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Funds from operations
means, when used in respect of the Series C preferred stock, with respect to any fiscal quarter, net income, computed in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, for that quarter, excluding gains (or losses) from sales of properties, plus depreciation and amortization and after
adjustments for unconsolidated joint ventures.
Funds from operations means
when used in respect of the Series E preferred stock, net income available to common stock (computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of properties, plus depreciation and amortization and after adjustments for unconsolidated
partnerships and joint ventures. Adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures will be calculated to reflect funds from operations on
the same basis and (ii) any unusual and non-recurring items which otherwise would materially distort the comparative measurement of funds from
operations for different fiscal periods. Funds from operations shall be determined in accordance with the April 2002 White Paper on Funds From
Operations approved by the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, as in effect on the date of issuance of the
Series E preferred stock.
Interest expense means,
when used in respect of the Series C preferred stock, for any period, our total interest expense, including (a) interest expense attributable to
capital leases, (b) amortization of debt discount and debt issuance cost, (c) capitalized interest, (d) non-cash interest payments, and (e) interest
actually paid by us under any guarantee of debt or other obligation of any other person.
Interest expense means,
when used in respect of the Series E preferred stock for any period, our total interest expense, including (a) interest expense attributable to capital
leases, (b) amortization of debt discount and debt issuance cost, (c) capitalized interest, (d) non-cash interest payments, (e) commissions, discounts
and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers acceptance financing, (f) net costs under hedging obligations
(including amortization of fees), and (g) interest actually paid by us under any guarantee of debt or other obligation of any other
person.
NOI means, for any property
and for a given period, the sum of the following (without duplication): (a) rents and other revenues received or accrued in the ordinary course of such
property (excluding prepaid rents and revenues and security deposits except to the extent applied in satisfaction of tenants obligations for
rent) minus (b) all expenses paid or accrued related to the ownership, operation or maintenance of the property, including taxes, assessments and the
like, insurance, utilities, payroll costs, maintenance, repair and landscaping expenses, marketing expenses, and general and administrative expenses
(including an appropriate allocation for legal, accounting , advertising, marketing and other expenses incurred in connection with the property, but
specifically excluding our general overhead expenses which includes general legal expenses not related to any particular property) minus (c) reserve
for replacement (which is an amount equal to $0.10 per square foot per annum for all retail, office and industrial properties and $300 per unit for all
apartment properties) minus (d) the greater of (i) the actual property management fee paid during the period and (ii) an imputed management fee in the
amount of 3% of the base rent revenues for the property for the period.
Parity preferred means all
other series of preferred stock ranking on a parity with the Series C, D or E preferred stock, as applicable, as to dividends or upon liquidation and
upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable.
Preferred dividends means
dividends accrued in respect of all preferred stock held by persons other than us.
Regulated person means with
respect to Series C and Series D, any bank holding company, subsidiary of a bank holding company or other person or entity that is subject to the Bank
Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended from time to time.
Senior obligations means
any (i) debt other than accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of our business and (ii) any equity securities which rank senior to the Series
C or E preferred stock, as applicable, with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon our liquidation, dissolution or
winding up.
Series C make-whole price
means, for any share of Series C preferred stock, as of any date of determination, the sum of (a) the present value as of that date of determination of
all remaining scheduled dividend payments of that share of Series C preferred stock until the tenth anniversary date, discounted by
the
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discount rate, (b) the Series C
liquidation preference and (c) all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to such date of determination.
Series E make-whole price
means, for any share of Series E preferred stock, as of any date of determination, the sum of (a) the present value as of that date of determination of
all remaining scheduled dividend payments of that share of Series E preferred stock until the Series E fifth anniversary date, discounted by the
discount rate, (b) the Series E liquidation preference and (c) all accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to that date of determination.
Unencumbered Assets means
our real estate assets which are (a) wholly-owned by us; (b) at least 80% leased at the time of any determination, measured as a percentage of gross
leasable area and excluding from the measurement any gross leasable areas undergoing redevelopment and (c) not encumbered by any lien.
Unencumbered Asset Value
means, as of the date of determination, the sum of (a) the NOI generated by the Unencumbered Assets as of the last day of the three-fiscal month period
most recently ended times 4 divided by 8.00% plus (b) the acquisition cost of Unencumbered Assets not owned for the entire three-fiscal month period
most recently ended.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for
each of our Series C, D or E preferred stock is The Bank of New York Mellon.
Description of Depositary Shares
General
We may, at our option, elect to offer
fractional shares of our preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. In such event, we will issue to the public receipts for
depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction (to be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred
stock) of a share of a particular series of our preferred stock as described below.
The shares of any series of our
preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement between us and the depositary named in the applicable
prospectus supplement. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the
applicable fraction of a share of our preferred stock represented by such depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock
represented thereby (including dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights).
The depositary shares will be evidenced
by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional
shares of our preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the offering. If depositary shares are issued, copies of the forms of deposit agreement
and depositary receipt will be incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and the following summary is
qualified in its entirety by reference to those documents.
Pending the preparation of definitive
engraved depositary receipts, the depositary may, upon our written order, issue temporary depositary receipts substantially identical to (and entitling
the holders thereof to all the rights pertaining to) the definitive depositary receipts but not in definitive form. Definitive depositary receipts will
be prepared thereafter without unreasonable delay, and temporary depositary receipts will be exchangeable for definitive depositary receipts at our
expense.
Dividends and Other Distributions
The depositary will distribute all cash
dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of our preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares relating to the preferred
stock in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by the holders. The depositary will distribute only such amount, however, as can be
distributed without attributing to any holder of depositary shares a fraction of one cent, and the balance that is not distributed will be added to and
treated as part of the next sum received by the depositary for distribution to record holders of depositary shares.
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In the event of a distribution other
than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares entitled thereto, unless the depositary
determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution, in which case the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the
net proceeds from the sale to the holders.
The deposit agreement will also contain
provisions relating to the manner in which any subscription or similar rights offered by us to holders of the preferred stock shall be made available
to the holders of depositary shares.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
If a series of our preferred stock
represented by depositary shares is subject to redemption, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary
resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of the series of preferred stock held by the depositary. The redemption price per depositary share
will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable with respect to the series of preferred stock. Whenever we redeem
shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares
representing the shares of preferred stock that have been redeemed. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares
to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata as may be determined by the depositary.
After the date fixed for redemption,
the depositary shares that are called for redemption will no longer be outstanding and all rights of the holders of the depositary shares will cease,
except the right to receive the money, securities, or other property payable upon the redemption and any money, securities, or other property to which
the holders of the depositary shares were entitled upon the redemption upon surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the
depositary shares.
Voting the Preferred Stock
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting
at which the holders of our preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the
record holders of the depositary shares relating to the preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date (which will be
the same date as the record date for the preferred stock) will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights
pertaining to the amount of preferred stock represented by that holders depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable,
to vote the amount of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with the instructions, and we will agree to take all action
which may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary may abstain from voting shares of preferred
stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing the preferred stock.
Amendment and Termination of the Depositary
Agreement
The form of depositary receipt
evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between us and the depositary.
However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless the amendment
has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The deposit agreement may be terminated by us or the
depositary only if (a) all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or (b) there has been a final distribution in respect of our preferred
stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs and the distribution has been distributed to the holders of
depositary receipts.
Charges of Depositary
We will pay all transfer and other
taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay charges of the depositary in connection
with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay other transfer and
other taxes and governmental charges and such other charges, including a fee for the withdrawal of shares of preferred stock upon surrender of
depositary receipts, as are expressly provided to be for their accounts in the deposit agreement.
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Miscellaneous
The depositary will forward to holders
of depositary receipts all reports and communications from us that are delivered to the depositary and that we are required to furnish to holders of
our preferred stock. Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if it is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in
performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. Our obligations and those of the depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to
performance in good faith of our respective duties thereunder and neither we nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal
proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely upon
written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting our preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary
receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
The depositary may resign at any time
by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the depositary in which event we will appoint a successor depositary
after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal.
Restrictions on Ownership
In order to safeguard us against an
inadvertent loss of our REIT status, the deposit agreement will contain provisions restricting the ownership and transfer of depositary shares. These
restrictions will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement and will be referenced on the applicable depositary receipts.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer
To qualify as a REIT under the Internal
Revenue Code, we must meet several requirements regarding the number of our stockholders and concentration of ownership of our shares. Our Charter
contains provisions that restrict the ownership and transfer of our equity securities to assist us in complying with these Internal Revenue Code
requirements. We refer to these restrictions as the ownership limit.
The ownership limit provides that, in
general, no person may own more than 7.5% of the aggregate value of all outstanding stock of our Company. It also provides that:
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a transfer that violates the limitation is void; |
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a transferee gets no rights to the shares that violate the
limitation; |
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shares transferred to a stockholder in excess of the ownership
limit are automatically exchanged, by operation of law, for shares of excess stock; and |
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the excess stock will be held by us as trustee of a trust for
the exclusive benefit of future transferees to whom the shares of stock will ultimately be transferred without violating the ownership
limit. |
Pursuant to authority under our
Charter, our Board of Directors has determined that the ownership limit does not apply to Mr. Charles J. Urstadt, our Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, and his affiliates and associates who currently own in the aggregate 45.81% and 0.17% of our outstanding common stock and Class A common
stock, respectively. Such holdings represent approximately 40.90% of our outstanding voting interests. The ownership limitation may discourage a
takeover or other transaction that some of our stockholders may otherwise believe to be desirable.
