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Riverside Resources Inc. Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 2025

Feb 28, 2025

46047_rns_2025-02-28_ca3623f4-2193-4e56-b27a-88683527ea83.pdf

Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement

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THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

for Deposit of Common Shares

of

RIVERSIDE RESOURCES INC.

This Letter of Transmittal is for use by registered holders ("Riverside Shareholders") of common shares ("Riverside Shares") of Riverside Resources Inc. ("Riverside") in connection with the proposed court-approved arrangement (the "Arrangement") involving Riverside and Blue Jay Gold Corp. ("Blue Jay") pursuant to a plan of arrangement (the "Plan of Arrangement") to be considered at the annual and special meeting of the Riverside Shareholders to be held on March 31, 2025, or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof (the "Meeting"). Riverside Shareholders are referred to the Notice of Meeting and management information circular dated February 18, 2025 (collectively, the "Information Circular") prepared in connection with the Meeting that accompanies this Letter of Transmittal. The terms and conditions of the Arrangement and the Plan of Arrangement are incorporated by reference in this Letter of Transmittal and capitalized terms used but not defined in this Letter of Transmittal that are defined in the Information Circular have the meanings set out in the Information Circular. You are encouraged to carefully review the Information Circular in its entirety.

ENDEAVOR TRUST CORPORATION (THE “DEPOSITARY”) (SEE LAST PAGE FOR ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER) OR YOUR BROKER OR OTHER FINANCIAL ADVISOR WILL BE ABLE TO ASSIST YOU IN COMPLETING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

This Letter of Transmittal is for use by registered Riverside Shareholders only and is not to be used by beneficial holders of Riverside Shares ("Beneficial Shareholders"). A Beneficial Shareholder does not have Riverside Shares registered in its name; rather, such Riverside Shares are held by an intermediary or clearing agency such as CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. If you are a Beneficial Shareholder, you should contact your intermediary for instructions and assistance in delivering your certificate(s) representing Riverside Shares and receiving consideration for such Riverside Shares.

On the Effective Date, all right, title and interest of the Riverside Shareholders in the Riverside Shares will be transferred to Riverside and the Riverside Shareholders (other than Dissenting Shareholders) will receive, in exchange for each Riverside Share held, one (1) new common share of Riverside (each a "New Riverside Share") and 1/5 common shares of Blue Jay (each whole share, a "Blue Jay Spinout Share"). No fractional Blue Jay Spinout Shares will be issued to any person pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement. All fractional amounts arising under the Plan of Arrangement will be rounded down to the nearest whole number without any compensation therefor. Subject to the approval of the Arrangement by the Riverside Securityholders, the Supreme Court of British Columbia and certain other conditions described in the Information Circular, the Effective Date is anticipated to be shortly after the Meeting. See the Information Circular for details.

In order for Riverside Shareholders to receive the certificates or DRS Advice Statements representing the New Riverside Shares and Blue Jay Spinout Shares in exchange for their Riverside Shares, Riverside Shareholders are required to deposit the certificate(s) representing the Riverside Shares held by them with the Depositary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each registered Riverside Shareholder who holds Riverside Shares in DRS Advice Statements will automatically receive a replacement DRS Advice Statements representing the New Riverside Shares and Blue Jay Spinout Shares at the registered address maintained by the Depositary. This Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly executed, together with all other required documents, must accompany all certificates (if applicable) for Riverside Shares deposited pursuant to the Arrangement.

All Riverside Shareholders must complete Box "D". Each U.S. Person (as defined below) should complete and submit IRS Form W-9. See Instruction 6. Each Riverside Shareholder who provides an address in Box "A" or Box "B" that is located within the United States or any territory or possession thereof and is not a U.S. Person should complete and submit the appropriate IRS Form W-8. See Instruction 6. If you require a Form W-8, please contact the Depositary.


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Please read the Information Circular and the instructions set out herein carefully before completing this Letter of Transmittal. Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal to an address other than as set forth herein will not constitute valid delivery. If Riverside Shares are registered in different names, a separate Letter of Transmittal must be submitted for each different registered owner. See Instruction 2.

The undersigned: (a) understands that whether or not the undersigned delivers the required documentation to the Depositary, as of the Effective Date, the undersigned will cease to hold Riverside Shares and, subject to the ultimate expiry identified below, will have the right to receive certificates or DRS Advice Statements representing the New Riverside Shares and Blue Jay Spinout Shares to which the undersigned is entitled under the Arrangement; and (b) acknowledges and agrees that failure to surrender any certificates (if applicable), which, prior to the Effective Date, represented issued and outstanding Riverside Shares with all other instruments required by this Letter of Transmittal, on or prior to the sixth anniversary of the Effective Date will result in a loss of any right to receive the New Riverside Shares and Blue Jay Spinout Shares and any claim or interest of any kind or nature against Riverside, Blue Jay or the Depositary.

Notice to U.S. Shareholders

The New Riverside Shares and Blue Jay Spinout Shares to be issued and distributed pursuant to the Arrangement have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States, and are being issued in reliance on the Section 3(a)(10) Exemption on the basis of the approval of the Court, which will consider, among other things, the fairness of the Arrangement to securityholders of Riverside, and in reliance on similar exemptions from registration or qualification under any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States. The solicitation of proxies made pursuant to the Information Circular is not subject to the requirements of Section 14(a) of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "U.S. Exchange Act"), by virtue of an exemption applicable to proxy solicitations by "foreign private issuers" (as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the U.S. Exchange Act). The U.S. Securities Act imposes restrictions on the resale of securities received pursuant to the Arrangement by persons who will be "affiliates" of Riverside and Blue Jay after the Effective Time or who have been affiliates of Riverside or Blue Jay within 90 days before the Effective Time. Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act does not exempt the issuance of underlying securities upon the exercise of securities that were previously issued pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act.


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TO: RIVERSIDE RESOURCES INC.
AND TO: BLUE JAY GOLD CORP.
AND TO: ENDEAVOR TRUST CORPORATION, THE DEPOSITARY

In connection with the Arrangement being considered for approval at the Meeting, the undersigned hereby deposits with the Depositary for transfer upon the Arrangement becoming effective, the enclosed certificate(s) representing Riverside Shares, details of which are as follows:

(Please print or type. NOTE: If the space provided is insufficient, please attach a list to this Letter of Transmittal in the below form.)
Certificate Number(s)/DRS Account Number(s) Name in Which Registered Number of Riverside Shares
TOTAL:

☐ Some or all of my Riverside Share certificates have been lost, stolen or destroyed (Check box if applicable).

Please review item 8 of the "Instructions" for the procedure to replace lost or destroyed certificates.

It is understood that, upon receipt of this Letter of Transmittal duly completed and signed, the certificate(s) representing the Riverside Shares deposited herewith (the "Deposited Shares") and any other required documentation, and following the Effective Date, the Depositary will send to the undersigned, in accordance with the delivery instructions provided in Box "A", certificates or DRS Advice Statements representing the New Riverside Shares and Blue Jay Spinout Shares which the undersigned is entitled to receive pursuant to the Arrangement or if requested by the undersigned, hold such certificates or DRS Advice Statements for pick-up in accordance with the instructions set out below, and the certificate(s) representing the Deposited Shares will forthwith be cancelled.

