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real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, or grantor trusts;
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persons that hold the ordinary shares as part of a “hedging,” “integrated”, or “conversion” transaction or as a position in a “straddle” for U.S. federal income tax purposes;
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partnerships (including entities or arrangements classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes) or other pass-through entities (including S corporations), or persons that will hold our shares through such an entity;
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certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States;
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persons that received our shares as compensation for the performance of services;
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persons that acquire ordinary shares as a result of holding or owning our preferred shares;
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holders that own directly, indirectly, or through attribution 10% or more of the voting power or value of our shares; and
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holders that have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar.
Further, this summary does not address the U.S. federal estate, gift, or alternative minimum tax considerations, or any U.S. state, local, or non-U.S. tax considerations (other than the Dutch tax considerations discussed above) of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares.
This description is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, existing, proposed, and temporary U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, in each case as in effect on the date hereof. All the foregoing is subject to change, which change could apply retroactively, and to differing interpretations, all of which could affect the tax considerations described below. There can be no assurances that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, will not take a contrary position concerning the tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares or that such a position would not be sustained. Holders should consult their own tax advisers concerning the U.S. federal, state, local, and non-U.S. tax consequences of owning and disposing of our ordinary shares in their particular circumstances.
For purposes of this summary, a “U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of ordinary shares that is (or is treated as), for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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a citizen or resident of the United States;
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a corporation, or other entity that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;
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an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
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a trust, if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all of the substantial decisions of such trust, or if the trust has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person.
If a partnership (or any other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds ordinary shares, the U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to an investment in our ordinary shares will depend in part upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Such a partner or partnership should consult its tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax considerations of owning and disposing of our ordinary shares in its particular circumstances.
As indicated below, this discussion is subject to U.S. federal income tax rules applicable to a “passive foreign investment company,” or a PFIC.
Persons considering an investment in our ordinary shares should consult their own tax advisors as to the particular tax consequences applicable to them relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares, including the applicability of U.S. federal, state and local tax laws and non-U.S. tax laws.