ACAC Acri Capital Corporation

TABLE OF CONTENTS

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING

These Questions and Answers are only summaries of the matters they discuss. They do not contain all of the information that may be important to you. You should read carefully the entire document, including the annexes to this proxy statement.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This proxy statement and the documents to which we refer you in this proxy statement contain “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which we refer to as the Act, and the federal securities laws. Any statements that do not relate to historical or current facts or matters are forward-looking statements. You can identify some of the forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “should,” “may” and other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. There can be no assurance that actual results will not materially differ from expectations. Such statements include, but are not limited to, any statements relating to our ability to consummate a business combination, and any other statements that are not statements of current or historical facts. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to the Company as of the date of the proxy materials and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any subsequent date and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made.

These forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include:

You should carefully consider these risks, in addition to the risk factors set forth in our other filings with the SEC, including the final prospectus related to our IPO dated June 9, 2022 (Registration No. 333-263477) and our other filings with the SEC. The documents we file with the SEC, including those referred to above, also discuss some of the risks that could cause actual results to differ from those contained or implied in the forward-looking statements. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for additional information about our filings.

BACKGROUND

Our Company

We are a blank check company formed as a Delaware corporation for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination with one or more businesses, which we refer to throughout this report as our initial business combination.

On June 14, 2022, we completed our initial public offering (the “IPO”) of 8,625,000 units, which included 1,125,000 units issued upon the full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. Each unit consists of one share of Class A Common Stock and one-half of one warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share. The units were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds of $86,250,000.

Substantially concurrently with the closing of the IPO, the Company completed the private sale of 5,240,000 warrants (“Private Warrants”) to the Company’s sponsor, Acri Capital Sponsor LLC (the “Sponsor”), with each whole warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, at a purchase price of $1.00 per Private Placement Warrant, generating gross proceeds to the Company of $5,240,000 (the “Private Placement”). The Private Warrants are identical to the warrants sold as part of the units in the IPO, except that the holders have agreed not to transfer, assign or sell any of the Private Warrants (except to certain permitted transferees) until 30 days after the completion of the Company’s initial business combination. 

A total of $87,975,000 (or $10.20 per unit), comprised of $86,250,000 of the proceeds from the IPO (which amounts includes $2,587,500 of the underwriter’s deferred underwriting fee pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement), and $1,725,000 of the proceeds from the Private Warrants, were placed in a U.S.-based Trust Account maintained by Wilmington Trust, acting as trustee. Except with respect to interest earned on the funds in the Trust Account that may be released to the Company to pay its franchise and income taxes and expenses relating to the administration of the Trust Account, the proceeds from the IPO and the Private Placement held in the trust account will not be released until the earliest of (a) the completion of the Company’s initial business combination, (b) the redemption of any public shares properly tendered in connection with a shareholder vote to amend the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to modify the substance or timing of its obligation to allow redemption in connection with its initial business combination or redeem 100% of its public shares if the Company does not complete its initial business combination within 18 months from the closing of the IPO, and (c) the redemption of all of the Company’s public shares if it is unable to complete its business combination within 9 months (or up to 18 months from the consummation of this offering if we extend the period of time to consummate a business combination as described in more detail in the Prospectus) from the closing of the IPO, subject to applicable law.

Our management has broad discretion with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the IPO and the sale of Private Warrant, although substantially all the net proceeds are intended to be applied generally towards consummating a business combination.

Since our IPO, our sole business activity has been identifying and evaluating suitable acquisition transaction candidates. We presently have no revenue and have had losses since inception from incurring formation and operating costs. We have relied upon the sale of our securities and loans from the Sponsor to fund our operations.

As of September 30, 2022, $949,982 of cash and prepaid expenses was held outside of the Trust Account and was available for working capital purposes. Interest earned on the Trust Account balance through September 30, 2022 available to be released to us for the payment of tax obligations amounted to $415,041. As of September 30, 2022 we had $88,390,014 in the Trust Account.

The mailing address of our principal executive office is 13284 Pond Springs Rd, Ste 405, Austin, Texas 78729, and our telephone number is 512-666-1277.  

