Government of Saskatchewan Makes Changes to Potash Taxation and Initiates Review

Symbol: POT
Listed: TSX, NYSE

SASKATOON, March 18, 2015 /CNW/ - Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. (PotashCorp) announced today that changes to potash taxation in conjunction with the Government of Saskatchewan's 2015-16 provincial budget are expected to decrease the company's 2015 pre-tax earnings by CDN $75 to $100 million. The impact reflects a significant change in the timing of the annual allowable deduction for expansion and maintenance capital expenditures and is most pronounced in 2015 – and to a lesser extent 2016 – as we wind down our capital expansion projects and incur higher maintenance capital spending as a result of these expansions. A potash taxation review was also announced as part of the budget release.

Changes in Annual Allowable Deductions
"PotashCorp is disappointed in the announcement today," said President and CEO Jochen Tilk. "While we understand the difficult revenue situation facing the Government, we are nearing completion of a $6 billion investment in Saskatchewan which was based on the existing tax structure remaining in place. Changing the rules midstream impacts the ability of our shareholders to earn a fair return on their capital and undermines Saskatchewan's relative competitiveness."

Potash Taxation Review
"A stable, predictable and fair potash taxation system is important for both the province and the industry. Under the current regime, PotashCorp's operations and investments have created thousands of jobs and continue to support numerous suppliers throughout the province," Tilk said. "We are focused on ensuring that any changes to the existing system continue providing benefits to the people of Saskatchewan, while also protecting the competitiveness of the industry and the long-term interests of our investors, employees and customers.  A constructive and consultative review process is an important part of ensuring such an outcome, and it is our hope that the Government will pursue this avenue."     

PotashCorp is the world's largest integrated fertilizer and related industrial and feed products company by capacity and plays an integral role in global food production. PotashCorp is the world's largest producer, by capacity, of potash and one of the largest producers of nitrogen and phosphate. These three essential nutrients are required to help farmers grow healthier, more abundant crops. With the global population rising and diets improving in developing countries, these nutrients offer a responsible and practical solution to meeting the long-term demand for food. While agriculture is its primary market, the company also produces products for animal feed and industrial uses. Common shares of Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange.

This release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information (forward-looking statements). These statements can be identified by expressions of belief, expectation or intention, as well as those statements that are not historical fact. These statements often contain words such as "should," "could," "expect," "may," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "estimates," "plans" and similar expressions. These statements are based on certain factors and assumptions, including with respect to: foreign exchange rates, expected growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities and effective tax rates. While the company considers these factors and assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. The results or events set forth in forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results or events. Several factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, the following: variations from our assumptions with respect to foreign exchange rates, expected growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities, and effective tax rates; fluctuations in supply and demand in the fertilizer, sulfur, transportation and petrochemical markets; changes in competitive pressures, including pricing pressures; costs and availability of transportation and distribution for our raw materials and products, including railcars and ocean freight; risks and uncertainties related to operating and workforce changes made in response to our industry and the markets we serve; risks and uncertainties related to our international operations and assets; failure to prevent or respond to a major safety incident; adverse or uncertain economic conditions and changes in credit and financial markets; the results of sales contract negotiations within major markets; economic and political uncertainty around the world; risks associated with natural gas and other hedging activities; changes in capital markets; unexpected or adverse weather conditions; catastrophic events or malicious acts, including terrorism; changes in currency and exchange rates; imprecision in reserve estimates; adverse developments in new and pending legal proceedings or government investigations; our prospects to reinvest capital in strategic opportunities and acquisitions; our ownership of non–controlling equity interests in other companies; the impact of further technological innovation; increases in the price or reduced availability of the raw materials that we use; security risks related to our information technology systems; strikes or other forms of work stoppage or slowdowns; timing and impact of capital expenditures; rates of return on, and the risks associated with, our investments and capital expenditures; changes in, and the effects of, government policies and regulations; certain complications that may arise in our mining process, including water inflows; our ability to attract, retain, develop and engage skilled employees; risks related to reputational loss; and earnings and the decisions of taxing authorities which could affect our effective tax rates. Additional risks and uncertainties can be found in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 under the captions "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A – Risk Factors" and in our other filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian provincial securities commissions. As a result of these and other factors, there is no assurance that any of the events, circumstances or results anticipated by forward-looking statements included in this presentation will occur or, if they do, of what impact they will have on our business, our performance, the results of our operations and our financial condition. Forward-looking statements are given only as at the date of this presentation and the company disclaims any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc.