As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 23, 2024
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
RLJ LODGING TRUST
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
| Maryland | 27-4706509 |
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer |
| Incorporation or Organization) | Identification Number) |
7373 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1500
Suite 1000
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 280-7777
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
Leslie D. Hale
President and Chief Executive Officer
RLJ Lodging Trust
7373 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1500
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 280-7777
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
Copy to:
David W. Bonser
Les B. Reese, III
Hogan Lovells US LLP
555 Thirteenth Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20004-1109
(202) 637-5600
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ¨
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. x
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. x
If this form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer x | Accelerated filer ¨ | Non-accelerated filer ¨ |
| Smaller reporting company ¨ | Emerging growth company ¨ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ¨
PROSPECTUS
2,157,580 Common Shares
This prospectus relates to the offer and sale from time to time of up to 2,157,580 common shares of beneficial interest (“common shares”) of RLJ Lodging Trust by the selling shareholders identified in this prospectus or in supplements to this prospectus, including up to 558,750 common shares that we may issue to certain holders of units of limited partnership interest (“OP Units”) in RLJ Lodging Trust, L.P., and to any of their pledgees, donees, transferees or other successors in interest upon tender of OP Units for redemption. See “Selling Shareholders.” This prospectus does not necessarily mean that the selling shareholders will offer or sell those shares. We cannot predict when or in what amounts the selling shareholders may sell any of the shares offered by this prospectus, whether or when any holders of OP Units will elect to redeem their OP Units or whether we will elect to satisfy any redemption of OP Units with cash or our common shares. The prices at which the selling shareholders may sell the shares will be determined by the prevailing market price for the shares or in negotiated transactions. We are not offering for sale any common shares in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We will not receive any of the proceeds from sales of our common shares by the selling shareholders, but will incur expenses.
Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “RLJ.” On August 22, 2024, the last reported sale price of our common shares on the NYSE was $9.30 per share. Our principal executive offices are located at 7373 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1500, Maryland 20814, and our telephone number is (301) 280-7777.
You should carefully read this entire prospectus, the documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement before you invest in any of these securities.
Investing in our common shares involves risks. You should carefully consider the risks described under “Risk Factors” on page 3 of this prospectus, as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, before making a decision to invest in our securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
This prospectus is dated August 23, 2024.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. To the extent there are any inconsistencies between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the applicable prospectus supplement. You should rely only on the information provided or information to which we have referred you, including any information incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement. We have not, and the selling shareholders have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the selling shareholders are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale of these securities is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any free writing prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement prepared by us or the other documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate only as of their respective dates or on the date or dates that are specified in these documents. Our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
You should read carefully the entire prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated by reference in the prospectus, which we have referred you to in “Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation by Reference” below, before making an investment decision. Information incorporated by reference after the date of this prospectus may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Statements contained or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement as to the content of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus or such prospectus supplement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. Any information in such subsequent filings that is inconsistent with this prospectus will supersede the information in this prospectus or any earlier prospectus supplement.
Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this prospectus to “we,” “our,” “us” and “our company” refer to RLJ Lodging Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including RLJ Lodging Trust, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, which we refer to as the “Operating Partnership.”
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the use of the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “will continue,” “intend,” “should,” “may” or similar expressions. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, beliefs and expectations, such forward-looking statements are not predictions of future events or guarantees of future performance and our actual results could differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.
Factors that might cause actual outcomes to differ materially from our forward-looking statements include the following: the current global economic uncertainty, increased direct and indirect competition, changes in government regulations or accounting rules, changes in local, national and global real estate conditions, declines in the lodging industry, seasonality of the lodging industry, risks related to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes, hostilities, including future terrorist attacks or fear of hostilities that affect travel, epidemics and/or pandemics, our ability to obtain lines of credit or permanent financing on satisfactory terms, inflation and changes in interest rates, access to capital through offerings of our common and preferred shares of beneficial interest, or debt, our ability to identify suitable acquisitions, our ability to close on identified acquisitions and integrate those businesses and inaccuracies of our accounting estimates. For a detailed discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements, see the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024 and in other documents that we may file from time to time in the future with the SEC. Given these uncertainties, undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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We are a self-advised and self-administered Maryland real estate investment trust that owns primarily premium-branded, rooms-oriented, high-margin, focused-service and compact full-service hotels located within heart of demand locations. We own a geographically diversified portfolio of hotels located in high-growth urban markets that exhibit multiple demand generators and attractive long-term growth prospects. We believe that our investment strategy allows us to generate high levels of Revenue per Available Room (“RevPAR”), strong operating margins and attractive returns.
Our strategy is to own primarily premium-branded, rooms-oriented, high-margin, focused-service and compact full-service hotels located within heart of demand locations. Focused-service and compact full-service hotels typically generate most of their revenue from room rentals, have limited food and beverage outlets and meeting space, and require fewer employees than traditional full-service hotels. We believe these types of hotels have the potential to generate attractive returns relative to other types of hotels due to their ability to achieve RevPAR levels at or close to those achieved by traditional full-service hotels while achieving higher profit margins due to their more efficient operating model and less volatile cash flows.
As of June 30, 2024, we owned 97 hotel properties with approximately 21,500 rooms, located in 23 states and the District of Columbia. We owned, through wholly-owned subsidiaries, a 100% interest in 95 of our hotel properties, a 95% controlling interest in one hotel property, and a 50% non-controlling interest in an entity owning one hotel property. We consolidate our real estate interests in the 96 hotel properties in which we hold a controlling interest, and we record the real estate interest in the one hotel property in which we hold an indirect 50% non-controlling interest using the equity method of accounting. We lease 96 of the 97 hotel properties to our taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”) of which we own a controlling financial interest.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we elected to be taxed as a REIT commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2011. Substantially all of our assets and liabilities are held by, and all of our operations are conducted through our Operating Partnership. We are the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. As of June 30, 2024, we owned, through a combination of direct and indirect interests, 99.5% of the OP Units.
Our principal executive offices are located at 7373 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1500, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. Our telephone number is (301) 280-7777. Our website is located at www.rljlodgingtrust.com. The information that is found on or accessible through our website is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of, this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement. We have included our website address as an inactive textual reference and do not intend it to be an active link to our website.
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Investing in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and our Quarterly Reports for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024, together with all the other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including the risks we have highlighted in other sections of this prospectus, before making an investment decision to purchase our common shares. The occurrence of any of the events described could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to make cash distributions to our shareholders, which could cause you to lose all or a significant part of your investment in our common shares. Some statements in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements. Please refer to the section entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
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We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of common shares by the selling shareholders from time to time pursuant to this prospectus. The proceeds from the offering are solely for the account of the selling shareholders. We have agreed, however, to pay certain expenses relating to the registration of the common shares under applicable securities laws.
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The following summary of our common shares and certain provisions of Maryland law and our declaration of trust and bylaws does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to Maryland law and to our declaration of trust and bylaws, copies of which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information and Incorporation by Reference.”
General
Our declaration of trust provides that we may issue up to 450,000,000 common shares, par value $0.01 per share. Our declaration of trust authorizes our board of trustees to amend our declaration of trust to increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized common shares without shareholder approval. As of August 20, 2024, 154,890,750 common shares were issued and outstanding.
Maryland law provides, and our declaration of trust provides, that none of our shareholders is personally liable for any of our obligations solely as a result of that shareholder’s status as a shareholder.
Voting Rights of Common Shares
Subject to the provisions of our declaration of trust regarding the restrictions on transfer and ownership of shares of beneficial interest and except as may otherwise be specified in the terms of any class or series of shares of beneficial interest, each outstanding common share entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, including the election of trustees, and, except as provided with respect to any other class or series of shares of beneficial interest, the holders of such common shares will possess the exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of trustees.
Under the Maryland statute governing real estate investment trusts formed under the laws of that state (the “Maryland REIT law”), a Maryland real estate investment trust generally cannot amend its declaration of trust or merge with another entity unless declared advisable by a majority of its board of trustees and approved by the affirmative vote of shareholders holding at least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote on the matter unless a lesser percentage (but not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter) is set forth in the real estate investment trust’s declaration of trust. Our declaration of trust provides that these actions (other than certain amendments to the provisions of the declaration of trust related to the removal of trustees, the restrictions on ownership and transfer of shares, the termination of our existence and the provision imposing a higher voting threshold for amending those provisions of the declaration of trust) may be taken if declared advisable by a majority of our board of trustees and approved by the vote of shareholders holding a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
Dividends, Distributions, Liquidation and Other Rights
Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of shares and to the provisions of our declaration of trust regarding the restrictions on transfer and ownership of shares, holders of our common shares are entitled to receive dividends on such common shares if, as and when authorized by the board of trustees, and declared by us out of assets legally available therefor. Such holders also are entitled to share ratably in the assets of our company legally available for distribution to shareholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up after payment or establishment of reserves for all debts and other liabilities of our company and any shares with preferential rights related thereto.
Holders of common shares have no preference, conversion, exchange, sinking fund or redemption rights, have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any securities of our company and have no appraisal rights. Subject to the provisions of our declaration of trust regarding the restrictions on transfer and ownership of shares, common shares will have equal dividend, liquidation and other rights.
Power to Reclassify Our Unissued Common Shares or Preferred Shares
Our declaration of trust authorizes our board of trustees to classify and reclassify any unissued common shares or preferred shares into other classes or series of shares and to establish the number of shares in each class or series and to set the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption for each such class or series.
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Power to Increase or Decrease Authorized Common Shares and Issue Additional Common and Preferred Shares
We believe that the power of our board of trustees to amend our declaration of trust to increase or decrease the number of authorized shares, to issue additional authorized but unissued common shares or preferred shares and to classify or reclassify unissued common shares or preferred shares and thereafter to cause to issue such classified or reclassified shares will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring possible future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs that might arise. The additional classes or series will be available for issuance without further action by our shareholders, unless such action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may be listed or traded.
Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer
With certain exceptions, our declaration of trust generally prohibits any person or entity (other than a person or entity who has been granted an exception) from directly or indirectly, beneficially or constructively, owning more than 9.8% of the aggregate of our outstanding common shares, by value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive. However, our declaration of trust permits (but does not require) exceptions to be made for shareholders provided that our board of trustees determines that such exceptions will not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT. For more information regarding these ownership restrictions and certain other restrictions intended to protect our qualification as a REIT, see “Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer.”
Stock Exchange Listing
Our common shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “RLJ.”
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common shares is EQ Shareowner Services.
Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and Our Declaration of Trust and Bylaws
Our Board of Trustees
Our declaration of trust and bylaws provide that the number of trustees of our company may be established by our board of trustees, but may not be fewer than two nor more than 15. Our declaration of trust and bylaws provide that any vacancy, including a vacancy created by an increase in the number of trustees, may be filled by a majority of the remaining trustees, even if the remaining trustees do not constitute a quorum. Any individual elected to fill such vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term and until a successor is duly elected and qualifies.
Pursuant to our bylaws, each of our trustees will be elected by our shareholders to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies under Maryland law. Holders of our common shares will have no right to cumulative voting in the election of trustees. Trustees will be elected by a majority of all the votes cast at a meeting of shareholders duly called and at which a quorum is present; provided, however, that if on the record date for such meeting the number of trustee nominees exceeds the number of trustees to be elected, then a plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting of shareholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient. For purposes of the election of trustees, a majority of the votes cast means the number of shares voted for a trustee must exceed the number of shares voted against that trustee. Any incumbent trustee who does not receive a majority of the votes cast by shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the election of that trustee shall tender his or her resignation to the board of trustees within three (3) days after certification of the results, for consideration by the nominating and corporate governance committee of our board of trustees. The nominating and corporate governance committee will make a recommendation to our board of trustees on whether to accept or reject the resignation, or whether other action should be taken. Our board of trustees will act on the recommendation and publicly disclose its decision and the rationale behind it within 90 days from the date of the certification of the election results. The trustee who tenders his or her resignation will not participate in our board of trustee’s decision. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our board of trustees shall be required to accept any resignation tendered by an incumbent trustee if such trustee shall have received more votes against than for his or her election at two consecutive annual meetings of shareholders for the election of trustees at which a quorum was present and the number of trustee nominees equaled the number of trustees to be elected at each such annual meeting of shareholders.
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Our bylaws provide that at least a majority of our trustees must be “independent,” with independence being defined in the manner established by our board of trustees and in a manner consistent with listing standards established by the NYSE.
Removal of Trustees
Our declaration of trust provides that, subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of preferred shares to elect or remove one or more trustees, a trustee may be removed only for cause (as defined in our declaration of trust) and only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of trustees.
Business Combinations
Under provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law (“MGCL”) that apply to Maryland real estate investment trusts, certain “business combinations” (including a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in certain circumstances specified under the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between a Maryland real estate investment trust and any interested shareholder, or an affiliate of such an interested shareholder, are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder. Maryland law defines an interested shareholder as:
| · | any person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting power of the real estate investment trust’s outstanding voting shares; or |
| · | an affiliate or associate of the real estate investment trust who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding voting shares of the real estate investment trust. |
A person is not an interested shareholder under the statute if the board of trustees approves in advance the transaction by which the person otherwise would have become an interested shareholder. In approving a transaction, however, the board of trustees may provide that its approval is subject to compliance at or after the time of the approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board of trustees.