The undersigned holder of Riverside Shares covenants, represents and warrants in favour of Riverside and Blue Jay that: (i) the undersigned has received the Information Circular; (ii) the undersigned is the registered holder of the Deposited Shares; (iii) the Deposited Shares are owned by the undersigned free and clear of all hypothecs, mortgages, pledges, assignments, liens, charges, security interests, encumbrances, adverse rights, claims, other third person interests or encumbrances of any kind, whether contingent or absolute, and any agreement, option, right or privilege (whether by law, contract or otherwise) capable of becoming any of the foregoing; (iv) the undersigned has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Letter of Transmittal and to deposit, sell, assign, transfer and deliver the Deposited Shares and that when certificates or DRS Advice Statements representing the New Riverside Shares and Blue Jay Spinout Shares are delivered or made available for pick-up in accordance with the undersigned's instructions, none of Riverside or Blue Jay, or any affiliate thereof or successor thereto will be subject to any adverse claim in respect of such Deposited Shares; (v) all information inserted into this Letter of Transmittal by the undersigned is complete, true and accurate; (vi) the Deposited Shares have not been sold, assigned or transferred, nor has any agreement been entered into to sell, assign or transfer any such Deposited Shares to any other person; (vii) the surrender of the Deposited Shares complies with applicable laws; (viii) unless the undersigned shall have revoked this Letter of Transmittal by notice in writing given to the Depositary by no later than 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on the business day preceding the date of the Meeting, or, if the Meeting is adjourned or postponed, by no later than 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on the business day preceding the date of the reconvened Meeting, the undersigned will not, prior to such time, transfer or permit to be transferred any of such Deposited Shares; and (ix) the delivery of the certificates or DRS Advice Statements representing the New Riverside Shares and Blue Jay Spinout Shares pursuant to the Arrangement will discharge any and all obligations of Riverside, Blue Jay and the Depositary with respect to the matters contemplated by this Letter of Transmittal. The undersigned further represents that all information provided by the undersigned is true, accurate and complete and covenants and agrees to execute, upon request, any additional documents, transfers and other assurances as may be necessary or desirable to complete the exchange of share certificate(s) representing Riverside Shares for certificates or DRS Advice Statements representing the New Riverside Shares and Blue Jay Spinout Shares pursuant to the Arrangement. The covenants, representations and warranties of the undersigned herein contained survive the completion of the Arrangement.

The undersigned revokes any and all authority, other than as granted in this Letter of Transmittal and except with respect to any proxy deposited with respect to the Meeting, whether as agent, attorney-in-fact, proxy or otherwise, previously conferred or agreed to be conferred by the undersigned at any time with respect to the Deposited Shares and no subsequent authority,


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whether as agent, attorney-in-fact, proxy or otherwise, will be granted with respect to the Deposited Shares. Each authority conferred or agreed to be conferred by the undersigned in this Letter of Transmittal shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned and any obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned.

The undersigned agrees that all questions as to validity, form, eligibility (including timely receipt) and acceptance of any Riverside Shares surrendered in connection with the Arrangement shall be determined by Riverside and the Depositary in their sole discretion and that such determination shall be final and binding and acknowledges that there is no duty or obligation upon Riverside, the Depositary or any other person to give notice of any defect or irregularity in any such surrender of Riverside Shares and no liability will be incurred by any of them for failure to give any such notice.

The undersigned hereby acknowledges that the delivery of the certificates (if applicable) representing the Deposited Shares shall be effected and the risk of loss and title to such certificates (if applicable) shall pass only upon proper receipt thereof by the Depositary. The undersigned will, upon request, execute any signature guarantees or additional documents deemed by the Depositary to be reasonably necessary or desirable to complete the transfer of the Deposited Shares.

The undersigned surrenders to Riverside, effective at the Effective Time, all right, title and interest in and to the Deposited Shares and irrevocably appoints and constitutes the Depositary lawful attorney of the undersigned, with full power of substitution to deliver the certificates (if applicable) representing the Deposited Shares pursuant to the Arrangement and to effect the transfer of the Deposited Shares on the books of Riverside.

The undersigned instructs the Depositary to mail the certificates or DRS Advice Statements representing the New Riverside Shares and Blue Jay Spinout Shares to which the undersigned is entitled pursuant to the Arrangement, in exchange for the duly completed Letter of Transmittal and the Deposited Shares, as soon as practicable following the later of the Effective Date and the date of the deposit of the Letter of Transmittal and the certificates (if applicable) representing the Deposited Shares, together with all other required documents, with the Depositary, by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the undersigned, or to hold such certificates or DRS Advice Statements representing the New Riverside Shares and Blue Jay Spinout Shares in exchange for the Deposited Shares for pick-up, in accordance with the instructions given below.

It is understood that the undersigned will not receive certificates or DRS Advice Statements representing the New Riverside Shares and Blue Jay Spinout Shares to which the undersigned is entitled in respect of the Deposited Shares until the Arrangement is consummated, and will not thereafter receive such certificates or DRS Advice Statements until the certificate(s) representing the Deposited Shares owned by the undersigned are received by the Depositary at the address set forth on the back of this Letter of Transmittal, together with a duly completed Letter of Transmittal and such additional documents as the Depositary may require, and until the same are processed by the Depositary. It is understood that under no circumstances will interest accrue or be paid in respect of the Deposited Shares in connection with the Arrangement.

This Letter of Transmittal and accompanying documentation may be revoked by notice in writing to the Depositary at any time up to two business days prior to the Effective Time, in which case this Letter of Transmittal and all accompanying documentation will be returned forthwith to the undersigned.

By reason of the use of the undersigned of an English language form of Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned shall be deemed to have required that any contract evidenced by the Arrangement as entered into through this Letter of Transmittal, as well as any documents related thereto, be drawn exclusively in the English language. En raison de l'utilisation d'une version anglaise de la presente lettre d'envoi, le soussigne, ce dernier et les destinataires sont reputes avoir demande que tout contrat atteste par l'arrangement, telle qu'il est accepte au moyen de cette lettre d'envoi, de meme que tous les documents qui s'y rapportant, soient rediges exclusivement en anglais.

If the Arrangement is not completed or proceeded with, the enclosed certificate(s) and all other ancillary documents will be returned, as soon as possible, to the undersigned at the address set out below in Box "A" or Box "B" or, failing such address being specified and provided that Box "C" has not been completed, to the undersigned at the last address of the undersigned as it appears on the securities register of Riverside.

This Letter of Transmittal shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein.


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Before signing this Letter of Transmittal and Election Form, please review carefully and complete all boxes, as appropriate.

| BOX A
PLEASE CHECK ONE BOX ONLY
☐ ISSUE CERTIFICATES
☐ ISSUE DRS STATEMENT

IN THE NAME OF:
(please print or type)

(Name)

(Street Address and Number)

(City and Province or State)

(Country and Postal/Zip Code)

(Telephone – Business Hours)

(Social Insurance, Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number)

(Email Address) | BOX B
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

To be completed ONLY if the CERTIFICATES/ DRS ADVICE STATEMENTS REPRESENTING NEW RIVERSIDE SHARES AND BLUE JAY SPINOUT SHARES to which the undersigned is entitled under the Arrangement is to be sent to someone other than the person shown in Box A or to an address other than the address shown in Box A.

(Name)

(Street Address and Number)

(City and Province or State)

(Country and Postal/Zip Code) |
| --- | --- |

BOX C – SPECIAL PICK-UP INSTRUCTIONS

☐ HOLD FOR PICK-UP AT THE OFFICE OF THE DEPOSITARY


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BOX D
U.S. STATUS

All Riverside Shareholders must place an “X” in the applicable box below. See instruction 6.

