e424b3
Filed
Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-167270
PROSPECTUS
UDR, Inc.
3,882,187 Shares
of Common Stock
The selling stockholders identified in this prospectus may offer and sell from time to time up
to 3,882,187 shares of common stock covered by this prospectus. The shares of common stock that
may be offered and sold by the selling stockholders consist of shares of our common stock issuable
upon the exchange of limited partnership interests, referred to in this prospectus as the OP
Units, of United Dominion Realty, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership. We are the general
partner of United Dominion Realty, L.P. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the
shares of common stock offered by the selling stockholders.
Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol UDR. On June 22,
2010, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $19.45
per share.
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See Risk Factors
beginning on page 1 of this prospectus and the risks set forth under the caption Item 1A. Risk
Factors included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
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 June 23, 2010
Table of Contents
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You should only rely on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone
provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. An offer to
sell these securities will not be made in any jurisdiction where the offer and sale is not
permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, as well as
information we previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and incorporated by
reference, is accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus only. Our business,
financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
Unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires, references in this
prospectus to UDR, we, us, our or the company are to UDR, Inc.
ii
UDR, INC.
We are a self-administered real estate investment trust, or REIT, that owns, acquires,
renovates, develops and manages apartment communities nationwide. As of March 31, 2010, we owned
or had an ownership position in 51,320 apartment homes including 971 homes under development.
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. To continue to qualify as a REIT under the Code, we must
continue to meet certain tests which, among other things, generally require that our assets consist
primarily of real estate assets, our income be derived primarily from real estate assets, and that
we distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (other than our net capital gain) to our
stockholders. As a qualified REIT, we generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxes
on our REIT taxable income to the extent we distribute such income to our stockholders.
We were formed in 1972 as a Virginia corporation and reincorporated in the State of Maryland
in June 2003. Our principal offices are located at 1745 Shea Center Drive, Suite 200, Highlands
Ranch, Colorado 80129 and our telephone number at that address is (720) 283-6120.
Additional information regarding our company is set forth in documents on file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, and incorporated by reference in this prospectus,
as described below under the sections entitled Where You Can Find More Information and
Incorporation of Information Filed With the SEC.
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common stock is subject to risk. Our business, financial condition,
and results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The trading
price of our common stock could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of
your investment. Before you decide to invest in our common stock, you should carefully consider the
risks described below and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q, as such risks may be amended, updated or modified periodically in our reports filed with
the SEC, as well as the other information included in and incorporated by reference in this
prospectus.
The market value of our common stock could be substantially affected by various factors.
Market volatility may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. As with other
publically traded securities, the share price of our common stock depends on many factors, which
may change from time to time, including:
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the market for similar securities issued by REITs, |
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changes in estimates by analysts, |
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our ability to meet analysts estimates, |
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prevailing interest rates, |
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our credit rating, |
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general economic and financial market conditions, and |
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our financial condition, performance and prospects. |
Our issuance of additional capital stock or debt securities, whether or not convertible, may
reduce the market price for shares of our common stock and dilute the ownership interests of
existing stockholders. We cannot predict the effect, if any, that future sales of our capital
stock or debt securities, or the availability of our securities for future sale, will have on the
market price of shares of our common stock. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock or
preferred shares, or debt securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common
stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales might occur, could negatively impact
the market price of our common stock and the terms upon which we may obtain additional equity
financing in the future. The issuance of any additional shares of our common stock or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or that represent the right to receive common
stock, or the exercise of such securities, could be substantially dilutive to holders of our common
stock, including purchasers of common stock in this offering.
In addition, we may issue additional capital stock in the future to raise capital or as a
result of the following:
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the issuance and exercise of options to purchase our common stock, |
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the issuance of shares pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan, and |
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the issuance of debt securities or preferred stock exchangeable for or
convertible into our common stock. |
Legislative or regulatory action could adversely affect purchasers of our common stock. In
recent years, numerous legislative, judicial and administrative changes have been made in the
provisions of the federal income tax laws applicable to investments similar to an investment in our
common stock. Changes are likely to continue to occur in the future, and we cannot assure you that
any of these changes will not adversely affect our stockholders stock. Any of these changes could
have an adverse effect on an investment in our common stock or on market value or resale potential
of our common stock. Stockholders are urged to consult with their own tax advisor with respect to
the impact that recent legislation may have on their investment and the status of legislative,
regulatory or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on their
investment in our stock.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain
statements about future events and expectations that constitute forward-looking statements within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the Securities Act), Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements concerning
property acquisitions and dispositions, development activity and capital expenditures, capital
raising activities, rent growth, occupancy, and rental expense growth. Words such as expects,
anticipates, intends, plans, believes, seeks, estimates, and variations of such words
and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such statements
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements to be materially different from
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the results of operations or plans expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Such factors include, among other things, unanticipated adverse business developments affecting us
or our properties, adverse changes in the real estate markets and general and local economies and
business conditions. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying such forward-looking
statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore such
statements may not prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the
forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be
regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the results or conditions
described in such statements or our objectives and plans will be achieved. Any forward-looking
statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made; and, except to fulfill our obligations
under the United States securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update any such statement to
reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made.
The following factors, among others, could cause our future results to differ materially from
those expressed in the forward-looking statements:
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general economic factors, |
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unfavorable changes in apartment market and economic conditions that could
adversely affect occupancy levels and rental rates, |
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the failure of acquisitions to achieve anticipated results, |
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possible difficulty in selling apartment communities, |
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competitive factors that may limit our ability to lease apartment homes or
increase or maintain rents, |
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insufficient cash flow that could affect our debt financing and create
refinancing risk, |
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failure to generate sufficient revenue, which could impair our debt service
payments and distributions to stockholders, |
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development and construction risks that may impact our profitability, |
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potential damage from natural disasters, including hurricanes and other
weather-related events, which could result in substantial costs to us, |
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risks from extraordinary losses for which we may not have insurance or adequate
reserves, |
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uninsured losses due to insurance deductibles, self-insurance retention,
uninsured claims or casualties, or losses in excess of applicable coverage, |
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delays in completing developments and lease-ups on schedule, |
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our failure to succeed in new markets, |
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changing interest rates, which could increase interest costs and affect the
market price of our securities, |
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potential liability for environmental contamination, which could result in
substantial costs to us, |
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the imposition of federal taxes if we fail to qualify as a REIT under the Code
in any taxable year, |
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our internal control over financial reporting may not be considered effective
which could result in a loss of investor confidence in our financial reports, and in
turn have an adverse effect on our stock price, and |
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changes in real estate laws, tax laws and other laws affecting our business. |
Please also refer to the section entitled Risk Factors in our most recent Annual Report on
Form 10-K for further information on these and other risks affecting us.
All of the above factors are difficult to predict, contain uncertainties that may materially
affect actual results, and may be beyond our control. New factors emerge from time to time, and it
is not possible for our management to predict all of such factors or to assess the effect of each
such factor on our business.
USE OF PROCEEDS
All of the common stock offered under this prospectus is being sold by the selling
stockholders. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the common stock offered by the
selling stockholders.
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
This prospectus relates to the offer and sale of up to 3,882,187 shares of our common stock by
the selling stockholders listed below and certain of their donees, pledgees, transferees and
successors-in-interest. The following table sets forth certain information known to us with
respect to the selling stockholders and their beneficial ownership of shares of common stock as of
June 22, 2010. Beneficial ownership and percentage ownership are determined in accordance with Rule
13d-3 of the Exchange Act. Percentage ownership is based on 163,026,426 shares of our common stock
outstanding as of June 22, 2010.
The shares of our common stock that may be offered and sold under this prospectus consist of
shares of our common stock issuable upon the exchange of OP Units that have been issued to the
selling stockholders prior to the date hereof. Each selling stockholder may cause United Dominion
Realty, L.P. to redeem the selling stockholders OP Units, in which case we may elect to redeem
such OP Units either by paying cash or by issuing shares of our common stock. If we issue shares
of our common stock, then each OP Unit is exchangeable into one share of our common stock, subject
to certain adjustments set forth in the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of
United Dominion Realty, L.P., as amended.
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Except as indicated below or as otherwise described in this prospectus, none of the selling
stockholders holds any position or office or has had any other material relationship with us, or
any of our predecessors or affiliates, during the past three years. Each of the selling
stockholders has represented to us that it is not a registered broker-dealer or affiliated with a
registered broker-dealer.
