EXHIBIT 10.24
TAX SHARING AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
THIS TAX SHARING AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and
entered into as of May 7, 1999, by and between IDT Corporation, a Delaware
corporation ("IDT"), and Net2Phone, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Net2Phone").
--- ---------
RECITALS
A. IDT is the common parent corporation of an affiliated group of
corporations (the "IDT Consolidated Group") within the meaning of Section
1504(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The IDT
Consolidated Group includes Net2Phone. The IDT Consolidated Group have
heretofore joined in the filing of consolidated federal income tax returns.
B. IDT expects that as a result of sales of shares of Net2Phone, including
through a public offering, Net2Phone will cease to be a member of the IDT
Consolidated Group, although Net2Phone may continue to be included in Combined
Tax returns (as defined herein).
C. IDT and Net2Phone desire to provide for the payment of Income Taxes (as
defined herein) and entitlement to refunds thereof, allocate responsibility and
provide for cooperation in connection with the filing of returns in respect of
Income Taxes, and provide for certain other matters relating to Income Taxes.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements contained herein and
intending to be legally bound hereby, IDT and Net2Phone agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1.
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions.
For purposes of this Agreement, the terms set forth below shall have the
following meanings, in addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this
Agreement:
(a) "Actually Realized" or "Actually Realizes" shall mean, for purposes of
determining the timing of the occurrence of any Income Tax Benefit, the time at
which the amount of Income Taxes paid by such person is reduced below the amount
of Income Taxes that such person would have been required to pay but for the
occurrence of such Income Tax Benefit. In the case of an Income Tax Benefit in
the form of a Refund, "Actually Realized" or "Actually Realizes" means the date
such Refund is received.
(b) "Carryback" shall mean the carryback of a Tax Asset (including,
without limitation, a net operating loss, a net capital loss or a tax credit) by
Net2Phone from a Post-Deconsolidation Taxable Period to a Pre-Deconsolidation
Taxable Period.
1
(c) "Combined Tax" shall mean, with respect to each foreign, state or
local taxing jurisdiction, any Income Tax payable to such foreign, state or
local taxing jurisdiction in which a member of the Net2Phone Group files tax
returns with a member of the IDT Sub-Group, on a consolidated, combined, or
unitary basis for purposes of such Income Tax.
(d) "Deconsolidation" shall mean any event pursuant to which Net2Phone
ceases to be a member of the IDT Consolidated Group.
(e) "Deconsolidation Date" means the day on which Net2Phone ceases to be a
member of the IDT Consolidated Group, as determined under Treas. Reg. (S)1.1502-
76(b).
(f) "Federal Tax" shall mean any tax imposed under Subtitle A of the Code.
(g) "Final Determination" shall mean (i) with respect to Federal Taxes, a
"determination" as defined in Section 1313(a) of the Code or execution of an
Internal Revenue Service Form 870AD and, with respect to taxes other than
Federal Taxes, any final determination of liability in respect of a tax that,
under applicable law, is not subject to further appeal, review, or modification
through proceedings or otherwise, (ii) any final disposition of a tax issue by
reason of the expiration of a statute of limitations, or (iii) the payment of
tax by IDT with respect to any item disallowed or adjusted by any taxing
authority where IDT determines in good faith that no action should be taken to
recoup such payment.
(h) "IDT Consolidated Group" shall mean, at any time, IDT and each direct
and indirect corporate subsidiary eligible to join with IDT in the filing of a
consolidated Federal Tax return.
(i) "IDT Sub-Group" shall mean, at any time, IDT and each of its direct
and indirect corporate subsidiaries other than those subsidiaries that are
members of the Net2Phone Group.
(j) "IDT Sub-Group Separate Return" shall mean an Income Tax return of IDT
or a member of the IDT Sub-Group for a Post-Deconsolidation Tax Period other
than a Combined Tax return.
(k) "Income Tax" (i) shall mean (A) any foreign or any United States
federal, state or local tax, charge, fee, impost, levy or other assessment which
is based upon, measured by, or calculated with respect to (1) net income or
profits (including, but not limited to, any capital gains, gross receipts, or
minimum tax, and any tax on items of tax preference, but not including sales,
use, value added, real property gains, real or personal property, transfer or
similar taxes), or (2) multiple bases (including, but not limited to, corporate
franchise, doing business or occupation taxes), if one or more of the bases upon
which tax may be based, by which it may be measured, or with respect to which it
may be calculated, is described in clause (i)(A)(1) of this definition, together
with (B) any interest, penalties, fines, additions to tax or additional amounts
imposed by any taxing jurisdiction with respect thereto,
2
and (ii) shall include any transferee liability in respect of an amount
described in clause (i) of this definition.
