<html>
<head>
    <title>form8k.htm</title>
    <!--Licensed to: Ashland Inc-->
    <!--Document Created using EDGARizer 2020 5.4.6.0-->
    <!--Copyright 1995 - 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.-->
</head>
<body bgcolor="#ffffff" style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<div>&#160;

<hr style="MARGIN-TOP: -5px; COLOR: #000000" noshade size="4">
<hr style="MARGIN-TOP: -10px; COLOR: #000000" noshade size="1">
</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block">&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block">&#160;</div>
</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18.25pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 16pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">UNITED STATES</font></div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18.25pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 16pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Washington, D. C. 20549</font></div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.95pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.95pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">______________</font></div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.95pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18.25pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18.25pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 16pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">FORM 8-K</font></div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.95pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.95pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.95pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">______________</font></div>
</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.95pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">CURRENT REPORT</font></div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of</font></div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):&#160;&#160;July 16, 2014</font></div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 20.5pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">ASHLAND INC.</font></div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.95pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.95pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Kentucky</font></div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)</font></div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 9.1pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 9.1pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div>&#160;</div>

<div align="center">
<table bgcolor="white" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
<tr>
<td width="10%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></td>
<td width="32%" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">1-32532&#160;</font></font></td>
<td width="16%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></td>
<td width="32%" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">20-0865835</font></font></font></td>
<td width="10%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></td>
</tr><tr>
<td width="10%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></td>
<td width="32%" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font size="3" style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">(Commission File Number)&#160;</font></font></td>
<td width="16%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></td>
<td width="32%" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;<font size="3" style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&#160;(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</font></font></td>
<td width="10%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></td>
</tr><tr>
<td width="10%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></td>
<td width="32%" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></td>
<td width="16%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></td>
<td width="32%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></td>
<td width="10%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></td>
</tr></table>
</div>

<div>&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">50 E. RiverCenter Boulevard</font></div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">P.O. Box 391</font></div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Covington, Kentucky&#160;&#160;41012-0391</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Registrant&#8217;s telephone number, including area code (859) 815-3333</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 11.4pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Check the appropriate box below if the <font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Form</font> 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</font></div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12.55pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
<div>&#160;</div>

<div align="center">
<div>
<div>&#160;</div>

<div align="left">
<table bgcolor="white" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
<tr>
<td width="4%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">[&#160;&#160;]</font></font></td>
<td width="96%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></font></td>
</tr><tr>
<td width="4%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></td>
<td width="96%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></td>
</tr><tr>
<td width="4%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">[&#160; ]&#160;</font></td>
<td width="96%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></font></td>
</tr><tr>
<td width="4%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></td>
<td width="96%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></td>
</tr><tr>
<td width="4%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">[&#160; ]</font></font></td>
<td width="96%">
<div><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b)&#160;under the Exchange Act </font><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">(17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td width="4%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></td>
<td width="96%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></td>
</tr><tr>
<td width="4%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">[&#160; ]</font></font></td>
<td width="96%">
<div><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act </font><font style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">(17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))&#160;</font></div>
</td>
</tr></table>
</div>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block">&#160;</div>

<div>
<hr style="MARGIN-TOP: -5px; COLOR: #000000" noshade size="1">
<hr style="MARGIN-TOP: -13px; COLOR: #000000" noshade size="4">
</div>

<div><br>
<div id="PGBRK" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; WIDTH: 100%; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<div id="FTR">
<div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 8pt">&#160; </font></div>
</div>

<div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; WIDTH: 100%">
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%">&#160;</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 8pt">&#160; </font></div>
</div>