Extension Payments

The Company’s IPO prospectus (File No. 333-263477) (the “IPO Prospectus”) dated June 9, 2022 and the Charter provide that we have until March 14, 2023 to complete a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. If we anticipate that we may not be able to consummate the initial business combination by March 14, 2023, we may, but are not obligated to, if requested by the Sponsor or its affiliates, extend date up to nine (9) times by an additional one month each time for a total of up to December 14, 2023 by depositing $287,212.5 per month ($0.0333 per public share) into our Trust Account, to complete our initial business combination. Further, the IPO Prospectus and the Charter provide that the Company may modify the Current Termination Date by amending the Charter approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-five percent (65%) of all then outstanding shares of Common Stock.

If the Extension Amendment Proposal is not Approved

If the Extension Amendment Proposal is not approved and a business combination is not consummated by March 14, 2023 (or up to by December 14, 2023, if extended), the Company will (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter, redeem the public shares, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account including interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to the Company to pay its taxes or for working capital purposes (less up to $50,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish public stockholders’ rights as stockholders (including the right to receive further liquidating distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining stockholders and the Board, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Delaware law to provide for claims of creditors and the requirements of other applicable law. In connection with our redemption of 100% of our outstanding public shares for a portion of the funds held in the Trust Account, each holder will receive a full pro rata portion of the amount then in the Trust Account (less the net interest earned thereon to pay dissolution expenses), plus any pro rata interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account and not previously released to us for payment of taxes due on such funds. Holders of warrants will receive no proceeds in connection with the liquidation with respect to such rights or warrants, which will expire worthless. The Company would expect to pay the costs of liquidation from its remaining assets outside of the Trust Fund or available to the Company from interest income on the Trust Account’s balance.

If the Extension Amendment Proposal is Approved

Under the terms of the proposed Extension Amendment, public stockholders may make the Election.

If the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved by holders of sixty-five percent (65%) or more of all then outstanding shares of the Common Stock, the Company will file amended Charter with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in the form of Annex A hereto. The Company will remain a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and its units, Class A Common Stock and warrants will remain publicly traded. The Company will then continue to work to consummate a business combination within the Combination Period.

If the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved, the Company will still have the right to extend the time for the Company to complete its initial business combination (the “Combination Period”) from March 14, 2023 up to December 14, 2023 (i.e., 18 months from the closing of the IPO), provided that the Monthly Extension Payment of $[__] per public share is deposited into the Trust Account. If there is (i) no redemption of the public shares, the Monthly Extension Payment will be $[__], (ii) 50% redemption of the public shares, the Monthly Extension Payment will be $ [__], and (iii) 80% redemption of the public shares, the Monthly Extension Payment will be $[__]. The Company’s board has determined that, given the Company’s expenditure of time, efforts and money on identifying suitable target business and completion of a business combination, it is in the best interests of its stockholder to approve the Extension Amendment. The first Monthly Extension Payment after the approval of the Extension Amendment Proposal must be made prior to March 14, 2023, while the second Monthly Extension Payment must be deposited into the Trust Account prior to 14th of each succeeding month up to December 14, 2023. We intend to issue a press release announcing the deposit of funds promptly after such funds are deposited into the Trust Account. 

You are not being asked to vote on any proposed business combination at this time. If the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved and you do not elect to have your public shares redeemed now, you will retain the right to vote on any proposed business combination when and if one is submitted to stockholders and the right to redeem your public shares for a pro rata portion of the Trust Account in the event a proposed business combination is approved and completed or the Company has not consummated a business combination within the Combination Period.

If the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved (and not abandoned), the removal of the Withdrawal Amount in connection with the redemption from the Trust Account may significantly reduce the amount remaining in the Trust Account and increase the percentage interest of the Company’s shares held by the Founders.

Additionally, the Company’s Charter provides that the Company shall not consummate any business combination if the redemption of public shares in connection therewith would cause the Company to have net tangible assets of less than $5,000,001, which could be impacted by the reduction in the Trust Account.

Possible Claims Against and Impairment of the Trust Account

In considering the Extension Amendment Proposal, the Company’s stockholders should be aware that if the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved (and not abandoned), the Company will incur additional expenses in seeking to complete an initial business combination, in addition to expenses incurred in proposing the Extension Amendment. The Founders and/or their affiliate may also advance or fund the Company on as needed basis for working capital or payment for expenses incurred. Additionally, if the stockholders approve the Extension Amendment Proposal, for each remaining share for each monthly period, or portion thereof during the Combination Period, the Company will deposit the Monthly Extension Deposit into the Trust Account. The Monthly Extension Deposit would be made in the form of a loan. If the Company complete its initial business combination, the Company would repay such loaned amounts out of the proceeds of the Trust Account. In addition, such extension funding loans may be convertible into Private Warrants upon the closing of the Company’s initial business combination at $1.00 per warrant at the option of the lender. If we do not have sufficient funds available to conduct the normal operations of the business or to consummate an initial business combination, we will need to seek additional working capital from the Founders and/or their affiliates for these purposes. If we consummate an initial business combination, we would repay such loaned amounts. In the event that the initial business combination does not close, we may use a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account to repay such loaned amounts but no proceeds from our Trust Account would be used for such repayment, other than interest on such proceeds.

