Western Union 2015 Annual Report Download - page 147

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Risks Relating to the Spin-Off
We were incorporated in Delaware as a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Data on February 17, 2006. On September 29,
2006, First Data distributed 100% of its money transfer and consumer payments businesses and its interest in a Western Union
money transfer agent, as well as related assets, including real estate, through a tax-free distribution to First Data shareholders
(the "Spin-off") through this previously owned subsidiary. The consolidated United States federal income tax return for First
Data for 2006, which included the Company, has been examined by the IRS and no adjustments were proposed relating to the
tax treatment of the Spin-Off. However, certain other adjustments were proposed by the IRS and are being contested through
the IRS appeals process. Accordingly, the statute of limitations covering First Data’s 2006 return has not yet closed.
If the Spin-off does not qualify as a tax-free transaction, First Data and its stockholders could be subject to material amounts
of taxes and, in certain circumstances, we could be required to indemnify First Data for material taxes pursuant to
indemnification obligations under the tax allocation agreement.
First Data received a private letter ruling from the IRS to the effect that the Spin-off (including certain related transactions)
qualifies as a tax-free transaction to First Data, us and First Data stockholders for United States federal income tax purposes
under sections 355, 368 and related provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, assuming, among other things, the accuracy of
the representations made by First Data to the IRS in the private letter ruling request. If the factual assumptions or representations
made in the private letter ruling request were determined to be untrue or incomplete, then First Data and we would not be able
to rely on the ruling.
The Spin-off was conditioned upon First Data's receipt of an opinion of Sidley Austin LLP, counsel to First Data, to the
effect that, with respect to requirements on which the IRS did not rule, those requirements would be satisfied. The opinion was
based on, among other things, certain assumptions and representations as to factual matters made by First Data and us which,
if untrue or incomplete, would jeopardize the conclusions reached by counsel in its opinion. The opinion is not binding on the
IRS or the courts, and the IRS or the courts may not agree with the opinion.
If, notwithstanding receipt of the private letter ruling and an opinion of tax counsel, the Spin-off were determined to be a
taxable transaction, each holder of First Data common stock who received shares of our common stock in connection with the
Spin-off would generally be treated as receiving a taxable distribution in an amount equal to the fair value of our common stock
received. First Data would recognize taxable gain equal to the excess of the fair value of the consideration received by First
Data in the contribution over First Data's tax basis in the assets contributed to us in the contribution. If First Data were unable
to pay any taxes for which it is responsible under the tax allocation agreement, the IRS might seek to collect such taxes from
Western Union.
Even if the Spin-off otherwise qualified as a tax-free distribution under section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Spin-
off may result in significant United States federal income tax liabilities to First Data if 50% or more of First Data's stock or our
stock (in each case, by vote or value) is treated as having been acquired, directly or indirectly, by one or more persons as part
of a plan (or series of related transactions) that includes the Spin-off. For purposes of this test, any acquisitions, or any
understanding, arrangement or substantial negotiations regarding an acquisition, within two years before or after the Spin-off
are subject to special scrutiny.
With respect to taxes and other liabilities that could be imposed as a result of a final determination that is inconsistent with
the anticipated tax consequences of the Spin-off (as set forth in the private letter ruling and relevant tax opinion) ("Spin-off
Related Taxes"), we, one of our affiliates or any person that, after the Spin-off, is an affiliate thereof, will be liable to First Data
for any such Spin-off Related Taxes attributable solely to actions taken by or with respect to us. In addition, we will also be
liable for 50% of any Spin-off Related Taxes (i) that would not have been imposed but for the existence of both an action by us
and an action by First Data or (ii) where we and First Data each take actions that, standing alone, would have resulted in the
imposition of such Spin-off Related Taxes. We may be similarly liable if we breach certain representations or covenants set forth
in the tax allocation agreement. If we are required to indemnify First Data for taxes incurred as a result of the Spin-off being
taxable to First Data, it likely would have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash
flows.
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