☐ The Riverside Shareholder is not a U.S. Shareholder, a person in the United States or a person acting for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person or a person in the United States.

☐ The Riverside Shareholder is a U.S. Shareholder, a person in the United States, or a person acting for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person or a person in the United States.

A “U.S. Shareholder” is any Riverside Shareholder that is either (a) providing an address in Box “A” or Box “B” that is located within the United States or any territory or possession thereof, or (b) a U.S. Person as described in Instruction 6. If you are a U.S. Shareholder or are acting on behalf of a U.S. Shareholder, then in order to avoid possible U.S. backup withholding you must complete the Form W-9 in Box “G” included below or otherwise provide certification that you are exempt from backup withholding, or provide the appropriate IRS Form W-8. If you require a copy of Form W-8, please contact the Depositary.


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| BOX E
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE

Signature guaranteed by:
(if required under Instruction 3) | BOX F
SIGNATURE

To be completed by all Riverside Shareholders

Date: _________ |
| --- | --- |
| (Authorized Signature of Guarantor) | Signature of Shareholder or Authorized Representative
(See Instruction 4) |
| Name of Guarantor (please print or type) | Name of Shareholder (please print or type) |
| Address of Guarantor (please print or type) | Taxpayer Identification, Social Insurance or Social Security Number of Shareholder (please print or type) |
| | Name of Authorized Representative, if applicable
(please print or type) |
| Area Code and Telephone Number | Daytime telephone number of Shareholder or Authorized Representative |
| | Daytime facsimile number of Shareholder or Authorized Representative |


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BOX G – IRS Form W-9
[See Attached]


Form W-9
(Rev. March 2024)
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification

Go to www.irs.gov/FormW9 for instructions and the latest information.

Give form to the requester.
Do not send to the IRS.

Before you begin. For guidance related to the purpose of Form W-9, see Purpose of Form, below.

| Print or type.
See Specific Instructions on page 3. | 1 Name of entity/individual. An entry is required. (For a sole proprietor or disregarded entity, enter the owner’s name on line 1, and enter the business/disregarded entity’s name on line 2. | | | | | | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | 2 Business name/disregarded entity name, if different from above. | | | | | | | | | |
| | 3a Check the appropriate box for federal tax classification of the entity/individual whose name is entered on line 1. Check only one of the following seven boxes.
☐ Individual ☐ C corporation ☐ S corporation ☐ Partnership ☐ Trust/estate /sole proprietor
☐ LLC. Enter the tax classification (C = C corporation, S = S corporation, P = Partnership) . . .
Note: Check the “LLC” box above and, in the entry space, enter the appropriate code (C, S, or P) for the tax classification of the LLC, unless it is a disregarded entity. A disregarded entity should instead check the appropriate box for the tax classification of its owner.
☐ Other (see instructions) __ | | | | | | 4 Exemptions (codes apply only to certain entities, not individuals; see instructions on page 3):
Exempt payee code (if any)
__
Exemption from Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) reporting code (if any) _____
(Applies to accounts maintained outside the United States.) | | | |
| | 3b If on line 3a you checked “Partnership” or “Trust/estate,” or checked “LLC” and entered “P” as its tax classification, and you are providing this form to a partnership, trust, or estate in which you have an ownership interest, check this box if you have any foreign partners, owners, or beneficiaries. See instructions...☐ | | | | | | | | | |
| | 5 Address (number, street, and apt. or suite no.). See instructions. | | | Requester’s name and address (optional) | | | | | | |
| | 6 City, state, and ZIP code | | | | | | | | | |
| | 7 List account number(s) here (optional) | | | | | | | | | |

Part I Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. The TIN provided must match the name given on line 1 to avoid backup withholding. For individuals, this is generally your social security number (SSN). However, for a resident alien, sole proprietor, or disregarded entity, see the instructions for Part I, later. For other entities, it is your employer identification number (EIN). If you do not have a number, see How to get a TIN, later.

Note: If the account is in more than one name, see the instructions for line 1. See also What Name and Number To Give the Requester for guidelines on whose number to enter.

Social security number
- -
or
Employer identification number
-

Part II Certification

Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:

  1. The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me); and
  2. I am not subject to backup withholding because (a) I am exempt from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding; and
  3. I am a U.S. citizen or other U.S. person (defined below); and
  4. The FATCA code(s) entered on this form (if any) indicating that I am exempt from FATCA reporting is correct.

Certification instructions. You must cross out item 2 above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject to backup withholding because you have failed to report all interest and dividends on your tax return. For real estate transactions, item 2 does not apply. For mortgage interest paid, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, contributions to an individual retirement arrangement (IRA), and, generally, payments other than interest and dividends, you are not required to sign the certification, but you must provide your correct TIN. See the instructions for Part II, later.
Sign Here Signature of U.S. person Date

Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2024)

General Instructions

Section references are to the Internal Revenue Code unless otherwise noted.

Future developments. For the latest information about developments related to Form W-9 and its instructions, such as legislation enacted after they were published, go to www.irs.gov/FormW9.

What's New

Line 3a has been modified to clarify how a disregarded entity completes this line. An LLC that is a disregarded entity should check the appropriate box for the tax classification of its owner. Otherwise, it should check the "LLC" box and enter its appropriate tax classification.

New line 3b has been added to this form. A flow-through entity is required to complete this line to indicate that it has direct or indirect foreign partners, owners, or beneficiaries when it provides the Form W-9 to another flow-through entity in which it has an ownership interest. This change is intended to provide a flow-through entity with information regarding the status of its indirect foreign partners, owners, or beneficiaries, so that it can satisfy any applicable reporting requirements. For example, a partnership that has any indirect foreign partners may be required to complete Schedules K-2 and K-3. See the Partnership Instructions for Schedules K-2 and K-3 (Form 1065).

Purpose of Form

An individual or entity (Form W-9 requester) who is required to file an information return with the IRS is giving you this form because they must obtain your correct taxpayer identification number (TIN), which may be your social security number (SSN), individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), adoption taxpayer identification number (ATIN), or employer identification number (EIN), to report on an information return the amount paid to you, or other amount reportable on an information return. Examples of information returns include, but are not limited to, the following.

  • Form 1099-INT (interest earned or paid).
  • Form 1099-DIV (dividends, including those from stocks or mutual funds).
  • Form 1099-MISC (various types of income, prizes, awards, or gross proceeds).
  • Form 1099-NEC (nonemployee compensation).
  • Form 1099-B (stock or mutual fund sales and certain other transactions by brokers).
  • Form 1099-S (proceeds from real estate transactions).
  • Form 1099-K (merchant card and third-party network transactions).
  • Form 1098 (home mortgage interest), 1098-E (student loan interest), and 1098-T (tuition).
  • Form 1099-C (canceled debt).
  • Form 1099-A (acquisition or abandonment of secured property).

Use Form W-9 only if you are a U.S. person (including a resident alien), to provide your correct TIN.

Caution: If you don't return Form W-9 to the requester with a TIN, you might be subject to backup withholding. See What is backup withholding, later.

By signing the filled-out form, you:

  1. Certify that the TIN you are giving is correct (or you are waiting for a number to be issued);
  2. Certify that you are not subject to backup withholding; or
  3. Claim exemption from backup withholding if you are a U.S. exempt payee; and
  4. Certify to your non-foreign status for purposes of withholding under chapter 3 or 4 of the Code (if applicable); and
  5. Certify that FATCA code(s) entered on this form (if any) indicating that you are exempt from the FATCA reporting is correct. See What Is FATCA Reporting, later, for further information.