If the Company is unable to complete a business combination within the required time period, the Sponsor will be liable to the extent necessary to ensure that the amounts in the Trust Account are not reduced below (i) $10.20 per public share or (ii) such lesser amount per public share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, due to reductions in value of the trust assets, in each case net of the amount of interest withdrawn to pay taxes and will not be liable as to any claims under our indemnity of the underwriters of the IPO against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. In the event that an executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against a third party, our Sponsor will not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third-party claims. We cannot assure you, however, that, the Sponsor would be able to satisfy those obligations. None of our officers will indemnify us for claims by third parties including, without limitation, claims by vendors and prospective target businesses. In the event that the proceeds in the Trust Account are reduced below the lesser of (i) $10.20 per public share or (ii) such lesser amount per share held in the Trust Account as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account due to reductions in the value of the trust assets, in each case net of the interest which may be withdrawn to pay taxes, and the Sponsor asserts that it is unable to satisfy its obligations or that it has no indemnification obligations related to a particular claim, our independent directors would determine whether to take legal action against the Sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations. While we currently expect that our independent directors would take legal action on our behalf against the Sponsor to enforce its indemnification obligations to us, it is possible that our independent directors in exercising their business judgment may choose not to do so in any particular instance. If our independent directors choose not to enforce these indemnification obligations on our behalf, the amount of funds in the Trust Account available for distribution to our public stockholders may be reduced below $10.20 per share. You should read this proxy statement carefully for more information concerning this possibility and other consequences of the adoption of the Extension Amendment Proposal.

The Special Meeting

Date, Time and Place. The special meeting of stockholders will be held on January 24, 2023 at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, virtually at [__].

If you plan to attend the virtual online special meeting, please be sure to follow instructions found on your proxy card, voting instruction form or notice.

Voting Power; Record Date. You will be entitled to vote or direct votes to be cast at the special meeting, if you owned shares of our Common Stock at the close of business on December 28, 2022, the Record Date for the special meeting. You will have one vote per proposal for each share you owned at that time. Our warrants do not carry voting rights.

Votes Required. Approval of the Extension Amendment Proposal requires the affirmative vote of at least 65% of our outstanding shares of Common Stock. Approval of the Adjournment Proposal requires the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person (including virtual presence) or represented by proxy at the special meeting. The Adjournment Proposal will only be put forth for a vote if there are not sufficient votes for, or otherwise in connection with, the approval of the other proposals at the special meeting.

With respect to the Extension Amendment Proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as “AGAINST” votes. Abstentions will be counted in connection with the determination of whether a valid quorum is established.

At the close of business on the Record Date, there were 10,781,250 outstanding shares of Common Stock, including 8,625,000 public shares, each of which entitles its holder to cast one vote per proposal.

If you do not want the Extension Amendment Proposal approved, you should vote against the proposals or abstain from voting on the proposals. If you want to obtain your pro rata portion of the Trust Account in the event the Extension Amendment is implemented, which will be paid shortly after the special meeting scheduled for January 24, 2023, you must demand redemption of your shares. Holders of public shares may redeem their public shares regardless of whether they vote for or against, or abstain from voting on, the Extension Amendment Proposal.

Proxies; Board Solicitation. Your proxy is being solicited by the Board on the proposals being presented to stockholders at the special meeting to approve the proposals. No recommendation is being made as to whether you should elect to redeem your shares. Proxies may be solicited in person or by telephone. If you grant a proxy, you may still revoke your proxy and vote your shares in person at the special meeting.