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Shares |
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Shares Beneficially |
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Shares Beneficially |
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Offered |
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Owned Before Offering |
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Owned After Offering (2) |
Name of Selling Stockholder |
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Hereby (1) |
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Number |
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Percent |
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Number |
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Percent |
The Klingbeil Trust, Dated
April 24, 1990(3) |
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1,311,978 |
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1,311,978 |
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* |
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0 |
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* |
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Riverwood Limited
Partnership(3) |
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242,384 |
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242,384 |
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* |
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0 |
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* |
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The Klingbeil Family Trust(3) |
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8,364 |
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8,364 |
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* |
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0 |
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* |
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Klingbeil Partners Co. III(3) |
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36,947 |
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36,947 |
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* |
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0 |
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* |
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American Apartment
Communities, Inc.(3) |
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62,506 |
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62,506 |
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* |
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0 |
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* |
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Fox Point Ltd.(3) |
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131,653 |
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131,653 |
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* |
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0 |
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* |
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The Klingbeil Company(3) |
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298,965 |
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298,965 |
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* |
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0 |
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* |
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Wood Lake Partners, LLC(3) |
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110,734 |
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110,734 |
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* |
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0 |
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* |
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Revocable Trust Created by
Berthe D. Klingbeil Dated October
18, 1988 at Madison, Ohio (James
D. Klingbeil, Trustee)(3) |
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7,704 |
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7,704 |
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* |
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0 |
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* |
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Thomas W. Toomey(4) |
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665,860 |
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4,001,958 |
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2.45 |
% |
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3,336,098 |
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2.05 |
% |
Matthew T. Akin(5) |
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6,535 |
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84,133 |
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* |
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77,598 |
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* |
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Certain persons and entities
who acquired OP Units in 1998 |
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122,080 |
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123,080 |
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* |
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1,000 |
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* |
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Certain persons and entities
who acquired OP Units in 1999 |
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30,315 |
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30,855 |
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* |
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540 |
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* |
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Certain persons and entities
who acquired OP Units in 2001 |
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564,468 |
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564,468 |
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* |
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0 |
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* |
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Certain persons and entities
who acquired OP Units in 2003(6) |
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281,694 |
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302,237 |
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* |
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20,543 |
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* |
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5
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Less than one percent. |
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(1) |
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Assumes exchange in full of the selling stockholders OP Units into shares of our common stock on a one-to-one
basis. The number of shares issuable upon exchange of the OP Units is subject to adjustment under certain
circumstances as set forth in the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of United Dominion Realty,
L.P., as amended. |
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(2) |
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Assumes the sale of all shares of common stock offered by this prospectus and no other purchases or sales of
our common stock by the selling stockholder. If the selling stockholder does not sell all of the shares of common
stock offered by this prospectus, actual ownership after the offering will be higher than this table reflects.
Because the selling stockholders may sell some or all of the shares offered hereby, and because there are currently
no agreements, arrangements or understandings with respect to the sale of any of such shares, no estimate can be
given as to the number of shares that will be held by the selling stockholders upon termination of any offering
made hereby. |
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(3) |
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Mr. James D. Klingbeil, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of UDR, Inc., is deemed to beneficially own
indirectly the shares of common stock into which the selling stockholders OP Units are convertible if UDR, Inc.
elects to issue shares of its common stock rather than pay cash upon redemption of the OP Units. |
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(4) |
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Mr. Toomey is Chief Executive Officer, President and a director of UDR, Inc. The number of shares
beneficially owned by Mr. Toomey assumes exercise in full of all options exercisable within 60 days of June 22,
2010, and includes a total of 384,759 shares of restricted stock granted to Mr. Toomey on February 26, 2010 and
April 30, 2010, which shares do not vest until the achievement by the company of certain performance goals. As of
June 22, 2010, Mr. Toomey also beneficially owned 665,860 shares of our Series F Preferred Stock. |
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(5) |
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Mr. Akin is Senior Vice President Acquisitions & Dispositions of UDR, Inc. The number of shares
beneficially owned by Mr. Akin assumes exercise in full of all options exercisable within 60 days of June 22, 2010. |
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(6) |
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Includes Mr. Gregory M. Duggan, Vice President - Redevelopment of UDR, Inc., who beneficially
owns 3,267 OP Units and 20,543 shares of common stock, Mr. Thomas E.
Lamberth, Vice President - Development of UDR, Inc., who beneficially owns 4,901 OP Units, and
Dennis E. Sandidge, Vice President, Area Director of UDR, Inc., who beneficially owns 32,679 OP Units. |
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion describes certain U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to
the ownership and disposition of our common stock and the federal income tax considerations to us
as a REIT. Because this is a summary, it may not contain all the information that may be important
to you.
We urge you to consult your own tax advisor regarding the specific tax consequences to you of
the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of our common stock and of our election to be taxed as
a REIT. Specifically, you should consult your own tax advisor regarding the federal, state, local,
foreign, and other tax consequences of such acquisition, ownership, disposition, and election, and
regarding potential changes in applicable tax laws.
Regarding Our Status as a REIT and REIT Qualification
General
We elected to be taxed as a REIT under the federal income tax laws commencing with our taxable
year ended December 31, 1972. We believe that we have operated in a manner that permits us to
satisfy the requirements for taxation as a REIT under the applicable provisions of the Code.
Qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet, through actual annual
operating results, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership, the various
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qualification tests imposed under the Code discussed below. Although we intend to continue to
operate to satisfy such requirements, no assurance can be given that the actual results of our
operations for any particular taxable year will satisfy such requirements. See Failure to
Qualify.
The provisions of the Code, Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and other federal
income tax laws relating to qualification and operation as a REIT are highly technical and complex.
The following sets forth the material aspects of the laws that govern the federal income tax
treatment of a REIT. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the applicable Code provisions,
rules and Treasury Regulations thereunder, and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof.
Further, the anticipated income tax treatment described in this prospectus may be changed, perhaps
retroactively, by legislative, administrative or judicial action at any time.
In brief, if certain detailed conditions imposed by the REIT provisions of the Code are
satisfied, entities, such as us, that invest primarily in real estate and that otherwise would be
treated for federal income tax purposes as corporations, are generally not taxed at the corporate
level on their REIT taxable income that is distributed currently to stockholders. This treatment
substantially eliminates the double taxation (i.e., taxation at both the corporate and
stockholder levels) that generally results from investing in corporations.
If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any year, however, we will be subject to federal income tax
as if we were a domestic corporation. In addition, our stockholders will be taxed in the same
manner as stockholders of ordinary corporations (including, in the case of stockholders that are
not corporations, potentially being eligible for preferential tax rates on dividends received from
us). In that event, we could be subject to potentially significant tax liabilities, the amount of
cash available for distribution to our stockholders could be reduced and we would not be obligated
to make any distributions.
Taxation of the Company
In any year in which we qualify as a REIT, in general, we will not be subject to federal
income tax on that portion of our net income that we distribute to stockholders. However, we will
be subject to federal income tax as follows:
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We will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed taxable income,
including undistributed net capital gains. |
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We may be subject to the alternative minimum tax on our items of tax preference,
including any deductions of net operating losses. |
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If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or
other dispositions of inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the
ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be subject
to a 100% tax. See Prohibited Transactions, and Foreclosure Property, below. |
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If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with a foreclosure of a
mortgage loan or certain leasehold terminations as foreclosure property, we may |
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thereby avoid the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would
otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction), but the income from the sale or operation of
the property may be subject to corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate
(currently 35%). |
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If we should fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as
discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because we satisfy
other requirements, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount based on the magnitude of
the failure, as adjusted to reflect the profit margin associated with our gross income. |
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If we should violate the asset tests (other than certain de minimis violations) or
other requirements applicable to REITs, as described below, and yet maintain our
qualification as a REIT because there is reasonable cause for the failure and other
applicable requirements are met, we may be subject to an excise tax. In that case, the
amount of the excise tax will be at least $50,000 per failure, and, in the case of certain
asset test failures, will be determined as the amount of net income generated by the assets
in question multiplied by the highest corporate tax rate (currently 35%) if that amount
exceeds $50,000 per failure. |
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If we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85%
of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for
such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject
to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of
(i) the amounts that we actually distributed and (ii) the amounts we retained and upon
which we paid income tax at the corporate level. |
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We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS,
in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record keeping requirements intended
to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of a REITs stockholders,
as described below in Requirements for Qualification General. |
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A 100% tax may be imposed on transactions between us and a TRS (as described below)
that do not reflect arms-length terms. |
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If we acquire appreciated assets from a corporation that is not a REIT (i.e., a
corporation taxable under subchapter C of the Code) in a transaction in which the adjusted
tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis
of the assets in the hands of the subchapter C corporation, we may be subject to tax on
such appreciation at the highest corporate income tax rate then applicable if we
subsequently recognize gain on a disposition of any such assets during the ten-year period
following their acquisition from the subchapter C corporation. |
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The earnings of our subsidiaries, including any TRS, are subject to federal corporate
income tax to the extent that such subsidiaries are subchapter C corporations. |
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In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll
taxes and state, local, and foreign income, property and other taxes on our assets and operations.
