Zip Forms For Realtors

Earning money from a publicly owned real estate investment trust (REIT) is like earning money from stocks. You receive dividends from the profits of the company and can sell your shares at a profit when their value in the marketplace increases.

If you own shares in a REIT, you should receive a copy of IRS Form 1099-DIV each year. This tells you how much you received in dividends and what kind of dividends they were: Ordinary income dividends are reported in Box 1. Capital gains distributions are generally reported in Box 2a.

Most REITs have a straightforward business model: The REIT leases space and collects rents on the properties, then distributes that income as dividends to shareholders. Mortgage REITs don't own real estate, but finance real estate, instead. These REITs earn income from the interest on their investments.

Invest at least 75% of total assets in real estate, cash, or U.S. Treasuries. Derive at least 75% of gross income from rents, interest on mortgages that finance real property, or real estate sales. Pay a minimum of 90% of taxable income in the form of shareholder dividends each year.

Find investors Your company will need at least 100 investors to be classified as a REIT. You don't necessarily need to get all 100 up front, since the IRS only requires you to meet that threshold by the beginning of the REIT's second tax year.

Any entity that would be treated as a domestic corporation for federal income tax purposes but for the ReIT election may qualify for treatment as a ReIT.The net effect of these rules is that an entity formed as a trust, partnership, limited liability company or corporation can be a ReIT.

The majority of REIT dividends are taxed as ordinary income up to the maximum rate of 37% (returning to 39.6% in 2026), plus a separate 3.8% surtax on investment income. Taxpayers may also generally deduct 20% of the combined qualified business income amount which includes Qualified REIT Dividends through Dec.

To qualify as a REIT, a company must have the bulk of its assets and income connected to real estate investment and must distribute at least 90 percent of its taxable income to shareholders annually in the form of dividends.

Draw up a partnership agreement that designates the percent ownership, financial contributions and responsibilities of each partner in the REIT. Incorporate your management company with the secretary of state in the state in which your REIT will operate. Draft an offering prospectus.