(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective as determined by market conditions
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement
number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment
which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission
acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The selling shareholders named in this prospectus may not sell these securities until the
registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and neither we nor the selling shareholders are soliciting an offer to buy these securities in
any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
MATERIAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
Israeli Tax Considerations and Government Programs
General
The following is a summary of the material Israeli tax laws applicable to us, and some Israeli government programs benefiting us. This section also contains a discussion of some
material Israeli tax consequences to persons owning our ordinary shares. This summary does not discuss all the aspects of Israeli tax law that may be relevant to a particular investor in light of his or her personal investment circumstances or to
some types of investors subject to special treatment under Israeli law. Examples of this kind of investor include traders in securities or persons that own, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of our outstanding voting capital, all of whom are
subject to special tax regimes not covered in this discussion. Some parts of this discussion are based on tax legislation which has not been subject to judicial or administrative interpretation. The discussion is subject to change, including due to
amendments under Israeli law or changes to the applicable judicial or administrative interpretations of Israeli law, which change could affect the tax consequences described below, possibly with retroactive effect. The discussion is not intended and
should not be construed as legal or professional tax advice and does not cover all possible tax considerations.
SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE ISRAELI OR OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR ORDINARY SHARES, INCLUDING,
IN PARTICULAR, THE EFFECT OF ANY FOREIGN, STATE OR LOCAL TAXES.
General Corporate Tax Structure in Israel
Israeli resident companies are generally subject to corporate tax at the rate of 23%. However, the effective tax rate payable by a company that derives income from a Benefited
Enterprise or a Preferred Enterprise (as discussed below) may be considerably less. Capital gains derived by an Israeli resident company are subject to tax at the prevailing corporate tax rate.
Under Israeli tax legislation, a corporation will be considered as an “Israeli resident company” if (i) it was incorporated in Israel or (ii) the control and management of its
business are exercised in Israel.
Law for the Encouragement of Industry (Taxes), 5729-1969
The Law for the Encouragement of Industry (Taxes), 5729-1969, generally referred to as the Industry Encouragement Law, provides several tax benefits for “Industrial Companies.”
The Industry Encouragement Law defines an “Industrial Company” as a company resident in Israel and which was incorporated in Israel of which 90% or more of its income in any
tax year, other than certain income (such as income from defense loans, capital gains, interest and dividends) is derived from an “Industrial Enterprise” owned by it and which is located in Israel or in the “Area” (as defined under Section 3A of
the Israel Income Tax Ordinance, 5721-1961, or the Israel Tax Ordinance. An “Industrial Enterprise” is defined as an enterprise whose principal activity in a given tax year is industrial production.
The following corporate tax benefits, among others, are available to Industrial Companies:
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amortization over an eight-year period of the cost of purchased know-how and patents and rights to use a patent and know-how which were purchased in good faith and are used for the
development or advancement of the Industrial Enterprise, commencing on the year in which they were first used;
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under limited conditions, an election to file consolidated tax returns with related Israeli Industrial Companies; and
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expenses related to a public offering are deductible in equal amounts over three years commencing on the year of the offering.
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Although as of the date of this prospectus we do not have industrial production activities, we may qualify as an Industrial Company in the future and may be eligible for the
benefits described above.
Tax Benefits and Grants for Research and Development
Israeli tax law allows, under certain conditions, a tax deduction for expenditures, including capital expenditures, for the year in which they are incurred. Expenditures are deemed
related to scientific research and development projects, if:
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The research and expenditures are approved by the relevant Israeli government ministry, determined by the field of research;
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The research and development must be for the promotion of the company; and
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The research and development are carried out by or on behalf of the company seeking such tax deduction.
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The amount of such deductible expenses is reduced by the sum of any funds received through government grants for the financing of such scientific research and development projects.
No deduction under these research and development deduction rules is allowed if such deduction is related to an expense invested in an asset depreciable under the general depreciation rules of the Israel Tax Ordinance. Expenditures not so approved
are deductible in equal amounts over three years.
From time to time we may apply to the National Authority for Technological Innovation (previously known as the Israeli Office of the Chief Scientist), or the IIA, for
approval to allow a tax deduction for all research and development expenses during the year incurred. There can be no assurance that such application will be accepted.
Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 5719-1959
The Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 5719-1959, generally referred to as the Investment Law, provides certain incentives for capital investments in production
facilities (or other eligible assets) by “Industrial Enterprises” (as defined under the Investment Law).
