EX-8.1 5 a2195768zex-8_1.htm EXHIBIT 8.1

EXHIBIT 8.1

 

SEWARD & KISSEL LLP

 

1200 G STREET, N.W.

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005

 

 

 

 

 

ONE BATTERY PARK PLAZA

WRITER’S E-MAIL

 

TELEPHONE: (202) 737-8833

 

NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10004

 

 

FACSIMILE: (202) 737-5184

 

TELEPHONE: (212) 574-1200

 

 

WWW.SEWKIS.COM

 

FACSIMILE: (212) 480-8421

 

December 7, 2009

 

Sprott Physical Gold Trust
Suite 2700, South Tower,
Royal Bank Plaza,
200 Bay Street,
Toronto, Ontario,
Canada M5J 2J1

 

Re:          Sprott Physical Gold Trust

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

You have requested our opinion regarding certain United States federal income tax matters relating to Sprott Physical Gold Trust (the “Trust”) and the holders of units of the Trust.

 

In formulating our opinion as to these matters, we have examined such documents as we have deemed appropriate, including the Registration Statement and amendments to such Registration Statement filed by the Trust on Form F-l (File No. 333-       ) with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, through the date hereof (the “Registration Statement”).  We also have obtained such additional information as we have deemed relevant and necessary from representatives of the Trust.

 

Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Registration Statement.

 

Based on the facts as set forth in the Registration Statement and, in particular, on the representations, covenants, assumptions, conditions and qualifications described under the captions “Risk Factors,” and “Tax Considerations” therein, we hereby confirm that the opinions of Seward & Kissel LLP with respect to United States federal income tax matters are those opinions attributed to Seward & Kissel LLP expressed in the Registration Statement under the caption “Tax Considerations.”  It is our further opinion that the tax discussion set forth under the captions “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business— The Trust expects to be a passive foreign investment company, which may have adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders who do not make certain elections” and “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business— A U.S. Holder that makes a QEF election with respect to his, her or its Trust units may be required to include amounts in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes if any holder redeems units for cash or physical gold bullion,” and “Tax Considerations—United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the Registration Statement accurately states our views as to the tax matters discussed therein.

 

Our opinions and the tax discussion as set forth in the Registration Statement are based on the current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the final, temporary and proposed

 



 

Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, published pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service which may be cited or used as precedents, and case law authority, all as they exist as of the date hereof and any of which may be changed at any time with retroactive effect.  No opinion is expressed on any matters other than those specifically referred to above by reference to the Registration Statement.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and to each reference to us and the discussions of advice provided by us under the heading “Tax Considerations—U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the Prospectus, without admitting we are “experts” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder with respect to any part of the Registration Statement.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

/s/ Seward & Kissel LLP

 

Seward & Kissel LLP