Document:

crsr-ex43_1280.htm

 

Exhibit 4.3

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT
TO SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

As of December 31, 2020, Corsair Gaming, Inc. had one class of common stock registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). 

 

The following description summarizes the terms of our capital stock, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws. Because it is only a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to you. For a complete description, you should refer to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, each of which is incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, of which this Exhibit 4.3 is a part.

 

Authorized Capital Stock

 

Our authorized capital stock consists of 300,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. Unless our board of directors determines otherwise, we will issue all shares of our capital stock in uncertificated form.

 

Common Stock

 

As of December 31, 2020, there were 19 holders of record of our common stock. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters on which stockholders are entitled to vote generally, including the election or removal of directors. The holders of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up and after payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to creditors and to the holders of preferred stock having liquidation preferences, if any, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive pro rata our remaining assets available for distribution. Holders of our common stock do not have preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The common stock will not be subject to further calls or assessment by us. There is no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. All shares of our outstanding common stock are fully paid and non-assessable. The rights, powers, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock will be subject to those of the holders of any shares of our preferred stock we may authorize and issue in the future.

 

Preferred Stock

 

As of December 31, 2020, no shares of our preferred stock were outstanding. 

 

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors to establish one or more series of preferred stock, including convertible preferred stock. Unless required by law, the authorized shares of preferred stock are available for issuance without further action by stockholders. Our board of directors may determine, with respect to any series of preferred stock, the powers including preferences and relative participations, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of that series, including, without limitation:

 

	
 
	
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the designation of the series; 

	
 
	
•
	
the number of shares of the series, which our board of directors may, except where otherwise provided in the preferred stock designation, increase (but not above the total number of authorized shares of the class) or decrease (but not below the number of shares then outstanding);

	
 
	
•
	
the dividend amount and rate of the series, if any, and whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative;

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•
	
the dates at which dividends, if any, will be payable;

	
 
	
•
	
the redemption rights and price or prices, if any, for shares of the series;

	
 
	
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the terms and amounts of any sinking fund, if any, provided for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series;

	
 
	
•
	
the amounts payable on, and the preferences, if any, of shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the affairs of our company;

	
 
	
•
	
whether the shares of the series will be convertible into or exchangeable for shares of any other class or series, or any other security, of our company or any other corporation, and, if so, the specification of the other class or series or other security, the conversion or exchange price or prices or rate or rates, any adjustments thereof, the date or dates as of which the shares will be convertible or exchangeable and all other terms and conditions upon which the conversion or exchange may be made;

	
 
	
•
	
restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series or of any other class or series;

	
 
	
•
	
the voting rights, if any, of the holders of the series, and

	
 
	
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any other powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each series of preferred stock, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such shares, all as may be determined from time to time by our board of directors and stated in the preferred stock designation for such preferred stock.

We are able to issue a series of preferred stock that could, depending on the terms of the series, impede or discourage an acquisition attempt or other transaction that some, or a majority, of the holders of our common stock might believe to be in their best interests or in which the holders of our common stock might receive a premium for their common stock over the market price of the common stock. In addition, the issuance of preferred stock may adversely affect the rights of holders of our common stock by restricting dividends on the common stock, diluting the voting power of the common stock or subordinating the liquidation rights of the common stock. As a result of these or other factors, the issuance of preferred stock may have an adverse impact on the market price of our common stock. 

 

Registration Rights

 

Certain of our stockholders or their permitted transferees, are entitled to rights with respect to the registration of such shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). These rights are provided under the terms of a registration rights agreement between us and such stockholders (the “Registration Rights  Agreement”) and include demand registration rights and piggyback registration rights. The Registration Rights Agreement also provides that we will pay certain expenses of these holders relating to such registrations and indemnify them against certain liabilities which may arise under the Securities Act.

