TAX SHARING AGREEMENT
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page |
SECTION 1. |
Definition of Terms. |
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SECTION 2. |
Allocation of Taxes and Tax-Related Losses. |
8Β |
2.1 |
Allocation of Taxes. |
8Β |
2.2 |
Special Rules. |
9Β |
2.3 |
Tax Payments. |
9Β |
SECTION 3. |
Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns. |
9Β |
3.1 |
Combined Returns. |
9Β |
3.2 |
Separate Returns. |
9Β |
3.3 |
Provision of Information. |
9Β |
3.4 |
Special Rules Relating to the Preparation of Tax Returns. |
10Β |
3.5 |
Refunds, Credits or Offsets. |
11Β |
3.6 |
Carrybacks. |
12Β |
3.7 |
Amended Returns. |
13Β |
SECTION 4. |
Tax Payments. |
13Β |
4.1 |
Payment of Taxes to Tax Authority. |
13Β |
4.2 |
Indemnification Payments. |
13Β |
4.3 |
Interest on Late Payments. |
14Β |
4.4 |
Tax Consequences of Payments. |
14Β |
SECTION 5. |
Assistance and Cooperation. |
14Β |
5.1 |
Cooperation. |
14Β |
SECTION 6. |
Tax Records. |
15Β |
6.1 |
Retention of Tax Records. |
15Β |
6.2 |
Access to Tax Records. |
15Β |
6.3 |
Confidentiality. |
15Β |
6.4 |
Delivery of Tax Records. |
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Page |
SECTION 7. |
Restriction on Certain Actions of Distributing and Spinco; Indemnity. |
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7.1 |
Restrictive Covenants. |
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7.2 |
Distributing Indemnity. |
16Β |
7.3 |
Spinco Indemnity. |
17Β |
7.4 |
Scope. |
17Β |
7.5 |
Notices of Tax Contests (Other than Joint Claims). |
17Β |
7.6 |
Control of Tax Contests (Other than Joint Claims). |
18Β |
7.7 |
Cooperation. |
18Β |
7.8 |
Joint Claims. |
18Β |
SECTION 8. |
General Provisions. |
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8.1 |
Termination. |
19Β |
8.2 |
Predecessors or Successors. |
19Β |
8.3 |
Expenses. |
19Β |
8.4 |
Governing Law. |
19Β |
8.5 |
Waiver of Jury Trial. |
20Β |
8.6 |
Notices. |
20Β |
8.7 |
Counterparts. |
21Β |
8.8 |
Binding Effect; Assignment. |
21Β |
8.9 |
Severability. |
21Β |
8.10 |
Amendments; Waivers. |
21Β |
8.11 |
Effective Date. |
21Β |
8.12 |
Change in Law. |
21Β |
8.13 |
Authorization, Etc. |
21Β |
8.14 |
No Third Party Beneficiaries. |
22Β |
8.15 |
Entire Agreement. |
22Β |
8.16 |
No Strict Construction; Interpretation. |
22Β |
8.17 |
Headings. |
23Β |
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THIS TAX SHARING AGREEMENT (this βAgreementβ) is entered into as of November 4, 2014, between Liberty Media Corporation, a Delaware corporation (βDistributingβ), and Liberty Broadband Corporation, a Delaware corporation (βSpincoβ).Β Β Unless otherwise indicated, all βSectionβ references in this Agreement are to sections of this Agreement.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Spinco is a wholly owned subsidiary of Distributing; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Distributing has determined that it would be appropriate and desirable for Distributing to separate the Spinco Group from the Distributing Group; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Spinco has also approved such transaction; and
WHEREAS, following the Contribution, Distributing intends to distribute its entire interest in the stock of Spinco to holders of its common stock (the βDistributionβ), in what is intended to qualify as a tax-free transaction described under Sections 368(a), 355, and 361 of the Code; and
WHEREAS, the parties set forth in the Reorganization Agreement the principal arrangements between them regarding the separation of the Spinco Group from the Distributing Group; and
WHEREAS, the parties desire to provide for and agree upon the allocation between the parties of liabilities for Taxes arising prior to, as a result of, and subsequent to the Distribution, and to provide for and agree upon other matters relating to Taxes.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the covenants and agreements set forth below, and intending to be legally bound hereby, Distributing and Spinco hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Definition of Terms. Β Β For purposes of this Agreement (including the recitals hereof), the following terms have the following meanings: |
βAffiliateβ means with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, such first Person.Β Β For the avoidance of doubt, (x) no member of the Spinco Group will be treated as an Affiliate of any member of the Distributing Group and (y) no member of the Distributing Group will be treated as an Affiliate of any member of the Spinco Group.Β Β Β
βAgreementβ has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.
