EX-99.(A)(1)(B) 3 a2230805zex-99_a1b.htm EX-99.(A)(1)(B)
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EXHIBIT (a)(1)(B)

        Letter of Transmittal

To Tender Shares of Common Stock
of

Arctic Cat Inc.

Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase Dated February 2, 2017
by

Aces Acquisition Corp.,

Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc.

and

Textron Inc.

THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME,
ON MARCH 3, 2017 UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.

The Depositary for the Offer is:

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

***By Mail:
By 5:00 p.m. NYC time on Expiration Date
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Shareowner Services
Voluntary Corporate Actions
P.O. Box 64858
St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0858
  ***By Hand or Overnight Courier:
By 5:00 p.m. NYC time on Expiration Date
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Shareowner Services
Voluntary Corporate Actions
1110 Centre Pointe Curve, Suite 101
Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55120

        Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal to an address other than as set forth above will not constitute a valid delivery to the Depositary. You must sign this Letter of Transmittal in the appropriate space provided below, with signature guarantee if required, and complete the enclosed Form W-9.


        The instructions contained within this Letter of Transmittal should be read carefully before this Letter of Transmittal is completed.

 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
    FOR OFFICE USE ONLY   Approved       W-9 Completed            
 
 
  DESCRIPTION OF SHARES TENDERED
   
     Account Registration

Please make any address correction below
      Certificate(s) and Share(s) Tendered
(Please attach additional signed list, if necessary)
   
                 Certificate
Number(s) and/or
indicate
Book-Entry shares
      Total Number of
Shares
Represented
by Certificate(s)
      Number of
Shares
Tendered(1)(2)
   

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 
 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 
 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 
 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

    

 

 
 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Shares Tendered

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
     (1)   If shares are held in Book-Entry form, you must indicate the number of shares you are tendering. Otherwise, all Shares represented by Book-Entry delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been tendered. By signing and submitting this Letter of Transmittal you warrant that these shares will not be sold, including through limit order request, unless properly withdrawn from the Offer. See Instruction 4.    
     (2)   If you wish to tender fewer than all shares represented by any Certificate listed above, please indicate in this column the number of shares you wish to tender. Otherwise, all Shares represented by Certificates delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been tendered. See Instruction 4.    
     o   Check here if Certificates have been lost or mutilated.    
    Lost Certificates. I have lost my Certificate(s) for            shares and require assistance in replacing them. A $75.00 replacement fee must be sent in with the completed letter of transmittal. The check must be made payable to Shareowner Services. If additional forms and fees are needed, you will be contacted.    

        The names and addresses of the registered holders of the tendered Shares should be printed, if not already printed above, exactly as they appear on the Certificates (as defined below) tendered hereby.

        This Letter of Transmittal is to be used by shareholders if Certificates for Shares are to be forwarded herewith or if shares are held in book-entry form on the records of the Depositary.

        Holders of Shares whose certificates for such Shares (the "Certificates") are not immediately available, or who cannot complete the procedure for book-entry transfer on a timely basis, or who cannot deliver all other required documents to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), must tender their Shares according to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in "Section 3—"Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares" of the Offer to Purchase. See Instruction 2.

IMPORTANT
SHAREHOLDER: SIGN HERE
(Please Complete Substitute Form W-9 Enclosed)

    

    
(Signature(s) of Owner(s))

 

Name(s)    

    

 

Capacity (Full Title)    
(See Instructions)

 

Address                   

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 
(Include Zip Code)

(Must be signed by the registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on stock certificate(s) or on a security position listing or by the person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by certificates and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please set forth full title and see Instruction 5.)


GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
(If required—See Instructions 1 and 5)

APPLY MEDALLION GUARANTEE STAMP BELOW


        This letter of transmittal (as amended or supplemented from time to time, this "Letter of Transmittal") is to be completed by shareholders of Arctic Cat Inc., a Minnesota corporation ("Arctic Cat"), if certificates ("Certificates") representing shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (each, a "Share" and collectively, the "Shares"), are to be forwarded with this Letter of Transmittal. If delivery of Shares is to be made by book-entry transfer to an account maintained by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the "Depositary") at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") pursuant to the procedures set forth under Section 3—"Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares" of the Offer to Purchase, dated February 2, 2017 (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Offer to Purchase"), shareholders may use an Agent's Message (as defined in Section 3—"Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares" of the Offer to Purchase) or this Letter of Transmittal. Delivery of documents to DTC in accordance with DTC's procedures does not constitute delivery to the Depositary.

