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EXHIBIT
(a)(1)(B)
Letter
of Transmittal
to
Tender
Shares of Common Stock
of
MFS
GOVERNMENT MARKETS INCOME TRUST
PURSUANT
TO THE OFFER TO PURCHASE
DATED
SEPTEMBER 11, 2007
AT
96.25%
of Net Asset Value Per Share
(CUSIP
Number of Class of Securities: 552939100)
by
BULLDOG
INVESTORS GENERAL PARTNERSHIP
THE
OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON
NOVEMBER 9, 2007, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.
The
Purchaser (“BIGP”) For The Offer Is:
BULLDOG
INVESTORS GENERAL PARTNERSHIP
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By
Mail, Overnight Courier or Hand:
Bulldog
Investors General Partnership
Park
80 West, Plaza Two, Suite 750
Saddle
Brook, NJ 07663
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By
Facsimile Transmission:
(For
Eligible Institutions Only)
(201)
556-0097
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To
Confirm Facsimile Only:
(201)
556-0092
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Name(s)
and Address(es) of Registered Holder(s)
(Please
fill in, if blank, exactly as Name(s)
appear(s)
on Stock Certificate(s))
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Stock
Certificate(s) Tendered
(Attach
additional list if necessary)
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Stock
Certificate
Number(s)*
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Total
Number of
Shares
Evidenced
by
Stock
Certificate(s)*
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Number
of
Shares
Tendered**
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Total
Shares
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*
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Need
not be completed by Shareholders tendering Shares by book-entry
transfer.
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**
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Unless
otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all Shares evidenced
by any
Stock Certificates delivered to BIGP are being tendered. See Instruction
5.
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THE
INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY
BEFORE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS COMPLETED.
THIS
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS TO BE COMPLETED BY SHAREHOLDERS EITHER IF CERTIFICATES
EVIDENCING SHARES (AS DEFINED BELOW) ARE TO BE FORWARDED HEREWITH OR IF DELIVERY
OF SHARES IS TO BE MADE BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER TO BIGP’S ACCOUNT AT THE
DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (“DTC”) PURSUANT TO THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER PROCEDURE
DESCRIBED IN SECTION 3 OF THE OFFER TO PURCHASE (AS DEFINED BELOW). DELIVERY
OF
DOCUMENTS TO DTC DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO BIGP.
Holders
of outstanding shares of common stock, no par value per share (the “Shares”), of
MFS Government Markets Income Trust (“MGF”), (i) if certificates evidencing
the Shares are not immediately available, (ii) if Share Certificates (as
defined below) and all other required documents cannot be delivered to Bulldog
Investors General Partnership (“BIGP”) or (iii) if the procedure for
book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis or time will not
permit all required documents to reach BIGP on or prior to the Expiration Date
(as defined in the Offer to Purchase, dated September 11, 2007 (the “Offer to
Purchase”)), must deliver their Shares according to the guaranteed delivery
procedure set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase.
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CHECK HERE IF SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER TO
BIGP’S ACCOUNT AT DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name(s)
of Tendering Institution:
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Account
Number:
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Transaction
Code Number:
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o CHECK
HERE IF SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
PREVIOUSLY SENT TO BIGP AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
Name(s)
of Registered Holder(s):
Window
Ticket Number (if any):
Date
of
Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery:
Name
of
Institution which Guaranteed Delivery:
If
Delivered by Book-Entry Transfer, Check Box: o
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Account
Number:
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Transaction
Code Number:
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NOTE: SIGNATURES
MUST BE PROVIDED AT THE END OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. PLEASE READ THE
INSTRUCTIONS SET FORTH IN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING
THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
The
undersigned hereby tenders to Bulldog Investors General Partnership, a New
York
general partnership (“BIGP”), the above-described shares of common stock, no par
value per share (“Shares”) of MFS Government Markets Income Trust (“MGF”),
pursuant to BIGP’s offer to purchase up to 5,000,000 Shares at a price per
share, net to the seller in cash (subject to a $50 processing fee that BIGP
will
charge for processing each Letter of Transmittal, applicable withholding taxes
and any brokerage fees that may apply), without interest thereon, equal to
96.25% of the net asset value per Share determined as of the close of the
regular trading session of the New York Stock Exchange on the Expiration Date
(as defined in the Offer to Purchase), upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated September 11, 2007 (the
“Offer to Purchase”), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and in this
Letter of Transmittal (which together, as each may be amended or supplemented
from time to time, constitute the “Offer”). BIGP reserves the right to transfer
or assign, in whole or from time to time in part, to one or more of its
affiliates the right to purchase Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer, but
any
such transfer or assignment will not relieve BIGP of its obligations under
the
Offer or prejudice your rights to receive payment for Shares validly tendered
and accepted for payment.