Tax Benefits Prior to the 2005 Amendment
An investment program that is implemented in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Law prior to an amendment that became effective in April 2005, or the 2005 Amendment,
referred to as an “Approved Enterprise,” is entitled to certain benefits. A company that wished to receive benefits as an Approved Enterprise must have received approval from the Investment Center of the Israeli Ministry of Economy and Industry, or
the Investment Center. Each certificate of approval for an Approved Enterprise relates to a specific investment program in the Approved Enterprise, delineated both by the financial scope of the investment and by the physical characteristics of the
facility or the asset.
In general, an Approved Enterprise is entitled to receive a grant from the Government of Israel or an alternative package of tax benefits, known as the alternative benefits track.
The tax benefits from any certificate of approval relate only to taxable profits attributable to the specific Approved Enterprise. Income derived from activity that is not integral to the activity of the Approved Enterprise does not enjoy tax
benefits.
In addition, a company that has an Approved Enterprise program is eligible for further tax benefits if it qualifies as a Foreign Investors’ Company, or FIC, which is a
company with a level of foreign investment, as defined in the Investment Law, of more than 25%. The level of foreign investment is measured as the percentage of rights in the company (in terms of shares, rights to profits, voting and appointment of
directors), and of combined share and loan capital, that are owned, directly or indirectly, by persons who are not residents of Israel. The determination as to whether a company qualifies as an FIC is made on an annual basis. We are currently not
entitled to tax benefits for Approved Enterprise.
Tax Benefits Subsequent to the 2005 Amendment
The 2005 Amendment applies to new investment programs and investment programs commencing after 2004, but does not apply to investment programs approved prior to April 1, 2005. The
2005 Amendment provides that terms and benefits included in any certificate of approval that was granted before the 2005 Amendment became effective (April 1, 2005) will remain subject to the provisions of the Investment Law as in effect on the date
of such approval. Pursuant to the 2005 Amendment, the Investment Center will continue to grant Approved Enterprise status to qualifying investments. The 2005 Amendment, however, limits the scope of enterprises that may be approved by the Investment
Center by setting criteria for the approval of a facility as an Approved Enterprise, such as provisions generally requiring that at least 25% of the Approved Enterprise’s income be derived from exports.
The 2005 Amendment provides that Approved Enterprise status will only be necessary for receiving cash grants. As a result, it was no longer necessary for a company to obtain
Approved Enterprise status in order to receive the tax benefits previously available under the alternative benefits track. Rather, a company may claim the tax benefits offered by the Investment Law directly in its tax returns, provided that its
facilities meet the criteria for tax benefits set forth in the amendment. Companies are entitled to approach the Israel Tax Authority for a pre-ruling regarding their eligibility for benefits under the Investment Law, as amended.
In order to receive the tax benefits, the 2005 Amendment states that a company must make an investment which meets all of the conditions, including exceeding a minimum investment
amount specified in the Investment Law. Such investment allows a company to receive “Benefited Enterprise” status, and may be made over a period of no more than three years from the end of the year in which the company requested to have the tax
benefits apply to its Benefited Enterprise. Where the company requests to apply the tax benefits to an expansion of existing facilities, only the expansion will be considered to be a Benefited Enterprise and the company’s effective tax rate will be
the weighted average of the applicable rates. In this case, the minimum investment required in order to qualify as a Benefited Enterprise is required to exceed a certain percentage of the value of the company’s production assets before the expansion.
The extent of the tax benefits available under the 2005 Amendment to qualifying income of a Benefited Enterprise depend on, among other things, the geographic location in Israel of
the Benefited Enterprise. The location will also determine the period for which tax benefits are available. Such tax benefits include an exemption from corporate tax on undistributed income for a period of between two to 10 years, depending on the
geographic location of the Benefited Enterprise in Israel, and a reduced corporate tax rate of between 10% and the applicable corporate tax for the remainder of the benefits period, depending on the level of foreign investment in the company in each
year. A company qualifying for tax benefits under the 2005 Amendment which pays a dividend out of income derived by its Benefited Enterprise during the tax exemption period will be subject to corporate tax in respect of the gross amount of the
dividend at the otherwise applicable corporate tax rate or a lower rate in the case of a qualified FIC which is at least 49% owned by non-Israeli residents. Dividends paid out of income attributed to a Benefited Enterprise are generally subject to
withholding tax at source at the rate of 20% or such lower rate as may be provided in an applicable tax treaty.
The benefits available to a Benefited Enterprise are subject to the fulfillment of conditions stipulated in the Investment Law and its regulations. If a company does not meet these
conditions, it may be required to refund the amount of tax benefits, as adjusted by the Israeli consumer price index, and interest, or other monetary penalties.
