UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
  
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant ☒
 
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
 
Check the appropriate box:
 
Preliminary Proxy Statement

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

Definitive Proxy Statement

Definitive Additional Materials

Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12
 
PRIMO WATER CORPORATION
(Name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(Name of person(s) filing proxy statement, if other than the registrant)
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
No fee required.

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.



 
It is important that you validly complete, duly execute and return this letter of transmittal in a timely manner to the depositary, Computershare Investor Services Inc., in accordance with the instructions contained herein. The Instructions accompanying this Letter of Transmittal should be read carefully before this Letter of Transmittal is completed.

If you have any questions or require more information with regard to the procedures for completing this Letter of Transmittal, please contact the Depositary toll free at 1-800-564-6253.

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

FOR COMMON SHARES
OF
PRIMO WATER CORPORATION

This Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly executed, together with all other required documents, must accompany certificates and/or DRS advices for common shares (the “Common Shares”) of Primo Water Corporation (the “Company”) deposited in connection with the proposed arrangement (the “Arrangement”) with Triton Water Parent, Inc. (“BlueTriton”), Triton US HoldCo, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of BlueTriton (“NewCo”), Triton Merger Sub 1, Inc. (“Merger Sub”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of NewCo, and 1000922661 Ontario Inc. (“Amalgamation Sub”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of NewCo, that is being submitted for approval at the special meeting of shareowners of the Company to be held on November 4, 2024 (the “Meeting”) as described in a management information circular dated as of October 1, 2024 (the “Circular”).

Pursuant to the Arrangement: (i) Amalgamation Sub will, by way of a court-approved statutory plan of arrangement1 pursuant to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), acquire all of the issued and outstanding Common Shares in exchange for shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of NewCo (the “NewCo Shares”), followed immediately by an amalgamation of the Company and Amalgamation Sub, with the resulting amalgamated entity, to be named “Primo Water Corporation,” becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of NewCo; (ii) immediately following the Arrangement, Merger Sub will be merged with and into BlueTriton (the “Merger”), with BlueTriton surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of NewCo; (iii) immediately following the Merger, and as part of one integrated transaction with the Merger, BlueTriton, as the surviving company in the Merger, will be merged with and into NewCo (the “Subsequent Merger”), with NewCo being the surviving corporation in the Subsequent Merger; and (iv) as a result of the Transaction, Primo Water and Triton Water Intermediate, Inc., a whollyowned subsidiary of BlueTriton, will be wholly-owned subsidiaries of NewCo. Copies of the Circular, Arrangement Agreement and Plan of Arrangement are available for viewing on EDGAR at www.sec.gov and on the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Letter of Transmittal have the meanings set out in the Circular.

TO:
PRIMO WATER CORPORATION

AND TO:
1000922661 ONTARIO INC.

AND TO:
TRITON US HOLDCO, INC.

AND TO:
COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR SERVICES INC. at its offices set out herein.

In connection with the Arrangement being considered for approval at the Meeting, the undersigned delivers to you the enclosed certificate(s) and/or as applicable a copy of the DRS Advice(s) for Common Shares. The following are the details of the enclosed certificate(s) and/or DRS Advice(s):

Certificate Number(s)/DRS Advice Number
Name in Which Registered
Number of Common Shares Deposited
     
     
     
     



 
It is understood that, upon receipt of this duly completed and signed Letter of Transmittal and the physical share certificate(s) and/or as applicable a copy of the Direct Registration System advice(s) (“DRS Advice”) representing the Common Shares deposited herewith (collectively, the “Deposited Shares”) and following the effective time of the Arrangement (the “Effective Time”), the Depositary will deliver to the undersigned, in accordance with the issuance and delivery instructions provided in Box A and Box B below, DRS Advices representing the NewCo Shares that the undersigned is entitled to receive under the Arrangement, and the certificate and/or DRS Advice(s) representing the Deposited Shares will forthwith be cancelled. Under the Arrangement, each Primo Shareowner will be entitled to receive one NewCo Share for each Common Share, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 3.3 of the Plan of Arrangement. No fractional NewCo Shares shall be delivered to the Primo Shareowners pursuant to the Arrangement. The aggregate number of NewCo Shares a Primo Shareowner is entitled to receive will be rounded down to the nearest whole number of NewCo Shares.

If no selection is made in Box A between delivery of DRS Advices to the address on record or to a different mailing address (to be provided within Box B), then DRS Advices representing NewCo Shares issued in exchange for the Deposited Shares will be issued in the name of the registered holder of the Deposited Shares and will be mailed to the address of the registered holder of the Deposited Shares as it appears on the register of the Company.

If neither Box A nor Box B is completed, DRS Advices representing NewCo Shares issued in exchange for the Deposited Shares will be issued in the name of the registered holder of the Deposited Shares and will be mailed to the address of the registered holder of the Deposited Shares as it appears on the register of the Company.