(l) "Income Tax Benefit" shall mean, in respect of a person or group of
persons for any taxable period, the excess of (A) the hypothetical Income Tax
liability of such person or group of persons for such taxable period, calculated
as if the use of a Tax Asset had not occurred but with all other facts
unchanged, over (B) the actual Income Tax liability of such person or group of
persons for such taxable period, calculated taking into account the use of such
Tax Asset (and treating a Refund as a negative Income Tax liability, and taking
into account credits (if any), for purposes of such calculation).
(m) "Net2Phone Combined Tax Liability" shall mean, with respect to any
jurisdiction and any taxable year or part thereof for which Combined Tax is due,
an amount of Combined Tax determined in accordance with the principles set forth
in the definition of Net2Phone Federal Tax Liability; provided, however, that
the total amount of the Net2Phone Combined Tax Liability shall also include, to
the extent not included after application of the principles set forth in the
definition of Net2Phone Federal Tax Liability, any actual Income Tax liability
owed in a jurisdiction in which a member of the Net2Phone Group files or is
included in a Combined Tax return, to the extent the Income Tax liability shown
on such return exceeds the amount of such liability that would have been owed
had no member of the Net2Phone Group been included in such return.
(n) "Net2Phone Federal Tax Liability" shall mean, with respect to any
taxable year or portion thereof during which Net2Phone is a member of the IDT
Consolidated Group, the sum of the Net2Phone Group's Federal Income Tax
liability, computed as if the Net2Phone Group were not and never were part of
the IDT Consolidated Group, but rather were a separate affiliated group of
corporations filing a consolidated federal income tax return pursuant to Section
1501 of the Code; provided, however, that transactions with members of the IDT
Sub-Group shall be reflected according to the provisions of the consolidated
return regulations promulgated under the Code governing intercompany
transactions, and that Deconsolidation will trigger any deferred amounts, excess
loss accounts, or similar items. Such computation shall be made (A) without
regard to the income, deductions (including net operating loss and capital loss
deductions), and credits in any year of any member of the IDT Group that is not
a member of the Net2Phone Group, (B) by taking account of all Tax Assets of the
Net2Phone Group other than any Tax Asset which produces an Income Tax Benefit to
IDT in accordance with Section 2.1(c)(iii), (C) as though the highest rate of
tax specified in subsection (b) of Section 11 of the Code (for any other similar
rates applicable to specific types of income) were the only rate set forth in
that subsection, and with other similar adjustments as described in Section 1561
of the Code, (D) reflecting the positions, elections, and accounting methods
used by IDT in preparing the consolidated Federal Tax return for the IDT Group,
and (E) by not permitting the Net2Phone Group any compensation deductions
arising in respect of the issuance by IDT of IDT stock to any employee of the
Net2Phone Group.
3
(o) "Net2Phone Group" shall mean, at any time, Net2Phone and any direct or
indirect corporate subsidiaries of Net2Phone that would be eligible to join with
Net2Phone, with respect to Federal Taxes, in the filing of a consolidated
federal income tax return and, with respect to Combined Taxes, in the filing of
a consolidated, combined, or unitary Income Tax return if Net2Phone were not
consolidated, combined, or filing on a unitary basis with any member of the IDT
Sub-Group.
(p) "Net2Phone Group Separate Return" shall mean an Income Tax return of
Net2Phone or a member of the Net2Phone Group for a Post-Deconsolidation Tax
Period other than a Combined Tax return.
(q) "Post-Deconsolidation Tax Period" means (i) any tax period, or portion
thereof, beginning and ending after the date of Deconsolidation, and (ii) with
respect to a tax period that begins before and ends after the date of
Deconsolidation, such portion of the tax period that commences on the day
immediately after the date of Deconsolidation.
(r) "Pre-Deconsolidation Tax Period" means (i) any tax period, or portion
thereof, beginning and ending before or on the date of Deconsolidation, and (ii)
with respect to a period that begins before and ends after the date of
Deconsolidation, such portion of the tax period ending on and including the date
of Deconsolidation.
(s) "Refund" shall mean any refund of Income Taxes, including any
reduction in Income Tax liabilities by means of a credit, offset or otherwise.