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βbusiness dayβ means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in New York City, New York or London, England are authorized or required by law or executive order to close.
βClosing of the Books Methodβ means the apportionment of items between portions of a Taxable period based on a closing of the books and records as of the end of the day on the Distribution Date (as if the Distribution Date were the end of the Taxable period), provided that any items not susceptible to such apportionment shall be apportioned pro rata on the basis of elapsed days during the relevant portion of the Taxable period.
βCodeβ means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any successor law.
βCombined Returnβ means a consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Return that includes, by election or otherwise, one or more members of the Distributing Group and one or more members of the Spinco Group.
βCompanyβ means Distributing or Spinco, as the context requires.
βCompensatory Equity Interestsβ means options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, stock units or other rights with respect to Distributing Stock or Spinco Stock that are granted on or prior to the Distribution Date by Distributing, Spinco or any of their respective Subsidiaries in connection with employee, independent contractor or director compensation or other employee benefits (including, for the avoidance of doubt, options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, stock units or other rights issued in respect of any of the foregoing by reason of the Distribution or any subsequent transaction).
βContributionβ has the meaning given to such term in the Reorganization Agreement.
βControlβ means, with respect to any Person, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through ownership of securities or partnership, membership, limited liability company, or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise and the terms βControllingβ and βControlledβ have meanings correlative to the foregoing.Β
βDelaware Chancery Courtβ has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4.
βDisclosing Partyβ has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.
βDistributingβ has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.
βDistributing Groupβ means Distributing and each Subsidiary of Distributing (but only while such Subsidiary is a Subsidiary of Distributing) other than any Person that is a member of the Spinco Group (but only during the period such Person is treated as a member of the Spinco Group).
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βDistributing Indemniteesβ has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3.
βDistributing Stockβ means Distributingβs Series A common stock, par value $.01 per share, Series B common stock, par value $.01 per share, and Series C common stock, par value $.01 per share, and any series or class of stock into which the Series A, Series B, or Series C common stock is redesignated, reclassified, converted or exchanged following the Effective Time.
βDistributionβ has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereof.
βDistribution Dateβ means the date on which the Distribution occurs.
βDue Dateβ has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.
βEffective Timeβ means the time at which the Distribution is effected on the Distribution Date.
βEmploying Partyβ has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(d)(i).
βFinal Determinationβ means a determination within the meaning of Section 1313 of the Code or any similar provision of state or local Tax Law.
βGroupβ means the Distributing Group or the Spinco Group, as the context requires.
βIncome Taxβ means all Taxes (i) based upon, measured by, or calculated with respect to, net income, net profits or deemed net profits (including any capital gains Tax, minimum Tax based upon, measured by, or calculated with respect to, net income, net profits or deemed net profits, any Tax on items of Tax preference and depreciation recapture or clawback, but not including sales, use, real or personal property, gross or net receipts, gross profits, transfer and similar Taxes), (ii) imposed by a foreign country which qualify under Section 903 of the Code or (iii) based upon, measured by, or calculated with respect to multiple bases (including, but not limited to, corporate franchise and occupation Taxes) if such Taxes may be based upon, measured by, or calculated with respect to one or more bases described in clause (i) above.Β
βInterest Rateβ means the Rate determined below, as adjusted as of each Interest Rate Determination Date.Β Β The βRate,β means, with respect to each period between two consecutive Interest Rate Determination Dates, a rate determined at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two London business days before the first Interest Rate Determination Date equal to the greater of:Β Β (x) the sum of (i) the six month dollar LIBOR rate as displayed on page βLRβ of Bloomberg (or such other appropriate page as may replace such page), plus (ii) 2%, and (y) the interest rate that would be applicable at such time to a βlarge corporate underpaymentβ (within the meaning of Section 6621(c) of the Code) under Sections 6601 and 6621 of the Code. Β Β Interest will be calculated on the basis of a year of 365 days and the actual number of days for which due.Β Β Β
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βInterest Rate Determination Dateβ means the Due Date and each MarchΒ 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 thereafter.