Note: If you are a U.S. person and a requester gives you a form other than Form W-9 to request your TIN, you must use the requester's form if it is substantially similar to this Form W-9.

Definition of a U.S. person. For federal tax purposes, you are considered a U.S. person if you are:

  • An individual who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien;
  • A partnership, corporation, company, or association created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States;
  • An estate (other than a foreign estate); or
  • A domestic trust (as defined in Regulations section 301.7701-7).

Establishing U.S. status for purposes of chapter 3 and chapter 4 withholding. Payments made to foreign persons, including certain distributions, allocations of income, or transfers of sales proceeds, may be subject to withholding under chapter 3 or chapter 4 of the Code (sections 1441-1474). Under those rules, if a Form W-9 or other certification of non-foreign status has not been received, a withholding agent, transferee, or partnership (payor) generally applies presumption rules that may require the payor to withhold applicable tax from the recipient, owner, transferor, or partner (payee). See Pub. 515, Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities.

The following persons must provide Form W-9 to the payor for purposes of establishing its non-foreign status.

  • In the case of a disregarded entity with a U.S. owner, the U.S. owner of the disregarded entity and not the disregarded entity.
  • In the case of a grantor trust with a U.S. grantor or other U.S. owner, generally, the U.S. grantor or other U.S. owner of the grantor trust and not the grantor trust.
  • In the case of a U.S. trust (other than a grantor trust), the U.S. trust and not the beneficiaries of the trust.

See Pub. 515 for more information on providing a Form W-9 or a certification of non-foreign status to avoid withholding.

Foreign person. If you are a foreign person or the U.S. branch of a foreign bank that has elected to be treated as a U.S. person (under Regulations section 1.1441-1(b)(2)(iv) or other applicable section for chapter 3 or 4 purposes), do not use Form W-9. Instead, use the appropriate Form W-8 or Form 8233 (see Pub. 515). If you are a qualified foreign pension fund under Regulations section 1.897(I)-1(d), or a partnership that is wholly owned by qualified foreign pension funds, that is treated as a non-foreign person for purposes of section 1445 withholding, do not use Form W-9. Instead, use Form W-8EXP (or other certification of non-foreign status).

Nonresident alien who becomes a resident alien. Generally, only a nonresident alien individual may use the terms of a tax treaty to reduce or eliminate U.S. tax on certain types of income. However, most tax treaties contain a provision known as a saving clause. Exceptions specified in the saving clause may permit an exemption from tax to continue for certain types of income even after the payee has otherwise become a U.S. resident alien for tax purposes.

If you are a U.S. resident alien who is relying on an exception contained in the saving clause of a tax treaty to claim an exemption from U.S. tax on certain

Cat. No. 10231X

Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2024)


Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2024)

types of income, you must attach a statement to Form W-9 that specifies the following five items.

  1. The treaty country. Generally, this must be the same treaty under which you claimed exemption from tax as a nonresident alien.
  2. The treaty article addressing the income.
  3. The article number (or location) in the tax treaty that contains the saving clause and its exceptions.
  4. The type and amount of income that qualifies for the exemption from tax.
  5. Sufficient facts to justify the exemption from tax under the terms of the treaty article.

Example. Article 20 of the U.S.-China income tax treaty allows an exemption from tax for scholarship income received by a Chinese student temporarily present in the United States. Under U.S. law, this student will become a resident alien for tax purposes if their stay in the United States exceeds 5 calendar years. However, paragraph 2 of the first Protocol to the U.S.-China treaty (dated April 30, 1984) allows the provisions of Article 20 to continue to apply even after the Chinese student becomes a resident alien of the United States. A Chinesestudent who qualifies for this exception (under paragraph 2 of the first Protocol) and is relying on this exception to claim an exemption from tax on their scholarship or fellowship income would attach to Form W-9 a statement that includes the information described above to support that exemption.

If you are a nonresident alien or a foreign entity, give the requester the appropriate completed Form W-8 or Form 8233.

Backup Withholding

What is backup withholding? Persons making certain payments to you must under certain conditions withhold and pay to the IRS 24% of such payments. This is called "backup withholding." Payments that may be subject to backup withholding include, but are not limited to, interest, tax-exempt interest, dividends, broker and barter exchange transactions, rents, royalties, nonemployee pay, payments made in settlement of payment card and third-party network transactions, and certain payments from fishing boat operators. Real estate transactions are not subject to backup withholding.

You will not be subject to backup withholding on payments you receive if you give the requester your correct TIN, make the proper certifications, and report all your taxable interest and dividends on your tax return.

Payments you receive will be subject to backup withholding if:

  1. You do not furnish your TIN to the requester;
  2. You do not certify your TIN when required (see the instructions for Part II for details);
  3. The IRS tells the requester that you furnished an incorrect TIN;
  4. The IRS tells you that you are subject to backup withholding because you did not report all your interest and dividends on your tax return (for reportable interest and dividends only); or
  5. You do not certify to the requester that you are not subject to backup withholding, as described in item 4 under "By signing the filledout form" above (for reportable interest and dividend accounts opened after 1983 only).

Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding. See Exempt payee code, later, and the separate Instructions for the Requester of Form W-9 for more information.

See also Establishing U.S. status for purposes of chapter 3 and chapter 4 withholding, earlier.

What Is FATCA Reporting?

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) requires a participating foreign financial institution to report all U.S. account holders that are specified U.S. persons. Certain payees are exempt from FATCA reporting. See Exemption from FATCA reporting code, later, and the Instructions for the Requester of Form W-9 for more information.

Updating Your Information

You must provide updated information to any person to whom you claimed to be an exempt payee if you are no longer an exempt payee and anticipate receiving reportable payments in the future from this person. For example, you may need to provide updated information if you are a C corporation that elects to be an S corporation, or if you are no longer tax exempt. In addition, you must furnish a new Form W-9 if the name or TIN changes for the account, for example, if the grantor of a grantor trust dies.

Penalties

Failure to furnish TIN. If you fail to furnish your correct TIN to a requester, you are subject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.

Civil penalty for false information with respect to withholding. If you make a false statement with no reasonable basis that results in no backup withholding, you are subject to a $500 penalty.

Criminal penalty for falsifying information. Willfully falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.

Misuse of TINs. If the requester discloses or uses TINs in violation of federal law, the requester may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.

Specific Instructions

Line 1

You must enter one of the following on this line; do not leave this line blank. The name should match the name on your tax return.

If this Form W-9 is for a joint account (other than an account maintained by a foreign financial institution (FFI)), list first, and then circle, the name of the person or entity whose number you entered in Part I of Form W-9. If you are providing Form W-9 to an FFI to document a joint account, each holder of the account that is a U.S. person must provide a Form W-9.

  • Individual. Generally, enter the name shown on your tax return. If you have changed your last name without informing the Social Security Administration (SSA) of the name change, enter your first name, the last name as shown on your social security card, and your new last name.

Note for ITIN applicant: Enter your individual name as it was entered on your Form W-7 application, line 1a. This should also be the same as the name you entered on the Form 1040 you filed with your application.

