# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0000034273
**File Stem:** 0001213900-25-088023
**Filing Date:** 2025-9
**Character Count:** 118200
**Document Hash:** b58d8343ce1cf7fd53d41f27e5e66b7e
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001213900-25-088023.hdr.sgml**: 20250916

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001213900-25-088023

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 485BPOS

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 4

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20250916

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20250916

**EFFECTIVENESS DATE**: 20250916

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** VIRTUS EQUITY TRUST
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0000034273

**ORGANIZATION NAME:**
- **EIN:** 036066130
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 0331

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 485BPOS
- **SEC ACT:** 1933 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 333-288369
- **FILM NUMBER:** 251316434

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 101 MUNSON STEET
- **CITY:** GREENFIELD
- **STATE:** MA
- **ZIP:** 01301
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 800-243-1574

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** ONE FINANCIAL PLAZA
- **STREET 2:** 26TH FLOOR
- **CITY:** HARTFORD
- **STATE:** CT
- **ZIP:** 06103

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** PHOENIX EQUITY TRUST
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20040628

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** PHOENIX ABERDEEN WORLDWIDE OPPORTUNITIES FUND
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19981215

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** PHOENIX WORLDWIDE OPPORTUNITIES FUND
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19940505

## Series and Classes Contracts Data

### Virtus KAR Equity Income Fund (Series ID: S000021177)

| Class ID   | Class Name   | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000060285 | Class A      | PDIAX           |
| C000060287 | Class C      | PGICX           |
| C000060288 | Class I      | PXIIX           |
| C000199782 | Class R6     | VECRX           |

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 16, 2025

1933 Act Registration No. 333-288369

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form N-14

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE

SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

☐ Pre-Effective ☒ Post-Effective <br> Amendment No. Amendment No. 2

VIRTUS EQUITY TRUST

[Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter]

Area Code and Telephone Number: (800) 243-1574

101 Munson Street

Greenfield, Massachusetts 01301

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Jennifer S. Fromm, Esq.

Chief Legal Officer

Virtus Equity Trust

One Financial Plaza

Hartford, Connecticut 06103

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Copies of All Correspondence to:

Mark D. Perlow Esq.

Dechert LLP

45 Fremont Street, 26th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94105

It is proposed that this filing will become effective immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph 485(b).

**EXPLANATORY NOTE**

This Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 is being filed solely for the purpose of filing the final tax opinion as Exhibit 12 to the Registration Statement on Form N-14 (File No. 333-288369), supporting the tax matters and consequences to shareholders in connection with the reorganization of Virtus KAR Global Dividend Fund, a series of Virtus Equity Trust, into Virtus KAR Equity Income Fund, a series of Virtus Equity Trust, as required by Item 16(12) of Form N-14. [Part A is incorporated herein by reference to the definitive Information Statement/Prospectus filed on Form N-14 on July 28, 2025 (Accession No. 0001213900-25-068117).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000121390025068117/ea0246832-04_485bpos.htm) [Part B is incorporated herein by reference to the definitive Information Statement/Prospectus and the definitive Statement of Additional Information filed on Form N-14 on July 28, 2025 (Accession No. 0001213900-25-068117).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000121390025068117/ea0246832-04_485bpos.htm)

VIRTUS EQUITY TRUST

PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 15. Indemnification.

The indemnification of Registrant's principal underwriter against certain losses is provided for in Section 16 of the Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 7.a. Indemnification of Registrant's Custodian is provided for in Section 9.9, among others, of the Custody Agreement incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits 9.a through 9.u. The indemnification of Registrant's Transfer Agent is provided for in Article 6 of the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 13.a. The Trust has entered into Indemnification Agreements with each trustee, the form of which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits 13.jjjj through 13.oooo whereby the Registrant shall indemnify the trustee for expenses incurred in any proceeding in connection with the trustee's service to the Registrant subject to certain limited exceptions.

Section 17(i) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, requires that no contract or agreement under which any person undertakes to act as investment adviser of, or principal underwriter for, a registered investment company contain any provision which protects or purports to protect such person against any liability to such company or its security holders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence, in the performance of his duties, or by reason of his reckless disregard of his obligations and duties under such contract or agreement. Therefore, to the extent that any contract or agreement with the Registrant's investment adviser or principal underwriter would be interpreted as providing an impermissible limitation of liability of this nature, such limitation will not be enforceable.

In addition, Article VII sections 2 and 3 of the Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of Trust incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits 1.a through 1.e, provides in relevant part as follows:

"A Trustee, when acting in such capacity, shall not be personally liable to any Person, other than the Trust or a Shareholder to the extent provided in this Article VII, for any act, omission or obligation of the Trust, of such Trustee or of any other Trustee. The Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any officer, agent, employee, Manager or Principal Underwriter of the Trust. The Trust (i) may indemnify an agent of the Trust or any Person who is serving or has served at the Trust's request as an agent of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise and (ii) shall indemnify each Person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer or employee of the Trust and any Person who is serving or has served at the Trust's request as a director, officer, trustee, or employee of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise, in the case of (i) and (ii), to the fullest extent consistent with the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and in the manner provided in the By-Laws; provided that such indemnification shall not be available to any of the foregoing Persons in connection with a claim, suit or other proceeding by any such Person against the Trust or a Series (or Class) thereof.

All persons extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the Trust or the Trustees shall look only to the assets of the appropriate Series (or Class thereof if the Trustees have included a Class limitation on liability in the agreement with such person as provided below), or, if the Trustees have yet to establish Series, of the Trust for payment under such credit, contract or claim; and neither the Trustees nor the Shareholders, nor any of the Trust's officers, employees or agents, whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor.

Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking and every other act or thing whatsoever executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees by any of them in connection with the Trust shall conclusively be deemed to have been executed or done only in or with respect to his or their capacity as Trustee or Trustees, and such Trustee or Trustees shall not be personally liable thereon. …

… A Trustee shall be liable to the Trust and to any Shareholder solely for her or his own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees may take advice of counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning and operation of this Declaration of Trust, and shall be under no liability for any act or omission in accordance with such advice nor for failing to follow such advice."

In addition, Article III section 7 of such Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides for the indemnification of shareholders of the Registrant as follows: "If any Shareholder or former Shareholder shall be exposed to liability by reason of a claim or demand relating to such Person being or having been a Shareholder, and not because of such Person's acts or omissions, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or such Person's heirs, executors, administrators, or other legal representatives or in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general successor) shall be entitled to be held harmless from and indemnified out of the assets of the Trust against all cost and expense reasonably incurred in connection with such claim or demand, but only out of the assets held with respect to the particular Series of Shares of which such Person is or was a Shareholder and from or in relation to which such liability arose. The Trust may, at its option and shall, upon request by the Shareholder, assume the defense of any claim made against the Shareholder for any act or obligation of the Trust and satisfy any judgment thereon from the assets held with respect to the particular series."

Article VI Section 2 of the Registrant's Bylaws incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits 2.a through 2.d, provides in relevant part, subject to certain exceptions and limitations, "every agent shall be indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against all liabilities and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him or her in connection with any proceeding in which he or she becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his or her being or having been an agent." Such indemnification would not apply in the case of any liability to which the Registrant would otherwise be subject by reason of or for willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of such person's duties.

The Investment Advisory Agreement, Subadvisory Agreements, Custody Agreement, Foreign Custody Manager Agreement, Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement and Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement, each as amended, respectively provide that the Registrant will indemnify the other party (or parties, as the case may be) to the agreement for certain losses. Similar indemnities to those listed above may appear in other agreements to which the Registrant is a party.

The Registrant, in conjunction with VIA, the Registrant's Trustees, and other registered investment management companies managed by VIA or its affiliates, maintains insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Registrant, or who is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of another trust or corporation, against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by him or arising out of his position. However, in no event will Registrant maintain insurance to indemnify any such person for any act for which the Registrant itself is not permitted to indemnify him.

