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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-190686
PROSPECTUS
$50,000,000
BRT REALTY TRUST
Shares of Beneficial Interest
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Subscription Rights
We may offer and sell, from time to time, together or separately, in one or more offerings, (i) shares of beneficial interest, par value $3.00 per share, which we refer to herein as "common shares", (ii) shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, which we may issue in one or more series and which we refer to herein as "preferred shares", (iii) warrants to purchase our equity securities and (iv) subscription rights, up to a maximum aggregate offering price of $50,000,000.
We will offer our securities in amounts, at prices and on the terms to be determined at the time we offer the securities. Each time we offer securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that will contain more specific information about the terms of that offering, including the price at which those securities will be sold. We may also add, update or change in the prospectus supplement any of the information contained in this prospectus. Our common shares are listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "BRT." Each prospectus supplement will indicate if the securities offered thereby will be listed on any securities exchange.
The securities may be offered on a delayed or continuous basis and may be offered and sold directly by us, through agents, underwriters or dealers as designated from time to time, through a combination of these methods or through any other method provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any underwriters are involved in the sale of the securities, the names of such underwriters and any applicable commissions or discounts will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. For additional information on the methods of sale of the securities, you should refer to the section entitled "Plan of Distribution" in this prospectus and to the corresponding section in the applicable prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.
This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement or a free writing prospectus.
We are organized and conduct our operations so as to qualify as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for federal income tax purposes. The specific terms of the securities may include limitations on actual, beneficial or constructive ownership and restrictions on the transfer of the securities that may be appropriate to preserve our status as a REIT.
Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will we sell securities pursuant to this registration statement with a value of more than one-third of the aggregate market value of our common shares held by non-affiliates in any 12-month period, so long as the aggregate market value of our common shares held by non-affiliates is less than $75,000,000. In the event that subsequent to the effective date of this registration statement, the aggregate market value of our outstanding common shares held by non-affiliates equals or exceeds $75,000,000, then the one-third limitation on sales shall not apply to additional sales made pursuant to this registration statement. We have not sold any securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 during the 12 calendar months prior to, and including, the date of this registration statement.
Investing in our securities involves risks. Before buying our securities, you should refer to the risk factors included in our periodic reports, the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the offering and other information that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See "Risk Factors" on page 7 of this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is August 29, 2013
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), utilizing a "shelf" registration process, which allows us to sell the securities covered by this prospectus from time to time, together or separately, in one or more offerings up to an aggregate public offering price of $50,000,000.
This prospectus only provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering, including the number of securities, and the price at which, and the specific manner in which, those securities may be offered and sold. The prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and any supplement, together with additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or amendment. We have not authorized any other person to provide you information different from that contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or amendment. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement or the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate only as of the date on the cover page. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
In this prospectus, references to "BRT," "Trust," "Company," "we," "us," "our," and "registrant" refer to BRT Realty Trust and all of its subsidiaries. The phrase "this prospectus" refers to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, unless the context otherwise requires. References to "securities" refer to the common shares, preferred shares, warrants and subscription rights offered by this prospectus, unless we specify or the context indicates or requires otherwise.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our electronic filings with the SEC are available to the public on the Internet at the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at 800-SEC-0330 for more information about their Public Reference Room and their copy charges.
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose information to you by referring you to those documents. Any information that we refer to in this manner is considered part of this prospectus. Any information that we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus will automatically update and supersede the information contained in this prospectus.
We are incorporating by reference the following documents that we have previously filed with the SEC (Commission File No. 001-7172), except for any document or portion thereof "furnished" to the SEC pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K:
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All documents and reports filed by us with the SEC (other than Current Reports on Form 8-K furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K, unless otherwise indicated therein) pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), after the date that the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part is first filed with the SEC and prior to the termination of this offering shall be deemed incorporated by reference in this prospectus and shall be deemed to be a part of this prospectus from the date of filing of such documents and reports. Any statement in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement in this prospectus or in any subsequently filed document or report incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall only be deemed to constitute a part of this prospectus as it is so modified or superseded.
We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus, other than exhibits, unless such exhibits specifically are incorporated by reference into such documents or this prospectus.
Requests for such documents should be addressed in writing or by telephone to: Asher Gaffney, Secretary, BRT Realty Trust, 60 Cutter Mill Road, Great Neck, N.Y. 11021 or 516-466-3100.
We are a real estate investment trust, also known as a REIT. We operate in three business segments: real estate lending, ownership and operation of multi-family properties, and ownership and operation of other real estate assets.
Our lending activities involve originating and holding for investment senior mortgage loans secured by commercial and multi-family real estate property in the United States. Revenues are generated from the interest income (i.e., the interest borrowers pay on our loans) and to a lesser extent, loan fee income generated on the origination and extension of loans and investment income from securities transactions.
Our multi-family activities derive revenues primarily from tenant rental payments. We commenced these activities in 2012 as we identified a demand for equity capital in this sector. Generally, these activities involve our investment of 80% of the equity in a joint venture that acquires a multi-family property. Our multi-family property activities are an extension of our loan origination activities in that we address the funding needs of multi-family real estate investors by providing access to equity capital.
Our ownership and operation of other real estate assets is comprised principally of the activities of the Newark Joint Venture and to a lesser extent, the ownership and operations of real estate assets located in New York and Florida. The Newark Joint Venture is engaged in the development of properties in downtown Newark, NJ. The properties are to be developed for educational, commercial, retail and residential use. The Newark Joint Venture is currently developing a project known as
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"Teachers Village"—the project currently involves five buildings, in various stages of construction and pre-construction, which are to be used for charter schools, retail space and residential units. The venture is currently unprofitable and it is anticipated that the activities will continue to be unprofitable at least until the Teacher's Village is constructed and reasonable occupancy levels achieved. The venture requires substantial third party funding (including tax credits and financing provided by governmental authorities) for its development activities—no assurance can be given that sufficient funding will be available and even if sufficient funding is obtained and construction completed, that such activities will ever by profitable to us.
We were organized in 1972 as a business trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We have elected to be treated as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In order to maintain our status as a REIT, we must comply with a number of requirements under federal income tax law that are discussed in "Federal Income Tax Considerations" beginning on page 16 of this prospectus. Additional information regarding our business can be found under the heading "Business" contained in Part I, Item 1 in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The address and phone number of our principal executive office is 60 Cutter Mill Road, Great Neck, N.Y. 11021 and 516-466-3100. Our website address is: www.brtrealty.com.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and other documents we file with the SEC prospectus and our reports filed under the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and other documents we file with the SEC and other offering materials and documents deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or therein contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provision for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and include this statement for purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions. Forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words "may," "will," "could," "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," or similar expressions or variations thereof and include, without limitation, statements regarding our future estimated funds from operations (FFO). You should not rely on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond our control and which could materially affect actual results, performance or achievements. Factors which may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations and risks are described under "Risk Factors."
We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and other documents we file with the SEC, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of the factors referred to above, the future events discussed or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and other documents we file with the SEC may not occur and actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.
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Before you invest in any of our securities, in addition to the other information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, you should carefully consider the risk factors under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in Part I, Item 1A in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any risk factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Part II, Item 1A in any Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that we file after our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, as the same may be updated from time to time by our future filings under the Exchange Act.
The risks and uncertainties we describe are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business or operations. Any adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results could result in a decline in the value of the securities and the loss of all or part of your investment.
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Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we anticipate that the net proceeds from the sale of the securities that we may offer under this prospectus will be used for (i) the acquisition of additional multi-family properties (including equity investments in joint ventures that acquire such properties), (ii) the origination of mortgage loans and (iii) general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include repayment of debt, capital expenditures and any other purposes that we may specify in the applicable prospectus supplement. If a material part of the net proceeds is used to repay indebtedness, we will set forth the interest rate and maturity of such indebtedness in a prospectus supplement, as required.
We will have significant discretion in the use of any net proceeds. Investors will be relying on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the proceeds from any sale of the securities. We may invest the net proceeds temporarily until we use them for their stated purpose.
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The following paragraphs constitute a summary as of the date of this prospectus and do not purport to be a complete description of our capital stock. The following paragraphs are qualified in their entirety by reference to our Third Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, which we refer to herein as our "declaration of trust" or "trust declaration", our Bylaws, as amended, and Massachusetts law. For a complete description of our capital stock, we refer you to our declaration of trust, and our Bylaws, as amended, each of which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement.
General
Our authorized capital consists of an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest, par value $3.00 per share, and 10,000,000 preferred shares, par value $1.00 per share. As of August 15, 2013, there were 14,162,837 common shares outstanding and no preferred shares outstanding. We may issue and sell as many common shares and preferred shares as our board of trustees (or a committee thereof) determines in its sole discretion.
