Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes _______ No ___X____
COMPANHIA SIDERÚRGICA NACIONAL
CORPORATE TAXPAYERS’ ID (CNPJ): 33.042.730/0001 -04
CORPORATE REGISTRY (NIRE): 33.3.001.159 5
NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS
PAYMENT OF INTEREST ON EQUITY
Considering that Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional’s shareholders approved, at the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting held on this date, the payment of (i) R$268,405,382.00 as Interest on Equity, we hereby inform shareholders of the following:
1. Interest on Equity and Income Tax: shareholders registered with the trustee institution on April 30, 2009, are entitled to receive interest on equity in the gross amount of R$0.353784 per share, except for the immune and exempted shareholders, this amount is subject to a fifteen per cent (15%) withholding income tax, and this rate shall be applied to the shareholders domiciled in the country who do not assess income or assess it at the maximum rate lower than twenty per cent (20%), which in this case, they are subject to a twenty-five per cent (25%) withholding income tax, as provided for by Article 8 of Law 9,779/99. Considering the fifteen percent (15%) rate, the amount to be paid net of income tax is R$ 0.300717 per share. Shareholders who are exempt from said tax, pursuant to articles 12 and 15 of Law 9532/97, whose exemption is attested by legal process or court decision, determining the non-retention and the nonpayment of said tax, in the specific case of interest on equity, should submit to CSN’s Investor Relations team at Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 3400/19º andar, city and state of São Paulo, until May 06, 2009, at 5:00 p.m.: (i) a copy of said process or decision ratified by the respective District Court Registry Office and (ii) a letter addressed to CSN, in which they expressly assume a commitment to: (a) inform same of any eventual amendment or annulment of said process or decision within 24 hours of acknowledgment; and (b) reimburse the tax and any other incidental charges resulting from said payment, within three (3) business days as of CSN’s notification. Supplementary private pension entities, insurance companies and FAPI (Individual Scheduled Retirement Funds), as well as life insurance policies containing a survival coverage clause, as of January 1, 2005, are exempt from withholding and separate payment of income tax assessed on income and gains earned in their use of resources from provisions, technical reserves and benefit plan funds, pursuant to article 5, caput and sole paragraph of Law 11,053/04, said entities having until May 06, 2009, at 5:00 p.m., to submit a letter addressed to CSN, in which they expressly declare and assume that (a) the resources used comply with said legal regulation; (b) they will immediately inform CSN in writing should said resources no longer comply with said legal regulation; (c) they will reimburse the tax and other incidental charges that may be levied from CSN, due to the lack of retention of said tax, within three (3) business days as of notification by CSN.
2. Payment Instructions for Interest on Equity: Interest on equity will be credited to shareholders domiciled in Brazil as of May 11, 2009, without monetary restatement, in accordance with their bank account details registered with the trustee institution, Banco Itaú S.A. Shareholders whose shares are held in fiduciary custody will have their interest credited as per the procedures adopted by the Stock Exchange. Shareholders, whose records do not contain their individual or corporate taxpayer’s ID (CPF and CNPJ, respectively) or an indication of their bank/branch/current account, will have their interest credited within three (3) business days, as of the due regularization of their respective records at branches of Banco Itaú S.A.
3. Service Locations: branches of Banco Itaú S.A., Shareholders Service section, during banking hours.
CSN’s shares will be traded ex-interest on equity on the Brazilian stock exchange as of May 04, 2009, inclusive.
Rio de Janeiro, April 30, 2009.
Otávio de Garcia Lazcano
Investor Relations Officer
COMPANHIA SIDERÚRGICA NACIONAL |
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By: |
/S/ Benjamin Steinbruch
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Benjamin Steinbruch
Chief Executive Officer |
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By: |
/S/ Otávio de Garcia Lazcano
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Otávio de Garcia Lazcano
Chief Financial Officer and Investor Relations Officer |
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This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are statements that are not historical facts, and are based on management's current view and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "plans" and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.