EX-99.(a)(1)(B)

Exhibit (a)(1)(B)

Letter of Transmittal to Tender Shares of Common Stock

Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc.

$34.50 Net Per Share in Cash

Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase dated September 14, 2020

SPN MergerSub, Inc.

a wholly-owned subsidiary of

Société des Produits Nestlé S.A.

THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00

MIDNIGHT, EASTERN TIME, ON OCTOBER 9, 2020, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDEDOR EARLIER TERMINATED.

The Depositary for the Offer is:

Equiniti Trust Company

***By Mail:

Equiniti Trust Company

Shareowner Services

Voluntary Corporate Actions

P.O. Box 64858

St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0858

***By Hand or Overnight Courier:

Equiniti Trust Company

Shareowner Services

Voluntary Corporate Actions

1110 Centre Pointe Curve, Suite 101

Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55120

Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal to an address other than as set forth above will not constitute a valid delivery to the Depositary. You must sign this Letter of Transmittal in the appropriate space provided below, with signature guarantee if required, and either complete the enclosed Form W-9 if you are a U.S. person (as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) or submit a properly completed Form W-8 if you are not a U.S. person.

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



DESCRIPTION OF SHARES TENDERED

Account Registration (Please fill in, if blank) Please make any address correction below	Shares Tendered (Please attach additional signed list, if necessary)

☐ indicates permanent address change	Indicate Certificate Number(s), and/or Direct Registration Book- Entry Shares	Total Number of Shares Represented by Certificate(s)	Number of Shares Tendered⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾









	Total Shares Tendered

(1) If Shares are held in Book-Entry form, and you do not intend to tender all of your Shares, you must indicate the number of Shares you are tendering. Otherwise, all Shares represented by Book-Entry delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been tendered. By signing and submitting this Letter of Transmittal you warrant that these Shares will not be sold, including through limit order request, unless properly withdrawn from the Offer. See Instruction 4.

(2) If you wish to tender fewer than all Shares represented by any certificate listed above, please indicate in this column the number of Shares you wish to tender. Otherwise, all Shares represented by Share Certificates delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been tendered. See Instruction 4.

☐ Check here if Share Certificates have been lost or mutilated. See Instruction 11.

Lost certificates. I have lost my certificate(s) for shares and require assistance in replacing them. A $75.00 replacement fee must be sent in with the completed letter of transmittal. The check must be made payable to EQ Shareowner Services. If additional forms and fees are needed, you will be contacted. See Instruction 11.

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

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

You have received this Letter of Transmittal in connection with the relates to the offer by SPN MergerSub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Purchaser”) and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., a société anonyme organized under the laws of Switzerland (“Nestlé”), to purchase all of the outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Aimmune”), owned by the stockholders of Aimmune other than Nestlé and its affiliates, at a price of $34.50 per Share (the “Offer Price”), net to the seller thereof in cash, without interest and subject to any required withholding of taxes, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated September 14, 2020 (the “Offer to Purchase”) and this Letter of Transmittal which, together with any amendments or supplements thereto, collectively constitute the “Offer.”

This Letter of Transmittal is to be used by stockholders of Aimmune if certificates for Shares (“Share Certificates”) are to be forwarded herewith or if Shares are held in a direct registration account on the records of Aimmune’s transfer agent, Equiniti Trust Company, which is also serving as the depositary for the Offer (the “Depositary”). If you are delivering your Shares by book-entry transfer to an account maintained by the Depositary at The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), you must use an Agent’s Message (as defined in Instruction 2 below).