Common Shares
Unless otherwise provided for in the applicable prospectus supplement, our common shares have equal non-cumulative voting, distribution, liquidation, redemption and other rights and have one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders. Holders of common shares (i) have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund, redemption or preemptive rights and (ii) are entitled to receive distributions, when and as authorized by our board of trustees, out of legally available funds. All of our common shares issuable under this prospectus have been duly authorized and will be fully paid and non-assessable.
Subject to our declaration of trust, each outstanding common share entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. Our declaration of trust provides that shareholders are entitled to vote only upon the following matters:
Except as otherwise expressly provided in our declaration of trust, each of these matters requires the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a majority of the shares then outstanding and entitled to vote. Except with respect to these matters, no action taken by our shareholders at any meeting shall in any way bind our board of trustees.
As there is no cumulative voting in the election of trustees, holders of a majority of the outstanding common shares entitled to vote in any election of trustees may elect all of the trustees standing for election, subject to the voting rights, if any, of any class or series of our preferred shares that may be outstanding from time to time.
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Preferred Shares
Our declaration of trust grants authority to our board of trustees to authorize, from time to time, the issue, in one or more series, of up to 10,000,000 preferred shares, par value $1.00 per share. Prior to issuance of a series, the board of trustees by resolution shall designate that series to distinguish it from other series and classes of stock of the Trust, shall specify the number of shares to be included in the series, and shall fix the terms, rights, restrictions, qualifications of the shares of the series, including any preferences, voting powers, dividend rights and redemption, sinking fund and conversion rights. Subject to the express terms of any other series of preferred shares outstanding at the time, the board of trustees may increase or decrease the number of shares or alter the designation or classify or reclassify any unissued shares of a particular series of preferred shares by fixing or altering in any one or more respects from time to time before issuing the shares any terms, rights, restrictions and qualifications of such shares. As of the date of this prospectus, no preferred shares are outstanding.
If we issue preferred shares, the shares we issue will be fully paid and non-assessable. Contemporaneously with the issuance of a new series of preferred shares, we will file, as we deem necessary or appropriate, with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, such documents setting forth the rights, restrictions, qualifications and other terms and conditions of the preferred shares.
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The following paragraphs constitute a general description of the terms of the warrants we may issue from time to time. Particular terms of any warrants we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such warrants. The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any warrants we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable warrant certificate or warrant agreement, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer warrants. For more information on how you can obtain copies of any warrant certificate or warrant agreement if we offer warrants, see "Where You Can Find Additional Information" on page 4 of this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable warrant certificate, warrant agreement and any applicable prospectus supplement in their entirety.
General
We may issue warrants to purchase our equity securities. We may issue warrants independently or together with any other offered securities. The warrants may be attached to or separate from those offered securities. We may issue the warrants under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a transfer agent or bank or trust company to be named in the applicable prospectus supplement, as warrant agent, all as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.
The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the warrants. These terms may include the following:
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Exercise of Warrants
Each warrant will entitle the holder of warrants to purchase for cash the amount of equity securities at the exercise price stated or determinable in the prospectus supplement for the warrants. Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date shown in the applicable prospectus supplement, unless otherwise specified in such prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void. Warrants may be exercised as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. When the warrant holder makes the payment and properly completes and signs the warrant certificate at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as possible, forward the equity securities that the warrant holder has purchased. If the warrant holder exercises the warrant for less than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate, we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining warrants.
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DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
The following paragraphs constitute a general description of the terms of the subscription rights we may issue from time to time. Particular terms of any subscription rights we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such subscription rights. The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any subscription rights we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable subscription rights certificate or subscription rights agreement, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer subscription rights. For more information on how you can obtain copies of any subscription rights certificate or subscription rights agreement if we offer subscription rights, see "Where You Can Find Additional Information" on page 4 of this prospectus. We urge you to read the applicable subscription rights certificate, subscription rights agreement and any applicable prospectus supplement in their entirety.
We may issue subscription rights to purchase our common shares, preferred shares or other securities. These subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the securityholder receiving the subscription rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any or a portion of the securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any offering of subscription rights for which this prospectus is being delivered, including the following:
PROVISIONS OF OUR DECLARATION OF TRUST, BY LAWS AND MASSACHUSETTS LAW
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer
Our board of trustees may (1) refuse to issue, sell, transfer or deliver an amount of our common shares or preferred shares to any person or entity, or (2) call for the redemption of an amount of our common shares or preferred shares from any person or entity if, in either case, the acquisition of an amount of our common shares or preferred shares by such person or entity would, in the opinion of our board of trustees, result in our disqualification as a REIT. All certificates representing our common shares bear a legend referring to these restrictions and, in the event we issue any preferred shares, all
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certificates representing such preferred shares shall also bear a legend referring to these restrictions. As and to the extend required by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, if so requested by us, you must (i) file a written response to our request for share ownership information which we will mail to you and (ii) disclose to us in writing any additional information we request in order to determine the extent of your direct or indirect ownership of our shares and its effect, if any on our REIT status.
Restrictions on Acquisition of Control
Our declaration of trust contains provisions that may delay, defer or prevent a takeover attempt, which may prevent shareholders from receiving a "control premium" for their shares. These provisions may defer or prevent tender offers for our common shares or purchases of large blocks of our common shares which could thereby limit the opportunities for our shareholders to receive a premium for their common shares over then-prevailing market prices. In addition to the restrictions described under "—Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer" these provisions include the following:
Amendment to Declaration of Trust or Termination of Trust
Our declaration of trust may be amended or terminated (1) by written consent of a majority of the trustees and the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares entitled to vote or (2) at a meeting called for such purpose, by vote of a majority of our outstanding shares entitled to vote. Two-thirds of the trustees may, on the advice of counsel, amend our declaration of trust without the consent of our shareholders to the extent necessary to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to REITs, the regulations thereunder, and any ruling thereunder or interpretation thereof.
Trustees
Our declaration of trust requires that we have not less than five nor more than 15 trustees as fixed from time to time by the board of trustees. We currently have eleven trustees. Our board of trustees is divided into three classes, each of which is elected for a staggered term of three years. A classified board may delay, defer or prevent a change in control or other transaction that might involve a premium over the then prevailing market price for our shares or may delay, defer or prevent other changes that our shareholders consider desirable. In addition, a classified board could prevent shareholders who disagree with the policies of our board from replacing a majority of our board for two years, except in the event of removal for cause.
A trustee may be removed by a vote of two-thirds of the other trustees only for cause. A trustee may be removed, with or without cause, at any meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, provided a quorum is present at such meeting. Any vacancy on the board of trustees, resulting from the death, resignation, or removal of a trustee, or from another cause specified in our declaration of trust, may be filled by a majority of the remaining trustees. No bond is required to secure the performance of a trustee.
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Responsibility of Trustees
Our board of trustees is responsible for our general policies and for such general supervision and management of our business as may be necessary to insure that our business conforms to the provisions of our declaration of trust. Our declaration of trust provides that the trustees have full, absolute and exclusive power, control, and authority over and management of our assets and over our business and our affairs to the same extent as if the trustees were the sole owners thereof in their own right, subject to the limitations expressly stated in the declaration of trust. The trustees have the power to enter into commitments to make any investment, purchase or acquisition or to exercise any power authorized by our declaration of trust, including the power to retain, employ or contract with an advisor and to delegate any of the trustees' powers and duties to an advisor.
Indemnification of Trustees, Officers, Employees and Agents
Our declaration of trust provides that we will indemnify and hold harmless our trustees, officers, employees and agents, each of whom is referred to herein as an Indemnified Party, against expense or liability, including attorneys' fees reasonably incurred, in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or proceeding in which they may be involved or which they may be threatened because of being or having been an Indemnified Party to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law; provided, however, that (1) no such indemnification shall be made with respect to any matter in which the Indemnified Party is adjudicated to have not acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his actions were in our best interests, or with respect to any matter in which the Indemnified Party is adjudicated to have acted with bad faith, willful misconduct, reckless disregard of his duties or gross negligence, (2) no indemnification shall be provided in a case where any matter is disposed of by a compromise payment by an Indemnified Party unless such compromise payment is approved by a majority of the disinterested trustees or unless we have received a written opinion from independent legal counsel indicating that such Indemnified Party appears to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in our best interests.
Pursuant to our declaration of trust, an Indemnified Party may only satisfy any right of indemnity out of our assets, and no shareholder shall be personally liable with respect to any claim for indemnity.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our trustees, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by us of expenses incurred or paid by one of our trustees, officers or controlling persons in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Limitation of Liability
The declaration of trust provides that no Indemnified Party shall be (i) subject to any personal liability whatsoever to any other person in connection with our affairs or our property, except to the extent it arises from the Indemnified Party's bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his duties or for his failure to act in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in our best interest; and (ii) liable to us or to any shareholder or any Indemnified Party for any action or failure to act (including without limitation the failure to compel in any way any former or acting trustee to redress any breach of trust) except for his own bad faith, willful misconduct, gross negligence
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or reckless disregard of his duties or for his failure to act in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in our best interests.
