BOSC BOS Better Online Solutions Ltd

Item 10:   Additional Information

Not applicable.

The Company’s registration number at the Israeli Registrar of Companies is 52-0042565.

In March 2002 the Company adopted new articles of association (“Articles of Association”), in view of the Israeli Companies Law. Since then, certain articles of the Articles of Association have been amended.

Set forth below is a summary of certain provisions of our Memorandum of Association (“Memorandum”) and Articles of Association. This summary is not complete and should be read together with our Memorandum and Articles of Association, incorporated by reference hereto.

The Company’s Memorandum (Article 2(p)) and Articles of Association (Article 2) provide that the Company may engage in any legal business.

The Board of Directors may issue shares and other securities, which are convertible or exercisable into shares, up to the limit of the Company’s authorized share capital.

We are subject to the provisions of the Israeli Companies Law, which became effective on February 1, 2000, as amended. See Item 6C “Board Practices” above.

(b)          Borrowing powers exercisable by the Board of Directors are not specifically outlined in the Company’s Articles of Association, however, according to Article 15: “Any power of the Company which has not been vested in another organ pursuant to the Israeli Companies Law or the articles may be exercised by the Board of Directors”.

(c)          The Company’s Articles of Association do not contain provisions regarding the retirement of directors under an age limit requirement, nor do they contain a provision requiring a director to hold any Company shares in order to qualify as a Director.

3.           With regard to the rights, preferences and restrictions attaching to the Ordinary Shares, the Company’s Articles of Association provide the following:

All holders of paid-up Ordinary Shares of the Company have an equal right to participate in the distribution of (i) dividends, whether by cash or by bonus shares; (ii) Company assets; and (iii) the Company’s surplus assets upon winding up, all pro rata to the nominal value of the shares held by them (Articles 4.2.2, 4.2.3 and 7.3).

The Board of Directors is the organ authorized to decide upon the distribution of dividends and bonus shares (Article 26.1). The shareholders who are entitled to a dividend are the current shareholders as of the date of the resolution for the dividend or on a later date if another date is specified in the resolution on the dividend’s distribution. If the Board of Directors does not otherwise determine, any dividend may be paid by way of a cheque or payment order that shall be sent by mail to the registered address of the shareholder or person entitled thereto, or in the case of registered joint shareholders to the shareholder whose name appears first in the shareholders’ register in relation to the joint shareholding. Every such cheque shall be drawn up to the order of the person to whom it is being sent. The receipt of a person who on the date of the dividend’s declaration is listed in the shareholders’ register as the holder of any share or, in the case of joint shareholders, of one of the joint shareholders shall serve as confirmation of all the payments made in connection with such share. For the purpose of implementing any resolution pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph, the Board of Directors may settle, as it deems fit, any difficulty arising in relation to the distribution of the dividend and/or bonus shares, including determine the value for the purpose of the said distribution of certain assets and resolve that payments in cash shall be made to members in reliance upon the value thus determined, determine regulations in relation to fractions of shares or in relation to non-payment of amounts less than NIS 200.

All holders of paid-up Ordinary Shares of the Company have an equal right to participate in and vote at the Company’s general meetings, whether ordinary or special, and each of the shares in the Company shall entitle its holder, present at the meeting and participating in the vote, himself, by proxy or through a voting instrument, to one vote (Article 4.2.1). Such voting rights may be affected in the future by the grant of any special voting rights to the holders of a class of shares with preferential rights. Shareholders may vote either in person or through a proxy or voting instrument, unless the Board of Directors prohibits voting through a voting instrument on a certain matter and stated so in the notice of the meeting (Articles 14.1 and 14.6). A resolution at the general meeting shall be passed by an ordinary majority unless another majority is specified in the Israeli Companies Law or the Company’s Articles of Association (Article 14.3). For applicable provisions of the Israel Companies Law, see Item 6C “Board Practices”.

The Company’s directors are elected by the shareholders at a shareholders’ meeting. The Ordinary Shares do not have cumulative voting rights with respect to the election of directors. The holders of Ordinary Shares, conferring more than 50% of the voting power present by person or by proxy at the shareholders’ meeting, have the power to elect the directors. The directors elected shall hold office until the next annual meeting, or sooner if they cease to hold office pursuant to the provisions of the Company’s Articles of Association. In addition, the Board of Directors may appoint a director (to fill a vacancy or otherwise) between shareholder meetings, and such appointment shall be valid until the next annual meeting or until such appointee ceases to hold office pursuant to the provisions of the Company’s Articles of Association. Directors of the Company stand for reelection at every annual meeting (Article 16.2) and not at staggered intervals.