        Shareholders of Arctic Cat whose Certificates are not immediately available or whose time will not permit all required documents to reach the Depositary at or before the expiration of the Offer or who cannot complete the procedure for book-entry transfer at or before the expiration of the Offer must tender their Shares according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth under Section 3—"Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares" of the Offer to Purchase. See Instruction 2 below.

        If any Certificate you are tendering with this Letter of Transmittal has been lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated, you should contact Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, Arctic Cat's stock transfer agent (the "Transfer Agent"), at 800-468-9716, regarding the requirements for replacement. You may be required to post a bond to secure against the risk that the Certificate may be subsequently recirculated. You are urged to contact the Transfer Agent immediately in order to receive further instructions, for a determination of whether you will need to post a bond and to permit timely processing of this documentation. The Depositary may charge holders an administrative fee for processing payment with respect to Shares represented by lost certificates.

        NOTE: PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS SET FORTH IN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY.



  

 

SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
(See Instructions 1, 5 and 6)

 

 

 

 

 

SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

 

 
                 To be completed ONLY if the check for payment is to be issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned.                       To be completed ONLY if the check is to be sent to someone other than the undersigned or to the undersigned at an address other than that shown under "Description of Shares Tendered."    

 

 

Issue To:

 

 

 

 

 

Mail To:

 

 

 

 

Name

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

 

 

 
 
         (Please Print)               (Please Print)    

 

 

Address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address

 

 

 

 
 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
     (Include Zip Code)           (Include Zip Code)    

  

 

(Recipient must complete the enclosed Form W-9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        The undersigned hereby tenders to Aces Acquisition Corp., a Minnesota corporation ("Purchaser") and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Textron Specialized Vehicles"), which is a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Textron"), the above-described shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Arctic Cat Common Stock" or the "Shares"), of Arctic Cat Inc., a Minnesota corporation ("Arctic Cat"), pursuant to Purchaser's offer to purchase all of the outstanding Shares at $18.50 per Share, payable net to the holder thereof in cash, without interest, subject to any withholding of taxes required by applicable law, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the offer to purchase, dated February 2, 2017 (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Offer to Purchase"), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and in this letter of transmittal (as amended or supplemented from time to time, this "Letter of Transmittal," and together with the Offer to Purchase, the "Offer").

        Subject to, and effective upon, acceptance for payment of the Shares tendered with this Letter of Transmittal, 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 the Shares that are being tendered by this Letter of Transmittal and irrevocably appoints Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the "Depositary") as the true and lawful agent, attorney-in-fact and proxy of the undersigned with respect to such Shares, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest in the Shares tendered by this Letter of Transmittal), to (i) deliver certificates (the "Certificates") representing the Arctic Cat Common Stock, or transfer ownership of such Shares on the account books maintained by The Depository Trust Company, together, in either case, with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity, to or upon the order of Purchaser; (ii) present such Shares for transfer on the books of Arctic Cat; and (iii) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Shares, all in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.

        The undersigned hereby irrevocably appoints Purchaser's designees, and each of them, as agents, attorneys-in-fact and proxies of the undersigned, each with full power of substitution, in the manner set forth herein, to the full extent of the rights of the undersigned with respect to Shares that the undersigned tenders and Purchaser accepts for payment. All such powers of attorney and proxies will be considered irrevocable and coupled with an interest in the Shares tendered by this Letter of Transmittal. This appointment will be effective when Purchaser accepts the Shares tendered by this Letter of Transmittal for payment in accordance with the terms of the Offer. Upon acceptance for payment, all other powers of attorney and proxies given by the undersigned with respect to the Shares tendered by this Letter of Transmittal prior to such payment will be revoked, without further action, and no subsequent powers of attorney and proxies may be given by the undersigned (and, if given, will not be deemed effective). Purchaser's designees will, with respect to the Shares tendered by this Letter of Transmittal and rights for which the appointment is effective, be empowered to exercise all of the voting and other rights of the undersigned as they, in their sole discretion, may deem proper at any annual or special meeting of shareholders of Arctic Cat, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, or by consent in lieu of any such meeting of shareholders of Arctic Cat or otherwise. In order for Shares to be deemed validly tendered by this Letter of Transmittal, immediately upon the acceptance for payment of such Shares, Purchaser or its designee must be able to exercise full voting rights with respect to such Shares, including voting at any meeting of shareholders of Arctic Cat.