We applied for tax benefits as a “Benefited Enterprise” with 2012 as a “Year of Election.” We may be entitled to tax benefits under this regime once we are profitable for tax
purposes and subject to the fulfillment of all the relevant conditions. If we do not meet these conditions, the tax benefits may not be applicable which would result in adverse tax consequences to us. Alternatively, and subject to the fulfillment of
all the relevant conditions, we may elect in the future to irrevocably waive the tax benefits available for Benefited Enterprise and claim the tax benefits available to Preferred Enterprise under the 2011 Amendment (as detailed below).
Tax Benefits Under the 2011 Amendment
The Investment Law was significantly amended as of January 1, 2011, or the 2011 Amendment. The 2011 Amendment introduced new benefits to replace those granted in accordance with
the provisions of the Investment Law in effect prior to the 2011 Amendment.
The 2011 Amendment introduced new tax benefits for income generated by a “Preferred Company” through its “Preferred Enterprise,” in accordance with the definition of such term in
the Investment Law, which generally means that a “Preferred Company” is an industrial company meeting certain conditions (including a minimum threshold of 25% export).
A Preferred Company is entitled to a reduced flat tax rate with respect to the income attributed to the Preferred Enterprise, at the following rates:
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Tax Year
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Development Region “A”
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Other Areas within Israel
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2011 – 2012
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10
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%
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15
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%
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2013
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7
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%
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12.5
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%
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2014 – 2016
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9
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%
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16
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%
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2017 and thereafter
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7.5
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%
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16
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%
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Dividends distributed from income which is attributed to a “Preferred Enterprise” will be subject to withholding tax at source at the following rates: (i) Israeli resident
corporations — 0%, (ii) Israeli resident individuals — 20% in 2023, and (iii) non-Israeli residents — 20%, which may be reduced down to 4% in 2023, subject to certain conditions under the Investment Law and to a reduced tax rate under the provisions
of an applicable double tax treaty.
Under the 2011 Amendment, a company located in Development Region “A” may be entitled to cash grants and the provision of loans under certain conditions, if approved. The rates for
grants and loans shall not be fixed, but up to 20% of the amount of the approved investment. In addition, a company owning a Preferred Enterprise under the Grant Track may be entitled also to the tax benefits which are prescribed for a Preferred
Company.
The termination or substantial reduction of any of the benefits available under the Investment Law could materially increase our tax liabilities.
We are currently not entitled to tax benefits for a Preferred Enterprise.
New Tax benefits under the 2017 Amendment that became effective on January 1, 2017.
The 2017 Amendment was enacted as part of the Economic Efficiency Law that was published on December 29, 2016, and was effective as of January 1, 2017. The 2017 Amendment
provides new tax benefits for two types of “Technological Enterprises”, as described below, and is in addition to the other existing tax beneficial programs under the Investment Law.
The 2017 Amendment provides that a Preferred Company satisfying certain conditions will qualify as having a “Preferred Technological Enterprise” and will thereby enjoy a reduced
corporate tax rate of 12% on income that qualifies as “Preferred Technological Income,” as defined in the Investment Law. The tax rate is further reduced to 7.5% for a Preferred Technological Enterprise located in development zone A. In addition, a
Preferred Company qualified as having a “Preferred Technological Enterprise” will enjoy a reduced corporate tax rate of 12% on capital gain derived from the sale of certain “Benefitted Intangible Assets” (as defined in the Investment Law) to a
related foreign company if the Benefitted Intangible Assets were acquired from a foreign company on or after January 1, 2017 for at least NIS 200 million, and the sale receives prior approval from the IIA.
The 2017 Amendment further provides that a Preferred Company satisfying certain conditions (including group consolidated revenues of at least NIS 10 billion) may qualify as
having a “Special Preferred Technological Enterprise” and will thereby enjoy a reduced corporate tax rate of 6% on “Preferred Technological Income” regardless of the company’s geographic location within Israel. In addition, a Special Preferred
Technological Enterprise will enjoy a reduced corporate tax rate of 6% on capital gain derived from the sale of certain “Benefitted Intangible Assets” to a related foreign company if the Benefitted Intangible Assets were either developed by the
Special Preferred Technological Enterprise or acquired from a foreign company on or after January 1, 2017, and the sale received prior approval from IIA. A Special Preferred Technological Enterprise that acquires Benefitted Intangible Assets from a
foreign company for more than NIS 500 million will be eligible for these benefits for at least ten years, subject to certain approvals as specified in the Investment Law.