The Company may, subject to any applicable law, issue redeemable securities on such terms as determined by the Board of Directors, provided that the general meeting of shareholders approves the Board of Director’s recommendation and the terms determined (Article 27).

The Board of Directors may only make calls for payment upon shareholders in respect of monies not yet paid for shares held by them (Article 7.2).

No provision in the Company’s Articles of Association discriminates against an existing or prospective holder of securities, as a result of such shareholder owning a substantial amount of shares.

The general meeting of shareholders may resolve to create new shares of an existing class or of a new class with special rights and/or restrictions (Article 9.1).

So long as not otherwise provided in the shares’ issue terms and subject to the provisions of any law, the rights attached to a particular class of shares may be altered, after a resolution is passed by the Company and with the approval of a resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the shares of such class or the written agreement of all the class holders. The provisions of the Company’s Articles of Association regarding general meetings shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to a general meeting of the holders of a particular class of shares (Article 10.1). The rights vested in the holders of shares of a particular class that were issued with special rights shall not be deemed to have been altered by the creation or issue of further shares ranking equally with them, unless otherwise provided in such shares’ issue terms (Article 10.2).

The above mentioned conditions are not more onerous than is required by law.

General meetings shall be convened at least once a year at such place and time as determined by the Board of Directors but no later than 15 months from the last annual general meeting. Such general meetings shall be called “annual meetings”. The Company’s other meetings shall be called “special meetings” (Article 12.1). The annual meeting’s agenda shall include a discussion of the Board of Directors’ reports and the financial statements as required by law. The annual meeting shall appoint an auditor, appoint the directors and discuss all the other matters which must be discussed at the Company’s annual general meeting, pursuant to Company’s Articles or the Companies Law, as well as any other matter determined by the Board of Directors (Article 12.2).

The Board of Directors may convene a special meeting pursuant to its resolution and it must convene a general meeting if it receives a written requisition from any one of the following (hereinafter referred to as “requisition”) (i) two directors or one quarter of the directors holding office; and/or (ii) one or more shareholders holding at least 5% of the issued capital and at least 1% of the voting rights in the Company; and/or (iii) one or more shareholders holding at least 5% of the voting rights in the Company (Article 12.3). A requisition must detail the objects for which the meeting must be convened and shall be signed by the persons requisitioning it and sent to the Company’s registered office. The requisition may be made up of a number of documents in an identical form of wording, each of which shall be signed by one or more of the persons requisitioning the meeting (Article 12.4). When the Board of Directors is required to convene a special meeting, it shall do so within 21 days of the requisition being submitted to it, for a date that shall be specified in the invitation and subject to the law (Article 12.5).

One or more shareholders, holding at least 1% of the voting rights in the Company are entitled to request the Board of Directors to include a certain matter in the agenda of an upcoming general meeting, provided that such matter is appropriate for discussion at general meetings.

Notice to the Company’s shareholders regarding the convening of a general meeting shall be sent to all the shareholders listed in the Company’s shareholders’ register at least 21 days prior to the meeting and shall be published in other ways insofar as required by the law. The notice shall include the agenda, proposed resolutions and arrangements with regard to a written vote. The accidental omission to give notice of a meeting to any member, or the non-receipt of notice sent to such member, shall not invalidate the proceedings at such meeting (Article 12.6).

The shareholders entitled to participate in and vote at the general meeting are the shareholders on the date specified by the Board of Directors in the resolution to convene the meeting, and subject to the law (Article 14.1).

No discussions may be commenced at the general meeting unless a quorum is present at the time of the discussion’s commencement. A quorum is the presence of at least two shareholders holding at least 33⅓% of the voting rights (including presence through a proxy or a voting instrument), within half an hour of the time fixed for the meeting’s commencement (Article 13.1). If no quorum is present at a general meeting within half an hour of the time fixed for the commencement thereof, the meeting shall be adjourned for one week, to the same day, time and place, or to a later time if stated in the invitation to the meeting or in the notice of the meeting (Article 13.2). The quorum for the commencement of the adjourned meeting shall be any number of participants.

There are no limitations on the rights to own the Company’s securities, including the rights of non-residents or foreign shareholders to do so.