βIRSβ means the Internal Revenue Service.
βissuing corporationβ has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(d)(ii).
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βJoint Claimβ has the meaning set forth in Section 7.8.
βLossesβ means any and all damages, losses, deficiencies, liabilities, obligations, penalties, judgments, settlements, claims, payments, fines, interest, costs and expenses (including the fees and expenses of any and all actions and demands, assessments, judgments, settlements and compromises relating thereto and the costs and expenses of attorneysβ, accountantsβ, consultantsβ and other professionalsβ fees and expenses incurred in the investigation or defense thereof or the enforcement of rights hereunder); provided, however, that βLossesβ shall exclude any special or punitive damages; provided, further, that the foregoing proviso will not be interpreted to limit indemnification for Losses incurred as a result of the assertion by a claimant (other than the parties hereto and their successors and assigns) in a third-party claim for special or punitive damages.
βNon-Preparerβ means the Company that is not responsible for the preparation and filing of the applicable Tax Return pursuant to Sections 3.1 or 3.2.Β
βPayment Dateβ means (x) with respect to any U.S. federal income tax return, the due date for any required installment of estimated taxes determined under Code Section 6655, the due date (determined without regard to extensions) for filing the return determined under Code Section 6072, and the date the return is filed, and (y) with respect to any other Tax Return, the corresponding dates determined under the applicable Tax Law.
βPersonβ means any individual, corporation, company, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity of any kind.
βPost-Distribution Periodβ means any Tax Year or other Taxable period beginning after the Distribution Date and, in the case of any Straddle Period, that part of the Tax Year or other taxable period that begins at the beginning of the day after the Distribution Date.
βPre-Distribution Periodβ means any Tax Year or other taxable period that ends on or before the Distribution Date and, in the case of any Straddle Period, that part of the Tax Year or other taxable period through the end of the day on the Distribution Date.
βPreparerβ means the Company that is responsible for the preparation and filing of the applicable Tax Return pursuant to Sections 3.1 or 3.2.Β
βReceiving Partyβ has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.
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βReorganization Agreementβ means the Reorganization Agreement between Distributing and Spinco dated October 28, 2014.
βRestructuringβ has the meaning assigned to such term in the Reorganization Agreement.
βSeparate Returnβ means (a) in the case of any Tax Return required to be filed by any member of the Distributing Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Return), any such Tax Return that does not include any member of the Spinco Group, and (b) in the case of any Tax Return required to be filed by any member of the Spinco Group (including any consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Return), any such Tax Return that does not include any member of the Distributing Group.
βSpincoβ has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereof.
βSpinco Groupβ means (x) with respect to any Tax Year (or portion thereof) ending at or before the Effective Time, Spinco and each of its Subsidiaries at the Effective Time; and (y) with respect to any Tax Year (or portion thereof) beginning after the Effective Time, Spinco and each Subsidiary of Spinco (but only while such Subsidiary is a Subsidiary of Spinco).
βSpinco Indemniteesβ has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.
βSpinco Section 355(e) Eventβ means the application of Section 355(e) of the Code to the Distribution as a result of the Distribution being βpart of a plan (or series of related transactions) pursuant to which 1 or more persons acquire directly or indirectly stock representing a 50-percent or greater interestβ in Spinco (within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code).
βSpinco Stockβ means Spincoβs Series A common stock, par value $.01 per share, Series B common stock, par value $.01 per share, and Series C common stock, par value $.01 per share, and any series or class of stock into which the Series A, Series B, or Series C common stock is redesignated, reclassified, converted or exchanged following the Effective Time.
βStraddle Periodβ means any Taxable period commencing on or prior to, and ending after, the Distribution Date.