Possible Shareholder Liability; Indemnification of Shareholders
Although our declaration of trust provides that our shareholders will not be subject to any personal liability for our acts or obligations, it is possible that certain states may not recognize the limited liability of our shareholders. Our declaration of trust provides that we will indemnify our shareholders against expense or liability, including attorney's fees reasonably incurred, as a result of being or having been shareholders; provided however, that we will not indemnify shareholders for taxes assessed against them because of ownership of our shares and we will not reimburse shareholders for losses suffered because of changes in the market value of our shares.
Amendment to Our Bylaws
Our bylaws may be amended or repealed, in whole or in part, by our board of trustees, except to the extent such amendment conflicts with the declaration of trust or applicable law.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
This section summarizes certain U.S. federal income tax issues that you, as a prospective investor, may consider relevant. Because this section is a summary, it does not address all of the tax issues that may be important to you. In addition, this section does not address the tax issues that may be important to certain types of prospective investors that are subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws, including, without limitation, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations (except to the extent discussed in "Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders," below), financial institutions or broker-dealers, and non-U.S. individuals and foreign corporations (except to the extent discussed in "Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders," below).
The following discussion describes certain of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to our taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the ownership and disposition of shares of our capital stock.
Because this summary is only intended to address certain of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the ownership and disposition of shares of our capital stock, it may not contain all of the information that may be important to you. As you review this discussion, you should keep in mind that:
WE URGE YOU TO CONSULT WITH YOUR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU OF ACQUIRING, OWNING AND SELLING SHARES OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK, INCLUDING THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF ACQUIRING, OWNING AND SELLING SHARES OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK IN YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AND POTENTIAL CHANGES IN APPLICABLE LAWS.
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The information contained in this section is based on the Code, final, temporary and proposed Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, the legislative history of the Code, current administrative interpretations and practices of the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") (including in private letter rulings and other non-binding guidance issued by the IRS), as well as court decisions all as of the date hereof. No assurance can be given that future legislation, Treasury Regulations, administrative interpretations and court decisions will not significantly change current law or adversely affect existing interpretations of current law, or that any such change would not apply retroactively to transactions or events preceding the date of the change. We have not obtained, and do not intend to obtain, any rulings from the IRS concerning the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the matters discussed below. Furthermore, neither the IRS nor any court is bound by any of the statements set forth herein and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not assert any position contrary to statements set forth herein or that a court will not sustain such position.
Taxation of BRT Realty Trust as a REIT
Dentons US LLP ("Dentons"), which has acted as our tax counsel, has reviewed the following discussion and is of the opinion that, to the extent that it constitutes matters of law or legal conclusions, it fairly summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to our status as a REIT under the Code and to investors in shares of our capital stock. The following summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations is based on current law, is for general information only, and is not intended to be (and is not) tax advice.
It is the opinion of Dentons that we have been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2006 through and including our taxable year ended December 31, 2012, and that our current and proposed method of operation will enable us to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code. We emphasize that this opinion of Dentons is based on various assumptions, certain representations and statements made by us as to factual matters and is conditioned upon such assumptions, representations and statements being accurate and complete. Dentons has advised us that it is not aware of any facts or circumstances that are not consistent with these representations, assumptions and statements. Potential purchasers of shares of our capital stock should be aware, however, that opinions of counsel are not binding upon the IRS or any court. In general, our qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to satisfy, through actual operating results, distribution, diversity of share ownership, and other requirements imposed under the Code, none of which has been, or will be, reviewed by Dentons. Accordingly, while we intend to continue to qualify to be taxed as a REIT under the Code no assurance can be given that the actual results of our operations for any particular taxable year has satisfied, or will satisfy, the requirements for REIT qualification.
Commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 1972, we elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code. We believe that commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 1972, we have been organized and have operated in such a manner so as to qualify as a REIT under the Code, and we intend to continue to operate in such a manner. However, we cannot assure you that we will, in fact, continue to operate in such a manner or continue to so qualify as a REIT under the Code.
If we qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code, we generally will not be subject to a corporate-level tax on our net income that we distribute currently to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the "double taxation" (i.e., a corporate-level tax and stockholder-level tax) that generally results from investment in a regular subchapter C corporation. However, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax as follows:
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us, stockholders would receive an offsetting credit against their own U.S. federal income tax liability for U.S. federal income taxes paid by us with respect to any such gains).
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described below) during our 2005 and subsequent taxable years and the violation is due to reasonable cause, we may retain our REIT qualification but will be required to pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure.
In addition, we 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 REIT Qualification—In General
To qualify as a REIT under the Code, we must elect to be treated as a REIT and must satisfy the annual gross income tests, the quarterly asset tests, distribution requirements, diversity of share ownership and other requirements imposed under the Code. In general, the Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:
(1) that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;
(2) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;
(3) that would otherwise be taxable as a domestic corporation, but for Sections 856 through 859 of the Code;
(4) that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company to which certain provisions of the Code apply;
(5) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;
(6) during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock of which is owned, directly or constructively, by five or fewer individuals, as defined in the Code to include certain entities;
(7) that uses a calendar year for federal income tax purposes and complies with the recordkeeping requirements of the federal income tax laws; and
(8) that meets certain other tests, described below, regarding the nature of its income and assets.
The Code provides that the requirements (1)-(4), (7) and (8) above must be met during the entire taxable year and that requirements (5) and (6) above do not apply to the first taxable year for which a REIT election is made and, thereafter, requirement (5) 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. For purposes of requirement (6) above, generally (although subject to certain exceptions that should not apply with respect to us), any stock held by a trust described in Section 401(a) of the Code and exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the Code is treated as not held by the trust itself but directly by the trust beneficiaries in proportion to their actuarial interests in the trust.
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We believe that we have satisfied the requirements above for REIT qualification. In addition, our charter currently includes restrictions regarding the ownership and transfer of shares of our capital stock, which restrictions are intended to assist us in satisfying some of these requirements (and, in particular requirements (5) and (6) above). The ownership and transfer restrictions pertaining to shares of our capital stock are described in the prospectus under the heading and "Provisions of our Declaration of Trust, Bylaws and Massachusetts Law -Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer" and "—Restrictions on Acquisition of Control."
In applying the REIT gross income and asset tests, all of the assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of a corporate subsidiary of a REIT that is a "qualified REIT subsidiary" (as defined in Section 856(i)(2) of the Code) ("QRS") are treated as the assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the REIT itself. Moreover, the separate existence of a QRS is disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes and the QRS is not subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax (although it may be subject to state and local tax in some states and localities). In general, a QRS is any corporation if all of the stock of such corporation is owned by the REIT, except that it does not include any corporation that is a TRS of the REIT. Thus, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our QRSs are disregarded, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of these QRSs are treated as BRT's assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit.
A TRS is any corporation in which a REIT directly or indirectly owns stock, provided that the REIT and that corporation make a joint election to treat that corporation as a TRS. The election can be revoked at any time as long as the REIT and the TRS revoke such election jointly. In addition, if a TRS holds, directly or indirectly, more than 35% of the securities of any other corporation other than a REIT (by vote or by value), then that other corporation is also treated as a TRS. A TRS is subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates (currently a maximum rate of 35%), and may also be subject to state and local tax. Any dividends paid or deemed paid to us by any one of our TRSs will also be taxable, either (1) to us to the extent the dividend is retained by us, or (2) to our stockholders to the extent the dividends received from the TRS are paid to our stockholders. We may hold more than 10% of the stock of a TRS without jeopardizing our qualification as a REIT notwithstanding the rule described below under "REIT Asset Tests" that generally precludes ownership of more than 10% of any issuer's securities. However, as noted below, in order to qualify as a REIT, the securities of all of our TRSs in which we have invested either directly or indirectly may not represent more than 25% of the total value of our assets. We expect that the aggregate value of all of our interests in TRSs will represent less than 25% of the total value of our assets; however, we cannot assure that this will always be true.
