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Exhibit 99.1

MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

Introductory Notes

The following discussion describes the material federal income tax considerations relating to our taxation as a REIT, and the ownership and disposition of the securities offered under this prospectus. A prospectus supplement will contain information about additional federal income tax considerations, if any, relating to a particular offering.

The following discussion is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations and does not provide a detailed discussion of any state, local or foreign tax considerations, nor does it discuss all of the aspects of federal income taxation that may be relevant to a prospective stockholder in light of his or her particular circumstances or to stockholders (including insurance companies, tax-exempt entities, financial institutions or broker-dealers, foreign corporations, persons holding common stock as part of a hedging or conversion transaction or a straddle and persons who are not citizens or residents of the United States) who are subject to special treatment under the federal income tax laws. Unless otherwise noted, this discussion only addresses stockholders that hold shares of our stock as capital assets within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel, LLP has provided an opinion to the effect that this discussion, to the extent that it contains descriptions of applicable federal income tax law, is correct in all material respects and fairly summarizes in all material respects the federal income tax laws referred to herein. This opinion, however, does not purport to address the actual tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common stock to any particular holder. The opinion and the information in this section are based on the Code, current, temporary and proposed Treasury Regulations (“Treasury Regulations”), the legislative history of the Code, current administrative interpretations and practices of the Internal Revenue Service, and court decisions. The reference to Internal Revenue Service interpretations and practices includes Internal Revenue Service practices and policies as endorsed in private letter rulings, which are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service except with respect to the taxpayer that receives the ruling. In each case, these sources are relied upon as they exist on the date of this prospectus. No assurance can be given that future legislation, regulations, administrative interpretations and court decisions will not significantly change current law, or adversely affect existing interpretations of existing law, on which the opinion and information in this section are based. Any change of this kind could apply retroactively to transactions preceding the date of the change. Moreover, opinions of counsel merely represent counsel’s best judgment with respect to the probable outcome on the merits and are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service or the courts. Accordingly, even if there is no change in applicable law, no assurance can be provided that such opinion, or the statements made in the following discussion, will not be challenged by the Internal Revenue Service or will be sustained by a court if so challenged.

EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR IS ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISOR TO DETERMINE THE IMPACT OF HIS OR HER PERSONAL TAX


SITUATION ON THE ANTICIPATED TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND SALE OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED UNDER THIS PROSPECTUS AND OF OUR ELECTION TO BE TAXED AS A REIT. THIS INCLUDES THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE OWNERSHIP AND SALE OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED UNDER THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE POTENTIAL CHANGES IN APPLICABLE TAX LAWS.

Taxation of Our Company as a REIT

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code, commencing with our initial taxable year. Our qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual annual operating results, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership, the various qualification tests and organizational requirements imposed under the Code, as discussed below. We believe that we are organized and have operated in such a manner as to qualify under the Code for taxation as a REIT since the effective date of our election, and we intend to continue to operate in such a manner. No assurances, however, can be given that we will operate in a manner so as to qualify or remain qualified as a REIT. See “— Failure to Qualify” below.

The following is a general summary of the material Code provisions that govern the federal income tax treatment of a REIT and its stockholders. These provisions of the Code are highly technical and complex. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the applicable Code provisions, the Treasury Regulations and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof.

Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel, LLP has provided to us an opinion to the effect that we have been organized and have operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT, effective for each of our taxable years ended December 31, 1997 through December 31, 2011, and our current and proposed organization and method of operation will enable us to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT for taxable year 2012 and thereafter. It must be emphasized that this opinion is conditioned upon certain assumptions and representations made by us to Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel, LLP as to factual matters relating to our organization and operation and that of our subsidiaries. In addition, this opinion is based upon our factual representations concerning our business and properties as described in the reports filed by us under the federal securities laws.

Qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet on a continuing basis, through actual annual operating results, the various requirements under the Code described in this prospectus with regard to, among other things, the sources of our gross income, the composition of our assets, our distribution levels, and our diversity of stock ownership. While we intend to operate so that we continue to qualify as a REIT, given the highly complex nature of the rules governing REITs, the ongoing importance of factual determinations, and the possibility of future changes in our circumstances, no assurance can be given that we satisfy all of the tests for REIT qualification or will continue to do so.

If we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal corporate income taxes on net income that we currently distribute to stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” (at the corporate and stockholder levels) that generally results from investment in a corporation.

 

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Notwithstanding our REIT election, however, we will be subject to federal income tax in the following circumstances.

 

   

First, we will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains.

 

   

Second, under certain circumstances, we may be subject to the “alternative minimum tax” on any items of tax preference and alternative minimum tax adjustments.

 

   

Third, if we have (i) net income from the sale or other disposition of “foreclosure property” (which is, in general, property acquired by foreclosure or otherwise on default of a loan secured by the property and includes certain foreign currency gains and related deductions recognized subsequent to July 30, 2008) that is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business or (ii) other nonqualifying income from foreclosure property, we will be subject to tax at the highest corporate rate on such income.

 

   

Fourth, if we have net income from prohibited transactions (which are, in general, certain sales or other dispositions of property held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property and after July 30, 2008, certain foreign currency gain and losses), such income will be subject to a 100% tax on prohibited transactions.

 

   

Fifth, if we should fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as described below, and have nonetheless maintained our qualification as a REIT because certain other requirements have been met, we will be subject to a 100% tax equal to the gross income attributable to (1) the greater of (a) the amount by which we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or (b) the amount by which we fail to satisfy the 95% gross income test, multiplied, in either case, by (2) a fraction intended to reflect our profitability.

 

   

Sixth, if we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year; (ii) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year (for this purpose such term includes capital gains which we elect to retain but which we report as distributed to our stockholders; see “— Annual Distribution Requirements” below); and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from prior years, we would be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of the amounts actually distributed, and the amounts we retained and upon which we paid income tax at the corporate level.