We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.
Requirements for Qualification 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 be taxable as a domestic corporation but for its election to be subject to tax
as a REIT;
(4) that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to specific
provisions of the Code;
(5) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons;
(6) in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the
outstanding stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in
the Code to include specified tax-exempt entities); and
(7) which meets other tests described below, including with respect to the nature of its
income and assets.
The Code provides that conditions (1) through (4) must be met during the entire taxable year,
and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or
during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Conditions (5) and (6) need not be met
during a corporations initial tax year as a REIT. Our charter provides restrictions regarding the
ownership and transfers of our shares, which are intended to assist us in satisfying the share
ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above.
To monitor compliance with the share ownership requirements, we generally are required to
maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our shares. To do so, we must demand written
statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our stock pursuant to
which the record holders must disclose the actual owners of the shares (i.e., the persons required
to include our dividends in their gross income). We must maintain a list of those persons failing
or refusing to comply with this demand as part of our records. We could be subject to monetary
penalties if we fail to comply with these record-keeping requirements. If you fail or refuse to
comply with the demands, you will be required by Treasury regulations to submit a statement with
your tax return disclosing your actual ownership of our shares and other information.
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In addition, a corporation generally may not elect to become a REIT unless its taxable
year is the calendar year. We have adopted December 31 as our year-end, and thereby will satisfy
this requirement.
The Code provides relief from violations of certain of the REIT requirements, in cases where a
violation is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, and other requirements are met,
including, in certain cases, the payment of a penalty tax that is based upon the magnitude of the
violation. See Income Tests and Asset Tests below. If we fail to satisfy any of the various
REIT requirements, there can be no assurance that these relief provisions would be available to
enable us to maintain our qualification as a REIT, and, if such relief provisions are available,
the amount of any resultant penalty tax could be substantial.
Effect of Subsidiary Entities
Ownership of Partnership Interests. If we are a partner in an entity that is treated as a
partnership for federal income tax purposes, Treasury regulations provide that we are deemed to own
our proportionate share of the partnerships assets, and to earn our proportionate share of the
partnerships income, for purposes of the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs. Our
proportionate share of a partnerships assets and income is based on our capital interest in the
partnership (except that for purposes of the 10% value test, our proportionate share of the
partnerships assets is based on our proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt
securities issued by the partnership). In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership
are deemed to retain the same character in our hands. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets
and items of income of any of our subsidiary partnerships will be treated as our assets and items
of income for purposes of applying the REIT requirements. A summary of certain rules governing the
federal income taxation of partnerships and their partners is provided below in Tax Aspects of
Investments in Affiliated Partnerships.
Disregarded Subsidiaries. If we own a corporate subsidiary that is a qualified REIT
subsidiary, that subsidiary is generally disregarded for federal income tax purposes, and all of
the subsidiarys assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit are treated as our
assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit, including for purposes of the gross
income and asset tests applicable to REITs. A qualified REIT subsidiary is any corporation, other
than a TRS (as described below) that is directly or indirectly wholly-owned by a REIT. Other
entities that are wholly-owned by us, including single member limited liability companies that have
not elected to be taxed as corporations for federal income tax purposes, are also generally
disregarded as separate entities for federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the
REIT income and asset tests. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with any partnerships in which UDR
holds an equity interest, are sometimes referred to herein as pass-through subsidiaries.
In the event that a disregarded subsidiary of ours ceases to be wholly-owned for example, if
any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded
subsidiary of ours the subsidiarys separate existence would no longer be disregarded for federal
income tax purposes. Instead, the subsidiary would have multiple owners and would be treated as
either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances,
adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross
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income requirements applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may
not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the securities of another corporation. See
Asset Tests and Income Tests.
Taxable Subsidiaries. In general, we may jointly elect with a subsidiary corporation, whether
or not wholly-owned, to treat the subsidiary corporation as a TRS. We generally may not own more
than 10% of the securities of a taxable corporation, as measured by voting power or value, unless
we and such corporation elect to treat such corporation as a TRS. The separate existence of a TRS
or other taxable corporation is not ignored for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, a TRS or
other taxable corporation generally would be subject to corporate income tax on its earnings, which
may reduce the cash flow that we and our subsidiaries generate in the aggregate, and may reduce our
ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
We are not treated as holding the assets of a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation or
as receiving any income that the subsidiary earns. Rather, the stock issued by a taxable subsidiary
to us is an asset in our hands, and we treat the dividends paid to us from such taxable subsidiary,
if any, as income. This treatment can affect our income and asset test calculations, as described
below. Because we do not include the assets and income of TRSs or other taxable subsidiary
corporations in determining our compliance with the REIT requirements, we may use such entities to
undertake indirectly activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude us from doing directly
or through pass-through subsidiaries. For example, we may use TRSs or other taxable subsidiary
corporations to conduct activities that give rise to certain categories of income such as
management fees or to conduct activities that, if conducted by us directly, would be treated as
prohibited transactions.
Income Tests
In order to qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy two gross income requirements on an annual
basis. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year, excluding gross income from
sales of inventory or dealer property in prohibited transactions and certain hedging
transactions, generally must be derived from investments relating to real property or mortgages on
real property, including interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real property
(including certain types of mortgage backed securities), rents from real property, dividends
received from other REITs, and gains from the sale of real estate assets, as well as specified
income from temporary investments. Second, at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year,
excluding gross income from prohibited transactions and certain hedging transactions, must be
derived from some combination of such income from investments in real property (i.e., income that
qualifies under the 75% income test described above), as well as other dividends, interest, and
gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real
property.
Rents we receive from a tenant will qualify as rents from real property for the purpose of
satisfying the gross income requirements for a REIT described above only if all of the following
conditions are met:
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The amount of rent must not be based in any way on the income or
profits of any person. |
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However, an amount we receive or accrue
generally will not be excluded from the term rents from real
property solely because it is based on a fixed percentage or
percentages of receipts or sales; |
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We, or an actual or constructive owner of 10% or more of our stock,
must not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the interests
in the assets or net profits of the tenant, or, if the tenant is a
corporation, 10% or more of the voting power or value of all classes
of stock of the tenant; |
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Rent attributable to personal property, leased in connection with a
lease of real property, is not greater than 15% of the total rent
received under the lease. If this condition is not met, then the
portion of the rent attributable to personal property will not qualify
as rents from real property; and |
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We generally must not operate or manage the property or furnish or
render services to our tenants, subject to a 1% de minimis exception
and except as provided below. We may, however, perform services that
are usually or customarily rendered in connection with the rental of
space for occupancy only and are not otherwise considered rendered to
the occupant of the property. Examples of these services include the
provision of light, heat, or other utilities, trash removal and
general maintenance of common areas. In addition, we may employ an
independent contractor from whom we derive no income to provide
customary services, or a taxable REIT subsidiary, which may be wholly
or partially owned by us, to provide both customary and non-customary
services to our tenants without causing the rent we receive from those
tenants to fail to qualify as rents from real property. Any amounts
we receive from a taxable REIT subsidiary with respect to the taxable
REIT subsidiarys provision of non-customary services will, however,
be nonqualifying income under the 75% gross income test and, except to
the extent received through the payment of dividends, the 95% REIT
gross income test. |
We generally do not intend, and as the general partner of certain subsidiary partnerships do
not intend to permit our subsidiary partnerships, to take actions we believe will cause us to fail
to satisfy the rental conditions described above. In addition, with respect to the limitation on
the rental of personal property, we have not obtained appraisals of the real property and personal
property leased to tenants. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with our
determinations of value.