A TRS may generally engage in any business including the provision of customary or non-customary services to tenants of its parent REIT, which, if performed by the REIT itself, could cause rents received by the REIT to be disqualified as "rents from real property." However, a TRS may not directly or indirectly operate or manage any hotels or health care facilities or provide rights to any brand name under which any hotel or health care facility is operated, unless such rights are provided to an "eligible independent contractor" to operate or manage a hotel if such rights are held by the TRS as a franchisee, licensee, or in a similar capacity and such hotel is either owned by the TRS or leased to the TRS by its parent REIT. However, for taxable years beginning after July 30, 2008, a TRS may provide rights to a brand name under which a health care facility is operated, if such rights are provided to an "eligible independent contractor" to operate or manage the health care facility and such health care facility is either owned by the TRS or leased to the TRS by its parent REIT. A TRS will not be considered to operate or manage a qualified health care property or a qualified lodging facility solely because the TRS (i) directly or indirectly possesses a license, permit, or similar instrument enabling it to do so, or (ii) employs individuals working at such facility or property located outside the U.S., but only if an "eligible independent contractor" is responsible for the daily supervision and direction of such individuals on behalf of the TRS pursuant to a management agreement or similar
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service contract However, the Code contains several provisions which address the arrangements between a REIT and its TRSs which are intended to ensure that a TRS recognizes an appropriate amount of taxable income and is subject to an appropriate level of federal income tax. For example, a TRS is limited in its ability to deduct interest payments made to the REIT. In addition, a REIT would be subject to a 100% penalty on some payments that it receives from a TRS, or on certain expenses deducted by the TRS, if the economic arrangements between the REIT, the REIT's tenants and the TRS are not comparable to similar arrangements among unrelated parties. We do not currently own any TRSs.
Also, a REIT that is a partner in a partnership is deemed to own its proportionate share of each of the assets of the partnership and is deemed to be entitled to income of the partnership attributable to such proportionate share. For purposes of Section 856 of the Code, the interest of a REIT in the assets of a partnership of which it is a partner is determined in accordance with the REIT's capital interest in the partnership and the character of the assets and items of gross income of the partnership retain the same character in the hands of the REIT. For example, if the partnership holds any property primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of its trade or business, the REIT is treated as holding its proportionate share of such property primarily for such purpose. Thus, our proportionate share (based on our capital interest) of the assets, liabilities and items of income of any partnership in which we are a partner, will be treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income for purposes of applying the requirements described in this section. For purposes of the 10% Value Test (described under "REIT Asset Tests" below) our proportionate share is based on our proportionate interest in the equity interests and certain debt securities issued by a partnership. Also, actions taken by the partnerships can affect our ability to satisfy the REIT gross income and asset tests and the determination of whether we have net income from a prohibited transaction. For purposes of this section any reference to "partnership" shall refer to and include any partnership, limited liability company, joint venture and other entity or arrangement that is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, and any reference to "partner" shall refer to and include a partner, member, joint venturer and other beneficial owner of any such partnership, limited liability company, joint venture and other entity or arrangement.
REIT Gross Income Tests: In order to maintain our qualification as a REIT under the Code, we must satisfy, on an annual basis, two gross income tests.
For this purpose the term "rents from real property" includes: (a) rents from interests in real property; (b) charges for services customarily furnished or rendered in connection with the rental of real property, whether or not such charges are separately stated; and (c) rent attributable to personal property which is leased under, or in connection with, a lease of real property, but only if the rent attributable to such personal property for the taxable year does not exceed 15% of the total rent for the taxable year attributable to both the real and personal property leased under, or in connection with, such lease. For purposes of (c), the rent attributable to personal property is equal to that amount which bears the same ratio to total rent for the taxable year as the average of the fair market values of the
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personal property at the beginning and at the end of the taxable year bears to the average of the aggregate fair market values of both the real property and the personal property at the beginning and at the end of such taxable year.
However, in order for rent received or accrued, directly or indirectly, with respect to any real or personal property, to qualify as "rents from real property," the following conditions must be satisfied:
In addition, all amounts (including rents that would otherwise qualify as "rents from real property") received or accrued during a taxable year directly or indirectly by a REIT with respect to a property, will constitute "impermissible tenant services income" (and, thus, will not qualify as "rents from real property") if the amount received or accrued directly or indirectly by the REIT for: (x) noncustomary services furnished or rendered by the REIT to tenants of the property; or (y) managing or operating the property ((x) and (y) collectively, "Impermissible Services") exceeds 1% of all amounts received or accrued during such taxable year directly or indirectly by the REIT with respect to the property. For this purpose, however, the following services and activities are not treated as Impermissible Services: (i) services furnished or rendered, or management or operation provided, through an independent contractor from whom the REIT itself does not derive or receive any income or through a TRS; and (ii) services usually or customarily rendered in connection with the rental of space for occupancy (such as, for example, the furnishing of heat and light, the cleaning of public entrances, and the collection of trash), as opposed to services rendered primarily to a tenant for the tenant's convenience. If the amount treated as being received or accrued for Impermissible Services does not exceed the 1% threshold, then only the amount attributable to the Impermissible Services (and not, for example, all tenant rents received or accrued that otherwise qualify as "rents from real property") will fail to qualify as "rents from real property." For purposes of the 1% threshold, the amount that we will be deemed to have received for performing Impermissible Services will be the greater of the actual amounts so received or 150% of the direct cost to us of providing those services.
Interest income constitutes qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test (as described above) to the extent that the obligation is secured by a mortgage on real property. If we receive interest income with respect to a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and other property, and the highest principal amount of the loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property on the date that we have a binding commitment to acquire or originate the mortgage loan, the interest income will be apportioned between the real property and the other collateral, and its income from the arrangement will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test only to the extent that the interest is allocable to the real property. Even if a loan is not secured by real property, or is undersecured, the income that it generates may nonetheless qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test.
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To the extent that the terms of a loan provide for contingent interest that is based on the cash proceeds realized upon the sale of the property securing the loan (a "shared appreciation provision"), income attributable to the participation feature will be treated as gain from sale of the underlying property, which generally will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests provided that the property is not inventory or dealer property in the hands of the borrower or the REIT.
To the extent that a REIT derives interest income from a mortgage loan or income from the rental of real property where all or a portion of the amount of interest or rental income payable is contingent, such income generally will qualify for purposes of the gross income tests only if it is based upon the gross receipts or sales, and not the net income or profits, of the borrower or lessee. This limitation does not apply, however, where the borrower or lessee leases substantially all of its interest in the property to tenants or subtenants, to the extent that the rental income derived by the borrower or lessee, as the case may be, would qualify as rents from real property had it been earned directly by a REIT.
From time to time, we may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Prior to our 2005 taxable year, any periodic income or gain from the disposition of any financial instrument for transactions to hedge indebtedness we incurred to acquire or carry "real estate assets" was qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not the 75% gross income test. To the extent we hedged in other situations, it is not entirely clear how the income from those transactions should have been treated for the gross income tests. Commencing with our 2005 taxable year, income and gain from "hedging transactions" will be excluded from gross income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not the 75% gross income test. For hedging transactions entered into after July 30, 2008, income and gain from "hedging transactions" will be excluded from gross income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. For this purpose, 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 under the Code.
A REIT will incur a 100% tax on the net income derived from any 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. We believe that none of our assets are held primarily for sale to customers and that a sale of any of our assets will not be 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. A safe harbor to the characterization of the sale of property by a REIT as a prohibited transaction and the 100% prohibited transaction tax is available if the following requirements are met:
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We will attempt to comply with the terms of safe-harbor provision in the federal income tax laws prescribing when an asset sale will not be characterized as a prohibited transaction. We cannot assure you, however, that we can comply with the safe-harbor provision 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 TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be taxed to such corporation at regular corporate income tax rates.
We have not in the past owned and do not intend to acquire in the future investments in foreign countries. However, to the extent that we or our subsidiaries hold or acquire investments in foreign countries, taxes that we pay in foreign jurisdictions may not be passed through to, or used by, our stockholders as a foreign tax credit or otherwise. Any foreign investments may also generate foreign currency gains and losses. Certain foreign currency gains recognized after July 30, 2008 will be excluded from gross income for purposes of one or both of the gross income tests. "Real estate foreign exchange gain" will be excluded from gross income for purposes of the 75% and the 95% gross income tests. Real estate foreign exchange gain generally includes foreign currency gain attributable to any item of income or gain that is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, foreign currency gain attributable to the acquisition or ownership of (or becoming or being the obligor under) obligations secured by mortgages on real property or interests in real property and certain foreign currency gains attributable to certain "qualified business units" of a REIT. "Passive foreign exchange gain" will be excluded from gross income only for purposes of the 95% gross income test. Passive foreign exchange gain generally includes real estate foreign exchange gain as described above, and also includes foreign currency gain attributable to any item of income or gain that is qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test and foreign currency gain attributable to the acquisition or ownership of (or becoming or being the obligor under) obligations secured by mortgages on real property or interests in real property. Because passive foreign exchange gain includes real estate foreign exchange gain, real estate foreign exchange gain is excluded from gross income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. These exclusions for real estate foreign exchange gain and passive foreign exchange gain do not apply to any foreign currency gain derived from dealing, or engaging in substantial and regular trading, in securities. Such gain is treated as nonqualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for taxable years beginning after June 30, 2008, the Secretary of the Treasury may determine that any item of income or gain not otherwise qualifying for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests may be considered as not constituting gross income for purposes of those tests, and that any item of income or gain that otherwise constitutes nonqualifying income may be considered as qualifying income for purposes of such tests.
