EXHIBIT 10(cc)(3)
TAX ALLOCATION AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
AND ITS AFFILIATED COMPANIES
AND
TEXAS GENCO HOLDINGS, INC.
AND ITS AFFILIATED COMPANIES
TAX ALLOCATION AGREEMENT
THIS TAX ALLOCATION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), entered into
effective as of August 31, 2002, by and among CenterPoint Energy, Inc., a Texas
corporation ("CP"), each CP Affiliated Company, Texas Genco Holdings, Inc., a
Texas corporation ("Texas Genco"), and each Texas Genco Affiliated Company is
entered into in connection with the Distribution (as defined below).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, CP is the common parent of an affiliated group of
corporations within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), which currently files a consolidated federal
income tax return, and which, together with other affiliated corporations, is
party to the Tax Sharing Agreement (as defined below);
WHEREAS, as set forth in the Master Separation Agreement,
dated December 31, 2000, and subject to the terms and conditions thereof,
Reliant Energy, Incorporated, the predecessor to CP, transferred all of its
Texas electric generating assets to a limited partnership subsidiary of Texas
Genco, and the limited partnership subsidiary of Texas Genco assumed all of the
liabilities associated with such electric generating assets; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the Texas statute that mandates
the deregulation of the Texas electric business and in order to establish the
"stranded costs" attributable to the electric power generation facilities owned
by Texas Genco and pursuant to that certain Separation Agreement between
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Texas Genco Holdings, Inc., dated as of August 31,
2002, CP will distribute approximately 19% of its shares of Texas Genco common
stock, on a pro rata basis, to the holders of the common stock of CP (the
"Distribution");
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
promises contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as
follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
1.1 In General. As used in this Agreement, the following
capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:
"Affiliated Company" means, for income tax purposes, any
entity in which a common parent holds 80% or more of the voting power and value
of such corporation.
"Audit" includes any audit, assessment of Taxes, other
examination by any Tax Authority, proceeding, or appeal of such a proceeding
relating to Taxes, whether administrative or judicial, including proceedings
relating to competent authority determinations.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Consolidated Group" means a group of one or more corporations
connected through stock ownership with a common parent in which the common
parent owns at least 80% of the total voting power and value of such corporation
and that files a Consolidated Return.
"Consolidated Return" means any Tax Return with respect to
Federal Income Taxes filed on a consolidated basis.
"Consolidated Return Regulations" shall mean the Treasury
Regulations promulgated under Chapter 6 of Subtitle A of the Code, including, as
applicable, any predecessors or successors thereto.
"Consolidated State Tax" means any Tax incurred by a Legal
Entity that is not a Federal Income Tax and that is filed on a combined,
unitary, or consolidated basis.
"Consolidated State Tax Return" means a Tax Return filed with
respect to a Consolidated State Tax liability.
"CP" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this
Agreement.
"CP Consolidated State Tax" means a Consolidated State Tax for
a particular Tax period for which CP or a member of the CP Group has the legal
obligation to file a Tax Return with respect to such Consolidated State Tax.
"CP Consolidated State Tax Return" means a Tax Return filed
with respect to a CP Consolidated State Tax.
"CP Group" means CP, any CP Affiliated Company or other entity
of which CP is the common parent corporation or other entity which may be, or
may become a member of such group from time to time.
"CP Consolidated Group" means with respect to a particular Tax
period a Consolidated Group in which CP is the common parent for all or a
portion of such Tax period.
"DIT" shall mean any "deferred intercompany transaction" or
"intercompany transaction" within the meaning of the Treasury Regulations (or
predecessors thereto).
"Distribution" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to
this Agreement.
"Distribution Date" means the date on which the Distribution
is effective.
"Federal Income Tax" means any Tax imposed under Subtitle A of
the Code (including the Taxes imposed by Sections 11, 55, and 1201(a) of the
Code), and any interest, additions to Tax or penalties applicable or related
thereto, and any other income-based U.S. federal Tax which is hereinafter
imposed upon corporations.
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"Filing Party" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3 of
this Agreement.
"Final Determination" means with respect to any issue (i) a
decision, judgment, decree or other order by any court of competent
jurisdiction, which decision, judgment, decree or other order has become final
and not subject to further appeal, (ii) a closing agreement (whether or not
entered into under Section 7121 of the Code) or any other binding settlement
agreement (whether or not with the Service) entered into in connection with or
in contemplation of an administrative or judicial proceeding, or (iii) the
completion of the highest level of administrative proceedings if a judicial
contest is not or is no longer available.
"Income Taxes" means (1) any tax based upon, measured by, or
calculated with respect to (A) net income or profits (including any capital
gains tax, minimum tax and any tax on items of Tax preference, but not including
sales, use, real or personal property, gross or net receipts, transfer or
similar taxes) or (B) multiple bases if one or more of the bases upon which such
tax may be based, measured by, or calculated with respect to, is described in
clause (A) above, or (2) any U.S., state or local franchise tax.
"Indemnifying Party" means a person who has an obligation to
indemnify another person under Section 5.2.
"Indemnitee" means a person who is owed an indemnification
obligation by another person under Section 5.2.
"Joint Return" shall mean any Tax Return that includes at
least two Legal Entities, of which one Legal Entity is a member of the Texas
Genco Group and the other Legal Entity is a member of the CP Group.
"Legal Entity" shall mean a corporation, partnership, limited
liability company or other legal entity under the corporation, partnership,
limited liability company or other organizational laws of a state or other
jurisdiction.
"Non-Filing Party" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3 of
this Agreement.
"Redetermination" shall mean any redetermination as the result
of an Audit by the Service (or the relevant state, local or foreign governmental
authority), a claim for refund, an amended Tax Return or otherwise and that is
resolved by a Final Determination.
"Separate Tax" means any Tax incurred by a Legal Entity that
is not a Federal Income Tax and that is filed on a separate company basis.
