Tax Separation Agreement税金分离协议

-47-TaxSeparationAgreement税金分离协议核心提示：betweenAAAInc.,onbehalfofitselfandthemembersoftheAAAGroupandBBBInc.,onbehalfofitselfandthemembersoftheBBBGroupTAXSEPARATIONAGREEMENTThisTaxSeparationAgreement(theAgreement)isenteredintoasofthe_________,_____betweenAAAInc.,onbehalfofitselfandthemembersoftheAAAGroupandBBBInc.,onbehalfofitselfandthemembersoftheBBBGroupTAXSEPARATIONAGREEMENTThisTaxSeparationAgreement(theAgreement)isenteredintoasofthe_________,_________,_________(M/D/Y)betweenAAAInc.(AAA),a_________corporation,onbehalfofitselfandthemembersofAAAGroup,andBBBInc.(BBB),a_________corporation,onbehalfofitselfandthemembersofBBBGroup.WITNESSETH:WHEREAS,pursuanttothetaxlawsofvariousjurisdictions,certainmembersofBBBGroup,asdefinedbelow,willfilecertaintaxreturnsonastand-alonebasisaswellasonanaffiliated,consolidated,combined,unitary,fiscalunitorothergroupbasis(includingaspermittedbySection1501oftheInternalRevenueCodeof1986,asamended(theCode)withcertainmembersofAAAGroup,asdefinedbelow,fortaxableperiodsbeginningpriortotheDistribution,asdefinedbelow;WHEREAS,AAAandBBBintendthatAAAdistributetoitsshareholdersalloftheBBBcommonstockheldbyAAA(theDistribution);WHEREAS,AAAhasreceivedaprivateletterrulingfromtheInternalRevenueServiceconfirmingthequalificationoftheDistributionastax-freetoAAAanditsshareholders,which,togetherwiththeunderlyingRulingRequest,asdefinedbelow,hasbeenprovidedto,andreviewedby,BBB;WHEREAS,AAAandBBBdesiretosetforththeiragreementontherightsandobligationsofAAA,BBBandthemembersofAAAGroupandBBBGroup,respectively,withrespecttothehandlingandallocationoffederal,state,localandforeigntaxesincurredintaxableperiodsbeginningpriortotheDistributionDate,asdefinedbelow,andvariousothertaxmatters;NOW,THEREFORE,inconsiderationofthemutualcovenantsandagreementshereinaftersetforth,thepartiesagreeasfollows:1.Definitions.(a)AsusedinthisAgreement:_________ShortYearshallmeantheshorttaxableyearbeginningonthefirstdayofBBB’firsttaxableperiodin_________(Year)andendingontheDistributionDate.After-TaxAmountshallmeananadditionalamountnecessarytoreflectthehypotheticaltaxconsequencesofthereceiptoraccrualofanypaymentthatistreatedasincomeoftherecipientofsuchpayment,usingthemaximumstatutorytaxrate(ortaxrates,inthecaseofanitemthataffectsmorethanonetax)applicabletotherecipientofsuchpaymentfortherelevantyear.TheAfter-TaxAmountshallreflect,forexample,theeffectofthedeductionsavailableforinterestpaidoraccruedandfortaxessuchasstateandlocalincometaxes.CombinedIncomeTaxshallmean,withrespecttoeachstate,localorforeigntaxingjurisdiction,anyincome,franchiseorsimilartax(togetherwithanyrelatedinterestorpenalty)payabletosuchstate,localorforeigntaxingjurisdictioninwhichamemberofBBBGroupfilestaxreturnswithamemberofAAAGroup,onaconsolidated,combinedorunitarybasis.DistributionAgreementshallmeantheDistributionAgreementbetweenAAAInc.andBBB,datedasof_________,_________,_________(M/D/Y).DistributionDateshallmeanthedateonwhichtheDistributioniseffected.FederalTaxshallmeananytaximposedunderSubtitleAoftheCodeandanyrelatedinterestorpenaltyimposedunderSubtitleFoftheCode.FinalDeterminationshallmean(i)withrespecttoFederalTaxes,adeterminationasdefinedinSection1313(a)oftheCodeorexecutionofanIRSForm870ADand