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Item 16. Exhibits:

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| 1(a). | [Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Virtus Equity Trust ("Registrant" or "VET"), dated August 17, 2000, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit a) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 (File No. 002-16590) on October 30, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000094937700000626/0000949377-00-000626-0002.txt) |

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|:---|:---|
| 1(b). | [Amendment to the Declaration of Trust of the Registrant, dated November 16, 2006, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit a.2) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 (File No. 002-16590) on October 25, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000119312507225412/dex99a2.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 1(c). | [Second Amendment to the Declaration of Trust of the Registrant, dated August 20, 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit a.3) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 106 (File No. 002-16590) on July 20, 2016, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000157104916016667/t1601769_ex99-a3.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 1(d). | [Third Amendment to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Registrant, dated November 17, 2016, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit a.4) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 110 (File No. 002-16590) on April 10, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000157104917003315/t1700431_ex99-a4.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 1(e). | [Fourth Amendment to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Registrant, dated June 2, 2017, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit a.5) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 (File No. 002-16590) on July 26, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000157104917006960/t1702103_exa-5.htm) |

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| 2(a). | [Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant dated November 16, 2005, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit b.1) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 84 (File No. 002-16590) on October 27, 2006, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000094937706000887/pet78894ex-b1.txt) |

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| 2(b). | [Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant, dated August 23, 2006, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit b.2) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 84 (File No. 002-16590) on October 27, 2006, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000094937706000887/pet78894ex-b2.txt) |

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| 2(c). | [Amendment No. 2 to the Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant, dated November 17, 2011, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit b.3) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 95 (File No. 002-16590) on July 27, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000119312512319547/d377135dex99b3.htm) |

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| 2(d). | [Amendment No. 3 to the Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant, dated November 16, 2022, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit b.4) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 (File No. 002-16590) on January 24, 2023, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000093041323000115/c105278_ex99b4.htm) |

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3. Not applicable.

4. Form of Agreement and Plan of Reorganization. Exhibit A to the Prospectus contained in Part A of this
Registration Statement.

5. None other than as set forth in Exhibits 1 and 2.

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| 6(a). | [Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Virtus Investment Advisors, Inc. ("VIA") effective November 20, 2002, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.1) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 (File No. 002-16590) on October 28, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000094937703000793/pawo62850_ex-d1.txt) |

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| 6(b). | [First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and VIA, made as of October 21, 2004, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.4) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 (File No. 002-16590) on October 21, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000094937704000692/pet_67590-exd4.txt) |

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| 6(c). | [Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and VIA dated July 29, 2005, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.3) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 (File No. 002-16590) on October 25, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000094937705000826/pet73908_ex-d3.txt) |

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| 6(d). | [Third Amendment to the Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and VIA dated July 13, 2007, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.7) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 (File No. 002-16590) on October 25, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000119312507225412/dex99d7.htm) |

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| 6(e). | [Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and VIA dated March 10, 2008, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.8) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 (File No. 002-16590) on June 6, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000119312508129327/dex99d8.htm) |

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| 6(f). | [Fifth Amendment to Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and VIA dated June 22, 2009, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.15) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 91 (File No. 002-16590) on June 22, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000119312509134759/dex99d15.htm) |

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| 6(g). | [Sixth Amendment to Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and VIA effective January 1, 2010, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit 6.p) with the Registration Statement (File No. 333-165702) on Form N-14 on March 25, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000119312510067244/dex996p.htm) |

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| 6(h). | [Seventh Amendment to Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and VIA effective June 25, 2010, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.20) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 92 (File No. 002-16590) on July 28, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000119312510169060/dex99d20.htm) |

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| 6(i). | [Eighth Amendment to Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and VIA effective May 8, 2017, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.1.h) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 114 (File No. 002-16590) on December 21, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420417064693/tv480802_ex99-d1h.htm) |

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| 6(j). | [Ninth Amendment to Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and VIA effective March 6, 2018, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.1.i) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 117 (File No. 002-16590) on March 6, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420418013023/tv487706_ex99-d1i.htm) |

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| 6(k). | [Tenth Amendment to Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and VIA effective December 1, 2018, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit 6(k)) to Form N-14 (File No. 333-239625) on July 1, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465920079884/tm2023598d1_ex99-6k.htm) |

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| 6(l). | [Eleventh Amendment to Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and VIA effective May 5, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit 6(l)) to Form N-14 (File No. 333-239625) on July 1, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465920079884/tm2023598d1_ex99-6l.htm) |

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| 6(m). | [Twelfth Amendment to Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and VIA effective June 12, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.1.l) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 (File No. 002-16590) on June 12, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420419030712/tv523291_ex99-d1l.htm) |

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| 6(n). | [Thirteenth Amendment to Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and VIA effective January 28, 2020, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.1.m) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 (File No. 002-16590) on January 24, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465920006713/tv536302_ex99d1m.htm) |

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| 6(o). | [Fourteenth Amendment to Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and VIA effective November 16, 2020, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.1.n) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 (File No. 002-16590) on November 16, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465920125748/tm2028937d4_ex99-dn1.htm) |

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| 6(p). | [Fifteenth Amendment to Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and VIA effective December 5, 2020, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.1.o) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 (File No. 002-16590) on December 7, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465920132902/tm2031285-6_exd1o.htm) |

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| 6(q). | [Sixteenth Amendment to Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and VIA effective August 2 , 2021, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.1.p) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 139 (File No. 002-16590) on August 2, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465921098893/tm2116274d2_exd1p.htm) |

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| 6(r). | [Subadvisory Agreement among Registrant, VIA and Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management, LLC ("KAR") dated March 10, 2008, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.13) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 (File No. 002-16590) on June 6, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000119312508129327/dex99d13.htm) |

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| 6(s). | [First Amendment to Subadvisory Agreement among Registrant, VIA and KAR dated June 22, 2009, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.14) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 91 (File No. 002-16590) on June 22, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000119312509134759/dex99d14.htm) |

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| 6(t). | [Second Amendment to Subadvisory Agreement among Registrant, VIA and KAR dated September 1, 2009, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit 6.p) with the Registration Statement (File No. 333-163916) on Form N-14 on December 22, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000119312509257682/dex996p.htm) |

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| 6(u). | [Third Amendment to Subadvisory Agreement among Registrant, VIA and KAR dated January 1, 2010, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit 6.s) with the Registration Statement (File No. 333-165702) on Form N-14 on March 25, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000119312510067244/dex996s.htm) |

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| 6(v). | [Fourth Amendment to Subadvisory Agreement among Registrant, VIA and KAR dated September 30, 2011, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.4.e) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 95 (File No. 002-16590) on July 27, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000119312512319547/d377135dex99d4e.htm) |

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| 6(w). | [Subadvisory Agreement among Registrant, VIA and KAR dated February 22, 2012, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.4.f) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 95 (File No. 002-16590) on July 27, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000119312512319547/d377135dex99d4f.htm) |

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| 6(x). | [Subadvisory Agreement among Registrant, VIA and KAR dated November 2, 2016, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.4) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 110 (File No. 002-16590) on April 10, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000157104917003315/t1700431_ex99-d4.htm) |

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| 6(y). | [First Amendment to Subadvisory Agreement among Registrant, VIA and KAR dated June 4, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit 6(v)) to Form N-14 (File No. 333-239625) on July 1, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465920079884/tm2023598d1_ex99-6v.htm) |

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| 6(z). | [Subadvisory Agreement among Registrant, VIA and KAR dated March 6, 2018, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.5) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 117 (File No. 002-16590) on March 6, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420418013023/tv487706_ex99-d5.htm) |

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| 6(aa). | [Subadvisory Agreement among Registrant, VIA and KAR dated September 1, 2020, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.6) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 132 (File No. 002-16590) on August 31, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465920100841/tm2023886d3_ex99d-6.htm) |

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| 6(bb). | [Subadvisory Agreement among Registrant, VIA and KAR dated December 7, 2020, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.7) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 (File No. 002-16590) on December 7, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465920132902/tm2031285-6_exd7.htm) |

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| 6(cc). | [Subadvisory Agreement among Registrant, VIA and KAR dated August 2, 2021, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.8) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 139 (File No. 002-16590) on August 2, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465921098893/tm2116274d2_exd8.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 6(dd). | [Subadvisory Agreement among Registrant, VIA and Newfleet Asset Management , LLC (formerly SCM Advisors, LLC) ("Newfleet") dated June 8, 2009, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.16) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 91 (File No. 002-16590) on June 22, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000119312509134759/dex99d16.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 6(ee). | [First Amendment to Subadvisory Agreement among Registrant, VIA and Newfleet dated January 1, 2010, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit 6.q) with the Registration Statement (File No. 333-165702) on Form N-14 on March 25, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000119312510067244/dex996q.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 6(ff). | [Transfer and Assumption Agreement dated July 1, 2022, by and between Registrant, VIA and Virtus Fixed Income Advisers, LLC ("VFIA") with respect to the subadvisory agreement with Newfleet dated as of June 8, 2009, as amended, on behalf of Virtus Tactical Allocation Fund, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.9.b) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 (File No. 002-16590) on January 24, 2023, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000093041323000115/c105278_ex99d9b.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 6(gg). | [Subadvisory Agreement among Registrant, VIA and Sustainable Growth Advisers, LP ("SGA") dated May 3, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit d.8) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 (File No. 002-16590) on June 12, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420419030712/tv523291_ex99-d8.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 7(a). | [Underwriting Agreement between Registrant and VP Distributors, LLC (formerly Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation)("VP Distributors"), made as of November 19, 1997, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit 6.1) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 (File No. 002-16590) on October 6, 1998, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/0001029869-98-001178.txt) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 7(b). | [Form of Sales Agreement between VP Distributors and dealers, effective September 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit e.2) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to Virtus Alternative Solutions Trust's ("VAST") Registration Statement (File No. 333-191940) on October 30, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1589756/000110465919057577/tv531182_ex-e2.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 7(c). | [Amended Annex A to Form of Sales Agreement between VP Distributors and dealers effective July 2025 filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit e.2.a) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 148 to VST's Registration Statement (File No. 333-148624) on August 26, 2025, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1423227/000093041325002731/c113878_ex99-e2a.htm) |