 

Dividends

 

The DGCL permits a corporation to declare and pay dividends out of “surplus” or, if there is no “surplus,” out of its net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. “Surplus” is defined as the excess of the net assets of the corporation over the amount determined to be the capital of the corporation by the board of directors. The capital of the corporation is typically calculated to be (and cannot be less than) the aggregate par value of all issued shares of capital stock. Net assets equal the fair value of the total assets minus total liabilities. The DGCL also provides that dividends may not be paid out of net profits if, after the payment of the dividend, remaining capital would be less than the capital represented by the outstanding stock of all classes having a preference upon the distribution of assets.

 

The declaration, amount and payment of any future dividends will be at the sole discretion of our board of directors. Our board of directors may take into account general and economic conditions, our financial condition and 

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results of operations, our available cash and current and anticipated cash needs, capital requirements, contractual, legal, tax and regulatory restrictions and implications on the payment of dividends by us to our stockholders or by our subsidiaries to us, including restrictions under our existing credit facilities and other indebtedness we may incur, and such other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant. See “Description of Certain Indebtedness.” In addition, because we are a holding company and have no direct operations, we will only be able to pay dividends from funds we receive from our subsidiaries.

 

We currently expect to retain all future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business and have no current plans to pay dividends.

 

Annual Stockholder Meetings

 

Our amended and restated bylaws provides that annual stockholder meetings will be held at a date, time and place, if any, as exclusively selected by our board of directors, our Chief Executive Officer or the chairman of the board of directors. To the extent permitted under applicable law, we may conduct meetings by remote communications, including by webcast.

 

Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Amended and Restated Bylaws and Delaware Law.

Certain provisions of Delaware law and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws contain provisions that could make the following transactions more difficult: acquisition of us by means of a tender offer; acquisition of us by means of a proxy contest or otherwise; or removal of our incumbent officers and directors. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish or could deter transactions that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interest or in our best interests, including transactions that might result in a premium over the market price for our shares.

 

These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging these proposals because negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

 

Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute

 

We opted out of Section 203 of the DGCL in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which prevents stockholders holding more than 15% of our outstanding common stock from engaging in certain business combinations involving us unless certain conditions are satisfied. However, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation includes similar provisions that we may not engage in certain business combinations with interested stockholders for a period of three years following the time that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, subject to certain conditions. The existence of this provision may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by the board of directors, such as discouraging takeover attempts that might result in a premium over the market price of our common stock.

 

Pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, EagleTree, its affiliates and any of their respective direct or indirect transferees will not be considered an interested stockholders for purposes of this provision.

 

Undesignated Preferred Stock

 

The ability to authorize undesignated preferred stock pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will make it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change control of us. These and other provisions may 

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have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of our Company.

 

Special Stockholder Meetings

 

Our amended and restated bylaws provides that a special meeting of stockholders may be called at any time by the Secretary at the direction of the board of directors or the Chairman of our Board of Directors; provided, however, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws provide that the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock are permitted to cause special meetings of our stockholders to be called for so long EagleTree and its affiliates hold, in the aggregate, at least 50% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

 

Requirements For Advance Notification Of Stockholder Nominations And Proposals

 

Our amended and restated bylaws contain advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors. These notice requirements do not apply to nominations of directors by EagleTree and its affiliates in accordance with the Investor Rights Agreement for as long as the Investor Rights Agreement is in effect.

 

Stockholder Action by Majority Written Consent

 

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the stockholders may act by majority written consent without a meeting; provided, however, that when EagleTree and its affiliates hold, in the aggregate, less than 50% of our outstanding common stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of our stockholders.

 

Classified Board; Election and Removal of Directors; Filling Vacancies

 

Our board of directors is divided into three classes. The directors in each class will serve for a three-year term, one class being elected each year by our stockholders, with staggered three-year terms. Only one class of directors is elected at each annual meeting of our stockholders, with the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective three-year terms. Because our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights, our stockholders holding a majority of the shares of common stock outstanding are able to elect all of our directors.

