SECTION 4999 EXCISE TAX LIMITATION Sample Clauses
The Section 4999 Excise Tax Limitation clause is designed to address and limit the impact of excise taxes imposed under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, which applies to certain "parachute payments" made to executives in connection with a change in control of a company. This clause typically sets a cap on the total payments an executive can receive, ensuring that the amount does not trigger or minimizes the 20% excise tax liability, or it may require a reduction in payments to avoid the tax altogether. Its core function is to protect both the company and the executive from unexpected tax burdens and to provide clarity and predictability regarding compensation in change-in-control scenarios.
SECTION 4999 EXCISE TAX LIMITATION. (a) In the event that it shall be determined that (X) any amount or benefit paid, distributed or otherwise provided to the Executive by the Company Group, whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise (collectively, the “Covered Payments”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), and (Y) the reduction of the amounts payable to the Executive under this Agreement or with respect to stock options and equity awards to the maximum amount that could be paid to the Executive without giving rise to the Excise Tax (the “Safe Harbor Cap”) would provide the Executive with a greater after-tax amount than if such amounts were not reduced, then, subject to the further limitations set forth herein, the Covered Payments shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the Safe Harbor Cap. The reductions, if applicable, shall be made to the extent necessary in the following order: (i) the acceleration of vesting of stock options and other equity awards with an exercise price that exceeds the then fair market value of the stock subject to the award; (ii) the payments under Section 6(c)(i)(1)(A) hereof; (iii) the payments under Section 6(c)(i)(1)(B) hereof; (iv) the continuation of benefits under Section 6(c)(i)(2) hereof; and (v) the acceleration of vesting of all other stock options and equity awards. For purposes of reducing the Covered Payments to the Safe Harbor Cap, only amounts payable under this Agreement and with respect to stock options and equity awards (and no other Covered Payments) shall be reduced. If the reduction would not result in a greater after-tax result to the Executive, no amounts payable under this Agreement or with respect to stock options and equity awards shall be reduced pursuant to this provision.
(b) A nationally recognized firm of independent accountants, selected by the Company after consultation with the Executive, shall perform the foregoing calculations. The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such accounting firm required to be made hereunder. Such accounting firm shall apply the provisions of this Section 8 in a reasonable manner and in good faith in accordance with then prevailing practices in the interpretation and application of Section 4999 of the Code. For purposes of applying the provisions of this Section 8, the Company shall be entitled to rely on the written advice of legal counsel or such accounting firm as to whether one or more Covered Payments con...
SECTION 4999 EXCISE TAX LIMITATION