Dividends distributed by a Preferred Technological Enterprise or a Special Preferred Technological Enterprise, paid out of Preferred Technological Income, are generally subject
to withholding tax at source at the rate of 20% or such lower rate as may be provided in an applicable tax treaty (subject to the receipt in advance of a valid certificate from the Israel Tax Authority allowing for a reduced tax rate). However, if
such dividends are paid to an Israeli company, no tax is required to be withheld. If such dividends are distributed to a foreign company and other conditions are met, the withholding tax rate will be 4%.
We currently are not entitled to tax benefits under the 2017 Amendment.
Taxation of Our Shareholders
Capital Gains
Capital gain tax is imposed on the disposition of capital assets by an Israeli resident, and on the disposition of such assets by a non-Israeli resident if those assets either (i)
are located in Israel, (ii) are shares or a right to a share in an Israeli resident corporation, or (iii) represent, directly or indirectly, rights to assets located in Israel. The Israel Tax Ordinance distinguishes between “Real Gain” and the
“Inflationary Surplus.” Real Gain is the excess of the total capital gain over Inflationary Surplus computed generally on the basis of the increase in the Israeli consumer price index between the date of purchase and the date of disposition.
Inflationary Surplus is not currently subject to tax in Israel.
Real Gain accrued by individuals on the sale of our ordinary shares will be taxed at the rate of 25%. However, if the individual shareholder is a “Controlling Shareholder” (i.e., a
person who holds, directly or indirectly, alone or together with another, 10% or more of one of the Israeli resident company’s means of control) at the time of sale or at any time during the preceding 12-month period, such gain will be taxed at the
rate of 30%.
Real Gain derived by corporations will be generally subject to the corporate tax rate of 23% in 2023.
Individual and corporate shareholder dealing in securities in Israel are taxed at the tax rates applicable to business income —23% for corporations in 2023, and a marginal tax rate
of up to 50% for individuals, including an Excess Tax (as further explained below).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, capital gain derived from the sale of our ordinary shares by a non-Israeli shareholder may be exempt under the Israel Tax Ordinance from Israeli
capital gain tax provided that the seller does not have a permanent establishment in Israel to which the derived capital gain is attributed. However, non-Israeli “Body of Persons” (as defined in the Israel Tax Ordinance, and includes corporate
entities, partnerships, and other entities) will not be entitled to the foregoing exemption if more than 25% of its means of control are held, directly and indirectly, by Israeli residents, or Israeli residents are entitled to 25% or more of the
revenues or profits of the Body of Persons, directly or indirectly. In addition, such exemption would not be available to a person whose gains from selling or otherwise disposing of the securities are deemed to be business income.
In addition, the sale of shares may be exempt from Israeli capital gain tax under the provisions of an applicable tax treaty. For example, the U.S.-Israel Double Tax Treaty exempts
U.S. residents (who are entitled to claim the benefits of the U.S.-Israel Double Tax Treaty) from Israeli capital gain tax in connection with such sale, provided (i) the U.S. resident owned, directly or indirectly, less than 10% of the Israeli
resident company’s voting power at any time within the 12-month period preceding such sale; (ii) the seller, being an individual, is present in Israel for a period or periods of less than 183 days during the taxable year; (iii) the capital gain from
the sale was not derived through a permanent establishment of the U.S. resident in Israel, and further provided that such gain is not attributed to real estate located in Israel, to royalties, or to a permanent establishment that such seller has in
Israel.
In some instances where our shareholders may be liable for Israeli tax on the sale of their ordinary shares, the payment of the consideration may be subject to the withholding of
Israeli tax at source at a rate of 25% if the seller is an individual and at the corporate tax rate (23% in 2023) if the seller is a corporation. Shareholders may be required to demonstrate that they are exempt from tax on their capital gains in
order to avoid withholding tax at source at the time of sale.
At the sale of securities traded on a share exchange a detailed return, including a computation of the tax due, must be filed and an advanced payment must be paid on January 31 and
July 31 of every tax year in respect of sales of securities made within the previous six months. Capital gain is also reportable on the annual income tax return. However, if all tax due was withheld at source according to applicable provisions of the
Israel Tax Ordinance and regulations promulgated thereunder, the aforementioned returns need not be filed provided that (among other conditions) (i) such income was not generated from business conducted in Israel by the taxpayer, (ii) the taxpayer
has no other taxable sources of income in Israel with respect to which a tax return is required to be filed and an advance payment does not need to be made, and (iii) the taxpayer is not obligated to pay Excess Tax (as further explained below).
