Common use of Audit Matters Clause in Contracts

Audit Matters. Spinco shall have primary responsibility ------------- for conducting the audit of any Joint Tax Return relating to or having an effect on any Pre-Distribution Taxable Period or Straddle Period, and Spinco shall have primary responsibility for conducting any subsequent litigation relating thereto. Marriott shall have the right, directly or through its designated representatives, to review in advance and comment upon all submissions made in the course of such audits, appeals, or litigation and to be present at, directly or by its representatives, all conferences, meetings or proceedings with any taxing authority, and all appearances before any court, the subject matter of which is or includes an item for which the MMS Group could be liable under this Agreement; in addition, if the disposition, resolution or compromise of such audit or appeal will or might reasonably be expected to result in Marriott having an increased Tax liability, or any other adverse Tax consequence, for any period beginning after the Distribution Date, Marriott shall have the right, exercisable within 10 days of its receipt of notice of a proposed disposition of the audit or appeal, to veto the disposition of any audit adjustment with respect to such periods, such veto not to be unreasonably exercised. Each party shall bear its own internal expenses of participation in such audits, appeals, or litigation. The expenses of hiring outside counsel or accountants by either party with respect to the matters contemplated by this Section 4.04 shall be borne (i) by Spinco for matters relating to Pre-Distribution Taxable Periods (other than periods ending on the Distribution Date), and (ii) 50% by Spinco and 50% by MMS Group for all Straddle Periods (which for these purposes includes those periods ending on the Distribution Date). If Spinco declines to defend any matter provided for in this Section 4.04, Marriott has the right to pay, compromise or contest the matter, and Spinco shall bear Marriott's costs in those actions.

Audit Matters. Spinco shall have primary responsibility ------------- for conducting the audit of any Joint Tax Return relating to or having an effect on any Pre-Distribution Taxable Period or Straddle Period, and Spinco shall have primary responsibility for conducting any subsequent litigation relating thereto. Marriott shall have the right, directly or through its designated representatives, to review in advance and comment upon all submissions made in the course of such audits, appeals, or litigation and to be present at, directly or by its representatives, all conferences, meetings or proceedings with any taxing authority, and all appearances before any court, the subject matter of which is or includes an item for which the MMS Group could be liable under this Agreement; in addition, if the disposition, resolution or compromise of such audit or appeal will or might reasonably be expected to result in Marriott having an increased Tax liability, or any other adverse Tax consequence, for any period beginning after the Distribution Date, Marriott shall have the right, exercisable within 10 days of its receipt of notice of a proposed disposition of the audit or appeal, to veto the disposition of any audit adjustment with respect to such periods, such veto not to be unreasonably exercised. Each party shall bear its own internal expenses of participation in such audits, appeals, or litigation. The expenses of hiring outside counsel or accountants by either party with respect to the matters contemplated by this Section 4.04 shall be borne (i) by Spinco for matters relating to Pre-Distribution Taxable Periods (other than periods ending on the Distribution Date), and (ii) 50% by Spinco and 50% by MMS Group for all Straddle Periods (which for these purposes includes those periods ending on the Distribution Date). If Spinco declines to defend any matter provided for in this Section 4.04, Marriott has the right to pay, compromise or contest the matter, and Spinco shall bear Marriott's costs in those actions.