EX-99.(A)(1)(F) 7 a2196931zex-99_a1f.htm EX-99.(A)(1)(F)
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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.

 
For this Type of Account
  
Give the Taxpayer
Identification
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.
 
Custodian account of a minor (Uniform Gifts to Minors Act)
 
The minor(2)

4.

  

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(1)

5.
 
Sole proprietorship account or single—owner LLC
 
The owner(3)

6.
 
A valid trust, estate or pension trust
 
Legal entity (Do not furnish the identifying number of the personal representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated in the account title.)(4)

7.
 
Corporate Account or LLC electing corporate status on Form 8832
 
The corporation
 
 
For this Type of Account
  
Give the Taxpayer
Identification
Number of:
 
8.   Association, club, religious, charitable, educational, or other tax-exempt organization account   The organization

9.
 
Partnership account or multiple member LLC
 
The partnership

10.
 
A broker or registered nominee
 
The broker or nominee

11.
 
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.

(2)
Circle the minor's name and furnish the minor's social security number.

(3)
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).

(4)
List first and circle the name of the legal trust, estate, or pension 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.

How to Obtain a TIN

        If you don't have a taxpayer identification number or you don't know your number, obtain Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Number Card, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, at the local office of the Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") and apply for a number.

Payees Exempt from Backup Withholding

        Payees exempt from backup withholding on all payments include the following:

    •
    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).

    •
    The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.

    •
    A state, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities.

    •
    A foreign government or any of its political subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities.

    •
    An international organization or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.

        Other payees that may be exempt from backup withholding include:

    •
    A corporation.

    •
    A foreign central bank of issue.

    •
    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 futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

    •
    A real estate investment trust.

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

    •
    A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a).

    •
    A financial institution.

    •
    A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian.

    •
    A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in 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 United States and that 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.

    •
    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 of business and you have not provided your correct taxpayer identification number to the payer.

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    •
    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.

        Exempt payees described above should file Substitute Form W-9 to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. FURNISH YOUR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WRITE "EXEMPT" ON THE FACE OF THE FORM IN PART II, SIGN AND DATE THE FORM, AND RETURN IT TO THE PAYER.

        Certain payments, other than interest, dividends and patronage dividends that are not subject to information reporting are also not subject to backup withholding. For details, see the regulations under sections 6041, 6041A(a), 6045 and 6050A.

        Privacy Act Notice.—Section 6109 requires most recipients of dividend, interest or other payments to give their correct 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. Payers must be given the numbers whether or not recipients are required to file tax returns. Payers must generally withhold 28% (or such other rate specified by the Internal Revenue Code) of taxable interest, dividend and certain other payments to a payee who does not furnish a taxpayer identification number to a payer. Certain penalties may also apply.

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 such 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.

        FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.

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