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8. [Deferred Compensation Plan effective April 8, 2022, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit f) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to Registrant's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on January 24, 2023, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1589756/000110465921037747/tm219606d1_ex99-8.htm)

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 9(a). | [Custody Agreement between VAST and The Bank of New York Mellon dated March 21, 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.1) with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to VAST's Registration Statement (File No. 333-191940) on March 28, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1589756/000157104914000977/t1400537_ex99g1.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 9(b). | [Amendment to Custody Agreement between VAST and The Bank of New York Mellon effective May 19, 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.1.b) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 to VAST's Registration Statement (File No. 333-191940) on May 29, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1589756/000157104915004728/ex99-g1b.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 9(c). | [Amendment to Custody Agreement between VAST and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of September 1, 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.1.c) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to VAST's Registration Statement (File No. 333-191940) on February 26, 2016, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1589756/000157104916012159/t1600324_ex99-g1c.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 9(d). | [Joinder Agreement and Amendment to Custody Agreement between VAST, (VET and VOT (VET and VOT collectively, "Virtus Mutual Funds"), VAT, Virtus Retirement Trust ("VRT"; formerly known as Virtus Institutional Trust), Virtus Variable Insurance Trust ("VVIT") and The Bank of New York Mellon dated September 11, 2017, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.1.d) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 114 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on December 21, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420417064693/tv480802_ex99-g1d.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 9(e). | [Amendment to Custody Agreement between VAST, Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VRT and VVIT and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of December 1, 2018, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit 9(e)) to VET's Form N-14 (File No. 333-228766) on December 12, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420418064319/tv508990_ex99-9e.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 9(f). | [Form of Amendment to Custody Agreement between VAST, Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VRT and VVIT and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of March 8, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.1.e) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to VVIT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-05033) on April 22, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/792359/000114420419020594/tv519100_ex99-g1e.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 9(g). | [Amendment to Custody Agreement between VAST, Virtus Mutual Funds, VRT, VAT, VVIT and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of May 22, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.1.f) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on June 12, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420419030712/tv523291_ex99-g1f.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 9(h). | [Amendment to Custody Agreement between VAST, Virtus Mutual Funds, VRT, VAT, VVIT and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of September 1, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.1.g) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 105 (File No. 033-65137) on September 30, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000114420419046538/tv530053_ex99-g1g.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 9(i). | [Amendment to Custody Agreement between VAST, Virtus Mutual Funds, VRT, VAT, VVIT and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of November 18, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.1.h) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 (File No. 033-65137) on January 22, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000110465920005966/tv536301_ex99g1h.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(j). | [Amendment and Joinder to Custody Agreement between VAST, Virtus Mutual Funds, VRT, VAT, VVIT, Virtus Offshore Fund, Ltd. ("VATS") and the Bank of New York Mellon dated as of August 27, 2020, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.1.i) with Post-Effective No. 133 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on September 23, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465920107672/tm2031285d3_ex99-g1i.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(k). | [Amendment to Custody Agreement between VAST, Virtus Mutual Funds, VRT, VAT, VVIT, VATS and the Bank of New York Mellon dated as of November 16, 2020, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.1.j) with Post-Effective No. 136 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on December 7, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465920132902/tm2031285-6_exg1j.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 9(l). | [Amendment to Custody Agreement between VAST, Virtus Mutual Funds, VRT, VAT, VVIT, VATS and the Bank of New York Mellon dated as of December 1, 2020, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.1.k) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 116 (File No. 033-65137) on January 25, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000110465921007301/tm213358d1_ex-g1k.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(m). | [Amendment and Joinder to Custody Agreement between VAST, Virtus Mutual Funds, VRT, VAT, VVIT, VATS, Virtus Investment Trust ("Investment Trust"), Virtus Strategy Trust ("VST") and the Bank of New York Mellon dated as of May 7, 2021, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.1.l) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 119 (File No. 033-65137) on June 21, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001005020/000110465921083482/tm2118897d1_ex-g1l.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(n). | [Amendment and Custody Agreement between VAST, Virtus Mutual Funds, VRT, VAT, VVIT, VATS, Investment Trust, VST and the Bank of New York Mellon dated as of July 26, 2021, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit 9(n)) to Form N-14 (File No. 333-261341) on November 24, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000110465921143538/tm2133731d1_ex9n.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(o). | [Amendment and Joinder to Custody Agreement between The Merger Fund<sup>®</sup> ("TMF"), The Merger Fund<sup>®</sup> VL ("TMFVL"), VAST, Virtus Event Opportunities Trust ("VEOT"), Virtus Mutual Funds, VRT, VAT, VVIT, VATS, Investment Trust, VST and the Bank of New York Mellon dated as of February 12, 2022, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.1.n) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 127 (File No. 033-65137) on April 5, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000110465922042847/tm2134495d5_ex99-g1n.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(p). | [Amendment and Joinder to Custody Agreement between TMF, TMFVL, VAST, VEOT, Virtus Mutual Funds, VRT, VAT, VVIT, VATS, Investment Trust, VST, and the Bank of New York Mellon dated as of April 4, 2022, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.1.o) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 127 (File No. 033-65137) on April 5, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000110465922042847/tm2134495d5_ex99-g1o.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(q). | [Amendment and Joinder to Custody Agreement between TMF, TMFVL, VAST, VEOT, Virtus Mutual Funds, VRT, VAT, VVIT, VATS, Investment Trust, VST, Stone Harbor Leveraged Load Fund LLC ("Leveraged Loan Fund") and the Bank of New York Mellon dated as of September 30, 2022, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.1.p) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 to VAST's Registration Statement (File No. 333-191940) on December 12, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1589756/000093041322002079/c105028_ex99g1p.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(r). | [Amendment and Joinder to Custody Agreement between TMF, TMFVL, VAST, VEOT, VET, VOT, VRT, VAT, VVIT, VATS, Investment Trust, VST, Leveraged Loan Fund, AlphaSimplex Managed Futures Strategy Cayman Fund Ltd., AlphaSimplex Global Alternatives Cayman Fund Ltd., and the Bank of New York Mellon dated as of May 19, 2023, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.1.q) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 (File No. 002-16590) on January 23, 2024, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000093041324000285/c107726_ex99-g1q.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(s). | [Amendment to Custody Agreement between TMF, TMFVL, VAST, VEOT, VET, VOT, VRT, VAT, VVIT, VATS, Investment Trust, VST, Leveraged Loan Fund, AlphaSimplex Managed Futures Strategy Cayman Fund Ltd., AlphaSimplex Global Alternatives Cayman Fund Ltd., and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of December 1, 2024, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.1.r) with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Virtus Managed Account Completion Shares (MACS) Trust ("MACS") Registration Statement (File No. 333-280702) on December 27, 2024, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2025137/000093041324003366/c110891_ex99g1r.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(t). | [Form of Amendment and Joinder to Custody Agreement between TMF, TMFVL, VAST, VEOT, VET, VOT, VRT, VAT, VVIT, VATS, Investment Trust, VST, Leveraged Loan Fund, AlphaSimplex Managed Futures Strategy Cayman Fund Ltd., AlphaSimplex Global Alternatives Cayman Fund Ltd., and The Bank of New York Mellon filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.1.s) with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to MACS Registration Statement (File No. 333-280702) on December 27, 2024, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2025137/000093041324003366/c110891_ex99g1s.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(u). | [Amendment to Custody Agreement among TMF, TMFVL, VAST, VEOT, VET, VOT, VRT, VAT, VVIT, VATS, Investment Trust, VST, MACS, Virtus Global Credit Opportunities Fund ("GCO"), Leveraged Loan Fund, AlphaSimplex Managed Futures Strategy Cayman Fund Ltd., AlphaSimplex Global Alternatives Cayman Fund Ltd., and The Bank of New York Mellon dated March 31, 2025, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit j.1.t) to GCO's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 (File No. 333-284056) on March 10, 2025, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2049810/000119312525050056/d938735dex99j1t.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(v). | [Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between VAST and The Bank of New York Mellon filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.2) with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 4 to VAST's Registration Statement (File No. 333-191940) on April 4, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1589756/000157104914001055/t1400597_exg-2.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(w). | [Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between VAST and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of August 19, 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.2.a) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to VAST's Registration Statement (File No. 333-191940) on September 8, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1589756/000157104914004463/t1401656_exg-2a.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(x). | [Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between VAST and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of May 19, 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.2.b) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 to VAST's Registration Statement (File No. 333-191940) on May 29, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1589756/000157104915004728/ex99-g2b.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(y). | [Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between VAST and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of September 1, 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.2.c) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to VAST's Registration Statement (File No. 333-191940) on February 26, 2016, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1589756/000157104916012159/t1600324_ex99-g2c.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(z). | [Joinder Agreement and Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between VAST, Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VRT, VVIT, Duff & Phelps Select MLP and Midstream Energy Fund Inc. ("DSE"), Virtus Global Multi-Sector Income Fund ("VGI") and Virtus Total Return Fund Inc. ("ZTR") and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of December 1, 2018, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit 9(j)) to VET's Form N-14 (File No. 333-228766) on December 12, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420418064319/tv508990_ex99-9j.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(aa). | [Form of Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between VAST, Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VRT, VVIT, DSE, VGI, ZTR and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of March 8, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.2.e) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to VVIT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-05033) on April 22, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/792359/000114420419020594/tv519100_ex99-g2e.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(bb). | [Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between VAST, Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VRT, VVIT, DSE, VGI, ZTR and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of May 22, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.2.f) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on June 12, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420419030712/tv523291_ex99-g2f.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(cc). | [Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between VAST, Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VRT, VVIT, DSE, VGI, ZTR and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of September 1, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.2.g) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 105 (File No. 033-65137) on September 30, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000114420419046538/tv530053_ex99-g2g.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(dd). | [Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between VAST, Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VRT, VVIT, DSE, VGI, ZTR and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of November 18, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.2.h) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 (File No. 033-65137) on January 22, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000110465920005966/tv536301_ex99g2h.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(ee). | [Amendment and Joinder to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between VAST, Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VRT, VVIT, DSE, VGI, ZTR VATS and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of August 27, 2020, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.2.i) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on October 19, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465920116134/tm2033121d1_ex99-g2i.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(ff). | [Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between VAST, Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VRT, VVIT, DSE, VGI, ZTR, VATS and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of November 13, 2020, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.2.l) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on December 7, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465920132902/tm2031285-6_exg2l.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(gg). | [Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between VAST, Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, Investment Trust, VRT, VST, VVIT, DSE, VGI, ZTR, VATS, Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund (f/k/a Virtus AllianzGI Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund) ("AIO"), Virtus Convertible & Income 2024 Target Term Fund (f/k/a Virtus AllianzGI Convertible & Income 2024 Target Term Fund) ("CBH"), Virtus Convertible & Income Fund (f/k/a Virtus AllianzGI Convertible & Income Fund) ("NCV"), Virtus Convertible & Income Fund II (f/k/a Virtus AllianzGI Convertible & Income Fund II) ("NCZ II"), Virtus Diversified Income & Convertible Fund (f/k/a Virtus AllianzGI Diversified Income & Convertible Fund) ("ACV"), Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund (f/k/a Virtus AllianzGI Equity & Convertible Income Fund) ("NIE") and Virtus Dividend, Interest & Premium Strategy Fund ("NFJ" and together with AIO, CBH, NCV, NCZ II, ACV, and NIE, the "VCEFII") and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of May 7, 2021, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.2.k) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 121 (File No. 033-65137) on September 27, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000110465921119400/tm2127644d3_ex99-g2k.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(hh). | [Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between VAST, Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VRT, VVIT, Investment Trust, VST, DSE, VGI, ZTR, VCEFII, VATS, and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of July 26, 2021, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit 9(bb)) to Form N-14 (File No. 333-261341) on November 24, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000110465921143538/tm2133731d1_ex9bb.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(ii). | [Amendment and Joinder to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between VAST, TMF, TMFVL, VEOT, Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VRT, VVIT, VATS, Investment Trust, VST, DSE, VGI, ZTR, VCEFII, and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of February 12, 2022, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.2.m) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 127 (File No. 033-65137) on April 5, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000110465922042847/tm2134495d5_ex99-g2m.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(jj). | [Amendment and Joinder to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between TMF, TMFVL, VEOT, VAST, Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VRT, VVIT, VATS, Investment Trust, VST, Closed-End Funds, VCEFII and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of April 4, 2022, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.2.n) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 127 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on April 5, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000110465922042847/tm2134495d5_ex99-g2n.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(kk). | [Amendment and Joinder to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between VAST, TMF, TMFVL, VEOT, Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VRT, VVIT, VATS, Investment Trust, VST, Closed-End Funds, VCEFII and The Bank of New York Mellon dated as of September 30, 2022, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.2.o) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 to VAST's Registration Statement (File No. 333-191940) on December 12, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1589756/000093041322002079/c105028_ex99g2o.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 9(ll). | [Amendment and Joinder to Foreign Custody Agreement between VAST, TMF, TMFVL, VEOT, Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VRT, VVIT, VATS, Investment Trust, VST, Closed-End Funds, VCEFII, AlphaSimplex Managed Futures Strategy Cayman Fund Ltd., AlphaSimplex Global Alternatives Cayman Fund Ltd., and the Bank of New York Mellon dated as of May 19, 2023, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.2.p) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on January 23, 2024, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000093041324000285/c107726_ex99-g2p.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 9(mm). | [Form of Amendment and Joinder to Foreign Custody Agreement between VAST, TMF, TMFVL, VEOT, VET, VOT, VAT, VRT, VVIT, VATS, Investment Trust, VST, Closed-End Funds, VCEFII, AlphaSimplex Managed Futures Strategy Cayman Fund Ltd., AlphaSimplex Global Alternatives Cayman Fund Ltd., MACS, and the Bank of New York Mellon dated as of December 23, 2024, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit g.2.q) with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to MACS Registration Statement (File No. 333-280702) on December 27, 2024, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2025137/000093041324003366/c110891_ex99g2q.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 9(nn). | [Amendment and Joinder to Foreign Custody Agreement among VAST, TMF, TMFVL, VEOT, VET, VOT, VAT, VRT, VVIT, VATS, Investment Trust, VST, Closed-End Funds, VCEFII, AlphaSimplex Managed Futures Strategy Cayman Fund Ltd., AlphaSimplex Global Alternatives Cayman Fund Ltd., MACS, GCO, and the Bank of New York Mellon effective March 31, 2025, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit j.2.r) with GCO's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 (File No. 333-284056) on March 10, 2025, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2049810/000119312525050056/d938735dex99j2r.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 10(a). | [Class A Shares Amended and Restated Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), effective March 1, 2007, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.1) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 (File No. 002-16590) on October 25, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000119312507225412/dex99m1.htm) |

---

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 10(b). | [Amendment No. 1 to Class A Shares Amended and Restated Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act effective March 10, 2008, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.4) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 (File No. 002-16590) on March 10, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000119312508051371/dex99m4.htm) |

---

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 10(c). | [Amendment No. 2 to Class A Shares Amended and Restated Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act effective June 22, 2009, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.7) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 91 (File No. 002-16590) on June 22, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000119312509134759/dex99m7.htm) |

---

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 10(d). | [Amendment No. 3 to Class A Shares Amended and Restated Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act effective March 6, 2018, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.1.c) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 117 (File No. 002-16590) on March 6, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420418013023/tv487706_ex99-m1c.htm) |

---

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 10(e). | [Amendment No. 4 to Class A Shares Amended and Restated Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act effective November 14, 2018, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit 10(e)) to Form N-14 (File No. 333-228766) on December 12, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420418064319/tv508990_ex99-10e.htm) |

---

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 10(f). | [Amendment No. 5 to Class A Shares Amended and Restated Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act effective June 12, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.1.e) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 (File No. 002-16590) on June 12, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420419030712/tv523291_ex99-m1e.htm) |