Ownership of our stock is subject to
attribution rules under the Internal Revenue Code, which may result in a person being deemed to own stock held by other persons. Our Board of Directors
may waive the ownership limit if it determines that the waiver will not jeopardize our status as a REIT. As a condition of such a waiver, the Board of
Directors may require an opinion of counsel satisfactory to it or undertakings or representations from the applicant with respect to preserving our
REIT status. We required no such waiver, opinion or undertakings with respect to Mr. Urstadts ownership rights.
Any person who acquires our stock must,
on our demand, immediately provide us with any information we may request in order to determine the effect of the acquisition on our status as a REIT.
If our Board of
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Directors determines that it is no
longer in our best interests to qualify as a REIT the ownership limitation will not be relevant. Otherwise, the ownership limit may be changed only by
an amendment to our Charter by a vote of two-thirds of the voting power of our common equity securities.
Our Charter provides that any purported
transfer that results in a direct or indirect ownership of shares of stock in excess of the ownership limit or that would result in the loss of our
Companys status as a REIT will be null and void, and the intended transferee will acquire no rights to the shares of stock. The foregoing
restrictions on transferability and ownership will not be relevant if our Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to
attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT. Our Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, waive the ownership limit if evidence
satisfactory to our Board of Directors and our tax counsel is presented that the changes in ownership will not then or in the future jeopardize our
REIT status and our Board of Directors otherwise decides that such action is in our best interests. We have granted WFC Holdings and any subsequent
holder of the Series E preferred stock a waiver, solely as to shares of the Series E preferred stock, of the 7.5% ownership
limitation.
Shares of stock owned, or deemed to be
owned, or transferred to a stockholder in excess of the ownership limit will automatically be exchanged for shares of excess stock that
will be transferred, by operation of law, to us as trustee of a trust for the exclusive benefit of the transferees to whom such shares of stock may be
ultimately transferred without violating the ownership limit. While the excess stock is held in trust, it will not be entitled to vote, it will not be
considered for purposes of any stockholder vote or the determination of a quorum for such vote, and except upon liquidation it will not be entitled to
participate in dividends or other distributions. Any distribution paid to a proposed transferee of excess stock prior to the discovery by us that stock
has been transferred in violation of the provision of our Charter is required to be repaid to us upon demand.
The excess stock is not treasury stock,
but rather constitutes a separate class of our issued and outstanding stock. The original transferee-stockholder may, at any time the excess stock is
held by us in trust, transfer the interest in the trust representing the excess stock to any person whose ownership of shares of capital stock
exchanged for such excess stock would be permitted under the ownership limit, at a price not in excess of:
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the price paid by the original transferee-stockholders for
shares of stock that were exchanged into excess stock, or |
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if the original transferee-stockholder did not give value for
such shares (e.g., the shares were received through a gift, devise or other transaction), the average closing price for the class of stock from which
such shares of excess stock were exchanged for the ten days immediately preceding such sale, gift or other transaction. |
Immediately upon the transfer to the
permitted transferee, the excess stock will automatically be exchanged back into shares of stock from which it was converted. If the foregoing transfer
restrictions are determined to be void or invalid by virtue of any legal decision, statute, rule or regulation, then the intended transferee of any
shares of excess stock may be deemed, at our option, to have acted as an agent on behalf of us in acquiring the excess stock and to hold the excess
stock on behalf of us.
In addition, we will have the right,
for a period of 90 days during the time any shares of excess stock are held by us in trust, to purchase the excess stock from the purported
transferee-stockholder at the lesser of:
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the price initially paid for such shares by the purported
transferee-stockholder, or if the purported transferee-stockholder did not give value for such shares (e.g., the shares were received through a gift,
devise or other transaction), the average closing price for the class of stock from which such shares of excess stock were converted for the 30 days
immediately preceding the date we elect to purchase the shares, and |
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the average closing price for the class of stock from which such
shares of Excess Stock were converted for the ten trading days immediately preceding the date we elect to purchase such shares. |
The 90-day period begins on the date
notice is received of the violative transfer if the purported transferee-stockholder gives notice to us of the transfer, or, if no such notice is
given, the date our Board of Directors determines that a violative transfer has been made.
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All stock certificates bear a legend
referring to the restrictions described above.
Every owner of more than 5%, or any
lower percentage set by federal income tax laws, of outstanding stock generally must file a completed questionnaire with us containing information
regarding his or her ownership. In addition, each stockholder must, upon demand, disclose in writing any information we may request in order to
determine the effect, if any, of such stockholders actual and constructive ownership of stock on our status as a REIT and to ensure compliance
with the ownership limitation.
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF OUR CHARTER AND
BYLAWS, MARYLAND LAW, OUR STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN AND CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENTS
Provisions of Our Charter and Bylaws
Classification of Board, Vacancies and Removal of
Directors
Our Charter provides that our Board of
Directors is divided into three classes. Directors of each class serve for staggered terms of three years each, with the terms of each class beginning
in different years. We currently have nine directors. The number of directors in each class and the expiration of the current term of each class is as
follows:
Class
I |
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3 directors |
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Expires 2013 |
Class
II |
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3 directors |
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Expires 2014 |
Class
III |
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3 directors |
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Expires 2012 |
At each annual meeting of our
stockholders, successors of the directors whose terms expire at that meeting will be elected for a three-year term and the directors in the other two
classes will continue in office. A classified board may delay, defer or prevent a change in control or other transaction that might involve a premium
over the then-prevailing market price for our common stock and Class A common stock or other attributes that our stockholders may consider desirable.
In addition, a classified board could prevent stockholders who do not agree with the policies of our Board of Directors from replacing a majority of
the Board of Directors for two years, except in the event of removal for cause.
Our Charter provides that, subject to
the rights of holders of our preferred stock, any director may be removed (a) only for cause and (b) only by the affirmative vote of not less than
two-thirds of the common equities then outstanding and entitled to vote for the election of directors. Our Charter additionally provides that any
vacancy occurring on our Board of Directors (other than as a result of the removal of a director) will be filled only by a majority of the remaining
directors except that a vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be filled by a majority of the entire Board of Directors. A
vacancy resulting from the removal of a director may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the votes cast at a meeting of the
stockholders called for that purpose.
The provisions of our Charter relating
to the removal of directors and the filling of vacancies on our Board of Directors could preclude a third party from removing incumbent directors
without cause and simultaneously gaining control of our Board of Directors by filling, with its own nominees, the vacancies created by such removal.
The provisions also limit the power of stockholders generally, and those with a majority interest, to remove incumbent directors and to fill vacancies
on our Board of Directors without the support of incumbent directors.
Stockholder Action by Written Consent
Our Charter provides that any action
required or permitted to be taken by our stockholders may be effected by a consent in writing signed by the holders of all of our outstanding shares of
common equity securities entitled to vote on the matter. This requirement could deter a change of control because it could delay or deter the
stockholders ability to take action with respect to us without convening a meeting.
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Meetings of Stockholders
Our Bylaws provide for annual
stockholder meetings to elect directors. Special stockholder meetings may be called by our Chairman, President or a majority of the Board of Directors
or may be called by our Secretary at the written request of stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of all votes entitled to be cast at the
meeting. This requirement could deter a change of control because it could delay or deter the stockholders ability to take action with respect to
us.
Stockholder Proposals and Director
Nominations
Under our Bylaws, in order to have a
stockholder proposal or director nomination considered at an annual meeting of stockholders, stockholders are generally required to deliver to us
certain information concerning themselves and their stockholder proposal or director nomination not less than 75 days nor more than 120 days prior to
the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting (the annual meeting anniversary date); provided, however, that, if the
annual meeting is scheduled to be held on a date more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the annual meeting anniversary date, notice must
be delivered to us not later than the close of business on the later of:
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the 75th day prior to the scheduled date of such annual meeting
or |
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the 15th day after public disclosure of the date of such
meeting. |
Failure to comply with such timing and
informational requirements will result in such proposal or director nomination not being considered at the annual meeting. The purpose of requiring
stockholders to give us advance notice of nominations and other business, and certain related information is to ensure that we and our stockholders
have sufficient time and information to consider any matters that are proposed to be voted on at an annual meeting, thus promoting orderly and informed
stockholder voting. Such Bylaw provisions could have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of our directors or the making of stockholder
proposals if the proper procedures are not followed, and of delaying or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its
own slate of directors or to have its own proposals approved.
Authorization of Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of
Assets
Our Charter provides that any
consolidation, merger, share exchange or transfer of all or substantially all of our assets must first be approved by the affirmative vote of a
majority of our Board of Directors (including a majority of the Continuing Directors, as defined in our Charter) and thereafter must be approved by a
vote of at least two-thirds of all the votes cast on such matter by holders of voting stock voting as a single class at a meeting of the stockholders.
These provisions could make it more difficult for us to enter into any consolidation, merger or sale of assets as described above.
Amendment of our Charter and Bylaws
Our Charter may be amended with the
approval of a majority of the Board of Directors (including a majority of the Continuing Directors) and the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes
entitled to be cast on the matter, except that Charter provisions relating to the directors, the ownership limit, amendments to the Charter,
indemnification, limitation of liability, the required percentage vote of stockholders for certain transactions and amendment of the Bylaws by
directors may only be amended by the affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds of the stock then outstanding and entitled to vote. Our Bylaws
may be amended only by the Board of Directors.
Indemnification; Limitation of Directors and
Officers Liability
Our Charter provides that the Company
has the power, by our Bylaws or by resolution of the Board of Directors, to indemnify directors, officers, employees and agents, provided that
indemnification is consistent with applicable law. Our Bylaws provide that the Company will indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted from time to
time by applicable law, its directors, officers, employees and agents and any person serving at its request as a director, officer or employee of
another corporation or entity, who by reason of that status or service is or is threatened to be made a party to, or is otherwise involved in, any
action, suit or proceeding.