βSubsidiaryβ when used with respect to any Person, means (i)(A) a corporation a majority in voting power of whose share capital or capital stock with voting power, under ordinary circumstances, to elect directors is at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, whether or not such power is subject to a voting agreement or similar encumbrance, (B) a partnership or limited liability company in which such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, (1) in the case of a partnership, a general partner of such partnership with the power affirmatively to direct the policies and management of such partnership or (2) in the case of a limited liability company, the managing member or, in the absence of a
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managing member, a member with the power affirmatively to direct the policies and management of such limited liability company, or (C) any other Person (other than a corporation) in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination thereof, has or have (1) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the members of the governing body of such Person, whether or not such power is subject to a voting agreement or similar encumbrance, or (2) in the absence of such a governing body, at least a majority ownership interest or (ii) any other Person of which an aggregate of 50% or more of the equity interests are, at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person and/or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.Β
βTaxβ or βTaxesβ means any net income, gross income, gross receipts, profits, capital stock, franchise, withholding, payroll, social security, workers compensation, employment, unemployment, disability, property, ad valorem, stamp, excise, severance, occupation, service, sales, use, license, lease, transfer, import, export, value added, alternative minimum, estimated or other similar tax (including any fee, assessment, or other charge in the nature of or in lieu of any tax) imposed by any Tax Authority and any interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.
βTax Authorityβ means, with respect to any Tax, the governmental entity or political subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof that imposes such Tax, and the agency, commission or authority (if any) charged with the assessment, determination or collection of such Tax for such entity or subdivision.
βTax Contestβ means an audit, review, examination, or any other administrative or judicial proceeding with the purpose, potential or effect of redetermining Taxes of any member of either Group (including any administrative or judicial review of any claim for refund).
βTax Counselβ means Skadden, Arps, Slate, Xxxxxxx & Xxxx LLP.
βTax Itemβ means, with respect to any Tax, any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, credit or other attribute that may have the effect of increasing or decreasing any Tax.
βTax Lawβ means the law of any governmental entity or political subdivision thereof, and any controlling judicial or administrative interpretations of such law, relating to any Tax.
βTax Materialsβ means (i) the representation letters delivered to Tax Counsel in connection with the delivery of the Tax Opinion, and (ii) any other materials delivered or deliverable by Distributing, Spinco and others in connection with the rendering by Tax Counsel of the Tax Opinion.
βTax Opinionβ means the opinion to be delivered by Tax Counsel to Distributing in connection with the Distribution to the effect that the Contribution and the Distribution will qualify as a tax-free transaction described under Sections 368(a) and
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355 of the Code to Distributing and the Distributing stockholders (except with respect to the issuance of cash in lieu of fractional shares of Spinco Stock).
βTax Recordsβ means Tax Returns, Tax Return work papers, documentation relating to any Tax Contests, and any other books of account or records required to be maintained under applicable Tax Laws (including but not limited to Section 6001 of the Code) or under any record retention agreement with any Tax Authority.
βTax Returnβ means any report of Taxes due, any claims for refund of Taxes paid, any information return with respect to Taxes, or any other similar report, statement, declaration, or document filed or required to be filed (by paper, electronically or otherwise) under any applicable Tax Law, including any attachments, exhibits, or other materials submitted with any of the foregoing, and including any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing.
βTax Yearβ means, with respect to any Tax, the year, or shorter period, if applicable, for which the Tax is reported as provided under applicable Tax Law.
βTransaction Taxesβ means any Taxes resulting from the Restructuring and the Distribution, other than Transfer Taxes.
βTransaction Tax-Related Lossesβ means any Losses resulting from the failure of (i) the Restructuring to qualify in whole for nonrecognition of income, gain and loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes to Distributing, Spinco and each of their respective Subsidiaries immediately prior to the Distribution, (ii) the Contribution and Distribution to qualify as a tax-free transaction described under Sections 368(a), 355 and 361 of the Code (except with respect to the issuance of cash in lieu of fractional shares of Spinco Stock), or (iii) the Contribution and Distribution to qualify in whole for nonrecognition of income, gain and loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes to Distributing, Spinco, each of their respective Subsidiaries at the Effective Time, and the Distributing stockholders that receive stock of Spinco in the Distribution (except with respect to the issuance of cash in lieu of fractional shares of Spinco Stock).