<div id="HDR">
<div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 8pt">&#160; </font></div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Item 4.01.</font></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">&#160; <font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Change in Registrant&#8217;s Certifying Accountant</font></font></font></font></font></font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block">&#160;</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block">
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">As a result of a <font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">request</font> for proposal process undertaken by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the &#8220;Audit Committee&#8221;) of Ashland Inc. (&#8220;Ashland&#8221; or the &#8220;Company&#8221;), on July 16, 2014, the Audit Committee appointed&#160;Ernst &amp; Young LLP (&#8220;EY&#8221;) as Ashland&#8217;s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015, effective immediately following the Company&#8217;s filing of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending September 30, 2014.</font></font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><br>
</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">On July 16, 2014, the Audit Committee dismissed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (&#8220;PwC&#8221;) as Ashland&#8217;s independent registered public accounting firm effective upon the completion of its audit of Ashland&#8217;s consolidated financial statements and the filing of Ashland&#8217;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014.</font></font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal">&#160;</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">No Prior Consultation with New Accountant:</font></font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal">&#160;</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">During Ashland&#8217;s two most recent fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and subsequent interim period through July 16, 2014, neither Ashland nor anyone on its behalf has consulted with EY regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on Ashland&#8217;s financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to Ashland that EY concluded was an important factor considered by Ashland in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a &#8220;disagreement&#8221; (as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K) or a &#8220;reportable event&#8221; (as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).&#160;&#160;In deciding to select EY, the Audit Committee reviewed auditor independence, including existing commercial relationships with EY and concluded that EY has no commercial relationship with Ashland that would impair its independence.</font></font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal">&#160;</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">No Adverse Opinion or Disagreement:</font></font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal">&#160;</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">PwC&#8217;s reports on Ashland&#8217;s consolidated financial statements for each of the two most recent fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.&#160;&#160;During the two most recent fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and in the subsequent interim period through July 16, 2014, there were no disagreements between Ashland and PwC on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreement, if not resolved to the satisfaction of PwC, would have caused PwC to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in its reports on the consolidated financial statements for such years.</font></font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><br>
</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Reportable Event:</font></font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><br>
</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">During the two most recent fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and in the subsequent interim period through July 16, 2014, there was the following &#8220;reportable event&#8221; (as such term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).&#160;&#160;As disclosed in the Company&#8217;s Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013 and the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, the Company determined that its internal controls over financial reporting were not effective as of the end of such periods due to the existence of a material weakness related to the valuation of inventory for the Elastomers division.</font></font></div>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<div id="PGBRK" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<div id="FTR">
<div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 8pt">&#160; </font></div>
</div>

<div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; WIDTH: 100%">
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">-2-</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 8pt">&#160; </font></div>
</div>

<div id="HDR">
<div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 8pt">&#160; </font></div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">&#160;</div>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Other than as disclosed above, there were no reportable events during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and through the subsequent interim period through July 16, 2014.&#160; The Audit Committee discussed the subject matter of the reportable event with PwC. The Company authorized PwC to respond fully and without limitation to all requests of EY concerning all matters related to the audited periods by PwC, including with respect to the subject matter of the reportable event.</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Ashland provided PwC with a copy of this Current Report on Form 8-K, and requested that PwC furnish Ashland with a letter addressed to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether PwC agrees with the disclosure contained in this report, or, if not, stating the respects in which it does not agree.&#160;&#160;Ashland has received the requested letter from PwC, and a copy of PwC&#8217;s letter dated July 18, 2014 is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.</font></div>
</div>
</div>

<div id="PGBRK" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal">&#160;</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Item 9.01</font>.&#160;&#160;<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Financial Statements and Exhibits</font></font></font></font></font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">&#160;</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal">(d)&#160; Exhibits</font></div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>

<div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt" align="left">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="95%" style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="5%">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal">&#160;16.1</font></div>
</td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="95%">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal">Letter of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, dated July 18, 2014, regarding change in independent registered public accounting firm.</font></div>
</td>
</tr></table>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block">&#160;</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&#160;</font></div>

<div id="PGBRK" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<div id="FTR">
<div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&#160; </font></div>
</div>

<div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; WIDTH: 100%">
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">-3-</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&#160; </font></div>
</div>

<div id="HDR">
<div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&#160; </font></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

<div>
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&#160;</font></div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">SIGNATURES</font></div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block">&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block">&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 20.5pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 20.5pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">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.</font></div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block">&#160;</div>

<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="37%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">ASHLAND INC.</font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="37%">
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">(Registrant)</font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&#160;</font></td>
<td valign="top" width="37%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&#160;</font></td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&#160;</font></td>
<td valign="top" width="37%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&#160;</font></td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="40%" style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">July 18, 2014</font></font></td>
<td valign="top" width="37%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">/s/ Peter J. Ganz</font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&#160;</font></td>
<td valign="top" width="37%">
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Peter J. Ganz</font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="40%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&#160;</font></td>
<td valign="top" width="37%">
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Senior Vice President, General Counsel</font></div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">and </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Secretary</font></div>
</td>
</tr></table>
</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block">&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block">&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>

<div id="PGBRK" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<div id="FTR">
<div id="GLFTR" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&#160; </font></div>
</div>

<div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">-4-</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&#160; </font></div>
</div>

<div id="HDR">
<div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">&#160;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 13.7pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">EXHIBIT INDEX</font></div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block">&#160;</div>