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According to our Bylaws,
indemnification will be against all liability and loss suffered and expenses, including attorneys fees, judgments, fines, penalties and amounts
paid in settlement, reasonably incurred by the indemnified person in connection with the proceeding. Our Bylaws provide, however, that the Company will
not be required to indemnify a person in connection with an action, suit or proceeding initiated by that person unless it was authorized by the Board
of Directors. Our Bylaws provide that the Company will pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding and without
requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, provided that the individual seeking payment provides (a) a
written affirmation of the individuals good faith belief that the individual meets the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification under
the laws of the State of Maryland, and (b) a written undertaking to repay the amount advanced if it is ultimately determined that the applicable
standard of conduct has not been met. Our Charter limits the liability of the Companys officers and directors to the Company and its stockholders
for money damages to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
The Company has entered into
indemnification agreements with certain of its directors, indemnifying them against expenses, settlements, judgments and levies incurred in connection
with any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, where the individuals involvement is by reason of the fact that he is or was a
director.
The Maryland General Corporation Law
(the MGCL) permits a corporation to indemnify its directors, officers and certain other parties against judgments, penalties, fines,
settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made a party by reason of their
service to the corporation or at the corporations request, unless it is established that (i) the act or omission of the person was material to
the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, or (ii) the
person actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services, or (iii) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the person had
reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. The MGCL does not permit indemnification in respect of any proceeding in which the
person seeking indemnification is adjudged to be liable to the corporation. Further, a person may not be indemnified for a proceeding brought by that
person against the corporation, except (i) for a proceeding brought to enforce indemnification or (ii) if the corporations charter or bylaws, a
resolution of the board of directors or an agreement approved by the board of directors to which the corporation is a party expressly provides
otherwise. Under the MGCL, reasonable expenses incurred by a director or officer who is a party to a proceeding may be paid or reimbursed by the
corporation in advance of final disposition of the proceeding upon receipt by the corporation of (i) a written affirmation by the person of his or her
good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification has been met and (ii) a written undertaking by or on behalf of the person
to repay the amount if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct has not been met. The MGCL also requires a corporation (unless
limited by the corporations charter) to indemnify a director or officer who is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any
proceeding against reasonable expenses incurred by the director in connection with the proceeding in which the director or officer has been successful.
Our Charter contains no such limitation. The MGCL permits a corporation to limit the liability of its officers and directors to the extent that (i) it
is proved that the person actually received an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services; or (ii) a final judgment adverse to the
person is entered based on a finding that the persons act or omission was the result of active or deliberate dishonesty and was material to the
cause of action adjudicated.
Insofar as indemnification for
liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling our company pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
is therefore unenforceable.
Provisions of Maryland Law
Business Combinations
Under Maryland law, certain
business combinations between us and any person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting power of our
stock, an affiliate of ours who, at any time within the previous two years was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of our stock
(who the statute terms an interested stockholder), or an affiliate of an interested stockholder, are prohibited
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for five years after the most
recent date on which the person became an interested stockholder. The business combinations that are subject to this law include mergers,
consolidations, share exchanges or, in certain circumstances, asset transfers or issuances or reclassifications of equity securities. After the
five-year period has elapsed, a proposed business combination with any such party must be recommended by the Board of Directors and approved by the
affirmative vote of at least:
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80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of our
outstanding voting stock; and |
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two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of the
outstanding voting stock, excluding shares held by the interested stockholder, unless, among other conditions, the stockholders receive a fair price,
as defined by Maryland law, for their shares and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the interested
stockholder for its shares. |
These provisions do not apply, however,
to business combinations that the Board of Directors approves or exempts before the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested
stockholder. Our Charter provides that these provisions do not apply to transactions between us and any person who owned 20% of the common stock of a
predecessor to the Company as of December 31, 1996, or such persons affiliates. As of that date, only Mr. Charles J. Urstadt, Chairman and Chief
Executive Office of the Company, owned that percentage of our common stock.
Control Share Acquisitions
Maryland law provides that
control shares acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights unless approved by the affirmative vote of
two-thirds of all votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding shares owned by the acquiror or by officers of ours or employees of ours who are
also directors. Control shares are voting shares which, if aggregated with all other shares previously acquired by the acquiring person, or
in respect of which the acquiring person is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power, other than by revocable proxy, would entitle the
acquiring person to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:
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one-tenth or more but less than one-third; |
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one-third or more but less than a majority; or |
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a majority of all voting power. |
Control shares do not include shares
the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A control share acquisition
means the acquisition of ownership of, or the power to direct the voting power of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.
A person who has made or proposes to
make a control share acquisition, upon satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay expenses, may compel our Board of Directors
to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. If no request for a meeting
is made, we may present the question at any stockholders meeting.
If voting rights are not approved at
the stockholders meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver the statement required by Maryland law, then, subject to certain conditions
and limitations, we may redeem any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved, for fair value.
Fair value is determined without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares and as of the date of the last control share acquisition
or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of the shares were considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are
approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquiror is then entitled to direct the exercise of a majority of all voting power, then all other
stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares for purposes of these appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price
per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition. The control share acquisition statute does not apply to shares acquired in a merger,
consolidation or share exchange if we are a party to the transaction, nor does it apply to acquisitions of our stock approved or exempted by our
Charter or Bylaws.
Our Bylaws exempt from the Maryland
control share statute any and all acquisitions of our common stock or preferred stock by any person (and his associates) who, as of December 31, 1996,
owned in excess of
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20% of the then outstanding shares
of common stock of a predecessor to the Company. As of December 31, 1996, only Mr. Charles J. Urstadt, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, beneficially owned in excess of 20% of the outstanding common shares of that entity. The Board of Directors has the right, however, to amend
this exemption at any time in the future.
Dissolution Requirements
Maryland law generally permits the
dissolution of a corporation if approved (a) first by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors declaring such dissolution to
be advisable and directing that the proposed dissolution be submitted for consideration at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and (b) upon
proper notice being given as to the purpose of the meeting, then by the stockholders of the corporation by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all
the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. This provision of the Maryland law could delay or deter our liquidation.
Additional Provisions of Maryland Law
Maryland law also provides that
Maryland corporations that are subject to the Exchange Act and have at least three outside directors can elect by resolution of the board of directors
to be subject to some corporate governance provisions that may be inconsistent with the corporations charter and bylaws. Under the applicable
statute, a board of directors may classify itself without the vote of stockholders. A board of directors classified in that manner cannot be altered by
amendment to the charter of the corporation. Further, the board of directors may, by electing into applicable statutory provisions and notwithstanding
the charter or bylaws:
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provide that a special meeting of stockholders will be called
only at the request of stockholders, entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting; |
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reserve for itself the right to fix the number of
directors; |
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provide that a director may be removed only by the vote of the
holders of two-thirds of the stock entitled to vote; |
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retain for itself sole authority to fill vacancies created by
the death, removal or resignation of a director; and |
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provide that all vacancies on the board of directors may be
filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a
quorum. |
In addition, a director elected to fill
a vacancy under this provision will serve for the balance of the unexpired term and until a successor is elected and qualifies instead of until the
next annual meeting of stockholders. A board of directors may implement all or any of these provisions without amending the charter or bylaws and
without stockholder approval. A corporation may be prohibited by its charter or by resolution of its board of directors from electing any of the
provisions of the statute. We are not prohibited from implementing any or all of the statute.
Under Maryland law, our Board of
Directors may amend our Charter without stockholder action to effect a reverse stock split with respect to any class of shares, provided the Board does
not cause a combination of more than 10 shares of stock into one share in any 12-month period. According to the terms of our Series C, D and E
preferred stock, no such amendment may materially and adversely affect the provision of such series without the consent of the holders
thereof.
While certain of these provisions are
already contemplated by our Charter and Bylaws, the law would permit our Board of Directors to override further changes to the Charter or Bylaws. If
implemented, these provisions could discourage offers to acquire our common stock or Class A common stock and could increase the difficulty of
completing an offer.
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Stockholder Rights Plan
We have adopted a stockholder rights
plan. Under the terms of this plan, we can in effect prevent a person or a group from acquiring more than 10% of the combined voting power of our
outstanding shares of common stock and Class A common stock because, after (a) the person acquires more than 10% of the combined voting power of our
outstanding common stock and Class A common stock, or (b) the commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer by any person (other than us, any one of
our wholly owned subsidiaries or any of our employee benefit plans, or any exempted person (as defined below)), if, upon consummation of the tender
offer or exchange offer, the person or group would beneficially own 30% or more of the combined voting power of our outstanding shares of common stock
and Class A common stock, all other stockholders will have the right to purchase securities from us at a price that is less than their fair market
value, which would substantially reduce the value and influence of the stock owned by the acquiring person. Our Board of Directors can prevent the plan
from operating by approving of the transaction and redeeming the rights. This gives our Board of Directors significant power to approve or disapprove
of the efforts of a person or group to acquire a large interest in our Company. The rights plan exempts acquisitions of common stock and Class A common
stock by Mr. Charles J. Urstadt, members of his family and certain of his affiliates.