Under the Israeli Companies Law, a merger is generally required to be approved by the shareholders and Board of Directors of each of the merging companies. Shareholder approval is not required if the company that will not survive is controlled by the surviving company. Additionally, the law provides some exceptions to the shareholder approval requirement in the surviving company. If the share capital of the company that will not be the surviving company is divided into different classes of shares, the separate approval of each class is also required, unless determined otherwise by the court. A majority of votes approving the merger shall suffice, unless the company (like ours) was incorporated in Israel prior to the enactment of Israeli Companies Law, in which case a majority of 75% of the voting power is needed in order to approve the merger. Additionally, unless the court determines otherwise, a merger will not be approved if it is objected to by a majority of the shareholders present at the meeting, after excluding the shares held by the other party to the merger, by any person who holds 25% or more of the other party to the merger and by the relatives of and corporations controlled by these persons. Upon the request of a creditor of either party to the proposed merger, the court may delay or prevent the merger if it concludes that there exists a reasonable concern that, as a result of the merger, the surviving company will be unable to satisfy the obligations of any of the parties of the merger. Also, a merger can be completed only after all approvals have been submitted to the Israeli Registrar of Companies and provided that 30 days have elapsed since shareholder approval was received and 50 days have elapsed from the time that a proposal for approval of the merger was filed with the Registrar by each merging company.

The Israeli Companies Law also provides that an acquisition of shares in a public company must be made by means of a tender offer if, as a result of the acquisition, the purchaser would become a holder of 25% or more of the voting power at general meetings. This rule does not apply if there is already another holder of 25% or more of the voting power at general meetings. Similarly, the Israeli Companies Law provides that an acquisition of shares in a public company must be made by means of a tender offer if, as a result of the acquisition, the purchaser would become a holder of more than 45% of the voting power of the company. This rule does not apply if someone else already holds 45% of the voting power of the company. An acquisition from a 25% or 45% holder, which turns the purchaser into a 25% or 45% holder respectively, does not require a tender offer. An exception to the tender offer requirement may also apply when the additional voting power is obtained by means of a private placement approved by the general meeting of shareholders.

Under the Israeli Companies Law, a person may not acquire shares in a public company if, after the acquisition, he will hold more than 90% of the shares or more than 90% of any class of shares of that company, unless a tender offer is made to purchase all of the shares or all of the shares of the particular class. The Israeli Companies Law also provides that as long as a shareholder in a public company holds more than 90% of the company’s shares or of a class of shares, that shareholder shall be precluded from purchasing any additional shares. If such tender offer is accepted and less than 5% of the shares of the company are not tendered, and a majority of the offeree shareholders not having a personal interest accepted the offer, all of the shares will transfer to the ownership of the acquirer. Similarly, all of the shares will transfer to the ownership of the acquirer in the event that less than 2% of the shares of the company are not tendered. The Companies Law provides for appraisal rights if any shareholder files a request in court within six months following the consummation of a full tender offer. However, the acquirer may stipulate in the tender offer that any shareholder tendering his shares will not be entitled to appraisal rights. If ownership in all of the shares is not transferred to the acquirer as described above, then the acquirer may not acquire shares in the tender offer that will cause his shareholding to exceed 90% of the outstanding shares.

The Company has no bylaw provisions governing the ownership threshold, above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed.

All material contracts have been described in detail throughout this form, wherever applicable.

There are currently no Israeli currency control restrictions on payments of dividends or other distributions with respect to our Ordinary Shares or the proceeds from the sale of the shares, except for the obligation of Israeli residents to file reports with the Bank of Israel regarding certain transactions. However, legislation remains in effect pursuant to which currency controls can be imposed by administrative action at any time.

The following is a summary of the material Israeli tax consequences, Israeli foreign exchange regulations and certain Israeli government programs affecting the Company.

To the extent that the discussion is based on new tax or other legislation that has not been subject to judicial or administrative interpretation, there can be no assurance that the views expressed in the discussion will be accepted by the tax or other authorities in question. The discussion is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal or professional tax advice and is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations.

Israeli Tax Considerations

The following is a general discussion only and is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations. It is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal or professional tax advice and should not be relied upon for tax planning purposes. In addition, this discussion does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to purchasers of our ordinary shares in light of their particular circumstances, or certain types of purchasers of our ordinary shares subject to special tax treatment. Examples of this kind of investor include residents of Israel and traders in securities who are subject to special tax regimes not covered in this discussion. Each individual/entity should consult its own tax or legal advisor as to the Israeli tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares.

To the extent that part of the discussion is based on new tax legislation, which has not been subject to judicial or administrative interpretation, we cannot assure that the tax authorities or the courts will accept the views expressed in this section.

The following summary describes the current tax structure applicable to companies in Israel, with special reference to its effect on us. The following also contains a discussion of the material Israeli tax consequences to holders of our ordinary shares.

Special Provisions Relating to Tax Reporting in United States Dollars

The Company and its subsidiaries, respectively, have elected to measure their taxable income and file their tax return in United States Dollars, under the Israeli Income Tax Regulations (Principles Regarding the Management of Books of Account of Foreign Invested Companies and Certain Partnerships and the Determination of Their Taxable Income), 1986.