 

   

Seventh, if we acquire any asset from a C corporation (i.e., a corporation generally subject to full corporate level tax) in a transaction in which the basis of

 

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the asset in our hands is determined by reference to the basis of the asset or any other property in the hands of the C corporation, and we recognize gain on the disposition of such asset during the 10 year period beginning on the date on which such asset was acquired by us, then, to the extent of such property’s built in gain (the excess of the fair market value of such property at the time of acquisition by us over the adjusted basis of such property at such time), such gain generally will be subject to tax at the highest regular corporate rate then applicable. The results described in this paragraph with respect to the recognition of gain assume that the C corporation will refrain from making an election to receive different treatment under applicable Treasury Regulations on its tax return for the year in which we acquire the asset from the C corporation.

 

   

Eighth, we will be required to pay a 100% tax on any “redetermined rents,” “redetermined deductions” or “excess interest.” In general, redetermined rents are rents from real property that are overstated as a result of services furnished to any of our customers by a taxable REIT subsidiary of ours. Redetermined deductions and excess interest generally represent amounts that are deducted by a taxable REIT subsidiary of ours for amounts paid to us that are in excess of the amounts that would have been deducted based on arm’s length negotiations.

 

   

Ninth, if we fail to satisfy the 5% or the 10% assets tests, and the failure qualifies under the Non De Minimis Exception, as described below under “— Asset Tests,” then we will have to pay an excise tax equal to the greater of (i) $50,000; or (ii) an amount determined by multiplying the net income generated during a specified period by the assets that caused the failure by the highest federal income tax applicable to corporations.

 

   

Tenth, if we fail to satisfy any REIT requirements other than the income test or asset test requirements, described below under “— Income Tests” and “— Asset Tests,” respectively, and qualify for a reasonable cause exception, then we will have to pay a penalty equal to $50,000 for each such failure.

 

   

Eleventh, we may elect to retain and pay income tax on our net capital gain. In that case, a stockholder would include its proportionate share of our undistributed net capital gain (to the extent we make a timely designation of such gain to the stockholder) in its income, would be deemed to have paid the tax that we paid on such gain, and would be allowed a credit for its proportionate share of the tax deemed to have been paid, and an adjustment, as described in more detail below, would be made to increase the basis of the stockholder in our common stock.

 

   

Twelfth, the earnings of our lower-tier entities that are subchapter C corporations, including domestic “taxable REIT subsidiaries”, are subject to federal income tax.

 

   

Thirteenth, we may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record-keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REIT’s stockholders.

 

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In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state, local and foreign income, property and other taxes on our assets and operations. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.

Requirements for Qualification

The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:

 

  (i) which is managed by one or more trustees or directors;

 

  (ii) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;

 

  (iii) which would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for Sections 856 through 860 of the Code;

 

  (iv) which is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to certain provisions of the Code;

 

  (v) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;

 

  (vi) of which not more than 50% in value of the outstanding capital stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) during the last half of each taxable year after applying certain attribution rules;

 

  (vii) that makes an election to be treated as a REIT for the current taxable year or has made an election for a previous taxable year which has not been revoked; and

 

  (viii) which meets certain other tests, described below, regarding the nature of its income and assets and amount of its distributions to stockholders.

The Code provides that conditions (i) through (iv), inclusive, must be met during the entire taxable year and that condition (v) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months. Condition (vi) must be met during the last half of each taxable year other than the first taxable year for which an election to become a REIT is made. For purposes of determining stock ownership under condition (vi), a supplemental unemployment compensation benefits plan, a private foundation or a portion of a trust permanently set aside or used exclusively for charitable purposes generally is considered an individual. However, a trust that is a qualified trust under Section 401(a) of the Code generally is not considered an individual, and beneficiaries of a qualified trust are treated as holding shares of a REIT in proportion to their actuarial interests in the trust for purposes of condition (vi). Conditions (v) and (vi) do not apply until after the first taxable year for which an election is made to be taxed as a REIT. We have issued sufficient common stock with sufficient diversity of ownership to allow us to satisfy requirements (v) and (vi). In addition, our charter contains restrictions regarding the transfer of our shares intended to

 

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assist us in continuing to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in (v) and (vi) above. These restrictions, however, may not ensure that we will be able to satisfy these share ownership requirements. To monitor compliance with the stock ownership requirements, we are generally required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our stock. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our stock in which the record holders are to disclose the actual owners of the shares, i.e., the persons required to include in gross income the dividends paid by us. A list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand must be maintained as part of our records. Failure to comply with these record keeping requirements could subject us to monetary penalties. A stockholder that fails or refuses to comply with the demand is required by Treasury Regulations to submit a statement with its tax return disclosing the actual ownership of the shares and other information. If we fail to satisfy these share ownership requirements, except as provided in the next sentence, our status as a REIT will terminate. If, however, we comply with the rules contained in applicable Treasury Regulations that require us to ascertain the actual ownership of our shares and we do not know, or would not have known through the exercise of reasonable diligence, that we failed to meet the requirement described in condition (vi) above, we will be treated as having met this requirement. See “—Failure to Qualify.”

In addition, a corporation may not elect to become a REIT unless its taxable year is the calendar year. Our taxable year is the calendar year.

To qualify as a REIT, we cannot have at the end of any taxable year any undistributed earnings and profits that are attributable to a non-REIT taxable year. We believe that we have complied with this requirement.

Qualified REIT Subsidiaries

If a REIT owns a corporate subsidiary that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary,” the separate existence of that subsidiary will be disregarded for federal income tax purposes. Generally, a qualified REIT subsidiary is a corporation, other than a taxable REIT subsidiary, all of the capital stock of which is owned by the REIT. All assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the qualified REIT subsidiary will be treated as assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the REIT itself for all purposes of the Code, including all REIT qualification tests. Thus, in applying the federal tax requirements described in this discussion, any qualified REIT subsidiaries we own are ignored, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of such corporations are treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit. A qualified REIT subsidiary is not subject to federal income tax, although it may be subject to state and local taxation in some states, and our ownership of the stock of a qualified REIT subsidiary will not violate the restrictions on ownership of securities, as described below under “—Asset Tests.”