Change of Control Agreements
We have entered into change of control
agreements with certain of our senior executives providing for the payment of money to these executives upon the occurrence of a change of control of
our Company as defined in these agreements. If, within 18 months following a change of control, we terminate the executives employment other than
for cause, or if the executive elects to terminate his employment with us for reasons specified in the agreement, we will pay the executive an amount
equal to twelve months of the executives base salary in effect at the date of the change of control and will: (a) continue in effect for a period
of twelve months, for the benefit of the executive and his family, life and health insurance, disability, medical and other benefit programs in which
the executive participates, provided that the executives continued participation is possible, or (b) if such continued participation is not
possible, arrange to provide for the executive and his family similar benefits for the same period. In addition, our Compensation Committee has the
discretion under our restricted stock plan to accelerate the vesting of outstanding restricted stock awards in the event of a change of control. These
provisions may deter changes of control of our Company because of the increased cost for a third party to acquire control of our
Company.
Possible Anti-Takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Our
Charter and Bylaws, Maryland Law, Stockholder Rights Plan and Change of Control Agreements
Certain provisions of our Charter and
Bylaws, certain provisions of Maryland law, our stockholder rights plan and our change of control agreements with our officers could have the effect of
delaying or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for stockholders or that they otherwise may believe is
desirable.
Interests of Mr. Charles J. Urstadt
Mr. Charles J. Urstadt, our Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer, beneficially owns 3,871,369 shares of common stock and 35,000 shares of Class A common stock constituting approximately
40.90% of the voting power of our outstanding common equity securities. In view of the common equity securities beneficially owned by Mr. Urstadt, Mr.
Urstadt may control a sufficient percentage of the voting power of our common equity securities to effectively block certain proposals which require a
vote of our stockholders. In addition, under Maryland law, certain business combinations between us and an interested stockholder will require the
recommendation of our Board of Directors and the affirmative vote of at least (a) 80% of the outstanding shares of our common equity securities and (b)
two-thirds of the outstanding shares of our common equity securities not held by such interested stockholder or its affiliates unless, among other
things, certain fair price and other conditions are met. In view of the common equity securities beneficially owned by Mr. Urstadt, Mr.
Urstadt may control a sufficient percentage of the voting power of common equity securities to effectively block a proposal respecting a business
combination under these provisions of Maryland law with an interested stockholder.
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UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSIDERATIONS
This section summarizes certain
material federal income tax consequences to us and to our stockholders generally relating to our treatment as a REIT.
The laws governing the federal income
tax treatment of a REIT and its stockholders are highly technical and complex. This summary is for general information only, and does not purport to
address all of the tax issues that may be important to you. In addition, except to the extent discussed in Taxation of Tax-Exempt
Stockholders and Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders below, this section does not address the tax issues that may be important to
stockholders subject to special treatment under the federal income tax laws, including (but not limited to) a stockholder that is:
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a tax-exempt organization, |
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a broker-dealer, financial institution, or insurance
company, |
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a trust, estate, or regulated investment company, |
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a partnership or other pass-through entity (or an investor in
such entity), |
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subject to alternative minimum tax, |
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holding our stock as part of a hedge, straddle, or conversion
transaction, |
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a person with a functional currency other than the
U.S. dollar, or |
This summary is based upon the Internal
Revenue Code, the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Treasury Department, rulings and other administrative pronouncements issued by the IRS, and
judicial decisions, all as currently in effect, and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive
effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences
described below. We have not sought and will not seek an advance ruling from the IRS regarding any matter discussed herein.
WE URGE YOU TO CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX
ADVISOR REGARDING THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU OF INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES 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 INVESTMENT AND ELECTION, AND
REGARDING POTENTIAL CHANGES IN APPLICABLE TAX LAWS.
Taxation of the Company
We elected to be taxed as a REIT under
the federal income tax laws beginning with our taxable year ended October 31, 1970. We believe that we have operated in a manner qualifying us as a
REIT since our election and intend to continue so to operate.
In connection with this registration
statement, Baker & McKenzie LLP has rendered an opinion that we qualified to be taxed as a REIT under the federal income tax laws for our taxable
years ended October 31, 2008 through October 31, 2010, and our organization and current method of operation will enable us to continue to qualify as a
REIT for our taxable year ending October 31, 2011 and in the future. You should be aware that the opinion is based on current law and is not binding on
the IRS or any court. In addition, the opinion is based on customary assumptions and on our representations as to factual matters.
It must be emphasized that the opinion
of tax counsel is based on various assumptions relating to our organization and operation, and is conditioned upon representations and covenants made
by our management regarding our organization, assets, income, and the past, present and future conduct of our business operations. While we intend to
operate so that we will qualify as a REIT, given the highly complex nature of the rules governing REITs, the ongoing importance of factual
determinations, and the possibility of future changes in
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our circumstances, no assurance can
be given by tax counsel or by us that we will qualify as a REIT for any particular year.
Our qualification as a REIT depends on
our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, qualification tests in the federal tax laws. Those qualification tests involve the percentage of income
that we earn from specified sources, the percentages of our assets that fall within specified categories, the diversity of our stock ownership, and the
percentage of our earnings that we distribute. We describe the REIT qualification tests in more detail below. For a discussion of the tax treatment of
us and our stockholders if we fail to qualify as a REIT, see Failure to Qualify, below.
If we qualify as a REIT, we generally
will not be subject to federal income tax on the taxable income that we distribute to our stockholders. The benefit of that tax treatment is that it
avoids the double taxation, or taxation at both the corporate and stockholder levels, that generally results from owning stock in a
corporation. However, we generally will be subject to federal tax in the following circumstances:
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We will pay federal income tax on taxable income, including net
capital gain, that we do not distribute to stockholders during, or within a specified time period after, the calendar year in which the income is
earned. |
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We may be subject to the alternative minimum tax on
any items of tax preference that we do not distribute or allocate to stockholders. |
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We will pay income tax at the highest corporate rate
on: |
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net income from the sale or other disposition of property
acquired through foreclosure (foreclosure property) that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business,
and |
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other non-qualifying income from foreclosure
property. |
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We will pay a 100% tax on net income from sales or other
dispositions of property, other than foreclosure property, that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business. |
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If we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross
income test, as described below under Income Tests, and nonetheless continue to qualify as a REIT because we meet other requirements,
we generally will pay a 100% tax on: |
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the greater of the amount by which we fail the 75% gross income
test or the 95% gross income test, multiplied, in either case, by |
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a fraction intended to reflect our profitability. |
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If we fail to distribute during a calendar year at least the sum
of: (1) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for the year, (2) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for the year, and (3) any undistributed taxable
income from earlier periods, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the amount we actually
distributed. |
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In the event of a failure to satisfy any of the asset tests,
other than a de minimis failure of the 5% asset test, the 10% vote test or the 10% value test as described below under Asset Tests,
as long as the failure was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, we dispose of the assets or otherwise comply with the asset tests within
six months after the last day of the quarter in which we identify such failure and we file a schedule with the IRS describing the assets causing such
failure, we will pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the amount determined by multiplying the net income from the nonqualifying assets during
the period in which we failed to satisfy the asset tests by the highest corporate tax rate (currently 35%). |
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In the event we fail to satisfy one or more requirements for
REIT qualification, other than the gross income tests and the asset tests, and such failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, we
will be required to pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. |
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We may elect to retain and pay income tax on our net long-term
capital gain. In that case, a U.S. stockholder would be taxed on its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gain (to |
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the extent that we make a timely designation of such gain to the
stockholder) and would receive a credit or refund for its proportionate share of the tax we paid. |
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We will be subject to a 100% excise tax on transactions with a
taxable REIT subsidiary that are not conducted on an arms-length basis. |
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If we acquire any asset from a C corporation, or a corporation
that generally is subject to full corporate-level tax, in a merger or other transaction in which we acquire a basis in the asset that is determined by
reference either to the C corporations basis in the asset or to another asset, we will pay tax at the highest regular corporate rate applicable
if we recognize gain on the sale or disposition of the asset during the 10-year period after we acquire the asset. The amount of gain on which we will
pay tax is the lesser of: |
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the amount of gain that we recognize at the time of the sale or
disposition, and |
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the amount of gain that we would have recognized if we had sold
the asset at the time we acquired it. |
Requirements for Qualification
A REIT is an entity that meets each of
the following requirements:
1. |
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It is managed by trustees or directors. |
2. |
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Its beneficial ownership is evidenced by transferable shares, or
by transferable certificates of beneficial interest. |
3. |
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It would be taxable as a domestic corporation, but for the REIT
provisions of the federal income tax laws. |
4. |
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It is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company
subject to special provisions of the federal income tax laws. |
5. |
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At least 100 persons are beneficial owners of its shares or
ownership certificates. |
6. |
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Not more than 50% of its outstanding shares or ownership
certificates (as measured by value) is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals, which the federal income tax laws define to include
certain entities, during the last half of any taxable year (the closely held test). |
7. |
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It elects to be a REIT, or has made such election for a previous
taxable year, and satisfies all relevant filing and other administrative requirements established by the IRS that must be met in order to elect and
maintain REIT status. |
8. |
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It meets certain other qualification tests, described below,
regarding the nature of its income and assets and the amount of its distributions to stockholders. |
We must meet requirements 1 through 4
during our entire taxable year and must meet requirement 5 during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a
taxable year of less than 12 months. If we comply with all the requirements for ascertaining the ownership of our outstanding shares in a taxable year
and have no reason to know that we violated the closely held test, we will be deemed to have satisfied requirement 6 for that taxable year. For
purposes of determining share ownership under the closely held test, an individual generally includes a supplemental unemployment
compensation benefits plan, a private foundation, or a portion of a trust permanently set aside or used exclusively for charitable purposes. An
individual, however, generally does not include a trust that is a qualified employee pension or profit sharing trust under the federal
income tax laws, and beneficiaries of such a trust will be treated as holding our shares in proportion to their actuarial interests in the trust for
purposes of the closely held test.