        The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Shares tendered by this Letter of Transmittal, and that when such Shares are accepted for payment by Purchaser, Purchaser will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title to such Shares, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances, and that none of such Shares will be subject to any adverse claim. The undersigned, upon request, shall execute and deliver all additional documents deemed by the Depositary or Purchaser to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the Shares tendered by this Letter of Transmittal.


        No authority conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of Transmittal shall be affected by, and all such authority shall survive, the death or incapacity of the undersigned. All obligations of the undersigned under this Letter of Transmittal shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as stated in the Offer to Purchase, this tender is irrevocable. See Section 4—"Withdrawal Rights" of the Offer to Purchase.

        The undersigned understands that tenders of Shares pursuant to any one of the procedures described in the Offer to Purchase under Section 3—"Procedures for Accepting the Offer and Tendering Shares" of the Offer to Purchase and in the instructions to this Letter of Transmittal 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 subject to the conditions of the Offer. Without limiting the foregoing, if the price to be paid in the Offer is amended in accordance with the Offer, the price to be paid to the undersigned will be the amended price notwithstanding the fact that a different price is stated in this Letter of Transmittal. The undersigned recognizes that under certain circumstances set forth in the Offer to Purchase, Purchaser may not be required to accept for payment any of the Shares tendered by this Letter of Transmittal.

        Unless otherwise indicated in this Letter of Transmittal in the box entitled "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 above under "Description of Shares Tendered." Similarly, unless otherwise indicated in the box entitled "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 above under "Description of Shares Tendered."



INSTRUCTIONS

FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER

        1.    Guarantee of Signatures.    No signature guarantee is required on this Letter of Transmittal if this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of Shares tendered herewith, unless such registered holder(s) has completed the box entitled "Special Payment Instructions" on the Letter of Transmittal. See Instruction 5.

        2.    Requirements of Tender.    This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by shareholders if certificates are to be forwarded herewith or shares are held in book-entry form on the records of the Depositary. Certificates, as well as this Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile hereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees, and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth herein prior to the Expiration Date. Shareholders whose Certificates are not immediately available or who cannot deliver all other required documents to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date, may 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: (i) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution; (ii) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, must be received by the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date; and (iii) the Certificates evidencing all tendered Shares, in proper form for transfer, in each case together with the Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary within three (3) trading days after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. If Certificates are forwarded separately to the Depositary, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal must accompany each such delivery.

By signing and submitting this Letter of Transmittal you warrant that these Shares will not be sold, including through limit order request, unless properly withdrawn from the Offer.

        The method of delivery of this Letter of Transmittal, Certificates and all other required documents is at the option and the risk of the tendering shareholder and the delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by the Depositary. If delivery is by mail, registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured, is recommended. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to ensure timely delivery.

        LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE OFFICE OF THE DEPOSITARY BY 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE OF THE OFFER. GUARANTEED DELIVERIES WILL BE ACCEPTED VIA FAX UNTIL 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.

        No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted and no fractional Shares will be exchanged. All tendering shareholders, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile hereof), 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 and any other required information should be listed on a separate signed schedule attached hereto.

        4.    Partial Tenders.    If fewer than all of the shares evidenced by any certificate and/or book-entry are to be tendered, fill in the number of shares that are to be tendered in the column entitled "Number of Shares Tendered" in the box entitled "Description of Shares Tendered" above. In that case, if any tendered shares are purchased, a Direct Registration Book Entry Statement for the remainder of the shares (including any shares not purchased) evidenced by the old certificate(s) will be issued and sent to the registered holder(s) promptly after the expiration date. Unless otherwise indicated, all shares represented by the certificate(s) and/or book-entry set forth above and delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been tendered. In each case, shares will be returned or credited without expense to the shareholder.


        5.    Signatures on Letter of Transmittal, Stock Powers and Endorsements.    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 face of the certificate(s) without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.

        If any of the Shares tendered hereby are held of record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.

        If any of the tendered Shares are registered in different names on several certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal as there are different registrations.