βTransfer Taxesβ means all U.S. federal, state, local or foreign sales, use, privilege, transfer, documentary, gains, stamp, duties, recording, and similar Taxes and fees (including any penalties, interest or additions thereto) imposed upon any party hereto or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the Restructuring or the Distribution.
βTreasury Regulationsβ means the regulations promulgated from time to time under the Code as in effect for the relevant Tax Year.
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2.1 Allocation of Taxes. Β Β Except as provided in Section 2.2 (Special Rules) and Section 3.4(d) (Compensatory Equity Interests), Taxes shall be allocated as follows: |
(ii) Transactions Occurring on the Distribution Date.Β Β Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.1(a)(i) (but subject to the provisions of Section 2.2), Taxes attributable to any transaction or action taken by or with respect to any member of the Spinco Group outside the ordinary course of business before the Distribution on the Distribution Date shall be allocated to the Pre-Distribution Period, and Taxes attributable to any transaction or action taken by or with respect to any member of the Spinco Group outside the ordinary course of business after the Distribution on the Distribution Date shall be allocated to the Post-Distribution Period. |
(b) Separate Returns.Β |
(i) Spinco Separate Returns.Β Β Spinco shall be allocated all Taxes that are attributable to members of the Spinco Group and reported on, or required to be reported on, a Separate Return that is required to be filed by a member of the Spinco Group. |
(ii) Distributing Separate Returns.Β Β Distributing shall be allocated all Taxes that are attributable to members of the Distributing Group and reported on, or required to be reported on, a Separate Return that is required to be filed by a member of the Distributing Group.Β |
(c) Taxes Not Reported on Tax Returns.Β Β Spinco shall be allocated any Tax attributable to members of the Spinco Group that is not required to be reported on a Tax Return, and Distributing shall be allocated any Tax attributable to members of the Distributing Group that is not required to be reported on a Tax Return. |
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(a) Transaction Taxes and Transaction Tax-Related Losses. Β Notwithstanding any other provision in this Section 2: |
(i) Distributing shall be allocated all Transaction Taxes and Transaction Tax-Related Losses other than any Transaction Taxes and Transaction Tax-Related Losses allocated to Spinco pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 2.2(a). |
(ii) Spinco will be allocated any Transaction Taxes (including corresponding state and local Taxes) and Transaction Tax-Related Losses that (x) result primarily from, individually or in the aggregate, any breach by Spinco of any of its covenants set forth in Section 7.1 hereof, or (y) result from a Spinco Section 355(e) Event. |
(b) Transfer Taxes.Β Β Notwithstanding any other provision in this Section 2, all Transfer Taxes shall be allocated 50% to Spinco and 50% to Distributing. |
(a) Preparation of Combined Returns. Β Distributing shall be responsible for preparing and filing (or causing to be prepared and filed) all Combined Returns for any Tax Year. |
(a) Distributing shall provide to Spinco, and Spinco shall provide to Distributing, any information about members of the Distributing Group or the Spinco Group, respectively, that the Preparer needs to determine the amount of Taxes due
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on any Payment Date with respect to a Tax Return for which the Preparer is responsible pursuant to Section 3.1 or 3.2 and to properly and timely file all such Tax Returns. |
(b) If a member of the Spinco Group supplies information to a member of the Distributing Group, or a member of the Distributing Group supplies information to a member of the Spinco Group, and an officer of the requesting member intends to sign a statement or other document under penalties of perjury in reliance upon the accuracy of such information, then a duly authorized officer of the member supplying such information shall certify, to the best of such officerβs knowledge, the accuracy of the information so supplied.Β |
(c) Election to File Consolidated, Combined or Unitary Tax Returns. Β Distributing shall have the sole discretion of filing any Tax Return on a consolidated, combined or unitary basis, if such Tax Return would include at least one member of each Group and the filing of such Tax Return is elective under the relevant Tax Law. |
(d) Compensatory Equity Interests. |
(i) Deductions Related to Compensatory Equity Interests.Β Β To the extent permitted by applicable Tax Law, Income Tax deductions with respect to the issuance, exercise, vesting or settlement after the Distribution Date of any Compensatory Equity Interests held by any Person shall be claimed (A) in the case of an
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active officer or employee, solely by the Group that employs such Person at the time of such issuance, exercise, vesting, or settlement, as applicable; (B) in the case of a former officer or employee, solely by the Group that was the last to employ such Person; and (C) in the case of a director or former director (who is not an officer or employee or former officer or employee of a member of either Group), (x) solely by the Distributing Group if such person was, at any time before or after the Distribution, a director of any member of the Distributing Group, and (y) in any other case, solely by the Spinco Group (the party whose Group is described in (A), (B), or (C), the βEmploying Partyβ). |