We have issued sufficient shares of our
stock with sufficient diversity of ownership to satisfy requirements 5 and 6. In addition, our charter restricts the ownership and transfer of the
shares of our stock so that we should continue to satisfy these requirements. The provisions of our charter restricting the ownership and transfer of
shares of our stock are described under Description of Capital StockRestrictions on Ownership and Transfer elsewhere in the
accompanying prospectus.
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We have several corporate subsidiaries,
including qualified REIT subsidiaries, and interests in unincorporated domestic entities. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, a
corporation that is a qualified REIT subsidiary is not treated as a corporation separate from its parent REIT. All assets, liabilities and
items of income, deduction and credit of a qualified REIT subsidiary are treated as assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and
credit of the REIT. A qualified REIT subsidiary is a corporation all of the capital stock of which is owned by the REIT and for which no
election has been made to treat such corporation as a taxable REIT subsidiary.
An unincorporated domestic entity, such
as a partnership or limited liability company, that has a single owner generally is not treated as an entity separate from its parent for federal
income tax purposes. An unincorporated domestic entity with two or more owners is generally treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
In the case of a REIT that is a partner in a partnership that has other partners, the REIT is treated as owning its proportionate share of the assets
of the partnership and as earning its allocable share of the gross income of the partnership for purposes of the applicable REIT qualification tests.
Our proportionate share for purposes of the 10% value test (see Asset Tests) is based on our proportionate interest in the equity
interests and certain debt securities issued by the partnership. For all of the other asset and income tests, our proportionate shares are based on our
proportionate interest in the capital interests in the partnership.
A REIT may own up to 100% of the stock
of a taxable REIT subsidiary, or TRS. A TRS is a fully taxable corporation that may earn income that would not be qualifying income if
earned directly by the parent REIT. Both the subsidiary and the REIT must jointly elect to treat the subsidiary as a TRS. A corporation of which a TRS
directly or indirectly owns more than 35% of the voting power or value of the securities will automatically be treated as a TRS. We will not be treated
as holding the assets of a TRS or as receiving any income that the TRS earns. Rather, the stock issued by a TRS to us will be an asset in our hands,
and we will treat the distributions paid to us from such TRS, if any, as income. This treatment may affect our compliance with the gross income and
asset tests. Overall, no more than 25% of the value of a REITs assets may consist of stock or securities of one or more TRSs. A TRS will pay
income tax at regular corporate rates on any income that it earns. In addition, the TRS rules limit the deductibility of interest paid or accrued by a
TRS to its parent REIT to assure that the TRS is subject to an appropriate level of corporate taxation. Further, the rules impose a 100% excise tax on
transactions between a TRS and its parent REIT or the REITs tenants that are not conducted on an arms-length basis. A TRS may not directly
or indirectly operate or manage any health care facilities or lodging facilities or provide rights to any brand name under which any health care
facility or lodging facility is operated. We currently own stock of two TRSs, and may form one or more TRSs in the future.
Income Tests
We must satisfy two gross income tests
annually to maintain our qualification as a REIT. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year must consist of defined types of income
that we derive, directly or indirectly, from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property or qualified temporary investment
income. Qualifying income for purposes of that 75% gross income test generally includes:
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rents from real property; |
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interest on debt secured by mortgages on real property, or on
interests in real property; |
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dividends or other distributions on, and gain from the sale of,
shares in other REITs; |
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gain from the sale of real estate assets, other than property
held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business; |
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income from the operation, and gain from the sale of, certain
property acquired at or in lieu of foreclosure on a lease of, or indebtedness secured by, such property (foreclosure property);
and |
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income derived from the temporary investment of new capital that
is attributable to the issuance of our shares of beneficial interest or a public offering of our debt with a maturity date of at least five years and
that we receive during the one year period beginning on the date on which we receive such new capital. |
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Second, in general, at least 95% of our
gross income for each taxable year must consist of income that is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, other types of interest
and dividends, or gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities. Certain types of gross income, including gross income from our sale of
property that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, is excluded from both the numerator and the denominator for
purposes of the income tests.
A REIT will incur a 100% tax on the net
income derived from any sale or other disposition of property, other than foreclosure property, that the REIT holds primarily for sale to customers in
the ordinary course of a trade or business. We believe that none of our assets are held primarily for sale to customers and that a sale of any of our
assets would not be in the ordinary course of our business. Whether a REIT holds an asset primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course
of a trade or business depends, however, on the facts and circumstances in effect from time to time, including those related to a particular
asset. Nevertheless, we will attempt to comply with the terms of safe-harbor provisions in the federal income tax laws prescribing when an asset sale
will not be characterized as a prohibited transaction. We cannot assure you, however, that we can comply with the safe-harbor provisions or that we
will avoid owning property that may be characterized as property that we hold primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade
or business.
We will generally be subject to tax at
the maximum corporate rate on any net income from foreclosure property, other than income that otherwise would be qualifying income for purposes of the
75% gross income test. However, gross income from foreclosure property will qualify under the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Foreclosure property is
any real property, including interests in real property, and any personal property incident to such real property:
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that is acquired by a REIT as the result of the REIT having bid
on such property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced such property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after there was a
default or default was imminent on a lease of such property or on indebtedness that such property secured; |
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for which the related loan was acquired by the REIT at a time
when the default was not imminent or anticipated; and |
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for which the REIT makes a proper election to treat the property
as foreclosure property. |
A REIT will not be considered to have
foreclosed on a property where the REIT takes control of the property as a mortgagee-in-possession and cannot receive any profit or sustain any loss
except as a creditor of the mortgagor. Property generally ceases to be foreclosure property at the end of the third taxable year following the taxable
year in which the REIT acquired the property, although foreclosure property status may be terminated earlier upon the occurrence of certain events or
may be extended if an extension is granted by the IRS.
We have no foreclosure property as of
the date of this prospectus
Rent that we receive from real property
that we own and lease to tenants will qualify as rents from real property, which is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross
income tests, only if each of the following conditions is met:
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The rent must not be based, in whole or in part, on the income
or profits of any person, but may be based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales. |
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Neither we nor a direct or indirect owner of 10% or more of our
shares may own, actually or constructively, 10% or more of a tenant from whom we receive rent (other than a TRS). Rent we receive from a TRS will
qualify as rents from real property if at least 90% of the leased space of the property is rented to persons other than TRSs and 10%-owned
tenants, the amount of rent paid by the TRS is substantially comparable to the rent paid by the other tenants of the property for comparable space and
the rent is not attributable to a modification of a lease with a controlled TRS (i.e., a TRS in which we own, directly or indirectly, 50%
of the voting power or value of the stock). |
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We generally must not operate or manage our real property or
furnish or render services to our tenants, other than through an independent contractor who is adequately compensated and from whom we do |
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not derive revenue. However, we need not provide services
through an independent contractor, but instead may provide services directly, if the services are usually or customarily rendered in
connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and are not considered to be provided for the tenants convenience. In addition, we may
provide a minimal amount of noncustomary services to the tenants of a property, other than through an independent contractor, as long as
our income from the services does not exceed 1% of our income from the related property. Further, we may own up to 100% of the stock of a TRS which may
provide customary and noncustomary services to our tenants without tainting our rental income. |
In addition, the amount of rent that is
attributable to personal property leased in connection with a lease of real property will qualify as rents from real property but only if
such amount is no more than 15% of the total rent received under the lease. The allocation of rent between real and personal property is based on the
relative fair market values of the real and personal property.
We believe that the rents we receive,
other than rent received from our TRS, meet all of these conditions.
Income and gain from certain hedging
transactions that we enter into to hedge indebtedness incurred or to be incurred to acquire or carry real estate assets and that are clearly and timely
identified as such is excluded from gross income for purposes of the 95% gross income test and, for transactions entered into after July 30, 2008, also
for purposes of the 75% gross income test. We are required to clearly identify any such hedging transaction before the close of the day on which it was
acquired, or entered into and to satisfy other identification requirements. We intend to structure our transactions so as not to jeopardize our status
as a REIT.
If we fail to satisfy one or both of
the gross income tests for any taxable year, we nevertheless may qualify as a REIT for that year if we qualify for relief under certain provisions of
the federal income tax laws. Those relief provisions generally will be available if:
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our failure to meet such tests is due to reasonable cause and
not due to willful neglect; and |
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following such failure for any taxable year, a schedule of the
sources of our income is filed in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. |
We cannot predict, however, whether in
all circumstances we would qualify for the relief provisions. In addition, as discussed above in Taxation of the Company, even if the
relief provisions apply, we generally would incur a 100% tax on the gross income attributable to the greater of the amounts by which we fail the 75% or
the 95% gross income test, multiplied by a fraction intended to reflect our profitability.
The term interest generally
does not include any amount received or accrued, directly or indirectly, if the determination of such amount depends in whole or in part on the income
or profits of any person. However, interest generally includes the following:
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an amount that is based on a fixed percentage or percentages of
receipts or sales; and |
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an amount that is based on the income or profits of a debtor, as
long as the debtor derives substantially all of its income from the real property securing the debt from leasing substantially all of its interest in
the property, and only to the extent that the amounts received by the debtor would be qualifying rents from real property if received
directly by a REIT. |
If a loan contains a provision that
entitles a REIT to a percentage of the borrowers gain upon the sale of the real property securing the loan or a percentage of the appreciation in
the propertys value as of a specific date, income attributable to that loan provision will be treated as gain from the sale of the property
securing the loan, which generally is qualifying income for purposes of both gross income tests.