 

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that directors may be removed with or without cause upon the affirmative vote of a majority of our outstanding common stock; provided, however, at any time when EagleTree and its affiliates beneficially own, in the aggregate, less than 50% of our outstanding common stock entitled to vote at an election of directors, directors may only be removed for cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66-2/3% of our out outstanding common stock. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also provides that, subject to the rights granted to one or more series of preferred stock then outstanding or the rights granted to EagleTree under the Investor Rights Agreement, any vacancies on our Board of Directors will be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director or by the stockholders; provided, however, at any time when EagleTree and its affiliates beneficially own, in the aggregate, less than 50% of our outstanding common stock, subject to the rights granted to one or more series of preferred stock then outstanding or the rights granted to EagleTree under the Investor Rights Agreement, any newly created directorship on the Board of Directors that results from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancy occurring on the Board of Directors may only be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director (and not by the stockholders). So long as EagleTree and its affiliates beneficially own, in the aggregate, at least 20% of our outstanding common stock, the Investor Rights Agreement and our amended and restated bylaws provide that the Board will not increase or decrease the size of our Board of Directors without the affirmative vote or consent of a majority of the EagleTree directors. The Investor Rights Agreement and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will also provide that any vacancy resulting from the resignation, death, disability or removal of an EagleTree director can only be filled by the affirmative vote or consent of the EagleTree directors or, if no so such directors then remain on the Board, EagleTree.

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For more information on the classified board, see “Management—Composition of the Board of Directors.” This system of electing and removing directors and filling vacancies may tend to discourage a third-party from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, because it generally makes it more difficult for stockholders to replace a majority of the directors.

 

Choice of Forum

 

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty; any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the DGCL, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws; or any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also provides that the federal district courts of the Unites States will be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action against us or any of our directors, officers, employees or agents and arising under the Securities Act. Although our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contain the choice of forum provision described above, it is possible that a court could find that such a provision is inapplicable for a particular claim or action or that such provision is unenforceable. The choice of forum provision requiring that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware be the exclusive forum for certain actions would not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act.

 

Amendment of Charter Provisions

 

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that so long as EagleTree and its affiliates own, in the aggregate, at least 50% of our outstanding common stock, any amendment, alteration, change, addition, rescission or repeal of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation requires the affirmative vote of a majority of our outstanding common stock. At any time when EagleTree and its affiliates beneficially own, in the aggregate, less than 50% of our outstanding common stock, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation requires the affirmative vote by the holders of at least two-thirds of our outstanding common stock for any amendment, alteration, change, addition, rescission or repeal of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation; provided that, irrespective of EagleTree’s ownership, the affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds of our outstanding common stock is required to amend certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation, including those provisions changing the size of the board of directors, the removal of certain directors, the availability of action by majority written consent of the stockholders or the restriction on business combinations with interest stockholders, among others.

 

The provisions of the DGCL, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws could have the effect of discouraging others from attempting hostile takeovers and, as a consequence, they may also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.

 

Corporate Opportunity

 

Under Delaware law, officers and directors generally have an obligation to present to the company they serve business opportunities which the company is financially able to undertake and which falls within the company’s business line and are of practical advantage to the company, or in which the company has an actual or expectant interest. A corollary of this general rule is that when a business opportunity comes to an officer or director that is not one in which the company has an actual or expectant interest, the officer is generally not obligated to present it to the company. Potential conflicts of interest may arise when officers and directors learn of business opportunities that would be of material advantage to a company and to one or more other entities of which they serve as officers, directors or other fiduciaries.

 

Section 122(17) of the DGCL permits a company to renounce, in advance, in its certificate of incorporation or by action of its board of directors, any interest or expectancy of a company in certain classes or categories of 