We have retained Advantage Proxy, Inc. to aid in the solicitation of proxies. Advantage Proxy, Inc. will receive a fee of approximately $10,000, as well as reimbursement for certain costs and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with their services, all of which will be paid by us. In addition, our officers and directors may solicit proxies by mail, telephone, facsimile, and personal interview, for which no additional compensation will be paid, though they may be reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses. We will bear the cost of preparing, assembling and mailing the enclosed form of proxy, this proxy statement and other material which may be sent to stockholders in connection with this solicitation. We may reimburse brokerage firms and other nominee holders for their reasonable expenses in sending proxies and proxy material to the beneficial owners of our shares.

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations for holders of the Company’s Common Stock that elect to have their Common Stock redeemed for cash if the acquisition is completed. This summary is based upon the Code, the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Treasury Department, current administrative interpretations and practices of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax considerations described below. No advance ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS regarding any matter discussed in this summary. This summary does not discuss the impact that U.S. state and local taxes and taxes imposed by non-U.S. jurisdictions could have on the matters discussed in this summary. This summary does not purport to discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a particular stockholder in light of its investment or tax circumstances or to stockholders subject to special tax rules, such as:

If a partnership (including an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds Common Stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the partners in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partners and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships and their partners should consult their tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences to them of redemption. This summary assumes that stockholders hold Common Stock as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code, which generally means as property held for investment and not as a dealer or for sale to customers in the ordinary course of the stockholder’s trade or business.

WE URGE HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK CONTEMPLATING EXERCISE OF THEIR REDEMPTION RIGHTS TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES THEREOF.

Treatment of Redemption of Common Stock

In the event that a holder’s Common Stock is redeemed pursuant to the exercise of its redemption right in connection with the stockholder vote regarding the Extension Amendment Proposal the treatment of the transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes will depend on whether the redemption qualifies as a sale of Common Stock under Section 302 of the Code. If the redemption qualifies as a sale of Common Stock, U.S. Holders will be treated as described under “U.S. Holders — Taxation of Redemption Treated as an Exchange of Common Stock” below and Non-U.S. Holders will be treated as described under “Non-U.S. Holders — Taxation of Redemption Treated as an Exchange of Common Stock” below. If the redemption does not qualify as a sale of Common Stock, U.S. Holders will be treated as receiving a corporate distribution with the tax consequences described below under “U.S. Holders — Taxation of Redemption Treated as a Distribution” and Non-U.S. Holders will be subject to the tax consequences described below under “— Non-U.S. Holders — Taxation of Redemption Treated as a Distribution” below. Whether a redemption qualifies for sale treatment will depend largely on the total number of Common Stock treated as held by the holder relative to all of our shares outstanding both before and after such redemption. The redemption of Common Stock generally will be treated as a sale of Common Stock (rather than as a corporate distribution) if such redemption (i) is “substantially disproportionate” with respect to the holder, (ii) results in a “complete termination” of the holder’s interest in the Company or (iii) is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to the holder (collectively, the “302 tests”). These tests are explained more fully below.

In determining whether any of the 302 tests is satisfied, a holder takes into account not only the Company shares actually owned by the holder, but also the Company shares that are constructively owned by such holder under the relevant rules. A holder may constructively own, in addition to shares owned directly, shares owned by certain related individuals and entities in which the holder has an interest or that have an interest in such holder, as well as any shares the holder has a right to acquire by exercise of an option. In order to meet the substantially disproportionate test, the percentage of the Company’s outstanding voting shares actually and constructively owned by the holder immediately following the redemption of Common Stock must, among other requirements, be less than 80% of the percentage of our outstanding voting shares actually and constructively owned by the holder immediately before the redemption. There will be a complete termination of a holder’s interest if either (i) all of the Company’s shares actually and constructively owned by the holder are redeemed or (ii) all of the Company’s shares actually owned by the holder are redeemed and the holder is eligible to waive, and effectively waives in accordance with specific rules, the attribution of shares owned by certain family members and the holder does not constructively own any other Company’s shares. The redemption of Common Stock will not be essentially equivalent to a dividend if such redemption results in a “meaningful reduction” of the holder’s proportionate interest in the Company. Whether the redemption will result in a meaningful reduction in a holder’s proportionate interest in the Company will depend on the particular facts and circumstances. However, the IRS has indicated in a published ruling that even a small reduction in the proportionate interest of a small minority stockholder in a publicly held corporation who exercises no control over corporate affairs may constitute such a “meaningful reduction.” A holder should consult with its own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of a redemption.