Dividends
We have never paid cash dividends. A distribution of a dividend by our company from income attributed to a Benefited Enterprise will generally be subject to withholding tax in
Israel at a rate of 20% unless a reduced tax rate is provided under an applicable tax treaty, provided that a certificate from the Israel Tax Authority allowing for such 20% withholding tax rate or a lower treaty rate is obtained in advance. A
distribution of a dividend by our company from income attributed to a Preferred Enterprise will generally be subject to withholding tax in Israel at the following tax rates: Israeli resident individuals — 20%; Israeli resident companies — 0% for a
Preferred Enterprise; Non-Israeli residents — 20%, subject to a reduced rate under the provisions of any applicable double tax treaty (provided that a certificate from the Israel Tax Authority allowing for such 20% withholding tax rate or a lower
treaty rate is obtained in advance). A distribution of dividends from income, which is not attributed to a Preferred Enterprise to an Israeli resident individual, will generally be subject to withholding tax at a rate of 25%, or 30% if the dividend
recipient is a “Controlling Shareholder” (as defined above) at the time of distribution or at any time during the preceding 12-month period. If the recipient of the dividend is an Israeli resident corporation, such dividend will not be subject to
Israeli tax provided the income from which such dividend is distributed was derived or accrued within Israel. Dividends paid on publicly traded shares, are generally subject to Israeli withholding tax at a rate of 25% so long as the shares are
registered with a nominee company (whether or not the recipient is a “Controlling Shareholder,” as defined above), unless relief is provided in a treaty between Israel and the shareholder’s country of residence and 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 Double Tax Treaty, the following withholding rates will apply in respect of dividends distributed by an Israeli resident company to a U.S. resident who are
entitled to claim the benefits of the U.S.-Israel Double Tax Treaty: (i) if the U.S. resident is a corporation which holds during that portion of the taxable year which precedes the date of payment of the dividend and during the whole of its prior
taxable year (if any), at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the voting share capital of the Israeli resident paying corporation and not more than 25% of the gross income of the Israeli resident paying corporation for such prior taxable year (if
any) consists of certain type of interest or dividends — the rate is 12.5%; (ii) if both the conditions mentioned in clause (i) above are met and the dividend is paid from an Israeli resident company’s income which was entitled to a reduced tax rate
applicable to an Approved Enterprise — the rate is 15%; and (iii) in all other cases, the rate is 25%. The aforementioned rates under the Israel U.S. Double Tax Treaty will not apply if the dividend income was derived through a permanent
establishment of the U.S. resident in Israel.
A non-Israeli resident who receives dividends from which tax was withheld is generally exempt from the obligation to file tax returns in Israel with respect to such income,
provided that (among other conditions) (i) such income was not generated from a business conducted in Israel by the taxpayer, (ii) the taxpayer has no other taxable sources of income in Israel with respect to which a tax return is required to be
filed, and (iii) the taxpayer is not obligated to pay Excess Tax (as further explained below).
Excess Tax
Individuals who are subject to tax in Israel (whether Israeli residents or non-Israeli residents) are also subject to an additional tax at a rate of 3% on annual income exceeding
NIS 698,280 for 2023, linked to the annual change in the Israeli consumer price index, including, but not limited to income derived from, dividends, interest and capital gains.
Foreign Exchange Regulations
Non-residents of Israel who hold our ordinary shares are able to receive any dividends, and any amounts payable upon the dissolution, liquidation and winding up of our affairs,
repayable in non-Israeli currency at the rate of exchange prevailing at the time of conversion. However, Israeli income tax is generally required to have been paid or withheld on these amounts. In addition, the statutory framework for the potential
imposition of currency exchange control has not been eliminated and may be restored at any time by administrative action.
Estate and Gift Tax
Israeli law presently does not impose estate or gift taxes.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following discussion describes certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders (as defined below) under present law of an investment in our ordinary
shares. This discussion applies only to U.S. Holders with respect to our ordinary shares purchased pursuant to this offering and held as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the
Code, and that have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency.