After the five-year prohibition, unless, among other conditions, the real estate investment trust’s common shareholders receive a minimum price (as described under Maryland law) for their shares and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form as previously paid by the interested shareholder for its shares, any business combination between the real estate investment trust and an interested shareholder generally must be recommended by the board of trustees and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:
| · | 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding voting shares of the real estate investment trust; and |
| · | two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting shares of the real estate investment trust other than shares held by the interested shareholder with whom (or with whose affiliate) the business combination is to be effected or shares held by an affiliate or associate of the interested shareholder. |
These provisions of the MGCL do not apply, however, to business combinations that are approved or exempted by a real estate investment trust’s board of trustees prior to the time that the interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder. Our board of trustees, pursuant to the statute, has determined to opt out of the business combination provisions of the MGCL and, consequently, the five-year prohibition and, accordingly, the supermajority vote requirements will not apply to business combinations between us and an interested shareholder, unless our board in the future alters or repeals this resolution. As a result, any person who later becomes an interested shareholder may be able to enter into business combinations with our company without compliance by us with the supermajority vote requirements and the other provisions of the statute.
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Our board of trustees may not determine to become subject to such business combination provisions in the future without shareholder approval. An alteration or repeal of the resolution of our board of trustees will not have any effect on any business combinations that have been consummated or upon any agreements existing at the time of such modification or repeal.
Control Share Acquisitions
Maryland law provides that “control shares” of a Maryland real estate investment trust acquired in a “control share acquisition” have no voting rights except to the extent approved at a special meeting of shareholders by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding shares in a Maryland real estate investment trust in respect of which any of the following persons is entitled to exercise or direct the exercise of the voting power of such shares in the election of trustees: (1) a person who makes or proposes to make a control share acquisition; (2) an officer of the real estate investment trust; or (3) an employee of the real estate investment trust who is also a trustee of the real estate investment trust. “Control shares” are voting shares that, if aggregated with all other such shares previously acquired by the acquirer or in respect of which the acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing trustees within one of the following ranges of voting power:
| · | one-tenth or more but less than one-third; |
| · | one-third or more but less than a majority; or |
| · | a majority or more 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 shareholder approval. A “control share acquisition” means the acquisition, directly or indirectly, of ownership of, or the power to direct the exercise of voting power with respect to, issued and outstanding 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 and making an “acquiring person statement” as described in the MGCL), may compel our board of trustees to call a special meeting of shareholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the control shares. If no request for a special meeting is made, we may present the question at any shareholders meeting.
If voting rights of control shares are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an “acquiring person statement” as required by Maryland law, then, subject to certain conditions and limitations, the real estate investment trust 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, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquirer or of any meeting of shareholders at which the voting rights of such shares are considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a shareholders meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other shareholders may exercise appraisal rights, unless appraisal rights are eliminated under the declaration of trust. Our declaration of trust eliminates all appraisal rights of shareholders. The control share acquisition statute does not apply (1) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the issuer is a party to the transaction or (2) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the declaration of trust or bylaws of the real estate investment trust.
Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition statute any and all acquisitions by any person of our common shares. Our board of trustees may not amend or eliminate such provision without shareholder approval.
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Subtitle 8
Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL permits a Maryland real estate investment trust with a class of equity securities registered under the Exchange Act and at least three independent trustees to elect to be subject, by provision in its declaration of trust or bylaws or a resolution of its board of trustees and notwithstanding any contrary provision in the declaration of trust or bylaws, to any or all of the following five provisions:
| · | a classified board; |
| · | a two-thirds shareholder vote requirement for removing a trustee; |
| · | a requirement that the number of trustees be fixed only by vote of the trustees; |
| · | a requirement that a vacancy on the board be filled only by the remaining trustees and for the remainder of the full term of the class of trustees in which the vacancy occurred; and |
| · | a requirement that requires the request of the holders of at least a majority of all votes entitled to be cast to call a special meeting of shareholders. |
We have opted out of all of the provisions of Subtitle 8 through provisions contained in our declaration of trust, as amended and supplemented, and must receive the approval of a majority of shareholders casting votes on the matter to opt in to any of the provisions of Subtitle 8; however, pursuant to provisions in our declaration of trust and bylaws unrelated to Subtitle 8, we currently (1) require the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter for the removal of any trustee from our board, which removal will be allowed only for cause, and (2) require, unless called by the Executive Chairman of our board of trustees, the President or Chief Executive Officer or our board of trustees, the written request of shareholders entitled to cast a majority of all votes entitled to be cast at such meeting to call a special meeting. In addition, provisions in our declaration of trust and bylaws provide that the number of trustees may be determined by our board and that our trustees may fill vacancies on our board and, therefore, as a practical matter, shareholders may not have the ability to determine the number of trustees on our board or to fill vacancies on our board other than vacancies resulting from the removal of a trustee.
Amendment of Our Declaration of Trust and Bylaws and Approval of Extraordinary Transactions
Under the Maryland REIT law, a Maryland real estate investment trust generally cannot amend its declaration of trust or merge with another entity unless declared advisable by a majority of the board of trustees and approved by the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter unless a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, is set forth in the real estate investment trust’s declaration of trust. Our declaration of trust provides that such actions (other than certain amendments to the provisions of our declaration of trust related to the removal of trustees, the restrictions on ownership and transfer of our shares, termination of the real estate investment trust, and the provision imposing a higher voting threshold for amending those provisions of the real estate investment trust’s declaration of trust) may be taken if declared advisable by a majority of our board of trustees and approved by the vote of shareholders holding a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
Our bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, and new bylaws adopted, by the vote of a majority of the board of trustees or by the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
Meetings of Shareholders
Under our bylaws, annual meetings of shareholders will be held each year at a date and time as determined by our board of trustees. Special meetings of shareholders may be called only by a majority of the trustees then in office, by the executive chairman of our board of trustees, our president or our chief executive officer. Additionally, subject to the provisions of our bylaws, special meetings of the shareholders shall be called by our secretary upon the written request of shareholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting. Only matters set forth in the notice of the special meeting may be considered and acted upon at such a meeting. Maryland law and our bylaws provide that any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting by unanimous written consent, if that consent sets forth that action and is signed by each shareholder entitled to vote on the matter.
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Advance Notice of Trustee Nominations and New Business
Our bylaws provide that, with respect to an annual meeting of shareholders, nominations of persons for election to our board of trustees and the proposal of business to be considered by shareholders at the annual meeting may be made only:
| · | pursuant to our notice of the meeting; |
| · | by or at the direction of our board of trustees; or |
| · | by a shareholder who was a shareholder of record both at the time of giving of the notice of the meeting and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice procedures set forth in our bylaws. |
With respect to special meetings of shareholders, only the business specified in our notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting of shareholders. Nominations of persons for election to our board of trustees may be made only:
| · | pursuant to our notice of the meeting; |
| · | by or at the direction of our board of trustees; or |
| · | provided that our board of trustees has determined that trustees shall be elected at such meeting, by a shareholder who is a shareholder of record both at the time of giving of the notice required by our bylaws and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice provisions set forth in our bylaws. |
The purpose of requiring shareholders to give advance notice of nominations and other proposals is to afford our board of trustees the opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees or the advisability of the other proposals and, to the extent considered necessary by our board of trustees, to inform shareholders and make recommendations regarding the nominations or other proposals. The advance notice procedures also permit a more orderly procedure for conducting our shareholder meetings. Although our bylaws do not give our board of trustees the power to disapprove timely shareholder nominations and proposals, our bylaws may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of trustees or proposals for other action if the proper procedures are not followed, and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of trustees to our board of trustees or to approve its own proposal.
Anti-takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and Our Declaration of Trust and Bylaws
The provisions of our declaration of trust on removal of trustees and the advance notice provisions of our bylaws could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control of our company that might involve a premium price for holders of our common shares or otherwise be in the best interests of our shareholders. Likewise, if our board of trustees were to opt into the business combination provisions of the MGCL or certain of the provisions of Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL, with shareholder approval, or if the provision in our bylaws opting out of the control share acquisition provisions of the MGCL were amended or rescinded, these provisions of the MGCL could have similar anti-takeover effects.
Indemnification and Limitation of Trustees’ and Officers’ Liability
The Maryland REIT law permits a Maryland real estate investment trust to include in its declaration of trust a provision limiting the liability of its trustees and officers to the real estate investment trust and its shareholders for money damages except for liability resulting from actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action. Our declaration of trust contains such a provision that eliminates such liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
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The Maryland REIT law permits a Maryland real estate investment trust to indemnify and advance expenses to its trustees, officers, employees and agents to the same extent as permitted by the MGCL for directors and officers of a Maryland corporation. The MGCL permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or are threatened to be made a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that:
| · | the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; |
| · | the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or |
| · | in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. |
However, under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify a director or officer for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or if the director or officer was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification and then only for expenses.
In addition, the MGCL permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation’s receipt of:
| · | a written affirmation by such director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation; and |
| · | a written undertaking by such director or officer or on such director’s or officer’s behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the director did not meet the standard of conduct. |
Our declaration of trust and bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to indemnify and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to:
| · | any present or former trustee or officer (including any individual who, at our request, serves or has served as a director, trustee, officer, partner, member, employee or agent of another real estate investment trust, corporation, partnership, company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise) against any claim or liability to which he or she may become subject by reason of service in such capacity; and |
| · | any present or former trustee or officer who has been successful in the defense of a proceeding to which he or she was made a party by reason of service in such capacity. |
Our declaration of trust and bylaws also permit us, with the approval of our board of trustees, to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of ours in any of the capacities described above and to any employee or agent of our company or a predecessor of our company.
In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our trustees and executive officers that provide for indemnification to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
Insofar as the foregoing provisions permit indemnification of trustees, officers or persons controlling us for liability arising under the Securities Act, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, this indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
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REIT Qualification
Our declaration of trust provides that our board of trustees may revoke or otherwise terminate our REIT election, without approval of our shareholders, if our board of trustees determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT.
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RESTRICTIONS ON OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFER
In order to qualify as a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), our shares must be beneficially owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (other than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, no more than 50% of the value of our outstanding shares (after taking into account options to acquire common shares) may be owned, directly, indirectly, or through attribution, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) at any time during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first year for which an election to be a REIT has been made).
Because our board of trustees believes that it is essential for us to qualify as a REIT, our declaration of trust, subject to certain exceptions, contains restrictions on the number of our shares of beneficial interest that a person may own.
In order to assist us in complying with the limitations on the concentration of ownership of our shares imposed by the Code, our declaration of trust generally prohibits any person or entity (other than a person or entity who has been granted an exception) from directly or indirectly, beneficially or constructively, owning more than 9.8% of the aggregate of our outstanding common shares, by value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, or 9.8% of the aggregate of the outstanding preferred shares of any class or series, by value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive. However, our declaration of trust permits (but does not require) exceptions to be made for shareholders provided that our board of trustees determines that such exceptions will not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT.
Our declaration of trust will also prohibit any person from (1) beneficially or constructively owning our shares of beneficial interest that would result in our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code, (2) transferring our shares if such transfer would result in us being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined without regard to any rules of attribution), (3) beneficially or constructively owning our shares that would result in our owning (directly or constructively) 10% or more of the ownership interest in a tenant of our real property if income derived from such tenant for our taxable year would result in more than a de minimis amount of non-qualifying income for purposes of the REIT tests that, taking into account any other non-qualifying gross income of ours, would cause us to fail to satisfy an applicable REIT gross income requirement, and (4) beneficially or constructively owning our shares that would cause us otherwise to fail to qualify as a REIT, including, but not limited to, as a result of any “eligible independent contractor” (as defined in Section 856(d)(9)(A) of the Code) that operates a “qualified lodging facility” (as defined in Section 856(d)(9)(D)(i) of the Code) on behalf of a TRS failing to qualify as such. Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial ownership of our shares that will or may violate any of the foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership will be required to give notice immediately to us and provide us with such other information as we may request in order to determine the effect of such transfers on our qualification as a REIT. The foregoing restrictions on transferability and ownership will not apply if our board of trustees determines that it is no longer in our best interest to attempt to qualify, or to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT. In addition, our board of trustees may determine that compliance with the foregoing restrictions is no longer required for our qualification as a REIT.
Our board of trustees, in its sole discretion, may waive the 9.8% ownership limit for common shares or preferred shares for a shareholder that is not an individual if such shareholder provides information and makes representations to the board that are satisfactory to the board, in its reasonable discretion, to establish that such person’s ownership in excess of the 9.8% limit for common or preferred shares would not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT. As a condition of granting the waiver, our board of trustees, in its sole discretion, may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or an opinion of counsel in either case in form and substance satisfactory to our board of trustees in order to determine or ensure our qualification as a REIT.
In addition, our board of trustees from time to time may increase the share ownership limits. However, the share ownership limits may not be increased if, after giving effect to such increase, five or fewer individuals could own or constructively own in the aggregate, more than 49.9% in value of the shares then outstanding.
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If any transfer of our shares of beneficial interest occurs which, if effective, would result in any person beneficially or constructively owning shares in excess, or in violation, of the above transfer or ownership limitations, known as a prohibited owner, then that number of shares, the beneficial or constructive ownership of which otherwise would cause such person to violate the transfer or ownership limitations (rounded up to the nearest whole share), will be automatically transferred to a charitable trust for the exclusive benefit of a charitable beneficiary, and the prohibited owner will not acquire any rights in such shares. This automatic transfer will be considered effective as of the close of business on the business day before the violative transfer. If the transfer to the charitable trust would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of the above transfer or ownership limitations, then the transfer of that number of shares that otherwise would cause any person to violate the above limitations will be void. Shares held in the charitable trust will continue to constitute issued and outstanding shares. The prohibited owner will not benefit economically from ownership of any shares held in the charitable trust, will have no rights to dividends or other distributions and will not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares held in the charitable trust. The trustee of the charitable trust will be designated by us and must be unaffiliated with us or any prohibited owner and will have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares held in the charitable trust, and these rights will be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the real estate investment trust’s charitable beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid before our discovery that shares have been transferred to the trustee will be paid by the recipient of such dividend or distribution to the trustee upon demand, and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid will be paid when due to the trustee. Any dividend or distribution so paid to the trustee will be held in trust for the real estate investment trust’s charitable beneficiary. Subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that such shares have been transferred to the charitable trust, the trustee, in its sole discretion, will have the authority to:
| · | rescind as void any vote cast by a prohibited owner prior to our discovery that such shares have been transferred to the charitable trust; and |
| · | recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the real estate investment trust’s charitable beneficiary. |
However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee will not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote.
