Company: SOJE
Filing Date: 2025-01-08
Form Type: 424B5
Source: 0000092122-25-000002
Chunk: 23

Company: SOUTHERN CO
Filing Date: 2025-01-08
Form: 424B5
Chunk 23
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 on all relevant facts and circumstances. There is no statutory, judicial or administrative authority that directly addresses the United States federal income tax treatment of securities similar to the Series 2025A Junior Subordinated Notes and no rulings have been sought, or are expected to be sought, from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”). In the opinion of Troutman Pepper Locke LLP, under current law, based upon the facts contained in this Prospectus Supplement and assuming full compliance with the terms of the Subordinated Note Indenture and other relevant documents, and based on certain assumptions and representations relied upon in rendering such opinion, the Series 2025A Junior Subordinated Notes constitute indebtedness of the Company for United States federal income tax purposes (although there is no controlling authority directly on point). This opinion is not binding on the IRS or any court and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will agree with this opinion. If the IRS were to challenge successfully the classification of the Series 2025A Junior Subordinated Notes as indebtedness of the Company, interest payments on the Series 2025A Junior Subordinated Notes would be treated for United States federal income tax purposes as dividends to the extent of the Company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits. In the case of Non-United States Holders, dividends would be subject to withholding of United States income tax, except to the extent

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provided by an applicable income tax treaty and except to the extent effectively connected with the conduct of a Non-United States Holder’s U.S. trade or business (and, if an applicable income tax treaty applies, if the Non-United States Holder maintains a permanent establishment within the United States), in which case the Non-United States Holder will be subject to United States federal income tax on the dividends on a net income basis in the same manner as a United States Holder. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their particular tax consequences if the Series 2025A Junior Subordinated Notes are not treated as indebtedness for United States federal income tax purposes.

The Company agrees, and by acquiring an interest in a Series 2025A Junior Subordinated Note, each beneficial owner of a Series 2025A Junior Subordinated Note will agree to treat the Series 2025A Junior Subordinated Notes as indebtedness of the Company for United States federal income tax purposes. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Series 2025A Junior Subordinated Notes are classified as indebtedness for United States federal income