Interest on debt secured by a mortgage
on real property or on interests in real property generally is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. However, if a loan is
secured by real property and other property and the highest principal amount of a loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value
of the real property securing the loan as of the date the REIT agreed to originate or acquire the loan, a portion of the interest income from such loan
will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, but will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test. The
portion of the interest income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test will be
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equal to the interest income
attributable to the portion of the principal amount of the loan that is not secured by real propertythat is, the amount by which the loan exceeds
the value of the real estate that is security for the loan.
Our share of any dividends received
from any corporation (including any TRS, but excluding any REIT) in which we own an equity interest will qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income
test but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Our share of any dividends received from any other REIT in which we own an equity interest, if
any, will be qualifying income for purposes of both gross income tests.
Asset Tests
To maintain our qualification as a
REIT, we also must satisfy the following asset tests at the end of each quarter of each taxable year. First, at least 75% of the value of our total
assets must consist of:
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cash or cash items, including certain receivables; |
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interests in real property, including leaseholds and options to
acquire real property and leaseholds; |
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interests in mortgages on real property; |
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stock in other REITs; and |
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investments in stock or debt instruments during the one-year
period following our receipt of new capital that we raise through equity offerings or offerings of debt with at least a five-year term. |
Under a second set of asset tests,
except for securities in the 75% asset class, securities in a TRS or qualified REIT subsidiary, and equity interests in partnerships:
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not more than 5% of the value of our total assets may be
represented by securities of any one issuer (the 5% value test); |
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we may not own securities that possess more than 10% of the
total voting power of the outstanding securities of any one issuer (the 10% vote test); and |
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subject to certain exceptions, we may not own securities that
have a value of more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer (the 10% value test). |
In addition, no more than 25% of the
value of our total assets may consist of securities (other than those that are qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test), and not more than
25% of the value of our total assets may be represented by securities of one or more TRSs.
For purposes of the 10% value test,
debt instruments issued by a partnership are not classified as securities to the extent of our interest as a partner in such partnership
(based on our proportionate share of the partnerships equity interests and certain debt securities) or if at least 75% of the partnerships
gross income, excluding income from prohibited transactions, is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. For purposes of the 10%
value test, the term securities also does not include debt securities issued by another REIT, certain straight debt securities
(for example, qualifying debt securities of a corporation of which we own no more than a de minimis amount of equity interest), loans to individuals or
estates, and accrued obligations to pay rent.
We believe that our existing assets are
qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test. We also believe that any additional real property that we acquire, loans that we extend and
temporary investments that we make generally will be qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test, except to the extent that the principal
balance of any loan exceeds the value of the associated real property or to the extent the asset is a loan that is not deemed to be an interest in real
property. We intend to monitor the status of our acquired assets for purposes of the various asset tests and manage our portfolio in order to comply at
all times with such tests. If we fail to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a calendar quarter, we will not lose our REIT status
if:
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we satisfied the asset tests at the end of the preceding
calendar quarter; and |
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the discrepancy between the value of our assets and the asset
test requirements arose from changes in the market values of our assets and was not wholly or partly caused by the acquisition of one or more
non-qualifying assets. |
If we did not satisfy the condition
described in the second item above, we still could avoid disqualification by eliminating any discrepancy within 30 days after the close of the calendar
quarter in which it arose.
In the event that we violate the 5%
value test, 10% vote test, or 10% value test described above at the end of any quarter of each taxable year, we will not lose our REIT qualification if
(i) the failure is de minimis (up to the lesser of 1% of our assets or $10 million) and (ii) we dispose of the assets that caused the failure or
otherwise comply with the asset tests within six months after the last day of the quarter in which we identified such failure. In the event of a more
than de minimis failure of any of the asset tests, as long as the failure was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, we will not lose our
REIT qualification if we (i) dispose of the assets that caused the failure or otherwise comply with the asset tests within six months after the last
day of the quarter in which we identified such failure, (ii) file a schedule with the IRS describing the assets that caused such failure and (iii) pay
a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or 35% of the net income from the nonqualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy the asset
tests.
Distribution Requirements
Each taxable year, we must distribute
dividends, other than capital gain dividends and deemed distributions of retained capital gain, to our stockholders in an aggregate amount at least
equal to:
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90% of our REIT taxable income, computed without
regard to the dividends paid deduction and our net capital gain or loss, and |
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90% of our after-tax income, if any, from foreclosure property,
minus |
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the sum of certain items of non-cash income. |
We must pay such distributions in the
taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if we declare the distribution before we timely file our federal income tax return
for the year and pay the distribution on or before the first regular dividend payment date after such declaration.
We will pay federal income tax on
taxable income, including net capital gain, that we do not distribute to stockholders. Furthermore, if we fail to distribute during a calendar year, or
by the end of January following the calendar year in the case of distributions with declaration and record dates falling in the last three-months of
the calendar year, at least the sum of:
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85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, |
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95% of our REIT capital gain income for such year,
and |
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any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, |
we will incur a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the excess of such
required distribution over the amounts we actually distribute. We may elect to retain and pay income tax on the net long-term capital gain we receive
in a taxable year. See Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders below. If we so elect, we will be treated as having distributed any such
retained amount for purposes of the 4% nondeductible excise tax described above. We have made, and we intend to continue to make, timely distributions
sufficient to satisfy the annual distribution requirements.
It is possible that, from time to time,
we may experience timing differences between:
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the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible
expenses, and |
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the inclusion of that income and deduction of such expenses in
arriving at our REIT taxable income. |
As a result of the foregoing, unless,
for example, we raise funds by a borrowing or pay taxable dividends of our capital stock or debt securities, we may have less cash than is necessary to
distribute taxable income
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sufficient to avoid corporate
income tax and the 4% excise tax described above or even to meet the 90% distribution requirement.
Under certain circumstances, we may be
able to correct a failure to meet the distribution requirement for a year by paying deficiency dividends to our stockholders in a later
year. We may include such deficiency dividends in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Although we may be able to avoid income tax on
amounts distributed as deficiency dividends, we will be required to pay interest to the IRS based upon the amount of any deduction we take for
deficiency dividends.
Recordkeeping Requirements
We must maintain certain records in
order to qualify as a REIT. In addition, to avoid a monetary penalty, we must request on an annual basis information from our stockholders designed to
disclose the actual ownership of our outstanding shares. We have complied, and we intend to continue to comply, with these
requirements.
Failure to Qualify
If we fail to satisfy one or more
requirements for REIT qualification, other than the gross income tests and the 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. In addition, there are relief provisions for a
failure of the gross income tests and asset tests, as described in Income Tests and Asset Tests.
If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any
taxable year, and no relief provision applies, we would be subject to federal income tax and any applicable alternative minimum tax on our taxable
income at regular corporate rates. In addition, we may be required to pay penalties and/or interest in respect of such tax. In calculating our taxable
income in a year in which we fail to qualify as a REIT, we would not be able to deduct amounts paid out to stockholders. In fact, we would not be
required to distribute any amounts to stockholders in that year. To the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, any distributions
to stockholders in any such year generally would be taxed as ordinary dividend income. Distributions to individual, trust and estate stockholders may
be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income, which currently is taxed at capital gains rates through 2010. Subject to certain limitations of
the federal income tax laws, corporate stockholders might be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Unless we qualified for relief under
specific statutory provisions, we also would be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we
ceased to qualify as a REIT. We cannot predict whether in all circumstances we would qualify for such statutory relief.
Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders
This section is a summary of rules
governing the U.S. federal income taxation of U.S. stockholders (defined below) for general information only. WE URGE YOU TO CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX
ADVISORS TO DETERMINE THE IMPACT OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL INCOME TAX LAWS ON OWNERSHIP OF THE SHARES OF OUR STOCK. For purposes of this summary,
the term U.S. stockholder means a holder of our stock that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is:
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a citizen or resident of the United States, |
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corporation created or organized under the laws of the United
States, or of any state thereof, or the District of Columbia, |
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an estate whose income is includible in gross income for U.S.
federal income tax purposes regardless of its source, or |
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any trust (i) with respect to which a United States court is
able to exercise primary supervision over its administration, and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all of its
substantial decisions or (ii) that has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person. |
As long as we qualify as a REIT, a
taxable U.S. stockholder must take into account as ordinary income distributions made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits that we do
not designate as capital
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gain dividends or retained
long-term capital gain. A U.S. stockholder will not qualify for the dividends received deduction generally available to corporations.
A U.S. stockholder generally will
recognize distributions that we properly designate as capital gain dividends as long-term capital gain without regard to the period for which the U.S.
stockholder has held its stock. A corporate U.S. stockholder, however, may be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary
income.
We may elect to retain and pay income
tax on the net long-term capital gain that we receive in a taxable year. In that case, to the extent that we timely designate the amount, a U.S.
stockholder would be taxed on its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gain. The U.S. stockholder would receive a credit or
refund for its proportionate share of the tax we paid. The U.S. stockholder would increase the basis in its shares of our stock by the amount of its
proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gain, minus its share of the tax we paid. If we make such an election, we may, if supported
by reasonable authority that it will not jeopardize our status as a REIT, make such an election only with respect to capital gains allocable to our
Common Stock and Class A Common Stock.