"Separate Return" means any Tax Return filed with respect to a
Separate Tax liability.
"Service" means the Internal Revenue Service.
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"Tax" includes any charges, fees, levies, imposts, duties, or
other assessments of a similar nature, including income, alternative or add-on
minimum, gross receipts, profits, lease, service, service use, wage, wage
withholding, employment, workers compensation, business occupation, occupation,
premiums, environmental, estimated, excise, employment, sales, use, transfer,
license, payroll, franchise, severance, stamp, occupation, windfall profits,
withholding, social security, unemployment, disability, ad valorem, estimated,
highway use, commercial rent, capital stock, paid up capital, recording,
registration, property, real property gains, value added, business license,
custom duties, or other tax or governmental fee of any kind whatsoever, imposed
or required to be withheld by any Tax Authority including any interest,
additions to tax, or penalties applicable or related thereto.
"Tax Authority" means any governmental authority or any
subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof or any quasi-governmental
or private body having jurisdiction over the assessment, determination,
collection or imposition of any Tax (including the Service).
"Tax Benefit" means a reduction in the Tax liability of a
taxpayer (or of the affiliated group of which it is a member) for any taxable
period. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, a Tax Benefit shall be
deemed to have been realized or received from a Tax Item in a taxable period
only if and to the extent that the Tax liability of the taxpayer (or of the
affiliated group of which it is a member) for such period, after taking into
account the effect of the Tax Item on the Tax liability of such taxpayer in the
current period and all prior periods, is less than it would have been if such
Tax liability were determined without regard to such Tax Item.
"Tax Detriment" means an increase in the Tax liability of a
taxpayer (or of the affiliated group of which it is a member) for any taxable
period. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, a Tax Detriment shall be
deemed to have been realized or received from a Tax Item in a taxable period
only if and to the extent that the Tax liability of the taxpayer (or of the
affiliated group of which it is a member) for such period, after taking into
account the effect of the Tax Item on the Tax liability of such taxpayer in the
current period and all prior periods, is more than it would have been if such
Tax liability were determined without regard to such Tax Item.
"Tax Item" means any item of income, gain, loss, deduction or
credit, or other attribute that may have the effect of increasing or decreasing
any Tax.
"Tax Sharing Agreement" means the Tax Sharing Agreement, dated
August 6, 1997, entered into by and among Houston Industries, Incorporated
(predecessor to CP), NorAm Energy Corp., and Houston Industries Energy, Inc.
"Tax Return" means any return, report, certificate, form or
similar statement or document (including, any related or supporting information
or schedule attached thereto and any information return, amended Tax return,
claim for refund or declaration of estimated Tax) required to be supplied to, or
filed with, a Tax Authority in connection with the determination,
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assessment or collection of any Tax or the administration of any laws,
regulations or administrative requirements relating to any Tax.
"Texas Genco" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to
this Agreement.
"Texas Genco Group" means Texas Genco and any Texas Genco
Affiliated Company of which Texas Genco would be the common parent corporation
if Texas Genco were not a member of the CP Group.
"Treasury Regulations" means the final, temporary and proposed
income Tax regulations promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be
amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding
regulations).
1.2 Construction Principles. As used in this Agreement,
the singular shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa, and the
captions and section headings are inserted for convenience of reference only and
are not intended to have any significance for the interpretation of, or
construction of, the provisions of this Agreement. IT IS INTENDED THAT THIS
AGREEMENT SHALL COMPLY WITH THE PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT OF 1935, RULE
45(c), TO THE EXTENT RELEVANT, AND ALL AMBIGUITIES SHALL BE INTERPRETED AND
RESOLVED ACCORDINGLY.
SECTION 2. PREPARATION AND FILING OF TAX RETURNS.
2.1 In General. CP shall timely file or cause to be filed
all Tax Returns that are filed on a consolidated, combined or unitary basis and
shall include Texas Genco and the Texas Genco Affiliates as members of the CP
Group with respect to the Tax Items of Texas Genco and the Texas Genco
Affiliates. If Texas Genco is required to file a Separate Return, CP shall
timely file or cause to be filed all such Separate Returns.
2.2 Information and Cooperation.
(a) CP and Texas Genco shall provide each other all
documents and information, and make available employees and officers of CP and
Texas Genco, as reasonably requested by the other party, on a mutually
convenient basis during normal business hours, to aid the other party in
preparing any Tax Return described in Section 2.1 of this Agreement or to
contest any Audit of any such Tax Return.
(b) In the case of any Tax Return described in
Section 2.1 of this Agreement, CP will provide Texas Genco with a copy of that
portion of each such Tax Return to the extent it relates to Texas Genco or any
Texas Genco Affiliated Company, together with all related tax accounting work
papers, not later than five (5) days after the receipt of a written request
therefor.
2.3 Manner of Filing Tax Returns. Except as
otherwise provided in this Section 2.3 of this Agreement, the party that is
required to file a return under Section 2.1 of this Agreement (the "Filing
Party") shall have the exclusive right to determine (1) the manner in which such
Tax Return shall be prepared and filed, including the elections, methods of
accounting, positions, conventions and principles of taxation to be used and the
manner in which
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any Tax Item shall be reported, (2) whether any extensions may be requested, (3)
the elections that will be made in such Tax Return, (4) whether any amended Tax
Returns shall be filed, (5) whether any claims for refund shall be made, (6)
whether any refunds shall be paid by way of refund or credited against any
liability for the related Tax, and (7) whether to retain outside specialists to
prepare such Tax Return, whom to retain for such purpose and the scope of any
such retainer. (The party who is not the Filing Party is referred to herein as
the "Non-Filing Party".)
2.4 Agent. Texas Genco hereby irrevocably designates, and
agrees to cause each Texas Genco Affiliated Company to so designate, CP as its
sole and exclusive agent and attorney-in-fact to take such action (including
execution of documents) as CP, in its sole discretion, may deem appropriate in
any and all matters (including Audits) relating to any Consolidated Return and
any other Tax Return described in Section 2.1 of this Agreement.
