Moscow, Russian Federation September 21, 2007
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- Russian tax legislation and regulations are complex, uncertain and often enforced in a manner that does not
- Vaguely drafted Russian transfer pricing rules and lack of reliable pricing information may impact the Subsidiaries’ business, financial condition and results of operations
- INDICATIVE TIMETABLE
- THE SPIN-OFFS Background to and the Reasons for the Spin-Offs
- Goals and Objectives of the Reform
- History and Development of the Restructuring
- Reorganization of RAO UES; Spin-Offs
Taxation Risks Russian tax laws, regulations and court practice are subject to frequent change, varying interpretations and inconsistent and selective enforcement The Russian government has initiated reforms of the tax system that have resulted in some improvement in the tax climate. The cornerstone of such reforms was a complete redrafting of the tax law into a new Russian Tax Code. As well as providing greater clarity, this has included the reduction of the corporate profits tax rate from 35% for most companies (43% for financial institutions, insurance and intermediary companies) to 24% for all companies from January 1, 2002 and also allowed for a broader range of expenses which are deductible from the tax base. Personal income tax has been reduced substantially for individuals who are tax resident in Russia; the current tax rate for such individuals is generally 13%. The standard rate of value added tax (‘‘VAT’’) has been reduced to 18%, and certain minor taxes have been abolished, such as the road users’ tax (abolished from January 1, 2003) and sales tax (abolished from January 1, 2004). Russian tax laws, regulations and court practice are subject to frequent change, varying interpretations and inconsistent and selective enforcement. For example, under certain circumstances, the three-year statute of limitations for the assessment of taxes pursuant to a tax audit can be significantly extended. According to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, laws which introduce new taxes or worsen a taxpayer’s position cannot be applied retroactively. However, there were several instances when such laws were introduced and applied retroactively. Despite the Russian government taking steps to reduce the overall tax burden on taxpayers in recent years in line with its objectives, Russia’s largely ineffective tax collection system and continuing budgetary funding requirements increase the likelihood that the Russian Federation will impose arbitrary or onerous 87 taxes and penalties in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on the Subsidiaries’ business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects. Additionally, tax has been utilized as a tool for significant state intervention in certain key industries. In addition to the usual tax burden imposed on Russian taxpayers, the conditions referred to above complicate tax planning and related business decisions. The uncertainties caused by such conditions could possibly expose the Subsidiaries to significant fines and penalties and to potentially severe enforcement measures despite its best efforts at compliance, could result in a greater than expected tax burden and could have a material adverse effect on the Subsidiaries’ business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. It is expected that Russian tax legislation will become more sophisticated, which may result in the introduction of additional revenue raising measures. Although it is unclear how these measures would operate, the introduction of such measures may affect the Subsidiaries’ overall tax efficiency and may result in significant additional taxes becoming payable, which could result in an increase of the Subsidiaries’ tax burden. Such additional tax burden could have a material adverse effect on the Subsidiaries’ results of operations and financial condition. Russian tax legislation and regulations are complex, uncertain and often enforced in a manner that does not favor taxpayers. The Subsidiaries therefore may be subject to greater than expected tax burdens that could materially adversely affect the Subsidiaries’ business and results of operations Russian tax law and practice is not as clearly established as that of more developed market economies and the practice of the Russian tax authorities may not always be in accordance with the law. The Russian tax authorities do not always apply the law evenly to all taxpayers, in certain instances due to political motivations. It is possible that the current interpretation of the law or understanding of practice may change or, indeed, that the law may be changed with retroactive effect, even though legislation with retroactive effect that cause a deterioration in taxpayers’ positions is generally prohibited. Generally, taxes payable by Russian companies are substantial and numerous. Such taxes include, among others: • income tax; • value-added tax (‘‘VAT’’); • transportation tax; • excise taxes; • land tax; • unified social tax; • water tax; and • property tax. Historically, the tax environment in the Russian Federation has been complicated by the fact that various authorities have often issued contradictory or retroactive pieces of tax legislation. For example, tax laws are unclear with respect to the deductibility of certain expenses. As a result, the Subsidiaries may have taken positions in the past which management considered at the time to be in compliance with then-current tax law, but such positions could be subject to challenge by tax authorities in the future. Despite efforts at compliance, such uncertainty potentially exposes the Subsidiaries to the risk of significant fines, penalties and enforcement measures, and could result in a greater than expected tax burden. In practice, the Russian tax authorities often interpret the tax laws in a way that does not favor taxpayers, who often have to resort to court proceedings to defend their positions against the tax authorities. Differing interpretations of tax regulations exist both among and within government