IMPORTANT

STOCKHOLDER: SIGN HERE

(Please Complete Enclosed Form W-9 or Applicable Form W-8)

(Signature(s) of Owner(s))


Name(s)



Capacity (Full Title)
(See Instructions)


Address








(Include Zip Code)

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

GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)

(If required—See Instructions 1 and 5)

APPLY MEDALLION GUARANTEE STAMP BELOW


SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS (See Instructions 1 and 5)
To be completed ONLY if the (check or shares) accepted for payment is/are to be issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned. Issue To:
Name
		(Please Print)

Address


(Include Zip Code)


(Recipient must complete enclosed Form W-9 or applicable Form W-8)


SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
To be completed ONLY if the (check or shares) (is/are) to be sent to someone other than the undersigned or to the undersigned at an address other than that shown under “Description of Shares Tendered.” Mail To:

Name
		(Please Print)

Address


(Include Zip Code)

PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS SET FORTH

IN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned hereby tenders to SPN MergerSub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Purchaser”) and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., a société anonyme organized under the laws of Switzerland (“Nestlé”), the above-described shares (collectively, the “Shares”) of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Aimmune”), at a price of $34.50 per Share, net to the seller thereof in cash (the “Offer Price”), without interest and subject to any required withholding of taxes, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated September 14, 2020 (the “Offer to Purchase”), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and this Letter of Transmittal (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, this “Letter of Transmittal” and, together with the Offer to Purchase, as they may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer”) and pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 29, 2020 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Purchaser, Nestlé and Aimmune. The undersigned understands that Purchaser reserves the right to transfer or assign, from time to time, in whole or in part, to one or more of its affiliates, the right to purchase the Shares tendered herewith. Terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Offer to Purchase.

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer (and if the Offer is extended or amended, the terms of any such extension or amendment), and effective upon acceptance for payment of the Shares tendered herewith in accordance with the terms of the Offer and not properly withdrawn prior to the Expiration Date in accordance with the terms of the Offer, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to or upon the order of Purchaser all right, title and interest in and to all of the Shares that are being tendered hereby, distributions, rights, other Shares or other securities issued or issuable in respect thereof on or after September 14, 2020 (collectively, “Distributions”) and irrevocably constitutes and appoints Equiniti Trust Company (the “Depositary”) the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned with respect to such Shares (and all Distributions), with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest), to (i) deliver certificates for such Shares (and any and all Distributions) or transfer ownership of such Shares (and any and all Distributions) on the account books maintained by the Depositary or DTC, together, in any such case, with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity, to or upon the order of Purchaser, (ii) present such Shares (and any and all Distributions) for transfer on the books of Aimmune, and (iii) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Shares (and any and all Distributions), all in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.

By executing this Letter of Transmittal (or taking action resulting in the delivery of an Agent’s Message), the undersigned hereby irrevocably appoints each of the designees of Purchaser in their respective capacities as officers of Purchaser, and any individual who shall thereafter succeed to any such office of Purchaser, and each of them, and any other designees of Purchaser, the attorneys-in-fact and proxies of the undersigned, each with full power of substitution, to vote at any annual or special meeting of Aimmune stockholders or any adjournment or postponement thereof or otherwise in such manner as each such attorney-in-fact and proxy or his or her substitute shall in his or her sole discretion deem proper with respect to, to execute any written consent concerning any matter as each such attorney-in-fact and proxy or his or her substitute shall in his or her sole discretion deem proper with respect to, and to otherwise act as each such attorney-in-fact and proxy or his or her substitute shall in his or her sole discretion deem proper with respect to, all of the Shares (and any and all Distributions) tendered hereby and accepted for payment by Purchaser. This appointment will be effective if and when, and only to the extent that, Purchaser accepts such Shares for payment pursuant to the Offer. This power of attorney and proxy are irrevocable and are granted in consideration of the acceptance for payment of such Shares in accordance with the terms of the Offer. Such acceptance for payment shall, without further action, revoke any prior powers of attorney and proxies granted by the undersigned at any time with respect to such Shares (and any and all Distributions), and no subsequent powers of attorney, proxies, consents or revocations may be given by the undersigned with respect thereto (and, if given, will not be deemed effective).

Purchaser reserves the right to require that, in order for the Shares to be deemed validly tendered, immediately upon Purchaser’s acceptance for payment of such Shares, Purchaser must be able to exercise full voting, consent and other rights with respect to such Shares (and any and all Distributions), including voting at any meeting of Aimmune stockholders or executing a written consent concerning any matter.