The undersigned transmits herewith the certificate(s) and/or DRS Advice(s) described above for cancellation upon the Arrangement becoming effective. The undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Circular and represents and warrants that the undersigned has good and sufficient authority to deposit, sell and transfer the Deposited Shares and at the Effective Time, Amalgamation Sub will acquire good title to the Deposited Shares (as the same are modified pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement) free from all liens, charges, encumbrances, claims and equities and in accordance with the following: IN CONNECTION WITH THE ARRANGEMENT AND FOR VALUE RECEIVED at the Effective Time all of the right, title and interest of the undersigned in and to the Deposited Shares and in and to any and all dividends, distributions, payments, securities, rights, warrants, assets or other interests (collectively, “distributions”) which may be declared, paid, accrued, issued, distributed, made or transferred on or in respect of the Deposited Shares or any of them as and from the effective date of the Arrangement, as well as the right of the undersigned to receive any and all distributions shall have been assigned to Amalgamation Sub. If, notwithstanding such assignment, any distributions1 are received by or made payable to or to the order of the undersigned, then the undersigned shall promptly pay or deliver the whole of any such distribution to Computershare Investor Services Inc. (the “Depositary”) for the account of Amalgamation Sub, together with appropriate documentation of transfer.

No dividends or other distributions payable in respect of NewCo Shares with a record date after the Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any certificate(s) and/or DRS Advice(s) which, immediately prior to the Effective Time, represented outstanding Common Shares that were transferred pursuant to the Arrangement and in respect of which NewCo Shares were issued pursuant to the Arrangement, and all such dividends and other distributions shall be paid by NewCo to the Depositary and shall be held by the Depositary in trust for such holders, in each case until the surrender and/or forfeiture of such Common Shares in accordance with the Plan of Arrangement. Subject to applicable laws, following surrender of any such Common Shares there shall be paid to the holder thereof, without interest and subject to any applicable withholding tax, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time theretofore paid with respect to such NewCo Shares to which such holder is entitled pursuant to the Arrangement.

This Letter of Transmittal is for use by registered holders of Common Shares (“Registered Shareowners”) only and is not to be used by beneficial holders of Common Shares (“Beneficial Shareowners”). A Beneficial Shareowner does not have Common Shares registered in its name; rather, such Common Shares are registered in the name of a securities depositary or of another intermediary such as a securities broker or financial institution. Beneficial Shareowners should contact that intermediary for assistance in depositing those Common Shares.



 
In order for Registered Shareowners to receive the consideration for their Common Shares they are entitled to pursuant to the Arrangement, Registered Shareowners are required to deposit the certificate(s) and/or DRS Advice(s) representing the Common Shares held by them (if any) with the Depositary. This Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly executed, together with all other required documents, including the attached form of proxy, must accompany all certificates and/or DRS Advice(s) representing Common Shares (if any) deposited pursuant to the Arrangement.

The undersigned hereby agrees to transfer, effective at the Effective Time and pursuant to the Arrangement, all right, title and interest in the Deposited Shares, and irrevocably constitutes and appoints each of Marni Morgan Poe and Michael James, each of whom has been designated by NewCo, and any other person designated by NewCo in writing, the true and lawful agent, attorney and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned with respect to the Deposited Shares purchased in connection with the Arrangement with full power of substitution (such power of attorney, being coupled with an interest, being irrevocable) to, in the name of and on behalf of the undersigned, (a) register or record the transfer of such Deposited Shares consisting of securities on the registers of the Company; and (b) execute and negotiate any checks or other instruments representing any such distribution payable to or to the order of the undersigned.

The undersigned revokes any and all other authority, whether as agent, attorney-in-fact, attorney, proxy or otherwise, previously conferred or agreed to be conferred by the undersigned at any time with respect to the Deposited Shares or any distributions other than as set out in this Letter of Transmittal and in any proxy granted for use at the Meeting. Other than in connection with the Meeting, no subsequent authority, whether as agent, attorney-in-fact, attorney, proxy or otherwise, will be granted with respect to the Deposited Shares or any distributions by or on behalf of the undersigned, unless the Deposited Shares are not taken up and paid for in connection with the Arrangement.

The undersigned agrees that all questions as to validity, form, eligibility (including timely receipt) and acceptance of any Common Shares deposited in connection with the Arrangement shall be determined by NewCo in its sole discretion and that such determination shall be final and binding. NewCo reserves the absolute right to reject any and all deposits which it determines not to be in proper form or which may be unlawful to accept under the laws of any jurisdiction. NewCo further reserves the absolute right to waive any defects or irregularities in the deposit of any Common Shares.

The undersigned acknowledges that there is no duty or obligation upon the Company, Amalgamation Sub, NewCo, the Depositary or any other person to give notice of any defect or irregularity in any such surrender of Common Shares and no liability will be incurred by any of them for failure to give any such notice.

The undersigned covenants and agrees to execute all such documents, transfers and other assurances as may be necessary or desirable to convey the Deposited Shares and distributions effectively to Amalgamation Sub.

Each authority conferred or agreed to be conferred by the undersigned in this Letter of Transmittal may be exercised during any subsequent legal incapacity of the undersigned and all obligations of the undersigned in this Letter of Transmittal shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned.