Capital Gains Tax on Sales of Our Ordinary Shares

Israeli law generally imposes a capital gains tax on the sale of any capital assets by residents of Israel, as defined for Israeli tax purposes, and on the sale of assets located in Israel, including shares in Israeli companies, by both residents and non-residents of Israel, unless a specific exemption is available or a tax treaty between Israel and the shareholder’s country of residence provides otherwise. The law distinguishes between real gain and inflationary surplus. The inflationary surplus is a portion of the total capital gain which is equivalent to the increase of the relevant asset’s purchase price which is attributable to the increase in the Israeli consumer price index or, in certain circumstances, a foreign currency exchange rate, between the date of purchase and the date of sale. The real gain is the excess of the total capital gain over the inflationary surplus.

As of January 1, 2012, the tax rate applicable to capital gains derived from the sale of shares, whether listed on a stock market or not, is 25% for Israeli individuals, unless such shareholder claims a deduction for financing expenses in connection with such shares, in which case the gain is generally taxed at a rate of 30%. Additionally, if such shareholder is considered a “substantial shareholder” at any time during the 12-month period preceding such sale, i.e., such shareholder holds directly or indirectly, including with others, at least 10% of any means of control in a company, the tax rate is 30%. Israeli companies are subject to the corporate tax rate on capital gains derived from the sale of shares (24% in 2017 and 23% in 2018). However, the foregoing tax rates do not apply to: (i) dealers in securities; and (ii) shareholders who acquired their shares prior to an initial public offering (that may be subject to a different tax arrangement).

The tax basis of shares acquired prior to January 1, 2003 is determined in accordance with the average closing share price in the three trading days preceding January 1, 2003. However, a request may be made to the tax authorities to consider the actual adjusted cost of the shares as the tax basis if it is higher than such average price.

In addition, as of January 1, 2013, shareholders that are individuals who have taxable income that exceeds NIS 800,000 in a tax year (linked to the Israeli consumer price index (or CPI) each year - NIS 803,520 in 2016), will be subject to an additional tax, referred to as High Income Tax, at the rate of 2% on their taxable income for such tax year which is in excess of such amount. Commencing January 1, 2017, the High Income Tax rate has increased to 3% and its threshold has been lowered to NIS 640,000 (linked to the CPI) (NIS 640,000 in 2017 and NIS 641,880 in 2018). For this purpose taxable income will include, inter alia , taxable capital gains from the sale of our shares and taxable income from dividend distributions.

Non-Israeli residents are exempt from Israeli capital gains tax on any gains derived from the sale of shares of Israeli companies publicly traded on a recognized stock exchange or regulated market outside of Israel, provided that such capital gains are not derived from a permanent establishment in Israel, the shareholders are not subject to the Israeli Income Tax Law – Inflationary Adjustments, 1985, and the shareholders did not acquire their shares prior to an initial public offering. However, non-Israeli corporations will not be entitled to such exemption if Israeli residents (i) have a controlling interest of more than 25% in such non-Israeli corporation, or (ii) are the beneficiaries or are entitled to 25% or more of the revenues or profits of such non-Israeli corporation, whether directly or indirectly.

Pursuant to the treaty between the government of the United States and the government of Israel with respect to taxes on income, as amended (the “U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty”), the sale, exchange or disposition of ordinary shares by a person who (i) holds the ordinary shares as a capital asset, (ii) qualifies as a resident of the United States within the meaning of the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty, and (iii) is entitled to claim the benefits afforded to such person by the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty, generally, will not be subject to the Israeli capital gains tax. Such exemption will not apply if (i) such U.S. resident holds, directly or indirectly, shares representing 10% or more of our voting power during any part of the 12-month period preceding such sale, exchange or disposition, subject to certain conditions, or (ii) the capital gains from such sale, exchange or disposition can be allocated to a permanent establishment in Israel. In such case, the sale, exchange or disposition of ordinary shares would be subject to Israeli tax, to the extent applicable; however, under the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty, such U.S. resident would be permitted to claim a credit for such taxes against the U.S. federal income tax imposed with respect to such sale, exchange or disposition, subject to the limitations in U.S. laws applicable to foreign tax credits. The U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty does not relate to U.S. state or local taxes.

In some instances where our shareholders may be liable to Israeli tax on the sale of their ordinary shares, the payment of the consideration may be subject to the withholding of Israeli tax at the source.

Taxation of Dividends paid to Non-Resident Holders of Shares

Non-residents of Israel are subject to income tax on income accrued or derived from sources in Israel. Such sources of income include passive income such as dividends. On distributions of dividends other than bonus shares, or stock dividends, income tax is applicable at the rate of 25%, or 30% for a shareholder that is considered a “substantial shareholder” at any time during the 12-month period preceding such distribution, unless a different withholding tax rate is provided in a treaty between Israel and the shareholder’s country of residence.