---

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 10(g). | [Amendment No. 6 to Class A Shares Amended and Restated Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act effective November 16, 2020, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.1.f) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 (File No. 002-16590) on November 16, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465920125748/tm2028937d4_ex99-m1f.htm) |

---

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 10(h). | [Amendment No. 7 to Class A Shares Amended and Restated Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act effective December 7, 2020, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.1.g) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 (File No. 002-16590) on December 7, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465920132902/tm2031285-6_exm1g.htm) |

---

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 10(i). | [Amendment No. 8 to Class A Shares Amended and Restated Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act effective August 2, 2021, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.1.h) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 139 (File No. 002-16590) on August 2, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465921098893/tm2116274d2_exm1h.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 10(j). | [Class C Shares Amended and Restated Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act effective March 1, 2007, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.2) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 (File No. 002-16590) on October 25, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000119312507225412/dex99m2.htm) |

---

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 10(k). | [Amendment No. 1 to Class C Shares Amended and Restated Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act effective March 10, 2008, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.6) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 (File No. 002-16590) on March 10, 2008, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000119312508051371/dex99m6.htm) |

---

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 10(l). | [Amendment No. 2 to Class C Shares Amended and Restated Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act effective June 22, 2009, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.8) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 91 (File No. 002-16590) on June 22, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000119312509134759/dex99m8.htm) |

---

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 10(m). | [Amendment No. 3 to Class C Shares Amended and Restated Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act effective March 6, 2018, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.2.c) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 117 (File No. 002-16590) on March 6, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420418013023/tv487706_ex99-m2c.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 10(n). | [Amendment No. 4 to Class C Shares Amended and Restated Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act effective November 14, 2018, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit 10(j)) to Form N-14 (File No. 333-228766) on December 12, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420418064319/tv508990_ex99-10j.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 10(o). | [Amendment No. 5 to Class C Shares Amended and Restated Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act effective June 12, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.2.e) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 (File No. 002-16590) on June 12, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420419030712/tv523291_ex99-m2e.htm) |

---

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 10(p). | [Amendment No. 6 to Class C Shares Amended and Restated Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act effective November 16, 2020, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.2.f) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 (File No. 002-16590) on November 16, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465920125748/tm2028937d4_ex99-m2f.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 10(q). | [Amendment No. 7 to Class C Shares Amended and Restated Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act effective December 7, 2020, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.2.g) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 (File No. 002-16590) on December 7, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465920125748/tm2028937d4_ex99-m2f.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 10(r). | [Amendment No. 8 to Class C Shares Amended and Restated Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act effective August 2, 2021, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit m.2.h) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 139 (File No. 002-16590) on August 2, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465921098893/tm2116274d2_exm2h.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 10(s). | [Amended and Restated Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act effective as of June 18, 2025, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit n.1) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 222 to Investment Trust's Registration Statement (File No. 033-64915) on June 18, 2025, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/867297/000093041325001998/c112998_ex99-n1.htm) |

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11. [Opinion and consent of Jennifer Fromm, Esq., filed via EDGAR with Form N-14 (File No. 333-288369) filed by Registrant on June 27, 2025, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000121390025058791/ea024683201_ex99-11.htm)

12. [\*Tax opinion and consent of Dechert LLP filed herewith.](ea025739001_ex99-12.htm)