This Letter of Transmittal, once deposited with the Depositary, will be irrevocable and may not be withdrawn by the undersigned, except that all letters of transmittal will be automatically revoked if the Depositary is notified in writing by the Company and BlueTriton that the Arrangement Agreement has been terminated. Should the Arrangement not proceed for any reason, the deposited certificates and/or DRS Advice(s) representing their Common Shares and other relevant documents shall be returned in accordance with the instructions in the preceding sentence.

Completion of the Arrangement is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions. No NewCo Shares will be issued to Registered Shareowners prior to the Effective Time of the Arrangement, as set forth in the Plan of Arrangement.



 
The undersigned authorizes and directs Computershare Investor Services Inc. to issue a DRS Advice(s) for NewCo to which the undersigned is entitled as indicated below and to mail such DRS Advice(s) to the address indicated below or, if no instructions are given, in the name and to the address if any, of the undersigned as appears on the share register maintained by NewCo.

Whether or not the undersigned delivers the required documentation to the Depositary, as of the Effective Time, the undersigned will cease to be a holder of Common Shares and, subject to the ultimate expiry deadline identified below, will only be entitled to receive the NewCo Shares to which the undersigned is entitled under the Arrangement. REGISTERED SHAREOWNERS WHO DO NOT DELIVER CERTIFICATES AND/OR, AS APPLICABLE, A COPY OF THE DRS ADVICE(S) REPRESENTING THEIR COMMON SHARES AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO THE DEPOSITARY ON OR BEFORE THE DAY THAT IS THREE YEARS LESS ONE DAY FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE WILL LOSE THEIR RIGHT TO RECEIVE ANY CONSIDERATION FOR THEIR COMMON SHARES AND ANY CLAIM OR INTEREST OF ANY KIND OR NATURE AGAINST NEWCO, AMALGAMATION SUB, THE COMPANY, THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN THE ARRANGEMENT, INCLUDING WITH RESPECT TO ANY DIVIDENDS.

The undersigned hereby acknowledges that the delivery of the Deposited Shares shall be effected and the risk of loss to such Deposited Shares shall pass only upon proper receipt thereof by the Depositary.

The undersigned acknowledges that the Company, NewCo, Amalgamation Sub or the other parties to the Arrangement may be required to disclose personal information in respect of the undersigned and consents to disclosure of personal information in respect of the undersigned to (i) stock exchanges or securities regulatory authorities, (ii) the Depositary, (iii) any of the parties to the Arrangement, (iv) legal counsel to any of the parties to the Arrangement, and (v) as otherwise required by any applicable law.

By reason of the use by the undersigned of an English language form of Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned confirms that it is its express wish that any contract evidenced by the Arrangement as accepted through this Letter of Transmittal, as well as all documents related thereto, be drawn exclusively in the English language. En raison de l’usage d’une lettre d’envoi en langue anglaise par le soussigné, le soussigné et les destinataires sont confirment leur volonté expresse que tout contrat attesté par l’arrangement et son acceptation par cette lettre d’envoi, de même que tous les documents qui s’y rapportent, soient rédigés exclusivement en langue anglaise.


 
     
 
BOX A
 
 
ENTITLEMENT DELIVERY
 
     
 
All share entitlement payments will be issued and mailed to your existing registration unless otherwise stated.
 
     
 
If you would like your shares dispatched to a different address, please complete BOX B
 
     
 

MAIL DRS ADVICE REPRESENTING SHARES TO ADDRESS ON RECORD (DEFAULT)
 
     
 

MAIL DRS ADVICE REPRESENTING SHARES TO A DIFFERENT ADDRESS (MUST COMPLETE BOX B)
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
     
 
BOX B
 
 
MAIL DRS ADVICE TO 3rd PARTY ADDRESS*:
 
     
 
CHECK BOX IF SAME AS EXISTING REGISTRATION (DEFAULT)
 
     
     
 
(ATTENTION NAME)
 
     
     
 
(STREET NUMBER & NAME)
 
     
     
 
(CITY AND PROVINCE/STATE)
 
     
     
 
(COUNTRY AND POSTAL/ZIP CODE)
 
     
     
 
(TELEPHONE NUMBER (BUSINESS HOURS)
 
     
     
 
(SOCIAL INSURANCE/SECURITY NUMBER)
 
     
 
* THE PAYMENT WILL REMAIN IN THE NAME OF THE REGISTRATION
 
     



 




 
     
 
BOX C
 
 
RESIDENCY DECLARATION
 
     
 
ALL COMPANY SHAREOWNERS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A RESIDENCY DECLARATION. FAILURE TO COMPLETE A RESIDENCY DECLARATION MAY RESULT IN A DELAY IN YOUR PAYMENT.
 
     
 
The undersigned represents that:
 
 
The beneficial owner of the Company Common Shares deposited herewith is a U.S. Shareowner.
 
 
The beneficial owner of the Company Common Shares deposited herewith is not a U.S. Shareowner.
 
