EXHIBIT 10.1
TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT
By and Between
OCWEN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
and
ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L.
Dated as of August 10, 2009
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TAX
MATTERS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) entered
into as of August 10, 2009, by and between OCWEN FINANCIAL
CORPORATION, a Florida corporation (“ OFC ”),
and ALTISOURCE SOLUTIONS S.À R.L., a private limited
liability company organized under the laws of the Grand Duchy of
Luxembourg and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of OFC (“
Altisource ”).
WHEREAS,
the board of directors of OFC has determined that it is in the best
interests of OFC and its shareholders to separate the Altisource
Business (as defined below) from OFC.
WHEREAS,
as of the date hereof, OFC is the common parent of an affiliated
group of corporations, including Altisource, which has elected to
file consolidated United States Federal income tax
returns;
WHEREAS,
OFC and Altisource have entered into the Separation Agreement (as
defined below), pursuant to which OFC agreed to contribute and
otherwise transfer to Altisource, and Altisource agreed to receive
and assume, the assets and liabilities then associated with the
Altisource Business.
WHEREAS,
OFC intends to distribute to shareholders of OFC all the
outstanding shares of Altisource Capital Stock;
WHEREAS,
pursuant to the Distribution (as defined in the Separation
Agreement), Altisource and its subsidiaries will cease to be
members of the affiliated group (as that term is defined in Section
1504 of the Code (as defined below)) of which OFC is the common
parent; and
WHEREAS
the Companies (as defined below) desire to provide for and agree
upon the allocation between the Companies of liabilities for Taxes
(as defined below) arising prior to, as a result of, and subsequent
to the Distribution, and to provide for and agree upon other
matters relating to Taxes.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements contained
herein, the Companies hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Definition of Terms
For
purposes of this Agreement (including the recitals hereof), the
following terms have the following meanings, and capitalized terms
used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning
ascribed to them in the Separation Agreement:
“
Accountant ” shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 8.02(b).
“
Accounting Cutoff Date ” means, with respect to
Altisource, any date as of the end of which there is a closing of
the financial accounting records for Altisource.
“
Active Trade or Business ” means the active conduct
(within the meaning of Section 355(b) of the Code and the
regulations thereunder) by Altisource of the Altisource
Business.
“
Adjustment Request ” means any formal or informal
claim or request filed with any Tax Authority, or with any
administrative agency or court, for the adjustment, refund or
credit of Taxes, including (a) any amended Tax Return claiming
adjustment to the Taxes as reported on the Tax Return or, if
applicable, as previously adjusted, (b) any claim for equitable
recoupment or other offset and (c) any claim for refund or credit
of Taxes previously paid.
“
Affiliate ” means any entity that is directly or
indirectly “controlled” by either the person in
question or an Affiliate of such person. For purposes of the
definition of “Affiliate,” “control” means
the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or
cause the direction of the management and policies of a person,
whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise.
“
Agreement ” shall have the meaning provided in the
first sentence of this Agreement.
“
Altisource ” shall have the meaning provided in the
first sentence of this Agreement.
“
Altisource Affiliated Group ” shall have the meaning
provided in the definition of “ Altisource Federal
Consolidated Income Tax Return .”
“
Altisource Business ” means the knowledge process
outsourcing business, as defined in the Separation
Agreement.
“
Altisource Capital Stock ” means all classes or series
of capital stock of Altisource, including (i) the Altisource Common
Stock, (ii) all options, warrants and other rights to acquire such
capital stock and (iii) all instruments properly treated as stock
in Altisource for U.S. Federal income tax purposes.
“
Altisource Carryback ” means any net operating loss,
net capital loss, excess tax credit or other similar Tax item of
any member of the Altisource Group that may or must be carried from
one Tax Period to another prior Tax Period under the Code or other
applicable Tax Law.
“
Altisource Common Stock ” has the meaning set forth in
the Separation and Distribution Agreement.
“
Altisource Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return ”
means any United States (or any foreign country) Federal income Tax
Return for the affiliated group (as that term is defined in Section
1504 of the Code) of which Altisource (or a subsidiary thereof) is
the common parent (the “ Altisource Affiliated Group
”).
“
Altisource Group ” means Altisource and its
Subsidiaries, as determined immediately after the
Distribution.
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“
Altisource Separate Return ” means any Separate Return
of Altisource or any member of the Altisource Group.
“
Ancillary Agreements ” means the Employee Matters
Agreement, the Transition Services Agreement, the Tax Matters
Agreement, the Intellectual Property Agreement, the Data Center and
Disaster Recovery Agreement, the Services Agreements and any
instruments, assignments and other documents and agreements
executed in connection with the implementation of the transactions
contemplated by the Separation Agreement, including Article
II .
“
Base Rate ” shall be the rate as set forth in Article
XV.
“
Board Certificate ” shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 7.02(d).
“
Closing Date ” means the date of the
Distribution.
“
Code ” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended.
“
Companies ” means OFC and Altisource, collectively,
and “ Company ,” as the context requires, means
either OFC or Altisource.