Within 20 days of receiving notice from us that shares have been transferred to the charitable trust, and unless we buy the shares first as described below, the trustee will sell the shares held in the charitable trust to a person, designated by the trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the share ownership limits in our declaration of trust. Upon the sale, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the prohibited owner and to the charitable beneficiary. The prohibited owner will receive the lesser of:
| · | the price paid by the prohibited owner for the shares or, if the prohibited owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the charitable trust (for example, in the case of a gift or devise), the market price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the charitable trust; and |
| · | the price per share received by the trustee from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the charitable trust (less any commission and other expenses of a sale). |
The trustee may reduce the amount payable to the prohibited owner by the amount of dividends and distributions paid to the prohibited owner and owed by the prohibited owner to the trustee. Any net sale proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the prohibited owner will be paid immediately to the charitable beneficiary. If, before our discovery that our shares have been transferred to the charitable trust, such shares are sold by a prohibited owner, then:
| · | such shares will be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the charitable trust; and |
| · | to the extent that the prohibited owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that the prohibited owner was entitled to receive as described above, the excess must be paid to the trustee upon demand. |
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In addition, shares held in the charitable trust will be deemed to have been offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of:
| · | the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the charitable trust (or, in the case of a gift or devise, the market price at the time of the gift or devise); and |
| · | the market price on the date we, or our designee, accepts such offer. |
We may reduce the amount payable to the prohibited owner by the amount of dividends and distributions paid to the prohibited owner and owed by the prohibited owner to the trustee. We may pay the amount of such reduction to the trustee for the benefit of the charitable beneficiary. We will have the right to accept the offer until the trustee has sold the shares held in the charitable trust. Upon such a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the prohibited owner and any dividends or other distributions held by the trustee will be paid to the charitable beneficiary.
All certificates representing our shares will bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.
Every shareholder of record of more than 5% (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) in value of the outstanding shares will be required to give written notice to us within 30 days after the end of each taxable year stating the name and address of each actual owner, the number of shares of each class and series of shares that each actual owner beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which such shares are held. Each such shareholder shall provide to us such additional information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such beneficial ownership on our status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limitations. In addition, each shareholder shall upon demand be required to provide to us such information as we may request, in good faith, in order to determine our status as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.
These share ownership limitations could delay, deter or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common shares or might otherwise be in the best interest of our shareholders.
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The common shares being registered for resale under this prospectus (i) were acquired by certain of the selling shareholders set forth in the table below in May 2011 in connection with our formation transactions, or (ii) may be acquired upon redemption of OP Units, which were issued in May 2011 in connection with our formation transactions. As the general partner of the Operating Partnership, we have the sole discretion to elect whether to redeem OP Units for cash or our common shares. If we elect to issue common shares in redemption of OP Units, we intend to issue the common shares in a private placement in reliance on an exemption from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
Each of the selling shareholders may from time to time offer and sell pursuant to this prospectus the common shares set forth opposite his or her name in the table below. The table below sets forth the names of the selling shareholders and the following information as of August 22, 2024:
| · | the number of common shares beneficially owned by the selling shareholders; |
| · | the maximum number of shares that may be offered for sale by the selling shareholders under this prospectus; |
| · | the number of shares beneficially owned by the selling shareholders; and |
| · | the percentage of our outstanding common shares beneficially owned by the selling shareholders. |
Because the selling shareholders may offer all, some or none of the common shares pursuant to this prospectus, and because there currently are no agreements, arrangements or understandings with respect to the sale of any of these shares, no definitive estimate can be given as to the amount of common shares that will be held by the selling shareholders after completion of this offer. The following table has been prepared assuming that (1) all OP Units are tendered for redemption by the holders and that we issue common shares in redemption of such OP Units and (2) the selling shareholders sell all of our common shares beneficially owned by them (including any common shares issued in redemption of OP Units held by them) that have been registered by us and do not acquire any additional common shares during the offering. We cannot advise you as to whether the selling shareholders will in fact sell any or all of their common shares. Likewise, we cannot predict whether or when any holders of OP Units will elect to redeem their OP Units or whether we will elect to satisfy any redemption of OP Units with cash or our common shares. In addition, the selling shareholders may have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, or may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, at any time and from time to time, the common shares in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act after the date for which the information set forth in the table below is provided.
The selling shareholders listed in the table below may have sold or transferred, in transactions pursuant to this prospectus or exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, some or all of their shares since the date as of which the information is presented in the table below. Information concerning the selling shareholders may change from time to time, and any changed information will be set forth in prospectus supplements or post-effective amendments, as may be appropriate.
| Name of Selling Shareholder | Common Shares Beneficially Owned Prior to the Offering |
Common Shares Offered Hereby |
Common Shares Beneficially Owned After Completion of the Offering |
Percentage of Outstanding Common Shares Beneficially Owned After Completion of the Offering(1) |
||||||||
| Robert L. Johnson | 1,748,658 | 1,189,811 | (2) | 558,847 | * | |||||||
| Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr. | 1,241,326 | 809,915 | (3) | 431,411 | * | |||||||
| Ross H. Bierkan | 69,208 | 69,208 | (4) | 0 | * | |||||||
| Leslie D. Hale | 1,522,460 | 88,646 | (5) | 1,433,814 | * |
* Less than 1%.
| 1. | Based on 154,890,750 common shares and 771,831 OP Units outstanding as of August 20, 2024. |
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| 2. | Includes 335,250 common shares that may be issued upon redemption of OP Units and 854,561 common shares received by Mr. Johnson in connection with the Company’s formation transactions in May 2011. Mr. Johnson has served as our Executive Chairman since our initial public offering in May 2011. |
| 3. | Includes 156,450 common shares that may be issued upon redemption of OP Units and 653,465 common shares received by Mr. Baltimore in connection with the Company’s formation transactions in May 2011. Mr. Baltimore served as our President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of our board of trustees from our initial public offering in May 2011 until May 11, 2016. |
| 4. | Includes 67,050 common shares that may be issued upon redemption of OP Units and 2,158 common shares received by Mr. Bierkan in connection with the Company’s formation transactions in May 2011. Mr. Bierkan served as our Chief Investment Officer and Executive Vice President from our initial public offering in May 2011 until May 11, 2016, when he assumed the title of President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer, which he held until August 2018. |
| 5. | Includes 88,646 common shares received by Ms. Hale in connection with the Company’s formation transactions in May 2011. Ms. Hale has served in various capacities since our initial public offering in May 2011, and currently serves as our President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of our board of trustees, roles she has held since August 2018. |
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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in our common shares (the “shares”) and other material tax considerations relating to the Company and to the holders of the shares. If we offer securities other than common shares, information about any additional income tax consequences to holders of those securities may be included in the documents pursuant to which those securities are offered. The discussion set forth herein is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, tax advice. As used in this section, references to the terms “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” mean only RLJ Lodging Trust, and not its subsidiaries, except as otherwise indicated. This discussion is based upon the Code, the Treasury regulations, rulings and other administrative interpretations and practices of the IRS (including administrative interpretations and practices expressed in private letter rulings, which are binding on the IRS only with respect to the particular taxpayers who requested and received those rulings), 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 in this section. This discussion also is based upon the assumption that we will operate the Company and its subsidiaries in accordance with their applicable organizational documents and in the manner that we have represented. This discussion does not address the actual material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our shares to any particular holder, which depend on that shareholder’s particular tax circumstances. In addition, this discussion does not discuss any state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences, or any tax consequences arising under any U.S. federal tax other than the income tax, associated with the ownership or disposition of our shares or our election to be taxed as a REIT.
This summary is for general information only, and does not purport to discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a particular investor in light of its investment or tax circumstances, or to investors subject to special tax rules, including:
| · | tax-exempt organizations, except to the extent discussed below in “—Taxation of U.S. Shareholders—Taxation of Tax-Exempt Shareholders,” |
| · | broker-dealers, |
| · | non-U.S. corporations, non-U.S. partnerships, non-U.S. trusts, non-U.S. estates, or individuals who are not taxed as citizens or residents of the United States, all of which may be referred to collectively as “non-U.S. persons,” except to the extent discussed below in “—Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders,” |
| · | trusts and estates, |
| · | regulated investment companies (“RICs”), |
| · | REITs, |
| · | financial institutions, |
| · | insurance companies, |
| · | subchapter S corporations, |
| · | foreign (non-U.S. governments), |
| · | persons subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code, |
| · | persons holding the shares as part of a “hedge,” “straddle,” “conversion,” “synthetic security” or other integrated investment, |
| · | persons holding the shares through a partnership or similar pass-through entity, |
| · | persons with a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar, |
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| · | persons holding 10% or more (by vote or value) of the beneficial interest in us, except to the extent discussed below, |
| · | persons who do not hold the shares as a “capital asset,” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code, |
| · | corporations subject to the provisions of Section 7874 of the Code, |
| · | U.S. expatriates, or |
| · | persons otherwise subject to special tax treatment under the Code. |
U.S. Federal Income Taxation of the Company as a REIT
General
We are a self-advised and self-administered Maryland real estate investment trust that acquires primarily premium-branded, focused-service and compact full-service hotels. Substantially all of our assets are held by, and all of our operations are conducted through, the Operating Partnership. We are the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership. As of June 30, 2024, we owned, through a combination of direct and indirect interests, 99.5% of the OP Units in the Operating Partnership. We made an election to be treated as a REIT, effective for our taxable year that ended December 31, 2011. We believe that we have been organized and have operated in a manner that has permitted us to qualify for taxation as a REIT from the effective date of our REIT election. We own, through the Operating Partnership, 100% of the outstanding common stock of two entities that also have elected to be treated as REITs. These entities are subject to the same REIT qualification requirements and other limitations described herein that apply to us.
The law firm of Hogan Lovells US LLP (“Hogan Lovells”) has acted as our tax counsel in connection with the filing of the registration statement of which this discussion is a part. We have received an opinion of Hogan Lovells to the effect that we have been organized and have operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT for each of our taxable years, beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 2014, and that our current organization and current and intended method of operation (as described in our disclosure and a letter that we have provided to Hogan Lovells) will enable us to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for the current taxable year and thereafter. It must be emphasized that the opinion of Hogan Lovells is based on various assumptions relating to our organization and operation, is conditioned upon factual representations and covenants made by our management regarding our organization, assets, income, the present and future conduct of our business operations, the economic terms of our leases, and other items regarding our ability to meet the various requirements for qualification as a REIT, and assumes that such representations and covenants are accurate and complete and that we will take no action inconsistent with our qualification as a REIT. While we intend to continue 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 our circumstances, no assurance can be given by Hogan Lovells or by us that we will qualify as a REIT for any particular year. The opinion of Hogan Lovells is expressed as of the date issued. Hogan Lovells has no obligation to advise us or our shareholders of any subsequent change in the matters stated, represented or assumed, or of any subsequent change in the applicable law. You should be aware that opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions. Hogan Lovells’ opinion does not foreclose the possibility that we may have to utilize one or more of the REIT savings provisions discussed below, which could require us to pay an excise or penalty tax (which tax could be significant in amount) in order for us to maintain our REIT qualification.
Qualification and taxation as a REIT depend on our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, through actual operating results, distribution levels, and diversity of share and asset ownership, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Code. In addition, our ability to qualify as a REIT may depend in part upon the operating results, organizational structure and entity classification for U.S. federal income tax purposes of certain entities in which we invest. Our ability to qualify as a REIT also requires that we satisfy certain asset tests, some of which depend upon the fair market values of assets that we own directly or indirectly. Such values may not be susceptible to a precise determination. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of our operations for any taxable year will satisfy such requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT.
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Provided that we qualify to be taxed as a REIT generally, we will be entitled to a deduction for dividends that we pay and therefore will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our REIT taxable income that is distributed currently to our shareholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” at the corporate and shareholder levels that generally results from an investment in a C corporation. A “C corporation” is a corporation that generally is required to pay tax at the corporate level. Double taxation means taxation once at the corporate level when income is earned and once again at the shareholder level when the income, net of corporate income taxes paid, is distributed thereto. In general, the income that we generate is taxed only at the shareholder level upon a distribution of dividends by us to our shareholders.
U.S. shareholders (as defined herein) generally will be subject to taxation on dividends distributed by us (other than designated capital gain dividends and “qualified dividend income”) at tax rates applicable to ordinary income, instead of at lower capital gain rates. For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, generally, U.S. shareholders that are individuals, trusts or estates may deduct 20% of the aggregate amount of ordinary dividends distributed by us, subject to certain limitations. Capital gain dividends and qualified dividend income will continue to be subject to a maximum 23.8% tax rate (which rate takes into account the maximum capital gain rate of 20% and the 3.8% Medicare tax on net investment income, described below under “—Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income”). See “—U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Our Shareholders—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Shareholders—Distributions Generally.”
Any net operating losses, foreign tax credits and other tax attributes generated or incurred by us generally do not pass through to our shareholders, subject to special rules for certain items such as the undistributed but designated capital gain that we recognize. See “—U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Our Shareholders—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Shareholders—Distributions Generally.”