     
 
A “U.S. Shareowner” is any Company shareowner who either (i) has a registered account address that is located within the United States or any territory or possession thereof, or (ii) is a “U.S. person” for United States federal income tax purposes as defined in Instruction 7 below. If you are a U.S person or acting on behalf of a U.S. person, then in order to avoid backup withholding of U.S federal income tax you must provide a complete Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form W-9 (or substitute thereof) (enclosed) below or otherwise provide certification that the U.S. person is exempt from backup withholding, as provided in the instructions (see Part VIII). If you are not a U.S. Shareowner as defined in (ii) above, but you provide an address that is located within the United States, you must complete an appropriate IRS Form W-8.
 
     

     
 
BOX D
 
 
LOST CERTIFICATES
 
     
 
If your lost certificate(s) forms part of an estate or trust, or are valued at more than CAD $200,000.00, please contact Computershare for additional instructions. Any person who, knowingly and with intent to defraud any insurance company or other person, files a statement of claim containing any materially false information or conceals for the purpose of misleading, information concerning any fact material thereto, commits a fraudulent insurance act, which is a
 
 
crime.
 
     
 
PREMIUM CALCULATION
 
     
 
<Lost Shares> X CAD $1.63 = Premium Payable $ _____________________ NOTE: Payment NOT required if premium is less than $5.00
 
     
 
The option to replace your certificate by completing this Box D will expire on the day that is one year from the Effective Time. After this date, shareowners must contact Computershare for alternative replacement options. I enclose my certified check, bank draft or money order payable to Computershare Investor Services Inc.
 
     
 
STATEMENT OF LOST CERTIFICATES
 
     
 
The undersigned (solitarily, jointly and severally, if more than one) represents and agrees to the following: (i) the undersigned is (and, if applicable, the registered owner of the Original(s), at the time of their death, was) the lawful and unconditional owner of the Original(s) and is entitled to the full and exclusive possession thereof; (ii) the missing certificate(s) representing the Original(s) have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and have not been endorsed, cashed, negotiated, transferred, assigned, pledged, hypothecated, encumbered in any way, or otherwise disposed of; (iii) a diligent search for the certificate(s) has been made and they have not been found; and (iv) the undersigned makes this Statement for the purpose of transferring or exchanging the Original(s) (including, if applicable, without probate or letters of administration or certification of estate trustee(s) or similar documentation having been granted by any court), and hereby agrees to surrender the certificate(s) representing the Original(s) for cancellation should the undersigned, at any time, find the certificate(s).
 
The undersigned hereby agrees, for myself and my heirs, assigns and personal representatives, in consideration of the transfer or exchange of the Original(s), to completely indemnify, protect and hold harmless Company, Computershare Investor Services Inc., Aviva Insurance Company of Canada, each of their lawful successors and assigns, and any other party to the transaction (the “Obligees”), from and against all losses, costs and damages, including court costs and attorneys’ fees that they may be subject to or liable for in respect of the cancellation and/or replacement of the Original(s) and/or the certificate(s) representing the Original(s) and/ or the transfer or exchange of the Originals represented thereby, upon the transfer, exchange or issue of the Originals. The rights accruing to the Obligees under the preceding sentence shall not be limited by the negligence, inadvertence, accident, oversight or breach of any duty or obligations on the part of the Obligees or their respective officers, employees and agents or their failure to inquire into, contest, or litigate any claim, whenever such negligence, inadvertence, accident, oversight, breach or failure may occur or have occurred. I acknowledge that a fee of CAD $1.63 per lost Company share is payable by the undersigned. Surety protection for the Obligees is provided under Blanket Lost Original Instruments/Waiver of Probate or Administration Bond No. 35900-16 issued by Aviva Insurance Company of Canada.
 
     



 
PRIMO SHAREOWNER SIGNATURE(S)
 
Signature guaranteed by
(if required under Instruction 3)
 
 
Authorized Signature
 
 
Name of Guarantor (please print or type)
 
 
Address of Guarantor (please print or type)
 
Dated: ________________, 2024
 
 
Signature of Primo Shareowner or authorized
representative
(see Instructions 2 and 4)
 
 
Address Line 1
 
 
Address Line 2
 
 
Name of Primo Shareowner (please print or type)
 
 
Telephone Number
 
 
Email Address
 
 
Name of authorized representative, if applicable
(please print or type)

 






 