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If we fail to satisfy either or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for that year pursuant to a special relief provision of the Code which may be available to us if:
We cannot state whether in all circumstances, if we were to fail to satisfy either of the gross income tests, we would still be entitled to the benefit of this relief provision. Even if this relief provision were to apply, we would nonetheless be subject to a 100% tax on the gross income attributable to the greater of (1) the amount by which we fail the 75% gross income test and (2) the amount by which 95% (or 90% for our 2004 and prior taxable years) of our income exceeds the amount of qualifying income under the 95% gross income test, in each case, multiplied by a fraction intended to reflect our profitability.
REIT Asset Tests: At the close of each quarter of our taxable year, we must also satisfy the following tests relating to the nature and diversification of our assets (collectively, the "Asset Tests"):
After initially meeting the Asset Tests at the close of any quarter of our taxable year, we would not lose our status as a REIT under the Code for failure to satisfy these tests at the end of a later quarter solely by reason of changes in asset values. If the failure to satisfy the Asset Tests results from an acquisition of securities or other property during a quarter, we can cure the failure by disposing of a sufficient amount of non-qualifying assets within 30 days after the close of that quarter. We intend to maintain adequate records of the value of our assets to facilitate compliance with the Asset Tests and to take such other actions within 30 days after the close of any quarter as necessary to cure any noncompliance.
In applying the Asset Tests, we are treated as owning all of the assets held by any of our QRSs and our proportionate share of the assets held by the partnerships.
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For purposes of the 5% Value Test, the 10% Vote Test or 10% Value Test, the term "securities" does not include shares in another REIT, equity or debt securities of a QRS or TRS, mortgage loans that constitute real estate assets, or equity interests in a partnership. Securities, for purposes of the Asset Tests, may include debt that we hold in other issuers. However, the Code specifically provides that the following types of debt will not be taken into account as securities for purposes of the 10% Value Test: (1) securities that meet the "straight debt" safe harbor; (2) loans to individuals or estates; (3) obligations to pay rents from real property; (4) rental agreements described in Section 467 of the Code (other than such agreements with related party tenants); (5) securities issued by other REITs; (6) debt issued by partnerships that derive at least 75% of their gross income from sources that constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test; (7) any debt not otherwise described in this paragraph that is issued by a partnership, but only to the extent of our interest as a partner in the partnership; (8) certain securities issued by a state, the District of Columbia, a foreign government, or a political subdivision of any of the foregoing, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and (9) any other arrangement described in future Treasury Regulations. For purposes of the 10% Value Test, our proportionate share of the assets of a partnership is our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership, without regard to the securities described in (6) and (7) above.
For taxable years beginning after July 30, 2008, for purposes of the 75% Value Test, cash includes any foreign currency used by the REIT or its qualified business unit as its "functional currency" (as defined in section 985(b) of the Code), provided that the foreign currency (a) is held by the REIT or its qualified business unit in the normal course of activities which give rise to qualifying income under the 75% or 95% gross income tests or which are related to acquiring or holding assets described in section 856(c)(4) of the Code and (b) is not held in connection with dealing, or engaging in substantial and regular trading, in securities.
Based on our regular quarterly asset tests, we believe that we have not violated any of the Asset Tests. However, we cannot provide any assurance that the IRS would concur with our beliefs in this regard.
If we fail to satisfy the Asset Tests at the end of a calendar quarter, we will not lose our REIT qualification if:
If we did not satisfy the condition described in the second item above, we still could avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose.
If at the end of any calendar quarter commencing with our 2005 taxable year, we violate the 5% Value Test or the 10% Vote or Value Tests described above, we will not lose our REIT qualification if (1) the failure is de minimis (up to the lesser of 1% of our assets or $10 million) and (2) we dispose of assets or otherwise comply with the Asset Tests within six months after the last day of the quarter in which we identify such failure. In the event of a failure of any of the Asset Tests (other than de minimis failures described in the preceding sentence), as long as the failure was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, we will not lose our REIT status if we (1) dispose of assets or otherwise comply with the Asset Tests within six months after the last day of the quarter in which we identify the failure, (2) we file a description of each asset causing the failure with the IRS and (3) pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or 35% of the net income from the nonqualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy the Asset Tests.
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REIT Distribution Requirements: To qualify for taxation as a REIT, we must, each year, make distributions (other than capital gain distributions) to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to (1) the sum of: (A) 90% of our "REIT taxable income," computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain, and (B) 90% of the net income, after tax, from foreclosure property, minus (2) the sum of certain specified items of noncash income. In addition, if we were to dispose of any asset acquired from a subchapter C corporation in a "carryover basis" transaction within ten years of the acquisition, we would be required to distribute at least 90% of the after-tax "built-in gain" recognized on the disposition of such asset.
We must pay dividend distributions in the taxable year to which they relate. Dividends paid in the subsequent year, however, will be treated as if paid in the prior year for purposes of the prior year's distribution requirement if one of the following two sets of criteria are satisfied:
Even if we satisfy our distribution requirements for maintaining our REIT status, we will nonetheless be subject to a corporate-level tax on any of our net capital gain or REIT taxable income that we do not distribute to our stockholders. In addition, we will be subject to a 4% excise tax to the extent that we fail to distribute during any calendar year (or by the end of January of the following calendar year in the case of distributions with declaration and record dates falling in the last 3 months of the calendar year) an amount at least equal to the sum of:
As discussed below, we may retain, rather than distribute, all or a portion of our net capital gains and pay the tax on the gains and may elect to have our stockholders include their proportionate share of such undistributed gains as long-term capital gain income on their own income tax returns and receive a credit for their share of the tax paid by us. For purposes of the 4% excise tax described above, any such retained gains would be treated as having been distributed by us.
We intend to make timely distributions sufficient to satisfy our annual distribution requirements for REIT qualification under the Code and which are eligible for the dividends-paid deduction.
We expect that our cash flow will exceed our REIT taxable income due to the allowance of depreciation and other non-cash deductions allowed in computing REIT taxable income. Accordingly, in general, we anticipate that we should have sufficient cash or liquid assets to enable us to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement for REIT qualification under the Code. It is possible, however, that we, from time to time, may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet this requirement or to distribute an amount sufficient to enable us to avoid income and/or excise taxes. In such event, we may find it necessary to arrange for borrowings to raise cash or, if possible, make taxable stock dividends in order to make such distributions.
In the event that we are subject to an adjustment to our REIT taxable income (as defined in Section 860(d)(2) of the Code) resulting from an adverse determination by either a final court decision,
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a closing agreement between us and the IRS under Section 7121 of the Code, or an agreement as to tax liability between us and an IRS district director, we may be able to rectify any resulting failure to meet the 90% distribution requirement by paying "deficiency dividends" to stockholders that relate to the adjusted year but that are paid in a subsequent year. To qualify as a deficiency dividend, we must make the distribution within ninety days of the adverse determination and we also must satisfy other procedural requirements. If we satisfy the statutory requirements of Section 860 of the Code, a deduction is allowed for any deficiency dividend subsequently paid by us to offset an increase in our REIT taxable income resulting from the adverse determination. We, however, must pay statutory interest on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends to compensate for the deferral of the tax liability.
Recordkeeping Requirements: We must maintain certain records in order to qualify as a REIT. In addition, to avoid a monetary penalty, we must request on an annual basis information from certain of our stockholders designed to disclose the actual ownership of our outstanding shares of capital stock. We have complied, and we intend to continue to comply, with these requirements.
Failure to Qualify as a REIT: Commencing with our 2005 taxable year, if we would otherwise fail to qualify as a REIT under the Code because of a violation of one of the requirements described above, our qualification as a REIT will not be terminated if the violation is due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and we pay a penalty tax of $50,000 for the violation. The immediately preceding sentence does not apply to violations of the gross income tests described above or a violation of the asset tests described above each of which have specific relief provisions that are described above.
If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code in any taxable year, and the relief provisions do not apply, we will have to pay tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. We will not be able to deduct distributions to stockholders in any year in which we fail to qualify, nor will we be required to make distributions to stockholders. In this event, to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits, all distributions to stockholders will be taxable to the stockholders as dividend income (which may be subject to tax at preferential rates) and corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received deduction if they satisfy the relevant provisions of the Code. 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. We might not be entitled to the statutory relief described in the preceding paragraph in all circumstances.
Taxation of U.S. Stockholders
When we refer to the term U.S. Stockholders, we mean a holder of shares of our capital stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
If a partnership, entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes holds shares of our capital stock, the federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will
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generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding shares of our capital stock, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the consequences of the ownership and disposition of shares of our capital stock by the partnership.
