester discloses or uses TINs in violation of federal law, the requester may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.

Specific Instructions

Line 1

You must enter one of the following on this line; do not leave this line blank. The name should match the name on your tax return.

If this Form W-9 is for a joint account, list first, and then circle, the name of the person or entity whose number you entered in Part I of Form W-9.

a. Individual. Generally, enter the name shown on your tax return. If you have changed your last name without informing the Social Security Administration (SSA) of the name change, enter your first name, the last name as shown on your social security card, and your new last name.

Note. ITIN applicant: Enter your individual name as it was entered on your Form W-7 application, line 1a. This should also be the same as the name you entered on the Form 1040/1040A/1040EZ you filed with your application.

b. Sole proprietor or single-member LLC. Enter your individual name as shown on your 1040/1040A/1040EZ on line 1. You may enter your business, trade, or “doing business as” (DBA) name on line 2.

c. Partnership, LLC that is not a single-member LLC, C Corporation, or S Corporation. Enter the entity’s name as shown on the entity’s tax return on line 1 and any business, trade, or DBA name on line 2.

d. Other entities. Enter your name as shown on required U.S. federal tax documents on line 1. This name should match the name shown on the charter or other legal document creating the entity. You may enter any business, trade, or DBA name on line 2.

e. Disregarded entity. For U.S. federal tax purposes, an entity that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner is treated as a “disregarded entity.” See Regulations section 301.7701-2(c)(2)(iii). Enter the owner’s name on line 1. The name of the entity entered on line 1 should never be a disregarded entity. The name on line 1 should be the name shown on the income tax return on which the income should be reported. For example, if a foreign LLC that is treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal tax purposes has a single owner that is a U.S. person, the U.S. owner’s name is required to be provided on line 1. If the direct owner of the entity is also a disregarded entity, enter the first owner that is not disregarded for federal tax purposes. Enter the disregarded entity’s name on line 2, “Business name/disregarded entity name.” If the owner of the disregarded entity is a foreign person, the owner must complete an appropriate Form W-8 instead of a Form W-9. This is the case even if the foreign person has a U.S. TIN.

 


Form W-9 (Rev. 12-2014)

Page 3

 

 

Line 2

If you have a business name, trade name, DBA name, or disregarded entity name, you may enter it on line 2.

Line 3

Check the appropriate box in line 3 for the U.S. federal tax classification of the person whose name is entered on line 1. Check only one box in line 3.

Limited Liability Company (LLC). If the name on line 1 is an LLC treated as a partnership for U.S. federal tax purposes, check the “Limited Liability Company” box and enter “P” in the space provided. If the LLC has filed Form 8832 or 2553 to be taxed as a corporation, check the “Limited Liability Company” box and in the space provided enter “C” for C corporation or “S” for S corporation. If it is a single-member LLC that is a disregarded entity, do not check the “Limited Liability Company” box; instead check the first box in line 3 “Individual/sole proprietor or single-member LLC.”

Line 4, Exemptions

If you are exempt from backup withholding and/or FATCA reporting, enter in the appropriate space in line 4 any code(s) that may apply to you.

Exempt payee code.

● Generally, individuals (including sole proprietors) are not exempt from backup withholding.

● Except as provided below, corporations are exempt from backup withholding for certain payments, including interest and dividends.

● Corporations are not exempt from backup withholding for payments made in settlement of payment card or third party network transactions.

● Corporations are not exempt from backup withholding with respect to attorneys’ fees or gross proceeds paid to attorneys, and corporations that provide medical or health care services are not exempt with respect to payments reportable on Form 1099-MISC.

The following codes identify payees that are exempt from backup withholding. Enter the appropriate code in the space in line 4.

1—An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), any IRA, or a custodial account under section 403(b)(7) if the account satisfies the requirements of section 401(f)(2)

2—The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities

3—A state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. commonwealth or possession, or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities

4—A foreign government or any of its political subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities

5—A corporation

6—A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United States, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. commonwealth or possession

7—A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission

8—A real estate investment trust

9—An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940

10—A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a)

11—A financial institution

12—A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian

13—A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section 4947

The following chart shows types of payments that may be exempt from backup withholding. The chart applies to the exempt payees listed above, 1 through 13.

 

IF the payment is for . . .   THEN the payment is exempt for . . .

Interest and dividend payments

 

  All exempt payees except for 7
Broker transactions  

Exempt payees 1 through 4 and 6 through 11 and all C corporations. S corporations must not enter an exempt payee code because they are exempt only for sales of noncovered securities acquired prior to 2012.

 

Barter exchange transactions and patronage dividends

 

  Exempt payees 1 through 4

Payments over $600 required to be reported and direct sales over $5,0001

 

  Generally, exempt payees 1 through 52

Payments made in settlement of payment card or third party network transactions

 

  Exempt payees 1 through 4

 

1  See Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, and its instructions.

 

2  However, the following payments made to a corporation and reportable on Form 1099-MISC are not exempt from backup withholding: medical and health care payments, attorneys’ fees, gross proceeds paid to an attorney reportable under section 6045(f), and payments for services paid by a federal executive agency.