Subject
to, and effective upon, acceptance for payment of Shares tendered herewith,
in
accordance with the terms of the Offer (including, if the Offer is extended
or
amended, the terms and conditions of such extension or amendment), the
undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, BIGP
all right, title and interest in and to all Shares that are being tendered
hereby and all dividends, distributions (including, without limitation,
distributions of additional Shares) and rights declared, paid or distributed
in
respect of such Shares on or after the date of the Offer (collectively,
“Distributions”) and irrevocably appoints BIGP the true and lawful agent and
attorney-in-fact of the undersigned with respect to such Shares and any and
all
Distributions, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being
deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest), to (i) deliver
Share Certificates evidencing such Shares and all Distributions, or transfer
ownership of such Shares and all Distributions on the account books maintained
by The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), together, in either case, with all
accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity, to or upon the order of
BIGP, (ii) present such Shares and all Distributions for transfer on the
books of MGF and (iii) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all
rights of beneficial ownership of such Shares and all Distributions, all in
accordance with the terms of the Offer.
By
executing this Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned irrevocably appoints
designees of BIGP as attorneys-in-fact and proxies of the undersigned, in the
manner set forth in this Letter of Transmittal, each with full power of
substitution, to the full extent of the undersigned’s rights with respect to
(a) the Shares tendered by the undersigned and accepted for payment by BIGP
and (b) any and all non-cash dividends, distributions, rights or other
securities issued or issuable on or after the date of the Offer to Purchase
in
respect of such tendered and accepted Shares. All such proxies shall be
considered coupled with an interest in the tendered Shares. This appointment
will be effective if, when and only to the extent that BIGP accepts such Shares
for payment pursuant to the Offer. Upon such acceptance for payment, all prior
proxies given by such shareholder with respect to such Shares and other
securities will, without further action, be revoked, and no subsequent proxies
may be given nor any subsequent written consents executed (and, if given or
executed, will not be deemed effective). The designees of BIGP will, with
respect to the Shares and other securities for which the appointment is
effective, be empowered to exercise all voting and other rights of such
shareholder as they, in their sole discretion, may deem proper at any annual,
special, adjourned or postponed meeting of MGF’s shareholders, and BIGP reserves
the right to require that in order for Shares or other securities to be deemed
validly tendered, immediately upon BIGP’s acceptance for payment of such Shares,
BIGP must be able to exercise full voting rights with respect to such Shares.
The foregoing proxies are effective only upon acceptance for payment of Shares
pursuant to the Offer.
The
undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power
and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer Shares tendered hereby and
all Distributions, and that when such Shares are accepted for payment by BIGP,
BIGP will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title thereto and to all
Distributions, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and
encumbrances (other than those resulting from action of BIGP or any of its
subsidiaries), and that none of such Shares and Distributions will be subject
to
any adverse claim (other than those resulting from action of BIGP or any of
its
affiliates). The undersigned, upon request, shall execute and deliver all
additional documents deemed by BIGP to be necessary or desirable to complete
the
sale, assignment and transfer of Shares tendered hereby and all Distributions.
In addition, the undersigned shall remit and transfer promptly to BIGP all
Distributions in respect of Shares tendered hereby, accompanied by appropriate
documentation of transfer, and, pending such remittance and transfer or
appropriate assurance thereof, BIGP shall be entitled to all rights and
privileges as owner of each such Distribution and may withhold the entire
purchase price of Shares tendered hereby or deduct from such purchase price
the
amount or value of such Distribution as determined by BIGP in its sole
discretion.
All
authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred shall survive the death
or
incapacity of the undersigned, and any obligation of the undersigned hereunder
shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and
assigns of the undersigned. Except as stated in the Offer, this tender is
irrevocable.