SECTION 3. TAX SHARING AND PAYMENTS.
3.1 In General.
(a) Sharing Agreement. Except to the extent specifically
modified or supplemented herein, the Tax Sharing Agreement shall continue in
full force and effect. The provisions of the Tax Sharing Agreement shall fix the
rights and obligations of the parties as to the matters covered thereby.
(b) Federal Income Tax Payments. With respect to CP
Consolidated Group federal income Taxes, no later than five (5) days prior to
the due date (including extensions) of any consolidated federal income Tax
Return of the CP Consolidated Group:
(i) Texas Genco shall pay to CP no later than
five (5) days prior to the due date (including extensions) of
such Tax Return, the excess, if any, of (A) the sum of (I) the
aggregate amount of any Tax that would not have been incurred
by the CP Consolidated Group but for the inclusion of any
Legal Entity that is a member of the Texas Genco Group in the
CP Consolidated Group and (II) the aggregate amount of any Tax
refund, credit or other Tax Benefit that would have been
realized or received with respect to such Tax Return (or any
other Tax Return that has been or could have been filed) by
the CP Consolidated Group but for the inclusion of any Legal
Entity that is a member of the Texas Genco Group in the CP
Consolidated Group over (B) the aggregate amount previously
paid by Texas Genco pursuant to this clause (i); and
(ii) CP shall pay to Texas Genco no later than
five (5) days prior to the due date (including extensions of
such Tax Return) the excess, if any, of (A) the sum of (I) the
aggregate amount of any Tax that would have been incurred by
the CP Consolidated Group but for the inclusion of any Legal
Entity that is a member of the Texas Genco Group in the CP
Consolidated Group and (II) the aggregate amount of any Tax
refund, credit or other Tax Benefit realized or received with
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respect to such Tax Return that would not have been realized
or received by the CP Consolidated Group but for the inclusion
of any Legal Entity that is a member of the Texas Genco Group
in the CP Consolidated Group over (B) the aggregate amount
previously paid by CP pursuant to this clause (ii).
(c) Consolidated, Combined, Unitary or Joint Return State
Tax Payments. With respect to consolidated, combined, unitary or other Joint
Return Taxes, other than consolidated federal income Taxes, no later than five
(5) days prior to the due date (including extensions) of any Joint Return of the
CP Consolidated Group:
(i) Texas Genco shall pay to CP the excess, if
any, of (A) the sum of (I) the aggregate amount of any Tax
that would not have been incurred by the CP Consolidated Group
but for the inclusion of any Legal Entity that is a member of
the Texas Genco Group in the CP Consolidated Group and (II)
the aggregate amount of any Tax refund, credit or other Tax
Benefit that would have been realized or received with respect
to such Tax Return (or any other Tax Return that has been or
could have been filed) by the CP Consolidated Group but for
the inclusion of any Legal Entity that is a member of the
Texas Genco Group in the CP Consolidated Group over (B) the
aggregate amount previously paid by Texas Genco pursuant to
this clause (i); and
(ii) CP shall pay Texas Genco the excess, if any,
of (A) the sum of (I) the aggregate amount of any Tax that
would have been incurred by the CP Consolidated Group but for
the inclusion of any Legal Entity that is a member of the
Texas Genco Group in the CP Consolidated Group and (II) the
aggregate amount of any Tax refund, credit or other Tax
Benefit realized or received with respect to such Tax Return
that would not have been realized or received by the CP
Consolidated Group but for the inclusion of any Legal Entity
that is a member of the Texas Genco Group in the CP
Consolidated Group over (B) the aggregate amount previously
paid by CP pursuant to this clause (ii).
(d) DITS. The Consolidated Return Regulations and the
consolidated federal income Tax Returns filed by the CP Consolidated Group
pursuant to this Agreement or the Tax Sharing Agreement, respectively, shall
determine the timing of the recognition of Tax Items with respect to DITS and
the determination of whether the CP Consolidated Group or the Texas Genco Group
(and which member thereof) shall bear the Tax Benefit or burden of such Tax
Items, and each group shall be responsible for the Tax Items recognized by its
respective members with respect to any DITS.
(e) Estimated Federal Tax Payments.
(i) In the case of any Federal Income Taxes for
the CP Consolidated Group, Texas Genco (on behalf of itself
and each Affiliated Company of Texas Genco) shall provide to
CP no later than 8 days prior to the due date for each payment
of an installment of estimated Federal Income Taxes (as
determined
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under Section 6655 of the Code or successor provision then in
effect) of the CP Consolidated Group ("Estimated Federal
Installment Payment") such information pertaining to Texas
Genco or an Affiliated Company of Texas Genco as is necessary
for CP to compute the amount of such Estimated Federal
Installment Payment.
(ii) On or before the due date of such Estimated
Federal Installment Payment, CP shall inform Texas Genco of
either (A) the amount ("Texas Genco Estimated Federal
Installment Payment") that Texas Genco (on behalf of itself
and each Affiliated Company of Texas Genco) must pay CP with
respect to such Estimated Federal Installment Payment, or (B)
the amount ("Texas Genco Estimated Federal Installment
Refund") CP must pay Texas Genco with respect to such
Estimated Federal Installment Payment. CP shall compute the
amount of each Texas Genco Estimated Federal Installment
Payment or the Texas Genco Estimated Federal Installment
Refund, as the case may be, so as to equal the portion of the
Estimated Federal Installment Payment that is allocable to
Texas Genco and the Affiliated Companies of Texas Genco taking
into account previous Texas Genco Estimated Federal
Installment Payments and Texas Genco Estimated Federal
Installment Refunds that have been made for the same period.