ministries and organizations at the federal, regional and local levels, creating uncertainties and inconsistent enforcement. Tax declarations, together with related documentation, such as customs declarations, are subject to review 88 and investigation by a number of authorities, each of which may impose individual fines, penalties and interest charges. Generally, taxpayers are subject to inspection for a period of three calendar years preceding the year in which an audit is carried out. Previous audits do not exclude subsequent claims relating to the audited period and the statute of limitations is not entirely effective. In addition, in some instances, new tax regulations have been given retroactive effect. On July 14, 2005, the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation issued a decision that allows the statute of limitations for tax liabilities to be extended beyond the three-year period if a court determines that a taxpayer has obstructed or hindered a tax inspection. Moreover, recent amendments to the first part of the Tax Code, effective January 1, 2007, provide for the extension of the three-year statute of limitations if the actions of the taxpayer created insurmountable obstacles for the tax audit. Because these terms are not defined, tax authorities may have broad discretion to argue that a taxpayer has ‘‘obstructed’’, ‘‘hindered’’ or ‘‘created insurmountable obstacles’’ in respect of an inspection and ultimately to seek penalties beyond the three-year term. In addition, on October 12, 2006, the Plenum of the Supreme Arbitration Court of the Russian Federation issued Ruling No. 53, which introduced a new concept of ‘‘unjustified tax benefit’’, which is defined mainly by reference to specific examples of such tax benefits (e.g. absence of business purpose), which may lead to disallowance thereof for tax purposes. There is no guidance on how the tax authorities or courts should interpret this new concept, but it is likely that the tax authorities will actively seek to apply this concept when challenging in courts tax positions taken by taxpayers. Although the intention of Ruling No. 53 was to combat abuse of tax law, in practice there is no assurance that the tax authorities will not seek to apply this concept in a broader sense than may have been intended by the Supreme Arbitration Court. Furthermore, the Resolution of Plenum of Supreme Court No 64 of December 28, 2006 ‘‘About practice of the application of the responsibility for the tax crimes’’ is indicative of the trend to broaden the application of the criminal responsibility for tax violations. The foregoing conditions create tax risks in the Russian Federation that are more significant than the tax risks typically found in countries with more developed taxation, legislative and judicial systems. These tax risks impose additional burdens and costs on the Subsidiaries’ operations, including management resources. Further, these risks and uncertainties complicate the Subsidiaries’ tax planning and related business decisions, potentially exposing the Subsidiaries to significant fines, penalties and enforcement measures, despite their best efforts at compliance, and could materially adversely affect the Subsidiaries’ businesses, financial condition and results of operations and the value of the Subsidiary Shares. The financial results of Russian companies cannot be consolidated for tax purposes. Therefore, each of the Subsidiaries’ Russian subsidiaries pays its own Russian taxes and may not offset its profit or loss against the profit or loss of any of that Subsidiary’s other subsidiaries. In addition, intercompany dividends are subject to a withholding tax of 9% if distributed to Russian corporate residents, and 15% if distributed to foreign residents. If the company that receives the intercompany dividend is Russian and itself pays a dividend to a Russian resident, the receiving company may offset the amount of withholding tax on the dividend it receives against the tax the receiving company is required to withhold on the dividend it pays to the Russian resident. However, these rules relating to intercompany dividends are expected to be changed by new legislation, with effect from of January 1, 2008, whereby dividends received by a Russian company from its Russian subsidiary will not be subject to withholding tax, provided that certain conditions (such as holding period, share of participation, amount of investment and others) described in the applicable legislation are met. Vaguely drafted Russian transfer pricing rules and lack of reliable pricing information may impact the Subsidiaries’ business, financial condition and results of operations Transfer pricing legislation became effective in the Russian Federation on January 1, 1999. Such legislation allows the tax authorities to make transfer pricing adjustments and impose additional tax liabilities in respect of all ‘‘controlled’’ transactions, provided that the transaction price differs from the market price by more than 20%. ‘‘Controlled’’ transactions include transactions with related parties, barter transactions, foreign trade transactions and transactions with unrelated parties with significant price fluctuations (i.e., if the price of such transactions differs from the prices on similar transactions by 89 more than 20% within a short period of time). Transfer pricing adjustments are also applicable to the trading of securities and derivatives. There has been no formal guidance (although some court practice is available) as to how these rules will be applied, and moreover, Russian transfer pricing rules are vaguely drafted, leaving wide scope for their interpretation to the discretion of the Russian tax authorities and arbitration courts, and their use in politically motivated investigations and prosecutions. In addition, in the event that a transfer pricing adjustment is assessed by Russian tax authorities, the Russian transfer pricing rules do not provide for an offsetting adjustment to the related counterparty in the transaction that is subject to adjustment. Due to the uncertainties in the