(ii) Withholding and Reporting.Β Β For any Tax Year (or portion thereof), the Employing Party shall (A) satisfy, or shall cause to be satisfied, all applicable Tax reporting obligations with respect to the issuance, exercise, vesting or settlement of Compensatory Equity Interests and (B) satisfy, or cause to be satisfied, all liabilities for Taxes imposed in connection with such issuance, exercise, vesting or settlement (including the employer portion of any employment taxes); provided that, (x) in the event Compensatory Equity Interests are settled by the corporation that is the issuer or obligor under the Compensatory Equity Interest (the βissuing corporationβ) and the issuing corporation is not a member of the same Group as the Employing Party, the issuing corporation shall promptly remit to the Employing Party an amount of cash equal to the amount required to be withheld in respect of any withholding Taxes, and (y) the Employing Party shall not be liable for failure to remit to the applicable Tax Authority any amount required to have been withheld from the recipient of the Compensatory Equity Interest in connection with such issuance, exercise, vesting or settlement, except to the extent that the issuing corporation shall have remitted such amount to the Employing Party.Β Β Distributing shall promptly notify Spinco, and Spinco shall promptly notify Distributing, regarding the exercise of any option or the issuance, vesting, exercise or settlement of any other Compensatory Equity Interest to the extent that, as a result of such issuance, exercise, vesting or settlement, any other party may be entitled to a deduction or required to pay any Tax, or such information otherwise may be relevant to the preparation of any Tax Return or payment of any Tax by such other party or parties. |
(iii) Distributing Employees.Β Β For purposes of this Section 3.4(d), (x) except as described in clause (y) of this Section 3.4(d)(iii), if a Person is an officer or employee of Distributing or any member of the Distributing Group for any Tax Year (or portion thereof), then such officer or employee will exclusively be considered to be employed by Distributing (or the applicable member of the Distributing Group) for such Tax Year (or portion thereof); and (y) if an officer or employee is on the payroll of TruePosition, Inc. for any Tax Year (or portion thereof), then such officer or employee will exclusively be considered to be employed by Spinco (or the applicable member of the Spinco Group) for such Tax Year (or portion thereof).Β Β |
(a) Except as otherwise contemplated by this Section 3.5 or Section 3.6, any refunds, credits or offsets with respect to Taxes of any member of (i) the Distributing Group that were reported on any Combined Return shall be for the account of Distributing, (ii) the Spinco Group that were reported on any Combined Return and are
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attributable to the Pre-Distribution Period shall be for the account of Distributing, (iii) the Spinco Group that were reported on any Combined Return and are attributable to the Post-Distribution Period shall be for the account of Spinco, (iv) the Distributing Group that were reported on any Separate Return required to be filed by a member of the Distributing Group shall be for the account of Distributing, and (v) the Spinco Group that were reported on any Separate Return required to be filed by a member of the Spinco Group shall be for the account of Spinco.Β |
(b) Notwithstanding Section 3.5(a), (i) any refunds, credits or offsets with respect to Taxes, including Transaction Taxes, allocated to, and actually paid by, Distributing pursuant to this Agreement shall be for the account of Distributing, and (ii) any refunds, credits or offsets with respect to Taxes, including Transaction Taxes, allocated to, and actually paid by, Spinco pursuant to this Agreement shall be for the account of Spinco.Β |
(c) Distributing shall forward to Spinco, or reimburse Spinco for, any such refunds, credits or offsets, plus any interest received thereon, net of any Taxes incurred with respect to the receipt or accrual thereof and any expenses incurred in connection therewith, that are for the account of Spinco within five business days from receipt thereof by Distributing or any of its Affiliates.Β Β Spinco shall forward to Distributing, or reimburse Distributing for, any refunds, credits or offsets, plus any interest received thereon, net of any Taxes incurred with respect to the receipt or accrual thereof and any expenses incurred in connection therewith, that are for the account of Distributing within five business days from receipt thereof by Spinco or any of its Affiliates.Β Β Any refunds, credits or offsets, plus any interest received thereon, or reimbursements not forwarded or made within the five business day period specified above shall bear interest from the date received by the refunding or reimbursing party (or its Affiliates) through and including the date of payment at the Interest Rate (treating the date received as the Due Date for purposes of determining such Interest Rate).Β Β If, subsequent to a Tax Authorityβs allowance of a refund, credit or offset, such Tax Authority reduces or eliminates such allowance, any refund, credit or offset, plus any interest received thereon, forwarded or reimbursed under this Section 3.5 shall be returned to the party who had forwarded or reimbursed such refund, credit or offset and interest upon the request of such forwarding party in an amount equal to the applicable reduction, including any interest received thereon. |