CP shall calculate the portion of each Estimated Federal
Installment Payment of the Texas Genco Group that is allocable
to Texas Genco and the Affiliated Companies of Texas Genco by
(C) computing the sum of the estimated Federal Income Tax
payments that Texas Genco and each Affiliated Company of Texas
Genco would have been required to pay if each of Texas Genco
and each Affiliated Company of Texas Genco had filed a Federal
Income Tax Return on a separate company basis for such
estimated Federal Income Tax period and (D) taking into
account adjustments, if any, that are applicable on a
Consolidated Return basis to the CP Consolidated Group
Consolidated Return for such period. Texas Genco shall pay CP
the Texas Genco Estimated Federal Installment Payment within
24 hours after the due date of the Estimated Federal
Installment Payment to which it relates, and CP shall pay
Texas Genco the Texas Genco Estimated Federal Installment
Refund within 24 hours after the due date of the Estimated
Federal Installment Payment to which it relates.
(iii) If (A) the portion of the actual Federal
Income Tax Liability of the CP Consolidated Group that is
allocable, as determined by CP in accordance with the Tax
Sharing Agreement and consistent with the past practices
utilized by the CP Tax Department in completing previous CP
Consolidated Group Consolidated Returns, to Texas Genco and
the Affiliated Companies of Texas Genco exceeds (B)(I) the sum
of the Texas Genco Estimated Federal Installment Payments for
such period less (II) the sum of the Texas Genco Estimated
Federal Installment Refunds for such period, then CP shall
inform Texas Genco of the amount of such excess on or before
the due date of the CP Consolidated Group Consolidated Return
for such period. Texas Genco (on behalf of itself and each
Affiliated
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Company of Texas Genco) shall pay the amount of such excess to
CP within 24 hours after the due date of the CP Consolidated
Group Consolidated Return.
(iv) If (A) (I) the sum of the Texas Genco
Estimated Federal Installment Payments for a period less (II)
the sum of the Texas Genco Estimated Federal Installment
Refunds for such period exceeds (B) the portion of the actual
Federal Income Tax Liability of the CP Consolidated Group for
such period that is allocable, as determined by CP in
accordance with the Tax Sharing Agreement and consistent with
past practices utilized by the CP Tax Department in
implementing previous CP Consolidated Group Returns, to Texas
Genco and the Affiliated Companies of Texas Genco, then CP
shall pay the amount of such excess to Texas Genco within 24
hours after the due date of the CP Consolidated Group
Consolidated Return for such period.
(v) CP shall calculate the portion of the actual
Federal Income Tax Liability of the CP Consolidated Group that
is allocable to Texas Genco and the Affiliated Companies of
Texas Genco for Sections 3.1(e)(iii) and (iv) consistent with
the principles set forth in the penultimate sentence of
Section 3.1(e)(ii).
(f) Estimated Payments of CP Consolidated State Taxes and
Texas Genco Separate State Taxes.
(i) In the case of any CP Consolidated State Tax
for any period that includes a member of the Texas Genco Group
or in the case of any Separate Tax of the Texas Genco Group,
Texas Genco (on behalf of itself and each Affiliated Company
of Texas Genco) shall provide to CP no later than 8 days prior
to the due date for each payment of an installment of CP
Consolidated State Tax ("Estimated Consolidated State
Installment Payment") or Separate Tax of Texas Genco
("Estimated Separate State Installment Payment") such
information pertaining to Texas Genco or an Affiliated Company
of Texas Genco as is necessary for CP to compute the amount of
such Estimated Consolidated State Installment Payment or such
Estimated Separate State Installment Payment.
(ii) On or before the due date of such Estimated
Consolidated State Installment Payment, CP shall inform Texas
Genco of either (A) the amount ("Texas Genco Estimated
Consolidated State Installment Payment") that Texas Genco (on
behalf of itself and each Affiliated Company of Texas Genco)
must pay CP with respect to such Estimated Consolidated State
Installment Payment, or (B) the amount ("Texas Genco
Consolidated Estimated State Installment Refund") CP must pay
Texas Genco with respect to such Estimated Consolidated State
Installment Payment. CP shall compute the amount of each Texas
Genco Estimated Consolidated State Installment Payment or
Texas Genco Estimated Consolidated State Installment Refund,
as the case may be, so as to equal the portion of the
Estimated Consolidated State Installment Payment that is
allocable to Texas Genco and the Affiliated Companies of Texas
Genco taking into account
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previous Texas Genco Estimated Consolidated State Installment
Payments and Texas Genco Estimated Consolidated State
Installment Refunds that have been made for the same period.
CP shall calculate the portion of each Estimated Consolidated
State Installment Payment that is allocable to Texas Genco and
the Affiliated Companies of Texas Genco by (C) computing the
sum of the estimated CP Consolidated State Tax payments that
Texas Genco and each Affiliated Company of Texas Genco would
have been required to pay if each of Texas Genco and each
Affiliated Company of Texas Genco had filed a CP Consolidated
State Tax Return on a separate company basis for such
estimated CP Consolidated State Tax period and (D) taking into
account adjustments, if any, that are applicable on a
Consolidated State Tax basis to the CP Consolidated State Tax
Return for such period. Texas Genco shall pay CP the Texas
Genco Estimated Consolidated State Installment Payment within
24 hours after the due date of the Estimated Consolidated
State Installment Payment to which it relates, and CP shall
pay Texas Genco the Texas Genco Estimated Consolidated State
Installment Refund within 24 hours after the due date of the
Estimated Consolidated State Installment Payment to which it
relates to the extent that CP has cash available from tax
installment payments from other members of the CP Consolidated
Group and shall pay Texas Genco the balance, if any, of the
Texas Genco Estimated Consolidated State Installment Refund
within 5 business days after the date that CP receives the
refund from the taxing authority.