(t) "Tax Asset" means any net operating loss, net capital loss, investment
tax credit, foreign tax credit, charitable deduction, or any other deduction,
credit, or tax attribute which could reduce Income Tax (including, without
limitation, deductions and credits related to alternative minimum taxes).
1.2 Internal References.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, references to Articles, Sections,
and paragraphs shall refer to the corresponding articles, sections, and
paragraphs in this Agreement and references to the parties shall mean the
parties to this Agreement.
ARTICLE 2.
TAX SHARING
2.1 Tax Sharing.
(a) General. For each taxable year of the IDT Consolidated Group during
which income, loss, or credit against tax of the Net2Phone Group is includible
in the consolidated Federal Tax return of the IDT Group, Net2Phone shall pay to
4
IDT an amount equal to the Net2Phone Federal Tax Liability, and for each taxable
period during which income, loss, or credit against tax of any member of the
Net2Phone Group is includible in a return relating to a Combined Tax, Net2Phone
shall pay to IDT an amount equal to the Net2Phone Combined Tax Liability for
such taxable period, each as shown on the Pro Forma Returns (as defined in
paragraph (c) below). Subject to receipt of the payments described in the first
two sentences of this Section 2.1(a), and subject to the provisions of Section
2.1(d), IDT shall be liable for and shall indemnify the Net2Phone Group against
all Income Taxes due with respect of all consolidated Federal Tax returns of the
IDT Group, and all returns relating to a Combined Tax.
(b) Estimated Payments. For each taxable period as to which Section
2.1(a) applies, IDT may determine the amount of the estimated tax installment of
the Net2Phone Federal Tax Liability (corresponding to IDT's estimated Federal
Tax installment), as determined under the principles of Section 2.1(a). If IDT
makes such a determination, Net2Phone shall pay to IDT, within ten (10) business
days (i) of the statutorily mandated payment date or (ii), if later, of the date
of delivery of a written request for such payment under this Section 2.1(b), the
amount so determined. In addition for each taxable period as to which Section
2.1(a) applies, IDT may determine under provisions of applicable law the amount
of the estimated tax installment of the Net2Phone Combined Tax Liability
(corresponding to the relevant estimated Combined Tax installment), as
determined under the principles of Section 2.1(a). If IDT makes such a
determination, Net2Phone shall pay to IDT, within ten (10) business days (i) of
the statutorily mandated payment date or (ii), if later, of the date of delivery
of a written request for such payment under this Section 2.1(b), the amount so
determined.
(c) Payment of Taxes at Year-End.
(i) Within thirty (30) days after the date the IDT Consolidated
Group's Federal Tax return is filed, IDT shall make available to Net2Phone
a pro forma Federal Tax return (a "Pro Forma Federal Return") of the
Net2Phone Group reflecting the Net2Phone Federal Tax Liability. Within
thirty (30) days after the date the last Combined Tax return is filed for
the fiscal year to which such returns relate, IDT shall make available to
Net2Phone the relevant pro forma Combined Tax returns (each a "Pro Forma
Combined Tax Return" and together with the Pro Forma Federal Returns, the
"Pro Forma Returns") of the Net2Phone Group reflecting the relevant
Net2Phone Combined Tax Liability. The Pro Forma Returns shall be prepared
in good faith in a manner generally consistent with past practice.
(ii) Within ten (10) days of the receipt by Net2Phone of a Pro Forma
Federal Return, Net2Phone shall pay to IDT, or IDT shall pay to Net2Phone,
as appropriate, an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the
Net2Phone Federal Tax Liability reflected on the Pro Forma Federal Return
for such year and the aggregate amount of the estimated installments of the
Net2Phone Federal Tax Liability for such year made pursuant to Section
2.1(b). Within ten (10) days of the receipt of the Pro Form Combined Tax
Returns, Net2Phone shall pay to IDT, or IDT shall pay to Net2Phone, as
appropriate, an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the
5
Net2Phone Combined Tax Liability reflected on the relevant Pro Forma
Combined Tax Returns and the aggregate amount of the estimated installments
paid with respect to the corresponding Net2Phone Combined Tax Liability
pursuant to Section 2.1(b).
(iii) If, under applicable law and consistent with this Agreement, the
IDT Sub-Group avails itself of a Tax Asset of the Net2Phone Group, IDT
shall pay to Net2Phone an amount equal to the Income Tax Benefit
attributable to such Tax Asset, if and when Actually Realized by IDT. The
parties agree that all net operating losses and net capital losses of the
IDT Group shall be taken into account by IDT in the order in which such net
operating losses and net capital losses have arisen; all other Tax Assets
of the Net2Phone Group shall be taken into account by IDT in the above-
described manner, subject, however, to the ordering rules then in effect
under the Code.