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thereon, to Spinco within five business days from receipt thereof by Distributing or any of its Affiliates; provided, however, that Distributing shall be entitled to reduce the amount of any such refund, credit or offset for its reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith and any Taxes incurred with respect to the receipt or accrual thereof; and provided further, that Spinco, upon the request of Distributing, agrees to repay such refund, credit or offset, plus any interest received thereon and net of Taxes, to Distributing in the event, and to the extent, that Distributing is required to repay such refund, credit or offset, plus any interest received thereon, to a Tax Authority. |
(b) Tax Payments Made by the Spinco Group. Β If any member of the Spinco Group is required to make a payment to a Tax Authority for Taxes allocated to Distributing under this Agreement, Distributing will pay the amount of Taxes allocated to it to Spinco not later than the later of (i) five business days after receiving
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notification requesting such amount, and (ii) one business day prior to the date such payment is required to be made to such Tax Authority. |
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(a) General Restrictions. Β Following the Effective Time, Spinco shall not, and shall cause the members of the Spinco Group and their Affiliates not to, and Distributing shall not, and shall cause the members of the Distributing Group and their Affiliates not to, take any action that, or fail to take any action the failure of which, (i) would cause Distributing or any Subsidiary of Distributing immediately prior to the Distribution to recognize gain or loss, or otherwise include any amount in income, as a result of the Restructuring for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (ii) would be inconsistent with the Contribution and Distribution qualifying, or would preclude the Contribution and Distribution from qualifying, as a tax-free transaction described under Sections 368(a), 355 and 361 of the Code (except with respect to the issuance of cash in lieu of fractional shares of Spinco Stock), or (iii) would cause Distributing, Spinco, any of their respective Subsidiaries at the Effective Time, or the Distributing stockholders that receive stock of Spinco in the Distribution, to recognize gain or loss, or otherwise include any amount in income, as a result of the Contribution and/or the Distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes (except with respect to the issuance of cash in lieu of fractional shares of Spinco Stock). |
(c) Reporting.Β Β Unless and until there has been a Final Determination to the contrary, each party agrees not to take any position on any Tax Return, in connection with any Tax Contest, or otherwise for Tax purposes (in each case, excluding any position taken for financial accounting purposes) that is inconsistent with the Tax Opinion. |
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nonperformance of any covenant or agreement made or to be performed by Distributing contained in this Agreement, (d) Transfer Taxes allocated to Distributing pursuant to Section 2.2, and (e) reasonable out-of-pocket legal, accounting and other advisory and court fees and expenses incurred in connection with the items described in clauses (a) through (d); provided, however, that notwithstanding clauses (a), (c) and (e) of this Section 7.2, Distributing shall not be responsible for, and shall have no obligation to indemnify or hold harmless any Spinco Indemnitee for, (x) any Transaction Taxes or Transaction Tax-Related Losses that are allocated to Spinco pursuant to Section 2.2, or (y) any Taxes or Losses arising out of or based upon any breach or nonperformance of any covenant or agreement made or to be performed by Spinco contained in this Agreement. |
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(a) General Rule.Β Β Except as provided in Sections 7.6(b) and 7.8, each Company (or the appropriate member of its Group) shall have full responsibility, control and discretion in handling, defending, settling or contesting any Tax Contest involving a Tax reported (or that, it is asserted, should have been reported) on a Tax Return for which such Company is responsible for preparing and filing (or causing to be prepared and filed) pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement. |