  • Sole proprietor. Enter your individual name as shown on your Form 1040 on line 1. Enter your business, trade, or "doing business as" (DBA) name on line 2.
  • Partnership, C corporation, S corporation, or LLC, other than a disregarded entity. Enter the entity's name as shown on the entity's tax return on line 1 and any business, trade, or DBA name on line 2.
  • Other entities. Enter your name as shown on required U.S. federal tax documents on line 1. This name should match the name shown on the charter or other legal document creating the entity. Enter any business, trade, or DBA name on line 2.
  • Disregarded entity. In general, a business entity that has a single owner, including an LLC, and is not a corporation, is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner (a disregarded entity). See Regulations section 301.7701-2(c)(2). A disregarded entity should check the appropriate box for the tax

Cat. No. 10231X

Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2024)


Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2024)

classification of its owner. Enter the owner's name on line 1. The name of the owner entered on line 1 should never be a disregarded entity. The name on line 1 should be the name shown on the income tax return on which the income should be reported. For example, if a foreign LLC that is treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal tax purposes has a single owner that is a U.S. person, the U.S. owner's name is required to be provided on line 1. If the direct owner of the entity is also a disregarded entity, enter the first owner that is not disregarded for federal tax purposes. Enter the disregarded entity's name on line 2. If the owner of the disregarded entity is a foreign person, the owner must complete an appropriate Form W-8 instead of a Form W-9. This is the case even if the foreign person has a U.S. TIN.

Line 2

If you have a business name, trade name, DBA name, or disregarded entity name, enter it on line 2.

Line 3a

Check the appropriate box on line 3a for the U.S. federal tax classification of the person whose name is entered on line 1. Check only one box on line 3a.

IF the entity/individual on line 1 is a(n) . . . THEN check the box for . . .
• Corporation Corporation.
• Individual or • Sole proprietorship Individual/sole proprietor.
• LLC classified as a partnership for U.S. federal tax purposes or • LLC that has filed Form 8832 or 2553 electing to be taxed as a corporation Limited liability company and enter the appropriate tax classification: P = Partnership, C = C corporation, or S = S corporation.
• Partnership Partnership
• Trust/estate Trust/estate

Line 3b

Check this box if you are a partnership (including an LLC classified as a partnership for U.S. federal tax purposes), trust, or estate that has any foreign partners, owners, or beneficiaries, and you are providing this form to a partnership, trust, or estate, in which you have an ownership interest. You must check the box on line 3b if you receive a Form W-8 (or documentary evidence) from any partner, owner, or beneficiary establishing foreign status or if you receive a Form W-9 from any partner, owner, or beneficiary that has checked the box on line 3b.

Note: A partnership that provides a Form W-9 and checks box 3b may be required to complete Schedules K-2 and K-3 (Form 1065). For more information, see the Partnership Instructions for Schedules K-2 and K-3 (Form 1065).

If you are required to complete line 3b but fail to do so, you may not receive the information necessary to file a correct information return with the IRS or furnish a correct payee statement to your partners or beneficiaries. See, for example, sections 6698, 6722, and 6724 for penalties that may apply.

Line 4 Exemptions

If you are exempt from backup withholding and/or FATCA reporting, enter in the appropriate space on line 4 any code(s) that may apply to you.

Exempt payee code.

  • Generally, individuals (including sole proprietors) are not exempt from backup withholding.
  • Except as provided below, corporations are exempt from backup withholding for certain payments, including interest and dividends.
  • Corporations are not exempt from backup withholding for payments made in settlement of payment card or third-party network transactions.
  • Corporations are not exempt from backup withholding with respect to attorneys' fees or gross proceeds paid to attorneys, and corporations that provide medical or health care services are not exempt with respect to payments reportable on Form 1099-MISC.

The following codes identify payees that are exempt from backup withholding. Enter the appropriate code in the space on line 4.

1—An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), any IRA, or a custodial account under section 403(b)(7) if the account satisfies the requirements of section 401(f)(2).
2—The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.
3—A state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. commonwealth or territory, or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities.
4—A foreign government or any of its political subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities.
5—A corporation.
6—A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United States, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. commonwealth or territory.
7—A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
8—A real estate investment trust.
9—An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
10—A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a).
11—A financial institution as defined under section 581.
12—A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian.
13—A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section 4947.

The following chart shows types of payments that may be exempt from backup withholding. The chart applies to the exempt payees listed above, 1 through 13.

IF the entity/individual on line 1 is a(n) . . . THEN the payment is exempt for . . .
• Interest and dividend payments All exempt payees except for 7.
• Broker transactions Exempt payees 1 through 4 and 6 through 11 and all C corporations. S corporations must not enter an exempt payee code because they are exempt only for sales of noncovered securities acquired prior to 2012.

Cat. No. 10231X

Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2024)


Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2024)
Page 4

IF the entity/individual on line 1 is a(n) ... THEN the payment is exempt for ...
• Barter exchange transactions and patronage dividends Exempt payees 1 through 4.
• Payments over $600 required to be reported and direct sales over $5,000^{1} Generally, exempt payees 1 through 5.^{2}
• Payments made in settlement of payment card or third-party network transactions Exempt payees 1 through 4.

1See Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Information, and its instructions.

2However, the following payments made to a corporation and reportable on Form 1099-MISC are not exempt from backup withholding: medical and health care payments, attorneys’ fees, gross proceeds paid to an attorney reportable under section 6045(f), and payments for services paid by a federal executive agency.

Exemption from FATCA reporting code. The following codes identify payees that are exempt from reporting under FATCA. These codes apply to persons submitting this form for accounts maintained outside of the United States by certain foreign financial institutions. Therefore, if you are only submitting this form for an account you hold in the United States, you may leave this field blank. Consult with the person requesting this form if you are uncertain if the financial institution is subject to these requirements. A requester may indicate that a code is not required by providing you with a Form W-9 with “Not Applicable” (or any similar indication) entered on the line for a FATCA exemption code.

A—An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a) or any individual retirement plan as defined in section 7701(a)(37).

B—The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.

C—A state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. commonwealth or territory, or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities.

D—A corporation the stock of which is regularly traded on one or more established securities markets, as described in Regulations section 1.1472-1(c)(1)(i).

E—A corporation that is a member of the same expanded affiliated group as a corporation described in Regulations section 1.1472-1(c)(1)(i).

F—A dealer in securities, commodities, or derivative financial instruments (including notional principal contracts, futures, forwards, and options) that is registered as such under the laws of the United States or any state.

G—A real estate investment trust.

H—A regulated investment company as defined in section 851 or an entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

I—A common trust fund as defined in section 584(a).

J—A bank as defined in section 581.

K—A broker.

L—A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or described in section 4947(a)(1).

M—A tax-exempt trust under a section 403(b) plan or section 457(g) plan.

Note: You may wish to consult with the financial institution requesting this form to determine whether the FATCA code and/or exempt payee code should be completed.

Line 5

Enter your address (number, street, and apartment or suite number). This is where the requester of this Form W-9 will mail your information returns. If this address differs from the one the requester already has on file, enter “NEW” at the top. If a new address is provided, there is still a chance the old address will be used until the payor changes your address in their records.

Line 6

Enter your city, state, and ZIP code.

Part I. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. If you are a resident alien and you do not have, and are not eligible to get, an SSN, your TIN is your IRS ITIN. Enter it in the entry space for the Social security number. If you do not have an ITIN, see How to get a TIN below.

If you are a sole proprietor and you have an EIN, you may enter either your SSN or EIN.

If you are a single-member LLC that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner, enter the owner’s SSN (or EIN, if the owner has one). If the LLC is classified as a corporation or partnership, enter the entity’s EIN.