Even if we qualify to be taxed as a REIT, we nonetheless will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the following circumstances:
| · | We will be taxed at regular U.S. federal corporate income tax rates on any undistributed “REIT taxable income,” including undistributed net capital gains, for any taxable year. REIT taxable income is the taxable income of the REIT, subject to specified adjustments, including a deduction for dividends paid. |
| · | If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of inventory or property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be subject to a 100% tax. See “—Gross Income Tests—Prohibited Transactions Tax” below. |
| · | If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with certain leasehold terminations or a foreclosure of a mortgage loan as “foreclosure property,” we may thereby avoid (1) the 100% prohibited transactions tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale otherwise would constitute a prohibited transaction); and (2) the inclusion of any income from such property as non-qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests discussed below. Income from the sale or operation of the property may be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate (currently 21%). See “—Gross Income Tests—Income from Foreclosure Property,” below. |
| · | If we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as discussed below, but our failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and we nonetheless maintain our REIT qualification because of specified cure provisions, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount equal to (1) the greater of (a) the amount by which we fail the 75% gross income test, or (b) the amount by which we fail the 95% gross income test, as the case may be, multiplied by (2) a fraction intended to reflect our profitability. |
| · | If we violate the asset tests (other than a de minimis failure of the 5% or 10% asset test) or other requirements applicable to REITs, as described below, but our failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and we nonetheless maintain our REIT qualification because of specified cure provisions, we will be required to pay a tax equal to at least $50,000 per failure, which, in the case of certain asset test failures, will be determined as the amount of net income generated by the assets in question multiplied by the highest U.S. federal corporate income tax rate, if that amount exceeds $50,000 per failure. |
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| · | If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (1) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (2) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (3) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods (collectively, the “required distribution”), we will be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of (a) the amounts that we actually distributed (taking into account excess distributions from prior years), plus (b) retained amounts upon which we paid U.S. federal corporate income tax. |
| · | We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record-keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of our shareholders, as described below under “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT.” |
| · | We will be subject to a 100% penalty tax on amounts we receive from, on certain expenses deducted by, and on certain service income imputed to, a TRS if certain arrangements between us and our TRSs are not comparable to similar arrangements among unrelated parties. |
| · | If we acquire appreciated assets from a corporation that is or has been a C corporation (or a partnership in which a C corporation is a partner) in a transaction in which our tax basis in the assets is determined by reference to the C corporation’s (or such partnership’s) tax basis in such assets, provided no election is made for the transaction to be taxable currently, we will be subject to tax on such appreciation at the highest U.S. federal corporate income tax rate then applicable if we subsequently recognize gain on a disposition of any such assets during the five-year period following the acquisition from the C corporation (or partnership). Gain from the sale of property which we acquired in an exchange under Section 1031 (a like kind exchange) or 1033 (an involuntary conversion) of the Code is generally excluded from the application of this built-in gains tax, unless we surrendered property in the exchange that was subject to built-in gain immediately prior to the exchange. |
| · | We may elect to retain and pay U.S. federal corporate income tax on our net long-term capital gain. See “U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Our Shareholders.” |
| · | The earnings of our subsidiaries that are C corporations, including our TRSs, are subject to U.S. federal and, if applicable, non-U.S. corporate income tax. |
In addition, we and our subsidiaries may be subject to a variety of taxes, including payroll taxes and state, local, and non-U.S. income, property, gross receipts and other taxes on our assets and operations. We also could be subject to tax in other situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.
Requirements for Qualification as a REIT
The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:
| (1) | that is managed by one or more trustees or directors; |
| (2) | the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares, or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest; |
| (3) | that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for Sections 856 through 860 of the Code; |
| (4) | that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to applicable provisions of the Code; |
| (5) | the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons; |
| (6) | during the last half of each taxable year not more than 50% in value of the outstanding shares of which is owned, directly or indirectly, or by application of certain attribution rules, by five or fewer “individuals” (as defined in the Code to include certain entities); |
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| (7) | that makes an election to be taxable as a REIT, or has made this election for a previous taxable year which has not been revoked or terminated, and satisfies all of the relevant filing and other administrative requirements established by the IRS that must be met in order to elect and maintain REIT qualification; |
| (8) | that uses a calendar year for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
| (9) | that meets other tests described below, including with respect to the nature of its income and assets and the amount of its distributions; and |
| (10) | that has no earnings and profits from any non-REIT taxable year at the close of any taxable year. |
The Code provides that conditions (1) through (4) must be met during the entire taxable year, and condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Conditions (5) and (6) need not be satisfied during a corporation’s initial tax year as a REIT. For purposes of condition (6), an “individual” generally includes a supplemental unemployment compensation benefit plan, a private foundation or a portion of a trust permanently set aside or used exclusively for charitable purposes. However, a trust that is a qualified trust under Code Section 401(a) generally is not considered an individual, and beneficiaries of a qualified trust are treated as holding shares of a REIT in proportion to their actual interests in the trust for purposes of condition (6) above.
To monitor compliance with the share ownership requirements, we generally are required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our shares. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of specified percentages of our shares pursuant to which the record holders must disclose the actual owners of the shares (i.e., the persons required to include our dividends in their gross income). We must maintain a list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand as part of our records. We could be subject to monetary penalties if we fail to comply with these record-keeping requirements. A shareholder that fails or refuses to comply with the demand is required by Treasury regulations to submit a statement with such record holder’s tax return disclosing the actual ownership of our shares and other information. We have complied, and currently intend to continue to comply, with these requirements.
We believe that we have been organized, have operated and have issued sufficient shares with sufficient diversity of ownership to allow us to satisfy conditions (1) through (9) and we have no earnings and profits from a non-REIT year in satisfaction of condition (10). Our declaration of trust provides restrictions regarding the ownership and transfers of our shares, which are intended to assist us in satisfying the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. These restrictions, however, do not ensure that we have previously satisfied, and may not ensure that we will, in all cases, be able to continue to satisfy, such share ownership requirements. If we fail to satisfy these requirements, except as provided in the next sentence, our status as a REIT will terminate. If, however, we comply with the demand and record-keeping requirements described in the previous paragraph and we do not know, or would not have known through the exercise of reasonable diligence, that we failed to meet the requirement described in condition (6), we will be treated as having satisfied this requirement. See “—Failure to Qualify as a REIT.”
Effect of Subsidiary Entities
Ownership of Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies and Qualified REIT Subsidiaries
If we are a partner in an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Treasury regulations provide that we are deemed to own our proportionate share of the partnership’s assets, and to earn our proportionate share of the partnership’s income, for purposes of the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs, as described below. Our proportionate share of a partnership’s assets and income is based on our capital interest in the partnership (except that for purposes of the 10% value asset test, described below, our proportionate share of the partnership’s assets is based on our proportionate interest in the equity and certain debt securities issued by the partnership). In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership are deemed to retain the same character in our hands. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of the Operating Partnership and any subsidiaries treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the REIT requirements. A summary of the rules governing the U.S. federal income taxation of partnerships and their partners is provided below in “—Tax Aspects of the Operating Partnership and Our Other Subsidiary Partnerships.” As the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, we have direct control over it and indirect control over the subsidiaries in which the Operating Partnership or a subsidiary has a controlling interest. We currently intend to operate these entities in a manner consistent with the requirements for our qualification as a REIT.
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Under a U.S. federal audit of a partnership, liability is imposed on the partnership (rather than its partners) for adjustments to reported partnership taxable income resulting from audits or other tax proceedings. The liability can include an imputed underpayment of tax, calculated by using the highest marginal U.S. federal income tax rate, as well as interest and penalties on such imputed underpayment of tax. Using certain rules, partnerships may be able to transfer these liabilities to their partners. In the event any adjustments are imposed by the IRS on the taxable income reported by any subsidiary partnerships, we intend to utilize certain rules to the extent possible to allow us to transfer any liability with respect to such adjustments to the partners of the subsidiary partnerships who should properly bear such liability. However, there is no assurance that we will qualify under those rules or that we will have the authority to use those rules under the operating agreements for certain of our subsidiary partnerships.
If we own a corporate subsidiary that is a qualified REIT subsidiary (“QRS”), that QRS generally is disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and its assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit are treated as our assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit, including for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs. A QRS is any entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes other than a TRS that is directly or indirectly wholly-owned by a REIT. Other entities that are wholly-owned by us, including single member limited liability companies that have not elected to be taxed as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, also generally are disregarded as separate entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with any partnerships in which we hold an equity interest, are sometimes referred to herein as “pass-through subsidiaries.”
In the event that a disregarded subsidiary ceases to be wholly-owned by us (for example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of ours), the subsidiary’s separate existence no longer would be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, the subsidiary would have multiple owners and would be treated either as a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income requirements applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the securities of another corporation unless it is a TRS, a QRS or another REIT. See “—Gross Income Tests” and “—Asset Tests.”
Ownership of Subsidiary REITs
As discussed above, we own two subsidiary REITs. We believe that each such REIT is organized and has operated and will continue to operate in a manner to permit it to qualify for taxation as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes from and after the effective date of its REIT election. However, if any subsidiary REIT were to fail to qualify as a REIT, then (i) the subsidiary REIT would become subject to regular U.S. federal corporate income tax, as described herein, see “—Failure to Qualify as a REIT” below, and (ii) our equity interest in such subsidiary REIT would cease to be a qualifying real estate asset for purposes of the 75% asset test and would become subject to the 5% asset test, the 10% voting share asset test, and the 10% value asset test generally applicable to our ownership in corporations other than REITs, QRSs and TRSs. See “—Asset Tests” below. If any subsidiary REIT were to fail to qualify as a REIT, it is possible that we would not meet the 10% voting share asset test and the 10% value asset test with respect to our indirect interest in such entity, in which event we would fail to qualify as a REIT, unless we could avail ourselves of certain relief provisions.
Ownership of Taxable REIT Subsidiaries
A TRS is an entity that is taxable as a corporation in which a REIT owns, directly or indirectly, an equity interest, including stock, and that elects with the REIT to be treated as a TRS under the Code. If a TRS owns, directly or indirectly, securities representing more than 35% of the vote or value of a subsidiary corporation, that subsidiary also will be treated as a TRS. A TRS is a C corporation subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax at applicable corporate tax rates. The gross income and assets of our TRSs are not attributable to us for purposes of satisfying the REIT income and asset test requirements.
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A TRS must not directly or indirectly operate or manage a lodging or health care facility or, generally, provide to another person, under a franchise, license or otherwise, rights to any brand name under which any lodging facility or health care facility is operated. Although a TRS may not operate or manage a lodging facility, it may lease or own such a facility so long as the facility is a “qualified lodging facility” and such facility is operated on behalf of the TRS by an “eligible independent contractor.” A “qualified lodging facility” generally is a hotel at which no authorized gambling activities are conducted, and includes the customary amenities and facilities operated as part of, or associated with, the hotel. “Customary amenities” must be customary for other properties of a comparable size and class owned by other owners unrelated to the REIT. An “eligible independent contractor” is an independent contractor that, at the time a management agreement is entered into with a TRS to operate a “qualified lodging facility,” is actively engaged in the trade or business of operating “qualified lodging facilities” for a person or persons unrelated to either the TRS or any REITs with which the TRS is affiliated. A hotel management company that otherwise would qualify as an “eligible independent contractor” with regard to a TRS of a REIT will not so qualify if the hotel management company and/or one or more actual or constructive owners of 10% or more of the hotel management company actually or constructively own more than 35% of the REIT, or one or more actual or constructive owners of more than 35% of the hotel management company own 35% or more of the REIT (determined with respect to a REIT whose stock is regularly traded on an established securities market by taking into account only the stock held by persons owning, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of the outstanding stock of the REIT and, if the stock of the eligible independent contractor is publicly-traded, more than 5% of the publicly-traded stock of the eligible independent contractor). We believe, and currently intend to take all steps reasonably practicable to ensure, that none of our TRSs has engaged or will engage in “operating” or “managing” our hotels and that the hotel management companies engaged to operate and manage hotels leased to or owned by the TRSs have qualified and continue to qualify as “eligible independent contractors” with regard to those TRSs.
Certain restrictions are imposed on TRSs. First, TRSs are limited in their ability to deduct interest payments in excess of a certain amount, including interest payments made directly or indirectly to the REIT. In addition, a REIT would be obligated to pay a 100% penalty tax on certain payments from the TRS that it receives, including interest or rent, or on certain expenses deducted by the TRS, and on income earned by our TRSs for services provided to, or on behalf of, us, if the IRS were able to assert successfully that the economic arrangements between the REIT and the TRS did not meet specified arm’s-length standards set forth in the Code. Our TRSs make substantial payments to us, including payments of rent pursuant to the hotel leases and interest payments. There can be no assurance that the limitation on interest deductions applicable to TRSs will not apply to the interest payments made to us by one of our TRSs, resulting in an increase in the corporate income tax liability of such subsidiary. In addition, there can be no assurance that the IRS might not seek to impose the 100% excise tax on a portion of the payments received by us from, or expenses deducted by, or service income imputed to, our TRSs. While we believe that our arrangements with our TRSs reflect arm’s-length terms, these determinations inherently are factual, and the IRS has broad discretion to assert that amounts paid between related parties should be reallocated to reflect accurately their respective incomes.
Because of the restrictions applicable to the income, assets and activities of a REIT, we may need to conduct certain business activities in one or more TRSs. These business activities include alternative uses of real estate, such as the development and/or sale of timeshare or condominium units. As discussed below under “—Asset Tests,” the aggregate value of all of our TRSs may not exceed 20% of the value of our total assets.
Gross Income Tests
To qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy two gross income requirements on an annual basis. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year must be derived from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including:
| · | “rents from real property”; |
| · | dividends or other distributions on, and gain from the sale of, stock in other REITs; |
| · | gain from the sale of real property or mortgages on real property, in either case, not held for sale to customers; |
| · | interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real property or interests in real property; and |
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| · | income attributable to the temporary investment of new capital in stock and debt instruments during the one-year period following the receipt by us of new capital raised through equity offerings or the issuance of debt obligations with at least a five-year term. |
Second, at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year must be derived from some combination of income that qualifies under the 75% gross income test described above, as well as (1) other dividends, (2) interest, and (3) gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, in either case, not held for sale to customers.