“
Contribution ” means the contribution of assets and
liabilities by OFC itself directly to Altisource itself pursuant to
Sections 2.01, 2.02, 2.03, 2.04 and 2.05 of the Separation
Agreement.
“
Distribution ” has the meaning set forth in the
Separation Agreement.
“
Distribution-Related Proceeding ” means any Tax
Contest in which the IRS, another Tax Authority or any other party
asserts a position that could reasonably be expected to adversely
affect the Tax-Free Status.
“
Fifty-Percent or Greater Interest ” shall have the
meaning ascribed to such term for purposes of Sections 355(d) and
(e) of the Code.
“
Filing Date ” shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.03(c).
“
Final Determination ” means the final resolution of
liability for any Tax, which resolution may be for a specific issue
or adjustment or for a taxable period, (a) by IRS Form 870 or
870-AD (or any successor forms thereto), on the date of acceptance
by or on behalf of the taxpayer, or by a comparable form under the
laws of a State, local, or foreign taxing jurisdiction, except that
a Form 870 or 870-AD or comparable form shall not constitute a
Final Determination to the extent that it reserves (whether by its
terms or by operation of law) the right of the taxpayer to file a
claim for refund or the right of the Tax Authority to assert a
further deficiency in respect of such issue or adjustment or for
such taxable period (as the case may be); (b) by a decision,
judgment, decree or other order by a court of competent
jurisdiction, which has become final and unappealable; (c) by a
closing agreement or accepted offer in compromise under Sections
7121 or 7122 of the Code, or a comparable agreement under the laws
of a State, local or foreign taxing jurisdiction; (d) by any
allowance of a refund or credit in respect of an overpayment of
Tax, but only after the expiration of all periods during which such
refund may be recovered (including by way of offset) by the
jurisdiction imposing such Tax; (e) by a final settlement resulting
from a treaty-based competent authority determination; or (f) by
any other final disposition, including by reason of the expiration
of the applicable statute of limitations or by mutual agreement of
the parties.
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“
Group ” means the OFC Group or the Altisource Group,
or both, as the context requires.
“
High-Level Dispute ” means any dispute or disagreement
(a) relating to liability under Section 7.03 of this Agreement or
(b) in which the amount of the liability in dispute exceeds $2
million.
“
Indemnitee ” shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 13.03.
“
Indemnitor ” shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 13.03.
“
IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue
Service.
“
Joint Return ” means any Tax Return that includes at
least one member of the OFC Group and at least one member of the
Altisource Group.
“
Notified Action ” shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7.02(e).
“
OFC ” shall have the meaning provided in the first
sentence of this Agreement.
“
OFC Affiliated Group ” shall have the meaning provided
in the definition of “ OFC Federal Consolidated Income Tax
Return .”
“
OFC Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return ” means any
United States Federal income Tax Return for the affiliated group
(as that term is defined in Section 1504 of the Code and the
regulations thereunder) of which OFC is the common parent (the
“ OFC Affiliated Group ”).
“
OFC Group ” means OFC and its Subsidiaries, excluding
any entity that is a member of the Altisource Group.
“
OFC Separate Return ” means any Separate Return of OFC
or any member of the OFC Group.
“
OFC State Combined Income Tax Return ” means a
consolidated, combined or unitary State Income Tax Return that
actually includes, by election or otherwise, one or more members of
the OFC Group together with one or more members of the Altisource
Group.
“
Past Practices ” shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4.04(a).
“
Payment Date ” means (i) with respect to any OFC
Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return, the due date for any
required installment of estimated taxes determined under Section
6655 of the Code, the due date (determined without regard to
extensions) for filing the return determined under Section 6072 of
the Code, and the date the return is filed, and (ii) with respect
to any other Tax Return, the corresponding dates determined under
the applicable Tax Law.
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“
Person ” means an individual, a partnership, a
corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint
stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated
organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or
political subdivision thereof, without regard to whether any entity
is treated as disregarded for U.S. Federal income tax
purposes.
“
Post-Closing Period ” means any Tax Period that, to
the extent it relates to a member of the Altisource Group, begins
after the Closing Date.
“
Pre-Closing Period ” means any Tax Period that, to the
extent it relates to a member of the Altisource Group, ends on or
before the Closing Date.
“
Privilege ” means any privilege that may be asserted
under applicable law, including any privilege arising under or
relating to the attorney-client relationship (including the
attorney-client and work product privileges), the accountant-client
privilege and any privilege relating to internal evaluation
processes.