This discussion is based on the tax laws of the United States, including the Code, as in effect on the date hereof and on U.S. Treasury regulations as in effect or, in some cases,
as proposed, on the date hereof, as well as judicial and administrative interpretations thereof available on or before such date. All of the foregoing authorities are subject to change, which change could apply retroactively and could affect the tax
consequences described below. This summary does not address any estate or gift tax consequences, the alternative minimum tax, the Medicare tax on net investment income or any state, local, or non-U.S. tax consequences. The following discussion
neither deals with the tax consequences to any particular investor nor describes all of the tax consequences applicable to persons in special tax situations such as:
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certain financial institutions;
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regulated investment companies;
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real estate investment trusts;
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traders that elect to mark to market;
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persons holding our ordinary shares as part of a straddle, hedging, constructive sale, conversion or integrated transaction;
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persons that actually or constructively (including through the ownership of our warrants) own 10% or more of our share capital (by vote or value);
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persons that are resident or ordinarily resident in or have a permanent establishment in a jurisdiction outside the United States;
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persons who acquired our ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of any employee share option or otherwise as compensation;
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persons subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of any item of gross income with respect to our ordinary shares being taken into account in an applicable financial statement; or
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pass-through entities, or persons holding our ordinary shares through pass-through entities.
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INVESTORS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS ABOUT THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL TAX RULES TO THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AS WELL AS THE STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. AND
OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF AN INVESTMENT IN OUR ORDINARY SHARES.
The discussion below of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to “U.S. Holders” will apply to you if you are the beneficial owner of our ordinary shares and you are, for U.S.
federal income tax purposes,
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an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
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a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the United States 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 that (i) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (ii) has a valid
election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
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If an entity or other arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our ordinary shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend
upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A person that would be a U.S. Holder if it held our ordinary shares directly and that is a partner of a partnership holding our ordinary shares is urged to consult its own tax
advisor.
Passive Foreign Investment Company
A non-U.S. entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes will generally be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax
purposes for any taxable year if either:
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at least 75% of its gross income for such year is passive income (such as interest income); or
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at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets) during such year is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the
production of passive income.
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For this purpose, we will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the assets and earning our proportionate share of the income of any other entity treated as a
corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes in which we own, directly or indirectly, 25% or more (by value) of the stock of such corporation.
For our 2019 through 2022 taxable years, we generated revenue under our then collaboration agreement with Perrigo UK Finco Limited Partnership, or Perrigo, for the development of a
generic product candidate. In 2021 we sold our rights to this and other generic products and will unconditionally receive further revenue over 24 months in lieu of our share in the collaboration agreements with respect to these products. Starting in
2021, we began generating revenue under certain license agreements. Though the application of the relevant rules governing the characterization of the foregoing revenue for purposes of the PFIC income test is uncertain, we intend to take the position
that, based on our involvement and management contributions throughout the development process, such revenue is non-passive for PFIC purposes. As a result, assuming we continue to earn substantial revenue from such agreements as anticipated and based
on the current and anticipated value and composition of our income and assets, we do not expect that we will be treated as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our current taxable year or for foreseeable future years. However, there are
substantial factual and legal ambiguities regarding the nature of the revenue and the application of the relevant PFIC rules, and thus, the determination that such revenue is non-passive is not without doubt, and alternative characterizations are
possible.
A separate determination must be made after the close of each taxable year as to whether we were a PFIC for that year. Because the value of our assets for purposes of the PFIC test
will generally be determined by reference to the market price of our ordinary shares, our PFIC status may depend in part on the market price of our ordinary shares, which may fluctuate significantly. In addition, there may be certain other
ambiguities in applying the PFIC test to us. No rulings from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, however, have been or will be sought with respect to our status as a PFIC. If the IRS were to assert that, contrary to our expectation, we are
a PFIC in the current taxable year or a future year, there would be adverse tax consequences to investors, including those described below. Potential investors are strongly advised to consult their own advisors regarding the consequences to them if
we were to be considered a PFIC.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during your holding period for our ordinary shares, we generally will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to your investment in our
ordinary shares for all succeeding years during which you hold our ordinary shares. Certain elections (such as a deemed sale election) may be available under certain circumstances.
For each taxable year that we are treated as a PFIC with respect to you, you will be subject to special tax rules with respect to any “excess distribution” (as defined below) you
receive and any gain you realize from a sale or other disposition (including a pledge) of our ordinary shares, unless you make a valid “mark-to-market” election as discussed below. Distributions you receive in a taxable year that are greater than
125% of the average annual distributions you received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or your holding period for our ordinary shares will be treated as an excess distribution. Under these special tax rules:
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the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over your holding period;
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the amount allocated to the current taxable year, and any taxable years in your holding period prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC, will be treated as ordinary income; and
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the amount allocated to each other taxable year will be subject to the highest tax rate in effect for individuals or corporations, as applicable, for each such year and the interest charge
generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the resulting tax attributable to each such year.
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The tax liability for amounts allocated to taxable years prior to the year of disposition or excess distribution cannot be offset by any net operating losses, and gains (but not
losses) realized on the sale of our ordinary shares cannot be treated as capital gains, even if you hold our ordinary shares as capital assets.