Distributions Generally: For any taxable year for which we qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code, amounts distributed to taxable U.S. Stockholders will be taxed as discussed below.
As long as we qualify as a REIT, distributions made by us out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, and not designated as capital gain dividends, will constitute dividends taxable to our taxable U.S. Stockholders as ordinary income. A U.S. Stockholder taxed at individual rates will generally not be entitled to the reduced tax rate applicable to certain types of dividends except with respect to the portion of any distribution (a) that represents income from dividends received from a non-REIT corporation in which we own shares (but only if such dividends would be eligible for the lower rate on dividends if paid by the corporation to its individual stockholders), and (b) that is equal to our REIT taxable income (taking into account the dividends paid deduction available to us) for our previous taxable year less any taxes paid by us during the previous taxable year, provided that certain holding period and other requirements are satisfied at both the REIT and individual stockholder level. U.S. Stockholders taxed at individual rates should consult their own tax advisors to determine the impact of tax rates on dividends received from us. Distributions of this kind will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction in the case of U.S. Stockholders that are corporations.
Distributions made by us that we properly designate as capital gain dividends will be taxable to U.S. Stockholders as gain from the sale of a capital asset held for more than one year, to the extent that they do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year, without regard to the period for which a U.S. Stockholder has held his shares of our capital stock. The highest marginal individual income tax rate is currently 39.6%. However, the maximum tax rate on long-term capital gain applicable to U.S. Stockholders taxed at individual rates is 20%. The maximum tax rate on long-term capital gain from the sale or exchange of "Section 1250 property," or depreciable real property, is 25% computed on the lesser of the total amount of the gain or the accumulated Section 1250 depreciation. Thus, with certain limitations, capital gain dividends received by U.S. Stockholders taxed at individual rates may be eligible for preferential rates of taxation, and the tax rate differential between capital gain and ordinary income may be significant. We will generally designate our capital gain dividends as either 20% or 25% rate distributions. In addition, the characterization of income as capital gain or ordinary income may affect the deductibility of capital losses. U.S. Stockholders taxed at individual rates may generally deduct capital losses not offset by capital gains against their ordinary income only up to a maximum annual amount of $3,000. Such taxpayers may carry forward unused capital losses indefinitely. A corporate U.S. Stockholder must generally pay tax on its net capital gain at ordinary corporate rates. A corporate U.S. Stockholder may generally deduct capital losses only to the extent of capital gains, with unused losses being carried back three years and forward five years. Finally, U.S. Stockholders that are corporations may be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary income.
In determining the extent to which a distribution constitutes a dividend for tax purposes, our earnings and profits generally will be allocated first to distributions with respect to preferred stock prior to allocating any remaining earnings and profits to distributions on our common stock. If we have net capital gains and designate some or all of our distributions as capital gain dividends to that extent, the capital gain dividends will be allocated among different classes of capital stock in proportion to the allocation of earnings and profits as described above.
To the extent that we make distributions, not designated as capital gain dividends, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, these distributions will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to each U.S. Stockholder. Thus, these distributions will reduce the adjusted basis which the U.S. Stockholder has in its shares for tax purposes by the amount of the distribution, but not
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below zero. Distributions in excess of a U.S. Stockholder's adjusted basis in its shares will be taxable as capital gains, provided that the shares have been held as a capital asset. If the shares have been held for more than one year it will produce long-term capital gain. For purposes of determining the portion of distributions on separate classes of shares that will be treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes, current and accumulated earnings and profits will be allocated to distributions resulting from priority rights of preferred shares before being allocated to other distributions.
Dividends declared by us in October, November, or December of any year and payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any of these months will be treated as both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of that year, provided that we actually pay the dividend on or before January 31 of the following calendar year. Stockholders may not include in their own income tax returns any of our net operating losses or capital losses.
U.S. Stockholders holding shares at the close of our taxable year will be required to include, in computing their long-term capital gains for the taxable year in which the last day of our taxable year falls, the amount that we designate as long-term capital gains in a written notice mailed to our stockholders. We may not designate amounts in excess of our undistributed net capital gain for the taxable year. Each U.S. Stockholder required to include the designated amount in determining the U.S. Stockholder's long-term capital gains will be deemed to have paid, in the taxable year of the inclusion, the tax paid by us in respect of the undistributed net capital gains. U.S. Stockholders to whom these rules apply will be allowed a credit or a refund, as the case may be, for the tax they are deemed to have paid. U.S. Stockholders will increase their basis in their shares by the difference between the amount of the includible gains and the tax deemed paid by the stockholder in respect of these gains.
On March 30, 2010, the President signed into law the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (the "Reconciliation Act"). The Reconciliation Act will require certain U.S. Stockholders who are individuals, estates or trusts to pay 3.8% Medicare tax on, among other things, dividend income and capital gains from the sale or other dispositions of stock, subject to certain exceptions. This tax will apply for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012.
Passive Activity Loss and Investment Interest Limitations: Distributions from us and gain from the disposition of our shares will not be treated as passive activity income and, therefore, a U.S. Stockholder will not be able to offset any of this income with any passive losses of the stockholder from other activities. Dividends received by a U.S. Stockholder from us generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of the investment interest limitation. Net capital gain from the disposition of shares of our shares or capital gain dividends generally will be excluded from investment income unless the stockholder elects to have the gain taxed at ordinary income rates.
Sale/Other Taxable Disposition of Shares of our Capital Stock: In general, a U.S. Stockholder who is not a dealer in securities will recognize gain or loss on its sale or other taxable disposition of our shares equal to the difference between the amount of cash and the fair market value of any other property received on such sale or other taxable disposition and the stockholder's adjusted basis in said shares at such time. This gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss if the shares have 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. The IRS has the authority to prescribe, but has not yet prescribed, regulations that would apply a capital gain tax rate of 25% (which is generally higher than the 20% long-term capital gain tax rate for stockholders taxed at individual rates) to a portion of capital gain realized by a non-corporate stockholder on the sale of REIT stock that would correspond to the REIT's "unrecaptured Section 1250 gain." U.S. Stockholders should consult with their tax advisors with respect to their capital gain tax liability. A corporate U.S. Stockholder will be subject to tax at a maximum rate of 35% on capital gain from the sale of shares of our capital stock held for more than 12 months. In general, any loss recognized by a U.S. Stockholder upon the sale or
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other disposition of shares that have been held for six months or less, after applying the holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss, to the extent of distributions received by the U.S. Stockholder from us that were required to be treated as long-term capital gains.
A redemption of our capital stock (including preferred stock or common stock) will be treated under Section 302 of the Code as a dividend subject to tax at ordinary income tax rates (to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits), unless the redemption satisfies certain tests set forth in Section 302(b) of the Code enabling the redemption to be treated as a sale or exchange of the stock. The redemption will satisfy such test if it (i) is "substantially disproportionate" with respect to the holder, (ii) results in a "complete termination" of the holder's stock interest in OLP, or (iii) is "not essentially equivalent to a dividend" with respect to the holder, all within the meaning of Section 302(b) of the Code. In determining whether any of these tests have been met, shares considered to be owned by the holder by reason of certain constructive ownership rules set forth in the Code, as well as shares actually owned, must generally be taken into account. Because the determination as to whether any of the alternative tests of Section 302(b) of the Code is satisfied with respect to any particular holder of the stock will depend upon the facts and circumstances as of the time the determination is made, prospective investors are advised to consult their own tax advisors to determine such tax treatment. If a redemption of the stock is treated as a distribution that is taxable as a dividend, the amount of the distribution would be measured by the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received by the stockholders. The stockholder's adjusted tax basis in such redeemed stock would be transferred to the holder's remaining stockholdings in OLP. If, however, the stockholder has no remaining stockholdings in OLP, such basis may, under certain circumstances, be transferred to a related person or it may be lost entirely.
Stockholders should consult with their own tax advisors with respect to their capital gain tax liability in respect of distributions received from us and gains recognized upon the sale or other disposition of shares of shares of our capital stock.
Treatment of Tax-Exempt Stockholders: Based upon published rulings by the IRS, distributions by us to a U.S. Stockholder that is a tax-exempt entity generally should not constitute "unrelated business taxable income" ("UBTI"), provided that the tax-exempt entity has not financed the acquisition of its shares with "acquisition indebtedness," within the meaning of the Code, and the shares are not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business of the tax-exempt entity. Similarly, income from the sale of shares of our capital stock will not constitute UBTI, provided that the tax-exempt entity has not financed the acquisition of its shares with "acquisition indebtedness" and the shares are not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business of the tax-exempt entity.
For tax-exempt U.S. Stockholders which are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans, exempt from federal income taxation under Code Sections 501(c)(7), (9), (17) and (20), respectively, income from an investment in shares of our capital stock generally will constitute UBTI unless the organization is able to properly deduct amounts set aside or placed in reserve for certain purposes so as to offset the income generated by its shares of shares of our capital stock. Such prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors concerning these "set-aside" and reserve requirements.
