MEMPHIS, Tenn., Jan. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- MAA (NYSE: MAA) today announced the taxable composition of its 2011 distributions paid to shareholders. The amount of distribution referred to as return of capital is considered by the Internal Revenue Service to be a return of invested capital and is not currently taxable. This amount should be applied to reduce the shareholders' tax cost basis of the related shares. The company did not incur any foreign taxes. The composition presented is applicable to all dividend distributions during 2011. The classifications for 2011 are as follows:

COMMON STOCK (CUSIP NO. 59522J103)

The Long Term Capital Gain Distributions qualify for the 15% Reduced Tax Rate on Capital Gains. Please note REIT Ordinary Taxable Dividends, by law, do not qualify for the Reduced Tax Rate of 15%.

This release is based on the preliminary work the company has performed on its filings and is subject to correction or adjustment based on the completion of those filings. The company is releasing information at this time to aid those required to distribute 1099s on the company's dividends. No material change in the taxable composition is expected.

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About MAA

MAA is a self-administered, self-managed apartment-only real estate investment trust which owns or has ownership interest in 48,813 apartment units throughout the Sunbelt region of the U.S.

6584 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38138, (901) 682-6600 FAX: (901) 682-6667

Web-Site: www.maac.com

CONTACT: Investor Relations of MAA, +1-901-682-6600, investor.relations@maac.com