If we are treated as a PFIC with respect to you for any taxable year, to the extent any of our subsidiaries are also PFICs, you may be deemed to own a proportionate interest in
such lower-tier PFICs that are directly or indirectly owned by us, and you may be subject to the adverse tax consequences described above with respect to the shares of such lower-tier PFICs you would be deemed to own. As a result, you may incur
liability for any excess distribution described above if we receive a distribution from our lower-tier PFICs or if any shares in such lower-tier PFICs are disposed of (or deemed disposed of). You should consult your tax advisor regarding the
application of the PFIC rules to any of our subsidiaries.
A U.S. Holder of “marketable stock” (as defined below) in a PFIC may make a mark-to-market election for such stock to elect out of the tax treatment discussed above. If you
make a valid mark-to-market election for our ordinary shares, you will include in income for each year that we are treated as a PFIC with respect to you an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of our ordinary shares as of
the close of your taxable year over your adjusted basis in such ordinary shares. You will be allowed a deduction for the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of our ordinary shares over their fair market value as of the close of the taxable year.
However, deductions will be allowable only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains on our ordinary shares included in your income for prior taxable years. Amounts included in your income under a mark-to-market election, as well as gain on the
actual sale or other disposition of our ordinary shares, will be treated as ordinary income. Ordinary loss treatment will also apply to the deductible portion of any mark-to-market loss on our ordinary shares, as well as to any loss realized on the
actual sale or disposition of our ordinary shares, to the extent the amount of such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains for such ordinary shares previously included in income. Your basis in our ordinary shares will be adjusted to
reflect any such income or loss amounts. If you make a mark-to-market election, any distributions we make would generally be subject to the rules discussed below under “— Taxation of Dividends and Other
Distributions on our Ordinary Shares,” except the lower rates applicable to qualified dividend income would not apply.
The mark-to-market election is available only for “marketable stock,” which is stock that is regularly traded on a qualified exchange or other market, as defined in applicable U.S.
Treasury regulations. Our ordinary shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market. Because a mark-to-market election cannot be made for equity interests in any lower-tier PFICs we own, you generally will continue to be subject to the PFIC rules with
respect to your indirect interest in any investments held by us that are treated as an equity interest in a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Nasdaq Global Market is a qualified exchange, but there can be no assurance that the trading in
our ordinary shares will be sufficiently regular to qualify our ordinary shares as marketable stock. You should consult your tax advisor as to the availability and desirability of a mark-to-market election, as well as the impact of such election on
interests in any lower-tier PFICs.
Alternatively, if a non-U.S. entity treated as a corporation is a PFIC, a holder of shares in that entity may avoid taxation under the PFIC rules described above regarding excess
distributions and recognized gains by making a “qualified electing fund” election to include in income its share of the entity’s income on a current basis. However, you may make a qualified electing fund election with respect to your ordinary shares
only if we furnish you annually with certain tax information, and we currently do not intend to prepare or provide such information.
A U.S. Holder of a PFIC may be required to file an IRS Form 8621. If we are a PFIC, you should consult your tax advisor regarding any reporting requirements that may apply to you.
You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the application of the PFIC rules to an investment in ordinary shares.
YOU ARE STRONGLY URGED TO CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE IMPACT ON YOUR INVESTMENT IN OUR ORDINARY SHARES IF WE WERE TO BE CONSIDERED A PFIC AS WELL AS THE APPLICATION OF
THE PFIC RULES AND THE POSSIBILITY OF MAKING A MARK-TO-MARKET ELECTION.
Taxation of Dividends and Other Distributions on our Ordinary Shares
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above, the gross amount of any distributions we make to you (including the amount of any tax withheld) with respect to our ordinary shares
generally will be includible in your gross income as dividend income on the date of receipt by the holder, but only to the extent the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income
tax principles). The dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations. To the extent the amount of the distribution exceeds our current and
accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles), such excess amount will be treated first as a tax-free return of your tax basis in your ordinary shares, and then, to the extent such excess amount exceeds
your tax basis in your ordinary shares, as capital gain. We currently do not, and we do not intend to, calculate our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles. Therefore, you should expect that a distribution will generally be
reported as a dividend even if that distribution would otherwise be treated as a non-taxable return of capital or as capital gain under the rules described above.