Exemption from FATCA reporting code. The following codes identify payees that are exempt from reporting under FATCA. These codes apply to persons submitting this form for accounts maintained outside of the United States by certain foreign financial institutions. Therefore, if you are only submitting this form for an account you hold in the United States, you may leave this field blank. Consult with the person requesting this form if you are uncertain if the financial institution is subject to these requirements. A requester may indicate that a code is not required by providing you with a Form W-9 with “Not Applicable” (or any similar indication) written or printed on the line for a FATCA exemption code.

A—An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a) or any individual retirement plan as defined in section 7701(a)(37)

B—The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities

C—A state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. commonwealth or possession, or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities

D—A corporation the stock of which is regularly traded on one or more established securities markets, as described in Regulations section 1.1472-1(c)(1)(i)

E—A corporation that is a member of the same expanded affiliated group as a corporation described in Regulations section 1.1472-1(c)(1)(i)

F—A dealer in securities, commodities, or derivative financial instruments (including notional principal contracts, futures, forwards, and options) that is registered as such under the laws of the United States or any state

G—A real estate investment trust

H—A regulated investment company as defined in section 851 or an entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940

I—A common trust fund as defined in section 584(a)

J—A bank as defined in section 581

K—A broker

L—A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section 4947(a)(1)

M—A tax exempt trust under a section 403(b) plan or section 457(g) plan

Note. You may wish to consult with the financial institution requesting this form to determine whether the FATCA code and/or exempt payee code should be completed.

Line 5

Enter your address (number, street, and apartment or suite number). This is where the requester of this Form W-9 will mail your information returns.

Line 6

Enter your city, state, and ZIP code.

Part I. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. If you are a resident alien and you do not have and are not eligible to get an SSN, your TIN is your IRS individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Enter it in the social security number box. If you do not have an ITIN, see How to get a TIN below.

If you are a sole proprietor and you have an EIN, you may enter either your SSN or EIN. However, the IRS prefers that you use your SSN.

If you are a single-member LLC that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner (see Limited Liability Company (LLC) on this page), enter the owner’s SSN (or EIN, if the owner has one). Do not enter the disregarded entity’s EIN. If the LLC is classified as a corporation or partnership, enter the entity’s EIN.

Note. See the chart on page 4 for further clarification of name and TIN combinations.

How to get a TIN. If you do not have a TIN, apply for one immediately. To apply for an SSN, get Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, from your local SSA office or get this form online at www.ssa.gov. You may also get this form by calling 1-800-772-1213. Use Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, to apply for an ITIN, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, to apply for an EIN. You can apply for an EIN online by accessing the IRS website at www.irs.gov/businesses and clicking on Employer Identification Number (EIN) under Starting a Business. You can get Forms W-7 and SS-4 from the IRS by visiting IRS.gov or by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676).

If you are asked to complete Form W-9 but do not have a TIN, apply for a TIN and write “Applied For” in the space for the TIN, sign and date the form, and give it to the requester. For interest and dividend payments, and certain payments made with respect to readily tradable instruments, generally you will have 60 days to get a TIN and give it to the requester before you are subject to backup withholding on payments. The 60-day rule does not apply to other types of payments. You will be subject to backup withholding on all such payments until you provide your TIN to the requester.

Note. Entering “Applied For” means that you have already applied for a TIN or that you intend to apply for one soon.

Caution: A disregarded U.S. entity that has a foreign owner must use the appropriate Form W-8.

 


Form W-9 (Rev. 12-2014)

Page 4

 

 

Part II. Certification

To establish to the withholding agent that you are a U.S. person, or resident alien, sign Form W-9. You may be requested to sign by the withholding agent even if items 1, 4, or 5 below indicate otherwise.

For a joint account, only the person whose TIN is shown in Part I should sign (when required). In the case of a disregarded entity, the person identified on line 1 must sign. Exempt payees, see Exempt payee code earlier.

Signature requirements. Complete the certification as indicated in items 1 through 5 below.

1. Interest, dividend, and barter exchange accounts opened before 1984 and broker accounts considered active during 1983. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification.

2. Interest, dividend, broker, and barter exchange accounts opened after 1983 and broker accounts considered inactive during 1983. You must sign the certification or backup withholding will apply. If you are subject to backup withholding and you are merely providing your correct TIN to the requester, you must cross out item 2 in the certification before signing the form.

3. Real estate transactions. You must sign the certification. You may cross out item 2 of the certification.

4. Other payments. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification unless you have been notified that you have previously given an incorrect TIN. “Other payments” include payments made in the course of the requester’s trade or business for rents, royalties, goods (other than bills for merchandise), medical and health care services (including payments to corporations), payments to a nonemployee for services, payments made in settlement of payment card and third party network transactions, payments to certain fishing boat crew members and fishermen, and gross proceeds paid to attorneys (including payments to corporations).

5. Mortgage interest paid by you, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, qualified tuition program payments (under section 529), IRA, Coverdell ESA, Archer MSA or HSA contributions or distributions, and pension distributions. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification.