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

All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned, and any obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, trustees in bankruptcy, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as stated in the Offer, this tender is irrevocable.

The undersigned understands that the acceptance for payment by Purchaser of Shares tendered pursuant to one of the procedures described in “The Tender Offer—Section 3. Procedures for Tendering Shares” of the Offer to Purchase and in the Instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and Purchaser upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, which agreement will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

INSTRUCTIONS FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER

1. Guarantee of Signatures. Except as otherwise provided below, all signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by a financial institution (including most commercial banks, savings and loan associations and brokerage houses) that is a member in good standing of a recognized Medallion Program approved by The Securities Transfer Association, Inc., including the Security Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program and the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program (each, an “Eligible Institution”). Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal need not be guaranteed (a) if this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) (which term, for purposes of this document, includes any participant in any of DTC’s systems whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the Shares) of Shares tendered herewith and such registered owner has not completed the box titled “Special Payment Instructions” on this Letter of Transmittal or (b) if such Shares are tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. See Instruction 5.

2. Requirements of Tender. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by stockholders if Share Certificates are to be forwarded herewith or if Shares are held in book-entry form in a direct registration account on the records of the Depositary (“Direct Registration Book-Entry Shares”). If tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedures for tender by book-entry transfer set forth in “The Tender Offer—Section 3. Procedures for Tendering Shares” of the Offer to Purchase, an Agent’s Message must be utilized. Share Certificates evidencing tendered Shares, as well as this Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile hereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees, or confirmation of any book-entry transfer into the Depositary’s account at DTC of Shares tendered by book-entry transfer (“Book Entry Confirmation”) and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth herein prior to the Expiration Date. Please do not send your Share Certificates directly to Purchaser, Nestlé, Aimmune or the Information Agent. If Share Certificates are forwarded separately to the Depositary, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal must accompany each such delivery.

The term “Agent’s Message” means a message, transmitted through electronic means by DTC to, and received by, the Depositary and forming part of a Book-Entry Confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in DTC tendering the Shares which are the subject of such Book-Entry Confirmation that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of this Letter of Transmittal and that Purchaser may enforce such agreement against the participant. The term “Agent’s Message” also includes any hard copy printout evidencing such message generated by a computer terminal maintained at the Depositary’s office.

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

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

LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE OFFICE OF THE DEPOSITARY BY 12:00 MIDNIGHT, EASTERN TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE OF THE OFFER.

No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted and no fractional Shares will be accepted. All tendering stockholders, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile hereof), waive any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of their Shares for payment.

All questions as to validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of the surrender of any Share Certificate hereunder, including questions as to the proper completion or execution of any Letter of Transmittal or other required documents and as to the proper form for transfer of any certificate of Shares, will be determined

by Purchaser in its sole and absolute discretion (which may delegate power in whole or in part to the Depositary) which determination will be final and binding subject to the right of any party to dispute such determination in a court of competent jurisdiction. Purchaser reserves the absolute right to reject any and all tenders determined by it not to be in proper form or the acceptance for payment of or payment for which may be unlawful. Purchaser also reserves the absolute right to waive any defect or irregularity in the surrender of any Shares or Share Certificate(s) whether or not similar defects or irregularities are waived in the case of any other stockholder. A surrender will not be deemed to have been validly made until all defects and irregularities have been cured or waived. Purchaser and the Depositary shall make reasonable efforts to notify any person of any defect in any Letter of Transmittal submitted to the Depositary.

3. Inadequate Space. If the space provided herein is inadequate, the certificate numbers and/or the number of Shares and any other required information should be listed on a separate signed schedule attached hereto.