Form W-9 (Rev. March 2024) Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service Go to www.irs.gov/FormW9 for instructions and the latest information. Give form to the requester. Do not send to the IRS. Before you begin. For guidance related to the purpose of Form W-9, see Purpose of Form, below. Print or type. See Specific Instructions on page 3. 1 Name of entity/individual. An entry is required. (For a sole proprietor or disregarded entity, enter the owner’s name on line 1, and enter the business/disregarded entity’s name on line 2.) 2 Business name/disregarded entity name, if different from above. 3a Check the appropriate box for federal tax classification of the entity/individual whose name is entered on line 1. Check only one of the following seven boxes. Individual/sole proprietor C corporation S corporation Partnership Trust/estate LLC. Enter the tax classification (C = C corporation, S = S corporation, P = Partnership) . . . . Note: Check the “LLC” box above and, in the entry space, enter the appropriate code (C, S, or P) for the tax classification of the LLC, unless it is a disregarded entity. A disregarded entity should instead check the appropriate box for the tax classification of its owner. Other (see instructions) 3b If on line 3a you checked “Partnership” or “Trust/estate,” or checked “LLC” and entered “P” as its tax classification, and you are providing this form to a partnership, trust, or estate in which you have an ownership interest, check this box if you have any foreign partners, owners, or beneficiaries. See instructions . . . . . . . . . 4 Exemptions (codes apply only to certain entities, not individuals; see instructions on page 3): Exempt payee code (if any) Exemption from Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) reporting code (if any) (Applies to accounts maintained outside the United States.) 5 Address (number, street, and apt. or suite no.). See instructions. 6 City, state, and ZIP code Requester’s name and address (optional) 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 instructions for Part I, later. For other entities, it is your employer identification number (EIN). If you do not have a number, see How to get a TIN, later. Note: If the account is in more than one name, see the instructions for line 1. See also What Name and Number To Give the Requester 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 for Part II, later. Sign Here Signature of U.S. person Date General Instructions Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless otherwise noted. Future developments. For the latest information about developments related to Form W-9 and its instructions, such as legislation enacted after they were published, go to www.irs.gov/FormW9. What’s New Line 3a has been modified to clarify how a disregarded entity completes this line. An LLC that is a disregarded entity should check the appropriate box for the tax classification of its owner. Otherwise, it should check the “LLC” box and enter its appropriate tax classification. New line 3b has been added to this form. A flow-through entity is required to complete this line to indicate that it has direct or indirect foreign partners, owners, or beneficiaries when it provides the Form W-9 to another flow-through entity in which it has an ownership interest. This change is intended to provide a flow-through entity with information regarding the status of its indirect foreign partners, owners, or beneficiaries, so that it can satisfy any applicable reporting requirements. For example, a partnership that has any indirect foreign partners may be required to complete Schedules K-2 and K-3. See the Partnership Instructions for Schedules K-2 and K-3 (Form 1065). Purpose of Form An individual or entity (Form W-9 requester) who is required to file an information return with the IRS is giving you this form because they Cat. No. 10231X Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2024)




 


Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2024) Page 2 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-NEC (nonemployee compensation). • 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), and 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. Caution: If you don’t return Form W-9 to the requester with a TIN, you might be subject to backup withholding. See What is backup withholding, later. 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; and 4. Certify to your non-foreign status for purposes of withholding under chapter 3 or 4 of the Code (if applicable); and 5. 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, later, for further information. 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). Establishing U.S. status for purposes of chapter 3 and chapter 4 withholding. Payments made to foreign persons, including certain distributions, allocations of income, or transfers of sales proceeds, may be subject to withholding under chapter 3 or chapter 4 of the Code (sections 1441–1474). Under those rules, if a Form W-9 or other certification of non-foreign status has not been received, a withholding agent, transferee, or partnership (payor) generally applies presumption rules that may require the payor to withhold applicable tax from the recipient, owner, transferor, or partner (payee). See Pub. 515, Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities. The following persons must provide Form W-9 to the payor for purposes of establishing its non-foreign status. • In the case of a disregarded entity with a U.S. owner, the U.S. owner of the disregarded entity and not the disregarded 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 grantor trust. • In the case of a U.S. trust (other than a grantor trust), the U.S. trust and not the beneficiaries of the trust. See Pub. 515 for more information on providing a Form W-9 or a certification of non-foreign status to avoid withholding. 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 (under Regulations section 1.1441-1(b)(2)(iv) or other applicable section for chapter 3 or 4 purposes), do not use Form W-9. Instead, use the appropriate Form W-8 or Form 8233 (see Pub. 515). If you are a qualified foreign pension fund under Regulations section 1.897(l)-1(d), or a partnership that is wholly owned by qualified foreign pension funds, that is treated as a non-foreign person for purposes of section 1445 withholding, do not use Form W-9. Instead, use Form W-8EXP (or other certification of non-foreign status). 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 their 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 their 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 24% of such payments. This is called “backup withholding.” Payments that may be subject to backup withholding include, but are not limited to, 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 instructions for Part II 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, as described in item 4 under “By signing the filledout form” above (for reportable interest and dividend accounts opened after 1983 only).




 


Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2024) Page 3 Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding. See Exempt payee code, later, and the separate Instructions for the Requester of Form W-9 for more information. See also Establishing U.S. status for purposes of chapter 3 and chapter 4 withholding, earlier. What Is FATCA Reporting? The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) requires a participating foreign financial institution to report all U.S. account holders that are specified U.S. persons. Certain payees are exempt from FATCA reporting. See Exemption from FATCA reporting code, later, 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 are no longer 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 (other than an account maintained by a foreign financial institution (FFI)), list first, and then circle, the name of the person or entity whose number you entered in Part I of Form W-9. If you are providing Form W-9 to an FFI to document a joint account, each holder of the account that is a U.S. person must provide a Form W-9. • 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 for 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 you filed with your application. • Sole proprietor. Enter your individual name as shown on your Form 1040 on line 1. Enter your business, trade, or “doing business as” (DBA) name on line 2. • Partnership, C corporation, S corporation, or LLC, other than a disregarded entity. 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. • 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. Enter any business, trade, or DBA name on line 2. • Disregarded entity. In general, a business entity that has a single owner, including an LLC, and is not a corporation, is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner (a disregarded entity). See Regulations section 301.7701-2(c)(2). A disregarded entity should check the appropriate box for the tax classification of its owner. Enter the owner’s name on line 1. The name of the owner 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. 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. Line 2 If you have a business name, trade name, DBA name, or disregarded entity name, enter it on line 2. Line 3a Check the appropriate box on line 3a for the U.S. federal tax classification of the person whose name is entered on line 1. Check only one box on line 3a. IF the entity/individual on line 1 is a(n) . . . THEN check the box for . . . • Corporation Corporation. • Individual or • Sole proprietorship Individual/sole proprietor. • LLC classified as a partnership for U.S. federal tax purposes or • LLC that has filed Form 8832 or 2553 electing to be taxed as a corporation Limited liability company and enter the appropriate tax classification: P = Partnership, C = C corporation, or S = S corporation. • Partnership Partnership. • Trust/estate Trust/estate. Line 3b Check this box if you are a partnership (including an LLC classified as a partnership for U.S. federal tax purposes), trust, or estate that has any foreign partners, owners, or beneficiaries, and you are providing this form to a partnership, trust, or estate, in which you have an ownership interest. You must check the box on line 3b if you receive a Form W-8 (or documentary evidence) from any partner, owner, or beneficiary establishing foreign status or if you receive a Form W-9 from any partner, owner, or beneficiary that has checked the box on line 3b. Note: A partnership that provides a Form W-9 and checks box 3b may be required to complete Schedules K-2 and K-3 (Form 1065). For more information, see the Partnership Instructions for Schedules K-2 and K-3 (Form 1065). If you are required to complete line 3b but fail to do so, you may not receive the information necessary to file a correct information return with the IRS or furnish a correct payee statement to your partners or beneficiaries. See, for example, sections 6698, 6722, and 6724 for penalties that may apply. Line 4 Exemptions If you are exempt from backup withholding and/or FATCA reporting, enter in the appropriate space on 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 on 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).



 


Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2024) Page 4 2—The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities. 3—A state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. commonwealth or territory, 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 territory. 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 as defined under section 581. 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 5.2 • Payments made in settlement of payment card or third-party network transactions Exempt payees 1 through 4. 1 See Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Information, 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) entered 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 territory, 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. If this address differs from the one the requester already has on file, enter “NEW” at the top. If a new address is provided, there is still a chance the old address will be used until the payor changes your address in their records. 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 ITIN. Enter it in the entry space for the Social security number. 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. If you are a single-member LLC that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner, enter the owner’s SSN (or EIN, if the owner has one). If the LLC is classified as a corporation or partnership, enter the entity’s EIN. Note: See What Name and Number To Give the Requester, later, 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 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/EIN. Go to www.irs.gov/Forms to view, download, or print Form W-7 and/or Form SS-4. Or, you can go to www.irs.gov/OrderForms to place an order and have Form W-7 and/or Form SS-4 mailed to you within 15 business days. If you are asked to complete Form W-9 but do not have a TIN, apply for a TIN and enter “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, you will generally 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. See also Establishing U.S. status for purposes of chapter 3 and chapter 4 withholding, earlier, for when you may instead be subject to withholding under chapter 3 or 4 of the Code. Caution: A disregarded U.S. entity that has a foreign owner must use the appropriate Form W-8.





 


Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2024) Page 5 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 item 1, 4, or 5 below indicates 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), ABLE accounts (under section 529A), 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) other than an account maintained by an FFI The actual owner of the account or, if combined funds, the first individual on the account1 3. Two or more U.S. persons (joint account maintained by an FFI) Each holder of the account 4. Custodial account of a minor (Uniform Gift to Minors Act) The minor2 5. 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 6. Sole proprietorship or disregarded entity owned by an individual The owner3 7. Grantor trust filing under Optional 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: 8. Disregarded entity not owned by an individual The owner 9. A valid trust, estate, or pension trust Legal entity4 10. Corporation or LLC electing corporate status on Form 8832 or Form 2553 The corporation 11. Association, club, religious, charitable, educational, or other tax-exempt organization The organization 12. Partnership or multi-member LLC The partnership 13. A broker or registered nominee The broker or nominee 14. 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 15. Grantor trust filing Form 1041 or under the Optional Filing Method 2, requiring Form 1099 (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 on line 1, and enter your business or DBA name, if any, on line 2. 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.) * Note: The grantor must also provide a Form W-9 to the trustee of the trust. ** For more information on optional filing methods for grantor trusts, see the Instructions for Form 1041. 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 return 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 a questionable credit report, contact the IRS Identity Theft Hotline at 800-908-4490 or submit Form 14039. For more information, see Pub. 5027, Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers.