For purposes of one or both of the 75% and 95% gross income tests, the following items of income are excluded from the computation of gross income: (1) gross income from prohibited transactions; (2) certain foreign currency gain; and (3) income and gain from certain hedging transactions. See “—Income from Hedging Transactions,” “—Foreign Currency Gain,” and “—Prohibited Transactions Tax,” below.
Rents from Real Property
Currently, rents paid pursuant to the leases of our hotels to our TRSs, together with gain from the sale of hotels and dividends and interest received from the TRSs, constitute substantially all of our gross income. Rents received by us will qualify as “rents from real property” in satisfying the gross income requirements described above only if the following conditions are met:
| · | First, if rent attributable to personal property, leased in connection with a lease of real property, is greater than 15% of the total rent received under the lease, then the portion of rent attributable to the personal property will not qualify as rents from real property. |
| · | Second, the amount of rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. Amounts received as rent, however, generally will not be excluded from rents from real property solely by reason of being based on fixed percentages of gross receipts or sales. |
| · | Third, rents we receive from a “related party tenant” generally will not qualify as rents from real property. A tenant is a related party tenant if the REIT, or an actual or constructive owner of 10% or more of the REIT, actually or constructively owns 10% or more of the tenant. Two exceptions apply with respect to the lease of property by a REIT to a TRS. We may lease our hotels that qualify as “qualified lodging facilities” to our TRSs if the hotel is operated on behalf of the TRS by an “eligible independent contractor.” In addition, a REIT may lease any property to a TRS if at least 90% of the property is leased to unrelated tenants, and the rent paid by the TRS is substantially comparable to rent paid by the unrelated tenants for comparable space. Amounts attributable to certain rental increases charged to a controlled TRS can fail to qualify even if the above conditions are met. |
| · | Fourth, for rents to qualify as rents from real property for the purpose of satisfying the gross income tests, we generally must not operate or manage the property or furnish or render services to the tenants of such property, other than through an “independent contractor” who is adequately compensated and from whom we derive no revenue, or through a TRS. To the extent that impermissible services are provided by an independent contractor, the cost of the services generally must be borne by the independent contractor. A REIT is permitted to provide directly to tenants services that are “usually or customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and not otherwise considered to be provided for the tenants’ convenience. A REIT may provide a minimal amount of “non-customary” services to its tenants, other than through an independent contractor or a TRS, but if the income from these impermissible tenant services exceeds 1% of the total gross income from a property, then all of the gross income from that property will fail to qualify as rents from real property. If the total amount of the income from impermissible tenant services does not exceed 1% of the total gross income from the property, the services will not “taint” the other income from the property (that is, it will not cause the rent paid by tenants of that property to fail to qualify as rents from real property), but the impermissible tenant services income will not qualify as rents from real property. A REIT is deemed to have received income from the provision of impermissible services in an amount equal to at least 150% of the direct cost of providing the service. |
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Because we lease substantially all of our properties to our TRSs, we generally do not provide services to our tenants. However, we have a few small leases of space at our hotels with tenants that are unrelated third parties. In that case, we cannot provide any assurance that the IRS will agree with our positions related to whether any services we provide directly to tenants are “usually or customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only. We monitor the activities at our properties and do not intend to provide services that will cause us to fail to meet the gross income tests.
In order for the rent paid pursuant to the leases with our TRSs to constitute “rents from real property,” the leases must be respected as true leases for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the leases cannot be treated as service contracts, joint ventures or some other type of arrangement. The determination of whether the leases are true leases for U.S. federal income tax purposes depends upon an analysis of all the relevant facts and circumstances. In making such a determination, courts have considered a variety of factors, including the following:
| · | the intent of the parties; |
| · | the form of the agreement; |
| · | the degree of control over the property that is retained by the property owner (e.g., whether the lessee has substantial control over the operation of the property or whether the lessee was required simply to use its best efforts to perform its obligations under the agreement); and |
| · | the extent to which the property owner retains the risk of loss with respect to the property (e.g., whether the lessee bears the risk of increases in operating expenses or the risk of damage to the property) or the potential for economic gain (e.g., appreciation) with respect to the property. |
In addition, Section 7701(e) of the Code provides that a contract that purports to be a service contract or a partnership agreement is treated instead as a lease of property if the contract properly is treated as such, taking into account all relevant factors. Since the determination of whether a service contract should be treated as a lease is inherently factual, the presence or absence of any single factor may not be dispositive in every case.
Our leases have been structured with the intent to qualify as true leases for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, this determination is inherently a question of fact, and we cannot assure you that the IRS will not successfully assert a contrary position. If the leases were recharacterized as service contracts or partnership agreements, rather than true leases, or disregarded altogether for U.S. federal income tax purposes, all or part of the payments that we receive from the TRSs would not be considered rent or would not otherwise satisfy the various requirements for qualification as “rents from real property.” In that case, we likely would not be able to satisfy either the 75% or 95% gross income tests and, as a result, would lose our REIT status.
As indicated above, “rents from real property” must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. Each of our leases provides for periodic payments of a specified base rent plus, to the extent that it exceeds the base rent, additional rent which is calculated based upon the gross sales of the hotels subject to the lease, plus certain other amounts. Payments made pursuant to these leases should qualify as “rents from real property” since generally they are based on either fixed dollar amounts or on specified percentages of gross sales that are fixed at the time the leases are entered into. The foregoing assumes that the leases have not been and will not be renegotiated during their term in a manner that has the effect of basing either the percentage rent or the base rent on income or profits. The foregoing also assumes that the leases are not in reality used as a means of basing rent on income or profits. More generally, the rent payable under the leases will not qualify as “rents from real property” if, considering the leases and all of the relevant circumstances, the arrangement does not conform with normal business practice. We have not renegotiated, and currently do not intend to renegotiate, the percentages used to determine the percentage rent during the terms of the leases in a manner that has had or will have the effect of basing rent on income or profits. In addition, we believe that the rental provisions and other terms of the leases conform with normal business practice and generally are not intended to be used as a means of basing rent on income or profits. Furthermore, currently we intend that, with respect to properties that we acquire in the future, we will not charge rent for any property that is based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person, except by reason of being based on a fixed percentage of gross revenues, as described above.
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As noted above, under the Code, if a lease provides for the rental of both real and personal property and the portion of the rent attributable to personal property is 15% or less of the total rent due under the lease, then all rent paid pursuant to such lease qualifies as “rents from real property.” If, however, a lease provides for the rental of both real and personal property, and the portion of the rent attributable to personal property exceeds 15% of the total rent due under the lease, then no portion of the rent that is attributable to personal property will qualify as “rents from real property.” The amount of rent attributable to personal property is the amount which bears the same ratio to total rent for the taxable year as the average of the fair market value of the personal property at the beginning and end of the year bears to the average of the aggregate fair market value of both the real and personal property at the beginning and end of such year. Currently, a significant portion of our personal property is owned by our TRSs. We believe that, to the extent that any of our leases includes a lease of items of personal property, either the amount of rent attributable to personal property with respect to such lease would not exceed 15% of the total rent due under the lease (determined under the law in effect for the applicable period), or, with respect to leases where the rent attributable to personal property constitutes non-qualifying gross income, such amounts, when taken together with all other non-qualifying income, would not jeopardize our status as a REIT.
Interest Income
Interest generally will be non-qualifying gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests if it depends in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, interest based on a fixed percentage or percentages of receipts or sales still may qualify under the gross income tests. We receive interest payments from our TRSs and from third parties, which constitutes qualifying gross income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not necessarily for purposes of the 75% gross income test. We do not expect that the interest income from these sources will affect our ability to satisfy the requirements of the 75% gross income test.
Dividend Income
We may receive distributions from our TRSs or other corporations that are not REITs or QRSs. These distributions generally will be treated as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. We also may recognize capital gain with respect to our investments in our TRSs or such other corporations. Such dividend income or capital gain will constitute qualifying gross income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not for purposes of the 75% gross income test. We do not expect that these amounts will affect our ability to satisfy the requirements of the 75% gross income test. Any dividends that we receive from a REIT, or capital gain recognized in connection with an investment in a REIT, will be qualifying gross income for purposes of both the 95% and 75% gross income tests.
Income from Hedging Transactions
From time to time we may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Any such hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including the use of derivative instruments such as interest rate swap or cap agreements, option agreements, and futures or forward contracts. Gross income of a REIT, including gross income from a pass-through subsidiary, arising from “clearly identified” hedging transactions that are entered into to manage the risk of interest rate or price changes with respect to borrowings, including gain from the disposition of such hedging transactions, to the extent the hedging transactions hedge indebtedness incurred, or to be incurred, by the REIT to acquire or carry real estate assets (each such hedge, a “Borrowings Hedge”), will not be treated as gross income for purposes of either the 95% gross income test or the 75% gross income test. Gross income of a REIT arising from hedging transactions that are entered into to manage the risk of currency fluctuations with respect to our investments (each such hedge, a “Currency Hedge”) will not be treated as gross income for purposes of either the 95% gross income test or the 75% gross income test provided that the transaction is “clearly identified.” This exclusion from the 95% and 75% gross income tests also will apply if we previously entered into a Borrowings Hedge or a Currency Hedge, a portion of the hedged indebtedness or property is disposed of, and in connection with such extinguishment or disposition we enter into a new “clearly identified” hedging transaction to offset the prior hedging position. In general, for a hedging transaction to be “clearly identified,” (1) it must be identified as a hedging transaction before the end of the day on which it is acquired, originated, or entered into; and (2) the items of risks being hedged must be identified “substantially contemporaneously” with entering into the hedging transaction (generally not more than 35 days after entering into the hedging transaction). To the extent that we hedge with other types of financial instruments or in other situations, the resultant income will be treated as income that does not qualify under the 95% or 75% gross income tests unless the hedge meets certain requirements and we elect to integrate it with a specified asset and to treat the integrated position as a synthetic debt instrument. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT but there can be no assurance we will be successful in this regard.
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Foreign Currency Gain
“Real estate foreign exchange gain” is excluded from the calculation of the 75% gross income test and “passive foreign exchange gain” is excluded from the calculation of the 95% gross income test. “Real estate foreign exchange gain” means (i) foreign currency gain attributable (without duplication) to (A) an item of income or gain to which the 75% gross income test applies, (B) the acquisition or ownership of obligations secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real property, or (C) becoming or being the obligor under obligations secured by mortgages on real property or interests in real property, or (ii) foreign currency gain attributable to a “qualified business unit” (“QBU”) of the REIT under Code Section 987, provided the QBU itself satisfies both the 75% gross income test and the 75% asset test described below under “—Asset Tests.” “Passive foreign exchange gain” is (without duplication) real estate foreign exchange gain, foreign currency gain attributable to an item of income or gain to which the 95% gross income test applies, foreign currency gain attributable to the acquisition or ownership of obligations secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real property, or foreign currency gain attributable to becoming or being the obligor under obligations secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real property.
Prohibited Transactions Tax
Any gain realized by us on the sale of any property held as inventory or other property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, including our share of any such gain realized by a subsidiary partnership and taking into account any related foreign currency gains or losses, will be treated as income from a “prohibited transaction” that is subject to a 100% penalty tax. Whether property is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business is a question of fact that depends upon all the facts and circumstances with respect to the particular transaction. However, we will not be treated as a dealer in real property for the purpose of the 100% penalty tax if: (i) we have held the property for at least two years and for the production of rental income (unless such property was acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure or lease termination); (ii) capitalized expenditures on the property in the two years preceding the year of sale are less than 30% of the net selling price of the property; and (iii) we either (a) have seven or fewer sales of property (excluding sales of foreclosure property or in connection with an involuntary conversion (“excluded sales”)) for the year of sale, (b) the aggregate tax basis of property sold (other than excluded sales) during the year of sale is 10% or less of the aggregate tax basis of all of our assets as of the beginning of the taxable year, (c) the fair market value of property sold (other than excluded sales) during the year of sale is less than 10% of the fair market value of all of our assets as of the beginning of the taxable year, (d) the aggregate adjusted basis of property sold during the year is 20% or less of the aggregate adjusted basis of all of our assets as of the beginning of the taxable year and the aggregate adjusted basis of property sold during the three-year period ending with the year of sale is 10% or less of the aggregate tax basis of all of our assets as of the beginning of each of the three taxable years ending with the year of sale; or (e) the fair market value of property sold during the year is 20% or less of the aggregate fair market value of all of our assets as of the beginning of the taxable year and the fair market value of property sold during the three-year period ending with the year of sale is 10% or less of the aggregate fair market value of all of our assets as of the beginning of each of the three taxable years ending with the year of sale. If we rely on clauses (b), (c), (d), or (e) in the preceding sentence, substantially all of the marketing and development expenditures with respect to the property sold must be made through an independent contractor from whom we derive no income or our TRS. The sale of more than one property to one buyer as part of one transaction constitutes one sale for purposes of this “safe harbor.”
We hold hotels for investment with a view to long-term appreciation, engage in the business of acquiring and owning hotels and we currently intend to make sales of hotels consistent with our investment objectives. However, some of our sales may not satisfy the “safe harbor” requirements described above and there can be no assurance that the IRS might not contend that one or more of these sales are subject to the 100% penalty tax.
Income from Foreclosure Property
We generally will be subject to tax at the maximum U.S. federal corporate income tax rate (currently 21%) on any net income from foreclosure property, including any gain from the disposition of the foreclosure property and any foreign currency gain, other than income that constitutes qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test (other than by reason of such income being income or gain from foreclosure property). Foreclosure property is real property and any personal property incident to such real property (1) that we acquire as the result of having bid on the property at foreclosure, or having otherwise reduced the property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law, after a default (or upon imminent default) on a lease of the property or a mortgage loan held by us and secured by the property, (2) for which we acquired the related loan or lease at a time when default was not imminent or anticipated, and (3) with respect to which we made a proper election to treat the property as foreclosure property. Any gain from the sale of property for which a foreclosure property election has been made will not be subject to the 100% tax on gain from prohibited transactions described above, even if the property otherwise would constitute inventory or dealer property. If an unrelated third party lessee defaults under a lease, we are permitted to lease the related hotel to a TRS, in which case the hotel would not become foreclosure property. To the extent that we receive any income from property described in clause (1) above that does not qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test, we intend to make an election to treat the related property as foreclosure property.