A U.S. stockholder will not incur tax
on a distribution in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits if the distribution does not exceed the adjusted basis of the U.S.
stockholders shares of our stock. Instead, the distribution will reduce the adjusted basis of such shares of our stock. A U.S. stockholder will
recognize a distribution in excess of both our current and accumulated earnings and profits and the U.S. stockholders adjusted basis in his or
her shares of our stock as long-term capital gain, or short-term capital gain if the shares of our stock have been held for one year or less, assuming
the shares of our stock are a capital asset in the hands of the U.S. stockholder. For purposes of determining whether a distribution is made out of our
current or accumulated earnings and profits, our earnings and profits will be allocated first to dividends on our preferred stock and then to dividends
on our common equity. If, for any taxable year, we elect to designate as capital gain dividends any portion of the distributions paid for the year to
our stockholders, the portion of the amount so designated (not in excess of our net capital gain for the year) that will be allocable to the holders of
our preferred stock will be the amount so designated, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which will be the total dividends (within the meaning
of the Internal Revenue Code) paid to the holders of our preferred stock for the year and the denominator of which will be the total dividends paid to
the holders of all classes of our stock for the year.
Dividends paid to a U.S. stockholder
generally will not qualify for the 15% tax rate for qualified dividend income. Currently the maximum federal income tax rate for qualified
dividend income is 15% for tax years through 2012. Qualified dividend income generally includes dividends paid by domestic C corporations and certain
qualified foreign corporations to individual, trust and estate U.S. stockholders. However, the 15% tax rate for qualified dividend income will apply to
our ordinary REIT dividends, if any, that are (1) attributable to dividends received by us from non-REIT corporations, such as a TRS, and (2)
attributable to income upon which we have paid corporate income tax (e.g., to the extent that we distribute less than 100% of our taxable income). In
general, to qualify for the reduced tax rate on qualified dividend income, a U.S. stockholder must hold our stock for more than 60 days during the
121-day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the date on which our stock becomes ex-dividend.
Distributions made by us and gain
arising from the sale or exchange by a U.S. stockholder will not be treated as passive activity income, and as a result, U.S. stockholders generally
will not be able to apply any passive losses against this income or gain. U.S. stockholders may not include in their individual income tax
returns any of our net operating losses or capital losses.
Taxation of U.S. Stockholders on the Disposition of
Stock
In general, a U.S. stockholder who is
not a dealer in securities must treat any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of his or her shares of our stock as long-term capital gain
or loss if the U.S. stockholder has held the shares of our stock for more than one year. However, a U.S. stockholder must treat any loss upon a sale or
exchange of shares of our stock held by such stockholder for six months or less as a long-term capital loss to the extent of capital gain dividends and
other distributions from us that such U.S. stockholder treats as long-term capital gain. All or a portion of any loss that a U.S. stockholder realizes
upon a taxable
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disposition of the shares of our
stock may be disallowed if the U.S. stockholder purchases other shares of substantially identical stock within 30 days before or after the
disposition.
Capital Gains and Losses
The tax rate differential between
capital gain and ordinary income for non-corporate taxpayers may be significant. A taxpayer generally must hold a capital asset for more than one year
for gain or loss derived from its sale or exchange to be treated as long-term capital gain or loss. The current maximum tax rate on long-term capital
gain applicable to individual taxpayers is 15%, which rate, absent Congressional action, will apply until December 31, 2012. The maximum tax rate on
long-term capital gain from the sale or exchange of section 1250 property, or depreciable real property, is 25% to the extent that such
gain would have been treated as ordinary income if the property were section 1245 property. With respect to distributions that we designate
as capital gain dividends and any retained capital gain that we are deemed to distribute, we generally may designate which of the two rates is
applicable to such a distribution (or portions thereof).
A non-corporate taxpayer may deduct
capital losses not offset by capital gains against its ordinary income only up to a maximum annual amount of $3,000. A non-corporate taxpayer may carry
forward unused capital losses indefinitely. A corporate taxpayer must pay tax on its net capital gain at ordinary corporate rates. A corporate taxpayer
can deduct capital losses only to the extent of capital gains, with unused losses being carried back three years and forward five
years.
Information Reporting Requirements and Backup
Withholding
We will report to our stockholders and
to the IRS the amount of distributions we pay during each calendar year, and the amount of tax we withhold, if any. Under the backup withholding rules,
a stockholder may be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 28% with respect to distributions unless the holder:
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comes within certain exempt categories and, when required,
demonstrates this fact; or |
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provides a taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no
loss of exemption from backup withholding, and otherwise complies with the applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. |
A stockholder who does not provide us
with its correct taxpayer identification number also may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Any amount paid as backup withholding may be
credited against the stockholders income tax liability.
New Legislation Regarding Medicare Tax
With respect to taxable years beginning
after December 31, 2012, certain U.S. stockholders, including individuals and estates and trusts, will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on
all or a portion of their net investment income, which may include dividends and net gains from the disposition of shares of stock. U.S.
stockholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the implications of the additional Medicare tax resulting from an investment in our
stock.
Taxation of Tax Exempt Stockholders
This section is a summary of rules
governing the U.S. federal income taxation of U.S. stockholders that are tax-exempt entities for general information only. WE URGE YOU TO CONSULT YOUR
OWN TAX ADVISORS TO DETERMINE THE IMPACT OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL INCOME TAX LAWS ON OWNERSHIP OF THE SHARES OF OUR STOCK, INCLUDING ANY REPORTING
REQUIREMENTS.
Tax-exempt entities, including
qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts, generally are exempt from federal income taxation. However,
they are subject to taxation on their unrelated business taxable income. While many investments in real estate generate unrelated business
taxable income, the IRS has issued a ruling that dividend distributions from a REIT to an exempt employee pension trust do not constitute unrelated
business taxable income so long as the exempt employee pension trust does not otherwise use the shares of the REIT in an unrelated trade or business of
the pension trust. Based on that ruling, amounts that we distribute to tax-exempt stockholders generally should not
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constitute unrelated business
taxable income. However, if a tax-exempt stockholder were to finance its acquisition of shares of our stock with debt, a portion of the income that it
receives from us would constitute unrelated business taxable income pursuant to the debt-financed property rules. Furthermore, certain
types of tax-exempt entities are subject to unrelated business taxable income under rules that are different from the general rules discussed above,
which may require them to characterize distributions that they receive from us as unrelated business taxable income. In certain circumstances, a
pension trust could be required to treat a percentage of the dividends received from a pension-held REIT as UBTI. We intend that certain
restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock should generally prevent us from becoming a pension-held REIT. If we were to become a pension-held
REIT, these rules generally would apply only to certain pension trusts that held more than 10% of our stock.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders
This section is a summary of the rules
governing the U.S. federal income taxation of non-U.S. stockholders. For purposes of this discussion, the term non-U.S. stockholder means a
holder of our Class A common stock that is not a U.S. stockholder or an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The rules
governing the U.S. federal income taxation of non-U.S. stockholders are complex and this summary is for general information only. WE URGE YOU TO
CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISORS TO DETERMINE THE IMPACT OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL INCOME TAX LAWS ON OWNERSHIP OF THE SHARES OF OUR STOCK, INCLUDING
ANY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
A non-U.S. stockholder that receives a
distribution that is not attributable to gain from our sale or exchange of a United States real property interest, as defined below, and
that we do not designate as a capital gain dividend or retained capital gain, will recognize ordinary income to the extent of our current or
accumulated earnings and profits. A withholding tax equal to 30% of the gross amount of the distribution ordinarily will apply unless an applicable tax
treaty reduces or eliminates the tax. However, if a distribution is treated as effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholders conduct of a
U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. stockholder generally will be subject to federal income tax on the distribution at graduated rates, in the same
manner as U.S. stockholders are taxed on distributions, and also may be subject to the 30% branch profits tax if the non-U.S. stockholder is a
corporation. We plan to withhold U.S. income tax at the rate of 30% on the gross amount of any distribution paid to a non-U.S. stockholder unless
either:
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a lower treaty rate applies and the non-U.S. stockholder files
an IRS Form W-8BEN evidencing eligibility for that reduced rate with us, or |
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the non-U.S. stockholder files an IRS Form W-8ECI with us
claiming that the distribution is effectively connected income. |
A non-U.S. stockholder will not incur
tax on a distribution on shares of our stock in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits if the distribution does not exceed the
adjusted basis of those shares. Instead, the distribution will reduce the adjusted basis of those shares. A non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to tax
on a distribution on shares of our stock that exceeds both our current and accumulated earnings and profits and the adjusted basis of those shares if
the non-U.S. stockholder otherwise would be subject to tax on gain from the sale or disposition of those shares as described below. Because we
generally cannot determine at the time we make a distribution whether the distribution will exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, we
normally will withhold tax on the entire amount of any distribution at the same rate as we would withhold on a dividend. However, a non-U.S.
stockholder may obtain a refund of amounts that we withhold if we later determine that a distribution in fact exceeded our current and accumulated
earnings and profits.
Under the FIRPTA rules
discussed below, we are generally required to withhold 10% of any distribution that exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits.
Consequently, although we intend to withhold at a rate of 30% on the entire amount of any distribution, to the extent that we do not do so, we
generally will withhold at a rate of 10% on any portion of a distribution not subject to withholding at a rate of 30%.
A non-U.S. stockholder may incur tax on
distributions that are attributable to gain from our sale or exchange of United States real property interests under special provisions of
the federal income tax laws known as the Foreign Investment in Real Property Act of 1980 (or FIRPTA). The term United
States real
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property interests includes
interests in U.S. real property and shares in corporations at least 50% of whose assets consist of interests in U.S. real property. Under those rules,
subject to the exception discussed below for distributions on shares of a class of stock that is regularly traded on an established securities market
to a less-than-5% holder of such class, a non-U.S. stockholder is taxed on distributions attributable to gain from sales of United States real property
interests as if the gain were effectively connected with a U.S. business of the non-U.S. stockholder. A non-U.S. stockholder thus would be taxed on
this distribution at the normal capital gain rates applicable to U.S. stockholders, subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special
alternative minimum tax in the case of a nonresident alien individual. A non-U.S. corporate stockholder not entitled to treaty relief or exemption also
may be subject to the 30% branch profits tax on such a distribution. Unless the exception described in the next paragraph applies, we must withhold 35%
of any distribution that we could designate as a capital gain dividend. A non-U.S. stockholder may receive a credit against its tax liability for the
amount we withhold.