Notwithstanding the above, however, a portion of the dividends paid by a "pension-held REIT" is treated as UBTI as to any trust which (i) is described in Section 401(a) of the Code, (ii) is tax-exempt under Section 501(a) of the Code and (iii) holds more than 10% (by value) of the interests in the REIT. Tax-exempt pension funds that are described in Section 401(a) of the Code and exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the Code are referred to below as "qualified trusts."
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A REIT is a "pension-held REIT" if (i) it would not have qualified as a REIT under the Code but for the fact that Section 856(h)(3) of the Code provides that stock owned by qualified trusts shall be treated, for purposes of the "not closely held" requirement, as owned by the beneficiaries of the trust (rather than by the trust itself), (ii) the percentage of the REIT's dividends that the tax-exempt trust must treat as UBTI is at least 5%, and (iii) either (a) at least one such qualified trust holds more than 25% (by value) of the interests in the REIT or (b) one or more such qualified trusts, each of whom owns more than 10% (by value) of the interests in the REIT, hold in the aggregate more than 50% (by value) of the interests in the REIT. The percentage of any REIT dividend treated as UBTI is equal to the ratio of (i) the gross income of the REIT from unrelated trades or businesses, determined as though the REIT were a qualified trust, less direct expenses related to this gross income, to (ii) the total gross income of the REIT, less direct expenses related to the total gross income. 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 "not closely held" requirement without relying upon the "look-through" exception with respect to qualified trusts. We do not expect to be classified as a "pension-held REIT."
The rules described above under the heading "Taxation of U.S. Stockholders" concerning the inclusion of our designated undistributed net capital gains in the income of its stockholders will apply to tax-exempt entities. Thus, tax-exempt entities will be allowed a credit or refund of the tax deemed paid by these entities in respect of the includible gains.
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Stock Dividend to United States Stockholders: Each stockholder must include the sum of the value of the shares of our capital stock and the amount of cash, if any, received pursuant to the dividend in its gross income as dividend income to the extent that such stockholder's share of the dividend is made out of its share of the portion of our current and accumulated earnings and profits allocable to the dividend. For this purpose, the amount of the dividend paid in shares of our capital stock will be equal to the amount of cash that could have been received instead of the shares of our capital stock. A stockholder that receives shares of our capital stock pursuant to the dividend would have a tax basis in such shares equal to the amount of cash that could have been received instead of such shares as described above, and the holding period in such shares would begin on the day following the payment date for the dividend.
The dividend will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction available to U.S. Stockholders that are domestic corporations other than S corporations. Such corporate holders should also consider the possible effects of section 1059 of the Code, which reduces a corporate holder's basis in its shares, but not below zero, by the non-taxed portion of an extraordinary dividend, where the holder has not held such shares for more than two years before the dividend announcement date. Corporate stockholders should also consider the effect of the corporate alternative minimum tax, which imposes a maximum tax rate of 20% on a corporation's alternative minimum taxable income for the taxable year and which is calculated without regard to the dividends received deduction.
For certain U.S. Stockholders, the dividend may be an "extraordinary dividend." An "extraordinary dividend" is a dividend that is equal to at least 10% of a stockholder's adjusted basis in its shares of our capital stock. A U.S. Stockholder that receives an extraordinary dividend and later sells its underlying shares at a loss will be treated as realizing a long-term capital loss, regardless of its holding period in its shares, to the extent of the extraordinary dividend.
Special Tax Considerations For Non-U.S. Stockholders
Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders: The rules governing U.S. federal income taxation of nonresident alien individuals, foreign corporations, foreign partnerships 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. Prospective Non-U.S. Stockholders should consult with
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their tax advisors to determine the impact of U.S. federal, state and local income tax laws with regard to an investment in shares of our capital stock, including any reporting requirements.
Distributions by us to a Non-U.S. Stockholder that are neither attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of United States real property interests ("USPRIs") (as defined below) nor designated by us as capital gain dividends 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 will ordinarily be subject to a withholding tax equal to 30% of the gross amount of the distribution unless an applicable tax treaty reduces that tax. Under certain treaties, lower withholding rates generally applicable to dividends do not apply to dividends from a REIT. However, if income from the investment in shares of our capital stock is treated as effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Stockholder's conduct of a U.S. trade or business or is attributable to a permanent establishment that the Non-U.S. Stockholder maintains in the United States (if that is required by an applicable income tax treaty as a condition for subjecting the Non-U.S. Stockholder to U.S. taxation on a net income basis) the Non-U.S. Stockholder generally will be subject to tax at graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. Stockholders are taxed with respect to such income and is generally not subject to withholding. Any such effectively connected distributions received by a Non-U.S. Stockholder that is a corporation may also be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. We expect to withhold U.S. income tax at the rate of 30% on the gross amount of any dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Stockholder, other than dividends treated as attributable to gain from sales or exchanges of U.S. real property interests and capital gain dividends, paid to a Non-U.S. Stockholder, unless (a) a lower treaty rate applies and the required form evidencing eligibility for that reduced rate is submitted to us or the appropriate withholding agent or (b) the Non-U.S. Stockholder submits an IRS Form W-8 ECI (or a successor form) to us or the appropriate withholding agent claiming that the distributions are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Stockholder's conduct of a U.S. trade or business and, in either case, other applicable requirements were met.
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 shares, but rather will reduce the adjusted basis of such shares. For FIRPTA (defined below) withholding purposes (discussed below) such distribution will be treated as consideration for the sale or exchange of shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a Non-U.S. Stockholder's shares, these distributions 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 its shares, as described below. If it cannot be determined at the time 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 IRS if it is subsequently determined that such distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits.
Distributions to a Non-U.S. Stockholder that are designated by us at the time of distribution as capital gain dividends (other than those arising from the disposition of a USRPI) generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation unless (i) investment in the shares 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 a U.S. Stockholder with respect to such gain (except that a corporate Non-U.S. Stockholder may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax, as discussed above), or (ii) the Non-U.S. Stockholder is a nonresident 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 such stockholder will be subject to a 30% tax on his or her capital gains.
For any year in which we qualify as a REIT, distributions that are attributable to gain from sales or exchanges by us of USRPIs will be taxed to a Non-U.S. Stockholder under the provisions of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 ("FIRPTA"). A USRPI includes certain interests
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in real property and stock in corporations at least 50% of whose assets consist of interests in real property. 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 would be taxed at the normal capital gain 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 to a Non-U.S. Stockholder that could be designated by us as a capital gain dividend. This amount is creditable against the Non-U.S. Stockholder's U.S. federal income tax liability. We or any nominee (e.g., a broker holding shares in street name) may rely on a certificate of Non-U.S. Stockholder status on IRS Form W-8 to determine whether withholding is required on gains realized from the disposition of USRPIs. A U.S. Stockholder who holds shares on behalf of a Non-U.S. Stockholder will bear the burden of withholding, provided that we have properly designated the appropriate portion of a distribution as a capital gain dividend.
Capital gain distributions to Non-U.S. Stockholders that are attributable to our sale of real property will be treated as ordinary dividends rather than as gain from the sale of a USRPI, as long as (1) shares of our capital stock continue to be treated as being "regularly traded" on an established securities market in the United States and (2) the Non-U.S. Stockholder did not own more than 5% of shares of our capital stock at any time during the one-year period preceding the distribution. As a result, Non-U.S. Stockholders owning 5% or less of shares of our capital stock generally will be subject to withholding tax on such capital gain distributions in the same manner as they are subject to withholding tax on ordinary dividends. If shares of our capital stock cease to be regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States or the Non-U.S. Stockholder owned more than 5% of shares of our capital stock at any time during the one-year period preceding the distribution, capital gain distributions that are attributable to our sale of real property would be subject to tax under FIRPTA, as described in the preceding paragraph. If a Non-U.S. Stockholder disposes of shares of our capital stock during the 30-day period preceding the ex-dividend date of any dividend payment, and such Non-U.S. Stockholder (or a person related to such Non-U.S. Stockholder) acquires or enters into a contract or option to acquire shares of our capital stock within 61 days of the first day of such 30-day period described above, and any portion of such dividend payment would, but for the disposition, be treated as a USRPI capital gain to such Non-U.S. Stockholder under FIRPTA, then such Non-U.S. Stockholder shall be treated as having USRPI capital gain in an amount that, but for the disposition, would have been treated as USRPI capital gain.