In principle, non-Israeli residents (whether individuals or corporations) are generally subject to Israeli withholding tax on the receipt of dividends paid for publicly traded shares at the rate of 25% and at the rate of 30% on dividends paid to substantial shareholders. However, so long as the shares are registered with a Nominee Company, as defined in the Encouragement of Capital Investments Law, 1959 (the “Investments Law”), which is a company incorporated to be a holder of record and distribution agent of publicly traded company, the shares are generally subject to Israeli withholding tax at a rate of 25%, unless a different rate is provided under an applicable tax treaty (provided that a certificate from the Israel Tax Authority allowing for a reduced withholding tax rate is obtained in advance).

Under the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty, the maximum withholding tax on dividends paid to a holder of ordinary shares that is a Treaty U.S. Resident is generally 25%. However, pursuant to the Investments Law, dividends distributed by an Israeli company and derived from income eligible for benefits under the Investments Law will generally be subject to a reduced dividend withholding tax rate, subject to the conditions specified in the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty. The U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty further provides that a 15% or a 12.5% Israeli dividend withholding tax will apply to dividends paid to a U.S. corporation owning 10% or more of an Israeli company’s voting shares during, in general, the current and preceding tax year of the Israeli company. The 15% rate applies to dividends distributed from income derived from an Approved Enterprise or, presumably, from a Privileged Enterprise (as defined in the Investments Law), in each case within the applicable period or, presumably, from a Preferred Enterprise, and the lower 12.5% rate applies to dividends distributed from income derived from other sources. However, these provisions do not apply if the company has certain amounts of passive income.

General Corporate Tax Structure in Israel

The Israeli corporate tax rate was 26.5%, 25% and 24% in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Effective January 1, 2018 and thereafter, the corporate tax rate in Israel will be 23%.

Foreign Exchange Regulations

Under the Foreign Exchange Regulations an Israeli company may calculate its tax liability in U.S. Dollars under certain conditions. The tax liable income, as calculated in U.S. Dollars is translated into NIS according to the exchange rate as of December 31 ^st of each year.

Israeli Transfer Pricing Regulations

Section 85A of the Tax Ordinance and the transfer pricing regulations require that all cross-border transactions carried out between related parties be conducted on an arm’s length basis and be taxed accordingly.

UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

Subject to the limitations described herein, this discussion summarizes certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our Ordinary Shares to a U.S. holder. A U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of our Ordinary Shares who is:

A non-U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of our Ordinary Shares that is not a U.S. holder. Unless otherwise specifically indicated, this discussion does not consider the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a person that is a non-U.S. holder of our Ordinary Shares and considers only U.S. holders that will own the Ordinary Shares as capital assets (generally for investment).

If a partnership (or any other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our Ordinary Shares, the tax treatment of the partnership and a partner in such partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Such a partner or partnership should consult its tax advisor as to its tax consequences.

This discussion is based on current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), current and proposed Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code and administrative and judicial interpretations of the Code, all as currently in effect and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Notably, in December 2017, the U.S. Congress approved, and the U.S. President signed into law, the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (the “TCJA”), which alters significantly the U.S. Federal income tax system. Although this discussion takes into account provisions enacted under the TCJA, given the complexity of this new law, U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding its potential impact on the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them in light of their particular circumstances. This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to any particular U.S. holder based on the U.S. holder’s particular circumstances (including the potential application of the alternative minimum tax). In particular, this discussion does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders who are a bank, broker-dealers or who own, directly, indirectly or constructively, 10% or more (by voting power) of our company, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, grantor trusts, S corporations, U.S. holders holding the Ordinary Shares as part of a hedging, straddle or conversion transaction, U.S. holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, U.S. holders who have elected to-market accounting, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions, persons that receive Ordinary Shares as compensation for the performance of services, certain former citizens or former long-term residents of the United States and persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, who may be subject to special rules not discussed below. Additionally, this discussion does not address the possible application of U.S. federal estate or gift taxes or any aspect of state, local or non-U.S. tax laws.

This summary of material United States Federal income tax considerations is for general information only and is not tax advice. Each holder of our Ordinary Shares is advised to consult with its tax advisor with respect to the specific U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income tax consequences to which it is subject with respect to purchasing, holding or disposing of our Ordinary Shares.