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(a). | [Form of Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between VET, VOT, VAST, VAT, VRT, and Virtus Fund Services, LLC ("Virtus Fund Services") dated September 20, 2018, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.1) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 134 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on September 25, 2024, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000093041324002831/c110061_ex99-h1.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(b). | [Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VP Distributors (since assigned to Virtus Fund Services) and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. ("BNY Mellon"), dated April 15, 2011, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.6) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 54 to VIT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-64915) on April 27, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1003859/000119312512191644/d296954dex99h6.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(c). | [Adoption and Amendment Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAST, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated as of March 21, 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.b) with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 4 to VAST's Registration Statement (File No. 333-191940) on April 4, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1589756/000157104914001055/t1400597_exh-2xb.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(d). | [Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAST, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated as of August 19, 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.a) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to VAST's Registration Statement (File No. 333-191940) on September 8, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1589756/000157104914004463/t1401656_exh-2a.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(e). | [Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAST, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated as of June 1, 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.c) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 92 (File No. 033-65137) on January 20, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000157104917000550/t1603088_ex99-h2c.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(f). | [Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAST, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated as of November 12, 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.c) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 (File No. 033-65137) on January 27, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000157104915000413/t1500036_ex99-h2c.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(g). | [Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAST, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated as of May 28, 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.d) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 to VAST's Registration Statement (File No. 333-191940) on June 5, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1589756/000157104915004898/ex99-h2d.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(h). | [Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAST, VRT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated as of December 10, 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.e) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 35 to VRT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-80057) on January 8, 2016, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1004658/000157104916010608/ex99-h2e.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(i). | [Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAST, VRT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated as of February 1, 2017, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.g) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on July 26, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000157104917006960/t1702103_ex-h2g.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(j). | [Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAST, VRT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated as of February 1, 2017, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.h) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 114 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on December 21, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420417064693/tv480802_ex99-h2h.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(k). | [Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VAST, VRT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated as of September 18, 2017, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.i) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 114 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on December 21, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420417064693/tv480802_ex99-h2i.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(l). | [Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VAST, VRT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated as of January 1, 2018, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.j) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 114 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on December 21, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420417064693/tv480802_ex99-h2j.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(m). | [Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VAST, VRT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated as of September 20, 2018, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.k) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 119 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on November 16, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420418060472/tv504918_ex99-h2k.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(n). | [Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VAST, VRT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated as of December 21, 2018, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.l) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 120 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on January 25, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420419002901/tv510669_ex99-h2l.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(o). | [Form of Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VAST, VRT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated as of March 22, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.m) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 35 to VAT's Registration Statement (File No. 333-08045) on April 25, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1018593/000114420419021242/tv519254_ex-99h2m.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(p). | [Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VAST, VRT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated as of May 22, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.n) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on June 12, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420419030712/tv523291_ex99-h2n.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(q). | [Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VAST, VRT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated as of September 1, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.o) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 105 (File No. 033-65137) on September 30, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000114420419046538/tv530053_ex99-h2o.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(r). | [Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VAST, VRT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated as of November 18, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.p) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 (File No. 033-65137) on January 22, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000110465920005966/tv536301_ex99h2p.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(s). | [Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VAST, VRT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated as of August 27, 2020, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.q) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 133 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on September 23, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465920107672/tm2031285d3_ex99-h2q.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(t). | [Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VAST, VRT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated as of November 13, 2020, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.r) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on December 7, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465920132902/tm2031285-6_exh2r.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(u). | [Adoption Agreement and Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VAST, VRT, Investment Trust, VST, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated as of June 9, 2021, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.s) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 139 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on August 2, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465921098893/tm2116274d2_exh2r.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(v). | [Amendment to Sub-Transfer and Shareholder Services Agreement among VAST, Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VRT, Investment Trust, VST, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated as of August 2, 2021, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit 13(v)) to VOT's Form N-14 (File No. 333-261341) on November 24, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000110465921143538/tm2133731d1_ex13v.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(w). | [Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VAST, VRT, Investment Trust, VST, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated as of December 1, 2021, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.u) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 122 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on December 6, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000110465921146835/tm2134495d1_ex99-h2u.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(x). | [Adoption Agreement and Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among TMF, VEOT, Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VAST, VRT, Investment Trust, VST, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated as of January 12, 2022, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.v) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to VAST's Registration Statement (File No. 333-191940) on February 24, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1589756/000110465922026510/tm227176-1_h2v.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(y). | [Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among TMF, VEOT, Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VAST, VRT, Investment Trust, VST, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated as of February 24, 2022, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.w) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 127 (File No. 033-65137) on April 5, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000110465922042847/tm2134495d5_ex99-h2w.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(z). | [Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among TMF, VEOT, Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VAST, VRT, Investment Trust, VST, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated as of September 1, 2022, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.x) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 (File No. 033-65137) on September 27, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000093041322001697/c104558_ex-h2x.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(aa). | [Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among TMF, VEOT, Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VAST, VRT, Investment Trust, VST, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated as of May 19, 2023, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.y) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 130 (File No. 033-65137) on September 26, 2023, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000093041323002211/c106957_ex-h2y.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(bb). | [Form of Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among TMF, VEOT, Virtus Mutual Funds, VAT, VAST, VRT, Investment Trust, VST, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated as of December 1, 2024, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.z) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 134 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on September 25, 2024, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000093041324002831/c110061_ex99-h2z.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(cc). | [Form of Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among TMF, VEOT, VET, VOT, VAT, VAST, VRT, Investment Trust, VST, MACS, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated December 23, 2024 filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.aa) with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to MACS Registration Statement (File No. 333-280702) on December 27, 2024, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2025137/000093041324003366/c110891_ex99h2aa.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(dd). | [Amendment to Sub-Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement among TMF, VEOT, VET, VOT, VAT, VAST, VRT, Investment Trust, VST, MACS, Virtus Fund Services, GCO and BNY Mellon, dated as of March 31, 2025, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.bb) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 222 to Investment Trust's Registration Statement (File No. 033-64915) on June 18, 2025, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/867297/000093041325001998/c112998_ex99-h2bb.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(ee). | [Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between VET, VOT, VRT and VP Distributors (since assigned to Virtus Fund Services), effective as of January 1, 2010, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.6) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on January 28, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000119312510015805/dex99h6.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(ff). | [First Amendment to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between VET, VOT, VRT and VP Distributors (since assigned to Virtus Fund Services) effective as of April 14, 2010, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.9) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 44 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on January 27, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000119312511016093/dex99h9.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(gg). | [Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between VET, VOT, VRT and VP Distributors (since assigned to Virtus Fund Services), effective as of June 30, 2010, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.10) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 44 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on January 27, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000119312511016093/dex99h10.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(hh). | [Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between VET, VOT, VRT and VP Distributors (since assigned to Virtus Fund Services), effective as of September 14, 2010, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.11), with Post-Effective Amendment No. 44 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on January 27, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000119312511016093/dex99h11.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(ii). | [Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between VET, VOT, VRT and VP Distributors (since assigned to Virtus Fund Services) effective as of January 1, 2011, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.9), with Post-Effective Amendment No. 51 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on January 27, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000119312512027432/d242822dex99h9.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(jj). | [Fifth Amendment to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between VET, VOT, VRT and VP Distributors (since assigned to Virtus Fund Services) effective as of March 15, 2011, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.15), with Post-Effective Amendment No. 51 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on January 27, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000119312512027432/d242822dex99h15.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(kk). | [Sixth Amendment to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between VET, VOT, VRT and VP Distributors (since assigned to Virtus Fund Services), effective as of August 28, 2012, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.f) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on January 25, 2013, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000119312513024138/d458392dex99h2f.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(ll). | [Seventh Amendment to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between Virtus Mutual Funds and VP Distributors (since assigned to Virtus Fund Services), effective as of December 18, 2012, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.2.g) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on January 25, 2013, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000119312513024138/d458392dex99h2g.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(mm). | [Eighth Amendment to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between Virtus Mutual Funds and Virtus Fund Services, effective as of June 10, 2013, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.3.h), with Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on June 10, 2013, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000119312513253363/d510452dex99h3h.