Taxable REIT Subsidiaries

A “taxable REIT subsidiary” is a corporation in which we directly or indirectly own stock and that elects with us to be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary under Section 856(l) of the

 

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Code. In addition, if one of our taxable REIT subsidiaries owns, directly or indirectly, securities representing more than 35% of the vote or value of a subsidiary corporation, that subsidiary will automatically be treated as a taxable REIT subsidiary of ours. A taxable REIT subsidiary is a corporation subject to federal income tax, and state and local income tax where applicable, as a regular “C” corporation. To the extent that a domestic taxable REIT subsidiary is required to pay taxes, it will have less cash available for distribution to us. If dividends are paid to us by our domestic taxable REIT subsidiaries, then the dividends we pay to our stockholders who are taxed at individual rates, up to the amount of dividends we receive from our domestic taxable REIT subsidiaries, will generally be eligible to be taxed at the reduced 15% rate applicable to qualified dividend income through 2012. No more than 25% (or 20% for tax years beginning prior to our 2009 taxable year) of our assets may consist of the securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries.

Generally, a taxable REIT subsidiary can perform impermissible tenant services without causing us to receive impermissible tenant services income under the REIT income tests. However, several provisions regarding the arrangements between a REIT and its taxable REIT subsidiaries ensure that a taxable REIT subsidiary will be subject to an appropriate level of federal income taxation. For example, a taxable REIT subsidiary is limited in its ability to deduct interest payments made to us. In addition, we will be obligated to pay a 100% penalty tax on some payments that we receive or on certain expenses deducted by the taxable REIT subsidiary if the economic arrangements among us, our tenants and the taxable REIT subsidiary are not comparable to similar arrangements among unrelated parties.

We have established a wholly owned taxable REIT subsidiary, EastGroup TRS, Inc., for the purpose of developing and selling certain real property and we may establish other taxable REIT subsidiaries in the future.

A REIT is not treated as holding the assets of a taxable REIT subsidiary corporation or as receiving any income that the taxable REIT subsidiary earns. Rather, the stock issued by the taxable REIT subsidiary is an asset in the hands of the parent REIT, and the REIT recognizes as income the dividends, if any, that it receives from the taxable REIT subsidiary. This treatment can affect the income and asset test calculations that apply to the REIT. Because a parent REIT does not include the assets and income of such taxable REIT subsidiary corporations in determining the parent’s compliance with the REIT requirements, such entities may be used by the parent REIT to undertake indirectly activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude it from doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries (for example, activities that give rise to certain categories of income such as management fees or sale of dealer property).

Income Tests

In order for us to maintain qualification as a REIT, two percentage tests relating to the source of our gross income must be satisfied annually.

 

   

First, at least 75% of our gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions and for tax years beginning after July 30, 2008, real estate foreign exchange gain) for each taxable year must be derived directly or indirectly from

 

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investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property (including “rents from real property” and, in certain circumstances, interest) or from certain types of temporary investments.

 

   

Second, at least 95% of our gross income (excluding gross income from prohibited transactions and for tax years beginning after July 30, 2008, passive foreign exchange gain) for each taxable year must be derived from such real property investments described above, dividends, interest and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or other securities that are not dealer property, or from any combination of the foregoing. For tax years beginning after July 30, 2008, the exclusions for real estate foreign exchange gain and passive foreign exchange gain do not apply to certain foreign currency gain derived from engaging in substantial and regular trading or dealing in securities.

Gross income from certain transactions entered into by us to hedge indebtedness we incur to acquire or carry real estate assets and that are properly and timely identified as hedging transactions is not included in gross income for purposes of the 95% income test and for hedging transactions entered into after July 30, 2008, the 75% income test. A “hedging transaction” means either (1) any transaction entered into in the normal course of our trade or business primarily to manage the risk of interest rate, price changes, or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets or (2) for transactions entered into after July 30, 2008, any transaction entered into primarily to manage the risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% gross income test (or any property which generates such income or gain). We will be required to clearly identify any such hedging transaction before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into and to satisfy other identification requirements. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our status as a REIT.

Rents from Real Property. Rent that we receive from our real property will qualify as “rents from real property,” which is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests, only if the following conditions are met:

 

   

First, the rent must not be based, in whole or in part, on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount received or accrued generally will not be excluded from rents from real property solely by reason of being based on fixed percentages of receipts or sales.

 

   

Second, rents received from a tenant will not qualify as “rents from real property” if we, or a direct or indirect owner of 10% or more of our stock, actually or constructively owns 10% or more of such tenant. We may, however, lease our properties to a taxable REIT subsidiary and rents received from that subsidiary will not be disqualified from being “rents from real property” by reason of our ownership interest in the subsidiary if at least 90% of the property in question is leased to unrelated tenants and the rent paid by the taxable REIT subsidiary is substantially comparable to the rent paid by the unrelated tenants for comparable space. However, if we own more than 50% of the vote or value of the taxable REIT subsidiary, and the rent payable is increased pursuant to a lease renegotiation, then the increase in rent will not be treated as qualifying rent.

 

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Third, if rent attributable to personal property that is leased in connection with a lease of real property is greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease, then the portion of rent attributable to such personal property will not qualify as “rents from real property.” The test is based on the relative fair market value of the real and personal property.

 

   

Fourth, generally, for rents to qualify as “rents from real property” for the purposes of the gross income tests, we are only allowed to provide services that are both “usually or customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of real property and not otherwise considered “rendered to the occupant.” Income received from any other service will be treated as “impermissible tenant service income” unless the service is provided through an independent contractor that bears the expenses of providing the services and from whom we derive no revenue or through a taxable REIT subsidiary, subject to specified limitations. The amount of impermissible tenant service income we receive is deemed to be the greater of the amount actually received by us or 150% of our direct cost of providing the service. If the impermissible tenant service income exceeds 1% of our total income from a property, then all of the income from that property will fail to qualify as rents from real property. If the total amount of impermissible tenant service income from a property does not exceed 1% of our total income from that property, the income will not cause the rent paid by tenants of that property to fail to qualify as rents from real property, but the impermissible tenant service income itself will not qualify as rents from real property.