The
undersigned understands that tenders of Shares pursuant to any one of the
procedures described in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase and in the
instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned
and BIGP upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, including,
without limitation, the undersigned’s representation and warranty that the
undersigned owns all Shares being tendered.
SPECIAL
PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE
INSTRUCTIONS 1, 6, 7 AND 8)
To
be completed ONLY if the check for the purchase price of Shares purchased or
Share Certificates evidencing Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be
issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned. Or if Shares tendered
hereby and delivered by book-entry transfer that are not purchased are to be
returned by credit to an account maintained at DTC other than the account
indicated above.
Issue
o Check
o Share
Certificate(s) to:
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Name:
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(Print)
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Address:
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(Include
Zip Code )
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( Taxpayer
Identification or Social Security Number)
(See
Substitute
Form W-9 Included Herein)
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Credit
Shares delivered by book-entry transfer and not purchased to the
Holder’s
DTC Account.
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Account
Number
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SPECIAL
DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(SEE
INSTRUCTIONS 1, 6, 7 AND 8)
To
be completed ONLY if the check for the purchase price of Shares purchased or
Share Certificates evidencing Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be
mailed to someone other than the undersigned, or to the undersigned at an
address other than that shown under “Description of Shares
Tendered.”
Mail
o Check
o Share
Certificate(s) to:
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Name:
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(Print)
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Address:
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(Include
Zip Code)
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IMPORTANT:
SHAREHOLDERS
SIGN
HERE (PLEASE COMPLETE
SUBSTITUTE
FORM W-9 INCLUDED HEREIN)
____________________________________________________________________________
Signature(s)
of Holder(s)
Date:
,
2007
(Must
be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on Share
Certificates or on a security position listing or by a person(s) authorized
to
become registered holder(s) by certificates and documents transmitted herewith.
If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian,
attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary
or representative capacity, please provide the following information. See
Instruction 6.)
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Name(s):
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(Please
Print)
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Capacity
(full title):
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Address:
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(Include
Zip Code)
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Area
Code and Telephone Number:
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Tax
Identification or Social Security Number:
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(SEE
SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
INCLUDED
HEREIN)
GUARANTEE
OF SIGNATURE(S)
(IF
REQUIRED—SEE INSTRUCTIONS 1 AND 6)
FOR
USE BY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ONLY.
PLACE
MEDALLION GUARANTEE IN SPACE BELOW.
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Authorized
Signature:
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____________________________________________________________________
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Name:
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(Please
Print)
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Name
of Firm:
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Address:
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(Include
Zip Code)
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Area
Code and Telephone Number:
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Date: ,
2007
FORMING
PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER
1. Guarantee
of Signatures.
Except
as otherwise provided below, all signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must
be guaranteed by a financial institution (including most commercial banks,
savings and loan associations and brokerage houses) that is a participant in
the
Security Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange
Medallion Signature Guarantee Program or the Stock Exchange Medallion Program
or
any other “eligible guarantor institution” (as such term is defined in
Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) (each
an “Eligible Institution”). Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal need not be
guaranteed (i) if this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered
holder(s) of the Shares (which term, for purposes of this document, shall
include any participant in DTC whose name appears on a security position listing
as the owner of Shares) tendered herewith and such holder(s) have not completed
the instruction entitled “Special Payment Instructions” or “Special Delivery
Instructions” on this Letter of Transmittal or (ii) if such Shares are
tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. See
Instruction 5.
2. Delivery
of Letter of Transmittal and Shares.
This
Letter of Transmittal is to be used if share certificates representing one
or
more Shares (the “Share Certificates”) are to be forwarded herewith or, unless
an Agent’s Message (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) is utilized, if
deliveries are to be made by book-entry transfer pursuant to the procedures
set
forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. Share Certificates for all
physically delivered Shares, or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer into
BIGP’s account at DTC, as well as a properly completed and duly executed Letter
of Transmittal (or a manually signed facsimile thereof) and any other documents
required by this Letter of Transmittal, or an Agent’s Message in the case of a
book-entry transfer, must be received by BIGP at its address set forth on the
front page of this Letter of Transmittal by the Expiration Date (as defined
in
the Offer to Purchase). If Share Certificates are forwarded to BIGP in multiple
deliveries, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal must
accompany each such delivery. Shareholders whose Share Certificates are not
immediately available, who cannot deliver their Share Certificates and all
other
required documents to BIGP prior to the Expiration Date or who cannot complete
the procedure for delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely basis, may tender
their Shares pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure described in
Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. Pursuant to such procedure:
(a) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution;
(b) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery,
substantially in the form provided by BIGP, must be received by BIGP on or
prior
to the Expiration Date; and (c) Share Certificates representing tendered
Shares in proper form for tender, or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer
into BIGP’s account at DTC of all Shares, as well as a properly completed and
duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or a manually signed facsimile thereof),
and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received
by BIGP within three New York Stock Exchange trading days of the date of
execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery as provided in Section 3 of
the Offer to Purchase.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, SHARE CERTIFICATES
AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH DTC, IS AT THE
ELECTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE UNDERSIGNED, AND THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED
MADE
ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY BIGP. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL
WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES,
SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.
