How are REITs taxed when sold?
John Johnson
Updated on March 10, 2026
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.
Who owns the property in a REIT?
The REIT typically is the general partner and the majority owner of the operating partnership units, and the partners who contributed properties have the right to exchange their operating partnership units for REIT shares or cash.
Can a REIT own residential property?
But you can invest in a REIT. REITs are investment vehicles made up of financial contributions from several investors. The properties that a residential REIT might purchase include single-family homes, student housing, apartment buildings, manufactured housing, condo buildings and townhomes.
Are REITs a good investment in 2021?
REITs have outperformed significantly in 2021.
How do REIT owners make money?
REITs make money from the properties they purchase by renting, leasing or selling them. The shareholders choose a board of directors, who are the ones responsible for choosing the investments and for hiring a team to manage them on a daily basis.
Can you lose money in a REIT?
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are popular investment vehicles that pay dividends to investors. Publicly traded REITs have the risk of losing value as interest rates rise, which typically sends investment capital into bonds.
Can a REIT allow you to buy an apartment?
The idea of a REIT is to allow investors to put their money to work in assets that would otherwise be impractical or impossible to buy. For example, most people reading this wouldn’t be able to buy a high-rise Manhattan apartment building, but there are REITs that can allow you to do just that. Most REITs specialize in a specific type of property.
Which is the third largest Residential REIT in the world?
Essex Property Trust (ESS) As mentioned earlier ESS is the fifth most successful retail residential REIT, and the third-largest with a market cap of $19,103. Essex is unique in that the company invests in three very specific markets, with extreme costs of homeownership.
Are there any real estate investment trusts that own apartments?
While there are a variety of commercial real estate types that REITs own, apartment REITs look especially well-positioned to benefit over the coming years as the millennial generation comes of age and home ownership has become increasingly unaffordable for millions.
How many REITs are there in the United States?
As of December 2020, the REIT’s portfolio consisted of 66 properties and 5.4 million square feet across 16 states. Remaining lease terms are lengthy at 16.1 years, and its properties are 99.3% leased.