MERIDIAN INSURANCE GROUP INC
SC TO-T/A, EX-99.(A)(1)(P), 2000-09-18
FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE
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<PAGE>
                                                               Exhibit (a)(1)(P)

            GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
                         NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9

Guidelines for Determining the Proper Identification Number to Give the
Payer.--Social Security numbers have nine digits separated by two hyphens:
i.e., 000-00-0000. Employer identification numbers have nine digits separated
by only one hyphen: i.e., 00-0000000. The table below will help determine the
number to give the payer.

--------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              Give the
For this type of account:     SOCIAL SECURITY
                              Number of--
-----------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>
1. An individual's account    The individual
2. Two or more individuals    The actual owner
 (joint account)              of the account
                              or, if combined
                              funds, any one of
                              the individuals
                              (1)
3. Husband and wife (joint    The actual owner
 account)                     of the account
                              or, if
                              joint funds,
                              either person (1)
4. Custodian account of a     The minor (2)
 minor (Uniform Gift to
 Minors Act)
5. Adult and minor (joint     The adult or, if
 account)                     the minor is the
                              only contributor,
                              the minor (1)
6. Account in the name of     The ward, minor,
 guardian or committee for a  or incompetent
 designated ward, minor, or   person (3)
 incompetent person
7. a. The usual revocable     The grantor-
      savings trust account   trustee (1)
      (grantor is also
      trustee)
b. So-called trust account    The actual owner
   that is not a legal or     (1)
   valid trust under State
   law
8. Sole proprietorship        The owner (4)
 account
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Give the EMPLOYER
For this type of account:      IDENTIFICATION
                               Number of--
                                        --------
<S>                            <C>
 9. A valid trust, estate, or  The legal entity
  pension trust                (Do not furnish
                               the identifying
                               number of the
                               personal
                               representative or
                               trustee unless
                               the legal entity
                               itself is not
                               designated in the
                               account title.)
                               (5)
10. Corporate account          The corporation
11. Religious, charitable, or  The organization
  educational organization
  account
12. Partnership account held   The partnership
  in the name of the business
13. Association, club, or      The organization
  other tax-exempt
  organization
14. A broker or registered     The broker or
 nominee                       nominee
15. Account with the           The public entity
  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
</TABLE>
                                        ---------------------------------------

(1) List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish.
---------------------------------------
(2) Circle the minor's name and furnish the minor's social security number.
(3) Circle the ward's, minor's or incompetent person's name and furnish such
    person's social security number.
(4) Show the name of the owner.
(5) List first and circle the name of the legal trust, estate, or pension
    trust.

Note: If no name is circled when there is more than one name, the number will
    be considered to be that of the first name listed.
<PAGE>

            GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
                         NUMBER OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
                                    Page 2
Obtaining a Number
If you don't have a taxpayer identification number or you don't know your
number, obtain Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Number Card, or
Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, at the local office
of the Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service and
apply for a number.

Payees Exempt from Backup Withholding
Payees specifically exempted from backup withholding on ALL payments include
the following:
  . A corporation.
  . A financial institution.
  . An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), or an individual re-
    tirement plan.
  . The United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
  . A State, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or
    any subdivision or instrumentality thereof.
  . A foreign government, a political subdivision of a foreign government, or
    any agency or instrumentality thereof.
  . An international organization or any agency, or instrumentality thereof.
  . A registered dealer in securities or commodities registered in the U.S. or
    a possession of the U.S.
  . A real estate investment trust.
  . A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a)
  . An exempt charitable remainder trust, or a non-exempt trust described in
    section 4947(a)(1).
  . An entity registered at all times under the Investment Company Act of
    1940.
  . A foreign central bank of issue.
Payments of dividends and patronage dividends not generally subject to backup
withholding include the following:
  . Payments to nonresident aliens subject to withholding under section 1441.
  . Payments to partnerships not engaged in a trade or business in the U.S.
    and which have at least one nonresident partner.
  . Payments of patronage dividends where the amount received is not paid in
    money.
  . Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
  . Payments made to a nominee.
Payments of interest not generally subject to backup withholding include the
following:
  . Payments of interest on obligations issued by individuals. Note: You may
    be subject to backup withholding if this interest is $600 or more and is
    paid in the course of the payer's trade or business and you have not pro-
    vided your correct taxpayer identification number to the payer.
  . Payments of tax-exempt interest (including exempt-interest dividends under
    section 852).
  . Payments described in section 6049(b)(5) to non-resident aliens.
  . Payments on tax-free covenant bonds under section 1451.
  . Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
  . Payments made to a nominee.
Exempt payees described above should file Form W-9 to avoid possible erroneous
backup withholding. FILE THIS FORM WITH THE PAYER, FURNISH YOUR TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WRITE "EXEMPT" ON THE FACE OF THE FORM, AND RETURN IT
TO THE PAYER. IF THE PAYMENTS ARE INTEREST, DIVIDENDS, OR PATRONAGE DIVIDENDS,
ALSO SIGN AND DATE THE FORM.
 Certain payments other than interest, dividends, and patronage dividends,
that are not subject to information reporting are also not subject to backup
withholding. For details, see the regulations under sections 6041, 6041A(a),
6045, and 6050A.
Privacy Act Notice.--Section 6109 requires most recipients of dividend, inter-
est, or other payments to give taxpayer identification numbers to payers who
must report the payments to IRS. IRS uses the numbers for identification pur-
poses. Payers must be given the numbers whether or not recipients are required
to file tax returns. Beginning January 1, 1993, payers must generally withhold
31% of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who
does not furnish a taxpayer identification number to a payer. Certain penal-
ties may also apply.

Penalties
(1) Penalty for Failure to Furnish Taxpayer Identification Number.--If you
fail to furnish your taxpayer identification number to a payer, you are sub-
ject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to
reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.
(2) Failure to Report Certain Dividend and Interest Payments.--If you fail to
include any portion of an includible payment for interest, dividends, or pat-
ronage dividends in gross income, such failure will be treated as being due to
negligence and will be subject to a penalty of 5% on any portion of an under-
payment attributable to that failure unless there is clear and convincing evi-
dence to the contrary.
(3) Civil Penalty for False Information With Respect to Withholding.--If you
make a false statement with no reasonable basis which results in no imposition
of backup withholding, you are subject to a penalty of $500.
(4) Criminal Penalty for Falsifying Information.--Falsifying certifications or
affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or im-
prisonment.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE
SERVICE.


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