No
alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted, and no
fractional Shares will be purchased. By executing this Letter of Transmittal,
the undersigned waives any right to receive any notice of the acceptance for
payment of the Shares.
3. Proration.
If
more
than 5,000,000 Shares are duly tendered prior to the expiration of the
Offer (and not timely withdrawn), BIGP will purchase Shares from tendering
shareholders, in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions
specified in the Offer to Purchase, on a pro rata basis (with adjustments to
avoid purchases of fractional Shares) in accordance with the number of Shares
duly tendered by each stockholder during the period the Offer is open (and
not
timely withdrawn), unless BIGP determines not to purchase any
Shares.
4. Inadequate
Space.
If
the space provided herein is inadequate, the Share Certificate numbers, the
number of Shares evidenced by such Share Certificates and the number of Shares
tendered should be listed on a separate signed schedule and attached
hereto.
5. Partial
Tenders (not applicable to shareholders who tender by book-entry
transfer).
If
fewer than all the Shares represented by any Share Certificate delivered to
BIGP
are to be tendered, fill in the number of Shares which are to be tendered in
the
box entitled “Number of Shares Tendered.” In such case, a new certificate for
the remainder of the Shares represented by the old certificate will be sent
to
the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal, unless otherwise provided
in
the appropriate box on this Letter of Transmittal, as promptly as practicable
following the expiration or termination of the Offer. All Shares represented
by
certificates delivered to BIGP will be deemed to have been tendered unless
otherwise indicated.
6. Signatures
on Letter of Transmittal; Stock Powers and Endorsements.
If
this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares
tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond with the name(s) as written
on
the face of the Share Certificates without alteration, enlargement or any change
whatsoever.
If
any of the Shares tendered hereby are held of record by two or more persons,
all
such persons must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
If
any of the Shares tendered hereby are registered in names of different holders,
it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate Letters
of
Transmittal as there are different registrations of certificates.
If
this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares
tendered hereby, no endorsements of certificates or separate stock powers are
required unless payment of the purchase price is to be made, or Shares not
tendered or not purchased are to be returned, in the name of any person other
than the registered holder(s). Signatures on any such certificates or stock
powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
If
this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered
holder(s) of the Shares tendered hereby, certificates must be endorsed or
accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case, signed exactly as
the
name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on the certificates for such
Shares. Signature(s) on any such certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed
by an Eligible Institution.
7. Stock
Transfer Taxes.
BIGP
will pay any stock transfer taxes with respect to the sale and transfer of
any
Shares to it or its order pursuant to the Offer. If, however, payment of the
purchase price is to be made to, or Shares not tendered or not purchased are
to
be returned in the name of, any person other than the registered holder(s),
or
if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the sale or transfer
of
Shares to BIGP pursuant to the Offer, then the amount of any stock transfer
taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder(s), such other person or
otherwise) will be deducted from the purchase price unless satisfactory evidence
of the payment of such taxes, or exemption therefrom, is submitted
herewith.
Except as provided in this Instruction 7, it will not be necessary
for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Share Certificates evidencing
the
Shares tendered hereby.
8. Special
Payment and Delivery Instructions.
If
the check for the purchase price of any Shares purchased is to be issued, or
any
Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be returned, in the name of a person
other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or if the check
or
any certificates for Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be mailed
to
someone other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or to the
person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal at an address other than that
shown
above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed.