(iii) On or before the due date of each Estimated
Separate State Installment Payment, CP shall inform Texas
Genco of either (A) the amount ("Texas Genco Estimated
Separate State Installment Payment") that Texas Genco (on
behalf of itself and each Affiliated Company of Texas Genco)
must pay CP with respect to such Estimated Separate State
Installment Payment, or (B) the amount ("Texas Genco Estimated
Separate State Installment Refund") CP must pay Texas Genco
with respect to such Estimated Separate State Installment
Payment. CP shall compute the amount of each Texas Genco
Estimated Separate State Installment Payment or Texas Genco
Estimated Separate State Installment Refund, as the case may
be, so as to equal the Estimated Separate State Installment
Payment of Texas Genco and the Affiliated Companies of Texas
Genco taking into account previous Texas Genco Estimated
Separate State Installment Payments and Texas Genco Estimated
Separate State Installment Refunds that have been made for the
same period. Texas Genco shall pay CP the Texas Genco
Estimated Separate State Installment Payment within 24 hours
after the due date of the Estimated Separate State Installment
Payment to which it relates, and CP shall pay Texas Genco the
Texas Genco Estimated Separate State Installment Refund within
5 business days after the date that CP receives the refund
from the taxing authority.
(iv) If (A) the portion of the actual CP
Consolidated State Tax Liability for a period that is
allocable, as determined by CP in accordance with the Tax
Sharing Agreement and determined as if each of Texas Genco and
each Affiliated
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Company of Texas Genco had filed a CP Consolidated State Tax
Return on a separate company basis for such estimated CP
Consolidated State Tax period, to Texas Genco and the
Affiliated Companies of Texas Genco exceeds (B)(I) the sum of
the Texas Genco Estimated Consolidated State Installment
Payments for such period less (II) the sum of the Texas Genco
Estimated Consolidated State Installment Refunds for such
period, then Texas Genco (on behalf of itself and each
Affiliated Company of Texas Genco) shall pay the amount of
such excess to CP within 24 hours after the due date of the CP
Consolidated State Tax Return for such period.
(v) If (A) (I) the sum of the Texas Genco
Estimated Consolidated State Installment Payments for a period
less (II) the sum of the Texas Genco Estimated Consolidated
State Installment Refunds for such period exceeds (B) the
portion of the actual CP Consolidated State Tax Liability for
such period that is allocable, as determined by CP in
accordance with the Tax Sharing Agreement and if each of Texas
Genco and each Affiliated Company of Texas Genco had filed a
CP Consolidated State Tax Return on a separate company basis
for such estimated CP Consolidated State Tax period, to Texas
Genco and the Affiliated Companies of Texas Genco, then CP
shall pay the amount of such excess to Texas Genco within 24
hours after the due date of the CP Consolidated State Tax
Return for such period to the extent that CP has cash
available from tax installment payments from other members of
the CP Consolidated Group and shall pay Texas Genco the
balance, if any, of the Texas Genco Estimated Consolidated
State Installment Refund within 5 business days after the date
that CP receives the refund from the taxing authority.
(vi) If (A) the sum of the Separate Tax of Texas
Genco for a period exceeds (B)(I) the sum of the Texas Genco
Estimated Separate State Installment Payments for such period
less (II) the sum of the Texas Genco Estimated Separate State
Installment Refunds for such period, then Texas Genco (on
behalf of itself and each Affiliated Company of Texas Genco)
shall pay the amount of such excess to CP within 24 hours
after the due date of the CP Consolidated State Tax Return for
such period.
(vii) If (A) (I) the sum of the Texas Genco
Estimated Separate State Installment Payments for a period
less (II) the sum of the Texas Genco Estimated Separate State
Installment Refunds for such period exceeds (B) the sum of the
Separate Tax of Texas Genco for such period, then CP shall pay
the amount of such excess to Texas Genco within 5 business
days after the date that CP receives the refund from the
taxing authority.
(g) State Allocation Rules. For purposes of CP's
determination under Section 3.1(c) and Section 3.1(f) of the portion of the
actual CP Consolidated State Tax liability that is allocable to Texas Genco and
the Affiliated Companies of Texas Xxxxx, XX shall allocate the amount by which
the net aggregate CP Consolidated State Tax liability for a particular period
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is increased or decreased because a Legal Entity included in the CP Consolidated
State Tax Return created a nexus in a jurisdiction resulting in the imposition
of a CP Consolidated State Tax by such jurisdiction that would not otherwise had
been imposed but for such nexus either (A) completely to Texas Genco and the
Affiliated Companies of Texas Genco if such Legal Entity is a member of the
Texas Genco Group or (B) completely to the members of the CP Group if the Legal
Entity is not a member of the Texas Genco Group.
3.2 Payments. CP shall pay (or cause to be paid) to the
Service all Federal Income Taxes, if any, of the CP Consolidated Group that are
attributable to Texas Genco and shall pay (or cause to be paid) to the
appropriate Tax Authorities all Consolidated State Tax, if any, and all Separate
Taxes, if any, that relate to the Texas Genco Group.
SECTION 4. ALLOCATION OF CERTAIN TAX ITEMS.
4.1 Net Operating Losses. Net operating loss carryovers,
current losses and other Tax attributes available to the CP Consolidated Group
may be used by any member of the CP Consolidated Group without compensation to
other members of the Consolidated Group generating such attributes.
4.2 Adjustments.
(a) In the event of any Redetermination of any Joint
Return for any taxable period, the amounts required to be paid pursuant to
Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement shall be recomputed for such taxable period to
take into account such Redetermination, and payments pursuant to Section 3 or 4
of this Agreement hereof shall be appropriately adjusted. Each party shall pay
each other party an amount equal to the difference between the payment or
payments previously made between the parties in respect of such redetermined Tax
Return and the amount that would have been paid pursuant to this Agreement in
respect of such redetermined Tax Return if such redetermined Tax Return had been
filed on the basis of the Redetermination, plus interest at the statutory rate
and applicable penalties.
(b) Any refund of Taxes received will be allocated in a
manner consistent with the existing Tax Sharing Agreement in effect for such
period and Section 3.1 of this Agreement.