Note: See What Name and Number To Give the Requester, later, for further clarification of name and TIN combinations.

How to get a TIN. If you do not have a TIN, apply for one immediately. To apply for an SSN, get Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, from your local SSA office or get this form online at www.SSA.gov. You may also get this form by calling 800-772-1213. Use Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, to apply for an ITIN, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, to apply for an EIN. You can apply for an EIN online by accessing the IRS website at www.irs.gov/ZIN. Go to www.irs.gov/Forms to view, download, or print Form W-7 and/or Form SS-4. Or, you can go to www.irs.gov/OrderForms to place an order and have Form W-7 and/or Form SS-4 mailed to you within 15 business days.

If you are asked to complete Form W-9 but do not have a TIN, apply for a TIN and enter “Applied For” in the space for the TIN, sign and date the form, and give it to the requester. For interest and dividend payments, and certain payments made with respect to readily tradable instruments, you will generally have 60 days to get a TIN and give it to the requester before you are subject to backup withholding on payments. The 60-day rule does not apply to other types of payments. You will be subject to backup withholding on all such payments until you provide your TIN to the requester.

Note: Entering “Applied For” means that you have already applied for a TIN or that you intend to apply for one soon. See also Establishing U.S. status for purposes of chapter 3 and chapter 4 withholding, earlier, for when you may instead be subject to withholding under chapter 3 or 4 of the Code.

Caution: A disregarded U.S. entity that has a foreign owner must use the appropriate Form W-8.

Part II. Certification

To establish to the withholding agent that you are a U.S. person, or resident alien, sign Form W-9. You may be requested to sign by the withholding agent even if item 1, 4, or 5 below indicates otherwise.

For a joint account, only the person whose TIN is shown in Part I should sign (when required). In the case of a disregarded entity, the person identified on line 1 must sign. Exempt payees, see Exempt payee code, earlier.

Signature requirements. Complete the certification as indicated in items 1 through 5 below.

Cat. No. 10231X
Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2024)


Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2024)

  1. Interest, dividend, and barter exchange accounts opened before 1984 and broker accounts considered active during 1983. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification.
  2. Interest, dividend, broker, and barter exchange accounts opened after 1983 and broker accounts considered inactive during 1983. You must sign the certification or backup withholding will apply. If you are subject to backup withholding and you are merely providing your correct TIN to the requester, you must cross out item 2 in the certification before signing the form.
  3. Real estate transactions. You must sign the certification. You may cross out item 2 of the certification.
  4. Other payments. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification unless you have been notified that you have previously given an incorrect TIN. "Other payments" include payments made in the course of the requester's trade or business for rents, royalties, goods (other than bills for merchandise), medical and health care services (including payments to corporations), payments to a nonemployee for services, payments made in settlement of payment card and third-party network transactions, payments to certain fishing boat crew members and fishermen, and gross proceeds paid to attorneys (including payments to corporations).
  5. Mortgage interest paid by you, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, qualified tuition program payments (under section 529), ABLE accounts (under section 529A), IRA, Coverdell ESA, Archer MSA or HSA contributions or distributions, and pension distributions. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification.

What Name and Number To Give the Requester

For this type of account: Give name and SSN of:
1. Individual The individual
2. Two or more individuals (joint account) other than an account maintained by an FFI The actual owner of the account or, if combined funds, the first individual on the account1
3. Two or more U.S. persons (joint account maintained by an FFI) Each holder of the account
4. Custodial account of a minor (Uniform Gift to Minors Act) The minor2
5. a. The usual revocable savings trust (grantor is also trustee) The grantor-trustee1
b. So-called trust account that is not a legal or valid trust under state law The actual owner1
6. Sole proprietorship or disregarded entity owned by an individual The owner2
7. Grantor trust filing under Optional Filing Method 1 (see Regulations section 1.671-4(b)(2)(i)(A))** The grantor*
8. Disregarded entity not owned by an individual The owner
9. A valid trust, estate, or pension trust Legal entity4
10. Corporation or LLC electing corporate status on Form 8832 or Form 2553 The corporation
For this type of account: Give name and SSN of:
--- ---
11. Association, club, religious, charitable, educational, or other tax-exempt organization The organization
12. Partnership or multi-member LLC The partnership
13. A broker or registered nominee The broker or nominee
14. Account with the Department of Agriculture in the name of a public entity (such as a state or local government, school district, or prison) that receives agricultural program payments The public entity
15. Grantor trust filing Form 1041 or under the Optional Filing Method 2, requiring Form 1099 (see Regulations section 1.671-4(b)(2)(i)(B))** The trust

1List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish. If only one person on a joint account has an SSN, that person's number must be furnished.
2Circle the minor's name and furnish the minor's SSN.
3You must show your individual name on line 1, and enter your business or DBA name, if any, on line 2. You may use either your SSN or EIN (if you have one), but the IRS encourages you to use your SSN.
4List first and circle the name of the trust, estate, or pension trust. (Do not furnish the TIN of the personal representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated in the account title.)
Note: The grantor must also provide a Form W-9 to the trustee of the trust.
*For more information on optional filing methods for grantor trusts, see the Instructions for Form 1041.
Note: If no name is circled when more than one name is listed, the number will be considered to be that of the first name listed.

Secure Your Tax Records From Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information, such as your name, SSN, or other identifying information, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes. An identity thief may use your SSN to get a job or may file a tax return using your SSN to receive a refund.

To reduce your risk:

  • Protect your SSN,
  • Ensure your employer is protecting your SSN, and
  • Be careful when choosing a tax return preparer.

If your tax records are affected by identity theft and you receive a notice from the IRS, respond right away to the name and phone number printed on the IRS notice or letter.

If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft but you think you are at risk due to a lost or stolen purse or wallet, questionable credit card activity, or a questionable credit report, contact the IRS Identity Theft Hotline at 800-908-4490 or submit Form 14039.

Cat. No. 10231X

Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2024)


Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2024)

For more information, see Pub. 5027, Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers.

Victims of identity theft who are experiencing economic harm or a systemic problem, or are seeking help in resolving tax problems that have not been resolved through normal channels, may be eligible for Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) assistance. You can reach TAS by calling the TAS toll-free case intake line at 877-777-4778 or TTY/TDD 800-829-4059.

Protect yourself from suspicious emails or phishing schemes. Phishing is the creation and use of email and websites designed to mimic legitimate business emails and websites. The most common act is sending an email to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft.

The IRS does not initiate contacts with taxpayers via emails. Also, the IRS does not request personal detailed information through email or ask taxpayers for the PIN numbers, passwords, or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts.

If you receive an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, forward this message to [email protected]. You may also report misuse of the IRS name, logo, or other IRS property to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 800-366-4484. You can forward suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at [email protected] or report them at www.ftc.gov/complaint. You can contact the FTC at www.ftc.gov/idtheft or 877-IDTHEFT (877-438-4338). If you have been the victim of identity theft, see www.IdentityTheft.gov and Pub. 5027.

Go to www.irs.gov/IdentityTheft to learn more about identity theft and how to reduce your risk.