Shareholders tendering Shares by book-entry transfer may request that Shares
not
purchased be credited to such account at DTC as such shareholder may designate
under “Special Payment Instructions.” If no such instructions are given, any
such Shares not purchased will be returned by crediting the account at DTC
designated above.
9. Substitute
Form W-9.
Under
the federal income tax laws, BIGP will be required to withhold a portion of
the
amount of any payments made to certain shareholders pursuant to the Offer.
In
order to avoid such backup withholding, each tendering shareholder that is
a
United States citizen, resident or entity, and, if applicable, each other United
States payee, must provide BIGP with such shareholder’s or payee’s correct
taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) and certify that such shareholder or
payee is not subject to such backup withholding by completing the attached
Substitute Form W-9. Certain shareholders or payees (including, among
others, corporations, non-resident foreign individuals and foreign entities)
are
not subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements. For further
information concerning backup withholding see “IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION”
BELOW.
Failure
to complete the Substitute Form W-9 will not, by itself, cause Shares to be
deemed invalidly tendered, but may require BIGP to withhold a portion of the
amount of any payments made pursuant to the Offer.
NOTE:
FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 MAY RESULT IN BACKUP
WITHHOLDING OF A PORTION OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER.
PLEASE REVIEW THE “IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION” SECTION BELOW AND THE ENCLOSED
“GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TIN ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9” FOR ADDITIONAL
DETAILS.
10. Mutilated,
Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.
Any
holder of a certificate(s) which represented Shares whose certificate(s) has
been mutilated, lost, stolen, or destroyed should (i) complete this Letter
of Transmittal and check the appropriate box
above and (ii) contact BIGP or
MGF immediately. BIGP will provide such holder with all necessary
forms and instructions to replace any mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed
certificates. The holder may also be required to give MGF a bond as indemnity
against any claim that may be made against it with respect to the certificate(s)
alleged to have been mutilated, lost, stolen, or destroyed. However, there
can
be no assurances that such mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed certificates
will be replaced prior to the expiration date of the Offer.
11. Waiver
of Conditions.
Except
as otherwise provided in the Offer to Purchase, BIGP reserves the right in
its
sole discretion to waive in whole or in part at any time or from time to time
any of the specified conditions of the Offer or any defect or irregularity
in
tender with regard to any Shares tendered.
12. Requests
for Assistance or Additional Copies.
Any
questions and requests for assistance may be directed to BIGP at the mailing
address, Email address and telephone number set forth on the back cover of
this
Letter of Transmittal. Additional copies of the Offer to Purchase,
this Letter of Transmittal, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and other
documents related to the Offer may be obtained free of charge from a website
maintained by BIGP at www.bulldoginvestorstenderoffer.com
or from BIGP at the mailing address,
Email address and telephone number set forth on the back cover of this Letter
of
Transmittal.
IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR FACSIMILE HEREOF), PROPERLY
COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED (TOGETHER WITH ANY REQUIRED SIGNATURE GUARANTEES
AND
SHARE CERTIFICATES OR CONFIRMATION OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED
DOCUMENTS) OR A PROPERLY COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED NOTICE OF GUARANTEED
DELIVERY MUST BE RECEIVED BY BIGP PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE (AS DEFINED
IN
THE OFFER TO PURCHASE).
IMPORTANT
TAX INFORMATION
Under
the federal income tax law, a shareholder whose tendered Shares are accepted
for
payment is required by law to provide BIGP (as payer) with such shareholder’s
correct TIN on Substitute Form W-9 below. If such shareholder is an
individual, the TIN is such shareholder’s social security number. If BIGP is not
provided with the correct TIN, the shareholder may be subject to penalties
imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and payments that are made to
such shareholder with respect to Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer may
be
subject to backup withholding.
Certain
shareholders (including, among others, corporations, non-resident foreign
individuals and foreign entities) are not subject to these backup withholding
and reporting requirements. In order for a foreign shareholder to qualify as
an
exempt recipient, such shareholder must submit the appropriate IRS
Form W-8, signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to such individual’s
foreign status. Each IRS Form W-8 is available on the IRS website
(www.irs.gov) or can be obtained from BIGP.
If
backup withholding applies, BIGP is required to withhold 28% of any payments
made to the shareholder. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather,
the tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced
by
the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes,
a
refund may be obtained from the IRS provided that the required information
is
furnished to the IRS.