U.S. Holders of Ordinary Shares

Taxation of distributions on Ordinary Shares

Subject the discussion below under “Tax consequences if we are a passive foreign investment company,” a distribution paid by us with respect to our Ordinary Shares, including the amount of any non-U.S. taxes withheld, to a U.S. holder will be treated as dividend income to the extent that the distribution does not exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Dividends that are received with respect to Ordinary Shares by U.S. holders that are individuals, estates or trusts generally will be taxed at preferential tax rates, provided that such dividends meet the requirements of “qualified dividend income.” For this purpose, qualified dividend income generally includes dividends paid by a non-U.S. corporation if certain holding period and other requirements are met and either (i) the stock of the non-U.S. corporation with respect to which the dividends are paid is “readily tradable” on an established securities market in the U.S. (e.g., the NASDAQ Global Market); or (ii) the non-U.S. corporation is eligible for benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the U.S. which includes an information exchange program and is determined to be satisfactory by the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. The United States Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has determined that the U.S.-Israel income tax treaty is satisfactory for this purpose. Dividends that fail to meet such requirements, and dividends received by corporate U.S. holders, are taxed at ordinary income rates. No dividend received by a U.S. holder will be a qualified dividend (i) if the U.S. holder held the ordinary share with respect to which the dividend was paid for less than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the ex-dividend date with respect to such dividend, excluding for this purpose, under the rules of Section 246(c) of the Code, any period during which the U.S. holder has an option to sell, is under a contractual obligation to sell, has made and not closed a short sale of, is the grantor of a deep-in-the-money or otherwise nonqualified option to buy, or has otherwise diminished its risk of loss by holding other positions with respect to, such ordinary share (or substantially identical securities); or (ii) to the extent that the U.S. holder is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in property substantially similar or related to the ordinary share with respect to which the dividend is paid. If we were to be considered a “passive foreign investment company” or PFIC (as such term is defined in the Code) for any taxable year, dividends paid on our Ordinary Shares in such year or in the following taxable year would not be qualified dividends. See discussion below regarding our PFIC status at “Tax Consequences If We Are A Passive Foreign Investment Company.” In addition, a non-corporate U.S. holder will be able to take a qualified dividend into account in determining its deductible investment interest (which is generally limited to its net investment income) only if it elects to do so. In such case the dividend will be taxed at ordinary income rates.

The amount of any distribution which exceeds the amount treated as a dividend will be treated first as a non-taxable return of capital, reducing the U.S. holder’s tax basis in its Ordinary Shares to the extent thereof, and then as capital gain from the deemed disposition of the Ordinary Shares (subject to the PFIC rules discussed below). Such distributions (treated as capital gain) would not give rise to income from sources outside the United States. Corporate holders will not be allowed a deduction for dividends received in respect of the Ordinary Shares.

There is no assurance that dividends received by a U.S. holder from the Company will be eligible for the preferential tax rates mentioned above. Dividends that are not eligible for the preferential tax rates will be taxed at ordinary income rates.

Dividends paid by us in NIS will be included in the gross income of U.S. holders at the U.S. dollar amount of the dividend (including any non-U.S. taxes withheld therefrom), based upon the exchange rate in effect on the date the distribution is included in income, regardless of whether the NIS is converted into U.S. dollars. If the NIS is not converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, U.S. holders will have a tax basis in the NIS for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to that dollar value. Any subsequent gain or loss in respect of the NIS arising from exchange rate fluctuations on a subsequent conversion or any other disposition of the NIS will be treated as ordinary income or loss, and generally will be income or loss from sources within the United States for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. In addition, proposed Treasury regulations (which taxpayers may rely upon pending publication of final regulations) issued on December 18, 2017 provide that certain taxpayers may elect to “mark to market” gain or loss resulting from exchange rate fluctuations with respect to such NIS. The proposed regulations are complex. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the applicability of such proposed regulations to their particular circumstances.

Subject to the limitations set forth in the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, U.S. holders may elect to claim a foreign tax credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability for non-U.S. income taxes withheld from dividends received in respect of the Ordinary Shares. The conditions and limitations on claiming a foreign tax credit include, among others, computation rules under which foreign tax credits allowable with respect to specific classes of income cannot exceed the U.S. federal income taxes otherwise payable with respect to each such class of income. In this regard, dividends paid by us generally will be foreign source “passive income” for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. U.S. holders that do not elect to claim a foreign tax credit may instead claim a deduction for the non-U.S. income tax withheld if they itemize their deductions. The rules relating to foreign tax credits are complex, additional limitations on the credit apply to individuals receiving dividends eligible for preferential tax rates on dividends described above (and may also be impacted by the tax treaty between the United States and Israel), and you should consult your tax advisor to determine whether and to what extent you would be entitled to this credit. A U.S. holder will be denied a foreign tax credit for non-U.S. income taxes withheld from a dividend received on the Ordinary Shares (i) if the U.S. holder has not held the Ordinary Shares for at least 16 days of the 31-day period beginning on the date which is 15 days before the ex-dividend date with respect to such dividend; or (ii) to the extent the U.S. holder is under an obligation to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Any days during which a U.S. holder has substantially diminished its risk of loss on the Ordinary Shares are not counted toward meeting the required 16-day holding period.