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(nn). | [Ninth Amendment to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between Virtus Mutual Funds and Virtus Fund Services, effective as of December 18, 2013, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.3.i), with Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on January 27, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000157104914000181/t1300666_h3i.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(oo). | [Tenth Amendment to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between Virtus Mutual Funds and Virtus Fund Services, effective as of November 13, 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.3.j) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on November 12, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000157104914006219/t1402057_ex99-h3j.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(pp). | [Eleventh Amendment to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between Virtus Mutual Funds and Virtus Fund Services, effective as of January 1, 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.3.k) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 80 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on January 27, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000157104915000413/t1500036_ex99-h3k.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(qq). | [Twelfth Amendment to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between Virtus Mutual Funds and Virtus Fund Services, effective as of March 19, 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.3.l) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on March 13, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000157104915001929/t1500522_ex99-h31.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(rr). | [Thirteenth Amendment to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between VET, VOT, VRT and Virtus Fund Services, effective as of January 8, 2016, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.3.m) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 35 to VRT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-80057) on January 8, 2016, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1004658/000157104916010608/ex99-h3m.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(ss). | [Fourteenth Amendment to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between VET, VOT, VRT and Virtus Fund Services, effective as of December 1, 2016, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.3.n) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 92 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on January 20, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000157104917000550/t1603088_ex99-h3n.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(tt). | [Fifteenth Amendment to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between VET, VOT, VRT, VAT and Virtus Fund Services, effective as of June 12, 2017, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.3.o) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to VAT's Registration Statement (File No. 333-08045) on June 22, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1018593/000157104917006130/t1701573_ex-99h3o.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(uu). | [Sixteenth Amendment to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between VET, VOT, VRT, VAT and Virtus Fund Services, effective as of March 6, 2018, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.p) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 117 (File No. 002-16590) on March 6, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420418013023/tv487706_ex99-h4p.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(vv). | [Seventeenth Amendment to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between VET, VOT, VAT and Virtus Fund Services, effective as of May 3, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.3.q) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 (File No. 002-16590) on June 12, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420419030712/tv523291_ex99-h3q.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(ww). | [Eighteenth Amendment to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between VET, VOT, VAT and Virtus Fund Services, effective as of June 12, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.3.r) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 (File No. 002-16590) on June 12, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420419030712/tv523291_ex99-h3r.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(xx). | [Nineteenth Amendment to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between VET, VOT, VAT and Virtus Fund Services, effective as of November 8, 2020, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.3.s) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 (File No. 002-16590) on November 16, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465920125748/tm2028937d4_ex99-h3s.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(yy). | [Twentieth Amendment to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between VET, VOT, VAT and Virtus Fund Services, effective as of December 7, 2020, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.3.t) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 (File No. 002-16590) on December 7, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465920132902/tm2031285-6_exh3t.htm)<u>.</u> |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(zz). | [Twenty-First Amendment to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between VET, VOT, VAT and Virtus Fund Services, effective as of June 14, 2021, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.3.u.) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 119 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on June 21, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000110465921083482/tm2118897d1_ex-h3u.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(aaa). | [Twenty-Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between VET, VOT, VAT and Virtus Fund Services, effective as of August 2, 2021, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.3.v) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 139 (File No. 002-16590) on August 2, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465921098893/tm2116274d2_exh3v.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(bbb). | [Twenty-Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between VET, VOT, VAT and Virtus Fund Services, effective as of April 4, 2022, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.3.w) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 127 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on April 5, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000110465922042847/tm2134495d5_ex99-h3w.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(ccc). | [Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VRT, VP Distributors (since assigned to Virtus Fund Services) and BNY Mellon, effective as of January 1, 2010, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.5) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to VIT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-64915) on February 25, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1003859/000119312510040866/dex99h5.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(ddd). | [First Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VRT, VP Distributors (since assigned to Virtus Fund Services) and BNY Mellon, effective as of June 30, 2010, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.13) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 to VIT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-64915) on April 28, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1003859/000119312511114732/dex99h13.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(eee). | [Second Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VRT, VP Distributors (since assigned to Virtus Fund Services) and BNY Mellon, effective as of September 14, 2010, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.14) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 to VIT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-64915) on April 28, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1003859/000119312511114732/dex99h14.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(fff). | [Third Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VRT, VP Distributors (since assigned to Virtus Fund Services) and BNY Mellon, effective as of March 15, 2011, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.15) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 to VIT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-64915) on April 28, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1003859/000119312511114732/dex99h15.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(ggg). | [Fourth Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VRT, VP Distributors (since assigned to Virtus Fund Services) and BNY Mellon, effective as of August 28, 2012, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.d) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to VIT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-64915) on April 29, 2013, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1003859/000119312513182356/d501199dex99h4d.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(hhh). | [Fifth Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VP Distributors (since assigned to Virtus Fund Services) and BNY Mellon, effective as of December 18, 2012, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.e) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 56 to VIT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-64915) on April 29, 2013, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1003859/000119312513182356/d501199dex99h4e.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(iii). | [Sixth Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, effective as of June 10, 2013, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.f) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on June 10, 2013, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000119312513253363/d510452dex99h4f.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(jjj). | [Seventh Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, effective as of December 18, 2013, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.g) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on January 27, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000157104914000181/t1300666_h4g.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(kkk). | [Joinder Agreement and Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAST, VVIT, VATS, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated February 24, 2014, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.h) with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to VAST's Registration Statement (File No. 333-191940) on March 28, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1589756/000157104914000977/t1400537_ex99h4xh.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(lll). | [Joinder Agreement to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VRT, VVIT, VAST, VATS, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon, dated December 10, 2015, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.i) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 35 to VRT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-80057) on January 8, 2016, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1004658/000157104916010608/ex99-h4i.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(mmm). | [Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VVIT, VRT, VAST, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated July 27, 2016, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.j) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to VAST's Registration Statement (File No. 333-191940) on April 10, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1589756/000157104917003313/t1701023_ex99-h4j.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(nnn). | [Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VVIT, VRT, VAST, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated April, 2017, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.k) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on July 26, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000157104917006960/t1702103_ex-h4k.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(ooo). | [Joinder Agreement and Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VVIT, VRT, VAST, VAT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated September 21, 2017, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.l) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 114 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on December 21, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420417064693/tv480802_ex99-h4l.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(ppp). | [Form of Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VVIT, VRT, VAST, VAT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated December 1, 2018, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit 13(rr)) to Form N-14 (File No. 333-228766) on December 12, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420418064319/tv508990_ex99-13rr.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(qqq). | [Form of Amendment to Sub-Administration Agreement and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VVIT, VRT, VAST, VAT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated March 8, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.3.n) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to VVIT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-05033) on April 22, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/792359/000114420419020594/tv519100_ex99-h3n.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(rrr). | [Amendment to Sub-Administration Agreement and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VVIT, VRT, VAST, VAT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated May 22, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.o) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on June 12, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000114420419030712/tv523291_ex99-h4o.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(sss). | [Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VVIT, VRT, VAST, VAT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated September 1, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.p) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 105 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on September 30, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000114420419046538/tv530053_ex99-h4p.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(ttt). | [Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VVIT, VRT, VAST, VAT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated November 18, 2019, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.q) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on January 22, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000110465920005966/tv536301_ex99h4q.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(uuu). | [Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VVIT, VRT, VAST, VAT, VATS, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated August 27, 2020, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.r) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 133 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on September 23, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465920107672/tm2031285d3_ex99-h4r.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(vvv). | [Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VVIT, VRT, VAST, VAT, VATS, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated November 16, 2020, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.s) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on December 7, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000110465920132902/tm2031285-6_exh4s.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(www). | [Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VVIT, VRT, VAST, VAT, VATS, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated December 1, 2020, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.t) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 116 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on January 25, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000110465921007301/tm213358d1_ex-h4t.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(xxx). | [Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VVIT, VRT, VAST, VAT, VATS, Investment Trust, VST, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated May 19, 2021, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.u) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 121 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on September 24, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000110465921119400/tm2127644d3_ex99-h4u.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(yyy). | [Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VVIT, VRT, VAST, VAT, VATS, Investment Trust, VST, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated July 30, 2021, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.v) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 121 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on September 24, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000110465921119400/tm2127644d3_ex99-h4v.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(zzz). | [Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VVIT, VRT, VAST, VAT, VATS, Investment Trust, VST, TMF, TMFVL, VEOT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated February 12, 2022, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.w) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to VAST's Registration Statement (File No. 333-191940) on February 24, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1589756/000110465922026510/tm227176-1_h4w.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(aaaa). | [Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAST, VVIT, VRT, VAT, VATS, Investment Trust, VST, TMF, TMFVL, VEOT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated as of April 8, 2022, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.3.x) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 90 to VVIT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-05033) on April 21, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/792359/000110465922048228/tm2212606d1_exh3x.htm) |