Gain recognized by a Non-U.S. Stockholder upon a sale of stock of a REIT generally will not be taxed under FIRPTA if the REIT is a "domestically-controlled REIT" (generally, a REIT in which at all times during a specified testing period less than 50% in value of its stock is held directly or indirectly by foreign persons). Since it is currently anticipated that we will be a "domestically-controlled REIT," a Non-U.S. Stockholder's sale of shares of our capital stock should not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. However, because shares of our capital stock are publicly-traded, no assurance can be given that we will continue to be a "domestically-controlled REIT." Notwithstanding the foregoing, gain from the sale of shares of our capital stock that is not subject to FIRPTA will be taxable to a Non-U.S. Stockholder if (i) the Non-U.S. Stockholder's investment in the shares 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 a U.S. Stockholder with respect to such gain (a Non-U.S. Stockholder that is a foreign corporation may also be subject to a 30% branch profits tax, as discussed above), or (ii) the Non-U.S. Stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was 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 nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual's capital gains. If the gain on the sale of shares were to be subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the Non-U.S. Stockholder would be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. Stockholder with respect to such gain (subject to applicable
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alternative minimum tax, possible withholding tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals).
If we are not, or cease to be, a "domestically-controlled REIT," whether gain arising from the sale or exchange of shares by a Non-U.S. Stockholder would be subject to United States taxation under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI will depend on whether any class of our shares is "regularly traded" (as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations) on an established securities market (e.g., the New York Stock Exchange), as is the case with shares of our capital stock, and on the size of the selling Non-U.S. Stockholder's interest in us. In the case where we are not, or cease to be, a "domestically-controlled REIT" and any class of our shares is "regularly traded" on an established securities market at any time during the calendar year, a sale of shares of that class by a Non-U.S. Stockholder will only be treated as a sale of a USRPI (and thus subject to taxation under FIRPTA) if such selling stockholder beneficially owns (including by attribution) more than 5% of the total fair market value of all of the shares of such class at any time during the five-year period ending either on the date of such sale or other applicable determination date. To the extent we have one or more classes of shares outstanding that are "regularly traded," but the Non-U.S. Stockholder sells shares of a class of our shares that is not "regularly traded," the sale of shares of such class would be treated as a sale of a USRPI under the foregoing rule only if the shares of such latter class acquired by the Non-U.S. Stockholder have a total net market value on the date they are acquired that is greater than 5% of the total fair market value of the "regularly traded" class of our shares having the lowest fair market value (or with respect to a nontraded class of our shares convertible into a "regularly traded" market value on the date of acquisition of the total fair market value of the "regularly traded" class into which it is convertible). If gain on the sale or exchange of shares were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the Non-U.S. Stockholder would be subject to regular United States income tax with respect to such gain in the same manner as a U.S. Stockholder (subject to any applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals); provided, however, that deductions otherwise allowable will be allowed as deductions only if the tax returns were filed within the time prescribed by law. In general, the purchaser of the shares would be required to withhold and remit to the IRS 10% of the amount realized by the seller on the sale of such shares.
Information Reporting Requirements and Backup Withholding Tax
U.S. Stockholders: We will report to our U.S. Stockholders and the IRS the amount of dividends paid during each calendar year, and the amount of tax withheld, if any. Under the backup withholding rules, backup withholding may apply to a U.S. Stockholder with respect to dividends paid unless the U.S. Stockholder (a) is a corporation or comes within certain other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact, or (b) provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. The IRS may also impose penalties on a U.S. Stockholder that does not provide us with its correct taxpayer identification number. A U.S. Stockholder may credit any amount paid as backup withholding against the stockholder's income tax liability. In addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain distributions to any U.S. Stockholder who fails to certify to us its non-foreign status.
On March 18, 2010, the President signed into law the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act of 2010 (the "HIRE Act"). The HIRE Act imposes a U.S. withholding tax at a 30% rate on dividends after June 30, 2014 and proceeds of sale in respect of our shares after December 31, 2016 that are realized by U.S. Stockholders who own their shares through foreign accounts or foreign intermediaries and certain non-U.S. Stockholders if certain disclosure requirements related to U.S. accounts or ownership are not satisfied. If payment of withholding taxes is required, non-U.S. Stockholders that are otherwise eligible for an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. withholding taxes with respect to such dividends and proceeds will be required to seek a refund from the IRS to obtain
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the benefit of such exemption or reduction. We will not pay any additional amounts in respect of any amounts withheld.
Non-U.S. Stockholders: If you are a Non-U.S. Stockholder, you are generally exempt from backup withholding and information reporting requirements with respect to:
Payment of the proceeds from the sale of shares of our capital stock effected at a foreign office of a broker generally will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, a sale of shares of our capital stock that is effected at a foreign office of a broker will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding if:
In addition, a sale of shares of our capital stock will be subject to information reporting if it is effected at a foreign office of a broker that is:
unless the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States person and the documentation requirements described above are met or you otherwise establish your right to an exemption. Backup withholding will apply if the sale is subject to information reporting and the broker has actual knowledge that you are a United States person.
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You generally may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules that exceed your income tax liability by filing a refund claim with the IRS.
State and Local Tax
We and our stockholders may be subject to state and local tax in various states and localities, including those in which we or they transact business, own property or reside. Our tax treatment and that of our stockholders in such jurisdictions may differ from the U.S. federal income tax treatment described above. Consequently, prospective stockholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect of state and local tax laws on an investment in shares of our capital stock.
IMPORTANCE OF OBTAINING PROFESSIONAL TAX ADVICE
THE TAX DISCUSSION SET FORTH ABOVE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. TAX CONSEQUENCES MAY VARY BASED UPON THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES OF EACH INVESTOR. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL AND APPLICABLE FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AN INVESTMENT IN OUR SECURITIES.
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These securities may be offered and sold directly by us, through dealers or agents designated from time to time, or to or through underwriters or may be offered and sold directly by us for consideration consisting of goods and property, including real property, or through a combination of these methods. The prospectus supplement with respect to the securities being offered will set forth the terms of the offering, including the names of the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, the purchase price of the securities, our net proceeds, any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters' compensation, public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers and any securities exchanges on which such securities may be listed. These securities may also be offered by us to our shareholders in lieu of dividends.
If underwriters are used in an offering, we will execute an underwriting agreement with such underwriters and will specify the name of each underwriter and the terms of the transaction (including any underwriting discounts and other terms constituting compensation of the underwriters and any dealers) in a prospectus supplement. If an underwriting syndicate is used, the managing underwriter(s) will be specified on the cover of the prospectus supplement. If underwriters are used in the sale, the offered securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own accounts and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time. Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the offered securities will be subject to conditions precedent and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the offered securities if any are purchased.
If dealers are used in an offering, we will sell the securities to the dealers as principals. The dealers may resell the securities to the public at varying prices, which they determine at the time of resale. The names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction will be specified in a prospectus supplement.
The securities may be sold directly by us or through agents we designate. If agents are used in an offering, the names of the agents and the terms of the agency will be specified in a prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the agents will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of their appointment.
Dealers and agents named in a prospectus supplement may be deemed to be underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the securities described therein. In addition, we may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resales thereof.
In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA"), the aggregate value of all compensation to be received by participating FINRA members in any offering will not exceed 8% of the offering proceeds.
Underwriters, dealers and agents, may be entitled to indemnification by us against specific civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters or agents may be required to make in respect thereof, under underwriting or other agreements. The terms of any indemnification provisions will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. Certain underwriters, dealers or agents and their associates may engage in transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.
If so indicated in a prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by institutional investors to purchase securities pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. We may enter contracts with commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable
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institutions and other institutional investors. The obligations of any institutional investor will be subject to the condition that its purchase of the offered securities will not be illegal at the time of delivery. The underwriters and other agents will not be responsible for the validity or performance of contracts.
Each prospectus supplement will indicate if the securities offered thereby will be listed on any securities exchange; however, we anticipate that any common shares sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be eligible for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance. Any underwriters to whom securities are sold by us for public offering and sale may make a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice.
The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Simeon Brinberg, Esq., 60 Cutter Mill Road, Suite 303, Great Neck, New York 11021. Mr. Brinberg is Senior Vice President and Senior Counsel of the Trust and as of August 16, 2013, may be deemed to beneficially own approximately 3.2% of the Trust's outstanding common shares. Matters described under "Federal Income Tax Considerations" will be passed on for us by Dentons US LLP. If legal matters in connection with offerings made pursuant to this prospectus are passed upon by counsel for the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, such counsel will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering.
The consolidated financial statement of BRT Realty Trust and Subsidiaries appearing in BRT Realty Trust's Annual Report (Form 10-K) (i) for the two years ended September 30, 2012 (including schedules appearing therein), and the effectiveness of BRT Realty Trust and Subsidiaries internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2012 have been audited by BDO USA, LLP, independent registered public accounting firm and, (ii) for the year ended September 30, 2010 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and BRT Realty Trust and Subsidiaries management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2012 are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firms as experts in accounting and auditing.
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