Taxation of the disposition of Ordinary Shares

Subject to the discussion below under “Tax consequences if we are a passive foreign investment company,” upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of our Ordinary Shares (other than in certain non-recognition transactions), a U.S. holder will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on the disposition and the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the Ordinary Shares. The gain or loss recognized on the disposition of the Ordinary Shares will be considered a long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder had held the Ordinary Shares for more than one year at the time of the disposition and otherwise will generally be short-term capital gain or loss. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Long-term capital gains of certain non-corporate shareholders are generally taxed at preferential rates. Gain or loss recognized by a U.S. holder on a sale, exchange or other disposition of Ordinary Shares generally will be treated as U.S. source income or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.

A U.S. holder that uses the cash method of accounting calculates the U.S. dollar value of the proceeds received on the sale as of the date that the sale settles. However, a U.S. holder that uses the accrual method of accounting is required to calculate the value of the proceeds of the sale as of the trade date and may therefore realize foreign currency gain or loss. A U.S. holder may avoid realizing a foreign currency gain or loss by electing to use the settlement date to determine the proceeds of sale for purposes of calculating the foreign currency gain or loss. In addition, a U.S. holder that receives foreign currency upon disposition of Ordinary Shares and converts the foreign currency into U.S. dollars after the settlement date or trade date (whichever date the U.S. holder is required to use to calculate the value of the proceeds of sale) will have foreign exchange gain or loss based on any appreciation or depreciation in the value of the foreign currency against the U.S. dollar, which will generally be U.S. source ordinary income of loss.

Net Investment Income Tax

Non-corporate U.S. holders may be subject to an additional 3.8% surtax on all or a portion of their “net investment income”, which may include dividends on, or capital gains recognized from, the disposition of, our Ordinary Shares. In each case, the 3.8% surtax applies only to the extent the U.S. holder’s total adjusted income exceeds certain thresholds. U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the implications of the additional Net Investment Income tax on their investment in our Ordinary Shares.

Tax consequences if we are a passive foreign investment company

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we will be considered a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, if either (i) 75% or more of our gross income in a taxable year is passive income; or (ii) 50% or more of the value (determined on the basis of a quarterly average) of our assets in a taxable year produce or are held for the production of passive income. If we own (directly or indirectly) at least 25% by value of the stock of another corporation, we will be treated for purposes of the foregoing tests as owning our proportionate share of that other corporation’s assets and as directly earning our proportionate share of that other corporation’s income. If we are a PFIC, a U.S. holder must determine under which of three alternative taxing regimes it wishes to be taxed:

If a QEF election is made after the first taxable year in which a U.S. holder holds our Ordinary Shares and we are a PFIC, then special rules would apply.

Once made, the QEF election applies to all subsequent taxable years of the U.S. holder in which it holds our Ordinary Shares and for which we are a PFIC and can be revoked only with the consent of the IRS.

Under the mark-to-market election, in a taxable year in which we are a PFIC, any gain on the sale of our Ordinary Shares is treated as ordinary income, and any loss on the sale of our Ordinary Shares, to the extent the amount of loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gain previously included, is treated as ordinary loss. The mark-to-market election applies to the taxable year for which the election is made and all later taxable years, unless the Ordinary Shares cease to be marketable stock or the IRS consents to the revocation of the election.

If the mark-to-market election is made after the first taxable year in which a U.S. holder holds our Ordinary Shares and we are a PFIC, then special rules would apply.

Excess distributions must be allocated ratably to each day that a U.S. holder has held our Ordinary Shares. A U.S. holder must include amounts allocated to the current taxable year and any taxable year prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC, in its gross income as ordinary income for that year. All amounts allocated to other taxable years of the U.S. holder would be taxed at the highest tax rate for each such year applicable to ordinary income and the U.S. holder also would be liable for interest on the deferred tax liability for each such year calculated as if such liability had been due with respect to each such year. The portions of gains and distributions that are not characterized as “excess distributions” are subject to tax in the current taxable year as ordinary income under the normal tax rules of the Code.

A U.S. person who inherits shares in a foreign corporation that was a PFIC in the hands of the decedent, is generally denied the otherwise available step-up in the tax basis of such shares to fair market value at the date of death. Instead, such U.S. holder’s basis would generally be equal to the lesser of the decedent’s basis or the fair market value of the Ordinary Shares on the date of death. Furthermore, if we are a PFIC, each U.S. holder will generally be required to file an annual report with the IRS.