Our investment in commercial and industrial properties generally gives rise to rental income that is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. We do not receive any material rent that is based on the income or profits of any person. In addition, we do not own, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of any tenant (other than, perhaps, a tenant that is a taxable REIT subsidiary where other requirements are satisfied). Furthermore, we believe that any personal property rented in connection with our facilities is well within the 15% restriction. Moreover, we do not provide services, other than within the 1% de minimis exception described above, to our tenants that are not customarily furnished or rendered in connection with the rental of property, other than through an independent contractor or a taxable REIT subsidiary. Finally, we anticipate that income on our other investments will not result in our failing the 75% or 95% gross income test for any year.

If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for such year if we are entitled to relief under certain provisions of the Code. These relief provisions generally will be available if our failure to meet such tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, and if we timely file a schedule describing each item of our gross income in accordance with Treasury Regulations.

 

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We cannot predict, however, whether in all circumstances we would qualify for the relief provisions. In addition, as discussed above in “— Taxation of Our Company as a REIT,” even if the relief provisions were to apply, we would incur a 100% tax on the gross income attributable to the greater of (i) the amount by which we fail the 75% gross income test and (ii) the amount by which 95% of our gross income exceeds the amount of qualifying income under the 95% gross income test, multiplied in either case by a fraction intended to reflect our profitability.

Prohibited Transactions

A REIT will incur a 100% penalty tax on the net income derived from a sale or other disposition of property, other than foreclosure property, that the REIT holds primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business (a “prohibited transaction”). We believe that none of our assets is held for sale to customers in the ordinary course of our business. Whether a REIT holds an asset “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends, however, on the facts and circumstances in effect from time to time, including those related to a particular asset. Under a safe harbor provision in the Code, however, income from certain sales of real property held by the REIT will not be treated as income from a prohibited transaction if the following requirements are met:

 

   

the REIT has held the property for not less than two years (or, for sales made on or before July 30, 2008, four years);

 

   

the aggregate expenditures made by the REIT, during the two year period (or, for sales made on or before July 30, 2008, four-year period) preceding the date of the sale that are includable in the basis of the property do not exceed 30% of the net selling price of the property;

 

   

either (1) during the year in question, the REIT did not make more than seven sales of property; other than foreclosure property or sales to which Section 1033 of the Code applies, (2) the aggregate adjusted bases of all such property sold by the REIT during the year did not exceed 10% of the aggregate bases of all the assets of the REIT at the beginning of the year or (3) for sales made after July 30, 2008, the aggregate fair market value of all such property sold by the REIT during the year did not exceed 10% of the aggregate fair market value of all of the assets of the REIT at the beginning of the year;

 

   

in the case of property not acquired through foreclosure or lease termination, the REIT has held the property for at least two years (or, for sales made on or before July 30, 2008, four years) for the production of rental income; and

 

   

if the REIT has made more than seven sales of non-foreclosure property during the taxable year, substantially all of the marketing and development expenditures with respect to the property were made through an independent contractor from whom the REIT derives no income.

 

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We will attempt to comply with the terms of the safe harbor when disposing of assets. We cannot assure you, however, that we can comply with that safe harbor or that we will avoid owning property that may be characterized as property that we hold “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business.” The 100% tax will not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a taxable REIT subsidiary or other taxable corporation, although such income will be taxed to the corporation at regular corporate income tax rates.

Asset Tests

At the close of each quarter of our taxable year, we must satisfy six tests relating to the nature of our assets.

1. At least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by “real estate assets,” cash, cash items (which beginning for tax years after July 30, 2008 includes certain foreign currency) and government securities. Our real estate assets include, for this purpose, our allocable share of real estate assets held by the partnerships in which we own an interest, and the noncorporate subsidiaries of these partnerships, as well as stock or debt instruments held for less than one year purchased with the proceeds of an offering of our shares or a public offering of our long-term debt.

2. Not more than 25% of our total assets may be represented by securities, other than those securities includable in the 75% asset class.

3. The value of any one nongovernment issuer’s securities owned by us may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets.

4. We may not own more than 10% of any one issuer’s outstanding voting securities.

5. We may not own more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer.

6. Not more than 25% (or 20% for tax years beginning prior to our 2009 taxable year) of our total assets may be represented by the securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries.

For purposes of these asset tests, the securities of qualified REIT subsidiaries are not taken into account, and any assets owned by our qualified REIT subsidiaries are treated as owned directly by us.

For purposes of the 5% asset test, the 10% vote or value test and the 25% securities test (described in clause 2 above), the term “securities” does not include stock in another REIT, equity or debt securities of a qualified REIT subsidiary or taxable REIT subsidiary, mortgage loans that constitute real estate assets or equity interests in a partnership or any entity that is disregarded for federal income tax purposes (“Excluded Security”). For purposes of the 10% value test, debt instruments issued by a partnership are not classified as “securities” to the extent of our interest as a partner in such partnership (based on our proportionate share of the

 

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partnership’s equity interests and certain debt securities) or if at least 75% of the partnership’s gross income, excluding income from prohibited transactions, is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. For purposes of the 10% value test, the term “securities” also does not include securities issued by another REIT, certain “straight debt” securities (for example, qualifying debt securities of a corporation of which we own no equity interest), loans to individuals or estates, and accrued obligations to pay rent.

With respect to each issuer in which we currently own an interest that does not qualify as an Excluded Security, we believe that our pro rata share of the value of the securities, including unsecured debt, of any such issuer does not exceed 5% of the total value of our assets and that we comply with the 10% voting securities limitation and 10% value limitation (taking into account the “straight debt” exceptions with respect to certain issuers). In addition, we believe that our securities of taxable REIT subsidiaries do not exceed 25% (or 20% for tax years beginning prior to our 2009 tax year) of the value of our total assets. With respect to our compliance with each of these asset tests, however, we cannot provide any assurance that the Internal Revenue Service might not disagree with our determination.

