--- title: Where Do I Put My REIT Income on a Tax Return? description: In this article we’ll take a look at where investors who receive dividends are supposed to place REIT income on their tax returns. It can be a complicated process, though, so it’s best to work with a qualified tax professional when preparing your annual tax return. image: https://www.realized1031.com/hubfs/Images/photo/abstract/tax-house-keyboard-IS-1089705908.jpg --- [![Realized 1031 Exchange Marketplace](https://www.realized1031.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Brand/Logo/Realized/Realized-Logo-Black.png?width=240&height=80&name=Realized-Logo-Black.png "Realized 1031 Logo") ](https://www.realized1031.com/) - [Wealth Management Gap](https://www.realized1031.com/the-wealth-management-gap) - [Our Process](https://www.realized1031.com/how-realized-works) - [Financial Advisors](https://www.realized1031.com/advisor) - [Resources](https://www.realized1031.com/resources) - [The Company](https://www.realized1031.com/about-us) - [Articles](https://www.realized1031.com/blog) [Register](https://www.realized1031.com/marketplace) [Log In](https://www.realized1031.com/login) - Better Business Bureau Rating: **A+** - [FINRA BrokerCheck](https://brokercheck.finra.org/firm/summary/22333) - [Call](tel:1-877-797-1031) **(877) 797-1031** # Where Do I Put My REIT Income on a Tax Return? Posted Oct 14, 2021 ![tax-house-keyboard-IS-1089705908](https://www.realized1031.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/photo/abstract/tax-house-keyboard-IS-1089705908.jpg?width=750&height=392&name=tax-house-keyboard-IS-1089705908.jpg) Real estate investment trusts are one way investors can own interests in commercial real estate without having to navigate the common management and operational issues that are associated with direct property ownership. REITs are required to return at least 90 percent of all taxable income back to their shareholders as dividends; however, real estate produces different types of income, and each type receives different tax treatment. In this article we’ll take a look at where investors who receive dividends are supposed to place REIT income on their tax returns. It can be a complicated process, though, so it’s best to work with a qualified tax professional when preparing your annual tax return. ### How REIT Dividends are Taxed REITs aren’t taxed like regular corporations because they meet two special conditions: 1. The majority of assets and income are derived from real estate. 2. They return 90 percent or more of taxable income back to shareholders as dividends. Investors who receive dividends from a REIT will receive [IRS form 1099-DIV, Dividends and Distributions](https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1099div), to report their qualified REIT dividends to the IRS. You can file this information via a Schedule B form or put it directly onto your Form 1040 tax return. Here’s where it can get a bit tricky, because as mentioned earlier those dividend payments fall into three separate categories: - Ordinary income -- this will be the bulk of your dividend payment, and it’s taxed as ordinary income according to your marginal tax rate. - Capital gains -- Funds received when a REIT sells a property held for at least one year. They are taxed at 0, 15, or 20 percent depending on your annual income and filing status when the distribution was received. - Return of capital -- Taxed at either long or short-term capital gains depending on how long you hold your shares in the REIT. Your 1099-DIV will show how much you received from a REIT in each of these three income categories. There are two parts to “Box 1” of your 1099-DIV, one for ordinary and another for qualified dividends, which are taxed at a lower rate than ordinary dividends. Any capital gains received from a REIT are always taxed as long-term gains -- it doesn’t matter how long you’ve held your shares of the REIT. These will be shown on Box 2a of your 1099-DIV. Lastly, return of capital is just that -- a return of your initial investment in the REIT. These dividends are not taxed and can be used to reduce the cost basis of your investment. They are reported on Box 3 of your 1099-DIV. ### The Bottom Line Determining how REITs are taxed and where to place dividend payments on your annual tax return can take some serious sleuthing. A qualified tax professional should be able to help you demystify the IRS Form 1099-DIV for dividends and distributions and ensure you’ve correctly identified each type of dividend paid out from your REIT investments. This material is for general information and educational purposes only. Information is based on data gathered from what we believe are reliable sources. It is not guaranteed as to accuracy, does not purport to be complete and is not intended to be used as a primary basis for investment decisions. It should also not be construed as advice meeting the particular investment needs of any investor. Realized does not provide tax or legal advice. This material is not a substitute for seeking the advice of a qualified professional for your individual situation. A REIT is a security that sells like a stock on the major exchanges and invests in real estate directly, either through properties or mortgages. REITs receive special tax considerations and typically offer investors high yields, as well as a highly liquid method of investing in real estate. There are risks associated with these types of investments and include but are not limited to the following: Typically no secondary market exists for the security listed above. Potential difficulty discerning between routine interest payments and principal repayment. Redemption price of a REIT may be worth more or less than the original price paid. Value of the shares in the trust will fluctuate with the portfolio of underlying real estate. Involves risks such as refinancing in the real estate industry, interest rates, availability of mortgage funds, operating expenses, cost of insurance, lease terminations, potential economic and regulatory changes. This is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation or an offer to buy the securities described herein. The offering is made only by the Prospectus. 