“
Proposed Acquisition Transaction ” means a transaction
or series of transactions (or any agreement, understanding or
arrangement, within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code and
Treasury Regulation Section 1.355-7, or any other regulations
promulgated thereunder, to enter into a transaction or series of
transactions), whether such transaction is supported by Altisource
management or shareholders, is a hostile acquisition, or otherwise,
as a result of which Altisource would merge or consolidate with any
other Person or as a result of which one or more Persons would
(directly or indirectly) acquire, or have the right to acquire,
from Altisource and/or one or more holders of outstanding shares of
Altisource Capital Stock, a number of shares of Altisource Capital
Stock that would, when combined with any other changes in ownership
of Altisource Capital Stock pertinent for purposes of Section
355(e) of the Code, comprise 40% or more of (A) the value of all
outstanding shares of stock of Altisource as of the date of such
transaction, or in the case of a series of transactions, the date
of the last transaction of such series, or (B) the total combined
voting power of all outstanding shares of voting stock of
Altisource as of the date of such transaction or, in the case of a
series of transactions, the date of the last transaction of such
series. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Proposed Acquisition
Transaction shall not include (A) the adoption by Altisource of a
shareholder rights plan or (B) issuances by Altisource that satisfy
Safe Harbor VIII (relating to acquisitions in connection with a
person’s performance of services) or Safe Harbor IX (relating
to acquisitions by a retirement plan of an employer) of Treasury
Regulation Section 1.355-7(d). For purposes of determining whether
a transaction constitutes an indirect acquisition, any
recapitalization resulting in a shift of voting power or any
redemption of shares of stock shall be treated as an indirect
acquisition of shares of stock by the non-exchanging shareholders.
This definition and the application thereof is intended to monitor
compliance with Section 355(e) of the Code and shall be interpreted
accordingly. Any clarification of, or change in, the statute or
regulations promulgated under Section 355(e) of the Code shall be
incorporated in this definition and its interpretation.
5
“
Representation Letters ” means the representation
letters and any other materials delivered or deliverable by OFC,
Altisource or others in connection with the rendering by Tax
Advisors of any opinions in connection with the
Transactions.
“
Responsible Company ” means, with respect to any Tax
Return, the Company having responsibility for preparing and filing
such Tax Return under this Agreement.
“
Ruling ” means any private letter ruling issued by the
IRS in connection with the Transactions or any similar ruling
(including any supplemental ruling) issued by any Tax Authority
other than the IRS in connection with the Transactions.
“
Section 7.02(d) Acquisition Transaction ” means any
transaction or series of transactions that is not a Proposed
Acquisition Transaction but would be a Proposed Acquisition
Transaction if the percentage reflected in the definition of
Proposed Acquisition Transaction were 25% instead of
40%.
“
Separate Return ” means (a) in the case of any Tax
Return of any member of the Altisource Group (including any
consolidated, combined or unitary return), any such Tax Return that
does not include any member of the OFC Group and (b) in the case of
any Tax Return of any member of the OFC Group (including any
consolidated, combined or unitary return), any such Tax Return that
does not include any member of the Altisource Group.
“
Separation Agreement ” means the Separation and
Distribution Agreement, as amended from time to time, by and
between OFC and Altisource dated as of August 10, 2009.
“
Signing Group ” shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 8.03.
“
State Income Tax ” means any Tax imposed by any State
of the United States or by any political subdivision of any such
State (or by the District of Columbia) that is imposed on or
measured by net income, including state and local franchise or
similar Taxes measured by net income, and any interest, penalties,
additions to tax or additional amounts in respect of the
foregoing.
“
Supplier Group ” shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 8.03.
“
Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means any
income, gross income, gross receipts, profits, capital stock,
franchise, withholding, payroll, social security, workers
compensation, unemployment, disability, property, ad valorem,
stamp, excise, severance, occupation, service, sales, use, license,
lease, transfer, import, export, value added, alternative minimum,
estimated or other tax (including any fee, assessment or other
charge in the nature of or in lieu of any tax) imposed by any
governmental entity or political subdivision thereof, and any
interest, penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts in
respect of the foregoing.
“
Tax Advisor ” means a United States tax counsel or
accountant of recognized national standing.
“
Tax Arbitrator ” shall have the meaning set forth in
Article XIV.
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“
Tax Arbitrator Dispute ” shall have the meaning set
forth in Article XIV.
“
Tax Attribute ” or “ Attribute ”
means a net operating loss, net capital loss, unused investment
credit, unused foreign tax credit, excess charitable contribution,
general business credit, Tax basis or any other Tax Item that could
reduce a Tax.
“
Tax Authority ” means, with respect to any Tax, the
governmental entity or political subdivision thereof that imposes
such Tax, and the agency (if any) charged with the collection of
such Tax for such entity or subdivision.
“
Tax Benefit ” means any refund, credit or other
reduction in otherwise required Tax payments.
“
Tax Contest ” means an audit, review, examination or
other administrative or judicial proceeding with the purpose or
effect of redetermining Taxes (including any administrative or
judicial review of any claim for refund).
“
Tax Detriment ” means any increase in required Tax
payments (or, without duplication, the reduction in any refund or
credit).
“
Tax-Free Status ” means the qualifications of (i) the
Distribution and Contribution, taken together, as a reorganization
described in Sections 355(a) and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, and (ii)
the Transactions in which OFC, Altisource and the shareholders of
OFC recognize no income or gain for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, other than in the case of the shareholders of OFC, to the
extent of any cash received in exchange for fractional shares, and
in the case of OFC, taxation under Section 367 of the
Code.
“
Tax Item ” means, with respect to any income
Tax