4. Partial Tenders. If fewer than all of the Shares evidenced by any Share Certificate are to be tendered, fill in the number of Shares that are to be tendered in the column entitled “Number of Shares Tendered” in the box entitled “Description of Shares Tendered” above. In that case, if any tendered Shares are purchased, a Direct Registration Book-Entry Statement for the remainder of the shares (including any shares not purchased) evidenced by the old certificate(s) will be issued and sent to the registered holder(s) promptly after the expiration date. Unless otherwise indicated, all shares represented by the Share Certificate(s) set forth above and delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been tendered.

5. Signatures on Letter of Transmittal, Stock Powers and Endorsements. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of the certificate(s) without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.

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

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

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

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

6. Stock Transfer Taxes. Except as otherwise provided in this Instruction 6, Purchaser or any successor entity will pay all stock transfer taxes with respect to the transfer and sale of any Shares to it pursuant to the Offer (for the avoidance of doubt, transfer taxes do not include U.S. federal income taxes or withholding taxes). If, however, consideration is to be paid to, or if certificate(s) for Shares not tendered or not accepted for payment are to be registered in the name of, any person(s) other than the registered holder(s), or if tendered certificate(s) for Share(s) are registered in the name of any person(s) other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal, Purchaser will not be responsible for any stock transfer or similar taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder(s) or such other person(s) or otherwise) payable on account of the transfer to such other

person(s) and no consideration shall be paid in respect of such Share(s) unless evidence reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser of the payment of such taxes, or exemption therefrom, is submitted.

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

8. Backup Withholding. Under U.S. federal income tax laws, the depositary will be required to withhold a portion of the amount of any payment made to certain stockholders pursuant to the Offer. In order to avoid such backup withholding, a tendering stockholder that is a U.S. person (as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a “U.S. person”) is required to provide the Depositary or other withholding agent with a correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) by completing the attached Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form W-9. Certain stockholders (including, for example, corporations, financial institutions, tax-exempt entities and IRA plans) are not subject to backup withholding. Exempt stockholders that are U.S. persons should certify their exemptions on IRS Form W-9, as described below. In order to avoid backup withholding, a tendering stockholder that is not a U.S. person should submit an appropriate and properly completed IRS Form W-8, a copy of which may be obtained from the Depositary or downloaded from the IRS’s website at the following address: http://www.irs.gov. Failure to complete the IRS Form W-9 or applicable IRS Form W-8 will not, by itself, cause Shares to be deemed invalidly tendered but may require the Depositary to withhold a portion of the amount of any payments made of the Offer Price pursuant to the Offer. Please review the “Important Tax Information” section below.

9. Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies. Questions and requests for assistance or additional copies of the Offer to Purchase, this Letter of Transmittal or IRS Form W-9 may be directed to the Information Agent at the address and phone numbers set forth below, or from brokers, dealers, commercial banks or trust companies.

10. Waiver of Conditions. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, Purchaser reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to waive, at any time or from time to time, any of the specified conditions of the Offer, in whole or in part, in the case of any Shares tendered.

11. Lost, Destroyed or Stolen Certificates. If your certificates are lost, destroyed or stolen please check the box and complete the box entitled “Description of Shares Tendered”. A $75.00 lost certificate replacement fee must be mailed in with your completed Letter of Transmittal. If there are additional forms or fees needed, you will be contacted.

Important: This Letter of Transmittal together with any required signature guarantees, and any other required documents, must be received by the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date and certificates for tendered Shares must be received by the Depositary prior to the expiration time of the Offer on the Expiration Date.

IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION

Payments made to a U.S. person in connection with the Offer will be subject to information reporting and U.S. federal backup withholding (currently at a rate of 24%) unless (i) in the case of backup withholding, such U.S. person provides an accurate TIN (which for an individual generally is a Social Security Number) on the enclosed IRS Form W-9 and any other required information or (ii) such U.S. person is a corporation or other exempt stockholder. Exempt stockholders, other than foreign persons, should furnish their TIN, enter their “Exempt payee” code and sign, date and return the IRS Form W-9 to the Depositary or other applicable withholding agent. If the Depositary or other applicable withholding agent is not provided with the correct TIN, payments that are made to such stockholder may be subject to backup withholding based on 24% of the reportable amount.