Capital gain distributions to the
holders of shares of a class of our stock that are attributable to our sale of real property will be treated as ordinary dividends rather than as gain
from the sale of a United States real property interest, as long as (1) that class of stock is regularly traded on an established securities market and
(2) the non-U.S. stockholder did not own more than 5% of that class of stock during the one-year period ending on the date of distribution. As a
result, non-U.S. stockholders generally would be subject to withholding tax on such capital gain distributions in the same manner as they are subject
to withholding tax on ordinary dividends.
Moreover, if a non-U.S. stockholder
disposes of our stock during the 30-day period preceding a dividend payment, and such non-U.S. stockholder (or a person related to such non-U.S.
stockholder) acquires or enters into a contract or option to acquire our stock within 61 days of the 1st day of the 30-day period described above, and
any portion of such dividend payment would, but for the disposition, be treated as a U.S real property interest capital gain to such non-U.S.
stockholder, then such non-U.S. stockholder shall be treated as having U.S. real property interest capital gain in an amount that, but for the
disposition, would have been treated as U.S. real property interest capital gain.
A non-U.S. stockholder generally will
not incur tax under FIRPTA on gain from the sale of our stock as long as at all times non-U.S. persons hold, directly or indirectly, less than 50% of
such stock, as measured by value. We cannot assure you that that test will be met. In addition, a non-U.S. stockholder that owned, actually or
constructively, 5% or less of the shares of a class of stock at all times during a specified testing period will not incur tax on such gain under
FIRPTA if the shares of that class of stock are regularly traded on an established securities market. If the gain on the sale of stock is taxed under
FIRPTA, a non-U.S. stockholder would be taxed on that gain in the same manner as U.S. stockholders, subject to alternative minimum tax and a special
alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals.
A non-U.S. stockholder generally will
incur tax on gain not subject to FIRPTA if:
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the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S.
stockholders U.S. trade or business, in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders with
respect to such gain, or |
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the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who
was present in the U.S. 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.
stockholder will incur a 30% tax on his or her capital gains. |
Additional Withholding Requirements
Under recently enacted legislation, the
relevant withholding agent may be required to withhold 30% of dividends and the gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of our stock paid after
December 31, 2012 to (i) a foreign financial institution unless such foreign financial institution agrees to verify, report and disclose its U.S.
accountholders and meets certain other specified requirements or (ii) a non-financial foreign entity that is the beneficial owner of the payment unless
such entity certifies that it does not have any substantial United States owners or provides the name, address and taxpayer identification number of
each substantial United States owner and meets certain other specified requirements. Prospective investors are urged to consult with their tax advisors
regarding the possible implication of this legislation in respect of an investment in our stock.
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State and Local Taxes
We and/or our stockholders may be
subject to taxation by various states and localities, including those in which we or a stockholder transacts business, owns property or resides. The
state and local tax treatment may differ from the federal income tax treatment described above. Consequently, prospective investors should consult
their own tax advisors regarding the effect of state and local tax laws on an investment in our stock.
We may sell the securities being
offered hereby from time to time through agents to the public or to investors, to or through one or more underwriters for resale to the public or to
investors, in at the market offerings within the meaning of Rule 415 of the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an
existing trading market on the exchange or otherwise, directly to investors in privately negotiated transactions or through a combination of any of
these methods of sale. Any underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of the securities will be named in a prospectus
supplement.
The distribution of the offered
securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices
prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices, any of which may represent a discount from
the prevailing market price. We also may, from time to time, authorize underwriters acting as agents to offer and sell the securities upon the terms
and conditions set forth in any prospectus supplement. In connection with the sale of offered securities, underwriters may be deemed to have received
compensation from us in the formal underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of offered securities for
whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and these dealers may receive compensation in the form of
discounts, concessions or commissions (which may be changed from time to time) from the underwriters and/or from the purchasers for whom they may act
as agent.
Any underwriting compensation paid by
us to underwriters or agents in connection with the offering of the securities and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to
participating dealers will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the
securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them from us or from purchasers of the securities and any
profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Underwriters,
dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
Unless otherwise specified in a
prospectus supplement, each series of the securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than our common stock and Class A
common stock which are both currently traded on the New York Stock Exchange. We may elect to list any series of preferred stock or depositary shares on
the New York Stock Exchange, on another exchange, or on the NASDAQ Stock Market, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more
underwriters may make a market in a series of the securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time
without notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the securities.
Rules of the SEC may limit the ability
of any underwriter to bid for or purchase securities before the distribution of the shares of common stock is completed. However, underwriters may
engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act.
Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the
underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities
in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession
from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may
cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any
time.
If so indicated in a prospectus
supplement, we will authorize dealers acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase the securities from us at the public
offering price set forth in the prospectus
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supplement pursuant to delayed
delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in the prospectus supplement. Each delayed delivery contract will be
for an amount not less than, and the principal amount of the securities sold pursuant to the delayed delivery contracts will not be less nor more than,
the respective amounts stated in the prospectus supplement.
Institutions with which delayed
delivery contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies,
educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but will in all cases be subject to our approval. Delayed delivery contracts will not
be subject to any conditions except (i) the purchase by an institution of the securities covered by its delayed delivery contract shall not at the time
of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which such institution is subject and (ii) if the offered
securities are being sold to underwriters, we shall have sold to such underwriters the total principal amount of the securities less the principal
amount thereof covered by delayed delivery contracts. A commission indicated in the prospectus supplement will be paid to agents and underwriters
soliciting purchases of the securities pursuant to delayed delivery contracts accepted by us. Agents and underwriters shall have no responsibility in
respect of the delivery or performance of delayed delivery contracts.
Certain of the underwriters , agents
and their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with, and perform services for, us in the ordinary course of
business.
INCORPORATION BY
REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by
reference certain information we file with the SEC. This permits us to disclose important information to you by referencing these filed documents. Any
information referenced this way is considered part of this prospectus, and any information filed with the Commission subsequent to this prospectus will
automatically be deemed to update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the following documents which have been filed with the
Commission.
|
|
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October
31, 2010; |
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Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended
January 31, 2011, April 30, 2011 and July 31, 2011; |
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Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on December 28, 2010, May
18, 2011, June 8, 2011 (solely as to the information contained in Item 5.07) and September 19, 2011; |
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The description of our common stock, which is registered under
Section 12 of the Exchange Act, contained in our Form 8-A, filed on March 12, 1997 with the SEC under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and including
any additional amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description; |
|
|
The description of our Class A common stock, which is registered
under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, contained in our Form 8-A, filed on June 17, 1998, as amended by our Form 8-A/A filed on August 3, 1998 with the
SEC under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and including any additional amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such
description; |
|
|
The description of our Series C Cumulative Preferred Stock,
which is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, contained in our Form 8-A, filed on September 9, 2003, as amended by our Form 8-A/A, filed on
September 17, 2003 with the SEC under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and including any additional amendment or report filed for the purpose of
updating such description; and |
|
|
The description of our Series D Cumulative Preferred Stock,
which is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, contained in our Form 8-A, filed on April 11, 2005 with the SEC under Section 12(b) of the
Exchange Act and including any additional amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
We also incorporate by reference into
this prospectus all documents that we may subsequently file pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and prior to the filing
of a post-effective amendment terminating this registration statement, including all documents that we may file pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of first filing this registration statement
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and prior to the effectiveness of
this registration statement, provided, however, that we are not incorporating by reference any information furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of
any Current Report on Form 8-K, unless, and to the extent, specified in any such Current Report on Form 8-K. Any statement herein or in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the
extent that a statement contained in any subsequently filed document which also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this prospectus.
We will provide without charge upon
written or oral request to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the
documents which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus (other than exhibits unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference
in such documents). Requests should be directed to Investor Relations, Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc., 321 Railroad Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830, or by
calling Investor Relations directly at (203) 863-8200.
The validity of the common stock, Class
A common stock and preferred stock will be passed upon for us by Miles & Stockbridge P.C., Baltimore, Maryland. The validity of the depositary
shares and delayed delivery contracts will be passed upon for us by Baker & McKenzie LLP, New York, New York. Also, certain federal income tax
matters will be passed upon by Baker & McKenzie LLP.
Our consolidated financial statements
and related financial statement schedules for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009 and the effectiveness of our internal
control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2010 incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended October 31, 2010 have been audited by PKF, an independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in its report thereon, and have
been incorporated herein in reliance on said report of such firm given on its authority as experts in auditing and accounting in giving said
report.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE
INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current
reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The reports, proxy statements and other information filed by us may be inspected without
charge at the public reference room of the SEC, which is located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain copies of all or any
part of the reports, proxy statements and other information from the public reference room, upon the payment of the prescribed fees. You may obtain
information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a web site at www.sec.gov that
contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding registrants like us that file electronically with the SEC. You can inspect the
reports, proxy statements and other information on this website.
This prospectus, which constitutes part
of a registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the SEC, does not include all of the information, undertakings and exhibits included in such
registration statement. Copies of the full registration statement can be obtained from the SEC as indicated above, or from us.
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2,500,000 Shares
Class A Common Stock
Preliminary Prospectus Supplement
Subject to completion, dated October 1, 2012