Purpose
of Substitute Form W-9
To
prevent backup withholding on payments that are made to a United States
shareholder with respect to Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer, the
shareholder is required to notify BIGP of such shareholder’s correct TIN by
completing the form below certifying (i) that the TIN provided on
Substitute Form W-9 is correct (or that such shareholder is awaiting a TIN)
and (ii) that such shareholder is not subject to backup withholding because
(a) such shareholder has not been notified by the IRS that such shareholder
is subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest
or dividends, (b) the IRS has notified such shareholder that such
shareholder is no longer subject to backup withholding or (c) such
shareholder is exempt from backup withholding.
What
Number to Give BIGP
United
States shareholders are required to give BIGP the social security number or
employer identification number of the record holder of the Shares tendered
hereby. If the Shares are in more than one name or are not in the name of the
actual owner, consult the enclosed Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer
Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9 for additional guidance on
which number to report. If the tendering shareholder has not been issued a
TIN
and has applied for a number or intends to apply for a number in the near
future, the shareholder should check the “Awaiting TIN” box in Part II,
sign and date the Substitute Form W-9 and complete the Certificate of
Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number below. Notwithstanding that the
“Awaiting TIN” box is checked in Part II and the Certificate of Awaiting
Taxpayer Identification Number is completed, BIGP will withhold 28% of all
payments of the purchase price to such shareholder until a TIN is provided
to
BIGP. Such amounts will be refunded to such surrendering shareholder if a TIN
is
provided to BIGP within 60 days.
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PAYOR’S
NAME: BULLDOG INVESTORS GENERAL PARTNERSHIP
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FORM W-9
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Name:
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Address:
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(number
and Street)
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(City)(State)(Zip
Code)
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Department
of the
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Check
appropriate box:
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Treasury
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Individual/Sole
Proprietor
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Corporation
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Exempt
from
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Partnership
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Other
(specify)
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Backup
Withholding
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Request
for
Taxpayer
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Part
I—Please
provide your taxpayer or identification number in the space at right.
If
awaiting TIN,write
“Applied
For.”
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SSN:
or
EIN:
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Identification
Number
(TIN) and
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Part II.—Awaiting
TIN o
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Certification
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Part III.—Certification
Under
penalties of perjury, I certify that:
(1) The
number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer Identification Number
(or
I am waiting for a number to be issued to me);
(2) I
am not subject to backup withholding either because (a) I am exempt
from backup withholding, (b) I have not been notified by the IRS that
I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report
all
interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no
longer subject to backup withholding; and
(3) I
am a United States person (including a United States resident
alien).
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Certification
Instructions—You
must cross out item
(2) in Part III above if you have been notified by the IRS that
you are subject to backup withholding because of underreporting interest
or dividends on your tax return. However, if after being notified
by the
IRS that you were subject to backup withholding you received notification
from the IRS thatyou are
no longer subject to
backup withholding, do not cross out item (2).
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Sign
Here =>
______________________________________________ Signature
Date: ______________
NOTE:
FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN A $50 PENALTY IMPOSED
BY
THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 28% OF ANY PAYMENTS
MADE
TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR
CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR
ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
NOTE:
YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX IN PART
II OF
THE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.
CERTIFICATION
OF
AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I
certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number has
not
been issued to me, and either (1) I have mailed or delivered an application
to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate Internal Revenue
Service Center or Social Security Administration office or (2) I intend to
mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that if I do
not
provide a taxpayer identification number by the time of payment, 28% of all
reportable payments made to me thereafter will be withheld until I provide
a
taxpayer identification number to the payer and that, if I do not provide my
taxpayer identification number within sixty days, such retained amounts shall
be
remitted to the Internal Revenue Service as backup withholding.
Any
questions and requests for assistance may be directed to BIGP at the mailing
address, Email address and telephone number set forth below. Additional copies
of the Offer to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal, the Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery and other documents related to the Offer may be obtained free of charge
from a website maintained by BIGP at www.bulldoginvestorstenderoffer.com
or from BIGP at the mailing address,
Email address and telephone number set forth below. Holders of Shares may also
contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company or other nominee
for assistance concerning the Offer.
Bulldog
Investors General Partnership
Park
80
West, Plaza Two, Suite 750
Saddle
Brook, NJ 07663
Telephone: (201)
556-0092
Email: info@bulldoginvestors.com