What Name and Number To Give the Requester

 

        For this type of account:   Give name and SSN of:
  1.      Individual   The individual
  2.      Two or more individuals (joint account)   The actual owner of the account or, if combined funds, the first individual on the account1
  3.      Custodian account of a minor (Uniform Gift to Minors Act)   The minor2
  4.     

a.   The usual revocable savings trust (grantor is also trustee)

  The grantor-trustee1
 

b.   So-called trust account that is not a legal or valid trust under state law

  The actual owner1
  5.      Sole proprietorship or disregarded entity owned by an individual   The owner3
  6.     

Grantor trust filing under Optional Form 1099 Filing Method 1 (see Regulations section 1.671-4(b)(2)(i)(A))

 

  The grantor*
       For this type of account:   Give name and EIN of:
  7.      Disregarded entity not owned by an individual   The owner
  8.      A valid trust, estate, or pension trust   Legal entity4
  9.      Corporation or LLC electing corporate status on Form 8832 or Form 2553   The corporation
  10.      Association, club, religious, charitable, educational, or other tax-exempt organization   The organization
  11.      Partnership or multi-member LLC   The partnership
  12.      A broker or registered nominee   The broker or nominee
  13.      Account with the Department of Agriculture in the name of a public entity (such as a state or local government, school district, or prison) that receives agricultural program payments   The public entity
  14.      Grantor trust filing under the Form 1041 Filing Method or the Optional Form 1099 Filing Method 2 (see Regulations section 1.671-4(b)(2)(i)(B))   The trust

 

1  List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish. If only one person on a joint account has an SSN, that person’s number must be furnished.

 

2  Circle the minor’s name and furnish the minor’s SSN.

 

3  You must show your individual name and you may also enter your business or DBA name on the “Business name/disregarded entity” name line. You may use either your SSN or EIN (if you have one), but the IRS encourages you to use your SSN.

 

4  List first and circle the name of the trust, estate, or pension trust. (Do not furnish the TIN of the personal representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated in the account title.) Also see Special rules for partnerships on page 2.

 

* Note. Grantor also must provide a Form W-9 to trustee of trust.

Note. If no name is circled when more than one name is listed, the number will be considered to be that of the first name listed.

Secure Your Tax Records from Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information such as your name, SSN, or other identifying information, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. An identity thief may use your SSN to get a job or may file a tax return using your SSN to receive a refund.

To reduce your risk:

● Protect your SSN,

● Ensure your employer is protecting your SSN, and

● Be careful when choosing a tax preparer.

If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS, respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter.

If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you are at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity or credit report, contact the IRS Identity Theft Hotline at 1-800-908-4490 or submit Form 14039.

For more information, see Publication 4535, Identity Theft Prevention and Victim Assistance.

Victims of identity theft who are experiencing economic harm or a system problem, or are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, may be eligible for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance. You can reach TAS by calling the TAS toll-free case intake line at 1-877-777-4778 or TTY/TDD 1-800-829-4059.

Protect yourself from suspicious emails or phishing schemes. Phishing is the creation and use of email and websites designed to mimic legitimate business emails and websites. The most common act is sending an email to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft.

The IRS does not initiate contacts with taxpayers via emails. Also, the IRS does not request personal detailed information through email or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts.

If you receive an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, forward this message to phishing@irs.gov. You may also report misuse of the IRS name, logo, or other IRS property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1-800-366-4484. You can forward suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at: spam@uce.gov or contact them at www.ftc.gov/idtheft or 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338).

Visit IRS.gov to learn more about identity theft and how to reduce your risk.

 

 

Privacy Act Notice

Section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code requires you to provide your correct TIN to persons (including federal agencies) who are required to file information returns with the IRS to report interest, dividends, or certain other income paid to you; mortgage interest you paid; the acquisition or abandonment of secured property; the cancellation of debt; or contributions you made to an IRA, Archer MSA, or HSA. The person collecting this form uses the information on the form to file information returns with the IRS, reporting the above information. Routine uses of this information include giving it to the Department of Justice for civil and criminal litigation and to cities, states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. commonwealths and possessions for use in administering their laws. The information also may be disclosed to other countries under a treaty, to federal and state agencies to enforce civil and criminal laws, or to federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat terrorism. You must provide your TIN whether or not you are required to file a tax return. Under section 3406, payers must generally withhold a percentage of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not give a TIN to the payer. Certain penalties may also apply for providing false or fraudulent information.


The Depositary for the Offer to Purchase is:

 

 

LOGO

 

If delivering by mail:

 

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

Operations Center

Attn: Reorganization Department

P.O. Box 2042

New York, New York 10272-2042

  

If delivering by hand or courier:

 

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

Operations Center

Attn: Reorganization Department

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11219

DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.

Any questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent at its telephone number and location listed below. Requests for additional copies of this Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal may be directed either to the Information Agent at its telephone number and location listed below. You may also contact your broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer.

The Information Agent for the Offer is:

 

 

LOGO

Innisfree M&A Incorporated

501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor

New York, New York 10022

Shareholders may call toll free: (888) 750-5834

Banks and brokers may call collect: (212) 750-5833