(a) Amount proposed for the 2012 fiscal year at the Annual General Meeting of May 7, 2013.

The dividend is a portion of the Group’s net income distributed to shareholders. The amount is subject to approval by shareholders at the Combined Shareholders’ Meeting. Once approved, it is automatically⁽¹⁾ wired to the shareholder’s bank account without any action required on the part of the shareholder.

If you hold direct registered shares, the dividend is wired directly by Air Liquide to your bank account. If you hold intermediary registered or bearer shares, Air Liquide will wire the dividend to your bank, which will then credit your account.

Following the approval of the Combined Shareholders’ Meeting on May 9, 2012, the dividend distributed will be €2.50 per share. It will be paid on May 16, 2012.

French tax residents may choose between two methods for taxing dividends:

• The Prélèvement Forfaitaire Libératoire (PFL), the flat-rate withholding tax rate of 21% (for dividends paid in 2012),
• Income tax, depending on your marginal tax rate.

The dividend is also subject to social contributions (13.5% in 2012).

In general, a tax agreement between France and the shareholder’s fiscal residence country will establish a reduced fixed tax rate for dividends earned by non-French residents. To take advantage of these agreements, remember to have the tax authorities from your country of residence sign the CERFA 5000 form (which requests that the withholding rate set by the agreement be applied) and send it to your account manager (Air Liquide Shareholder Services for direct registered shares or the securities services of your account manager for intermediary registered / bearer shares) before mid-April 2011.

If this form is not submitted, a direct withholding tax of 30% will be applied. Non-French residents are not required to pay social contributions on dividends.

• Learn more about taxes on dividends

(1) within days of its approval, depending on processing times.