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SECTION 5. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTEST PROVISIONS.
5.1 General Indemnification.
(a) CP and each CP Affiliated Company shall jointly and
severally indemnify Texas Genco, each Texas Genco Affiliated Company, and their
respective directors, officers and employees, and hold them harmless from and
against any and all Taxes for which CP or any CP Affiliated Company is liable
under this Agreement and any loss, cost, damage or expense, including reasonable
attorneys' fees and costs, that is attributable to, or results from the failure
of CP, any CP Affiliated Company, or any director, officer or employee to make
any payment required to be made under this Agreement.
(b) Texas Genco and each Texas Genco Affiliated Company
shall jointly and severally indemnify CP, each CP Affiliated Company, and their
respective directors, officers and employees, and hold them harmless from and
against any and all Taxes for which Texas Genco or any Texas Genco Affiliated
Company is liable under this Agreement and any loss, cost, damage or expense,
including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, that is attributable to, or
results from the failure of Texas Genco, any Texas Genco Affiliated Company, or
any director, officer or employee to make any payment required to be made under
this Agreement.
5.2 Payments.
(a) In General. Except as otherwise provided under this
Agreement, to the extent that the Indemnifying Party has an indemnification or
payment obligation to the Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement, the Indemnitee
shall provide the Indemnifying Party with its calculation of the amount of such
indemnification payment. Such calculation shall provide sufficient detail to
permit the Indemnifying Party to reasonably understand the calculations. All
indemnification payments shall be made to the Indemnitee or to the appropriate
Tax Authority as specified by the Indemnitee within the time prescribed for
payment in this Agreement, or if no period is prescribed, within thirty (30)
days after delivery by the Indemnitee to the Indemnifying Party of written
notice of a payment or if such liability is contested pursuant to Section 6.3 of
this Agreement, within thirty (30) days of the incurrence of such an amount
based on a Final Determination, together with a computation of the amounts due.
(b) Electronic Payments. Any payment required under this
Agreement shall be made by electronic funds transfer of immediately available
funds.
5.3 Prompt Performance. All actions required to be taken
by any party under this Agreement shall be performed within the time prescribed
for performance in this Agreement, or if no period is prescribed, such actions
shall be performed promptly.
5.4 Interest. Payments pursuant to this Agreement that
are not made within the period prescribed in this Section 5.4 shall bear
interest for the period from and including the date immediately following the
last date of the period through and including the date of payment at a per annum
rate equal to the prime rate as published in The Wall Street Journal on the date
of determination, plus two percent (2%). Such interest will be payable at the
same time as the
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payment to which it relates and shall be calculated on the basis of a year of
365 days and the actual number of days for which due.
5.5 Tax Records. The parties to this Agreement hereby
agree to retain and provide on proper demand by any Taxing Authority (subject to
any applicable privileges) the books, records, documentation and other
information relating to any Tax Return until the later of (a) the expiration of
the applicable statute of limitations (giving effect to any extension, waiver or
mitigation thereof) and (b) in the event any claim is made under this Agreement
for which such information is relevant, until a Final Determination with respect
to such claim.
SECTION 6. AUDITS AND CONTEST RIGHTS.
6.1 In General.
(a) The members of the Texas Genco Group shall cooperate
and provide reasonable access to books, records and other information needed in
connection with Audits, administrative proceedings, litigation and other similar
matters related to periods in which such member of the Texas Genco Group was a
member of the CP Consolidated Group.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the
respective Filing Party shall have the right to control, contest, and represent
the interests of CP, any CP Affiliated Company, Texas Genco or any Texas Genco
Affiliated Company in any Audit relating to any Tax Return that the Filing Party
is responsible for filing under Section 2.1 of this Agreement and to resolve,
settle or agree to any deficiency, claim or adjustment proposed, asserted or
assessed in connection with or as a result of any such Audit. The Filing Party's
rights shall extend to any matter pertaining to the management and control of an
Audit, including execution of waivers, choice of forum, scheduling of
conferences and the resolution of any Tax Item.
6.2 Notice. If, after the date of this Agreement, CP (or
any CP Affiliated Company) or Texas Genco (or any Texas Genco Affiliated
Company) receives written notice of, or relating to, an Audit from a Tax
Authority that asserts, proposes or recommends a deficiency, claim or adjustment
that, if sustained, could result in Taxes for which the other party is
responsible under this Agreement, then the party receiving such notice shall
provide a copy of such notice to such other party within ten (10) days of
receipt thereof.
6.3 Contests.
(a) If any Tax Authority asserts, proposes or recommends
a deficiency, claim or adjustment that, if sustained, could result in Taxes for
which the Non-Filing Party is responsible under this Agreement, then upon
request by the Non-Filing Party, the Filing Party shall contest, or continue to
contest, any deficiency, claim or adjustment and the Filing Party shall keep the
Non-Filing Party informed in a timely manner reasonably in advance of all
actions taken or proposed to be taken by the Filing Party in connection with
such deficiency, claim or adjustment.