We will monitor the status of our assets for purposes of the various asset tests and will manage our portfolio in order to comply at all times with such tests. If we fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter, we will not lose our REIT status if one of the following exceptions applies:

 

   

we satisfied the asset tests at the end of the preceding calendar quarter, and the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset test requirements arose from changes in the market values of our assets and was not wholly or partly caused by the acquisition of one or more non qualifying assets; or

 

   

we eliminate any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose.

Moreover, if we fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter during a taxable year beginning after October 22, 2004, we will not lose our REIT status if one of the following additional exceptions applies:

 

   

De Minimis Exception. The failure is due to a violation of the 5% or 10% asset tests referenced above and is “de minimis” (for this purpose, a “de minimis” failure is one that arises from our ownership of assets the total value of which does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the total value of our assets at the end of the quarter in which the failure occurred and $10 million), and we either dispose of the assets that caused the failure or otherwise satisfy the asset tests within 6 months of the last day of the quarter in which we identify the failure; or

 

   

Non De Minimis Exception. All of the following requirements are satisfied: (i) the failure does not qualify for the De Minimis Exception, (ii) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, (iii) we file a schedule in accordance with Treasury Regulations providing a description of each asset that caused the failure, (iv) we either dispose of the assets that caused the failure or otherwise

 

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  satisfy the asset tests within 6 months of the last day of the quarter in which we identify the failure, and (v) we pay an excise tax as described in “— Taxation of Our Company as a REIT.”

Annual Distribution Requirements

In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends (other than capital gain dividends) to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to the sum of:

 

   

90% of our “REIT taxable income” (computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain) and

 

   

90% of the net income (after tax), if any, from foreclosure property, minus

 

   

the sum of certain items of noncash income over 5% of our REIT taxable income.

Such distributions generally must be paid in the taxable year to which they relate. Dividends may be paid in the following year in two circumstances. First, dividends may be declared in the following year if the dividends are declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and if made before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration. Second, if we declare a dividend in October, November or December of any year with a record date in one of these months and pay the dividend on or before January 31 of the following year, we will be treated as having paid the dividend on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared. To the extent that we do not distribute all of our net capital gain or distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our “REIT taxable income,” as adjusted, we will be subject to tax on the nondistributed amount at regular capital gains and ordinary corporate tax rates. Furthermore, if we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year; (ii) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year; and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of the amounts actually distributed, and the amounts we retained and upon which we paid income tax at the corporate level.

We may elect to retain and pay tax on our net long-term capital gains and require our stockholders to include their proportionate share of such undistributed net capital gains in their income. If we make such election, our stockholders would receive a tax credit attributable to their share of the capital gains tax paid by us, and would receive an increase in the basis of their shares in us in an amount equal to the stockholder’s share of the undistributed net long-term capital gain reduced by the amount of the credit. Further, any undistributed net long-term capital gains that are included in the income of our stockholders pursuant to this rule will be treated as distributed for purposes of the 4% excise tax.

We have made and intend to continue to make timely distributions sufficient to satisfy the annual distribution requirements. It is possible, however, that we, from time to time, may not have sufficient cash or liquid assets to meet the distribution requirements due to timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses and

 

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the inclusion of such income and deduction of such expenses in arriving at our taxable income, or if the amount of nondeductible expenses such as principal amortization or capital expenditures exceeds the amount of noncash deductions. In the event that such timing differences occur, in order to meet the distribution requirements, we may arrange for short term, or possibly long term, borrowing to permit the payment of required dividends. If the amount of nondeductible expenses exceeds noncash deductions, we may refinance our indebtedness to reduce principal payments and may borrow funds for capital expenditures.

Under certain circumstances, we may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirement for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to stockholders in a later year that may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Thus, we may avoid being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends; however, we will be required to pay interest to the Internal Revenue Service based upon the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.

Failure to Qualify

If we fail to qualify as a REIT and such failure is not an asset test or income test failure, we generally will be eligible for a relief provision if the failure is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and we pay a penalty of $50,000 with respect to such failure.

If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year and no relief provisions apply, we will be subject to tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. Distributions to stockholders in any year in which we fail to qualify will not be deductible by us, nor will such distributions be required to be made. In such event, to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, distributions to stockholders taxed at individual rates may be eligible for capital gain tax rates (through 2012), and, subject to certain limitations in the Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we will also be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost. It is not possible to state whether in all circumstances we would be entitled to such statutory relief.

Tax Aspects of Our Investments in Partnerships

General. Many of our investments are held through subsidiary partnerships and limited liability companies. This structure may involve special tax considerations. These tax considerations include the following:

1. the status of each subsidiary partnership and limited liability company taxed as a partnership (as opposed to an association taxable as a corporation) for income tax purposes; and

2. the taking of actions by any of the subsidiary partnerships or limited liability companies that could adversely affect our qualification as a REIT.

 

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We believe that each of the subsidiary partnerships and each of the limited liability companies that are not disregarded entities for federal income tax purposes will be treated for tax purposes as partnerships (and not as associations taxable as corporations). If any of the partnerships were to be treated as a corporation, it would be subject to an entity level tax on its income. In such a situation, the character of our assets and items of gross income would change, which could preclude us from satisfying the asset tests and possibly the income tests, and in turn prevent us from qualifying as a REIT. In addition, if any of the partnerships were treated as a corporation, it is likely that we would hold more than 10% of the voting power or value of the entity and would fail to qualify as a REIT. See “— Asset Tests.”

A REIT that is a partner in a partnership will be deemed to own its proportionate share of the assets of the partnership and will be deemed to earn its proportionate share of the partnership’s income. In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership retain the same character in the hands of the REIT for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of each subsidiary partnership and limited liability company that is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes is treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the asset and income tests. We have sufficient control over all of the subsidiaries that are treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes to protect our REIT status and intend to operate them in a manner that is consistent with the requirements for our qualification as a REIT.