 


Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2024) Page 6 Victims of identity theft who are experiencing economic harm or a systemic 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 877-777-4778 or TTY/TDD 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 800-366-4484. You can forward suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov or report them at www.ftc.gov/complaint. You can contact the FTC at www.ftc.gov/idtheft or 877-IDTHEFT (877-438-4338). If you have been the victim of identity theft, see www.IdentityTheft.gov and Pub. 5027. Go to www.irs.gov/IdentityTheft 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 territories for use in administering their laws. The information may also 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, payors must generally withhold a percentage of taxable interest, dividends, and certain other payments to a payee who does not give a TIN to the payor. Certain penalties may also apply for providing false or fraudulent information.




 
INSTRUCTIONS

1. Use of Letter of Transmittal

Registered Shareowners should read the accompanying Circular before completing this Letter of Transmittal. This Letter of Transmittal, duly completed and signed, together with any accompanying certificate(s) and/or, as applicable, a copy of the DRS Advice(s) representing the Common Shares and all other required documents must be sent or delivered to the Depositary at the addresses set out at the back of this Letter of Transmittal. In order to receive the NewCo Shares the undersigned is entitled to under the Arrangement for the Deposited Shares, it is recommended that the foregoing documents be received by the Depositary at the address set out at the back of this Letter of Transmittal as soon as possible. The method used to deliver this Letter of Transmittal and any accompanying certificate(s) and/or, as applicable, a copy of the DRS Advice(s) representing Common Shares as well as any other required document is at the option and risk of the holder, and delivery will be deemed effective only when such documents are actually received. The Company, NewCo and Amalgamation Sub recommend that the necessary documentation be hand delivered to the Depositary at its office(s) specified on the last page of this Letter of Transmittal, and a receipt obtained; otherwise the use of registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured, is recommended. If Common Shares are registered in different names, a separate Letter of Transmittal must be submitted for each different Registered Shareowner.

This Letter of Transmittal is for use by Registered Shareowners only and is not to be used by Beneficial Shareowners (i.e., a shareowner whose Common Shares are registered in the name of a securities depositary or of another intermediary such as a securities broker or financial institution). Beneficial Shareowners should contact that intermediary for assistance in depositing those Common Shares.

2. Signatures

This Letter of Transmittal must be filled in and signed by the holder of Common Shares described above or by such holder’s duly authorized representative (in accordance with Instruction 4).

(a)
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of the accompanying certificate(s) and/or DRS Advice(s), such signature(s) on this Letter of Transmittal must correspond with the names(s) as registered or as written on the face of such certificate(s) and/or DRS Advice(s)without any change whatsoever, and the certificate(s) need not be endorsed. If such deposited certificate(s) and/or DRS Advice(s) are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign the Letter of Transmittal.

(b)
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered owner(s) of the accompanying certificate(s) and/or DRS Advice(s):


(i)
such deposited certificate(s) and/or DRS Advice(s) must be endorsed or be accompanied by an appropriate share transfer power of attorney duly and properly completed by the registered owner(s); and


(ii)
the signature(s) on such endorsement or share transfer power of attorney must correspond exactly to the name(s) of the registered owner(s) as registered or as appearing on the certificate(s) and/or DRS Advice(s) and must be guaranteed as noted in Instruction 3 below.

3. Guarantee of Signatures

If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered owner(s) of the Deposited Shares, or if the NewCo Shares that a Registered Shareowner is entitled to receive pursuant to the Arrangement are to be issued in the name of a person other than the registered owner of the Deposited Shares, such signature must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution (as defined below), or in some other manner satisfactory to the Depositary and NewCo (except that no guarantee is required if the signature is that of an Eligible Institution).

An “Eligible Institution” means a Canadian Schedule I chartered bank, a major trust company in Canada, a commercial bank or trust company in the United States, a member of the Securities Transfer Association Medallion Program (STAMP), a member of the Stock Exchange Medallion Program (SEMP) or a member of the New York Stock Exchange Inc. Medallion Signature Program (MSP). Members of these programs are usually members of a recognized stock exchange in Canada and the United States, members of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority or banks and trust companies in the United States.



 
4. Signed by a Representative

If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person in a representative capacity, such as (a) an executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, or (b) on behalf of a corporation, partnership, or association, then in each case such signature must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution, or in some other manner satisfactory to the Depositary (except that no guarantee is required if the signature is that of an Eligible Institution). Either NewCo or the Depositary, at its discretion, may require additional evidence of authority or additional documentation.

5. Miscellaneous

(a)
If the space on this Letter of Transmittal is insufficient to list all certificates and/or DRS Advice(s) for Deposited Shares, additional certificate numbers and/or DRS Advice numbers and number of Deposited Shares may be included on a separate signed list affixed to this Letter of Transmittal.

(b)
If Deposited Shares are registered in different forms (e.g. “John Doe” and “J. Doe”), a separate Letter of Transmittal should be signed for each different registration.

(c)
No alternative, conditional or contingent deposits will be accepted.

(d)
This Letter of Transmittal, the Arrangement and any agreement in connection with the Arrangement will be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein.

(e)
Under no circumstances will interest accrue or be paid on the NewCo Shares.

(f)
Additional copies of the Circular and this Letter of Transmittal may be obtained from the Depositary at any of its respective offices at the addresses listed below.