With respect to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individual U.S. Holders, dividends may be taxed at the lower capital gain rates applicable to “qualified dividend
income,” provided (i) our ordinary shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States (such as the Nasdaq Global Market), (ii) we are neither a PFIC nor treated as such with respect to you (as discussed above) for
either the taxable year in which the dividend was paid or the preceding taxable year, (iii) certain holding period requirements are met and (iv) you are not under an obligation to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially
similar or related property.
The amount of any distribution paid in a currency other than U.S. dollars will be equal to the U.S. dollar value of such currency on the date such distribution is includible in
your income, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars at that time. The amount of any distribution of property other than cash will be the fair market value of such property on the date of distribution.
Any dividends will constitute foreign source income for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. If the dividends are taxed as qualified dividend income (as discussed above), the
amount of the dividend taken into account for purposes of calculating the foreign tax credit limitation will in general be limited to the gross amount of the dividend, multiplied by the reduced tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income and
divided by the highest tax rate normally applicable to dividends. The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. For this purpose, dividends distributed by us with respect to
our ordinary shares will generally constitute “passive category income.”
If Israeli withholding taxes apply to any dividends paid to you with respect to our ordinary shares, subject to certain conditions and limitations, such withholding taxes may be treated
as foreign taxes eligible for credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability. Instead of claiming a credit, you may elect to deduct such taxes in computing taxable income, subject to applicable limitations. If a refund of the tax withheld is
available under the applicable laws of Israel or under the Israel-U.S. income tax treaty, or the Treaty, the amount of tax withheld that is refundable will not be eligible for such credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability (and will not
be eligible for the deduction against your U.S. federal taxable income). The rules relating to the determination of the foreign tax credit are complex, and you should consult your tax advisor regarding the availability of a foreign tax credit in your
particular circumstances, including the effects of the Treaty.
Taxation of Disposition of our Ordinary Shares
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above, upon a sale or other disposition of our ordinary shares, you will generally recognize capital gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount
equal to the difference between the amount realized (including the amount of any tax withheld) and your tax basis in such ordinary shares. If the consideration you receive for our ordinary shares is not paid in U.S. dollars, the amount realized will
be the U.S. dollar value of the payment received determined by reference to the spot rate of exchange on the date of the sale or other disposition. However, if our ordinary shares are treated as traded on an “established securities market” and you
are either a cash basis taxpayer or an accrual basis taxpayer that has made a special election (which must be applied consistently from year to year and cannot be changed without the consent of the IRS), you will determine the U.S. dollar value of
the amount realized in a non-U.S. dollar currency by translating the amount received at the spot rate of exchange on the settlement date of the sale. If you are an accrual basis taxpayer that is not eligible to or does not elect to determine the
amount realized using the spot rate on the settlement date, you will recognize foreign currency gain or loss to the extent of any difference between the U.S. dollar amount realized on the date of sale or disposition and the U.S. dollar value of the
currency received at the spot rate on the settlement date.
Any gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of our ordinary shares will generally be treated as U.S. source income or loss and treated as long-term capital gain or loss if
your holding period in our ordinary shares at the time of the disposition exceeds one year. Accordingly, in the event any Israeli tax (including withholding tax) is imposed upon the sale or other disposition, you may not be able to utilize foreign
tax credit unless you have foreign source income or gain in the same category from other sources. There are additional significant and complex limits on a U.S. Holder’s ability to claim foreign tax credits, and recently issued U.S. Treasury
regulations that apply to foreign income taxes further restrict the availability of any such credit based on the nature of the tax imposed by the foreign jurisdiction. Long-term capital gain of noncorporate U.S. Holders generally will be subject to
U.S. federal income tax at reduced tax rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to significant limitations.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Dividend payments with respect to our ordinary shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of our ordinary shares may be subject to information reporting to the IRS
and possible U.S. backup withholding. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a U.S. Holder that furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number and makes any other required certification or that is otherwise exempt from backup withholding.
U.S. Holders that are required to establish their exempt status generally must provide such certification on IRS Form W-9. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the application of the U.S. information reporting and backup withholding rules.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, and you may obtain a refund of
any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnishing any required information in a timely manner.
Information with respect to Foreign Financial Assets
Certain U.S. Holders may be required to report information relating to an interest in our ordinary shares, subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for ordinary shares
held in accounts maintained by certain financial institutions). Penalties can apply if U.S. Holders fail to satisfy such reporting requirements. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the effect, if any, of this requirement on your ownership
and disposition of our ordinary shares.
THE SUMMARY OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES SET OUT ABOVE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS ABOUT THE
APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL TAX RULES TO THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AS WELL AS THE STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF AN INVESTMENT IN OUR ORDINARY SHARES.