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(b) In the case of an Audit with respect to any Tax Item,
the Filing Party shall:
(1) in the case of any material
correspondence or filing submitted to the Tax Authority or any
judicial authority that relates to the merits of such
deficiency, claim or adjustment (i) reasonably in advance of
such submission, but subject to applicable time constraints
imposed by such Tax Authority or judicial authority, provide
the Non-Filing Party with a draft copy of the portion of such
correspondence or filing that relates to such deficiency,
claim or adjustment, (ii) incorporate, subject to applicable
time constraints imposed by such Tax Authority or judicial
authority, the Non-Filing Party's comments and changes on such
draft copy of such correspondence or filing, and (iii) provide
the Non-Filing Party with a final copy of the portion of such
correspondence or filing that relates to such deficiency,
claim or adjustment;
(2) provide the Non-Filing Party with
notice reasonably in advance of, and the Non-Filing Party
shall have the right to attend, any meetings with the Tax
Authority (including meetings with examiners) or hearings or
proceedings before any judicial authority to the extent they
relate to such deficiency, claim or adjustment; and
(3) at the Filing Party's reasonable
request (or upon the Filing Party's consent to a request by
the Non-Filing Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld), the Non-Filing Party shall assume responsibility
for (i) contesting and presenting the merits with respect to
any deficiency, claim or adjustment that, if sustained, would
result in Taxes for which the Non-Filing Party is responsible
under this Agreement, or (ii) resolving, settling or agreeing
to any such deficiency, claim or adjustment. Any such request
(or consent) by the Filing Party shall be subject to the
Non-Filing Party's continued compliance with the conditions of
Section 6.4 of this Agreement and to such other conditions as
the Filing Party and Non-Filing Party reasonably agree.
6.4 Limitations.
(a) In General. The Filing Party shall have no obligation
to contest, or to continue to contest, any deficiency, claim or adjustment in
accordance with Section 6.3, and the Non-Filing Party shall have no right to
control or participate under Section 6.3 of this Agreement unless:
(1) within thirty (30) days of a
reasonable request by the Filing Party, the Non-Filing Party
shall deliver to the Filing Party a written opinion of a
nationally recognized tax attorney, to the effect that the
Non-Filing Party's position with respect to such deficiency,
claim or adjustment is supported by a reasonable basis (within
the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.6662-3(b)(3));
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(2) the Non-Filing Party shall have
agreed to be bound by a Final Determination of such
deficiency, claim or adjustment;
(3) the Non-Filing Party shall have
agreed to pay, and shall be currently paying, all reasonable
out of pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Filing Party
to contest such deficiency, claim or assessment including
reasonable outside attorneys', accountants' and investigatory
fees and disbursements;
(4) the Non-Filing Party shall have
advanced to the Filing Party, on an interest-free basis (and
with no additional net after-tax cost to the Filing Party),
the amount of Tax in controversy (but not in excess of the
lesser of (A) the amount of Tax for which the Non-Filing Party
could be liable under this Agreement or (B) the amounts
actually expended by the Filing Party for this item) to the
extent necessary for the contest to proceed in the forum
selected by the Filing Party;
(5) the Non-Filing Party shall have
provided to the Filing Party all documents and information,
and shall have made available employees and officers of the
Non-Filing Party, as may be necessary, useful or reasonably
required by the Filing Party in contesting such deficiency,
claim or adjustment; and
(6) the contest of such deficiency,
claim or adjustment shall involve no material danger of the
sale, forfeiture or loss of, or the creation of any lien on,
any asset of the Filing Party (except if the Non-Filing Party
shall have adequately bonded such lien or otherwise made
provision to protect the interests of the Filing Party in a
manner reasonably satisfactory to the Filing Party).
(b) Settlement. Notwithstanding Section 6.4(a), the
Filing Party may resolve, settle or agree to any deficiency, claim or adjustment
proposed, asserted or assessed in connection with any Audit of any Tax Return
that it is responsible for filing under Section 2.1 of this Agreement if the
Filing Party has provided the Non-Filing Party with a reasonable opportunity to
review a copy of that portion of the settlement or compromise proposal which
relates to the claim for which the Filing Party is seeking indemnification
hereunder; provided, that if (a) the Filing Party fails to provide the
Non-Filing Party such a reasonable opportunity to review such portion of such
proposal, or (b) after such reasonable opportunity to review such proposal the
Non-Filing Party in writing reasonably withholds its consent to all or part of
such settlement or compromise proposal, then, unless the Filing Party was not
required to continue the applicable contest under the terms of Section 6.4(a),
the Non-Filing Party shall not be obligated to indemnify the Filing Party
hereunder to the extent of the amount attributable to the loss to which such
settlement or compromise relates as to which the Non-Filing Party has reasonably
withheld its consent, or with respect to any other loss for which a successful
contest is foreclosed because of such settlement or compromise as to which the
Non-Filing Party has reasonably withheld its consent. If the Filing Party
effects a settlement or compromise of such contest, notwithstanding that the
Non-Filing Party has reasonably withheld its consent thereto, the Filing
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Party shall repay to the Non-Filing Party such amounts that the Non-Filing Party
advanced pursuant to clause (a)(4) of this Section 6.4 hereof as relate to such
claim, to the extent that the Non-Filing Party has reasonably withheld its
consent to the settlement or compromise thereof (together with interest at the
prime rate as published in the Wall Street Journal on any such amount paid by
the Non-Filing Party from the date paid by Lessee to the date repaid by the
Filing Party).
(c) Waiver. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Section 6.4, the Filing Party may resolve, settle, or agree to any deficiency,
claim or adjustment for any taxable period if the Filing Party waives it right
to indemnity with respect to such Tax Item. In such event, the Filing Party
shall promptly reimburse the Non-Filing Party for all amounts previously
advanced by the Non-Filing Party to the Filing Party in connection with such
deficiency, claim or adjustment under Section 6.4(a)(4) of this Agreement. In
addition, the Filing Party shall reimburse the Non-Filing Party for any Tax
Detriment that directly results from the settlement of such deficiency, claim or
adjustment. No waiver by the Filing Party under this Section 6.4(c) with respect
to any deficiency, claim or adjustment relating to any single Tax Item,
position, issue or transaction or relating to any single Tax for any one taxable
period shall operate as a waiver with respect to any other deficiency, claim or
adjustment.
6.5 Failure to Notify, Etc. The failure of the Filing
Party promptly to notify the Non-Filing Party of any matter relating to a
particular Tax for a taxable period or to take any action specified in Section
6.3 of this Agreement shall not relieve the Non-Filing Party of any liability
and/or obligation which it may have to the Filing Party under this Agreement
with respect to such Tax for such taxable period except to the extent that the
Non-Filing Party's rights hereunder are materially prejudiced by such failure
and in no event shall such failure relieve the Non-Filing Party of any other
liability and/or obligation which it may have to the Filing Party.