(b) Non-Preparer Participation Rights.Β Β With respect to a Tax Contest (other than with respect to a Joint Claim) of any Tax Return which could result in a Tax liability for which the Non-Preparer may be liable under this Agreement, (i) the Non-Preparer shall, at its own cost and expense, be entitled to participate in such Tax Contest, (ii) the Preparer shall keep the Non-Preparer updated and informed, and shall consult with the Non-Preparer, (iii) the Preparer shall act in good faith with a view to the merits in connection with the Tax Contest, and (iv) the Preparer shall not settle or compromise such Tax Contest without the prior written consent of the Non-Preparer (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) if the settlement or compromise could have a more than de minimis impact on the Non-Preparer or its Affiliates. |
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jointly control the defense, compromise or settlement of any Joint Claim.Β Β No indemnified Company shall settle or compromise or consent to entry of any judgment with respect to any such Joint Claim without the prior written consent of the indemnifying Company, which consent may be withheld in the indemnifying Companyβs sole discretion.Β Β No indemnifying Company shall settle or compromise or consent to entry of any judgment with respect to any such Joint Claim without the prior written consent of the indemnified Company, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. |
8.4 Governing Law. Β THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW THEREOF.Β Β Any suit, action or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement will be brought exclusively in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the βDelaware Chancery Courtβ), or, if the Delaware Chancery Court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, in the federal courts located in the State of Delaware.Β Β Each of the parties hereby consents to personal jurisdiction in any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court or that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.Β Β Process in any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court.Β Β Without limiting the foregoing, each party agrees that service of process on such party as provided in Section 8.6 shall be deemed effective service of process on such party. |
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(a) If to Distributing, to: |
Liberty Media Corporation
00000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XxxxxxxxΒ Β 00000
Attn:Β Β Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
(b) If to Spinco, to: |
Liberty Broadband Corporation
00000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XxxxxxxxΒ Β 00000
Attn:Β Β Xxx Xxxxxxxx
Facsimile:Β Β (000) 000-0000
or to such other address as the party to whom notice is given may have previously furnished to the other parties in writing in the manner set forth above.
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8.11 Effective Date. Β This Agreement shall become effective on the date recited above on which the parties entered into this Agreement. |
8.12 Change in Law. Β Any reference to a provision of the Code or any other Tax Law shall include a reference to any applicable successor provision or law. |
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action on the part of such party, that this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of 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 such party. |
(a) Distributing and Spinco each acknowledge that this Agreement has been prepared jointly by the parties hereto and shall not be strictly construed against any party hereto. |
(b) When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article, Section, Exhibit or Schedule, such reference shall be to an Article of, a Section of, or an Exhibit or Schedule to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.Β Β The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.Β Β Whenever the words βincludeβ, βincludesβ or βincludingβ are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words βwithout limitationβ.Β Β The words βhereofβ, βhereinβ and βhereunderβ and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.Β Β All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein.Β Β The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter genders of such term.Β Β Any agreement, instrument or statute defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such agreement, instrument or statute as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, including (in the case of agreements or instruments) by waiver or consent and (in the case of statutes) by succession of comparable successor statutes and references to all attachments
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thereto and instruments incorporated therein.Β Β References to a Person are also to its permitted successors and assigns. |
8.17 Headings.Β Β The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by the respective officers as of the date set forth above.
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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION |
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxxx XxxxxxxxxxxΒ |
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Name: |
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx |
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Title:Β |
Senior Vice President |
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LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION |
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By:Β |
/s/ Xxx Xxxxxxxx |
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Name: |
Xxx Xxxxxxxx |
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Title: |
Vice President |
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