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Failure to Satisfy the Gross Income Tests
We intend to continue to monitor our sources of gross income, including any non-qualifying gross income received by us, and manage the ownership of our assets so as to ensure our compliance with the 95% and 75% gross income tests. If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we still may qualify as a REIT for such year if we are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the Code. These relief provisions generally will be available if (1) our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, and (2) following our identification of the failure to meet the 75% and/or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we file a schedule with the IRS setting forth a description of each item of our gross income that satisfies the gross income tests for such taxable year in accordance with Treasury regulations. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all circumstances. As discussed above under “—General,” even where these relief provisions apply, the Code imposes a tax, which could be significant in amount, based upon the profit attributable to the amount by which we fail to satisfy the particular gross income test.
Asset Tests
At the close of each calendar quarter, we must satisfy the following tests relating to the nature of our assets:
| · | at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of “real estate assets,” cash, cash items, U.S. government securities, and, under some circumstances, stock or debt instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate assets include interests in real property, such as land, buildings and leasehold interests in real property, stock of other corporations that qualify as REITs and debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs, some types of mortgage-backed securities, interests in mortgages on interests in real property, personal property leased in connection with real property to the extent that rents attributable to such personal property are treated as “rents from real property,” and stock and debt instruments held for less than one year purchased with an offering of our shares or long-term debt. Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% asset test are subject to the additional asset tests described below; |
| · | not more than 25% of our total assets may be represented by securities other than those described in the first bullet above; |
| · | except for securities described in the first bullet above and last bullet below, and securities in TRSs or QRSs, the value of any one issuer’s securities owned by us may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets; |
| · | except for securities described in the first bullet above and last bullet below, and securities in TRSs or QRSs, we may not own more than 10% of any one issuer’s outstanding voting securities; |
| · | except for securities described in the first bullet above and last bullet below, securities in TRSs or QRSs, and certain types of indebtedness that are not treated as securities for purposes of this test, as discussed below, we may not own more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer; |
| · | not more than 20% of our total assets may be represented by securities of one or more TRSs; and |
| · | not more than 25% of our total assets may be represented by debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs that are “nonqualified” debt instruments (e.g., not secured by interests in mortgages on interests in real property and personal property leased in connection with real property to the extent that rents attributable to such personal property are treated as “rents from real property”). |
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For purposes of the asset tests, a REIT is not treated as owning the stock of a QRS or an equity interest in any entity treated as a partnership or disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, a REIT is treated as owning its proportionate share of the assets held by such entity. Solely for purposes of the 10% value asset test, the determination of our interest in the assets of an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes in which we own an interest will be based on our proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership, excluding for this purpose certain securities described in the Code.
The 10% value asset test does not apply to certain “straight debt” and other excluded securities, as described in the Code, including (1) loans to individuals or estates, (2) obligations to pay rents from real property, (3) rental agreements described in Section 467 of the Code (generally, obligations related to deferred rental payments, other than with respect to transactions with related party tenants), (4) securities issued by other REITs, (5) certain securities issued by a state, the District of Columbia, a foreign government, or a political subdivision of any of the foregoing, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and (6) any other arrangement as determined by the IRS. In addition, (1) a REIT’s interest as a partner in a partnership is not considered a security for purposes of the 10% value asset test; (2) any debt instrument issued by a partnership (other than straight debt or other excluded security) will not be considered a security issued by the partnership if at least 75% of the partnership’s gross income is derived from sources that would qualify for the 75% gross income test; and (3) any debt instrument issued by a partnership (other than straight debt or other excluded security) will not be considered a security issued by a partnership to the extent of the REIT’s interest as a partner in the partnership.
For purposes of the 10% value asset test, “straight debt” means a written unconditional promise to pay on demand on a specified date a sum certain in money if (1) the debt is not convertible, directly or indirectly, into stock, (2) the interest rate and interest payment dates are not contingent on profits, the borrower’s discretion, or similar factors, other than certain contingencies relating to the timing and amount of principal and interest payments, as described in the Code, and (3) in the case of an issuer which is a corporation or a partnership, securities that otherwise would be considered straight debt will not be so considered if we, and any of our “controlled TRSs” (as defined in the Code), hold securities of the corporate or partnership issuer which (a) are not straight debt or other excluded securities (prior to the application of this rule), and (b) have an aggregate value greater than 1% of the issuer’s outstanding securities (including, for purposes of a partnership issuer, our interest as a partner in the partnership).
We intend to continue to maintain adequate records of the value of our assets to ensure compliance with the asset tests and to take any available actions within 30 days after the close of any quarter as may be required to cure any non-compliance with the asset tests. See “—Failure to Satisfy the Asset Tests.” We may not obtain independent appraisals to support our conclusions concerning the values of some or all of our assets. We do not intend to seek an IRS ruling as to the classification of our properties for purposes of the REIT asset tests. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our assets or our interest in other securities will not cause a violation of the REIT asset test requirements.
Failure to Satisfy the Asset Tests
The asset tests must be satisfied not only on the last day of the calendar quarter in which we, directly or through pass-through subsidiaries, acquire securities in the applicable issuer, but also on the last day of the calendar quarter in which we increase our ownership of securities in such issuer, including as a result of increasing our interest in pass-through subsidiaries. An example of such an acquisition would be an increase in our interest in the Operating Partnership as a result of the exercise of a limited partner’s redemption right relating to units in the Operating Partnership or an additional capital contribution to the Operating Partnership of proceeds from an offering of shares by us. After initially meeting the asset tests at the close of any quarter, we will not lose our qualification as a REIT for failure to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a later quarter solely by reason of changes in asset values (including a failure caused solely by a change in the foreign currency exchange rate used to value a foreign asset). If we fail to satisfy the asset tests because we acquire assets during a quarter, we can cure this failure by disposing of sufficient non-qualifying assets or acquiring sufficient qualifying assets within 30 days after the close of such quarter. We intend to continue to maintain adequate records of the value of our assets to ensure compliance with the asset tests and to take any available action within 30 days after the close of any quarter as may be required to cure any non-compliance with the asset tests. Although we plan to take steps to ensure that we satisfy such tests for any quarter with respect to which testing is to occur, there can be no assurance that such steps always will be successful. If we fail to timely cure any non-compliance with the asset tests, we would cease to qualify as a REIT, unless we satisfy certain relief provisions.
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The failure to satisfy the 5% asset test, or the 10% vote or value asset tests, can be remedied even after the 30-day cure period under certain circumstances. Specifically, if we fail these asset tests at the end of any quarter and such failure is not cured within 30 days thereafter, we may dispose of sufficient assets (generally within six months after the last day of the quarter in which our identification of the failure to satisfy these asset tests occurred) in order to cure such a violation that does not exceed the lesser of 1% of the value of our assets at the end of the relevant quarter or $10 million. If we fail any of the other asset tests or our failure of the 5% and 10% asset tests results in a violation in excess of the de minimis amount described above, as long as such failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, we are permitted to avoid disqualification as a REIT, after the 30-day cure period, by taking steps including disposing of sufficient assets to meet the asset test (generally within six months after the last day of the quarter in which our identification of the failure to satisfy the REIT asset test occurred), paying a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the highest U.S. federal corporate income tax rate multiplied by the net income generated by the non-qualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy the asset test, and filing, in accordance with applicable Treasury regulations, a schedule with the IRS that describes the assets that caused us to fail to satisfy the asset test(s). We intend to take advantage of any and all relief provisions that are available to us in order to cure any violation of the asset tests applicable to REITs. In certain circumstances, utilization of such provisions could result in us being required to pay an excise or penalty tax, which tax could be significant in amount.
Annual Distribution Requirements
In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our shareholders in an amount at least equal to:
| · | the sum of: (1) 90% of our “REIT taxable income,” computed without regard to our net capital gain and the deduction for dividends paid, and (2) 90% of our net income, after tax, if any, from foreclosure property; minus |
| · | the excess of the sum of specified items of “non-cash income” over 5% of our REIT taxable income, computed without regard to our net capital gain and the deduction for dividends paid. |
For purposes of this test, “non-cash income” means income attributable to (1) leveled stepped rents, (2) original issue discount included in our taxable income without the receipt of a corresponding payment, (3) cancellation of indebtedness, or (4) a like-kind exchange that later is determined to be taxable.
We generally must make dividend distributions in the taxable year to which they relate. Dividend distributions may be made in the following year in two circumstances. First, we may declare a dividend in October, November, or December of any year with a record date in one of these months if we pay the dividend on or before January 31 of the following year. Such dividends are treated as both paid by us and received by our shareholders on December 31 of the year in which they are declared. Second, distributions may be made in the following year if they are declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and if made with or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration. These distributions are taxable to our shareholders in the year in which paid, even though the distributions relate to our prior taxable year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement.
In order for distributions to be counted as satisfying the annual distribution requirement for REITs, and to provide REITs with a REIT-level dividends paid deduction, the distributions must not be “preferential dividends.” A distribution is not a preferential dividend if the distribution is (1) pro rata among all outstanding shares within a particular class of shares and (2) in accordance with the preferences among different classes of shares as set forth in the REIT’s organizational documents. This requirement does not apply to publicly offered REITs, including us, but may apply to our subsidiary REITs.
To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our “REIT taxable income,” as adjusted, we will be subject to tax at U.S. federal corporate income tax rates on the retained portion. We may elect to retain, rather than distribute, some or all of our net long-term capital gain and pay tax on such gain. In this case, we could elect for our shareholders to include their proportionate share of such undistributed long-term capital gain in their taxable income, and for them to receive a corresponding credit for their share of the U.S. federal corporate income tax that we pay thereon. Our shareholders would then increase the adjusted basis of their share by the difference between (1) the amount of capital gain dividends that we designated and that they included in their taxable income, and (2) the tax that we paid on their behalf with respect to that capital gain.
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To the extent that, in the future, we may have available net operating losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. Our deduction for any net operating loss carryforwards arising from losses we incur in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 is limited to 80% of our annual REIT taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid), and any unused portion of such losses may not be carried back, but may be carried forward indefinitely.
If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (1) 85% of our ordinary income for such year, (2) 95% of our capital gain net income for such year, and (3) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (a) the amount actually distributed, and (b) the amount of income we retained and on which we paid U.S. federal corporate income tax.
We expect that our REIT taxable income (determined before our deduction for dividends paid) will be less than our cash flow because of depreciation and other non-cash charges included in computing REIT taxable income. Accordingly, we anticipate that we will generally have sufficient cash or liquid assets to enable us to satisfy the distribution requirements described above. However, from time to time, we may not have sufficient cash or other liquid assets to meet these distribution requirements due to timing differences between the actual receipt of income and actual payment of deductible expenses, and the inclusion of income and deduction of expenses in arriving at our taxable income.
The Code limits the deductibility of net interest expense paid or accrued on debt properly allocable to a trade or business to 30% of “adjusted taxable income,” subject to certain exceptions. Any deduction in excess of the limitation is carried forward and may be deducted in a subsequent year, again subject to the 30% limitation. Adjusted taxable income is determined without regard to certain deductions, including those for net interest expense, and net operating loss carryforwards. If we or our subsidiaries, as applicable, are eligible to make a timely election (which is irrevocable), the 30% limitation does not apply to a trade or business involving real property development, redevelopment, construction, reconstruction, rental, operation, acquisition, conversion, disposition, management, leasing or brokerage, within the meaning of Section 469(c)(7)(C) of the Code. If this election is made, depreciable real property (including certain improvements) held by the relevant trade or business must be depreciated under the alternative depreciation system under the Code, which is generally less favorable than the generally applicable system of depreciation under the Code. If we do not make the election or if the election is determined not to be available with respect to all or certain of our business activities, this interest deduction limitation could result in us having more REIT taxable income and thus increase the amount of distributions we must make to comply with the REIT distribution requirements and avoid incurring U.S. federal corporate income tax. Similarly, the limitation could cause our TRSs to have greater taxable income and thus potentially greater corporate tax liability.
Furthermore, under amendments to Section 451 of the Code, subject to certain exceptions, we must accrue income for U.S. federal income tax purposes no later than when such income is taken into account as revenue in our financial statements, which could create additional differences between REIT taxable income and the receipt of cash attributable to such income. In addition, Section 162(m) of the Code places a per-employee limit of $1 million on the amount of compensation that a publicly held corporation may deduct in any one year with respect to its chief executive officer and certain other highly compensated executive officers. Changes to Section 162(m) eliminated an exception that formerly permitted certain performance-based compensation to be deducted even if in excess of $1 million, which may have the effect of increasing our REIT taxable income. If these timing differences occur, we may need to arrange for short-term, or possibly long-term, borrowings or need to pay dividends in the form of taxable stock dividends in order to meet the distribution requirements.
We may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirement for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to our shareholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. Thus, we may be able to avoid being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends. However, we will be required to pay interest to the IRS based upon the amount of any deduction claimed for deficiency dividends.
Like-Kind Exchanges
We may dispose of hotels in transactions intended to qualify as like-kind exchanges under Section 1031 of the Code. Such like-kind exchanges are intended to result in the deferral of gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The failure of any such transaction to qualify as a like-kind exchange could require us to pay U.S. federal corporate income tax, including the built-in gains tax, and possibly including the 100% prohibited transaction tax, depending on the facts and circumstances of the particular transaction. The preferential tax treatment applicable to like-kind exchanges is limited to exchanges of real property not held primarily for sale. Accordingly, exchanges of personal property and intangible property will not qualify for deferral under Section 1031 of the Code.