6.6 Remedies. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, the parties hereby agree that the sole and exclusive remedy for a
breach by the Filing Party of the Filing Party's obligations to the Non-Filing
Party with respect to a deficiency, claim or adjustment relating to the
redetermination of a Tax Item of the Non-Filing Party for a taxable period shall
first be a reduction in the amount that would otherwise be payable by the
Non-Filing Party for such taxable period and then an increase in amount that
would otherwise be payable by the Filing Party for such taxable period, in
either case because of the breach. The parties further agree that no claim
against the Filing Party and no defense to the Non-Filing Party's liabilities to
the Filing Party under this Agreement shall arise from the resolution by the
Filing Party of any deficiency, claim or adjustment relating to the
redetermination of any Tax Item of the Filing Party.
SECTION 7. MISCELLANEOUS.
7.1 Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective
upon execution by the parties hereto.
7.2 Notices. Unless expressly provided herein, all
notices, claims, certificates, requests, demands and other communications
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed
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to be duly given (i) when personally delivered or (ii) if mailed registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, on the date the
return receipt is executed or the letter refused by the addressee or its agent
or (iii) if sent by overnight courier which delivers only upon the signed
receipt of the addressee, on the date the receipt acknowledgment is executed or
refused by the addressee or its agent or (iv) if sent by facsimile or other
generally accepted means of electronic transmission, on the date confirmation of
transmission is received (provided that a copy of any notice delivered pursuant
to this clause (iv) shall also be sent pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii)),
addressed to the attention of the addressee's General Counsel at the address of
its principal executive office or to such other address or facsimile number for
a party as it shall have specified by like notice.
7.3 Changes in Law.
(a) Any reference to a provision of the Code or a law of
another jurisdiction shall include a reference to any applicable successor
provision or law.
(b) If, due to any change in applicable law or
regulations or their interpretation by any court of law or other governing body
having jurisdiction subsequent to the date of this Agreement, performance of any
provision of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated thereby shall become
impracticable or impossible, the parties hereto shall use their commercially
reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same
or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such provision.
7.4 Confidentiality. For a period of three years,
commencing on the date of this Agreement, each party shall hold and cause its
directors, officers, employees, advisors and consultants to hold in strict
confidence, unless compelled to disclose by judicial or administrative process
or, in the opinion of its counsel, by other requirements of law, all information
(other than any such information relating solely to the business or affairs of
such party) concerning the other parties hereto furnished it by such other party
or its representatives pursuant to this Agreement (except to the extent that
such information can be shown to have been (a) in the public domain through no
fault of such party or (b) later lawfully acquired from other sources not under
a duty of confidentiality by the party to which it was furnished), and each
party shall not release or disclose such information to any other person, except
its directors, officers, employees, auditors, attorneys, financial advisors,
bankers and other consultants who shall be advised of and agree to be bound by
the provisions of this Section 7.4. Each party shall be deemed to have satisfied
its obligation to hold confidential information concerning or supplied by the
other party if it exercises the same care as it takes to preserve
confidentiality for its own similar information.
7.5 Successors. This Agreement shall be binding on and
inure to the benefit and detriment of any successor, by merger, acquisition of
assets or otherwise, to any of the parties hereto, to the same extent as if such
successor had been an original party.
7.6 Affiliated Companies. CP shall cause to be performed,
and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and
obligations set forth herein to be performed by CP or any CP Affiliated Company.
Texas Genco shall cause to be performed, and
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hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations
set forth herein to be performed by any Texas Genco Affiliated Company.
7.7 Authorization, Etc. Each of the parties hereto hereby
represents and warrants that it has the power and authority to execute, deliver
and perform this Agreement, that this Agreement has been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of such party, that this Agreement
constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each such party and that
the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such party does not
contravene or conflict with any provision of law or of its charter or bylaws or
any agreement, instrument or order binding on such party.
7.8 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire
agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
7.9 Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be
governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State
of Texas as to all matters regardless of the law that might otherwise govern
under the principles of conflicts of law applicable thereto.
7.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of
which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
7.11 Severability. If any term, provision, covenant, or
restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction (or
an arbitrator or arbitration panel) to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the
remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants, and restrictions set forth herein
shall remain in full force and effect, and shall in no way be affected,
impaired, or invalidated. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the
intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms,
provisions, covenants, and restrictions without including any of such which may
be hereafter declared invalid, void, or unenforceable. In the event that any
such term, provision, covenant or restriction is held to be invalid, void or
unenforceable, the parties hereto shall use their best efforts to find and
employ an alternate means to achieve the same or substantially the same result
as that contemplated by such terms, provisions, covenant, or restriction.
7.12 No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is
solely for the benefit of CP, the CP Affiliated Companies, Texas Genco and the
Texas Genco Affiliated Companies. This Agreement should not be deemed to confer
upon third parties any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action
or other rights in excess of those existing without this Agreement.
7.13 Waivers, Etc. No failure or delay on the part of the
parties in exercising any power or right hereunder shall operate as a waiver
thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or
any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right or power,
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other
right or power. No modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement nor
consent to any
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departure by the parties therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the
same shall be in writing.
7.14 Setoff. All payments to be made by any party under
this Agreement may be netted against payments due to such party under this
Agreement, but otherwise shall be made without setoff, counterclaim or
withholding, all of which are hereby expressly waived.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized officer as of the date first above
written.
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
On behalf of Itself and Its Affiliated Companies
By: /s/ XXXXX X. XXXXXXXXXX
--------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. XxXxxxxxxx
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
TEXAS GENCO HOLDINGS, INC.
On behalf of Itself and Its Affiliated Companies
By: /s/ XXXXX X. TEES
--------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Tees
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
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