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business opportunities. Where business opportunities are so renounced, certain officers and directors will not be obligated to present any such business opportunities to the company. Under the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, none of EagleTree or any of its respective portfolio companies, funds or other affiliates, or any of their officers, directors, agents, stockholders, members or partners will have any duty to refrain from engaging, directly or indirectly, in the same business activities, similar business activities or lines of business in which we operate. In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no officer or director of ours who is also an officer, director, employee, managing director or other affiliate of EagleTree will be liable to us or our stockholders for breach of any fiduciary duty by reason of the fact that any such individual was presented with a corporate opportunity, other than specifically in their capacity as one of our officers or directors, and ultimately directs such corporate opportunity to EagleTree instead of us or does not communicate information regarding a corporate opportunity to us that the officer, director, employee, managing director or other affiliate has directed to EagleTree. For instance, a director of our company who also serves as a director, officer, partner, member, manager or employee of EagleTree, or any of its respective portfolio companies, funds or other affiliates may pursue certain acquisitions or other opportunities that may be complementary to our business and, as a result, such acquisition or other opportunities may not be available to us. As of the date of this prospectus, this provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation relates only to the EagleTree director designees. Our board of directors consists of eight directors, three of whom are be EagleTree director designees. These potential conflicts of interest could seriously harm our business if attractive corporate opportunities are allocated by EagleTree to itself or its respective portfolio companies, funds or other affiliates instead of to us.

 

Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

 

The DGCL authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties, subject to certain exceptions. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation includes a provision that, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, eliminates the personal liability of directors to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director. The effect of these provisions will be to eliminate the rights of us and our stockholders, through stockholders’ derivative suits on our behalf, to recover monetary damages from a director for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, including breaches resulting from grossly negligent behavior. However, exculpation will not apply to any director if the director has acted in bad faith, knowingly or intentionally violated the law, authorized illegal dividends or redemptions or derived an improper benefit from his or her actions as a director.

 

Further, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws provide that we must indemnify and advance expenses to our directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL. We also are expressly authorized to carry directors’ and officers’ liability insurance providing indemnification for our directors, officers and certain employees for some liabilities. We believe that these indemnification and advancement provisions and insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and officers.

 

The limitation of liability, indemnification and advancement provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. In addition, your investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions.

 

There is currently no pending material litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees for which indemnification is sought.

 

Listing

 

Our common stock is listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “CRSR.”

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

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The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Equiniti Trust Company. The transfer agent and registrar’s address is 1110 Centre Point Curve, Suite 101, Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55120-4101.

7vhi-ex105_8.htm

 

 

Exhibit 10.5

TAX AGREEMENT

Between

CONTRAN CORPORATION

and

VALHI, INC.

 

 

This Tax Agreement (the “Agreement”) dated as of January 1, 2020 is between Contran Corporation (“Contran”), a Delaware corporation having its principal executive offices at Three Lincoln Centre, 5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700, Dallas, Texas 75240, and Valhi, Inc. (“VHI”), a Delaware corporation having its principal executive offices at Three Lincoln Centre, 5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700, Dallas, Texas 75240.   

 

WHEREAS, Contran and VHI file consolidated returns of federal income taxes and, subject to certain jurisdictional limitations, are subject to combined state and local tax reporting;

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement supersedes and amends and restates the Tax Agreement dated June 3, 2015, previously entered into between Contran and VHI;

 

WHEREAS, Contran and VHI wish to provide for the allocation of liabilities, and procedures to be followed, with respect to federal income taxes of VHI and any subsidiaries of VHI and with respect to certain combined state and local taxes on the terms of this Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, Contran and VHI have historically followed the terms and conditions as provided in this Agreement, and this Agreement serves to formally document such terms and conditions which Contran and Valhi previously followed.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:

 

(a)Code: The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and with respect to any section thereof any successor provisions under such Code or any successor Code.

 

(b)Combined Foreign, State and Local Taxes: For a taxable period, and with respect to a specified group of entities, the amount of all Foreign, State and Local Taxes, for which liability is computed on the basis of a combined, unitary or consolidated return (whether at the initiative of the tax authority or of the taxpayer).

 

(c)Contran Corporation: A Delaware corporation that is the common parent of a group of corporations, which group of corporations includes the VHI Group and Contran Group, electing to file a consolidated federal income tax return.

 

 

 

(d)Federal Taxes: All federal income taxes, together with all interest and penalties with respect thereto.

 

(e)Foreign, State and Local Taxes: All foreign, state and local taxes, including franchise and similar taxes, together with all interest and penalties with respect thereto.