Privacy Act Notice

Section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code requires you to provide your correct TIN to persons (including federal agencies) who are required to file information returns with the IRS to report interest, dividends, or certain other income paid to you; mortgage interest you paid; the acquisition or abandonment of secured property; the cancellation of debt; or contributions you made to an IRA, Archer MSA, or HSA. The person collecting this form uses the information on the form to file information returns with the IRS, reporting the above information. Routine uses of this information include giving it to the Department of Justice for civil and criminal litigation and to cities, states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. commonwealths and territories for use in administering their laws. The information may also be disclosed to other countries under a treaty, to federal and state agencies to enforce civil and criminal laws, or to federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat terrorism. You must provide your TIN whether or not you are required to file a tax return. Under section 3406, payors must generally withhold a percentage of taxable interest, dividends, and certain other payments to a payee who does not give a TIN to the payor. Certain penalties may also apply for providing false or fraudulent information.

Cat. No. 10231X

Form W-9 (Rev. 3-2024)


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BOX H

CERTIFICATION OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU WROTE “APPLIED FOR” IN PART I OF THE ATTACHED IRS FORM W-9.

I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number has not been issued to me, and either (a) I have mailed or delivered an application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate IRS Center or Social Security Administration Office, or (b) I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future (as described in the instructions to IRS Form W-9). I understand that if I do not provide a TIN by the time of payment, 24% of the gross cash proceeds of such payment made to me may be withheld and such withheld amounts will be treated as having been paid to the persons with respect to whom such amounts were withheld.

Signature of U.S. Shareholder: ____
Date: ____


16

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Use of Letter of Transmittal

(a) Riverside Shareholders should read the accompanying Information Circular prior to completing this Letter of Transmittal. The terms and conditions of the Arrangement are incorporated by reference in this Letter of Transmittal and capitalized terms used but not defined in this Letter of Transmittal that are defined in the Information Circular have the meanings set out in the Information Circular.

(b) This Letter of Transmittal duly completed and signed together with accompanying certificate(s) representing Riverside Shares and all other required documents must be sent or delivered to the Depositary at the addresses specified on the last page of this Letter of Transmittal. In order to receive certificates or DRS Advice Statements representing the New Riverside Shares and Blue Jay Spinout Shares issuable under the Arrangement in exchange for the Riverside Shares, it is recommended that the foregoing documents be received by the Depositary at the address specified on the last page of this Letter of Transmittal as soon as possible.

(c) The method used to deliver this Letter of Transmittal and any accompanying certificate(s) representing Riverside Shares and all other required documents is at the option and risk of the holder surrendering them, and delivery will be deemed effective only when such documents are actually received by the Depositary. Riverside recommends that the necessary documentation be hand delivered to the Depositary at the address specified on the last page of this Letter of Transmittal, and a receipt obtained therefor; otherwise the use of registered mail with return receipt requested, and with proper insurance obtained, is recommended. Riverside Shareholders whose Riverside Shares are registered in the name of a broker, investment dealer, bank, trust company or other nominee should contact that nominee for assistance in delivering those Riverside Shares. Delivery to an office other than to the specified office does not constitute delivery for this purpose. Do not send the share certificate(s) or the Letter of Transmittal to Riverside or Blue Jay.

(d) Riverside reserves the right if it so elect in its absolute discretion to instruct the Depositary to waive any defect or irregularity contained in any Letter of Transmittal and/or accompanying documents received by it.

(e) If the certificates or DRS Advice Statements representing the New Riverside Shares and Blue Jay Spinout Shares are to be issued in the name of a person other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or if the certificates or DRS Advice Statements are to be mailed to someone other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or to the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal at an address other than that shown above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed (Box “A” and Box “B”).

(f) Any share certificate (if applicable) which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding Riverside Shares that is not deposited with all other required instruments on or prior to the sixth anniversary of the Effective Date shall cease to represent a claim or interest of any kind or nature as a shareholder of Riverside or Blue Jay. On such date, the certificates or DRS Advice Statements representing the New Riverside Shares and Blue Jay Spinout Shares to which the former Riverside Shareholder was ultimately entitled shall be deemed to have been surrendered for no consideration to Riverside or Blue Jay, as applicable. None of Riverside, Blue Jay or the Depositary shall be liable to any person in respect of any New Riverside Shares or Blue Jay Spinout Shares (or dividends, distributions and interest in respect thereof) delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.

2. Signatures

This Letter of Transmittal must be completed, dated and signed in Box “F” by the holder of Riverside Shares or by such holder’s duly authorized representative (in accordance with Instruction 4).


17

(a) If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of the accompanying certificate(s), such signature(s) on this Letter of Transmittal must correspond with the name(s) as registered or as written on the face of such certificate(s) without any change whatsoever, and the certificate(s) need not be endorsed. If such transmitted certificate(s) are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.

(b) If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered owner(s) of the accompanying certificate(s):

(i) such deposited certificate(s) must be endorsed or be accompanied by appropriate share transfer power(s) of attorney duly and properly completed by the registered owner(s); and

(ii) the signature(s) on such endorsement or power(s) of attorney must correspond exactly to the name(s) of the registered owner(s) as registered or as appearing on the certificate(s) representing the Riverside Shares and must be guaranteed as noted in Instruction 3.

(c) If any of the Deposited Shares are registered in different names on several certificates (if applicable), it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal as there are different registrations of such Deposited Shares.

3. Guarantee of Signatures

No signature guarantee is required on this Letter of Transmittal if this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of Riverside Shares surrendered herewith. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered owner(s) of the Riverside Shares or, if the certificates or DRS Advice Statements representing New Riverside Shares and Blue Jay Spinout Shares are to be delivered to a person other than the registered owner(s) or sent to an address other than the address of the registered owner(s) as shown on the register of Riverside, such signature must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution (as defined below), or in some other manner satisfactory to the Depositary.

An “Eligible Institution” means a Canadian Schedule I chartered bank, a member of the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (STAMP), a member of the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program (SEMP) or a member of the New York Stock Exchange Inc. Medallion Signature Program (MSP). Members of these programs are usually members of a recognized stock exchange in Canada or the United States, members of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, members of the National Association of Securities Dealers or banks and trust companies in the United States.

4. Fiduciaries, Representatives and Authorizations

Where this Letter of Transmittal or any share transfer power(s) of attorney are executed by a person as an executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, or on behalf of a corporation, partnership or association or is executed by any other person acting in a representative capacity, such person should so indicate when signing and this Letter of Transmittal must be accompanied by satisfactory evidence of the authority to act. Riverside or the Depositary, at their discretion, may require additional evidence of authority or additional documentation.

5. Delivery Instructions

The certificates or DRS Advice Statements representing New Riverside Shares and Blue Jay Spinout Shares to be delivered in exchange for the Deposited Shares will be issued in the name of the person indicated in Box “A” or Box “B” and delivered to the address indicated in Box “A” or Box “B”, as the case may be. If the certificates or DRS Advice Statements representing New Riverside Shares and Blue Jay Spinout Shares are to be held for pick-up at the offices of the Depositary, complete Box “C”. If none of Box “A”, Box “B” nor Box “C” are completed, the certificates or DRS Advice Statements representing New Riverside Shares and Blue Jay Spinout Shares issued in exchange for the Deposited Shares will be issued in the name of the registered holder of the Deposited Shares and will be mailed to the address of the registered holder of the Deposited Shares as it appears on the securities register of Riverside. The certificates or DRS Advice Statements representing New Riverside Shares and Blue Jay Spinout Shares mailed in accordance with this Letter of Transmittal will be deemed to be delivered at the time of mailing.


