TRANSALTA CORP

Foreign Filer Report • Mar 9, 2012

6-K 1 a2207899z6-k.htm 6-K QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Private Issuer Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of March, 2012 Commission File Number: 001 - 15214

TRANSALTA CORPORATION (Translation of registrant's name into English)

110-12 th Avenue S.W., Box 1900, Station "M", Calgary, Alberta, T2P 2M1 (Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F o Form 40-F ý

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes o No ý

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-

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| 99.1 | The Management Proxy Circular of the Registrant dated March 9, 2012 (excluding the "Performance Graph", which shall be deemed not to be incorporated by reference) and the Notice of Meeting filed as part of
Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 6-K are hereby filed for the purpose of being and hereby are incorporated by reference into the Registrant's registration statements filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | Form | Registration No. |
| | S-8 | 333-72454 |
| | S-8 | 333-101470 |
| | F-10 | 333-162418 |
| | F-10 | 333-170465 |
| 99.2 | The Form of Proxy of the Registrant is hereby furnished, not filed, and will not be incorporated by reference into any registration
statement filed by TransAlta Corporation under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. | |

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Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

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TransAlta Corporation
By:	/s/ Maryse St.-Laurent
	Maryse St.-Laurent Vice-President and Corporate Secretary

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Date: March 9, 2012.

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EXHIBIT INDEX

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99.1	TransAlta Corporation's Notice of Annual Meeting and Management Proxy Circular, dated March 9, 2012 (Only those portions as described in the body of this report are being filed).
99.2	TransAlta Corporation's Form of Proxy for its 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is hereby furnished, not filed, and will not be
incorporated by reference into any registration statement filed by TransAlta Corporation under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

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QuickLinks

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