EX-99.(A)(1)(F) 7 a31572orexv99wxayx1yxfy.htm EXHIBIT 99.(A)(1)(F) exv99wxayx1yxfy
 

 
Exhibit (a)(1)(F)
 
GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
 
GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING THE PROPER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER TO GIVE THE PAYER — Social Security Numbers have nine digits separated by two hyphens: i.e., 000-00-0000. Employer Identification Numbers have nine digits separated by only one hyphen: i.e., 00-0000000. The table below will help determine the number to give the payer.
 
         
    Give the Social Security
For this Type of Account:   Number of —
 
1.
  An individual’s account   The individual
2.
  Two or more individuals (joint account)   The actual owner of the account or, if combined funds, the first individual on the account(1)
3.
  Husband and wife (joint account)   The actual owner of the account or, if joint funds, the first individual on the account(l)
4.
  Custodian account of a minor (Uniform Gift to Minors Act)   The minor(2)
5.
  Adult and minor (joint account)   The adult or, if the minor is the only contributor, the minor(l)
6.
  Account in the name of guardian or committee for a designated ward, minor, or incompetent person   The ward, minor, or incompetent person(3)
7.
 
a. The usual revocable savings trust account (grantor is also trustee)
  The grantor-trustee(1)
   
b. So-called trust account that is not a legal or valid trust under state law
  The actual owner(l)
         
         
    Give the Employer Identification
For this Type of Account:   Number of —
 
8.
  Sole proprietorship or single-member limited liability company (“LLC”) that is disregarded as separate from its member   The owner(4)
9.
  A valid trust, estate or pension trust   The legal entity(5)
10.
  Corporation or LLC electing corporate status on IRS Form 8832   The corporation or LLC
11.
  Religious, charitable or educational organization   The organization
12.
  Partnership or multiple member LLC   The partnership or LLC
13.
  Association, club or other tax-exempt organization   The organization
14.
  A broker or registered nominee   The broker or nominee
15.
  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
 
 
(1)  List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish. If only one person on a joint account has a social security number, that person’s number must be furnished.
 
(2)  Circle the minor’s name and furnish the minor’s social security number.
 
(3)  Circle the ward’s, minor’s or incompetent person’s name and furnish such person’s social security number.
 
(4)  You must show your individual name, but you may also enter your business or “doing business as” name. You may use either your social security number or employer identification number (if you have one). If you are a sole proprietor, the IRS encourages you to use your social security number.
 
(5)  List first and circle the name of the legal entity, either a trust, estate or pension trust. Do not furnish the taxpayer identification number of the personal representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated in the account title.
 
NOTE: If no name is circled when there is more than one name, the number will be considered to be that of the first name listed.


 

 
GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
Page 2
 
Obtaining a Number
 
If you do not have a taxpayer identification number or if you do not know your number, obtain Form SS-5, Application for Social Security Card, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, at the local office of the Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and apply for a number. In this case, sign and date the “Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number,” and return the form to the payer. If you do not timely provide a taxpayer identification number, a portion of all reportable payments made to you will be withheld.
 
Section references in these guidelines refer to sections under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
Payees specifically exempted from backup withholding include:
 
  •  An organization exempt from tax under Section 501(a), an individual retirement account (IRA), or a custodial account under Section 403(b)(7), if the account satisfies the requirements of Section 401(f)(2).
 
  •  The United States, a state thereof, the District of Columbia or a possession of the United States, or a political subdivision or agency or instrumentality of any the foregoing.
 
  •  An international organization or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
 
  •  A foreign government or any political subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof.
 
Payees that may be exempt from backup withholding include:
 
  •  A corporation.
 
  •  A financial institution.
 
  •  A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United States, the District of Columbia, or a possession of the United States.
 
  •  A real estate investment trust.
 
  •  A common trust fund operated by a bank under Section 584(a).
 
  •  An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
 
  •  A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian.
 
  •  A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
 
  •  A foreign central bank of issue.
 
  •  A trust exempt from tax under Section 664 or a non-exempt trust described in a Section 4947.
 
Payments of dividends and patronage dividends not generally subject to backup withholding include the following:
 
  •  Payments to nonresident aliens subject to withholding under Section 1441.
 
  •  Payments to partnerships not engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. and which have at least one nonresident alien partner.
 
  •  Payments of patronage dividends where the amount received is not paid in money.
 
  •  Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
 
  •  Section 404(k) payments made by an ESOP.
 
Payments of interest not generally subject to backup withholding include the following:
 
  •  Payments of interest on obligations issued by individuals. Note: You may be subject to backup withholding if this interest is $600 or more and is paid in the course of the payer’s trade or business and you have not provided your correct taxpayer identification number to the payer.
 
  •  Payments of tax-exempt interest (including exempt-interest dividends under Section 852).
 
  •  Payments described in Section 6049(b)(5) to nonresident aliens.
 
  •  Payments on tax-free covenant bonds under Section 1451.
 
  •  Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
 
  •  Mortgage or student loan interest paid to you.
 
U.S. exempt payees described above should generally file a Substitute Form W-9 to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. FILE THIS FORM WITH THE PAYER, FURNISH YOUR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WRITE “EXEMPT” ON THE FACE OF THE FORM, SIGN AND DATE THE FORM AND RETURN IT TO THE PAYER. Foreign exempt payees described above should generally file a properly completed Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, W-8ECI, W-8MY


 

(or successor or other applicable form) to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding.
 
Certain payments other than interest, dividends, and patronage dividends, which are not subject to information reporting are also not subject to backup withholding. For details, see the regulations under Sections 6041, 6041A, 6045, 6050A and 6050N.
 
Privacy Act Notice. — Section 6109 requires most recipients of dividend, interest, or certain other payments to give taxpayer identification numbers to payers who must report the payments to the IRS. The IRS uses the numbers for identification purposes and to help verify the accuracy of tax returns. The IRS may also provide this information to the Department of Justice for civil and criminal litigation and to cities, states and the District of Columbia to carry out their tax laws. The IRS may also disclose this information to other countries under a tax treaty, or to Federal and state agencies to enforce Federal nontax criminal laws and to combat terrorism. Payers must be given the numbers whether or not recipients are required to file tax return. Failure to provide a taxpayer identification number may subject the payee to a 28% federal backup withholding on any cash payment he or she is otherwise entitled to receive pursuant to the Offer.
 
Penalties
 
(1) Penalty for Failure to Furnish Taxpayer Identification Number. — If you fail to furnish your correct taxpayer identification number to a payer, you are subject to a penalty of $50 for each failure unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.
 
(2) Civil Penalty for False Information with Respect to Withholding. — If you make a false statement with no reasonable basis which results in no imposition of backup withholding, you are subject to a penalty of $500.
 
(3) Criminal Penalty for Falsifying Information.— Willfully falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.
 
(4) Misuse of Taxpayer Identification Numbers. — If the requester discloses or uses taxpayer identification numbers in violation of federal law, the requester may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.
 
FAILURE TO REPORT CERTAIN DIVIDEND AND INTEREST PAYMENTS. If you fail to include any portion of an includible payment for interest, dividends or patronage dividends in gross income, such failure is strong evidence of negligence. If negligence is shown, you will be subject to a penalty of 20% on any portion of an underpayment attributable to that failure.
 
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.