interpretation of transfer pricing legislation, the tax authorities may challenge the prices of certain Subsidiaries’ transactions and propose adjustments. If such price adjustments relate to any Subsidiary or its subsidiaries and are upheld by the Russian arbitration courts and implemented, the relevant Subsidiary’s results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In addition, the Subsidiaries could face significant losses associated with the assessed amount of prior underpaid taxes and related interest and penalties, which could have a material adverse effect on the Subsidiaries’ financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation is in the process of drafting proposed amendments to the transfer pricing legislation. Currently, a draft law is under discussion that will potentially tighten transfer pricing rules further. At this time, it cannot be predicted what the effect on taxpayers of the law, if enacted, may be. 90 INDICATIVE TIMETABLE The following timetable identifies the key dates and time periods for the implementation of the Spin-Offs, assuming that the Spin-Offs are approved. This timetable has been prepared based on the best estimates of RAO UES’ management of when the following events will occur. The dates in the timetable are indicative only. There can be no assurance that these events will occur or that the timing of these events will be as described below. Significant delays may be caused by the granting of regulatory consents, actions by third persons, changes to Russian law or due to other circumstances. July 27, 2007 Meeting of the Board of Directors of RAO UES at which it was resolved to call the EGM for shareholder approval of the Spin-Offs and the RAO UES Merger. At the meeting, the Board of Directors also set the price at which the RAO UES Shares may be redeemed by dissenting and non-voting shareholders if the Spin-Offs are approved. August 31, 2007 Meeting of the Board of Directors of RAO UES at which it was resolved to recommend to the shareholders to vote in favor of the Spin-Offs and the RAO UES Merger. August 23, 2007 EGM Record Date. September 26, 2007 EGM materials to be made available to RAO UES shareholders of record for inspection in the offices of RAO UES and the RAO UES registrar. October 6, 2007 EGM materials to be sent to holders of record of RAO UES ADRs and made available to holders of record of RAO UES GDRs. October 22, 2007 Deadline for holders of record of RAO UES GDRs to deliver EGM voting instructions to the RAO UES GDR Depositary (by 12:00 pm New York time). October 22, 2007 Deadline for holders of record of RAO UES ADRs to deliver EGM voting instructions to the RAO UES ADR Depositary. October 26, 2007 EGM is held by absentee ballot voting. November 2007 Distribution by the Redemption Agents of redemption materials to holders of record of RAO UES DRs who voted against or did not vote on the Spin-Offs proposals. November 30, 2007 Last day for holders of record of RAO UES DRs to deliver redemption requests and to surrender their RAO UES DRs to the relevant Redemption Agent. December 10, 2007 End of Redemption Election Period. December 15, 2007 Meeting of Board of Directors of RAO UES to approve the results of the surrender by RAO UES shareholders (including the Depositaries) of their RAO UES Shares for redemption. December 2007 Gencos establish Regulation S GDR Facilities. January 9, 2008 Last day for RAO UES to redeem shares surrendered by dissenting and non-voting shareholders and holders of RAO UES DRs. 91 January 2008 Certain of the Subsidiaries obtain, as applicable, anti-monopoly approval of the FAS for the merger with relevant Holdcos. April 2008 Sochinskaya TES and HydroOGK establish Regulation S GDR Facilities. June 2008 Spin-Offs Record Date. June 2008 The FSK establishes a Regulation S GDR Facility. July 2008 State registration in the USRLE of creation of the Holdcos, followed in the case of State Holdcos, Minority Holdcos and InterRAO Holding by the immediate state registration of their termination in connection with their merger into the relevant Subsidiaries (this is also referred to in this Information Statement as a Reorganization Date). The Subsidiary Shares are distributed to the RAO UES shareholders, including the Depositaries, in the manner and on the terms set forth herein. See ‘‘The Spin-Offs — Description of the Spin-Offs’’. July 2008 RAO UES Merger into the FSK and conversion of RAO UES Shares into ordinary shares of the FSK. RAO UES ceases to exist. 92 THE SPIN-OFFS Background to and the Reasons for the Spin-Offs The Spin-Offs are part of the overall restructuring of the Russian power industry as mandated by the Electric Power Industry Law and the Federal law ‘‘On peculiarities of functioning of the electric power industry during the transitional period and on amending certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation and abolishing certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation in connection with the adoption of the Electric Power Industry Law’’ No. 36-FZ of March 26, 2003. These laws, together with other related legislative acts, set forth a legal framework for the restructuring, outline the new roles of regulatory agencies and other participants after the restructuring, and provide guidelines for the trading of power and energy in the wholesale and retail markets. Goals and Objectives of the Reform The aim of the electricity sector reform is to create a unified wholesale electricity (capacity) market in the European part of Russia, Ural and Siberia, excluding some isolated energy systems and energy systems not included in the pricing zones of the Russian Federation. The reforms are intended to result in competitive wholesale electricity trading through long and mid-term bilateral contracts, one-day-ahead bidding for electricity supply on an hour-by-hour basis, and a balancing system, which functions in real time to manage deviations between the planned and actual volumes generated and consumed, as well as permitting the purchase and sale of capacity in auctions for annual and long-term supply up to several years ahead. The