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Record-Keeping Requirements
We are required to maintain records and request on an annual basis information from specified shareholders. These requirements are designed to assist us in determining the actual ownership of our outstanding shares and in maintaining our qualification as a REIT. Failure to comply therewith could result in monetary fines.
Failure to Qualify as a REIT
If we fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification other than the gross income or asset tests, we could avoid disqualification if our failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect and we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure. Relief provisions are available for failures of the gross income tests and asset tests, as described above in “—Gross Income Tests” and “—Asset Tests.”
If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, and the relief provisions described above do not apply, we would be subject to tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at U.S. federal corporate income tax rates. We would be unable to deduct distributions to shareholders in any year in which we are not a REIT, and we would not be required to make distributions in such a year. As a result, the cash available for distribution to our shareholders would be reduced significantly and the value of our shares could be reduced materially. Any distributions to shareholders would be taxable to such shareholders as dividends to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes). Such dividends paid to U.S. holders of our common stock that are individuals, trusts and estates may be taxable at preferential income tax rates (i.e., the 23.8% maximum U.S. federal rate for capital gain, which rate takes into account the maximum capital gain tax rate of 20% and the 3.8% Medicare tax on net investment income, described below under “—Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income”) for qualified dividends. Such dividends, however, would not be eligible for the 20% deduction on “qualified” REIT dividends allowed by Section 199A of the Code generally available to U.S. holders of our common stock that are individuals, trusts or estates for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026. In addition, subject to the limitations of the Code, corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Unless we were entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we also would be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we lost qualification. In addition, if we merge with another REIT, and we are the “successor” to the other REIT, the other REIT’s disqualification from taxation as a REIT would prevent us from being taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which the other REIT’s qualification was lost. It is not possible to state whether, in all circumstances, we would be entitled to statutory relief, although we intend to take advantage of any and all relief provisions that are available to us to cure any violation of the requirements applicable to REITs.
Tax Aspects of the Operating Partnership and Other RLJ Subsidiary Partnerships
General
Substantially all of our assets are owned indirectly through the Operating Partnership, which owns hotels either directly or through certain subsidiaries (including through subsidiary REITs). This discussion focuses on the tax aspects of RLJ’s ownership of its hotel properties through partnerships and entities, such as limited liability companies, that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, partnerships are “pass-through” entities that are not subject to U.S. federal income tax. Rather, partners are allocated their proportionate shares of the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of a partnership, and potentially are subject to tax thereon, without regard to whether the partners receive a distribution from the partnership. We include in our gross income our proportionate share of partnership items for purposes of the gross income tests and in the computation of our REIT taxable income. Moreover, for purposes of the REIT asset tests, we include our proportionate share of assets held through the Operating Partnership and those of its subsidiaries that either are disregarded as separate entities or treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “U.S. Federal Income Taxation of the Company as a REIT—Effect of Subsidiary Entities—Ownership of Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies and Qualified REIT Subsidiaries” above.
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Entity Classification
If the Operating Partnership or any non-corporate subsidiary were treated as an association, the entity would be taxable as a corporation and, therefore, would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its taxable income. In such a situation, the character of our assets and items of gross income would change and could preclude us from qualifying as a REIT (see “U.S. Federal Income Taxation of the Company as a REIT —Asset Tests” and “U.S. Federal Income Taxation of the Company as a REIT —Gross Income Tests” above).
We assume for purposes of this discussion that the Operating Partnership and all of its subsidiaries (other than our TRSs and subsidiary REITs) are classified as partnerships or disregarded as separate entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Pursuant to Treasury regulations under Section 7701 of the Code, a partnership will be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes unless it elects to be treated as a corporation or is treated as a corporation because it is a “publicly traded partnership.”
Neither the Operating Partnership nor any of its non-corporate subsidiaries that is not a TRS has elected or will elect to be treated as a corporation. Therefore, subject to the disclosure below, the Operating Partnership and each such subsidiary will be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes (or, if such an entity only has one partner or member, a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes).
Pursuant to Section 7704 of the Code, a partnership that does not elect to be treated as a corporation nevertheless will be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if it is a “publicly traded partnership” and it does not derive at least 90% of its gross income from certain specified sources of “qualifying income” within the meaning of that section. A “publicly traded partnership” is any partnership (i) the interests of which are traded on an established securities market, or (ii) the interests of which are readily tradable on a “secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof.” OP Units currently are not and in the future will not be traded on an established securities market. There is a significant risk, however, that the OP Units could be considered readily tradable on the substantial equivalent of a secondary market. In that event, the Operating Partnership could be treated as a “publicly traded partnership,” but even then it only would be taxable as a corporation if less than 90% of its gross income were to constitute “qualifying income.” Treasury regulations under Section 7704 of the Code set forth certain “safe harbors” under which interests will not be treated as “readily tradable on a secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof)” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code (the “Safe Harbors”).
“Qualifying income,” for purposes of the “qualifying income” exception, generally is real property rents and other types of passive income. We believe that the Operating Partnership has had and will continue to have sufficient qualifying gross income so that it would be taxed as a partnership even if it were considered a publicly traded partnership. The gross income requirements applicable to us in order for us to qualify as a REIT under the Code and the definition of qualifying income under the publicly traded partnership rules are very similar. Although differences exist between these two gross income tests, we do not believe that these differences would cause the Operating Partnership not to satisfy the 90% gross income test applicable to publicly traded partnerships.
If the Operating Partnership were taxable as a corporation, most, if not all, of the tax consequences described herein would be inapplicable. In particular, we would not qualify as a REIT because the value of our ownership interest in the Operating Partnership would exceed 5% of our assets and we would be considered to hold more than 10% of the voting securities (and more than 10% of the value of the outstanding securities) of another corporation (see “—Asset Tests” above). In this event, the value of our shares could be materially adversely affected (see “—Failure to Qualify as a REIT” above).
Except with regard to the exercise of the right to redeem the OP Units and certain “permitted transfers” (generally among related individuals or entities) under the Operating Partnership’s partnership agreement, no limited partner may transfer OP Units without our prior written consent, as general partner of the Operating Partnership, which consent may be withheld in our sole discretion. The Operating Partnership’s partnership agreement provides that we shall take such actions, if any, that are reasonably necessary or appropriate to prevent the Operating Partnership from being classified as a publicly traded partnership and, except as provided otherwise in the partnership agreement, to permit the Operating Partnership to insure that at least one of the Safe Harbors is met. We may exercise our authority, as general partner, under the partnership agreement to impose limitations on the right to redeem OP Units only to the extent that outside tax counsel provides to us an opinion to the effect that, in the absence of such limitation or restriction, there is a significant risk that the Operating Partnership will be treated as a publicly traded partnership and, by reason thereof, taxable as a corporation. These limitations, if imposed, could adversely affect the interests of holders of OP Units.
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Partnership Tax Allocations
A partnership agreement generally will determine the allocation of income and loss among partners. However, such allocations will be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes if they do not comply with the provisions of Section 704(b) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder. Generally, Section 704(b) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder require that partnership allocations respect the economic arrangement of the partners.
If an allocation is not recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the item subject to the allocation will be reallocated in accordance with the partners’ interests in the partnership, which will be determined by taking into account all of the facts and circumstances relating to the economic arrangement of the partners with respect to such item. The allocations of taxable income and loss provided for in the Operating Partnership’s partnership agreement and the partnership agreements and operating agreements of the non-corporate subsidiaries are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
Tax Allocations with Respect to the Hotels
Pursuant to Section 704(c) of the Code, income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to appreciated or depreciated property, such as the hotels, that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an interest therein must be allocated in a manner such that the contributing partner is charged with, or benefits from, the difference between the adjusted tax basis and the fair market value of such property at the time of contribution. This difference is known as built-in gain or built-in loss. The Operating Partnership’s partnership agreement requires that such allocations be made in a manner consistent with Section 704(c) of the Code. In general, the partners of the Operating Partnership, including us, who contributed appreciated assets with built-in gain are allocated depreciation deductions for U.S. federal income tax purposes that are lower than such deductions would be if determined on a pro rata basis. Thus, the carryover basis of the contributed assets in the hands of the Operating Partnership may cause us to be allocated lower depreciation and other deductions, and therefore to be effectively allocated more income, which might adversely affect our ability to comply with the REIT distribution requirements and/or cause a higher proportion of our distributions to our shareholders to be taxed as dividends. See “U.S. Federal Income Taxation of the Company as a REIT—Annual Distribution Requirements” above.
In addition, in the event of the disposition of any of the contributed assets with built-in gain, all income attributable to the built-in gain generally will be allocated to the contributing partners, even though the proceeds of such sale would be distributed proportionately among all the partners and could be retained by us rather than distributed to our shareholders. Thus, if the Operating Partnership were to sell a hotel with built-in gain that was contributed to the Operating Partnership by us, we generally would be allocated all of the income attributable to the built-in gain, which amount could exceed the economic, or “book,” income allocated to us as a result of such sale. Such an allocation might cause us to recognize taxable income in excess of cash proceeds, which might adversely affect our ability to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. It should be noted that, as the general partner of the Operating Partnership, we will determine whether or not to sell a hotel that we contributed to the Operating Partnership.
As the general partner of the Operating Partnership, we have the authority to elect the method to be used to account for built-in gain with respect to assets contributed to the Operating Partnership. Any property purchased by the Operating Partnership initially will have an adjusted tax basis equal to its fair market value, and Section 704(c) of the Code will not apply.
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U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Our Shareholders
Taxation of Taxable U.S. Shareholders
This section summarizes the taxation of U.S. shareholders that are not tax-exempt organizations. For these purposes, the term “U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of our shares that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is:
| · | a citizen or resident of the United States; |
| · | a corporation (including an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of a political subdivision thereof (including the District of Columbia); |
| · | an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
| · | any trust if (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (2) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person. |
If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partner of a partnership holding our shares should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to the partner of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our shares by the partnership.
If you hold our shares and are not a U.S. shareholder or an entity or arrangement that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, you are a non-U.S. shareholder.
Distributions Generally
The distributions that we make to our taxable U.S. shareholders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits that we do not designate as capital gain dividends or as qualified dividend income will be taken into account by shareholders as ordinary income when actually or constructively received. As long as we qualify as a REIT, these distributions will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for U.S. shareholders that are corporations. In determining the extent to which a distribution with respect to our shares constitutes a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our earnings and profits will be allocated first to distributions with respect to our preferred shares, if any, and then to our common shares. Except for dividends that we designate as qualified dividend income, dividends received from REITs are not eligible to be taxed at the preferential qualified dividend income tax rates currently available to individual U.S. shareholders who receive dividends from taxable C corporations. For taxable years prior to January 1, 2026, U.S. shareholders that are individuals, trusts or estates may deduct 20% of the aggregate amount of ordinary dividends distributed by us, subject to certain limitations.
Distributions from us in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to a U.S. shareholder to the extent that they do not exceed the adjusted basis of the U.S. shareholder’s shares in respect of which the distributions were made. Rather, the distribution will reduce the adjusted basis of these shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted basis of a U.S. shareholder’s shares, the U.S. shareholder generally must include such distributions in income as long-term capital gain if the shares have been held for more than one year, or short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for one year or less. In addition, any dividend that we declare in October, November or December of any year and that is payable to a shareholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the shareholder on December 31 of such year, provided that we actually pay the dividend before the end of January of the following calendar year.
To the extent that we have available net operating losses and capital losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that we must make in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. See “U.S. Federal Income Taxation of the Company as a REIT—Annual Distribution Requirements.” Such losses, however, are not passed through to U.S. shareholders and may not be used to offset income of U.S. shareholders from other sources on their income tax returns. Such losses would not affect the character of any distributions that we make, which generally are subject to tax in the hands of U.S. shareholders to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and profits.
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Capital Gain Dividends
We may elect to designate distributions of our net capital gain as “capital gain dividends.” Distributions that we designate as capital gain dividends generally will be taxed to U.S. shareholders as long-term capital gain, without regard to the period during which the U.S. shareholder that receives such distribution has held its shares, to the extent that such gain does not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year. Designations made by us only will be effective to the extent that they comply with Revenue Ruling 89-81, which requires that distributions made to different classes of shares be composed proportionately of dividends of a particular type. If we designate any portion of a dividend as a capital gain dividend, a U.S. shareholder will receive an IRS Form 1099-DIV indicating the amount that will be taxable to the U.S. shareholder as capital gain. Corporate U.S. shareholders may be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income. Recipients of capital gain dividends from us that are taxed at U.S. federal corporate income tax rates will be taxed at the normal U.S. federal corporate income tax rates on these dividends.
We may elect to retain and pay taxes on some or all of our net long-term capital gain, in which case U.S. shareholders will be treated as having received, solely for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our undistributed capital gain as well as a corresponding credit or refund, as the case may be, for taxes that we paid on such undistributed capital gain. The U.S. shareholder will increase the basis in its shares by the difference between the amount of capital gain included in its income and the amount of tax it is deemed to have paid. Our earnings and profits, and the earnings and profits of U.S. shareholders that are corporations, will be adjusted for the undistributed capital gains in accordance with Treasury regulations to be prescribed by the IRS. See “U.S. Federal Income Taxation of the Company as a REIT—Annual Distribution Requirements.”