 

(f)Contran Group: Contran and each of its direct and indirect subsidiaries which would be a member of an affiliated group, within the meaning of section 1504(a) of the Code, and eligible to file a combined, unitary or consolidated return of which Contran was the common parent (the “Contran Tax Group”), as such Contran Group is constituted from time to time. For purposes of this Agreement (to the extent related to the determination of Combined Foreign, State and Local Taxes for the Contran Group), the term “Contran Group” shall include all direct and indirect subsidiaries of Contran with reference to which Combined Foreign, State and Local Taxes are determined.

 

(g)VHI Group: VHI and each of its direct or indirect subsidiaries which would be a member of an affiliated group, within the meaning of section 1504(a) of the Code, and eligible to file a combined, unitary or consolidated return of which VHI was the common parent, as such VHI Group is constituted from time to time. For purposes of this Agreement (to the extent related to the determination of Combined Foreign, State and Local Taxes for the VHI Group), the term “VHI Group” shall include all direct and indirect subsidiaries of VHI with reference to which Combined, Foreign, State and Local taxes are determined.

 

(h)VHI Group Tax Liability: For a taxable period, the liability for Federal Taxes and Combined Foreign, State and Local taxes, as applicable, that the VHI Group would have had if it were not a member of the Contran Tax Group during such taxable period (or during any taxable period prior thereto), and instead filed a separate consolidated or combined return, as applicable, for such taxable period; provided, however, that for purposes of determining such liability for a taxable period all tax elections shall be consistent with the tax elections made by Contran for such period. In making such tax elections it is understood Contran will make those tax elections which are beneficial to the Contran Tax Group on a consolidated basis. Nevertheless, Contran will use its best efforts in the case of those elections which affect the computation of the VHI Group Tax Liability, to make elections in a reasonable manner so as to minimize the VHI Group Tax Liability.  For purposes of this Agreement, in determining the Combined Foreign, State and Local Taxes for the VHI Group, such determination shall be made based on a separate Foreign, State and Local Tax Calculation as if the VHI Group were a separate unitary filer with respect to states and other jurisdictions in which Contran is required to file on a unitary or combined basis.

 

(i)Foreign, State and Local Tax Calculation: For each reporting period, the Tax Calculation will be based on the estimated taxable income of the VHI Group for the taxable period that includes such reporting period, applied to current year tax rates and using the VHI Group’s applicable apportionment factors and state, local or other applicable adjustments, in each case based on the applicable combined or unitary return most recently-filed as of each reporting period by the Contran Tax Group for each applicable tax jurisdiction (as modified for extraordinary, one-time event adjustments or tax law changes, if any, impacting the unitary calculation for the VHI Group).

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2.Contran as Agent. Contran shall be the sole agent for the VHI Group in all matters relating to the VHI Group Tax Liability. The VHI Group shall not (a) terminate such agency or (b) without the consent of Contran, participate, or attempt to participate, in any matters related to the VHI Group Tax Liability, including, but not limited to, preparation or filing of, or resolution of disputes, protests or audits with the Internal Revenue Service, state or local taxing authorities concerning, the Contran Tax Group’s consolidated returns of Federal Taxes, returns of Combined Foreign, State and Local Taxes or the VHI Group Tax Liability with respect thereto. The VHI Group shall cooperate fully in providing Contran with all information and documents necessary or desirable to enable Contran to perform its obligations under this Section, including completion of Internal Revenue Service and state or local tax audits in connection with such VHI Group Tax Liability and determination of the proper liability for such VHI Group Tax Liability.

 

3.Liability for Taxes; Refunds.

 

(a)Contran, as the common parent of the VHI Group, shall be responsible for, and shall pay to the appropriate taxing authority, as applicable, the consolidated tax liability for Federal Taxes and Combined Foreign, State and Local Taxes for the Contran Group and has the sole right to any refunds received from such taxing authority subject to the provisions of Sections 5 and 6 of this Agreement.

 

(b)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, VHI and each subsidiary of VHI which is a member of the VHI Group shall be severally liable to Contran for the VHI Group Tax Liability.