Income we receive that is attributable to the rental of parking spaces at the properties will
constitute rents from real property for purposes of the REIT gross income tests if certain services
provided with respect to the parking facilities are performed by independent contractors from whom
we derive no income, either directly or indirectly, or by a taxable REIT subsidiary, and certain
other conditions are met. We believe that the income we receive that is attributable to parking
facilities meets these tests and, accordingly, will constitute rents from real property for
purposes of the REIT gross income tests.
From time to time, we may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our
liabilities. The term hedging transaction generally means any transaction we enter into in
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the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of interest rate changes or
fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made. The hedging activities may include
entering into interest rate swaps, caps, and floors, options to purchase these items, and futures
and forward contracts. Income from a hedging transaction, including gain from the sale or
disposition of such a transaction, that is clearly identified as such as specified in the Code will
not constitute gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test (for transactions
entered into prior to July 31, 2008, hedging transaction income will not constitute gross income
for purposes of the 95% gross income test only), and therefore will be exempt from this test. To
the extent that we do not properly identify such transactions as hedges, the income from those
transactions is not likely to be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the gross income
tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our
status as a REIT.
We may directly or indirectly receive distributions from TRSs or other corporations that are
not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions generally are treated as dividend
income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Such
distributions will generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income
test, but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any dividends that we receive from a REIT,
however, will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 95% and 75% gross income tests.
Interest income constitutes qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income
test to the extent that the obligation upon which such interest is paid 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
acquired or originated the mortgage loan, the interest income will be apportioned between the real
property and the other collateral, and our 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.
If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year,
we may still qualify as a REIT for such year if we are entitled to relief under applicable
provisions of the Code. These relief provisions will be generally available if (1) our failure to
meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and (2) following our
identification of the failure to meet the 75% or 95% gross income test for any taxable year, we
file a schedule with the IRS setting forth each item of our gross income for purposes of the 75% or
95% gross income test for such taxable year in accordance with Treasury regulations yet to be
issued. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief
provisions in all circumstances. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of
circumstances, we will not qualify as a REIT. As discussed above under Taxation of REITs in
General, even where these relief provisions apply, the Code imposes a tax based upon the amount by
which we fail to satisfy the particular income test.
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Asset Tests
At the close of each calendar quarter, we must also satisfy four tests relating to the nature
of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some
combination of real estate assets, cash, cash items, U.S. government securities, and, under some
circumstances, stock or debt instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate
assets include interests in real property, such as land, buildings, leasehold interests in real
property, stock of other corporations that qualify as REITs, and some kinds of mortgage-backed
securities and mortgage loans. Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross test are
subject to the additional asset tests described below.
Second, the value of any one issuers securities that we own may not exceed 5% of the value of
our total assets.
Third, we may not own more than 10% of any one issuers outstanding securities, as measured by
either voting power or value. The 5% and 10% asset tests do not apply to securities of TRSs and
qualified REIT subsidiaries and the 10% asset test does not apply to straight debt having
specified characteristics and to certain other securities described below. Solely for purposes of
the 10% asset test, the determination of our interest in the assets of a partnership or limited
liability company in which we own an interest will be based on our proportionate interest in any
securities issued by the partnership or limited liability company, excluding for this purpose
certain securities described in the Code.
Fourth, the aggregate value of all securities of TRSs that we hold may not exceed 25% (20%
with respect to taxable years commencing prior to July 31, 2008) of the value of our total assets.
Notwithstanding the general rule, as noted above, that for purposes of the REIT income and
asset tests we are treated as owning our proportionate share of the underlying assets of a
subsidiary partnership, if we hold indebtedness issued by a partnership, the indebtedness will be
subject to, and may cause a violation of, the asset tests unless the indebtedness is a qualifying
mortgage asset or other conditions are met. Similarly, although stock of another REIT is a
qualifying asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests, any non-mortgage debt that is issued by
another REIT may not so qualify (such debt, however, will not be treated as securities for
purposes of the 10% asset test, as explained below).
Certain securities will not cause a violation of the 10% asset test described above. Such
securities include instruments that constitute straight debt, which includes, among other things,
securities having certain contingency features. A security does not qualify as straight debt
where a REIT (or a controlled TRS of the REIT) owns other securities of the same issuer which do
not qualify as straight debt, unless the value of those other securities constitute, in the
aggregate, 1% or less of the total value of that issuers outstanding securities. In addition to
straight debt, the Code provides that certain other securities will not violate the 10% asset test.
Such securities include (1) any loan made to an individual or an estate, (2) certain rental
agreements pursuant to which one or more payments are to be made in subsequent years (other than
agreements between a REIT and certain persons related to the REIT under attribution rules),
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(3) any obligation to pay rents from real property, (4) securities issued by governmental
entities that are not dependent in whole or in part on the profits of (or payments made by) a
non-governmental entity, (5) any security (including debt securities) issued by another REIT, and
(6) any debt instrument issued by a partnership if the partnerships income is of a nature that it
would satisfy the 75% gross income test described above under Income Tests. In applying the 10%
asset test, a debt security issued by a partnership is not taken into account to the extent, if
any, of the REITs proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by that
partnership.
No independent appraisals have been obtained to support our conclusions as to the value of our
total assets or the value of any particular security or securities. Moreover, values of some
assets, including instruments issued in securitization transactions, may not be susceptible to a
precise determination, and values are subject to change in the future. Furthermore, the proper
classification of an instrument as debt or equity for federal income tax purposes may be uncertain
in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT asset requirements.
Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in our
subsidiaries or in the securities of other issuers will not cause a violation of the REIT asset
tests.
However, certain relief provisions are available to allow REITs to satisfy the asset
requirements or to maintain REIT qualification notwithstanding certain violations of the asset and
other requirements. One such provision allows a REIT which fails one or more of the asset
requirements to nevertheless maintain its REIT qualification if (1) the REIT provides the IRS with
a description of each asset causing the failure, (2) the failure is due to reasonable cause and not
willful neglect, (3) the REIT pays a tax equal to the greater of (a) $50,000 per failure, and
(b) the product of the net income generated by the assets that caused the failure multiplied by the
highest applicable corporate tax rate (currently 35%), and (4) the REIT either disposes of the
assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the quarter in which it
identifies the failure, or otherwise satisfies the relevant asset tests within that time frame.
In the case of de minimis violations of the 10% and 5% asset tests, a REIT may maintain its
qualification despite a violation of such requirements if (1) the value of the assets causing the
violation does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the REITs total assets and $10,000,000, and (2) the
REIT either disposes of the assets causing the failure within six months after the last day of the
quarter in which it identifies the failure, or the relevant tests are otherwise satisfied within
that time frame.
If we should fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter, such a failure
would not cause us to lose our REIT qualification if we (1) satisfied the asset tests at the close
of the preceding calendar quarter and (2) the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the
asset requirements was not wholly or partly caused by an acquisition of non-qualifying assets, but
instead arose from changes in the market value of our assets. If the condition described in
(2) were not satisfied, we still could avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within
30 days after the close of the calendar quarter in which it arose or by making use of relief
provisions described below.
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Annual Distribution Requirements
In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital
gain dividends, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to:
(a) the sum of
(1) 90% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to our net capital gains and the
deduction for dividends paid, and
(2) 90% of our net income, if any, (after tax) from foreclosure property (as described below),
minus
(b) the sum of specified items of non-cash income.
We generally must make these distributions in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the
following taxable year if declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and if paid
with or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration. In order for
distributions to be counted as satisfying the annual distribution requirements for REITS, and to
provide us with a REIT-level tax deduction, the distributions must not be preferential dividends.
A dividend is not a preferential dividend if the distribution is (1) pro rata among all outstanding
shares of stock within a particular class, and (2) in accordance with the preferences among
different classes of stock as set forth in our organizational documents.
To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our REIT taxable
income, as adjusted, we will be subject to tax at ordinary corporate tax rates on the retained
portion. We may elect to retain, rather than distribute, our net long-term capital gains and pay
tax on such gains. In this case, we could elect for our stockholders to include their proportionate
shares of such undistributed long-term capital gains in income, and to receive a corresponding
credit for their share of the tax that we paid. Our stockholders would then increase their adjusted
basis of their stock by the difference between (a) the amounts of capital gain dividends that we
designated and that they include in their taxable income, and (b) the tax that we paid on their
behalf with respect to that income.