,withrespecttotaxesotherthanFederalTaxes,anyfinaldeterminationofliabilityinrespectofataxthat,underapplicablelaw,isnotsubjecttofurtherappeal,reviewormodificationthroughproceedingsorotherwise,(ii)anyfinaldispositionofataxissuebyreasonoftheexpirationofastatuteoflimitationsor(iii)thepaymentoftaxbyAAAwithrespecttoanyitemdisallowedoradjustedbyanytaxingauthoritywhereAAAdeterminesingoodfaiththatnoactionshouldbetakentorecoupsuchpayment.BBB_________(Year)FederalTaxLiabilityshallmeantheFederalTaxliabilityoftheBBBGroupforthe_________(Year)ShortYearcomputedasiftheBBBGroupwerenotandneverwerepartofanyconsolidatedgroup,provided,however,thattransactionswithmembersofAAAGroupshallbereflectedaccordingtotheprovisionsoftheconsolidatedreturnregulationspromulgatedundertheCodegoverningintercompanytransactions,andthattheDistributionwilltriggeranydeferredamountsorsimilaritems.TheBBB_________(Year)FederalTaxLiabilityshallbedetermined(i)withoutregardtotheincome,deductions(includingnetoperatinglossandcapitallossdeductions)andcreditsinanyyearofanymemberofAAAGroupthatisnotamemberofBBBGroup,(ii)asthoughthehighestrateoftaxspecifiedinsubsection(b)ofSection11oftheCode(oranyothersimilarratesapplicabletospecifictypesofincome)weretheonlyratessetforthinthatsubsection,andwithothersimilaradjustmentsasdescribedinSection1561oftheCode,(iii)reflectingthepositions,electionsandaccountingmethodsusedbyAAAinpreparingtheconsolidatedfederalincometaxreturnforAAAConsolidatedGroup,and(iv)bynotpermittingBBBGroupanycompensationdeductionsarisinginrespectofanyexerciseofoptionsonAAAstockby,ortheissuanceorvestingofAAArestrictedstockto,anyemployeeofBBBGroup.BBBGroupshallmean,atanytime,BBBandeachofitsdirectorindirectcorporatesubsidiaries.BBBTaxLiabilityshallmean,withrespecttoanytaxableyearthatincludesanydatein_________(Year)andanyjurisdiction,thesumof(i)BBB_________(Year)FederalTaxLiabilityand(ii)theamountofCombinedIncomeTaxesplustheamountofSeparateIncomeTaxesdeterminedinaccordancewiththeprinciplessetforthinthedefinitionofBBB_________(Year)FederalTaxLiability.BBBUKshallmeanAAAOfficeSystemsLimited,awhollyowneddirectsubsidiaryofBBBincorporatedintheUnitedKingdomandthatwillpurchasecertainassetsfromAAALimitedundertheAgreementfortheSaleandPurchaseoftheOfficeSystemsDivisionofAAALimited.IncomeTaxshallmeanFederalTax,CombinedIncomeTaxandSeparateIncomeTax.IRSshallmeantheInternalRevenueService.Non-IncomeTaxesshallmeanalltaxes,levies,chargesorfeesincluding,withoutlimitation,grossreceipts,transfer,excise,property,sales,use,value-added,goodsandservices,license,payroll,withholding,socialsecurityorothergovernmentaltaxesorcharges(includinganyinterest,penaltiesoradditionaltaxesattributablethereto),imposedbytheUnitedStatesoranystate,county,localorforeigngovernment,butexcludinganyIncomeTaxes.AAAConsolidatedGroupshallmeanAAAandeachdirectandindirectcorporatesubsidiary,includingamemberofBBBGroup,thatiseligibletojoinwithAAAoramemberoftheAAAGroupinthefilingof(i)forFederalTaxpurposes,aconsolidatedfederalincometaxreturn,and(ii)forCombinedIncomeTaxpurposes,aCombinedIncomeTaxReturn.AAAGroupshallmean,atanytime,AAAandeachofitsdirectandindirectcorporatesubsidiariesotherthanthosesubsidiariesthataremembersofBBBGroup.Post-DistributionTaxPeriodmeans(i)anytaxperiodbeginningaftertheDistributionDateand(ii)withrespecttoataxperiodthatbeginsonorbeforeandendsaftertheDistributionDate,theportionofthetaxperiodthatcommencesonthedayimmediatelyaftertheDistributionDate.Pre-DistributionTaxPeriodmeans(i)anytaxperiodendingbeforeorontheDistributionDateand(ii)withrespecttoaperiodthatbeginsbeforeandendsaftertheDistributionDate,theportionofthetaxperiodendingonandincludingtheDistributionDate.Primeshallmean,therateannouncedfromtimetotimeasprimeasreportedintheWallStreetJournal’sMoneyRatestableastheprimeratewithrespecttotheapplicablecurrency.Returnshallmeananytaxreturn,statement,reportorform(includingestimatedtaxreturnsandreports,extensionrequestsandforms,andinformationreturnsandreports)requiredtobefiledwithanytaxingauthority.RulingRequestshallmeantherequestforrulingsunderSections355and368(a)(1)(D)oftheCodefiledbyAAAwiththeInternalRevenueServiceon_________,_________,_________(M/D/Y),togetherwithallsupplementalmaterialssubsequentlyfiledwiththeIRSinconnectiontherewith.SeparateIncomeTaxshallmean,withrespecttoeachstate,localorforeigntaxingjurisdiction,anyincome,franchiseorsimilartax(togetherwithanyrelatedinterestorpenalty)payabletosuchstate,localorforeigntaxingjurisdictioninwhichamemberofBBBGroupfilesaseparatetaxreturn.TaxAssetshallmeananynetoperatingloss,netcapitalloss,investmenttaxcredit,foreigntaxcredit,deductionoranyloss,creditortaxattributethatcouldbecarriedforwardorbacktoreducetaxes(includingwithoutlimitationdeductionsandcreditsrelatedtoalternativeminimumtaxes).TaxBenefitshallmeananamountderivedwithrespecttoaTaxAssetthatisequaltotheexcessof(A)theamountofFederalTaxes,orCombinedIncomeTaxes,asthecasemaybe,thatwouldhavebeenpayablebytherecipientoftheTaxBenefitwithouttheuseaTaxAsset(including,butnotlimitedto,acarryback,carryforward,orreattributionoftheTaxAsset),over(B)theamountofFederalTaxesorCombinedIncomeTaxes,asthecasemaybe,actuallypayablebysuchrecipient.InthecaseofataxrefundarisingouttheuseofaTaxAsset,theTaxBenefitshallbeequaltotheamountoftherefundthatwasactuallyreceivedovertheamountoftherefundthatwouldhavebeenreceivedintheabsenceofsuchTaxAsset.TaxPackagesshallmeanoneormorepackagesofinformationthatare(i)reasonablynecessaryforthepurposeofpreparingtaxReturnsofAAAConsolidatedGroupwithrespecttoanytaxperiodinwhichtheinformationisrelevant,and(ii)completedinallmaterialrespectsinaccordancewiththestandardsthatAAAhasestablishedforitssubsidiaries.TaxProceedingshallmeananytaxaudit,disputeorproceeding(whetheradministrativeorjudicial).(b)AnytermusedinthisAgreementthatisnotdefinedinthisAgreementshall,totheextentthecontextrequires,havethemeaningassignedtoitintheCodeortheapplicableTreasuryregulationspromulgatedthereunder(asinterpretedinadministrativepronouncementsandjudicialdecisions)orincomparableprovisionsofapplicablelaw.2.AdministrativeandComplianceMatters.(a)SoleTaxSharingAgreement.Anyandallexistingtaxsharingagreementsorarrangements,writtenorunwritten,betweenanymemberofAAAGroupandanymemberofBBBGroupshallbeterminatedasofthedateofthisAgreement.AsofthedateofthisAgreement,neitherthemembersofBBBGroupnorthemembersofAAAGroupshallhaveanyfurtherrightsorliabilitiesunderanysuchpreexistingtaxsharingagreements,andthisAgreementshallbethesoletaxsharingagreementbetweenthemembersofBBBGroupandthemembersofAAAGroup.