 

(c)VHI shall indemnify Contran and hold it and the Contran Group other than the VHI Group, harmless from and against any deficiency in the VHI Group Tax Liability that may be due to Contran.

 

(d)Contran shall indemnify VHI and hold it and the VHI Group harmless from and against any Federal Taxes and Combined Foreign, State and Local Taxes attributable to the Contran Group or any other member of the Contran Tax Group, other than the VHI Group, as such taxes are determined under this and other tax sharing agreements.

 

4.Tax Returns. Contran shall file on behalf of the VHI Group any and all federal, foreign, state and local tax returns that are required as they pertain to the VHI Group Tax Liability. The VHI Group, at Contran’s request, shall join in any applicable consolidated returns of Federal Taxes and any returns of Combined Foreign, State and Local Taxes (for which returns have not been theretofore filed) and execute its consent, if such consent has not previously been executed, to each such filing on any form as may be prescribed for such consent if such consent is required. The decision of Contran’s Chief Tax Officer (or any other officer so designated by Contran) with responsibility for tax matters shall, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, be binding in any dispute between Contran and the VHI as to what tax position should be taken with respect to any item or transaction of the VHI Group. The preceding sentence is limited to the tax positions that affect the VHI Group Tax Liability and the combined Contran Group and Contran Tax Group. In addition, Contran and members of the Contran Group, including VHI and members of the VHI Group, shall provide each other with such cooperation, assistance and information as each of them may request of the other with respect to the filing of any tax return, amended return, claim for 

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refund or other document with any taxing authority. VHI shall be solely responsible for all taxes due for the VHI Group with respect to tax returns filed by VHI or a member of the VHI Group that are required to be filed on a separate company basis, independent of Contran.

 

5.Payment of VHI Group Tax Liability for Federal Taxes and Foreign, State and Local Taxes. On or before each date, as determined under section 6655 of the Code (with respect to Federal Taxes) and the applicable tax provisions with respect to any Foreign, State and Local Taxes due pursuant to this Agreement, for payment of an installment of estimated Federal Taxes or any Foreign, State and Local Taxes, VHI shall pay to Contran an amount equal to the installment which the VHI Group would have been required to pay as an estimated payment of Federal Taxes to the Internal Revenue Service or any Foreign, State and Local Taxes to the applicable taxing authority if it were filing a separate consolidated, combined or unitary return in respect of the VHI Group Tax Liability. Any balance owed with respect to the VHI Group Tax Liability for such taxable period shall be paid to Contran on or before the 15th day of the third month after the close of such taxable period. If it is not possible to determine the amount of such balance on or before such day, (a) a reasonable estimate thereof shall be paid on or before such day, (b) the amount of such balance shall be finally determined on or before the earlier of; (i) the 15th day of the ninth month after the close of such taxable period (or the applicable due date for the Contran foreign, state or local combined or unitary return) and (ii) the date on which the Contran Group consolidated tax return for such period is filed with the Internal Revenue Service or the applicable tax authority, and (c) any difference between the amount so determined and the estimated amount paid shall; (i) in the case of an underpayment, be promptly paid to Contran and (ii) in the case of an overpayment, be promptly refunded or applied against the estimated VHI Group Tax Liability for the immediately following tax period, at the option of Contran. If the overpayment is not applied to the immediately following tax period, such overpayment shall be promptly refunded to the VHI Group. As between the parties to this Agreement, the VHI Group shall be solely responsible for the VHI Group Tax Liability and shall have no responsibility for Federal Taxes of the Contran Group other than payment of the VHI Group Tax Liability in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Contran at its option may extend the payment due date for any of the payments referenced above.