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6. Tax Instructions for U.S. Shareholders

For purposes of this Letter of Transmittal, a “U.S. Person” is a beneficial owner of Riverside Shares that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is (a) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S. (including a U.S. resident alien), (b) a corporation, partnership, other entity classified as a corporation or partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or association that is created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, or any political subdivision thereof or therein, (c) an estate if the income of such estate is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of the source of such income, or (d) a trust if (i) such trust has validly elected to be treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or (ii) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of such trust.

In order to avoid backup withholding on any payment made with respect to the Riverside Shares pursuant to the Arrangement, you are required, if you are a U.S. Person or are acting on behalf of a U.S. Person, to provide your correct U.S. taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) (or the TIN of the person on whose behalf you are acting) on Box “G” - IRS Form W-9 and certify, under penalties of perjury, (1) that such TIN is correct (or that the holder is awaiting a TIN), (2) that (i) the holder is exempt from backup withholding; (ii) the holder has not been notified by the IRS that such holder is subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends; or (iii) the IRS has notified the holder that such holder is no longer subject to backup withholding; and (3) that the holder is a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes (including a U.S. resident alien). If the correct TIN is not provided or if any other information is not correctly provided, such holder may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS and payments made with respect to the Riverside Shares may be subject to backup withholding of 24%. The U.S. Person may be required to furnish the TIN of the registered owner of the Riverside Shares. The instructions on page 4 of the Form W-9 explain the proper certification to use if the Riverside Shares are registered in more than one name or are not registered in the name of the actual owner.

The TIN is generally the U.S. Social Security number or the U.S. federal identification number of the U.S. Person. The U.S. Person may specify on IRS Form W-9 that such U.S. Person has “Applied For” a TIN such U.S. Person has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends to apply for a TIN in the near future. In such event, the U.S. Person must also complete Box “H” - Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number in order to avoid backup withholding. If a U.S. Person completes the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number, the Depositary may withhold 24% of the gross proceeds of any payment made to such U.S. Person prior to the time a properly certified TIN is provided to the Depositary, and if the Depositary is not provided with a TIN within sixty (60) days of the day the Depositary receives such IRS Form W-9, such amounts will be paid over to the IRS.

Certain U.S. Persons (including, among others, certain corporations, certain “not-for-profit” organizations, and certain non-U.S. persons) are exempt from backup withholding and reporting requirements. Such exempt holders should indicate their exempt status by entering in the correct “Exempt payee code” on line 4 in IRS Form W-9. See the instructions beginning on page 2 of the Form W-9 for additional instructions. Each Riverside Shareholder is urged to consult his or her own tax advisor to determine whether, in connection with the Arrangement, such holder is exempt from backup withholding and information reporting.

If you are not a U.S. Person, you may be subject to backup withholding on payments received pursuant to the Arrangement if you furnished in Box “A” or Box “B” an address which is located within the United States or any territory or possession thereof, unless you furnish the appropriate, properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8. If you require a Form W-8, please contact the Depositary.

Riverside reserves the right in its sole discretion to take whatever steps are necessary to comply with its obligations regarding backup withholding. Taxes withheld pursuant to the Arrangement will be treated for all purposes as having been paid to the persons with respect to whom such amounts were withheld.

Failure to provide the required information on the Form W-9 or to provide a Form W-8, as applicable, may subject the Riverside Shareholder to penalties imposed by the IRS and backup withholding of all or a portion of any payment received pursuant to the Arrangement. Serious penalties may be imposed for providing false information which, if willfully done, may result in fines and/or imprisonment.


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A HOLDER WHO FAILS TO PROPERLY COMPLETE THE IRS FORM W-9 SET OUT IN BOX “G” OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR, IF APPLICABLE, THE APPROPRIATE IRS FORM W-8, MAY BE SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING AT THE APPLICABLE STATUTORY RATE (CURRENTLY 24%) WITH RESPECT TO ALL OR A PORTION OF PAYMENTS MADE TO SUCH HOLDER PURSUANT TO THE ARRANGEMENT AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO PENALTIES.

BACKUP WITHHOLDING IS NOT AN ADDITIONAL TAX. RATHER, THE REGULAR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LIABILITY OF PERSONS SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING WILL BE REDUCED BY THE AMOUNT OF SUCH TAX WITHHELD. IF WITHHOLDING RESULTS IN AN OVERPAYMENT OF TAXES, A REFUND MAY GENERALLY BE OBTAINED BY FILING A TIMELY CLAIM FOR REFUND WITH THE IRS. THE DEPOSITARY CANNOT REFUND AMOUNTS WITHHELD BY REASON OF BACKUP WITHHOLDING.

7. Miscellaneous

(a) If the space on this Letter of Transmittal is insufficient to list all certificates (if applicable) for Riverside Shares, additional certificate numbers and numbers of Riverside Shares may be included on a separate signed list affixed to this Letter of Transmittal. If Riverside Shares are registered in different forms (e.g. “John Doe” and “J. Doe”), a separate Letter of Transmittal should be signed for each different registration.

(b) No alternative, conditional or contingent deposit of Riverside Shares will be accepted.

(c) Additional copies of this Letter of Transmittal may be obtained from the Depositary at the address specified on the last page of this Letter of Transmittal.

(d) It is strongly recommended that prior to completing this Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned read the accompanying Information Circular.

(e) No dividends or other distributions, if any, in respect of New Riverside Shares and Blue Jay Spinout Shares declared and payable to holders of New Riverside Shares and Blue Jay Spinout Shares of record after the Effective Time will be paid to the holders of any unsurrendered share certificates (if applicable) formerly representing Riverside Shares until the share certificates (if applicable) representing such Riverside Shares are surrendered and delivered as provided in the Arrangement and this Letter of Transmittal.

8. Lost Certificates

If a share certificate representing the Riverside Shares has been lost, stolen or destroyed, this Letter of Transmittal should be completed as fully as possible and forwarded together with a letter describing the loss to the Depositary. The Depositary will respond with the replacement requirements. The Depositary will respond with the replacement requirements (which may include an affidavit of loss and indemnity bonding requirements) that must be satisfied in order for the undersigned to receive the New Riverside Shares and the Blue Jay Spinout Shares in accordance with the Arrangement.

9. Privacy

The undersigned acknowledges that this Letter of Transmittal requires the undersigned to provide certain personal information to Riverside, Blue Jay and the Depositary. Riverside, Blue Jay and/or the Depositary are collecting such information for the purposes of completing the Arrangement, which includes, without limitation, determining the undersigned’s eligibility to receive the New Riverside Shares and Blue Jay Shares as set forth under the terms of the Arrangement. The undersigned’s personal information may be disclosed by or on behalf of Riverside, Blue Jay and/or the Depositary to: (a) Riverside, Blue Jay and the Depositary; (b) the Canada Revenue Agency; and (c) any of the other parties involved in the Arrangement, including legal counsel and other advisors. By executing this Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned is deemed to be consenting to the foregoing collection, use and disclosure of the undersigned’s personal information.


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The Depositary is:

ENDEAVOR TRUST CORPORATION

By Registered Mail, Hand or by Courier:
Suite 702 - 777 Hornby Street
Vancouver, BC
V6Z 1S4
Attention: Corporate Actions

By Mail:
Suite 702 - 777 Hornby Street
Vancouver, BC
V6Z 1S4
Attention: Corporate Actions

For Inquires Only
+1-604-559-8880 - Vancouver
E-Mail: [email protected]

Any questions and requests for assistance may be directed by Riverside Shareholders to the Depositary at the telephone number and location set out above.