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|:---|:---|
| 13(bbbb). | [Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAST, VVIT, VRT, VAT, VATS, Investment Trust, VST, TMF, TMFVL, VEOT, Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated as of September 15, 2022, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.3.y) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 219 (File No. 033-36528) on October 26, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/867297/000093041322001802/c104698_ex99-h3y.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(cccc). | [Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among Virtus Mutual Funds, VAST, VVIT, VRT, VAT, VATS, Investment Trust, VST, TMF, TMFVL, VEOT, AlphaSimplex Managed Futures Strategy Cayman Fund, AlphaSimplex Global Alternatives Cayman Ltd., Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated as of May 19, 2023, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.z) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 130 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on September 26, 2023, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000093041323002211/c106957_ex-h4z.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(dddd). | [Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among VET, VOT, VAST, VVIT, VRT, VAT, Investment Trust, VST, TMF, TMFVL, VEOT, AlphaSimplex Managed Futures Strategy Cayman Fund, AlphaSimplex Global Alternatives Cayman Ltd., Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated as of May 15, 2024 filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.aa) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 134 (File No. 033-65137) on September 25, 2024, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000093041324002831/c110061_ex99-h4aa.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(eeee). | [Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement (Tailored Shareholder Reports) among VET, VOT, VAST, VVIT, VRT, VAT, VATS, Investment Trust, VST, TMF, TMFVL, VEOT, AlphaSimplex Managed Futures Strategy Cayman Fund, AlphaSimplex Global Alternatives Cayman Ltd., Virtus Fund Services and BNY Mellon dated as of May 31, 2024, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.aa.1) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 221 to VIT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-36528) on October 24, 2024, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/867297/000093041324003032/c110374_ex99-h4aa1.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(ffff). | [Form of Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among VET, VOT, VAST, VVIT, VRT, VAT, Investment Trust, VST, TMF, TMFVL, VEOT, AlphaSimplex Managed Futures Strategy Cayman Fund, AlphaSimplex Global Alternatives Cayman Ltd., VFS and BNY Mellon dated as of December 1, 2024 filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.bb) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 134 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on September 25, 2024, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000093041324002831/c110061_ex99-h4bb.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(gggg). | [Form of Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among VET, VOT, VAST, VVIT, VRT, VAT, Investment Trust, VST, TMF, TMFVL, VEOT, AlphaSimplex Managed Futures Strategy Cayman Fund, AlphaSimplex Global Alternatives Cayman Ltd., Virtus Fund Services, MACS and BNY Mellon filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.4.dd) with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to MACS Registration Statement (File No. 333-280702) on December 27, 2024, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2025137/000093041324003366/c110891_ex99h4dd.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(hhhh). | [Amendment to Sub-Administration and Accounting Services Agreement among VET, VOT, VAST, VVIT, VRT, VAT, Investment Trust, VST, TMF, TMFVL, VEOT, AlphaSimplex Managed Futures Strategy Cayman Fund, AlphaSimplex Global Alternatives Cayman Ltd., Virtus Fund Services, MACS, GCO and BNY Mellon effective March 31, 2025, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit k.2.ee) with GCO's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 (File No. 333-284056) on March 10, 2025, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2049810/000119312525050056/d938735dex99k2ee.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(iiii). | [Thirty-Ninth Amended and Restated Expense Limitation Agreement between Registrant and the Adviser, effective as of July 28, 2025, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit 13.iiii) with Post-effective Amendment No. 1 on Form N-14 (File No. 333-288369) filed by Registrant on July 28, 2025, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000121390025068117/ea024683204_ex99-13iiii.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(jjjj). | [Form of Indemnification Agreement with each Trustee of Registrant, effective as of October 24, 2016, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.9) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 92 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on January 20, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000157104917000550/t1603088_ex99-h9.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(kkkk). | [Form of Joinder Agreement and Amendment to the Indemnification Agreement with George R. Aylward, Philip R. McLoughlin (since retired), Geraldine M. McNamara (since retired), James M. Oates (since retired), Richard E. Segerson (since retired) and Ferdinand L.J. Verdonck (since retired), effective as of January 18, 2017, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.7.a) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 (File No. 333-08045) on June 22, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1018593/000157104917006130/t1701573_ex-99h7a.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(llll). | [Form of Joinder Agreement and Amendment to the Indemnification Agreement with Thomas J. Brown (since retired), Donald C. Burke, Roger A. Gelfenbien (since retired), John R. Mallin, and Hassell H. McClellan (since retired), effective as of February 27, 2017, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.7.b) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 (File No. 333-08045) on June 22, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1018593/000157104917006130/t1701573_ex-99h7b.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(mmmm). | [Form of Indemnification Agreement with Sidney E. Harris (since retired) and Connie D. McDaniel, effective as of July 17, 2017, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.9) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to VET's Registration Statement (File No. 002-16590) on July 26, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000157104917006960/t1702103_ex-h9.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(nnnn). | [Form of Indemnification Agreement with R. Keith Walton and Brian T. Zino, effective as of January 1, 2020, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.10) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on January 22, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000110465920005966/tv536301_ex99h10.htm) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| 13(oooo). | [Form of Indemnification Agreement with Sarah E. Cogan, Deborah A. DeCotis and F. Ford Drummond, effective as of July 1, 2022, filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit h.13) with Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 to VOT's Registration Statement (File No. 033-65137) on September 27, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1005020/000093041322001697/c104558_ex-h13.htm) |

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14. [Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit 14) with Form N-14 (File No. 333-288369) filed by Registrant on June 27, 2025, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000121390025058791/ea024683201_ex99-14.htm)

15. Not applicable.

16. [Power of Attorney for George R. Aylward, Donald C. Burke, Sarah E. Cogan, Deborah A. DeCotis, F. Ford Drummond, John R. Mallin, Connie D. McDaniel, R. Keith Walton and Brian T. Zino filed via EDGAR (as Exhibit 16) with Form N-14 (File No. 333-288369) filed by Registrant on June 27, 2025, and incorporated herein by reference.](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34273/000121390025058791/ea024683201_ex99-16.htm)

17. Not applicable.

Item 17. Undertakings.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) The undersigned Registrant agrees that prior to any public reoffering
of the securities registered through the use of a prospectus that is a part of this Registration Statement by any person or party who
is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c) of the Securities Act of 1933, the reoffering prospectus will contain
the information called for by the applicable registration form for reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition
to the information called for by the other items of the applicable form.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) The undersigned Registrant agrees that every prospectus that
is filed under paragraph (1) above will be filed as a part of an amendment to the Registration Statement and will not be used until the
amendment is effective, and that, in determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment shall
be deemed to be a new Registration Statement for the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall
be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering of them.