        If this Letter of Transmittal or any certificates or stock powers are signed by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person should so indicate when signing, and proper evidence satisfactory to Textron Inc. of the authority of such person so to act must be submitted. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares listed and transmitted hereby, no endorsements of certificates or separate stock powers are required unless payment is to be made or certificates for Shares not tendered or not accepted for payment are to be issued in the name of a person other than the registered holder(s). Signatures on any such Certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

        If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered holder(s) of the Certificate(s) listed and transmitted hereby, the Certificate(s) must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on the Certificate(s). Signature(s) on any such Certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

        6.    Special Payment.    If a check is to be issued in the name of a person other than the signer of this Letter of Transmittal the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal must be completed.

        7.    Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies.    Questions and requests for assistance or additional copies of the Offer to Purchase, this Letter of Transmittal, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, IRS Form W-9 and the Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9 may be directed to the (Information Agent) at the addresses and phone numbers set forth below, or from brokers, dealers, commercial banks or trust companies.

        8.    Waiver of Conditions.    Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, Textron Inc. and Aces Acquisition Corp. reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to waive, at any time or from time to time, any of the specified conditions of the Offer, in whole or in part, in the case of any Shares tendered.

        9.    Lost, Destroyed or Stolen Certificates.    If your Certificates are lost, please check the box and complete below Box A. A $75.00 lost certificate replacement fee must be mailed in with your completed Letter of Transmittal. If there are additional forms or fees needed, you will be contacted.

        10.    Withdrawal of Shares Tendered.    Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date. After an effective withdrawal you may resubmit to the Depositary a completed replacement of this document and any other documents required by the Offer for properly tendering Shares prior to the Expiration Date.

        Important:    This Letter of Transmittal together with any required signature guarantees, and any other required documents, must be received by the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date and Certificates for tendered Shares must be received by the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date, or the tendering shareholder must comply with the procedures for guaranteed delivery.


IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION

        Under the federal income tax law, unless an exemption applies, a shareholder whose tendered Shares are accepted for payment is required to provide the Depositary with such shareholder's correct TIN on the Substitute Form W-9. If such shareholder is an individual, the TIN is such shareholder's Social Security Number. If the Depositary is not provided with the correct TIN, the shareholder may be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service. In addition, payments that are made to such shareholder may be subject to backup withholding based on 28% of the reportable amount.

        Certain shareholders (for example, corporations) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements. In order for a non-U.S. person to claim nonresident alien (or foreign) tax status and qualify for an exemption from backup withholding, such individual must submit an appropriate and properly completed IRS Form W-8, attesting to that individual's foreign status. Normally, a foreign individual or corporation will provide a Form W-8BEN. Intermediary entities will provide a Form W-8IMY for the entity and a Form W-8BEN or Form W-9 for each beneficial owner along with a withholding statement. Such a Form W-8 may be obtained from the Depositary. Exempt U.S. shareholders (i.e., corporations, etc.) should furnish their TIN, check the "Exempt payee" line and sign, date and return the Substitute Form W-9 to the Depositary.

        If backup withholding applies, the Depositary is required to withhold 28% of any reportable payments made to the shareholder. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the federal income tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If backup withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service when completing a tax return for that applicable year, based on the withholding amount reported on the Form 1099.



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

     

4 Exemptions (codes apply only to
certain entities, not individuals; see
instructions on page 3):


 


 


o Limited liability company. Enter the tax classification (C=C corporation, S=S corporation, P=partnership) > _____


 

 

 

Exempt payee code (if any) _____


 


 


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.


 

 

 

Exemption from FATCA reporting
code (if any) _____
(Applies to accounts maintained outside the U.S.)

 

 

o Other (see instructions) >

       
 

 

 

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.

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.


 

 

Social security number

 

 
                                                                                         
                                                                                         
                                                                                     
                                                                                         
or        

 

 

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
>
  Date >

 


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 Regulation 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 Regulation 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.


        Questions and requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent at its addresses and telephone numbers set forth below. Requests for copies of the Offer to Purchase, this Letter of Transmittal, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, the IRS Form W-9 and other tender offer materials may also be directed to the Information Agent. A shareholder may also contact such shareholders' broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer.

The Information Agent for the Offer is:

LOGO

Alliance Advisors LLC

200 Broadacres Drive, 3rd Floor
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
Call Collect: (973) 873-7780
or
Call Toll-Free: (888) 991-1293
Email: reorg@allianceadvisorsllc.com

February 2, 2017




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