Taxation of Stockholders

Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders. As used in the remainder of this discussion, the term “U.S. Stockholder” means a beneficial owner of common stock that is for United States federal income tax purposes:

1. a citizen or resident, as defined in Section 7701(b) of the Code, of the United States;

2. a corporation or other entity treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

3. an estate, the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

4. a trust if: (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust; or (2) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person.

If an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships that hold our stock, and partners in such partnerships, should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our common stock.

 

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Distributions. As long as we qualify as a REIT, distributions made to our taxable U.S. Stockholders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits (and not designated as capital gain dividends or retained capital gains) will be taken into account by them as ordinary income, and corporate stockholders will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction as to such amounts. Dividends paid to a U.S. Stockholder generally will not qualify for the 15% tax rate for “qualified dividend income.” The maximum tax rate for qualified dividend income is 15% for tax years through December 31, 2012. Qualified dividend income generally includes dividends paid to U.S. Stockholders taxed at individual rates by domestic C corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations. Because we are not generally subject to federal income tax on the portion of our REIT taxable income distributed to our stockholders (see “—Taxation of Our Company as a REIT” above), our dividends generally will not be eligible for the 15% rate on qualified dividend income. As a result, our ordinary REIT dividends will be taxed at the higher tax rate applicable to ordinary income, which is a maximum rate of 35% through 2012. However, the 15% tax rate for qualified dividend income will apply to our ordinary REIT dividends to the extent attributable: (1) to dividends received by us from non-REIT corporations, such as taxable REIT subsidiaries; and (2) to the extent attributable to income upon which we have paid corporate income tax (e.g., to the extent that we distribute less than 100% of our net taxable income). In general, to qualify for the reduced tax rate on qualified dividend income, a stockholder must hold our common stock for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the ex-dividend date. In addition, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, dividends paid to certain individuals, trusts and estates may be subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax.

Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to a stockholder to the extent that they do not exceed the adjusted basis of such stockholder’s stock, but rather will reduce the adjusted basis of such shares (but not below zero) as a return of capital. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a stockholder’s stock, they will be included in income as long-term capital gain (or short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for one year or less), assuming the shares are a capital asset in the hands of the stockholder. In addition, any dividend declared by us in October, November or December of any year payable to a stockholder of record on a specific date in any such month shall be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that the dividend is actually paid by us during January of the following calendar year. For purposes of determining what portion of a distribution is attributable to current or accumulated earnings and profits, earnings and profits will first be allocated to distributions made to holders of the shares of any preferred stock. Stockholders may not include in their individual income tax returns any net operating losses or capital losses of ours.

In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares by a stockholder who is not a dealer in securities will be treated as a long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year, otherwise as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss upon a sale or exchange of stock by a stockholder who has held such shares for six months or less (after applying certain holding period rules) will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of distributions from us required to be treated by such stockholder as long-term capital gain.

 

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Capital Gain Dividends. Distributions that we properly designate as capital gain dividends will be taxable to stockholders as gains (to the extent that they do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year) from the sale or disposition of a capital asset held for greater than one year. If we designate any portion of a dividend as a capital gain dividend, a U.S. Stockholder will receive an Internal Revenue Service Form 1099-DIV indicating the amount that will be taxable to the stockholder as capital gain. However, stockholders that are corporations may be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary income. A portion of capital gain dividends received by noncorporate taxpayers may be subject to tax at a 25% rate to the extent attributable to certain gains realized on the sale of real property. In addition, noncorporate taxpayers are generally taxed at a maximum rate of 15% (through December 31, 2012) on net long-term capital gain (generally, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) attributable to gains realized on the sale of property held for greater than one year.

Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations. Distributions we make and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a stockholder of shares of our stock will not be treated as passive activity income, and, as a result, stockholders generally will not be able to apply any “passive losses” against such income or gain. Distributions we make (to the extent they do not constitute a return of capital) generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation. Gain arising from the sale or other disposition of our stock (or distributions treated as such) will not be treated as investment income under certain circumstances.

Capital Gains and Losses. Upon any taxable sale or other disposition of our stock, a U.S. Stockholder will recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received on such disposition and the U.S. Stockholder’s adjusted basis in such stock for tax purposes. Gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if the stock has been held by the U.S. Stockholder as a capital asset. The applicable tax rate will depend on the stockholder’s holding period in the asset (generally, if an asset has been held for more than one year it will produce long-term capital gain) and the stockholder’s tax bracket. A U.S. Stockholder who is an individual or an estate or trust and who has long-term capital gain or loss will be subject to tax at a maximum capital gain rate of 15%, which rate, absent Congressional action, will apply until December 31, 2012. However, to the extent that the capital gain realized by a noncorporate stockholder on the sale of REIT stock corresponds to the REIT’s “unrecaptured Section 1250 gain,” such gain would be subject to tax at a rate of 25%. Stockholders are advised to consult with their own tax advisors with respect to their capital gain tax liability. In addition, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, capital gains recognized by certain individuals, trusts and estates may be subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax.

Tax Rates. The maximum tax rate for non-corporate taxpayers for (1) capital gains, including certain “capital gain dividends,” has generally been reduced to 15% (although depending on the characteristics of the assets which produced these gains and on designations which we may make, certain capital gain dividends may be taxed at a 25% rate) and (2) “qualified dividend income” has generally been reduced to 15%. In general, dividends payable by REITs are not eligible for the reduced tax rate on qualified dividend income, except to the extent that certain holding requirements have been met and the REIT’s dividends are

 

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attributable to dividends received from taxable corporations (such as its taxable REIT subsidiaries) or to income that was subject to tax at the corporate/REIT level (for example, if it distributed taxable income that it had retained and paid tax on in the prior taxable year) or to dividends properly designated by the REIT as “capital gain dividends.” The current applicable provisions of the federal income tax laws relating to the 15% tax rate are currently scheduled to “sunset” or revert to the provisions of prior law effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, at which time the capital gains tax rate will be increased to 20% and the rate applicable to dividends will be increased to the tax rate then applicable to ordinary income.

Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders. Provided that a tax-exempt stockholder has not held its stock as “debt financed property” within the meaning of the Code, the dividend income from us generally will not be unrelated business taxable income, referred to as UBTI, to a tax-exempt stockholder. Similarly, income from the sale of stock will not constitute UBTI unless the tax-exempt stockholder has held its stock as debt financed property within the meaning of the Code or has used the stock in a trade or business. However, for a tax-exempt stockholder that is a social club, voluntary employee benefit association, supplemental unemployment benefit trust, or qualified group legal services plan exempt from federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the Code, respectively, or a single parent title-holding corporation exempt under Section 501(c)(2) of the Code the income of which is payable to any of the aforementioned tax-exempt organizations, income from an investment in us will constitute UBTI unless the organization properly sets aside or reserves such amounts for purposes specified in the Code. These tax exempt stockholders should consult their own tax advisors concerning these “set aside” and reserve requirements.

A “qualified trust” (defined to be any trust described in Section 401(a) of the Code and exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the Code) that holds more than 10% of the value of the shares of a REIT may be required, under certain circumstances, to treat a portion of distributions from the REIT as UBTI. This requirement will apply for a taxable year only if (i) the REIT satisfies the requirement that not more than 50% of the value of its shares be held by five or fewer individuals (the “five or fewer requirement”) only by relying on a special “look through” rule under which shares held by qualified trust stockholders are treated as held by the beneficiaries of such trusts in proportion to their actuarial interests therein; and (ii) the REIT is “predominantly held” by qualified trusts. A REIT is “predominantly held” by qualified trusts if either (i) a single qualified trust holds more than 25% of the value of the REIT shares, or (ii) one or more qualified trusts, each owning more than 10% of the value of the REIT shares, hold in the aggregate more than 50% of the value of the REIT shares. If the foregoing requirements are met, the percentage of any REIT dividend treated as UBTI to a qualified trust that owns more than 10% of the value of the REIT shares is equal to the ratio of (i) the UBTI earned by the REIT (computed as if the REIT were a qualified trust and therefore subject to tax on its UBTI) to (ii) the total gross income (less certain associated expenses) of the REIT for the year in which the dividends are paid. A de minimis exception applies where the ratio set forth in the preceding sentence is less than 5% for any year.

The provisions requiring qualified trusts to treat a portion of REIT distributions as UBTI will not apply if the REIT is able to satisfy the five or fewer requirement without relying on the “look through” rule. The restrictions on ownership of stock in our charter should prevent application of the foregoing provisions to qualified trusts purchasing our stock, absent a waiver of the restrictions by the board of directors.

 

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Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders

The rules governing U.S. federal income taxation of nonresident alien individuals, foreign corporations and other foreign stockholders (collectively, “Non-U.S. Stockholders”) are complex, and no attempt will be made herein to provide more than a limited summary of such rules. The discussion does not consider any specific facts or circumstances that may apply to a particular Non-U.S. Stockholder. Prospective Non-U.S. Stockholders should consult with their own tax advisors to determine the impact of U.S. federal, state and local income tax laws with regard to an investment in our common stock, including any reporting requirements.

Distributions that are not attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of U.S. real property interests and not designated by us as capital gain dividends or retained capital gains will be treated as dividends of ordinary income to the extent that they are made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. Such distributions ordinarily will be subject to a withholding tax equal to 30% of the gross amount of the distribution unless an applicable tax treaty reduces such rate. However, if income from the investment in our stock is treated as effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Stockholder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the Non-U.S. Stockholder generally will be subject to a tax at graduated rates in the same manner as U.S. Stockholders are taxed with respect to such dividends (and may also be subject to a branch profits tax of up to 30% if the stockholder is a foreign corporation). We expect to withhold U.S. federal income tax at the rate of 30% on the gross amount of any dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Stockholder that are not designated as capital gain dividends, unless (i) a lower treaty rate applies and the Non-U.S. Stockholder files an IRS Form W-8BEN evidencing eligibility for that reduced rate with us or (ii) the Non-U.S. Stockholder files an IRS Form W-8ECI with us claiming that the distribution is income treated as effectively connected to a U.S. trade or business. Such forms shall be filed every three years unless the information on the form changes before that date.

Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to a Non-U.S. stockholder to the extent that they do not exceed the adjusted basis of the Non-U.S. stockholder’s stock, but rather will reduce the adjusted basis of such shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a Non-U.S. Stockholder’s shares, they will give rise to tax liability if the Non-U.S. Stockholder would otherwise be subject to tax on any gain from the sale or disposition of his or her stock as described below. We may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at the rate of at least 10% on distributions to Non-U.S. Stockholders that are not paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits unless the Non-U.S. Stockholders provide us with withholding certificates evidencing their exemption from withholding tax. If it cannot be determined at the time that such a distribution is made whether or not such distribution will be in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to dividends. However, the Non-U.S. Stockholder may seek a refund of such amounts from the Service if it is subsequently determined that such distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits.

 

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Distributions that are attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of U.S. real property interests will be taxed to a Non-U.S. Stockholder under the provisions of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (“FIRPTA”). Under FIRPTA, these distributions are taxed to a Non-U.S. Stockholder as if such gain were effectively connected with a U.S. business. Thus, Non-U.S. Stockholders will be taxed on such distributions at the normal rates applicable to U.S. Stockholders (subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals). Also, distributions subject to FIRPTA may be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a corporate Non-U.S. Stockholder not entitled to treaty relief or exemption. We are required, by applicable Treasury Regulations, to withhold 35% of any distribution that could be designated by us as a capital gain dividend. This amount is creditable against the Non-U.S. Stockholder’s FIRPTA tax liability.