reforms are also aimed at the creation of competitive ancillary services, including the competitive selection of service providers. As a result of these reforms, the overall structure of the Russian electricity industry is expected to be completely transformed. The reform plans also contemplate that the competitive segment of the wholesale electricity market will be gradually expanded, and consequently there will be a reduction in the percentage of output subject to regulated tariffs. It is envisaged that the sector reform will result in the development of a fully liberalized wholesale market for electricity generation, supply and related services by 2011, in which all prices will be established on the basis of supply and demand. The reforms do not currently contemplate the creation of a free market for electricity transmission, distribution or dispatch activities and for certain electricity (for example, electricity supplied to households), nor do they contemplate the liberalization of the heat sector. The restructuring of RAO UES Group has led to the creation of separate companies carrying out specific lines of businesses: generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity to customers, and repair and servicing. These separate companies have been or will be merged with other companies with the same business profile, with the resulting merged companies providing the relevant specific services for a number of regions of the Russian Federation. Generation, supply and repair companies are expected to engage in competition with each other. At the same time, the reforms envision retention of state control over the electricity transmission and distribution networks and dispatch activities. See ‘‘Industry Overview — Current Market Structure.’’ History and Development of the Restructuring The reform process began in 2001, when the Russian government determined, pursuant to Resolution No. 526, that reform of the electricity industry in Russia was necessary, and decided to reorganize the existing Energos based on the principle of separation of core activities into different companies. Pursuant to this resolution and on the basis of the model approved by the Board of Directors of RAO UES, each of the Energos have been or are in the process of being reorganized into new companies that carry out one of the following specific activities: electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and supply. In the reorganization, the shareholders of the Energos have received, or are expected to receive, a pro rata distribution of the shares of the newly-established companies. The reorganization of the Energos by type of activity is now nearly complete. Currently, the reorganization focuses on the inter-regional consolidation of the new companies. The reorganization process was launched in 2003, when the first ‘‘pilot’’ projects, in which Kalugaenergo, Orelenergo, Bryanskenergo, and Tulenergo were reorganized, were implemented. By the beginning of 93 2004, the reorganization process involved more than 30 Energos. By April 2004, the reorganization of the first Energo (Kalugaenergo) was completed, and by the end of 2004, five Energos had been broken up into new entities. By 2005, the restructuring process involved most of the Energos, and a significant number of them had been reorganized by the end of that year. By June 30, 2007, the RAO UES Board of Directors had approved restructuring projects for 71 out of the 72 Energos and the restructuring of the one remaining Energo, Yantarenergo, is expected to take place in the near future. Of the 72 Energos, 65 have been fully separated into 263 newly-established companies by June 30, 2007. The second stage of the reorganization involved the inter-regional consolidation of newly-created companies. By June 30, 2007, all seven OGKs and all fourteen TGKs had been established and the final corporate structure of all the OGKs, except HydroOGK, and eleven of the fourteen TGKs, has been completed. The three remaining TGKs whose formation had not been completed by June 30, 2007 are: TGK-10, TGK-11 and Eniseyskaya TGK. It is intended that by the end of 2007, the final corporate structure of these TGKs will have been completed. The spin-off of the facilities relating to the Unified National Energy Grid, which is operated by the FSK, has been essentially completed. By March 31, 2007, all of the 56 high-voltage trunk grid companies (MSKs) and all of the seven inter-regional transmission (trunk grid) companies had been established, and they are expected to be merged into the FSK. Pursuant to the current plan of reform, the consolidation of distibution companies will take place on the basis of 11 MRSKs, 10 of which have already been established, and the Board of Directors of RAO UES are expected to decide on the structure of the final MRSK by the end of 2007. Currently, the primary activity of these companies is managing the distribution grid companies (RSKs), which will be merged into the MRSKs in 2008. RSKs carry out distribution of electricity through electricity grids other than the trunk electricity grids. As at June 30, 2007, 58 distribution grid companies (RSKs) had been established as a result of Energos in specific sectors. It is expected that the Reorganization of RAO UES will be the final step in Russia’s power sector restructuring. Reorganization of RAO UES; Spin-Offs The reorganization of RAO UES is a two-stage process. The first stage involved the spin-off of RAO UES’ equity interests in OGK-5 and TGK-5 and the second stage involves the Spin-Offs described in this Information Statement. The RAO UES shareholders approved the first stage, the spin-offs of OGK-5 and TGK-5, at an extraordinary general shareholders meeting held by absentee ballot voting on December 6, 2006, and the state registration of these spin-offs was completed on September 3, 2007. As a result, OGK-5 and TGK-5 are no longer controlled by RAO UES. The Spin-Offs will represent the second and final stage of the RAO UES reorganization. Download 4.8 Kb. Do'stlaringiz bilan baham: |
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