6. Lost Certificates

Option #1: If a share certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented one or more Common Shares that were transferred to Amalgamation Sub pursuant to the Arrangement has been lost, stolen or destroyed, this Letter of Transmittal should be completed as fully as possible and forwarded together with an affidavit describing the loss to the Depositary. The Depositary will respond with the replacement requirements. As a condition precedent to the delivery of the NewCo Shares, the Registered Shareowner shall give a bond satisfactory to NewCo, the Company, Amalgamation Sub and the Depositary in such sum as NewCo may direct, or otherwise indemnify such persons against any claim that may be made against any of them with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

Option #2: Alternatively, Registered Shareowners who have lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate(s) that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented one or more Common Shares that were transferred to Amalgamation Sub pursuant to the Arrangement may participate in the Depositary’s blanket bond program with Aviva Insurance Company of Canada by completing BOX D above, and submitting the applicable certified check or money order made payable to Computershare Investor Services Inc.

If a certificate representing Common Shares has been lost, stolen or destroyed, either of the foregoing actions must be taken sufficiently in advance of the third anniversary of the Effective Date in order to satisfy the replacement requirements in sufficient time to permit the NewCo Shares to be deposited with the Depositary at or prior to the third anniversary of the Effective Date.



 
7. Substitute IRS Form W-9 — U.S. Shareowner

In order to avoid “backup withholding” of United States federal income tax on payments made on the Common Shares, a Primo Shareowner that is a U.S. holder (as defined below) must generally provide the person’s correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) on the Substitute IRS Form W-9 above and certify, under penalties of perjury, that such number is correct, that such shareowner is not subject to backup withholding, and that such shareowner is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). If the correct TIN is not provided or if any other information is not correctly provided, payments made with respect to the Common Shares may be subject to backup withholding of 24%. For the purposes of this Letter of Transmittal, a “U.S. holder” or “U.S. person” means: a beneficial owner of Common Shares that, for United States federal income tax purposes, is (a) a citizen or resident of the United States, (b) a corporation, or other entity classified as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, that is created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state in the United States, including the District of Columbia, (c) an estate if the income of such estate is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of the source of such income, (d) a trust if (i) such trust has validly elected to be treated as a U.S. person for United States federal income tax purposes or (ii) a United States court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of such trust, or (e) a partnership, limited liability company or other entity classified as a partnership for United States tax purposes that is created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state in the United States, including the District of Columbia.

Backup withholding is not an additional United States federal income tax. Rather, the United States 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 provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.

Certain persons (including, among others, corporations, certain “not-for-profit” organizations, and certain non-U.S. persons) are not subject to backup withholding. A Primo Shareowner that is a U.S. holder should consult his or her tax advisor as to the shareowner’s qualification for an exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining such exemption.

The TIN for an individual United States citizen or resident is the individual’s social security number.

The “Awaiting TIN” box of the Substitute IRS Form W-9 may be checked if a Primo Shareowner has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends to apply for a TIN in the near future. If the “Awaiting TIN” box is checked, the Primo Shareowner that is a U.S. holder must also complete the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number found below the Substitute Form W-9 in order to avoid backup withholding. If a Primo Shareowner that is a U.S. holder completes the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number but does not provide a TIN within 60 days, such shareowner will be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 24% until a TIN is provided.

Failure to furnish TIN — If you fail to furnish your correct TIN, you are subject to a penalty of U.S.$50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.

Non-U.S. holders receiving payments in the U.S. should return a completed IRS Form W-8BEN (or other applicable IRS Form W-8), a copy of which is available on the IRS website at www.irs.gov.



 
8. Privacy Notice

Computershare is committed to protecting your personal information. In the course of providing services to you and our corporate clients, we receive non-public personal information about you—from transactions we perform for you, forms you send us, other communications we have with you or your representatives, etc. This information could include your name, contact details (such as residential address, correspondence address, email address), social insurance or social security number, survey responses, securities holdings and other financial information. We use this to administer your account, to better serve your and our clients’ needs and for other lawful purposes relating to our services. Computershare may transfer personal information to other companies located outside of your province within Canada, or outside of Canada that provide data processing and storage or other support in order to facilitate the services it provides. Where we share your personal information with other companies to provide services to you, we ensure they have adequate safeguards to protect your personal information as per applicable privacy laws. We also ensure the protection of rights of data subjects under the General Data Protection Regulation, where applicable. We have prepared a Privacy Code to tell you more about our information practices, how your privacy is protected and how to contact our Chief Privacy Officer. It is available at our website, www.computershare.com, or by writing to us at 100 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2Y1.


 
The Depositary is:

COMPUTERSHARE INVESTOR SERVICES INC.

By Hand or by Courier

100 University Avenue, 8th Floor, North Tower
Toronto, Ontario
M5J 2Y1

By Mail

P.O. Box 7021
31 Adelaide St E
Toronto, ON M5C 3H2
Attention: Corporate Actions

For Inquiries Only

Toll Free: 1-800-564-6253
E-Mail: corporateactions@computershare.com

Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal to an address other than as set forth above does not constitute a valid delivery.