To the extent that in the future we may have available net operating losses carried forward
from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order
to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Such losses, however, will generally not affect
the character, in the hands of our stockholders, of any distributions that are actually made as
ordinary dividends or capital gains. See Taxation of Stockholders Taxation of Taxable Domestic
Stockholders Distributions.
If we should fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our
REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and
(c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a non-deductible 4%
excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (x) the
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amounts actually distributed, and (y) the amounts of income we retained and on which we paid
corporate income tax.
It is possible that, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash to meet the
distribution requirements due to timing differences between our actual receipt of cash, including
receipt of distributions from our subsidiaries and our inclusion of items in income for federal
income tax purposes. Alternatively, we may declare a taxable dividend payable in cash or stock at
the election of each shareholder, where the aggregate amount of cash to be distributed in such
dividend may be subject to limitation. In such case, for federal income tax purposes, the amount of
the dividend paid in stock will be equal to the amount of cash that could have been received
instead of stock.
In the event that such timing differences occur, in order to meet the distribution
requirements, it might be necessary for us to arrange for short-term, or possibly long-term,
borrowings or to pay dividends in the form of taxable in-kind distributions of property.
We may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirements for a year by paying
deficiency dividends to stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for
dividends paid for the earlier year. In this case, we may be able to avoid losing REIT
qualification or being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends. We will be required to
pay interest and a penalty based on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.
Prohibited Transactions
Net income that we derive from a prohibited transaction, is subject to a 100% tax. The term
prohibited transaction generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than
foreclosure property, as discussed below) that is held primarily for sale to customers in the
ordinary course of a trade or business by us or by a borrower that has issued a shared appreciation
mortgage or similar debt instrument to us. We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset
that we own (or are treated as owning) will be treated as, or as having been, held for sale to
customers, and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary
course of our business. Whether property is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary
course of a trade or business depends on the particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can
be given that any property that we sell will not be treated as property held for sale to customers,
or that we can comply with certain safe-harbor provisions of the Code that would prevent such
treatment. The 100% tax does not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a
TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of the
corporation at regular corporate rates.
Foreclosure Property
Foreclosure property is real property and any personal property incident to such real property
(1) that we acquire as the result of having bid in the property at foreclosure, or having otherwise
reduced the property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after a default (or
upon imminent default) on a lease of the property or a mortgage loan held by us and
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secured by the property, (2) for which we acquired the related loan or lease at a time when
default was not imminent or anticipated, and (3) with respect to which we made a proper election to
treat the property as foreclosure property.
We generally will be subject to tax at the maximum corporate rate (currently 35%) on any net
income from foreclosure property, including any gain from the disposition of the foreclosure
property, other than income that constitutes qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income
test. Any gain from the sale of property for which a foreclosure property election has been made
will not be subject to the 100% tax on gains from prohibited transactions described above, even if
the property would otherwise constitute inventory or dealer property. To the extent that we receive
any income from foreclosure property that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income
test, we intend to make an election to treat the related property as foreclosure property.
Derivatives and Hedging Transactions
We and our subsidiaries may enter into hedging transactions with respect to interest rate
exposure on one or more of our assets or liabilities. Any such hedging transactions could take a
variety of forms, including the use of derivative instruments such as interest rate swap contracts,
interest rate cap or floor contracts, futures or forward contracts, and options. Except to the
extent provided by Treasury regulations, any income from a hedging transaction we enter into (1) in
the normal course of our business primarily to manage risk of interest rate or 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, which is clearly identified as
specified in Treasury regulations before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated,
or entered into, including gain from the sale or disposition of such a transaction, and
(2) primarily to manage risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain
that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% income tests which is clearly identified as
such before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into, will not
constitute gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test (for transactions entered
into prior to July 31, 2008, hedging transaction income will not constitute gross income for
purposes of the 95% gross income test only). To the extent that we enter into other types of
hedging transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying
income for purposes of both of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. We intend to structure any
hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT. We may
conduct some or all of our hedging activities (including hedging activities relating to currency
risk) through a TRS or other corporate entity, the income from which may be subject to federal
income tax, rather than by participating in the arrangements directly or through pass-through
subsidiaries. No assurance can be given, however, that our hedging activities will not give rise to
income that does not qualify for purposes of either or both of the REIT income tests, or that our
hedging activities will not adversely affect our ability to satisfy the REIT qualification
requirements.
Failure to Qualify
If we fail to satisfy
one or more requirements for REIT qualification other than the
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income or asset tests, we could avoid disqualification if our failure is due to reasonable cause
and not to willful neglect and we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. Relief provisions
are available for failures of the income tests and asset tests, as described above in Income
Tests and Asset Tests.
If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions
described above do not apply, we would be subject to tax, including any applicable alternative
minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. We cannot deduct distributions to
stockholders in any year in which we are not a REIT, nor would we be required to make distributions
in such a year. In this situation, to the extent of current and accumulated earnings and profits,
distributions to domestic stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates will generally be
taxable at capital gains rates (through 2010). In addition, subject to the limitations of the Code,
corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Unless we are entitled
to relief under specific statutory provisions, we would also be disqualified from re-electing to be
taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we lost qualification.
It is not possible to state whether, in all circumstances, we would be entitled to this statutory
relief.
Tax Aspects of Investments in Partnerships
General
We may hold investments through entities that are classified as partnerships for federal
income tax purposes. In general, partnerships are pass-through entities that are not subject to
federal income tax. Rather, partners are allocated their proportionate shares of the items of
income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of a partnership, and potentially are subject to tax on
these items, without regard to whether the partners receive a distribution from the partnership. We
will include in our income our proportionate share of these partnership items for purposes of the
various REIT income tests and in computation of our REIT taxable income. Moreover, for purposes of
the REIT asset tests, we will include in our calculations our proportionate share of any assets
held by subsidiary partnerships. Our proportionate share of a partnerships assets and income is
based on our capital interest in the partnership (except that for purposes of the 10% value test,
our proportionate share is based on our proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt
securities issued by the partnership). See Taxation of UDR Effect of Subsidiary Entities
Ownership of Partnership Interests.
Entity Classification
Any investment in partnerships involves special tax considerations, including the possibility
of a challenge by the IRS of the status of any subsidiary partnership as a partnership, as opposed
to an association taxable as a corporation, for federal income tax purposes. If any of these
entities were treated as an association for federal income tax purposes, it would be taxable as a
corporation and therefore could be subject to an entity-level tax on its income. In such a
situation, the character of our assets and items of gross income would change and could preclude us
from satisfying the REIT asset tests or the income tests as discussed in Taxation of UDR Asset
Tests and Income Tests, and in turn could prevent us from qualifying as a REIT,
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unless we are eligible for relief from the violation pursuant to the relief provisions
described above. See Taxation of UDR Asset Tests, Income Test and Failure to Qualify,
above, for discussion of the effect of failure to satisfy the REIT tests for a taxable year, and of
the relief provisions. In addition, any change in the status of any subsidiary partnership for tax
purposes might be treated as a taxable event, in which case we could have taxable income that is
subject to the REIT distribution requirements without receiving any cash.
Tax Allocations with Respect to Partnership Properties
Under the Code and the Treasury regulations, income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to
appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an
interest in the partnership must be allocated for tax purposes so that the contributing partner is
charged with, or benefits from, the unrealized gain or unrealized loss associated with the property
at the time of the contribution. The amount of the unrealized gain or unrealized loss is generally
equal to the difference between the fair market value of the contributed property at the time of
contribution, and the adjusted tax basis of such property at the time of contribution (a book-tax
difference). Such allocations are solely for federal income tax purposes and do not affect the
book capital accounts or other economic or legal arrangements among the partners.
To the extent that any of our subsidiary partnerships acquires appreciated (or depreciated)
properties by way of capital contributions from its partners, allocations would need to be made in
a manner consistent with these requirements. Where a partner contributes cash to a partnership at a
time that the partnership holds appreciated (or depreciated) property, the Treasury regulations
provide for a similar allocation of these items to the other (i.e., non-contributing) partners.