If none of the 302 tests is satisfied, then the redemption will be treated as a corporate distribution and the tax effects will be as described under “U.S. Holders — Taxation of Redemption Treated as a Distribution” and “Non-U.S. Holders — Taxation of Redemption Treated as a Distribution” below. After the application of those rules, any remaining tax basis of the U.S. Holder in the redeemed Common Stock will be added to the holder’s adjusted tax basis in its remaining shares, or, if it has none, possibly to the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its other shares constructively owned by such U.S. Holder.

U.S. Holders

Taxation of Redemption Treated as an Exchange of Common Stock. If the redemption qualifies as an exchange of Common Stock as described above under “— Treatment of Redemption of Common Stock,” a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in Common Stock. Any such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for Common Stock so disposed of exceeds one year. It is unclear, however, whether the redemption rights with respect to Common Stock may suspend the running of the applicable holding period for this purpose. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. Holders will be eligible to be taxed at reduced rates under current law. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Generally, the amount of gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder is an amount equal to the difference between (i) the sum of the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received in such disposition and (ii) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Common Stock so disposed of. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Common Stock generally will equal the U.S. Holder’s acquisition cost less any prior distributions treated as a return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Taxation of Redemption Treated as a Distribution. If the redemption does not qualify as an exchange of Common Stock, a U.S. Holder will generally be treated as receiving a distribution in respect of its Common Stock. Such a distribution generally will be includable in a U.S. Holder’s gross income as dividend income to the extent that such distributions are paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Dividends will be taxable to a corporate U.S. Holder at regular rates and will generally be eligible for the dividends-received deduction if the requisite holding period is satisfied.

For non-corporate U.S. Holders, if the U.S. Holder satisfies certain holding period requirements and the U.S. Holder is not under an obligation to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, dividends are “qualified dividend income” taxed at the preferential applicable long-term capital gain rate. It is unclear whether the redemption rights with respect to Common Stock may prevent a U.S. Holder from satisfying the applicable holding period requirements with respect to the dividends received deduction or the preferential tax rate on qualified dividend income, as the case may be. If the holding period requirements are not satisfied, then non-corporate U.S. Holders may be subject to tax on such dividends at regular ordinary income tax rates instead of the preferential rate that applies to qualified dividend income.

Distributions in excess of our current or accumulated earnings and profit generally will be applied against and reduce the U.S. Holder’s basis in its Common Stock (but not below zero) and, to the extent in excess of such basis, will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of such Common Stock in the manner described above under “—Taxation of Redemption Treated as an Exchange of Common Stock.”

U.S. Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. Distributions with respect to Common Stock to a U.S. Holder, whether or not such distributions qualify as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of Common Stock by a U.S. Holder generally are subject to information reporting to the IRS and possible U.S. backup withholding, unless the U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient. Backup withholding may apply to such payments if a U.S. Holder fails to furnish a correct taxpayer identification number, fails to furnish a certification of exempt status or has been notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup withholding (and such notification has not been withdrawn).

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, and such holder may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by timely filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnishing any required information.

Non-U.S. Holders

Redemption of Common Stock. The characterization for U.S. federal income tax purposes of the redemption of a Non-U.S. Holder’s share of Common Stock generally will follow the U.S. federal income tax characterization of such a redemption as described under “ — Treatment of Redemption of Common Stock” above.

Because the satisfaction of the 302 tests described above is dependent on matters of fact, withholding agents may presume, for withholding purposes, that all amounts paid to Non-U.S. Holders in connection with a redemption are treated as distributions in respect of their shares. Accordingly, a Non-U.S. Holder should expect that a withholding agent will likely withhold U.S. federal income tax on the gross proceeds payable to a Non-U.S. Holder pursuant to a redemption at a rate of 30% unless such Non-U.S. Holder is eligible for a reduced rate of withholding tax under an applicable income tax treaty and provides proper certification of its eligibility for such reduced rate (usually on an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, or other applicable IRS Form W-8). Each holder should consult with its own tax advisors as to the tax consequences to it of any redemption of its Common Stock, including its ability to obtain a refund of any amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for a refund with the IRS in the event that the Non-U.S. Holder is not treated as receiving a dividend under the 302 tests.

Taxation of Redemption Treated as an Exchange of Common Stock. A Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax in respect of any gain realized upon the redemption of Common Stock unless:

Gain described in the first bullet point above generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular rates applicable to a U.S. Holder, unless an applicable tax treaty provides otherwise. A Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected gain, as adjusted for certain items.