 

6.Refunds for VHI Group Losses and Credits for Federal Taxes. If the calculation with respect to the VHI Group Tax Liability for Federal Taxes results in a net operating loss (“NOL”) for the current tax period that, in the absence of a Code Section 172(b)(3) election made by Contran, is carried back under Code Sections 172 and 1502 to a prior taxable period or periods of the VHI Group with respect to which the VHI Group previously made payments to Contran, then, in that event, Contran shall pay (or credit) VHI an amount equal to the tax refund to which the VHI Group would have been entitled had the VHI Group filed a separate consolidated federal income tax return for such year (but not in excess of the net aggregate amount of the VHI Group Tax Liability paid to Contran with respect to the preceding two taxable periods). If the calculation with respect to the VHI Group Tax Liability results in an NOL for the current tax period, that subject to the Code Section 172(b)(3) election made by Contran, is not carried back under Code Sections 172 and 1502 to a prior taxable period or periods of the VHI Group with respect to which VHI made payments to Contran or is not carried back because the Contran Tax Group does not have a consolidated net operating loss for the current tax period, then, in that event such NOL shall be an NOL carryover to be used in computing the VHI Group Tax Liability for future taxable periods, under the law applicable to NOL carryovers in general, as such law applies to the relevant taxable period. Payments made pursuant to this Section 6 shall be made on the date that Contran 

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(or any successor common parent of a tax group to which the Contran Group is a member) files its consolidated federal income tax return for the taxable period involved. Principles similar to those discussed in this Section 6 shall apply in the case of the utilization of all VHI Group loss and credit carrybacks and carryovers.

 

7.Refunds for VHI Group Combined or Unitary Foreign, State and Local Losses and Credits. The foregoing principles contained in Section 6 shall apply in similar fashion to any consolidated, unitary or combined foreign, state or other local income tax returns, containing any member of the VHI Group, which may be filed based on the VHI Group Tax Liability for Foreign, State and Local Taxes.

 

8.Subsequent Adjustments. If any settlement with the Internal Revenue Service, foreign, state or local tax authority or court decision which has become final results in any adjustment to any item of income, deduction, loss or credit to the Contran Group in respect of any taxable period subject to this Agreement, which, in any such case, affects or relates to any member of the VHI Group as constituted during such taxable period, the VHI Tax Group Liability shall be re-determined to give effect to such adjustment as if it had been made as part of or reflected in the original computation of the VHI Tax Group Liability and proper adjustment of amounts paid or owing hereunder in respect of such liability and allocation shall be promptly made in light thereof.

 

9.Term; Amendments. 

 

a.The term of this Agreement shall end on December 31, 2024 and will automatically be renewed for successive five-year periods unless terminated by either party by giving the other written notice of termination at least ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the then-current term; provided, however, that this Agreement shall automatically terminate at such time as VHI is no longer a member of the Contran Group.

 

b.This Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded or cancelled, and any of the terms, covenants, or conditions hereof may be waived, only by a written instrument specifically referring to this Agreement and executed by all parties (or, in the case of a waiver, by or on behalf of the party waiving compliance). The failure of any party at any time or times to require performance of any provision of this Agreement shall in no manner affect the right at a later time to enforce the same. No waiver by any party of any condition, or of any breach of any term or covenant, contained in this Agreement, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be or construed as a further or continuing waiver of any such condition or breach, or a waiver of any other condition or of any breach of any other term or covenant.

 

10.Retention of Records. Contran shall retain all tax returns, tax reports, related workpapers and all schedules (along with all documents that pertain to any such tax returns, reports or workpapers) that relate to a taxable period in which the VHI Group is included in a consolidated or combined tax return with Contran. Contran shall make such documents available to VHI at VHI’s request. Contran shall not dispose of such documents without the permission of VHI.

 

11.Headings. The headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

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12.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to conflicts of laws provisions.

 

13.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which shall constitute but one agreement.

 

14.Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective subsidiaries, and their respective successors and assigns.

 

15.Amendment and Restatement. Effective as of January 1, 2020, this Agreement supersedes and amends and restates the Tax Agreement dated as of June 3, 2015, previously entered into between Contran and VHI.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the date first above written.

 

 

 

 

CONTRAN CORPORATION

 

By:__/s/ Gregory M. Swallwell______

Gregory M. Swalwell

Executive Vice President, 

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

 

 

VALHI, INC.

 

By:__/s/ Kelly D. Luttmer__________

Kelly D. Luttmer

Executive Vice President and 

Chief Tax Officer

 

 

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