These rules may apply to a contribution that we make to any subsidiary partnerships of the cash
proceeds received in offerings of our stock. As a result, the partners of our subsidiary
partnerships, including us, could be allocated greater or lesser amounts of depreciation and
taxable income in respect of a partnerships properties than would be the case if all of the
partnerships assets (including any contributed assets) had a tax basis equal to their fair market
values at the time of any contributions to that partnership. This could cause us to recognize, over
a period of time, taxable income in excess of cash flow from the partnership, which might adversely
affect our ability to comply with the REIT distribution requirements discussed above.
Taxation of Stockholders
Taxation of Taxable Domestic Stockholders
Distributions. So long as we qualify as a REIT, the distributions that we make to our taxable
domestic stockholders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits that we do not designate
as capital gain dividends will generally be taken into account by stockholders as ordinary income
and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations. With limited
exceptions, our dividends are not eligible for taxation at the preferential income tax rates (i.e.,
the 15% maximum federal rate through 2010) for qualified dividends received by domestic
stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates from taxable C corporations. Such
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stockholders, however, are taxed at the preferential rates on dividends designated by and
received from REITs to the extent that the dividends are attributable to:
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income retained by the REIT in the prior taxable year on which the REIT was
subject to corporate level income tax (less the amount of tax); |
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dividends received by the REIT from TRSs or other taxable C corporations; or |
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income in the prior taxable year from the sales of built-in gain property
acquired by the REIT from C corporations in carryover basis transactions
(less the amount of corporate tax on such income). |
Distributions that we designate as capital gain dividends will generally be taxed to our
stockholders as long-term capital gains, to the extent that such distributions do not exceed our
actual net capital gain for the taxable year, without regard to the period for which the
stockholder that receives such distribution has held its stock. We may elect to retain and pay
taxes on some or all of our net long-term capital gains, in which case provisions of the Code will
treat our stockholders as having received, solely for tax purposes, our undistributed capital
gains, and the stockholders will receive a corresponding credit for taxes that we paid on such
undistributed capital gains. See Taxation of UDR Annual Distribution Requirements. Corporate
stockholders may be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income.
Long-term capital gains are generally taxable at maximum federal rates of 15% (through 2010) in the
case of stockholders that are individuals, trusts and estates, and 35% in the case of stockholders
that are corporations. Capital gains attributable to the sale of depreciable real property held for
more than 12 months are subject to a 25% maximum federal income tax rate for taxpayers who are
taxed as individuals, to the extent of previously claimed depreciation deductions.
Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will generally
represent a return of capital and will not be taxable to a stockholder to the extent that the
amount of such distributions do not exceed the adjusted basis of the stockholders shares in
respect of which the distributions were made. Rather, the distribution will reduce the adjusted
basis of the stockholders shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted basis
of a stockholders shares, the stockholder generally must include such distributions in income as
long-term capital gain, or short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for one year or
less. In addition, any dividend that we declare in October, November or December of any year and
that is payable to a stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as
both paid by us and received by the stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that we
actually pay the dividend before the end of January of the following calendar year.
To the extent that we have available net operating losses and capital losses carried forward
from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order
to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. See Taxation of UDR Annual Distribution
Requirements. Such losses, however, are not passed through to stockholders and do not offset
income of stockholders from other sources, nor would such losses
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affect the character of any distributions that we make, which are generally subject to tax in
the hands of stockholders to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and profits.
Dispositions of UDR Stock. In general, capital gains recognized by individuals, trusts and
estates upon the sale or disposition of our stock will be subject to a maximum federal income tax
rate of 15% (through 2010) if the stock is held for more than one year, and will be taxed at
ordinary income rates (of up to 35% through 2010) if the stock is held for one year or less. Gains
recognized by stockholders that are corporations are subject to federal income tax at a maximum
rate of 35%, whether or not such gains are classified as long-term capital gains. Capital losses
recognized by a stockholder upon the disposition of our stock that was held for more than one year
at the time of disposition will be considered long-term capital losses, and are generally available
only to offset capital gain income of the stockholder but not ordinary income (except in the case
of individuals, who may offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year). In addition, any loss
upon a sale or exchange of shares of our stock by a stockholder who has held the shares for six
months or less, after applying holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to
the extent of distributions that we make that are required to be treated by the stockholder as
long-term capital gain.
If an investor recognizes a loss upon a subsequent disposition of our stock or other
securities in an amount that exceeds a prescribed threshold, it is possible that the provisions of
Treasury regulations involving reportable transactions could apply, with a resulting requirement
to separately disclose the loss-generating transaction to the IRS. These regulations, though
directed towards tax shelters, are broadly written and apply to transactions that would not
typically be considered tax shelters. The Code imposes significant penalties for failure to comply
with these requirements. You should consult your tax advisor concerning any possible disclosure
obligation with respect to the receipt or disposition of our stock or securities or transactions
that we might undertake directly or indirectly. Moreover, you should be aware that we and other
participants in the transactions in which we are involved (including their advisors) might be
subject to disclosure or other requirements pursuant to these regulations.
Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations. Distributions that we make and
gain arising from the sale or exchange by a domestic stockholder of our stock will not be treated
as passive activity income. As a result, stockholders will not be able to apply any passive
losses against income or gain relating to our stock. To the extent that distributions we make do
not constitute a return of capital, they will be treated as investment income for purposes of
computing the investment interest limitation.
Taxation of Foreign Stockholders
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of the
ownership and disposition of our stock applicable to non-U.S. holders. A non-U.S. holder is any
person other than:
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a citizen or resident of the United States; |
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a corporation (or entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal
income tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or
under the laws of the United States, or of any state thereof, or the
District of Columbia; |
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an estate, the income of which is includable in gross income for
U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or |
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a trust if a United States court is able to exercise primary
supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more
United States fiduciaries have the authority to control all
substantial decisions of the trust. |
If a partnership, including for this purpose any entity that is treated as a partnership for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the
partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the
partnership. An investor that is a partnership and the partners in such partnership should consult
their tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and
disposition of our common stock.
Ordinary Dividends. The portion of dividends received by non-U.S. holders that is (1) payable
out of our earnings and profits, (2) not attributable to our capital gains and (3) not effectively
connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. holder, will be subject to U.S. withholding
tax at the rate of 30%, unless reduced or eliminated by treaty.
In general, non-U.S. holders will not be considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business
solely as a result of their ownership of our stock. In cases where the dividend income from a
non-U.S. holders investment in our stock is, or is treated as, effectively connected with the
non-U.S. holders conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. holder generally will be
subject to U.S. federal income tax at graduated rates, in the same manner as domestic stockholders
are taxed with respect to such dividends. Such income generally must be reported on a U.S. income
tax return filed by or on behalf of the non-U.S. holder. The income may also be subject to the 30%
branch profits tax in the case of a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation.
Non-Dividend Distributions. Unless our stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest (a
USRPI), distributions that we make which are not dividends out of our earnings and profits will
not be subject to U.S. income tax. If we cannot determine at the time a distribution is made
whether or not the distribution will exceed current and accumulated earnings and profits, the
distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to dividends. The
non-U.S. holder may seek a refund from the IRS of any amounts withheld if it subsequently is
determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings
and profits. If our stock constitutes a USRPI, as described below, distributions that we make in
excess of the sum of (a) the stockholders proportionate share of our earnings and profits, and
(b) the stockholders basis in its stock, will be taxed under the Foreign Investment in Real
Property Tax Act of 1980, or FIRPTA, at the rate of tax, including any applicable capital gains
rates, that would apply to a domestic stockholder of the same type (e.g., an individual or a
corporation, as the case may be), and the collection of the tax will be enforced by a refundable
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withholding at a rate of 10% of the amount by which the distribution exceeds the stockholders
share of our earnings and profits.
Capital Gain Dividends. Under FIRPTA, a distribution that we make to a non-U.S. holder, to
the extent attributable to gains from dispositions of USRPIs that we held directly or through
pass-through subsidiaries, or USRPI capital gains, will, except as described below, be considered
effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. holder and will be subject to
U.S. income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. individuals or corporations, without regard to
whether we designate the distribution as a capital gain dividend. See above under Taxation of
Foreign Stockholders Ordinary Dividends, for a discussion of the consequences of income that is
effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. In addition, we will be required to withhold
tax equal to 35% of the maximum amount that could have been designated as USRPI capital gains
dividends. Distributions subject to FIRPTA may also be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the
hands of a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation. A distribution is not a USRPI capital gain if we
held an interest in the underlying asset solely as a creditor. Capital gain dividends received by a
non-U.S. holder that are attributable to dispositions of our assets other than USRPIs are not
subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, unless (1) the gain is effectively connected
with the non-U.S. holders U.S. trade or business, in which case the non-U.S. holder would be
subject to the same treatment as U.S. holders with respect to such gain, or (2) the non-
U.S. holder 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
non-U.S. holder will incur a 30% tax on his or her capital gains.