(iv) In the event that IDT makes a cash deposit with a taxing authority
in order to stop the running of interest or makes a payment of tax and
correspondingly takes action to recoup such payment (such as suing for a
refund), Net2Phone shall pay to IDT, within ten (10) days (i) of the date
such cash deposit is made by IDT or (ii) if later, of the date of delivery
of a written request for such payment under this Section 2.1(c)(iv), an
amount equal to Net2Phone's share of the amount so deposited or paid
(calculated in a manner consistent with the determinations provided in this
Article 2). Upon receipt by IDT of a refund of any amounts paid by it in
respect of which Net2Phone shall have advanced an amount hereunder, IDT
shall pay to Net2Phone the amount of such refund, together with any
interest received by it on such refund, within ten (10) days of the receipt
of such refund. If and to the extent that any claim for refund or contest
based thereupon shall be unsuccessful, the payment by Net2Phone under this
Section 2.1(c)(iv) may be credited by IDT toward any of Net2Phone's
obligations under this Section 2.1.
(d) Treatment of Adjustments. If any adjustment is made in a Federal Tax
return of the IDT Group or in a return relating to a Combined Tax of the IDT
Group, after the filing thereof, in which income or loss of the Net2Phone Group
(or any member thereof) is included, then at the time of a Final Determination
of the adjustment Net2Phone shall pay to IDT, or IDT shall pay to Net2Phone, as
the case may be, the difference between all payments actually made under Section
2.1 with respect to the taxable year or period covered by such tax return and
all payments that would have been made under Section 2.1 taking such adjustment
into account together with any penalties actually paid and interest for each day
until the date of Final Determination calculated at the rate determined, in the
case of a payment by Net2Phone, under Section 6621(a)(2) of the Code and, in the
case of a payment by IDT, under Section 6621(a)(1) of the Code.
(e) Preparation of Consolidated and Combined Returns. For all taxable
periods ending on or before the Deconsolidation Date, so long as the IDT Group
6
elects to file (i) consolidated Federal Tax returns as permitted by Section 1501
of the Code or (ii) any Combined Tax return as permitted by applicable state
law, Net2Phone shall consent to the filing of such returns by IDT. IDT shall
prepare and file such returns and any other returns, documents, or statements
required to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to the
determination of the Federal Tax liability of the IDT Group and with the
appropriate taxing authorities with respect to the determination of a Combined
Tax liability. With respect to such return preparation, IDT shall act in good
faith with regard to all members included in an applicable return. IDT shall
have the right with respect to any consolidated Federal Tax return or return
relating to a Combined Tax that it has filed or will file to determine in good
faith (i) the manner in which such returns, documents or statements shall be
prepared and filed, including, without limitation, the manner in which any item
of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit shall be reported, (ii) whether any
extensions should be requested, and (iii) the elections that will be made by any
member of the IDT Group.
(f) Contest of Consolidated and Combined Returns. IDT shall have the
right, in good faith, to (i) contest, compromise, or settle any adjustment or
deficiency proposed, or as a result of any audit of any Federal Tax return or
return relating to a Combined Tax, (ii) file, prosecute, compromise or settle
any claim for refund, and (iii) determine whether any refunds shall be received
by way of refund or credited against tax liabilities. In addition, IDT shall
prepare and file ruling requests, and take all other actions on behalf of any
member of the IDT Group that it deems appropriate in providing tax services to
the members of the IDT Group. IDT shall, to the extent such information is
available, advise Net2Phone of any significant Net2Phone tax issue being audited
or contested by the federal, state, local or other relevant taxing authorities,
shall keep Net2Phone informed with respect to any audit, contest, compromise or
settlement thereof, and shall provide to Net2Phone copies (subject to deletion
of nonrelevant information) of all material correspondence relating to such
contest.
(g) Net2Phone Consent. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
Section 2.1(e) or Section 2.1(f), except as IDT shall determine, in good faith,
is required by law, without the express written consent of Net2Phone, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, IDT shall not file any
amended Federal Tax return or Combined Tax return, settle any tax claim or
assessment, file any ruling request, make any Tax election, or surrender any
right to claim a Refund, if a principal effect of such action is to increase a
Net2Phone Federal Tax Liability or a Net2Phone Combined Tax Liability.