Payments made to a stockholder that is not a U.S. person in connection with the Offer may be subject to backup withholding (currently at a rate of 24%) unless such stockholder submits an appropriate and properly completed IRS Form W-8, attesting to that holder’s foreign status. Normally, a non-U.S. individual or non-U.S. corporation will provide an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable. Intermediary entities will provide an IRS Form W-8IMY for the entity and an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, or IRS Form W-9, as applicable, for each beneficial owner along with a withholding statement. Such an IRS Form W-8 may be obtained from the Depositary.

If backup withholding applies, the Depositary or other applicable withholding agent is required to withhold 24% of any reportable payments made to the stockholder. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and may be refunded or credited against the applicable holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided such holder furnishes the required information to the IRS in a timely manner. In addition, certain penalties apply for failure to provide correct information and for failure to include reportable payments in income. Each holder should consult with his or her own tax advisor as to his or her qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining such exemption. The IRS Form W-9 is included herein.

Questions and requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent at the address and telephone number set forth below. Requests for copies of the Offer to Purchase, this Letter of Transmittal, the applicable IRS Form W-8, the IRS Form W-9 and other tender offer materials may also be directed to the Information Agent. A Stockholder may also contact such stockholders’ broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer.

The Information Agent for the Tender Offer is:

LOGO

1407 Broadway

New York, New York 10018

(212) 929-5500

Call Toll-Free (800) 322-2885

Email: tenderoffer@mackenziepartners.com

Form W-9

(Rev. October 2018)

Department of the Treasury

Internal Revenue Service

Request for Taxpayer

Identification Number and Certification

u Go to www.irs.gov/FormW9 for instructions and the latest information.

Give Form to the requester. Do not send to the IRS.

Print or type.

See

Specific Instructions

on page 3.

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

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

3 Check appropriate box for federal tax classification of the person whose name is entered on line 1. Check only one of the
following seven boxes.

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

Exempt payee code (if any)

Exemption from FATCA reporting
code (if any)

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

☐

Individual/sole proprietor or
single-member LLC

☐

C Corporation

☐

S Corporation

☐

Partnership

☐ Trust/estate

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

Note: Check the appropriate box in the line above for the tax classification of the single-member owner. Do not check LLC if the LLC is classified as a single-member LLC that is disregarded from the owner unless the owner of the LLC is another LLC that is not disregarded from the owner for U.S. federal tax purposes. Otherwise, a single-member LLC that is disregarded from the owner should check the appropriate box for the tax classification of its owner.

☐ Other (see instructions) u

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

Requester’s name and address (optional)

6 City, state, and ZIP code

7 List account number(s) here (optional)


Part I		Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. The TIN provided must match the name given on line 1 to avoid backup withholding. For individuals, this is generally your social security number (SSN). However, for a resident alien, sole proprietor, or disregarded entity, see the 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. Also see What Name and Number To Give the Requester for guidelines on whose number to enter.

Social security number

–

Employer identification number

–


Part II		Certification

Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:

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

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

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

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 ^u		Date ^u

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.

Purpose of Form

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

•

Form 1099-INT (interest earned or paid)

•

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

•

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

•

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

•

Form 1099-S (proceeds from real estate transactions)

•

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

•

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

•

Form 1099-C (canceled debt)

•

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

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

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


		Cat. No. 10231X		Form W-9 (Rev. 10-2018)

Form W-9 (Rev. 10-2018)

Page 2

By signing the filled-out form, you:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. The treaty article addressing the income.

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

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

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

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

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

Backup Withholding

What is backup withholding? Persons making certain payments to you must under certain conditions withhold and pay to the IRS 24% of such payments. This is called “backup withholding.” Payments that may be subject to backup withholding include interest, tax-exempt interest, dividends, broker and barter exchange transactions, rents, royalties, nonemployee pay, payments made in settlement of payment card and third party network transactions, and certain payments from fishing boat operators. Real estate transactions are not subject to backup withholding.