(b)DesignationofAgent.BBBandeachmemberofBBBGroupherebyirrevocablyauthorizesanddesignatesAAAasitsagent,coordinator,andadministrator,forthepurposeoftakinganyandallactions(includingtheexecutionofwaiversofapplicablestatutesoflimitation)necessaryorincidentaltothefilingofanyReturn,anyamendedReturn,oranyclaimforrefund(evenwhereanitemorTaxAssetgivingrisetoanamendedReturnorrefundclaimarisesinaPost-DistributionTaxPeriod),creditoroffsetoftaxoranyotherproceedings,andforthepurposeofmakingpaymentsto,orcollectingrefundsfrom,anytaxingauthority,ineachcaserelatingonlytoanyPre-DistributionTaxPeriod.(c)Pre-DistributionTaxPeriodReturns.(i)PreparationofIncomeTaxReturns.AAAwillprepareandfile,withtheassistanceofBBBGroup,allReturnsofAAAConsolidatedGroupandallSeparateIncomeTaxReturnsofanymemberofthatgroupforallPre-DistributionTaxPeriods.AAAshallhavetherightwithrespecttosuchReturnstodetermine(A)themannerinwhichsuchreturns,documentsorstatementsshallbepreparedandfiled,including,withoutlimitation,themannerinwhichanyitemofincome,gain,loss,deductionorcreditshallbereported,(B)whetheranyextensionsshouldberequested,and(C)theelectionsthatwillbemadebyanymemberofAAAGrouporBBBGroup;provided,however,thatAAAwillconsultwithBBBregardingthemannerinwhichitemsrelatedtoBBBGroupwillbereflectedinsuchreturnsandwillundertakeingoodfaithtopreparesuchReturnsinamannerthatAAAdeterminesmaybesubstantivelybeneficialtotheBBBGroupforanyPost-DistributionTaxPeriod,butonlytotheextentthatsuchmannerofpreparingReturnshasnoadverseimpactonAAA.(ii)AuditsandRefunds.WithrespecttoallReturnsofAAAConsolidatedGroupandallSeparateIncomeTaxReturnsofanymemberofthatgroupforallPre-DistributionTaxPeriods,exceptasotherwiseprovidedinSection8,AAAshallhavetherightto(A)contest,compromiseorsettleanyadjustmentordeficiencyproposed,assertedorassessedasaresultofanyauditofanysuchreturn,(B)file,prosecute,compromiseorsettleanyclaimforrefund,and(C)determinewhetheranyrefundstowhichanymemberofAAAGroupmaybeentitledshallbereceivedbywayofrefundorcreditagainsttaxliability.(iii)DeliveryofTaxPackages.Nolaterthan60daysaftertheDistributionDate,BBBshallprepareanddelivertoAAATaxPackagesthatincludeinformationofBBBGroupforthePre-DistributionTaxPeriod.(d)Allocation.ImmediatelyaftertheDistribution,AAAandtheBBBGroupwillclosetheirbooksutilizingacutoffmethodandtheprovisionsof1.1502-76(b)(1)(ii)(A),EndofDayRule,shallbeappliedtothe_________(Year)ShortYear.(e)Non-IncomeTaxReturnsandPost-DistributionTaxPeriodIncomeTaxReturnsofBBBGroup.BBBshallbesolelyresponsibleforthepreparationandfilingof(i)IncomeTaxReturnsofBBBGroupforallPost-DistributionTaxPeriodsand(ii)theReturnsofBBBGroupforNon-IncomeTaxesforanytaxperiod.(f)_________(Year)Short-YearState,LocalandForeignReturns.AAAandBBBagreethatCombinedIncomeTaxReturnsandSeparateIncomeTaxReturnsfiledfortaxperiodsthatbeginpriortotheDistributionDatewillreflectashorttaxableyearforBBBendingontheDistributionDateinanystate,localorforeigntaxingjurisdictioninwhichsuchtaxyearisallowedbyadministrativepractice,whetherornotrequiredbylaw.3.TaxSharing.