(h) Separate Returns. Net2Phone shall prepare, or cause to be prepared,
and file, or cause to be filed, all Net2Phone Group Separate Returns, and shall
pay, or cause to be paid, all Income Tax due with respect to such returns. IDT
shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, and file, or cause to be filed, all IDT
Sub-Group Separate Returns, and shall pay, or cause to be paid, all Income Tax
due with respect to such returns.
7
2.2 Reimbursement for Certain Services.
IDT shall provide services in connection with this Agreement, including,
but not limited to, (i) those services relating to the preparation of returns
(including Pro Forma Returns) described in paragraph 2.1(b) above, and (ii)
services relating to the other activities described in paragraph 2.1(e) above.
As compensation for these services, Net2Phone shall pay IDT a fee calculated on
a basis such that IDT is reimbursed for all reasonable direct and indirect costs
and expenses incurred with respect to Net2Phone's share of the overall costs and
expenses incurred by IDT with respect to tax-related services. IDT shall
calculate and invoice Net2Phone for the fee payable, and Net2Phone will pay the
invoiced amount in a manner consistent with the invoice and payment procedures
provided for in that certain Services Agreement, between IDT, certain members of
the IDT Sub-Group, and Net2Phone, dated of even date herewith.
ARTICLE 3.
POST-DECONSOLIDATION
3.1 Additional Rights and Liabilities Post-Deconsolidation.
(a) Apportionment of Tax Attributes. If the IDT Consolidated Group has a
Tax Asset, the portion, if any, of such Tax Asset that shall be apportioned to
the Net2Phone Group and treated as a carryover to the first Post-Deconsolidation
taxable period of the Net2Phone Group shall be determined in accordance with
Treasury Regulations (S)(S)1.1502-79 and 1.1502-79A; provided, however, that the
portion, if any, of any consolidated unused foreign tax credit which shall be
apportioned to the Net2Phone Group shall be determined separately with respect
to each of the items of income listed in Code section 904(d). No consolidated
Federal Income Tax Asset of the IDT Consolidated Group, other than those
described in the first sentence hereof, and no Combined Tax Asset of the IDT
Group, shall be apportioned to the Net2Phone Group, except as IDT determines is
otherwise required under the provisions of applicable law. IDT shall determine
the portion, if any, of any Tax Asset which must (absent a Final Determination
to the contrary) be apportioned to the Net2Phone Group in accordance with this
Section 3.1(a) and applicable law, and shall provide written notice of the
calculation thereof to Net2Phone as soon as practicable after the information
necessary to make such calculation becomes available to IDT.
(b) Apportionment of Consolidated Section 382 Limitation. In the event
that, after the date of this Agreement and prior to Deconsolidation, the IDT
Group suffers an ownership change resulting in a consolidated Section 382
limitation (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations (S)1.1502-95T), then,
upon Deconsolidation, IDT shall equitably apportion the consolidated Section 382
limitation between the IDT Sub-Group and the Net2Phone Group as permitted by
Treasury Regulations (S)1.1502-95T(c) and shall prepare and file the election to
apportion the consolidated Section 382 limitation in accordance with the
provisions of Treasury Regulations
8
(S)1.1502-95T(e). Net2Phone agrees to cooperate in the preparation, execution
and filing of such election.
(c) Net2Phone Group Separate Returns. Net2Phone shall prepare, or cause
to be prepared all Net2Phone Group Separate Returns. Net2Phone covenants that on
or after a Deconsolidation it will not, nor will it cause or permit any member
of the Net2Phone Group to make or change any tax election, change any accounting
method, amend any tax return or take any tax position on any tax return, take
any other action, omit to take any action, or enter into any transaction that
results in any increase in the tax liability or reduction of any Tax Asset of
the IDT Group in respect of any Pre-Deconsolidation Tax Period, without first
obtaining the written consent of an authorized representative of IDT.