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

Payments you receive will be subject to backup withholding if:

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

2. You do not certify your TIN when required (see the 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 under 4 above (for reportable interest and dividend accounts opened after 1983 only).

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

Also see Special rules for partnerships, earlier.

What is FATCA Reporting?

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) requires a participating foreign financial institution to report all United States account holders that are specified United States persons. Certain payees are exempt from FATCA reporting. See Exemption from FATCA reporting code, 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 no longer are tax exempt. In addition, you must furnish a new Form W-9 if the name or TIN changes for the account; for example, if the grantor of a grantor trust dies.

Penalties

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

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

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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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Line 2

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

Line 3

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


IF the entity/person on line 1 is a(n) . . .		THEN check the box for . . .
• Corporation		Corporation
• Individual • Sole proprietorship, or • Single-member limited liability company (LLC) owned by an individual and disregarded for U.S. federal tax purposes.		Individual/sole proprietor or single-member LLC
• LLC treated as a partnership for U.S. federal tax purposes, • LLC that has filed Form 8832 or 2553 to be taxed as a corporation, or • LLC that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner but the owner is another LLC that is not disregarded for U.S. federal tax purposes.		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 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 in line 4.

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

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

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

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

5 – A corporation

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

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

8 – A real estate investment trust

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

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

11 – A financial institution

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

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

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


IF the payment is for . . .		THEN the payment is exempt for . . .
Interest and dividend payments		All exempt payees except for 7
Broker transactions		Exempt payees 1 through 4 and 6 through 11 and all C corporations. S corporations must not enter an exempt payee code because they are exempt only for sales of noncovered securities acquired prior to 2012.
Barter exchange transactions and patronage dividends		Exempt payees 1 through 4
Payments over $600 required to be reported and direct sales over $5,000¹		Generally, exempt payees 1 through 5²
Payments made in settlement of payment card or third party network transactions		Exempt payees 1 through 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

G – A real estate investment trust

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

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

J – A bank as defined in section 581

K – A broker

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

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

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

Line 5

Enter your address (number, street, and apartment or suite number). This is where the requester of this Form W-9 will mail your information returns. If this address differs from the one the requester already has on file, write 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 individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Enter it in the social security number box. If you do not have an ITIN, see How to get a TIN below.

If you are a sole proprietor and you have an EIN, you may enter either your SSN or EIN.

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). Do not enter the disregarded entity’s EIN. If the LLC is classified as a corporation or partnership, enter the entity’s EIN.

Note: See 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 1-800-772-1213. Use Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, to apply for an ITIN, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, to apply for an EIN. You can apply for an EIN online by accessing the IRS website at www.irs.gov/Businesses and clicking on Employer Identification Number (EIN) under Starting a Business. 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 SS-4 mailed to you within 10 business days.

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

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

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

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.

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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 Form 1099 Filing Method 1 (see Regulations section 1.671-4(b)(2)(i)(A))	The grantor^*

For this type of account:			Give name and EIN of:

	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



For this type of account:			Give name and EIN of:

	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 under the Form 1041 Filing Method or the Optional Form 1099 Filing Method 2 (see Regulations section 1.671-4(b)(2)(i)(B))	The trust

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.

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

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

⁴

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

*Note:

The grantor also must provide a Form W-9 to trustee of trust.

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

Secure Your Tax Records From Identity Theft

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

To reduce your risk:

•

Protect your SSN,

•

Ensure your employer is protecting your SSN, and

•

Be careful when choosing a tax preparer.

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

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

For more information, see Pub. 5027, Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers.

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 1-877-777-4778 or TTY/TDD 1-800-829-4059.

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

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

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

Visit 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 possessions for use in administering their laws. The information also may be disclosed to other countries under a treaty, to federal and state agencies to enforce civil and criminal laws, or to federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat terrorism. You must provide your TIN whether or not you are required to file a tax return. Under section 3406, payers must generally withhold a percentage of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not give a TIN to the payer. Certain penalties may also apply for providing false or fraudulent information.