EXHIBIT INDEX

<u>Exhibit</u> <u>Item</u> <br> 12 [Tax Opinion](ea025739001_ex99-12.htm)

<u>SIGNATURES</u>

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for the effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Post-Effective No. 2 to the registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Hartford and the State of Connecticut on the 16th day of September, 2025.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| VIRTUS EQUITY TRUST | VIRTUS EQUITY TRUST |
| By: | /s/ George R. Aylward |
| Name: | George R. Aylward |
| Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |

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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this amendment to the registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 16th day of September, 2025.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| Signatures | Title |
| /s/ George R. Aylward | President (Principal Executive Officer) and Trustee |
| George R. Aylward |  |
| /s/ W. Patrick Bradley | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
| W. Patrick Bradley | (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
| \* | Trustee |
| Donald C. Burke |  |
| \* | Trustee |
| Sarah E. Cogan |  |
| | Trustee |
| Deborah A. DeCotis |  |
| \* | Trustee |
| F. Ford Drummond |  |
| \* | Trustee |
| John R. Mallin |  |
| \* | Trustee & Chair |
| Connie D. McDaniel |  |
| \* | Trustee |
| R. Keith Walton |  |
| \* | Trustee |
| Brian T. Zino |  |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| \* By: | /s/ George R. Aylward |
|  | George R. Aylward |
|  | Attorney-in-fact, pursuant to powers of attorney. |

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## Exhibit 99.12

**Exhibit 12**

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| ![](ex99-12_001.jpg) | Three Bryant Park |
| ![](ex99-12_001.jpg) | 1095 Avenue of the Americas |
| ![](ex99-12_001.jpg) | New York, NY 10036-6797 |
| ![](ex99-12_001.jpg) | +1 212 698 3500 Main |
| ![](ex99-12_001.jpg) | +1 212 698 3599 Fax |
| ![](ex99-12_001.jpg) | www.dechert.com |
| ![](ex99-12_001.jpg) | |

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September 12, 2025

Board of Trustees

Virtus KAR Global Quality Dividend Fund

Virtus Equity Trust

101 Munson Street

Greenfield, Massachusetts 01301

Board of Trustees

Virtus KAR Equity Income Fund

Virtus Equity Trust

101 Munson Street

Greenfield, Massachusetts 01301

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

You have requested our opinion regarding certain federal income tax consequences to Virtus KAR Global Quality Dividend Fund (the "Acquired Fund"), a separate series of Virtus Equity Trust (the "Trust"), a Delaware statutory trust, to Virtus KAR Equity Income Fund (the "Acquiring Fund"), also a separate series of the Trust, and to the holders of shares of beneficial interest of the Acquired Fund (the "Acquired Fund Shareholders"), in connection with the transfer of substantially all of the assets, as defined in the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the "Plan"), dated as of June 3, 2025, executed by the Trust on behalf of the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund, of the Acquired Fund (the "Assets") to the Acquiring Fund in exchange solely for shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund (the "Acquiring Fund Shares") and the assumption of the stated liabilities, as defined in the Plan, of the Acquired Fund (the "Liabilities") by the Acquiring Fund, followed by the distribution of the Acquiring Fund Shares received by the Acquired Fund in complete liquidation and termination of the Acquired Fund (the "Reorganization"), all pursuant to the Plan.

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|:---|:---|
| <br>![](ex99-12_001.jpg) | Page 2<br> Virtus KAR Global Quality Dividend Fund –<br> Virtus KAR Equity Income Fund<br> September 12, 2025 |

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For purposes of this opinion, we have examined and relied upon (1) the Plan, (2) the Registration Statement filed on Form N-14 in connection with the Reorganization, (3) the facts and representations contained in the letter dated on or about the date hereof addressed to us from the Trust on behalf of the Acquired Fund, (4) the facts and representations contained in the letter dated on or about the date hereof addressed to us from the Trust on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, and (5) such other documents and instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of rendering this opinion.

This opinion is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), United States Treasury Regulations, judicial decisions, and administrative rulings and pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service, all as in effect on the date hereof. This opinion is conditioned upon the Reorganization taking place in the manner described in the Plan.

Based upon the foregoing, it is our opinion that for federal income tax purposes, with respect to the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund:

1. The acquisition by the Acquiring Fund of the Assets in exchange solely for the Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption of the Liabilities
by the Acquiring Fund followed by the distribution of Acquiring Fund Shares to the Acquired Fund Shareholders in exchange for their Acquired
Fund shares in complete liquidation and termination of the Acquired Fund will constitute a tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a)
of the Code.

2. The Acquired Fund will not recognize gain or loss upon the transfer of the Assets to Acquiring Fund in exchange solely for the Acquiring
Fund Shares and the assumption of the Liabilities by the Acquiring Fund, except that the Acquired Fund may be required to recognize gain
or loss with respect to contracts described in Section 1256(b) of the Code or stock in a passive foreign investment company, as defined
in Section 1297(a) of the Code.

3. The Acquired Fund will not recognize gain or loss upon the distribution to the Acquired Fund Shareholders of the Acquiring Fund Shares
received by the Acquired Fund in the Reorganization.

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|:---|:---|
| <br>![](ex99-12_001.jpg) | Page 3<br> Virtus KAR Global Quality Dividend Fund –<br> Virtus KAR Equity Income Fund<br> September 12, 2025 |

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4. The Acquiring Fund will recognize no gain or loss upon receiving the Assets in exchange solely for the issuance of the Acquiring Fund
Shares and the assumption of the Liabilities.

5. The Acquiring Fund's adjusted tax basis of the Assets received by the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization will be the same
as the adjusted tax basis of those Assets in the hands of the Acquired Fund immediately before the Reorganization.

6. The Acquiring Fund's holding periods of the Assets received by the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization will include the respective
holding periods during which those Assets were held by the Acquired Fund (except where investment activities of the Acquiring Fund have
the effect of reducing or eliminating a holding period with respect to an Asset).

7. The Acquired Fund Shareholders will recognize no gain or loss upon receiving Acquiring Fund Shares solely in exchange for their Acquired
Fund shares.

8. An Acquired Fund Shareholder's aggregate tax basis of the Acquiring Fund shares received by the Acquired Fund Shareholder in
the Reorganization will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the Acquired Fund shares surrendered by the Acquired Fund Shareholder
in exchange therefor.

9. An Acquired Fund Shareholder's holding period of the Acquiring Fund Shares received by the Acquired Fund Shareholder in the
Reorganization will include the period during which the Acquired Fund shares surrendered in exchange therefor were held by the Acquired
Fund Shareholder, provided that the Acquired Fund Shareholder held such Acquired Fund shares as a capital asset on the date of Reorganization.

We express no opinion as to the federal income tax consequences of the Reorganization except as expressly set forth above, or as to any transaction except those consummated in accordance with the Plan. Without limiting the foregoing, we express no opinion as to the federal income tax consequences of the Reorganization to the Acquired Fund with respect to contracts described in Section 1256(b) of the Code or stock in a passive foreign investment company, as defined in Section 1297(a) of the Code.

We consent to the filing of our tax opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form N-14 of Virtus Equity Trust to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and to the discussion of the opinion and references made to our firm therein and in any amendments thereto.

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|:---|
| Very truly yours, |
| /s/ Dechert LLP |

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