Based on an analysis of our assets and income, we believe that we were not a PFIC for our taxable year ended December 31, 2017. We currently expect that we will not be a PFIC in 2018. However, PFIC status is determined as of the end of the taxable year and is dependent on a number of factors, including the relative value of our passive assets and our non-passive assets, our market capitalization and the amount and type of our gross income. There can be no assurance that we will not become a PFIC for the current taxable year ending December 31, 2018 or in a future taxable year.

If we were a PFIC, a U.S. holder could make certain elections that may alleviate certain tax consequences referred to above, and one of these elections may be made retroactively if certain conditions are satisfied. It is expected that the conditions necessary for making certain of such elections will apply in the case of our Ordinary Shares. Neither the Company nor its advisors have the duty to or will undertake to inform U.S. holders of changes in circumstances that would cause the Company to become a PFIC. The Company does not currently intend to take the action necessary for a U.S. holder to make a “qualified electing fund” election in the event the Company is determined to be a PFIC.

If we are determined to be a PFIC, the general tax treatment for U.S. holders described in this section would apply to indirect distributions and gains deemed to be realized by U.S. holders in respect of any of our subsidiaries that also may be determined to be PFICs.

If a U.S. holder owns ordinary shares during any year in which we are a PFIC and the U.S. holder recognized gain on a disposition of our ordinary shares or receives distributions with respect to our ordinary shares, the U.S. holder generally will be required to file an IRS Form 8621 (Information Return by a Shareholder of a Passive Foreign Investment Company or Qualified Electing Fund) with respect to the Company, generally with the U.S. holder’s federal income tax return for that year. If our Company were a PFIC for a given taxable year, then you should consult your tax advisor concerning your annual filing requirements.

The U.S. federal income tax rules relating to PFICs are complex. U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our Ordinary Shares, the consequences to them of an investment in a PFIC, any elections available with respect to our Ordinary Shares and the IRS information reporting obligations with respect to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our Ordinary Shares.

Tax return disclosure and backup withholding

A U.S. holder generally is subject to information reporting and may be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 24% with respect to dividend payments made with respect to, and proceeds from the disposition of, the Ordinary Shares. Backup withholding will not apply with respect to payments made to exempt recipients, including corporations, or if a U.S. holder provides a correct taxpayer identification number, certifies that such holder is not subject to backup withholding or otherwise establishes an exemption. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. It may be claimed as a credit against the U.S. federal income tax liability of a U.S. holder or the U.S. holder may be eligible for a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules, provided, in either case, that the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) generally subjects U.S. individuals that hold certain specified foreign financial assets (which include stock of a non-U.S. corporation) to U.S. return disclosure obligations (and related penalties for failure to disclose). The definition of specified foreign financial assets includes not only financial accounts maintained in foreign financial institutions, but also, unless held in accounts maintained by a financial institution, any stock or security issued by a non-U.S. person, any financial instrument or contract held for investment that has an issuer or counterparty other than a U.S. person and any interest in a foreign entity. Such U.S. individuals are required to file IRS Form 8938 with their U.S. Federal income tax returns, unless an exception applies. Generally, U.S. holders may be subject to these reporting requirements unless their Ordinary Shares are held in an account at a domestic financial institution or certain other exceptions apply. Penalties for failure to file certain of these information returns may be substantial. In addition, in the event a holder that is required to file IRS Form 8938 does not file such form, the statute of limitations on the assessment and collection of U.S. federal income taxes of such holder for the related tax year may not close until three years after the date that the required return information is filed. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the filing of an IRS Form 8938.

Non-U.S. Holders of Ordinary Shares

Except as provided below, a non-U.S. holder of Ordinary Shares will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on the receipt of dividends on, and the proceeds from the disposition of, an Ordinary Share, unless that item is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business in the United States and, in the case of a resident of a country which has an income tax treaty with the United States, that item is attributable to a permanent establishment in the United States or, in the case of an individual, a fixed place of business in the United States. In addition, gain recognized by an individual non-U.S. holder on the disposition of the Ordinary Shares will be subject to tax in the United States, if such non-U.S. holder is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the sale and other conditions are met.

Non-U.S. holders are generally not subject to information reporting or backup withholding with respect to the payment of dividends on, or proceeds from the disposition of, Ordinary Shares, provided that the non-U.S. holder provides its taxpayer identification number, certifies to its foreign status or otherwise establishes an exemption.

A non-U.S. holder will be required to provide a certificate of non-U.S. status on an appropriate IRS Form W-8.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

The documents concerning the Company that are referred to in the form may be inspected at the Company’s office in Israel.

For information relating to the Company’s subsidiaries, see “Item 4C. Organizational Structure” as well as the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements (Items 8 and 18 of this form).