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REITs are required to return at least 90 percent of all taxable income back to their shareholders as dividends; however, real estate produces different types of income, and each type receives different tax treatment. In this article we’ll take a look at where investors who receive dividends are supposed to place REIT income on their tax returns. It can be a complicated process, though, so it’s best to work with a qualified tax professional when preparing your annual tax return. How REIT Dividends are Taxed REITs aren’t taxed like regular corporations because they meet two special conditions: The majority of assets and income are derived from real estate. They return 90 percent or more of taxable income back to shareholders as dividends. Investors who receive dividends from a REIT will receive IRS form 1099-DIV, Dividends and Distributions, to report their qualified REIT dividends to the IRS. You can file this information via a Schedule B form or put it directly onto your Form 1040 tax return. Here’s where it can get a bit tricky, because as mentioned earlier those dividend payments fall into three separate categories: Ordinary income -- this will be the bulk of your dividend payment, and it’s taxed as ordinary income according to your marginal tax rate. Capital gains -- Funds received when a REIT sells a property held for at least one year. They are taxed at 0, 15, or 20 percent depending on your annual income and filing status when the distribution was received. Return of capital -- Taxed at either long or short-term capital gains depending on how long you hold your shares in the REIT. Your 1099-DIV will show how much you received from a REIT in each of these three income categories. There are two parts to “Box 1” of your 1099-DIV, one for ordinary and another for qualified dividends, which are taxed at a lower rate than ordinary dividends. Any capital gains received from a REIT are always taxed as long-term gains -- it doesn’t matter how long you’ve held your shares of the REIT. These will be shown on Box 2a of your 1099-DIV. Lastly, return of capital is just that -- a return of your initial investment in the REIT. These dividends are not taxed and can be used to reduce the cost basis of your investment. They are reported on Box 3 of your 1099-DIV. The Bottom Line Determining how REITs are taxed and where to place dividend payments on your annual tax return can take some serious sleuthing. A qualified tax professional should be able to help you demystify the IRS Form 1099-DIV for dividends and distributions and ensure you’ve correctly identified each type of dividend paid out from your REIT investments. This material is for general information and educational purposes only. Information is based on data gathered from what we believe are reliable sources. It is not guaranteed as to accuracy, does not purport to be complete and is not intended to be used as a primary basis for investment decisions. It should also not be construed as advice meeting the particular investment needs of any investor. Realized does not provide tax or legal advice. This material is not a substitute for seeking the advice of a qualified professional for your individual situation. A REIT is a security that sells like a stock on the major exchanges and invests in real estate directly, either through properties or mortgages. REITs receive special tax considerations and typically offer investors high yields, as well as a highly liquid method of investing in real estate. There are risks associated with these types of investments and include but are not limited to the following: Typically no secondary market exists for the security listed above. Potential difficulty discerning between routine interest payments and principal repayment. Redemption price of a REIT may be worth more or less than the original price paid. Value of the shares in the trust will fluctuate with the portfolio of underlying real estate. Involves risks such as refinancing in the real estate industry, interest rates, availability of mortgage funds, operating expenses, cost of insurance, lease terminations, potential economic and regulatory changes. This is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation or an offer to buy the securities described herein. The offering is made only by the Prospectus.", "articleSection" : [ "Tax" ], "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "email" : "marketing@realized1031.com", "image" : "", "name" : "The Realized Team", "url" : "https://www.realized1031.com/blog/author/the-realized-team" }, "dateModified" : "2021-10-14T12:00:01+0000", "datePublished" : "2021-10-14T12:00:00+0000", "description" : "In this article we’ll take a look at where investors who receive dividends are supposed to place REIT income on their tax returns. 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