(a)General.ForeachTaxableperiodduringwhichincome,profits,gains,networth,receipts,sales,lossorcreditagainsttaxofatleastonememberofeachoftheAAAGroupandBBBGroupsareincludibleinaReturnofAAAConsolidatedGroup,(i)nolaterthan45daysaftertheDistributionDatetheBBBGroupshallpaytotheAAAGroupanamountequaltotheBBBTaxLiabilityforsuchTaxableperiod,ifany,and(ii)atthetimetheAAAGrouprealizesanysuchbenefit,theAAAGroupshallpaytotheBBBGrouptheTaxBenefitreceivedbyAAAConsolidatedGroupfromtheuseofanynetoperatinglossofBBBGrouparisinginsuchperiod.(b)True-UpWhenReturnFiled.AtthetimeAAAfilesAAAConsolidatedGroup’sconsolidatedFederalTaxReturnsforthecalendaryearendedDecember31,_________(Year),AAAshalldelivertoBBBacopyoftheportionofsuchreturnsrelatingtoBBBtogetherwithastatementsettingforththedifferencebetween(A)BBB_________(Year)FederalTaxLiabilityand(B)theaggregateamountofpaymentswithrespecttotheBBB_________(Year)FederalTaxLiabilitymadebyBBBtoAAApriortothattime.AtthetimeAAAfilesanyCombinedIncomeTaxReturnandanySeparateIncomeTaxReturnpreparedbyAAAinaccordancewithSection2(c)thatincludeanymemberofBBBGroup,AAAshalldeliveracopyofsuchReturntoBBB,togetherwithastatementsettingforththedifferencebetween(C)theBBBTaxLiabilityforsuchReturnand(D)theaggregateamountofpaymentswithrespecttotheBBBTaxLiabilityforsuchReturnmadebyBBBtoAAApriortothattime.AnyamountshownaspayableonanystatementdescribedinthisSection3(b)shallbepaidpursuanttoSection9.(c)CarrybacksFromPost-DistributionYears.(i)BBBagreesnottocarrybackanyTaxAssetofBBBGroupfromaPost-DistributionTaxPeriodwithouttheadvancewrittenconsentofAAA,whichshallnotbeunreasonablywithheld.IfAAAconsentstosuchcarryback,AAAagreestopaytoBBBtheTaxBenefitreceivedbyAAAConsolidatedGroupfromtheuseinanyPre-DistributionTaxPeriodofacarrybackofanyTaxAssetofBBBGroupfromaPost-DistributionTaxPeriod.(ii)If,subsequenttothepaymentbyAAAGrouptoBBBGroupofanyamount,thereis(A)aFinalDeterminationthatresultsinadisallowanceorareductionoftheTaxAssetsocarriedbackor(B)areductionintheamountofthebenefitrealizedbyAAAConsolidatedGroupfromsuchTaxAssetasaresultofaFinalDeterminationortheusebyAAAConsolidatedGroupofaTaxAssetofAAAGroup,BBBGroupshallrepaytoAAA,within30daysofsucheventdescribedin(A)or(B)(anEvent),anyamountwhichwouldnothavebeenpayabletoBBBGrouppursuanttothesubparagraph3(c)(i)hadtheamountofthebenefitbeendeterminedinlightofsuchEvent.Inaddition,BBBGroupshallholdeachmemberofAAAGroupharmlessfromanypenaltyorinterestpayablebyanymemberofAAAGroupasaresultofanysuchEvent.AnysuchamountshallbepaidbyBBBGroupwithin30daysofthepaymentbyAAAGroupofanysuchinterestorpenalty.NothinginthisSection3(c)shallrequireAAAtofileaclaimforrefundofFederalTaxesorCombinedIncomeTaxesthatAAA,initssolediscretion,hasdeterminedisnotmorelikelythannottosucceed.Provisionsofthissubparagraph3(c)(ii)shallbecarriedoutconsistentlywithprovisionsofSections7,9and11.(d)AuditPayments.(i)ResponsibilityforPayment.Exceptasprovidedinparagraph(d)(ii)beloworinSection8,AAAshallberesponsibleforanypaymentduetoanytaxingauthorityasaresultofanauditadjustmenttoanyIncomeTaxReturnwhichrelatessolelytoaPre-DistributionTaxPeriod.BBBshallberesponsibleforanypaymentduetoanytaxingauthorityasaresultofanadjustmenttoanyReturnofBBBGroupwhichrelatessolelytoaPost-DistributionTaxPeriod.Inthecaseofanyadjustmentnotcoveredintheprecedingsentence,AAAshalldeterminetheamounttobepaidbyeachpartyinamannerconsistentwiththeprinciplesofthisAgreementandwithpastpractice.