Aviat Networks (NASDAQ: AVNW) extends tax benefit plan to 2029

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Aviat Networks, Inc. entered into an amendment to its Amended and Restated Tax Benefit Preservation Plan with Computershare Inc. as rights agent on February 27, 2026. The change extends the plan’s final expiration date to March 3, 2029, subject to stockholder ratification at the 2026 annual meeting.

The plan is designed to help protect Aviat’s net operating losses, net unrealized built-in losses and other tax attributes, which the Board considers highly valuable for the company and its stockholders. If stockholders do not approve the amendment, Aviat anticipates terminating the plan after certification of the voting results.

Insights

Corporate governance and tax-structure analyst

Aviat extends a rights plan aimed at preserving valuable tax assets.

Aviat Networks is keeping a Tax Benefit Preservation Plan in place longer, now through March 3, 2029, via an amendment with Computershare as rights agent. These plans typically limit ownership changes that could jeopardize net operating losses and similar tax attributes.

The Board explicitly identifies net operating losses, net unrealized built-in loss deductions and other tax attributes as important assets expected to benefit stockholders. The extension is contingent on approval at the 2026 annual meeting, and Aviat indicates it would terminate the plan if ratification is not obtained once votes are certified.

This is a governance and tax-optimization step rather than an operating event. Its practical impact depends on future ownership dynamics and the company’s ability to generate taxable income to actually use these tax benefits over the extended period.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_______________________

Form 8-K

______________________________________

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 27, 2026

_______________________

AVIAT NETWORKS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

______________________________________

Delaware

001-33278

20-5961564

(State or other jurisdiction

(Commission File

(I.R.S. Employer

of incorporation)

Number)

Identification No.)

200 Parker Dr., Suite C100A, Austin, Texas 78728

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(408)-941-7100

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

______________________

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

AVNW

NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Preferred Share Purchase Rights

NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

☐ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2).

☐ If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On February 27, 2026, Aviat Networks, Inc. (the “Company”) and Computershare Inc., as rights agent, entered into Amendment No. 2 to the Amended and Restated Tax Benefit Preservation Plan (the “Amendment”), which amended the Amended and Restated Tax Benefit Preservation Plan (the “Plan”), dated as of August 27, 2020 and amended on February 28, 2023.

The Amendment, which the Company expects to submit to the Company’s stockholders for ratification at the Company’s 2026 annual meeting (the “Annual Meeting”), extends the final expiration date of the Plan until March 3, 2029. If stockholder approval of the Amendment is not obtained at such meeting, the Company anticipates terminating the Plan at the close of business on the date that the voting results are certified.

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company previously adopted the Plan in an effort to protect the Company’s ability to use its net operating losses, any loss or deductions attributable to a “net unrealized built-in loss” and other tax attributes (collectively, the “Tax Benefits”). The Board continues to view the Tax Benefits as highly valuable assets of the Company that are likely to inure to the benefit of the Company and its stockholders. Accordingly, the Board believes that it is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders that the Company provide for the protection of the Tax Benefits by amending the Plan to extend the final expiration date.

The foregoing description of the Plan does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amendment, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

The information included in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit No.			Description
4.1			Amendment No. 2 to the Amended and Restated Tax Benefit Preservation Plan, dated as of February 27, 2026, by and between Aviat Networks, Inc. and Computershare Inc., as Rights Agent
104			Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

AVIAT NETWORKS, INC.

Date: February 27, 2026

By:

/s/ Andrew C. Schmidt

Name:

Andrew C. Schmidt

Title:

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

FAQ

What did Aviat Networks (AVNW) change in its Tax Benefit Preservation Plan?

Aviat Networks amended its Tax Benefit Preservation Plan to extend the final expiration date to March 3, 2029. The plan aims to preserve tax attributes such as net operating losses and net unrealized built-in loss deductions that the Board views as valuable to stockholders.

Why is Aviat Networks (AVNW) extending its Tax Benefit Preservation Plan?

Aviat Networks’ Board believes the company’s tax attributes, including net operating losses and net unrealized built-in loss deductions, are highly valuable. Extending the plan’s expiration to March 3, 2029 is intended to protect these Tax Benefits for the long-term benefit of the company and its stockholders.

When does Aviat Networks’ amended Tax Benefit Preservation Plan expire?

Under the new amendment, Aviat Networks’ Tax Benefit Preservation Plan now has a final expiration date of March 3, 2029. This date replaces the previous end point, keeping protections in place for the company’s tax attributes for several additional years, subject to stockholder ratification.

Is stockholder approval required for Aviat Networks’ Tax Benefit Plan amendment?

Yes. Aviat Networks expects to submit the amendment to stockholders for ratification at its 2026 annual meeting. If the amendment is not approved, the company anticipates terminating the plan after the voting results are certified, rather than keeping it in place through 2029.

What tax attributes is Aviat Networks (AVNW) seeking to protect with this plan?

The plan is designed to protect Aviat Networks’ Tax Benefits, including net operating losses, any loss or deductions tied to a net unrealized built-in loss, and other tax attributes. The Board views these items as important financial assets that can benefit stockholders over time.

Who is the rights agent for Aviat Networks’ Tax Benefit Preservation Plan?

The rights agent for Aviat Networks’ Tax Benefit Preservation Plan is Computershare Inc.. Aviat and Computershare entered into Amendment No. 2 on February 27, 2026, which formally extends the plan’s final expiration date and continues Computershare’s role administering the rights arrangements.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

5 documents

Other Documents

• EX-4.1 EX-4.1 24.2 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA DOCUMENT 2.1 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT 7.0 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE DOCUMENT 28.1 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT 17.0 KB