(d) Carrybacks. Except to the extent otherwise consented to by IDT or
prohibited by applicable law, Net2Phone (on its own behalf and on behalf of the
Net2Phone Group) shall elect to relinquish, waive or otherwise forego all
Carrybacks. In the event that Net2Phone is prohibited by applicable law to
relinquish, waive or otherwise forego a Carryback (or IDT consents thereto), (i)
IDT shall cooperate with Net2Phone, at Net2Phone's expense, in seeking from the
appropriate taxing jurisdiction such Refund as reasonably would result from such
Carryback, and (ii) Net2Phone shall be entitled to any Income Tax Benefit
Actually Realized by a member of the IDT Group (including any interest thereon
received from such taxing jurisdiction), to the extent that such Income Tax
Benefit is directly attributable to such Carryback, within 10 days after such
Income Tax Benefit is Actually Realized; provided, however, that Net2Phone shall
indemnify and hold the members of the IDT Group harmless from and against any
and all collateral tax consequences resulting from or caused by any such
Carryback, including (but not limited to) the loss or postponement of benefit
from the use of tax attributes generated by a member of the IDT Group (x) that
expire unutilized, but would have been utilized but for such Carryback, or (y)
the use of which is postponed to a later taxable period than the taxable period
in which such tax attributes otherwise would have been utilized but for such
Carryback. Nothing in this Agreement shall require IDT to file a claim for
refund of Federal Taxes or Combined Taxes which IDT, in its sole discretion,
determines lacks substantial authority, as defined in the Code and the Treasury
Regulations thereunder. If there is a Final Determination that results in any
change to or adjustment of an Income Tax Benefit Actually Realized by a member
of the IDT Group that is directly attributable to a Carryback, then IDT (or its
designee) shall make a payment to Net2Phone, or Net2Phone shall make a payment
to IDT (or its designee), as may be necessary to adjust the payments between
Net2Phone and IDT (or its designee) to reflect the payments that would have been
made under this Section 3.1(d) had the adjusted amount of such Income Tax
Benefit been taken into account in computing the payments due under this Section
3.1(d).
(e) Refunds. Except to the extent provided in Section 3.1(d) hereof, IDT
shall be entitled to all Refunds (and any interest thereon received from the
applicable taxing jurisdiction) in respect of Income Taxes for all Pre-
9
Deconsolidation Tax Periods. Except to the extent provided in Section 3.1(d),
Net2Phone shall be entitled to all Refunds (and any interest thereon received
from the applicable taxing jurisdiction) in respect of Income Taxes paid by
Net2Phone with respect to Net2Phone Group Separate Returns and attributable to
Post-Deconsolidation Tax Periods included in Combined Tax returns. A party
receiving a Refund to which another party is entitled pursuant to this Section
3.1(e) shall pay the amount to which such other party is entitled within ten
days after such Refund is Actually Realized. IDT shall be permitted to file, and
Net2Phone shall fully cooperate with IDT in connection with, any claim for
Refund in respect of an Income Tax for which IDT is responsible pursuant to
Section 2.1 (a) hereof.
ARTICLE 4.
MISCELLANEOUS
4.1 Limitation of Liability.
Neither IDT nor Net2Phone shall be liable to the other for any special,
indirect, incidental, or consequential damages of the other arising in
connection with this Agreement.
4.2 Subsidiaries.
(a) Performance. IDT agrees and acknowledges that IDT shall be responsible
for the performance of the obligations of each member of the IDT Sub-Group
hereunder applicable to such subsidiary. Net2Phone agrees and acknowledges that
Net2Phone shall be responsible for the performance by each member of the
Net2Phone Group of the obligations hereunder applicable to such member.
(b) Application to Present and Future Subsidiaries. This Agreement is
being entered into by IDT and Net2Phone on behalf of themselves and each member
of the IDT Sub-Group and the Net2Phone Group, respectively. This Agreement shall
constitute a direct obligation of each such member and shall be deemed to have
been readopted and affirmed on behalf of any corporation which becomes a member
of the IDT Sub-Group or the Net2Phone Group in the future. IDT shall cause each
member of the IDT Group, and Net2Phone shall cause each member of the Net2Phone
Group, to comply fully with the terms of this Agreement. Each party shall, upon
the written request of the other, cause any of their respective group members to
execute and deliver a counterpart of this Agreement.
4.3 Cooperation.
(a) Net2Phone, on behalf of itself and each member of the Net2Phone Group,
agrees to provide IDT (or its designee) with such cooperation or information as
IDT (or its designee) reasonably shall request in connection with the
determination of any other calculations described in this Agreement, the
preparation or filing of any Income Tax return or claim for Refund, or the
conduct of any proceeding relating to Income Tax. Such cooperation and
information shall include,
10
without limitation, upon reasonable notice (i) promptly forwarding copies of
appropriate notices and forms or other communications (including, without
limitation, information document requests, revenue agent's reports and similar
reports, notices of proposed adjustments and notices of deficiency) received
from or sent to any taxing jurisdiction or any other administrative, judicial or
governmental authority, (ii) providing copies of all relevant Income Tax
returns, together with accompanying schedules and related workpapers, documents
relating to rulings or other determinations by taxing authorities, and such
other records concerning the ownership and tax basis of property, or other
relevant information that Net2Phone or any member of the Net2Phone Group may
possess, (iii) the provision of such additional information and explanations of
documents and information provided under this Agreement (including statements,
certificates and schedules delivered by either party) as shall be reasonably
requested by IDT (or its designee), (iv) the execution of any document that may
be necessary or reasonably helpful in connection with the filing of an Income
Tax return, a claim for a Refund, or in connection with any proceeding,
including such waivers, consents or powers of attorney as may be necessary for
IDT to exercise its rights under this Agreement, and (v) the use of Net2Phone's
reasonable efforts to obtain any documentation from a governmental authority or
a third party that may be necessary or reasonably helpful in connection with any
of the foregoing. Upon reasonable notice, Net2Phone shall make its, or shall
cause each member of the Net2Phone Group to make its, employees and facilities
available on a mutually convenient basis to provide explanation of any documents
or information provided hereunder. Any information obtained under this Section
4.3(a) shall be kept confidential, except as otherwise reasonably may be
necessary in connection with the filing of Income Tax returns or claims for
Refund or in conducting any proceeding. It is expressly the intention of the
parties to this Agreement to take all actions that shall be necessary to
establish IDT as the sole agent for Income Tax purposes with respect to all IDT
consolidated Federal Returns and Combined Tax returns.
(b) IDT, on behalf of itself and each member of the IDT Sub-Group, agrees
to provide Net2Phone (or its designee) with such cooperation or information as
Net2Phone (or its designee) reasonably shall request in connection with the
determination of any other calculations described in this Agreement, the
preparation or filing of any Income Tax return or claim for Refund, or the
conduct of any proceeding relating to Income Tax. Such cooperation and
information shall include, without limitation, upon reasonable notice (i)
promptly forwarding copies of appropriate notices and forms or other
communications (including, without limitation, information document requests,
revenue agent's reports and similar reports, notices of proposed adjustments and
notices of deficiency) received from or sent to any taxing jurisdiction or any
other administrative, judicial or governmental authority, (ii) providing copies
of all relevant Income Tax returns, together with accompanying schedules and
related workpapers, documents relating to rulings or other determinations by
taxing authorities, and such other records concerning the ownership and tax
basis of property, or other relevant information that IDT or any member of the
IDT Sub-Group may possess, (iii) the provision of such additional information
and explanations of documents and information provided under this
11
Agreement (including statements, certificates and schedules delivered by either
party) as shall be reasonably requested by Net2Phone (or its designee), (iv) the
execution of any document that may be necessary or reasonably helpful in
connection with the filing of an Income Tax return, a claim for a Refund, or in
connection with any proceeding, including such waivers, consents or powers of
attorney as may be necessary for Net2Phone to exercise its rights under this
Agreement, and (v) the use of IDT's reasonable efforts to obtain any
documentation from a governmental authority or a third party that may be
necessary or reasonably helpful in connection with any of the foregoing. Upon
reasonable notice, IDT shall make its, or shall cause each member of the IDT
Sub-Group to make its, employees and facilities available on a mutually
convenient basis to provide explanation of any documents or information provided
hereunder. Any information obtained under this Section 4.3(b) shall be kept
confidential, except as otherwise reasonably may be necessary in connection with
the filing of Income Tax returns or claims for Refund or in conducting any
proceeding. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, neither
Net2Phone, nor any of member of the Net2Phone Group shall have any right to
receive or obtain any information relating to Income Taxes of IDT or the IDT
Group other than (i) information relating solely to Net2Phone or a member of the
Net2Phone Group, and (ii) information required to be provided pursuant to
Section 2.1(f) hereof.
4.4 Retention of Records.
Net2Phone agrees to retain all Income Tax returns, related schedules and
workpapers, and all material records and other documents as required under Code
Section 6001 and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (and any
similar provision of state, local, or foreign Income Tax law) existing on the
date hereof or created in respect of (i) any taxable period that ends on or
before or includes the Deconsolidation Date or (ii) any taxable period that may
be subject to a claim hereunder, until the later of (x) the expiration of the
statute of limitations (including extensions) for the taxable periods to which
such Income Tax returns and other documents relate and (y) the Final
Determination of any payments that may be required in respect of such taxable
periods under this Agreement. IDT shall notify Net2Phone whenever the applicable
statute of limitations for any taxable period, including extensions, expires or,
if sooner or later, as the case may be, whenever a Final Determination has
occurred with respect to such taxable period. From and after the end of the
period described in the first sentence of this Section 4.4, if Net2Phone wishes
to dispose of any such records and documents, then Net2Phone shall provide
written notice thereof to IDT and shall provide IDT the opportunity to take
possession of any such records and documents within 90 days after such notice is
delivered, at IDT's sole cost and expense; provided, however, that if IDT does
not, within such 90-day period, confirm its intention to take possession of such
records and documents, Net2Phone may destroy or otherwise dispose of such
records and documents.