<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block">&#160;</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block">
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
<div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 18pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
<div>
<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%" style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
<tr valign="top">
<td style="WIDTH: 13.5pt">
<div><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">&#160; </font></div>
</td>
<td style="WIDTH: 45pt">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">16.1</font></div>
</td>
<td>
<div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Letter of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, dated July 18, 2014, regarding change in independent registered public accounting firm.</font></div>

<div align="left">&#160;</div>
</td>
</tr></table>
</div>

<div align="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%" style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
</table>
</div>

<div align="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%" style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
</table>
</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
<div align="left"><br>
</div>
</div>

<font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">-5-</font></div>
</div>
</body>
</html>
[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "form8k.htm", "description": "FORM 8-K ASHLAND INC.", "secsgml_size_bytes": 37415}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "ASHLAND INC.", "cik": "0001305014", "assigned-sic": "5160", "irs-number": "200865835", "state-of-incorporation": "KY", "fiscal-year-end": "0930"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-32532", "film-number": "14983000"}, "business-address": {"street1": "50 EAST RIVERCENTER BLVD., 16TH FLOOR", "city": "COVINGTON", "state": "KY", "zip": "41012", "phone": "859-815-3483"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "50 EAST RIVERCENTER BLVD., 16TH FLOOR", "city": "COVINGTON", "state": "KY", "zip": "41012"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "New EXM Inc.", "date-changed": "20041004"}}
form8k.htm
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):  July 16, 2014
ASHLAND INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Kentucky
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
1-32532
20-0865835
(Commission File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
50 E. RiverCenter Boulevard
P.O. Box 391
Covington, Kentucky  41012-0391
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (859) 815-3333
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))
Item 4.01.
Change in Registrant's Certifying Accountant
As a result of a
request
for proposal process undertaken by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Audit Committee") of Ashland Inc. ("Ashland" or the "Company"), on July 16, 2014, the Audit Committee appointed Ernst & Young LLP ("EY") as Ashland's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015, effective immediately following the Company's filing of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending September 30, 2014.
On July 16, 2014, the Audit Committee dismissed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PwC") as Ashland's independent registered public accounting firm effective upon the completion of its audit of Ashland's consolidated financial statements and the filing of Ashland's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014.
No Prior Consultation with New Accountant:
During Ashland's two most recent fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and subsequent interim period through July 16, 2014, neither Ashland nor anyone on its behalf has consulted with EY regarding (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on Ashland's financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to Ashland that EY concluded was an important factor considered by Ashland in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a "disagreement" (as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K) or a "reportable event" (as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).  In deciding to select EY, the Audit Committee reviewed auditor independence, including existing commercial relationships with EY and concluded that EY has no commercial relationship with Ashland that would impair its independence.
No Adverse Opinion or Disagreement:
PwC's reports on Ashland's consolidated financial statements for each of the two most recent fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.  During the two most recent fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and in the subsequent interim period through July 16, 2014, there were no disagreements between Ashland and PwC on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreement, if not resolved to the satisfaction of PwC, would have caused PwC to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in its reports on the consolidated financial statements for such years.
Reportable Event:
During the two most recent fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and in the subsequent interim period through July 16, 2014, there was the following "reportable event" (as such term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).  As disclosed in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2013 and the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, the Company determined that its internal controls over financial reporting were not effective as of the end of such periods due to the existence of a material weakness related to the valuation of inventory for the Elastomers division.
-2-
Other than as disclosed above, there were no reportable events during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and through the subsequent interim period through July 16, 2014.  The Audit Committee discussed the subject matter of the reportable event with PwC. The Company authorized PwC to respond fully and without limitation to all requests of EY concerning all matters related to the audited periods by PwC, including with respect to the subject matter of the reportable event.
Ashland provided PwC with a copy of this Current Report on Form 8-K, and requested that PwC furnish Ashland with a letter addressed to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission stating whether PwC agrees with the disclosure contained in this report, or, if not, stating the respects in which it does not agree.  Ashland has received the requested letter from PwC, and a copy of PwC's letter dated July 18, 2014 is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Item 9.01
.
Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d)  Exhibits
16.1
Letter of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, dated July 18, 2014, regarding change in independent registered public accounting firm.
-3-
SIGNATURES
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.
ASHLAND INC.
(Registrant)
July 18, 2014
/s/ Peter J. Ganz
Peter J. Ganz
Senior Vice President, General Counsel
and
Secretary
-4-
EXHIBIT INDEX
16.1
Letter of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, dated July 18, 2014, regarding change in independent registered public accounting firm.
-5-