A capital gain dividend that would otherwise have been treated as a USRPI capital gain will
not be so treated or be subject to FIRPTA, and generally will not be treated as income that is
effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business, and instead will be treated in the same manner
as an ordinary dividend (see Taxation of Foreign Stockholders Ordinary Dividends), if (1) the
capital gain dividend is received with respect to a class of stock that is regularly traded on an
established securities market located in the United States, and (2) the recipient non-U.S. holder
does not own more than 5% of that class of stock at any time during the year ending on the date on
which the capital gain dividend is received. We anticipate that our common stock will be regularly
traded on an established securities exchange.
Dispositions of UDR Stock. Unless our stock constitutes a USRPI, a sale of our stock by a
non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. taxation under FIRPTA. Our stock will not be
treated as a USRPI if less than 50% of our assets throughout a prescribed testing period consist of
interests in real property located within the United States, excluding, for this purpose, interests
in real property solely in a capacity as a creditor.
Even if the foregoing 50% test is not met, our stock nonetheless will not constitute a USRPI
if we are a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity. A domestically-controlled
qualified investment entity includes a REIT, less than 50% of value of which is held directly or
indirectly by non-U.S. holders at all times during a specified testing period. We believe that we
are, and we will be, a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity, and that a sale of our
stock should not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. However, no assurance can be given that we
are or will remain a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity.
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In the event that we are not a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity, but
our stock is regularly traded, as defined by applicable Treasury regulations, on an established
securities market, a non-U.S. holders sale of our common stock nonetheless would not be subject to
tax under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI, provided that the selling non-U.S. holder held 5% or less of
our outstanding common stock any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the sale. We
expect that our common stock will be publicly traded.
If gain on the sale of our stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. holder
would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return and would be subject to the same
treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, subject to applicable alternative
minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of non-resident alien individuals,
and the purchaser of the stock could be required to withhold 10% of the purchase price and remit
such amount to the IRS.
Gain from the sale of our stock that would not otherwise be subject to FIRPTA will nonetheless
be taxable in the United States to a non-U.S. holder in two cases: (1) if the non-U.S. holders
investment in our stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such
non-U.S. holder, the non-U.S. holder will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder
with respect to such gain, or (2) if the non-U.S. holder 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, the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the
individuals capital gain. In addition, even if we are a domestically controlled qualified
investment entity, upon disposition of our stock (subject to the 5% exception applicable to
regularly traded stock described above), a non-U.S. holder may be treated as having gain from the
sale or exchange of a USRPI if the non-U.S. holder (1) disposes of our common stock within a 30-day
period preceding the ex-dividend date of a distribution, any portion of which, but for the
disposition, would have been treated as gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI and (2) acquires,
or enters into a contract or option to acquire, other shares of our common stock within 30 days
after such ex-dividend date.
Estate Tax. The U.S. federal estate tax was repealed effective January 1, 2010 but absent
legislative action will be automatically reinstated effective January 1, 2011. If our stock is
owned or treated as owned by an individual who is not a citizen or resident (as specially defined
for U.S. federal estate tax purposes) of the United States at the time of such individuals death,
the stock will be includable in the individuals gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes,
unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise, and may therefore be subject to U.S.
federal estate tax.
Taxation of Tax-Exempt U.S. Holders
Tax-exempt entities, including qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and
individual retirement accounts, generally are exempt from federal income taxation. However, they
may be subject to taxation on their unrelated business taxable income, or UBTI. While some
investments in real estate may generate UBTI, the IRS has ruled that dividend distributions from a
REIT to a tax-exempt entity do not constitute UBTI. Based on that ruling, and provided that (1) a
tax-exempt stockholder has not held our stock as debt financed property within the
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of the Code (i.e., where the acquisition or holding of the property is financed through a
borrowing by the tax-exempt stockholder), and (2) our stock is not otherwise used in an unrelated
trade or business, distributions that we make and income from the sale of our stock generally
should not give rise to UBTI to a tax-exempt stockholder.
Tax-exempt stockholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations,
supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans exempt from
federal income taxation under sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the Code are
subject to different UBTI rules, which generally require such stockholders to characterize
distributions that we make as UBTI.
In certain circumstances, a pension trust that owns more than 10% of our stock could be
required to treat a percentage of the dividends as UBTI if we are a pension-held REIT. We will
not be a pension-held REIT unless (1) we are required to look through one or more of our pension
trust stockholders in order to satisfy the REIT closely-held test, and (2) either (i) one pension
trust owns more than 25% of the value of our stock, or (ii) one or more pension trusts, each
individually holding more than 10% of the value of our stock, collectively owns more than 50% of
the value of our stock. Certain restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock generally
should prevent a tax-exempt entity from owning more than 10% of the value of our stock and
generally should prevent us from becoming a pension-held REIT.
Tax-exempt stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the federal, state,
local and foreign income and other tax consequences of owning UDR stock.
Other Tax Considerations
Dividend Reinvestment Program.
Stockholders participating in our dividend reinvestment program are treated as having received
the gross amount of any cash distributions which would have been paid by us to such stockholders
had they not elected to participate in the program. These distributions will retain the character
and tax effect applicable to distributions from us generally. Participants in the dividend
reinvestment program are subject to U.S. federal income and withholding tax on the amount of the
deemed distributions to the extent that such distributions represent dividends or gains, even
though they receive no cash. Shares of our stock received under the program will have a holding
period beginning with the day after purchase, and a tax basis equal to their cost (which is the
gross amount of the distribution).
Legislative or Other Actions Affecting Tax Considerations
Prospective investors should recognize that the present U.S. federal income tax treatment of
an investment in us may be modified by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any time,
and that any such action may affect investments and commitments previously made. The rules dealing
with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the
legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department, resulting in revisions of
regulations and revised interpretations of established concepts as well as statutory changes.
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Revisions in U.S. federal tax laws and interpretations thereof could adversely affect the tax
consequences of an investment in us.
Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act of 2010. On March 18, 2010, the President signed
into law the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act of 2010, or the HIRE Act. The HIRE Act
imposes a U.S. withholding tax at a 30% rate on certain types of payments made to foreign
financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. holders if certain disclosure requirements
related to U.S. accounts or ownership are not satisfied. If payment of withholding taxes is
required, non-U.S. holders that are otherwise eligible for an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S.
withholding taxes with respect to such distributions and proceeds will be required to seek a refund
from the IRS to obtain the benefit of such exemption or reduction. These provisions of the HIRE
Act generally are effective for payments made after December 31, 2012. Prospective stockholders
should consult their own tax advisers regarding the effect, if any, of the HIRE Act on their
ownership and disposition of our shares.
Health Care and Reconciliation Act of 2010. On March 30, 2010, the President signed into law
the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, or the Reconciliation Act. The
Reconciliation Act will require certain U.S. stockholders who are individuals, estates or trusts
and whose income exceeds certain thresholds to pay a 3.8% Medicare tax. This tax will apply for
taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012. The Medicare tax will apply to, among other
things, interest, dividends and other income derived from certain trades or business and net gains
from the sale or other disposition of stock, subject to certain exceptions. Prospective
stockholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of the Reconciliation
Act on their ownership and disposition of our shares.
State and Local Taxes
We and our subsidiaries and stockholders may be subject to state, local or foreign taxation in
various jurisdictions including those in which we or they transact business, own property or
reside. We may own properties located in numerous jurisdictions, and may be required to file tax
returns in some or all of those jurisdictions. Our state, local or foreign tax treatment and that
of our stockholders may not conform to the federal income tax treatment discussed above. We may
pay foreign property taxes, and dispositions of foreign property or operations involving, or
investments in, foreign property may give rise to foreign income or other tax liability in amounts
that could be substantial. Any foreign taxes that we incur do not pass through to stockholders as
a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability. Prospective investors should consult
their tax advisors regarding the application and effect of state, local and foreign income and
other tax laws on an investment in our stock.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The selling stockholders may offer and sell up to 3,882,187 shares of our common stock from
time to time with this prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds of the sales of these
shares. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol UDR.