For any taxable year beginning after October 22, 2004, a Non-U.S. Stockholder that owns no more than 5% of our common stock at all times during the one year period preceding the distribution will not be subject to 35% FIRPTA withholding with respect to distributions that are attributable to gain from our sale or exchange of U.S. real property interests, provided that our common stock continues to be regularly traded on an established securities market located in the United States. Instead, any distributions made to such Non-U.S. Stockholder will be subject to the general withholding rules discussed above in “— Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders,” which generally impose a withholding tax equal to 30% of the gross amount of each distribution (unless reduced by treaty).

Gain recognized by a Non-U.S. Stockholder upon the sale or exchange of our stock generally would not be subject to U.S. taxation unless:

 

   

the investment in our stock is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Stockholder’s U.S. trade or business, in which case the Non-U.S. Stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as domestic stockholders with respect to any gain;

 

   

the Non-U.S. Stockholder is a non-resident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a tax home in the United States, in which case the non-resident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s net capital gains for the taxable year; or

 

   

our stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest within the meaning of FIRPTA, as described below.

Our stock will not constitute a U.S. real property interest if we are a domestically-controlled REIT. We will be a domestically-controlled REIT if, at all times during a specified testing period, less than 50% in value of our stock is held directly or indirectly by Non-U.S. Stockholders.

We believe that, currently, we are a domestically controlled REIT and, therefore, that the sale of our stock would not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. Because our stock is publicly traded, however, we cannot guarantee that we are or will continue to be a domestically-controlled REIT.

 

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Even if we do not qualify as a domestically-controlled REIT at the time a Non-U.S. Stockholder sells our stock, gain arising from the sale still would not be subject to FIRPTA tax if:

 

   

the class or series of shares sold is considered regularly traded under applicable Treasury Regulations on an established securities market, such as the NYSE, located in the United States; and

 

   

the selling Non-U.S. Stockholder owned, actually or constructively, 5% or less in value of the outstanding class or series of stock being sold throughout the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or exchange.

If gain on the sale or exchange of our stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the Non-U.S. Stockholder would be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax with respect to any gain in the same manner as a taxable U.S. Stockholder, subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax and special alternative minimum tax in the case of non-resident alien individuals.

Backup Withholding Tax and Information Reporting

We will report to our stockholders and to the IRS the amount of distributions we pay during each calendar year, and the amount of tax we withhold, if any. Under the backup withholding rules, a stockholder may be subject to backup withholding, currently at a rate of 28% with respect to distributions unless the holder:

 

   

is a corporation or qualifies for certain other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact; or

 

   

provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and otherwise complies with the applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules.

A stockholder who does not provide us with its correct taxpayer identification number also may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Any amount paid as backup withholding will be creditable against the shareholder’s income tax liability. In addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain distributions to any stockholders who fail to certify their non-foreign status to us.

Backup withholding will generally not apply to payments of dividends made by us or our paying agents, in their capacities as such, to a non-U.S. stockholder provided that the non-U.S. stockholder furnishes to us or our paying agent the required certification as to its non-U.S. status, such as providing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8ECI or certain other requirements are met. Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding may apply if either we or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the holder is a U.S. person that is not an exempt recipient. Payments of the net proceeds from a disposition or a redemption effected outside the United States by a non-U.S. stockholder made by or through a foreign office of a broker generally will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, information reporting (but not backup withholding) generally will apply to such a payment if the

 

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broker has certain connections with the U.S. unless the broker has documentary evidence in its records that the beneficial owner is a non-U.S. stockholder and specified conditions are met or an exemption is otherwise established. Payment of the net proceeds from a disposition by a non-U.S. stockholder of common stock made by or through the U.S. office of a broker is generally subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless the non-U.S. stockholder certifies under penalties of perjury that it is not a U.S. person and satisfies certain other requirements, or otherwise establishes an exemption from information reporting and backup withholding.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be refunded or credited against the shareholder’s federal income tax liability if certain required information is furnished to the IRS. Stockholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding application of backup withholding to them and the availability of, and procedure for obtaining an exemption from, backup withholding.

Withholding on Certain Foreign Accounts

Withholding at a rate of 30% will be imposed on dividends in respect of, and gross proceeds from the sale of, our common stock held by or through certain foreign financial institutions (including investment funds), unless such institution enters into an agreement with the Secretary of the Treasury to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to shares in, and accounts maintained by, the institution to the extent such shares or accounts are held by certain United States persons or by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly or partially owned by United States persons. Accordingly, the entity through which our common stock is held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. Similarly, dividends in respect of, and gross proceeds from the sale of, our common stock held by an investor that is a non-financial non-U.S. entity will be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, unless such entity either (i) certifies to us that such entity does not have any substantial United States owners or (ii) provides certain information regarding the entity’s substantial United States owners, which we will in turn provide to the Secretary of the Treasury. Foreign investors are encouraged to consult with their tax advisers regarding the possible implications of these rules on their investment in our common stock.

The IRS has issued Proposed Treasury Regulations providing that the withholding provisions described above will generally apply to payments of dividends or interest made on or after January 1, 2014 and to payments of gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of capital stock on or after January 1, 2015. The Proposed Treasury Regulations described above will not be effective until they are issued in their final form, and as of the date of this prospectus, it is not possible to determine whether the proposed regulations will be finalized in their current form or at all. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding these withholding provisions.

 

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Other Tax Considerations

State and Local Taxes. We and our stockholders may be subject to state or local taxation in various state or local jurisdictions, including those in which we or they transact business or reside (although U.S. Stockholders who are individuals generally should not be required to file state income tax returns outside of their state of residence with respect to our operations and distributions). The state and local tax treatment of us and our stockholders may not conform to the federal income tax consequences discussed above. Consequently, prospective stockholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect of state and local tax laws on an investment in our common stock.

Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs. Prospective investors should recognize that the present U.S. federal income tax treatment of an investment in our stock may be modified by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any time, and that any such action may affect investments and commitments previously made. The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Treasury Department, resulting in revisions of Treasury Regulations and revised interpretations of established concepts as well as statutory changes. Revisions in U.S. federal tax laws and interpretations thereof could adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in our stock.

 

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