EX-99.A.8 7 dex99a8.txt GUIDELINES FOR TAXPAYER CERTIFICATION Exhibit 99(a)(8) GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING THE PROPER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER TO GIVE THE PAYOR. Social Security numbers (SSNs) have nine digits separated by two hyphens: i.e., 000-00-0000. Employer identification numbers (EINs) have nine digits separated by only one hyphen: i.e., 00-0000000. The table below will help determine the number to give the payor. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For this type of account: Give the name and SSN of: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The individual 1.Individual The actual owner of the account or, 2.Two or more individuals (joint if combined funds, the first account) individual on the account/1/ 3. Custodian account of a minor The minor/2/ (Uniform Gift to Minors Act) The grantor-trustee/1/ 4. a. The usual revocable savings trust (grantor is also The actual owner/1/ trustee) The owner/3/ b. So-called trust account that is not a legal or valid trust under state law 5.Sole proprietorship -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For this type of account: Give the name and EIN of: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6.Sole proprietorship The owner/3/ 7.A valid trust, estate, or pension Legal entity/4/ trust The corporation 8.Corporate The organization 9. Association, club, religious, charitable, educational, or other The partnership tax-exempt organization The broker or nominee 10. Partnership The public entity 11. A broker or registered nominee 12. 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 agriculture program payments -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /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 minor's SSN. /3/ You must show your individual name, but you may also enter your business or "DBA" name. You may use either your SSN or EIN (if you have one). /4/ List first and circle the name of the legal 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: If no name is circled when there is more than one name, the number will be considered to be that of the first name listed. (continued on back) OBTAINING A NUMBER If you don't have a taxpayer identification number or you don't know your number, obtain Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Number Card, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, at the local office of the Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service, or by calling 1 (800) TAX-FORM, and apply for a number. PAYEES EXEMPT FROM BACKUP WITHHOLDING Payees specifically exempted from backup withholding include the following: . An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), any individual retirement account (IRA), or a custodial account under Section 403(b)(7) if the account satisfies the requirements of Section 401(f)(2). . The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities. . A State, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities. . A foreign government or any of its political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities. . An international organization or any of its agencies or instrumentalities. Payees that may be exempt from backup withholding include the following: . A corporation. . A foreign central bank of issue. . A registered dealer in securities or commodities registered in the United States, the District of Columbia, or a possession of the United States. . A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. . A real estate investment trust. . An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940. . A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a). . A financial institution. . A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian. . An exempt charitable remainder trust, or a non-exempt trust described in section 4947. EXEMPT PAYEES DESCRIBED ABOVE SHOULD FILE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 TO AVOID POSSIBLE ERRONEOUS BACKUP WITHHOLDING. FURNISH YOUR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, CERTIFY THAT YOU ARE EXEMPT FROM BACKUP WITHHOLDING, SIGN AND DATE THE FORM, AND RETURN IT TO THE PAYOR. PRIVACY ACT NOTICE--Section 6109 requires most recipients of dividend, interest, or other payments to give taxpayer identification numbers to payors who must report the payments to the IRS. The IRS uses the numbers for identification purposes. Payors must be given the numbers whether or not recipients are required to file tax returns. Payors must generally withhold 31% of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not furnish a taxpayer identification number to a payor. Certain penalties may also apply. PENALTIES (1) Failure to Furnish Taxpayer Identification Number. If you fail to furnish your taxpayer identification number to a payor, you are subject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect. (2) Civil Penalty for False Information with respect to Withholder. If you make a false statement with no reasonable basis which results in no imposition of backup withholding, you are subject to a penalty of $500. (3) Criminal Penalty for Falsifying Information. Falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.