(ii)TimingDifferences.TotheextentthatanyauditadjustmentofanIncomeTaxReturnrelatingtoaPre-DistributionTaxPeriodisattributabletotimingdifferencesattributabletoBBB,AAAshallpaytoBBB,orBBBshallpaytoAAA,asappropriate,anamountreflectingthetimingdifferences.InthecaseofFederalTaxReturn,thisamountshallbeequaltotheactualamountoftheadjustmenttoAAA’staxliabilitywhichisattributabletothetimingdifferencesasdeterminedbyAAAwiththeconsentofBBB,whichconsentmaynotbeunreasonablywithheld.InthecaseofCombinedIncomeTaxReturnorSeparateIncomeTaxReturn,theamountshallbeequaltothedifferencebetweenthetaxactuallydueontheadjustedReturnandtheamountthatwouldhavebeendueontheadjustedReturnhadBBBnotbeenincludedasamemberofAAAConsolidatedGroup.4.CertainRepresentationsandCovenants.(a)(i)BBBRepresentations.BBBandeachmemberofBBBGrouprepresentasofthedatehereof,andcovenantthatontheDistributionDate,thereisnoplanorintention(A)toliquidateBBBortomergeorconsolidateBBB,oranymemberofBBBGroupwithanyotherpersonsubsequenttotheDistribution,(B)tosellorotherwisedisposeofanyassetofBBBoranymemberofBBBGroupsubsequenttotheDistribution,exceptintheordinarycourseofbusiness,(C)totakeanyactioninconsistentwiththeinformationandrepresentationsfurnishedtotheInternalRevenueServiceinconnectionwiththeRulingRequestor(D)toenterintoanynegotiations,agreements,orarrangementswithrespecttotransactionsorevents(includingstockissuances,pursuanttotheexerciseofoptionsorotherwise,optiongrants,capitalcontributions,oracquisitions,butnotincludingtheDistribution)thatmaycausetheDistributiontobetreatedaspartofaplanpursuanttowhichoneormorepersonsacquiredirectlyorindirectlyBBBstockrepresentinga50-percentorgreaterinterestwithinthemeaningofSection355(d)(4)oftheCode.(ii)AAARepresentations.AAArepresentsasofthedatehereof,andcovenantsthatontheDistributionDate,thereisnoplanorintentiontotakeanyactioninconsistentwiththeinformationandrepresentationsfurnishedtotheInternalRevenueServiceinconnectionwiththeRulingRequest.(iii)BBBandAAARepresentations.EachofBBB,AAAandthemembersofBBBGroup,respectively,representasofthedatehereof,andcovenantthatontheDistributionDate,neitherBBB,AAAnorthemembersofBBBGroup,respectively(asapplicable),isawareofanypresentplanorintentionbythecurrentshareholdersofAAAtosell,exchange,transferbygift,orotherwisedisposeofanyoftheirstockin,orsecuritiesof,AAAorBBBsubsequenttotheDistribution,otherthanpursuanttoopenmarkettransactions.(b)BBBCovenants.BBBcovenantstoAAAthat,exceptasprovidedinparagraph(c)below,duringthetwo-yearperiodfollowingtheDistributionDate:(i)neitherBBBnoranymemberofBBBGroupwillliquidate,mergeorconsolidatewithanyotherperson;(ii)BBBwillnotsell,exchange,distributeorotherwisedisposeofitsassetsorthoseofanymemberofBBBGroup,exceptintheordinarycourseofbusiness;(iii)BBBwillcontinuetheactiveconductofthehistoricbusinessthatwasconductedbyBBBthroughoutthefiveyearperiodpriortotheDistribution;(iv)BBBwillnot,norwillitpermitanymemberofBBBGroup,totakeanyactioninconsistentwiththeinformationandrepresentationsfurnishedtotheInternalRevenueServiceinconnectionwiththeRulingRequest;(v)BBBwillnotrepurchasestockofBBBinamannercontrarytotherequirementsofRevenueProcedure96-30orinamannercontrarytotherepresentationsmadeinconnectionwiththeRulingRequestand(vi)BBBwillnotenterintoanytransactionormakeanychangeinequitystructure(includingstockissuances,pursuanttotheexerciseofoptions,optiongrantsorotherwise,capitalcontributions,oracquisitions,butnotincludingtheDistribution)thatmaycausetheDistributiontobetreatedaspartofaplanpursuanttowhichoneormorepersonsacquiredirectlyorindirectlyBBBstockrepresentinga50-percentorgreaterinterestwithinthemeaningofSection355(d)(4)oftheCode.Further,BBBcovenantstoAAAthat:(vii)itwillnot,norwillitpermitanymemberofBBBGroup,tomakeorchangeanytaxaccountingmethod,changeitstaxableyear,amendanytaxReturnortakeanytaxpositiononanyReturn,takeanyotheraction,omittotakeanyactionorenterintoanytransactionthatresultsinanyincreasedtaxliabilityorreductionofanyTaxAssetofAAAConsolidatedGrouporanymemberthereofinrespectofanyPre-DistributionTaxPeriod;(viii)itwillfilefederalconsolidatedreturns,totheextentapplicable,withitssubsidiariesforthetaxperiodthatbeginsimmediatelyaftertheDistributionDate,and(ix)itwillexecuteallnecessaryforms,includingpowersofattorney,requestedbyAAAinconnectionwithexerciseofAAA’srightsandresponsibilitiesunderthisAgreement,includingthosedescribedinSection2(b).(c)Exceptions.Notwithstandingtheforegoing,BBBandthemembersofBBBGroupmaytakeactionsinconsistentwiththecovenantscontainedinSection4(b)(i)through(vi)above,if:(i)BBBnotifiesAAAofitsproposaltotakesuchactionandBBBandAAAobtainarulingfromtheIRStotheeffectthatsuchactionswillnotresultintheDistributionbeingtaxabletoAAAoritsshareholders,providedthatBBBagreesinwritingtobearanyexpensesassociatedwithobtainingsucharulingand,providedfurther,thatBBBshallnotberelievedofanyliabilityunderSection5ofthisAgreementbyreasonofseekingorhavingobtainedsucharuling;or(ii)BBBnotifiesAAAofitsproposaltotakesuchactionandobtainsanopinionofcounselrecognizedasanexpertinfederalincometaxmattersandacceptabletoAAAtothesameeffectasinsubparagraph4(c)(i),providedthatsuchopinionisacceptabletoAAAinitssolediscretion.(d)DeductionsandCertainTaxesRelatedtoOptions.AAAshallfileReturnsclaiming(i)thetaxdeductionsattributabletotheexerciseofoptionstopurchasestockofAAAorthevestingofAAArestrictedstockthatareheldbyemployeesorformeremployeesofBBBGroupor(ii)anyothersimilarstock-basedcompensation-relatedtaxdeductions.TheReturnsofAAAGroupandBBBGroupshallreflecttheentitlementofAAAGrouptosuchdeductions.TotheextentsuchdeductionsaredisallowedbecauseataxingauthoritydeterminesthatBBBGroupshouldhaveclaimedsuchdeductions,asconsiderationforAAA’sissuanceofsharesofitsstockasaresultoftheexercisedescribedinclause(i)oftheprecedingsentence,BBBGroupshallingoodfaithandtotheextentpermittedbylaw,fileallapplicablereturnsorclaimsforrefundclaimingsuchdeductionsandpaytoAAAGroupanamountequaltotheTaxBenefitifany,actuallyreceivedbyBBBwithrespecttotheapplicablereturnsorclaimsforrefund.Notwithstandingtheforegoing,BBBGroupshallnotberequiredtopaytoAAAGroupanyamountwithrespecttodeductionsattributabletoayearforwhich,atthetimeAAAnotifiesBBBofitsclaimpursuanttothisSection4(d),theapplicablestatuteoflimitationshasrunorwhichisotherwiseclosed.Upontheexerciseofanyoptionorthevestingofanyrestrictedstockdescribedinclause(i),ortheoccurrenceofanyothereventthatwouldresultinacompensation-relatedtaxdeduction,asthecasemaybe,AAAsh