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Who May Sell and Applicable Restrictions
The selling stockholders may offer and sell shares with this prospectus directly to
purchasers. The selling stockholders may donate, pledge or otherwise transfer their shares to any
person so long as the transfer complies with applicable securities laws. As a result, donees,
pledgees, transferees and other successors in interest that receive such shares as a gift,
distribution or other non-sale related transfer may offer shares of common stock under this
prospectus.
The selling stockholders may from time to time offer the shares through brokers, dealers or
agents, which may act as agents or principals. Brokers, dealers, agents or underwriters
participating in transactions may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or
commissions from the selling stockholders (and, if they act as agent for the purchaser of the
shares, from that purchaser). The discounts, concessions or commissions may be in excess of those
customary in the type of transaction involved. Any brokerage commissions and similar selling
expenses attributable to the sale of shares covered by this prospectus will be borne by the selling
stockholders. To comply with some state securities laws, the shares may be sold in those
jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.
The selling stockholders and any brokers, dealers or agents who participate in the
distribution of the shares may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of Section 2(11) of
the Securities Act, and any profits on the sale of shares by them and any discounts, commissions or
concessions received by any broker, dealer or agent may be deemed underwriting discounts and
commissions under the Securities Act.
Prospectus Delivery
A prospectus supplement or a post-effective amendment may be filed with the SEC to disclose
additional information with respect to the distribution of the shares. In particular, if we
receive notice from a selling stockholder that a donee, pledgee, transferee or other successor
intends to sell more than 500 shares of our common stock, or that a selling stockholder has entered
into a material arrangement with an underwriter or broker-dealer for the sale of shares covered by
this prospectus, then to the extent required we will file a supplement to this prospectus.
Manner of Sales
The selling stockholders will act independently of us in making decisions with respect to the
timing, manner and size of each sale. Sales may be made on the New York Stock Exchange or any
other national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or
quoted at the time of sale, in the over-the-counter market or in privately negotiated transactions.
The shares may be sold at then prevailing market prices, at prices related to prevailing market
prices, at fixed prices or at other negotiated prices.
The shares may be sold in one or more transactions according to one or more of the following
methods:
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a block trade in which the broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the shares
as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the
transaction, |
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purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by the broker or dealer for its
account as allowed under this prospectus, |
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ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker solicits
purchasers, |
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pledges of shares to a broker-dealer or other person, who may, in the event of default,
purchase or sell the pledged shares, |
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an exchange distribution under the rules of the exchange, |
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face-to-face transactions between sellers and purchasers without a broker-dealer, |
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transactions directly with a market-maker, |
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through the writing of options, and |
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any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law. |
In addition, selling stockholders may generally enter into option, derivative or hedging
transactions with respect to the shares, and any related offers or sales of shares may be made
under this prospectus. The selling stockholders may, for example:
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enter into transactions involving short sales of the shares by broker-dealers in the
course of hedging the positions they assume with the selling stockholders, |
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sell shares short themselves and deliver the shares registered hereby to settle such
short sales or to close out stock loans incurred in connection with their short positions, |
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write call options, put options or other derivative instruments (including
exchange-traded options or privately negotiated options) with respect to the shares, or
which they settle through delivery of the shares, |
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enter into option transactions or other types of transactions that require the selling
stockholders to deliver shares to a broker, dealer or other financial institution, who may
then resell or transfer the shares under this prospectus, or |
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loan or pledge the shares to a broker, dealer or other financial institution, who may
sell the loaned shares. |
These option, derivative and hedging transactions may require the delivery to a broker, dealer
or other financial institution of shares offered under this prospectus, and that broker, dealer or
other financial institution may resell those shares under this prospectus (as amended or
supplemented as necessary).
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None of the selling stockholders have advised us that they have entered into any agreements,
understandings or arrangements with any underwriters or broker-dealers regarding the sale of the
securities offered hereby, nor is there an underwriter or coordinating broker acting in connection
with the proposed sale of shares by the selling stockholders. If a material arrangement with any
underwriter, broker-dealer or other agent is entered into for the sale of any shares of common
stock through a block trade, special offering, exchange distribution, secondary distribution, or a
purchase by a broker or dealer, we will file a post-effective amendment to the registration
statement, if appropriate, or a supplement to this prospectus, if necessary, pursuant to Rule
424(b) under the Securities Act disclosing the material terms and conditions of the arrangement,
including: (i) the name of each such selling stockholder and of the participating
broker-dealer(s), (ii) the number of shares involved, (iii) the price at which such shares were
sold, (iv) the commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to such broker-dealer(s), where
applicable, and (v) other facts material to the transaction.
The selling stockholders may also sell their shares in accordance with Rule 144 under the
Securities Act, or pursuant to other available exemptions from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act, rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
The anti-manipulation provisions of Regulation M promulgated under the Exchange Act may apply
to sales by the selling stockholders in the market. Under the Exchange Act, any person
engaged in the distribution of the shares of common stock may not simultaneously engage in
market-making activities with respect to common stock for five business days prior to the start of
the distribution. In addition, the selling stockholders and any other person participating in a
distribution will be subject to the Exchange Act, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales
of common stock by the selling stockholders or any other person.
Indemnification
The selling stockholders may agree to indemnify any broker-dealer or agent that participates
in transactions involving sales of the shares against some liabilities, including liabilities
arising under the Securities Act.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the common stock offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by
Kutak Rock LLP.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of UDR, Inc. appearing in UDR, Inc.s Annual Report
(Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2009 (including the schedule appearing therein), and
the effectiveness of UDR, Inc.s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009,
have 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 financial
statements are, and audited financial statements to be included in subsequently filed documents
will be, incorporated herein in reliance upon the reports of Ernst & Young LLP pertaining to such
financial statements (to the extent covered by consents filed with
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the Securities and Exchange Commission) given on the authority of such firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act, which means that we are
required to file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with
the SEC, all of which are available at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, NE,
Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of the reports, proxy statements and other
information from the Public Reference Room of the SEC, at prescribed rates, by calling
1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet website at http://www.sec.gov where you can access
reports, proxy, information and registration statements, and other information regarding
registrants that file electronically with the SEC. You may also access our SEC filings free of
charge on our website at www.udr.com.
Our reports, proxy statements and other information about us may also be inspected at:
The New York Stock Exchange
20 Broad Street
New York, New York 10005
INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION FILED WITH THE SEC
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with the SEC, which
means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The
information incorporated by reference herein is an important part of this prospectus. Any
statement contained in a document which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus is
automatically updated and superseded if information contained in this prospectus, or information
that we later file with the SEC prior to the termination of this offering, modifies or replaces
this information. The following documents filed with the SEC (Commission File No. 1-10524) are
incorporated by reference in this prospectus, except for any document or portion thereof deemed to
be furnished and not filed in accordance with SEC rules:
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Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009,
filed with the SEC on February 25, 2010. |
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Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, filed
with the SEC on May 4, 2010. |
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Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 12, March 4,
March 11, March 26, May 5 and May 17, 2010. |
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Our definitive Proxy Statement dated April 2, 2010, and definitive Additional
Materials filed with the SEC on April 2, 2010, both filed in connection with
our May 14, 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. |
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The description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on
Form 8-A/A dated and filed with the SEC on November 7, 2005
under the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
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All other documents and reports we file after the date of the
initial registration statement and
prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement and after the date of this prospectus and
prior to completion of the offering covered by this prospectus pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (with the exception of information that
is deemed furnished rather than filed, which information shall not be deemed
incorporated by reference herein). |
As explained above in Where You Can Find More Information, these incorporated documents (as
well as other documents filed by us under the Exchange Act) are available at the SEC and may be
accessed in a number of ways, including online via the Internet.
We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this
prospectus is delivered, a copy of any of the documents referred to above upon written or oral
request to:
UDR, Inc.
1745 Shea Center Drive, Suite 200
Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80129
Attention: Investor Relations
Telephone: (720) 283-6120
We maintain a web site at www.udr.com. The information on our website is not considered a part
of, or incorporated by reference in, this prospectus or any other document we file with or furnish
to the SEC.
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