12
4.5 Agent.
Each member of the Net2Phone Group hereby irrevocably appoints IDT as its
agent and limited attorney-in-fact to take any action as IDT may deem necessary
or appropriate to effect Section 2.1 including, without limitation, those
actions specified in Treasury Regulation (S)1.1502-77(a).
4.6 Amendments.
This Agreement may not be amended or terminated orally, but only by a
writing duly executed by or on behalf of the parties hereto. Any such amendment
shall be validly and sufficiently authorized for purposes of this Agreement if
it is signed on behalf of IDT and Net2Phone by any of their respective
presidents or vice presidents.
4.7 Resolution of Disputes.
Any disputes between the parties concerning the calculation of amounts,
allocation, or attribution of costs, or any Tax Asset or Income Tax Benefit, or
similar accounting matters shall be resolved in accordance with IDT's
interpretation of this Agreement, unless Net2Phone shall provide IDT with an
opinion of a nationally recognized public accounting firm to the effect that
such interpretation is unreasonable. If such opinion takes the position that
IDT's interpretation of this Agreement is unreasonable, and the parties,
conferring in good faith, cannot thereafter successfully resolve such dispute in
a timely manner, then either party may submit the matter to binding arbitration
in accordance with the Rules of Commercial Arbitration of the American
Arbitration Association. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator(s)
may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Such arbitration shall
occur in New York City pursuant to Article VIII of the Separation Agreement
entered into between the parties as of the date hereof , unless the otherwise
agreed by the parties. The arbitrator(s) may, in such proceeding, award
attorney's fees and costs to the prevailing party.
4.8 Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any such provision
to any party or circumstances shall be determined by any court of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable to any extent, the
remainder of this Agreement or such provision or the application of such
provision to such party or circumstances, other than those to which it is so
determined to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, shall remain in full force
and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law and shall not be affected
thereby, unless such a construction would be unreasonable.
13
4.9 Notices.
All notices and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall
be in writing, shall be deemed duly given upon actual receipt, and shall be
delivered (a) in person, (b) by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid,
return receipt requested, or (c) by facsimile or other generally accepted means
of electronic transmission (provided that a copy of any notice delivered
pursuant to this clause (c) shall also be sent pursuant to clause (a) or (b)),
addressed as follows:
(1) If to IDT to:
IDT Corporation
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
(2) If to Net2Phone, to:
Net2Phone, Inc.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
4.10 Expenses.
Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, each party shall
bear any and all expenses that arise from its respective obligations under this
Agreement.
4.11 Further Assurances.
IDT and Net2Phone shall execute, acknowledge, and deliver, or cause to be
executed, acknowledged, and delivered, such instruments and take such other
actions as may be necessary or advisable to carry out their obligations under
this Agreement and under any exhibit, document, or other instrument delivered
pursuant hereto.
4.12 Entire Agreement.
This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding of the parties hereto
with respect to the subject matter hereof.
4.13 Successors.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any
successor, by merger, acquisition of assets, or otherwise, to any of the parties
hereto (including but not limited to any successor of IDT and Net2Phone
succeeding to the
14
tax attributes of such party under Section 381 of the Code), to the same extent
as if such successor had been an original party hereto.
4.14 Authorization, etc.
Each of the parties hereto hereby represents and warrants that it has the
power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement, that this
Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part
of such party, that this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of each such party, and that the execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement by such party does not contravene or conflict with any
provision of law or of its charter or bylaws or any agreement instrument or
order binding on such party.
4.15 Titles and Headings.
Titles and headings to sections herein are for convenience and reference
only and are not intended to be a part, or to affect the meaning or
interpretation, of this Agreement.
4.16 Governing Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of New York.
4.17 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same Agreement.
15
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this agreement to
be executed by a duly authorized officer as of the date first above written.
IDT CORPORATION NET2PHONE, INC.
By /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ By /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
-------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Title: Chief Financial Officer Title: Chief Executive Officer
16