Gain described in the second bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty), which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses of the Non-U.S. Holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States), provided the Non-U.S. Holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.

With respect to the third bullet above, the Company believes that it is not and has not been at any time since its formation, and does not expect to be immediately after its initial business combination is completed, a USRPHC.

Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding potentially applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules. 

Taxation of Redemption Treated as a Distribution. If the redemption does not qualify as an exchange of Common Stock, with respect to a Non-U.S. Holder, such holder will generally be treated as receiving a distribution in respect of Common Stock. Such a distribution to the extent paid out of the Company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles) will constitute a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Amounts not treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes will constitute a return of capital and be applied against and reduce a Non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its Common Stock, but not below zero, and thereafter as capital gain and will be treated as described above under “—Non-U.S. Holders—Taxation of Redemption Treated as an Exchange of Common Stock.”

Subject to the discussion below on effectively connected income, dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder of Common Stock will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividends (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty, provided the Non-U.S. Holder furnishes a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable documentation) certifying qualification for the lower treaty rate). A Non-U.S. Holder that does not timely furnish the required documentation, but that qualifies for a reduced treaty rate, may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.

If dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. Holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such dividends are attributable), the Non-U.S. Holder will be exempt from the U.S. federal withholding tax described above. To claim the exemption, the Non-U.S. Holder must furnish to the applicable withholding agent a valid IRS Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States.

Any such effectively connected dividends will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular rates. A Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected dividends, as adjusted for certain items. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding any applicable tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. Payments of dividends on Common Stock will not be subject to backup withholding, provided the applicable withholding agent does not have actual knowledge or reason to know the holder is a United States person and the holder either certifies its non-U.S. status, such as by furnishing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI, or otherwise establishes an exemption. However, information returns are required to be filed with the IRS in connection with any dividends on Common Stock paid to the Non-U.S. Holder, regardless of whether any tax was actually withheld. In addition, proceeds from a sale or other taxable disposition of Common Stock within the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related brokers generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting if the applicable withholding agent receives the certification described above and does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a United States person, or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Proceeds from a disposition of Common Stock conducted through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting.

Copies of information returns that are filed with the IRS may also be made available under the provisions of an applicable treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides or is established. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. Under Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (such Sections commonly referred to as “FATCA”), payments of dividends on and the gross proceeds of dispositions of Common Stock of a U.S. issuer paid to (i) a “foreign financial institution” (as specifically defined in the Code) or (ii) a “non-financial foreign entity” (as specifically defined in the Code) will be subject to a withholding tax (separate and apart from, but without duplication of, the withholding tax described above) at a rate of 30%, unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements (generally relating to ownership by U.S. persons of interests in or accounts with those entities) have been satisfied or an exemption from these rules applies. Under proposed Treasury Regulations, the preamble to which states that taxpayers may rely on them until final Treasury Regulations are issued, this withholding tax will not apply to the gross proceeds from the sale or disposition of Common Stock. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify these requirements. If a dividend payment is both subject to withholding under FATCA and subject to the withholding tax discussed above, the withholding under FATCA may be credited against, and therefore reduce, such other withholding tax. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this withholding tax on their Common Stock. 

We urge you to consult with your own tax adviser to determine the particular tax consequences to you (including the application and effect of any U.S. federal, state, local or foreign income or other tax laws) of the receipt of cash in exchange for shares in connection with the Extension Amendment Proposal.

Company’s Recommendation to Stockholders

After careful consideration of all relevant factors, the Board has determined that the Extension Amendment Proposal is fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and its stockholders. The Board has approved and declared advisable the Extension Amendment Proposal, and recommends that you vote “FOR” the adoption of the Extension Amendment. See the section entitled “Reasons for the Extension Amendment — The Board’s Reasons for the Extension Amendment, its Conclusion, and its Recommendation.”

Interests of the Company’s Founders, Directors and Executive Officers

When you consider the recommendation of the Board, you should keep in mind that the Company’s Founders have interests that may be different from, or in addition to, your interests as a stockholder. See the section entitled “Proposal No. 1 - The Extension Amendment Proposal — Interests of the Company’s Founders.”

Stock Ownership

Information concerning the holdings of certain of the Company’s stockholder is set forth below under “Beneficial Ownership of Securities.”

Acri Capital (NASDAQ:ACAC)
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