We will classify portions of any designated capital gain dividend or undistributed capital gain as either:
| · | a long-term capital gain distribution, which would be taxable to non-corporate U.S. shareholders at a maximum rate of up to 23.8% (which rate takes into account the maximum capital gain rate of 20% and the 3.8% Medicare tax on net investment income, described below under “—Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income”), and taxable to U.S. shareholders that are corporations at a maximum rate of 21%; or |
| · | an “unrecaptured Section 1250 gain” distribution, which would be taxable to non-corporate U.S. shareholders at a maximum rate of 25%, to the extent of previously claimed real property depreciation deductions. |
The maximum amount of dividends that we may designate as capital gain and as “qualified dividend income” (discussed below) with respect to any taxable year may not exceed the dividends actually paid by us with respect to such year, including dividends paid by us in the succeeding tax year that relate back to the prior tax year for purposes of determining our dividends paid deduction.
Qualified Dividend Income
With respect to U.S. shareholders who are taxed at the rates applicable to individuals, we may designate a portion of our distributions paid to such U.S. shareholders as “qualified dividend income.” A portion of a distribution that is properly designated as qualified dividend income is taxable to non-corporate U.S. shareholders as capital gain, provided that the U.S. shareholder has held the shares with respect to which the distribution is made for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the date on which such shares became ex-dividend with respect to the relevant distribution. The maximum amount of our distributions eligible to be designated as qualified dividend income for a taxable year is equal to the sum of:
| · | the qualified dividend income received by us during such taxable year from non-REIT corporations (including any TRS in which we own an interest); |
| · | the excess of any “undistributed” REIT taxable income recognized during the immediately preceding year over the U.S. federal corporate income tax paid by us with respect to such undistributed REIT taxable income; and |
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| · | the excess of any income recognized during the immediately preceding year attributable to the sale of a built-in-gain asset that was acquired in a carry-over basis transaction from a non-REIT C corporation over the U.S. federal corporate income tax paid by us with respect to such built-in gain. |
Generally, dividends that we receive will be treated as qualified dividend income for purposes of the first bullet above if (1) the dividends are received from (a) a U.S. C corporation (other than a REIT or a RIC under Section 851(a) of the Code), (b) any TRS that we may form, or (c) a “qualifying foreign corporation,” and (2) specified holding period requirements and other requirements are met. If we designate any portion of a dividend as qualified dividend income, a U.S. shareholder will receive an IRS Form 1099-DIV indicating the amount thereof.
Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations
Distributions made by us and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a U.S. shareholder of our shares will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, U.S. shareholders will not be able to apply any “passive losses” against income or gain relating to our shares. Distributions made by us, to the extent they do not constitute a return of capital, generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation. A U.S. shareholder that elects to treat capital gain dividends, capital gain from the disposition of shares, or qualified dividend income as investment income for purposes of the investment interest limitation will be taxed at ordinary income rates on such amounts. We intend to notify U.S. shareholders regarding the portions of distributions for each year that constitute ordinary income, return of capital and capital gain in compliance with the applicable IRS guidance.
Dispositions of Our Shares
In general, a U.S. shareholder will realize gain or loss upon the sale, redemption or other taxable disposition of our shares in an amount equal to the difference between the sum of the fair market value of any property and the amount of cash received in such disposition and the U.S. shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares at the time of the disposition. In general, a U.S. shareholder’s adjusted tax basis will equal the U.S. shareholder’s acquisition cost, increased by the excess for net capital gain deemed distributed to the U.S. shareholder (discussed above) less tax deemed paid on it and reduced by returns of capital.
In general, capital gain recognized by individuals and other non-corporate U.S. shareholders upon the sale or disposition of our shares will be subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of up to 23.8% (which rate takes into account the maximum capital gain rate of 20% and the 3.8% Medicare tax on net investment income, described below), if our shares are held for more than one year, and will be taxed at ordinary income tax rates (of up to 40.8% for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2026, which rate takes into account the maximum ordinary income tax rate of 37% and the 3.8% Medicare tax on net investment income, described below) if the shares are held for one year or less. Gains recognized by U.S. shareholders that are corporations are subject to U.S. federal income tax at a maximum rate of 21%, whether or not such gains are classified as long-term capital gain or ordinary income. The IRS has the authority to prescribe, but has not yet prescribed, Treasury Regulations that would apply a capital gain tax rate of 25% (which is higher than the long-term capital gain tax rate for non-corporate U.S. shareholders) to all or a portion of capital gain realized by a non-corporate U.S. shareholder on the sale of shares of our common stock that would correspond to a shareholder’s share of our “unrecaptured Section 1250 gain.” U.S. shareholders should consult with their tax advisors with respect to their capital gain tax liability.
A capital loss recognized by a U.S. shareholder upon the disposition of our shares that were held for more than one year at the time of disposition will be considered a long-term capital loss, which generally is available only to offset capital gain of the shareholder, but not ordinary income (except in the case of individuals, who may offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year). In addition, any loss upon a sale or exchange of our shares by a U.S. shareholder who has held the shares for six months or less, after applying holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of distributions that we make that are required to be treated by the U.S. shareholder as long-term capital gain.
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Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income
Certain U.S. individuals, estates, and trusts are subject to an additional 3.8% tax on net investment income. Net investment income, for this purpose, includes dividends and gain from the sale of stock. In the case of an individual, the tax will be 3.8% of the lesser of the individual’s net investment income or the excess of the individual’s modified adjusted gross income over an amount equal to (1) $250,000, in the case of a married individual filing a joint return or a surviving spouse, (2) $125,000, in the case of a married individual filing a separate return, or (3) $200,000 in the case of a single individual. The temporary 20% deduction allowed by Section 199A of the Code with respect to ordinary REIT dividends received by non-corporate taxpayers is allowed only for purposes of Chapter 1 of the Code and, thus, apparently is not allowed as a deduction allocable to such dividends for purposes of determining the amount of net investment income subject to the 3.8% Medicare tax, which is imposed under Chapter 2A of the Code. U.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding this tax on net investment income.
Withholding on Payments in Respect of Certain Foreign Accounts
Certain future payments made to “foreign financial institutions” and “non-financial foreign entities” may be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%. U.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this withholding provision on their ownership and disposition of our shares. See “—Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders—Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act.”
Information Reporting Requirements and Backup Withholding
We will report to our shareholders and to the IRS the amount of dividends we pay during each calendar year and the amount of tax we withhold, if any. Generally, dividend payments are not subject to withholding; however, they may be subject to backup withholding. A shareholder may be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 24% with respect to dividends, unless the holder:
| · | is a corporation or is considered exempt therefrom pursuant to certain other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact; or |
| · | 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 shareholder 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 will be creditable against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability. In addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of any capital gain dividends paid to any shareholders who fail to certify their non-foreign status to us. For a discussion of the backup withholding rules as applied to non-U.S. shareholders, see “—Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders.”
Taxation of Tax-Exempt U.S. Shareholders
U.S. tax-exempt entities, including qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts, generally are exempt from federal income taxation. Such entities, however, may be subject to taxation on their unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”). While some investments in real estate may generate UBTI, the IRS has ruled that dividend distributions from a REIT to a tax-exempt entity generally do not constitute UBTI. Based on that ruling, and provided that (1) a tax-exempt shareholder has not held our shares as “debt financed property” within the meaning of the Code (i.e., where the acquisition or holding of the property is financed through a borrowing by the U.S. tax-exempt shareholder), and (2) our shares are not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business, dividend income from us and gain from the sale of our shares generally should not give rise to UBTI to a U.S. tax-exempt shareholder.
Tax-exempt U.S. shareholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, and supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), or (c)(17) of the Code, respectively, or single parent title-holding corporations exempt under Section 501(c)(2) of the Code whose income is payable to any of the aforementioned tax-exempt organizations, are subject to different UBTI rules. These rules generally require such shareholders to characterize distributions from us as UBTI unless the organization is able to claim properly a deduction for amounts set aside or placed in reserve for certain purposes so as to offset the income generated by its investment in our shares. These shareholders should consult with their own tax advisors concerning these set aside and reserve requirements.
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In certain circumstances, a pension trust (1) that is described in Section 401(a) of the Code, (2) that is tax exempt under Section 501(a) of the Code, and (3) that owns more than 10% of our shares, could be required to treat a percentage of the dividends as UBTI, if we are a “pension-held REIT.” We will not be a pension-held REIT unless:
| · | either (1) one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of our shares, or (2) one or more pension trusts, each individually holding more than 10% of the value of our shares, collectively own more than 50% of the value of our shares; and |
| · | we would not have qualified as a REIT but for the fact that Section 856(h)(3) of the Code provides that shares owned by such trusts shall be treated as owned by the beneficiaries of such trusts for purposes of the requirement that not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of a REIT may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer “individuals” (as defined in the Code to include certain entities). |
As a result of restrictions on the ownership and transfer of our shares contained in our declaration of trust, we do not expect to be classified as a “pension-held REIT,” and, as a result, the tax treatment described above should be inapplicable to our shareholders. However, because our shares are publicly traded, we cannot guarantee that this always will be the case.
Tax-exempt U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income and other tax consequences of owning our shares.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders
The following is a discussion of rules governing the federal income taxation of the ownership and disposition of our shares by our non-U.S. shareholders. For purposes of this summary, a “non-U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of our shares that is not a U.S. shareholder (as defined above under “U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Our Shareholders”) or an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Except as specifically noted below, the discussion does not address the federal income taxation of the ownership and disposition of our shares by non-U.S. shareholders who have held more than 10% of our shares or by non-U.S. shareholders who are “qualified shareholders” as defined in Section 897(k)(3)(A) of the Code. These rules are complex, and no attempt is made herein to provide more than a brief summary of such rules. Accordingly, this discussion does not address all aspects of federal income taxation, and we urge non-U.S. shareholders to consult with their tax advisors regarding the effect of U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. income tax laws on the ownership and disposition of our shares.
Distributions Generally
As described in the discussion below, distributions made by us with respect to our shares will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as:
| · | ordinary income dividends; |
| · | return of capital distributions; or |
| · | capital gain dividends (including unrecaptured Section 1250 gain). |
This discussion assumes that our shares will continue to be considered regularly traded on an established securities market for purposes of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (“FIRPTA”) provisions described below. If our shares no longer are regularly traded on an established securities market, the tax consequences described below would materially differ.
Ordinary Income Dividends
A distribution made by us to a non-U.S. shareholder will be treated as an ordinary income dividend if the distribution is paid out of our earnings and profits and:
| · | is not attributable to our net capital gain, or |
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| · | the distribution is attributable to our net capital gain from the sale of “U.S. real property interests” (“USRPIs”) and the non-U.S. shareholder owns 10% or less of the value of a class of our shares at all times during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution. |
In general, non-U.S. shareholders will not be considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business solely as a result of their ownership of our shares. In cases where the dividend income from a non-U.S. shareholder’s investment in our shares is, or is treated as, effectively connected with the non-U.S. shareholder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. shareholder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at graduated rates in the same manner as U.S. shareholders are taxed with respect to such dividends. Such income generally must be reported on a U.S. income tax return filed by or on behalf of the non-U.S. shareholder. The income also may be subject to the 30% branch profits tax in the case of a non-U.S. shareholder that is a corporation.
Generally, we will withhold and remit to the IRS 30% of our dividend distributions (including distributions that later may be determined to have been made in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits) that could not be treated as FIRPTA gain distributions with respect to the non-U.S. shareholder (and that are not deemed to be capital gain dividends for purposes of the FIRPTA withholding rules described below) unless:
| · | a lower treaty rate applies and the non-U.S. shareholder files with us an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E evidencing eligibility for that reduced treaty rate; |
| · | the non-U.S. shareholder files an IRS Form W-8ECI with us claiming that the distribution is income effectively connected with the non-U.S. shareholder’s trade or business; or |
| · | the non-U.S. shareholder is a foreign sovereign or controlled entity of a foreign sovereign and also provides an IRS Form W-8EXP claiming an exemption from withholding under section 892 of the Code. |
Tax treaties may reduce the withholding obligations with respect to our distributions. Under most tax treaties, however, taxation rates below 30% that are applicable to ordinary income dividends from U.S. corporations may not apply to ordinary income dividends from a REIT or may apply only if the REIT meets certain additional requirements. If the amount of tax withheld with respect to a distribution to a non-U.S. shareholder exceeds the non-U.S. shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability with respect to the distribution, the non-U.S. shareholder may file for a refund of the excess from the IRS.
Return of Capital Distributions
Unless (A) our shares constitute a USRPI, as described in “—Dispositions of Our Shares” below, or (B) either (1) the non-U.S. shareholder’s investment in our shares is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. shareholder (in which case the non-U.S. shareholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. shareholders with respect to such gain), or (2) the non-U.S. shareholder 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 U.S. (in which case the non-U.S. shareholder will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s net capital gain for the year), distributions that we make which are not dividends out of our earnings and profits and are not FIRPTA gain distributions will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. If we cannot determine at the time a distribution is made whether or not the distribution will exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to dividends. The non-U.S. shareholder may seek a refund from the IRS of any amounts withheld if it subsequently is determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. If our shares constitute a USRPI, as described below, distributions that we make in excess of the sum of (1) the non-U.S. shareholder’s proportionate share of our earnings and profits, and (2) the non-U.S. shareholder’s basis in its shares, will be taxed under FIRPTA at the rate of tax, including any applicable capital gain rates, that would apply to a U.S. shareholder of the same type (e.g., an individual or a corporation, as the case may be), and the collection of the tax will be enforced by a refundable withholding tax at a rate of 15% of the amount by which the distribution exceeds the non-U.S. shareholder’s share of our earnings and profits.
Capital Gain Dividends
Subject to the discussion below under the section titled “—FIRPTA Distributions,” a distribution made by us to a non-U.S. shareholder will be treated as long-term capital gain if the distribution is made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution is attributable to our net capital gain (other than from the sale of a USRPI) and we timely designate the distribution as a capital gain dividend.
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Long-term capital gain that a non-U.S. shareholder is deemed to receive from a capital gain dividend that is not attributable to the sale of a USRPI generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the hands of the non-U.S. shareholder unless:
| · | the non-U.S. shareholder’s investment in our shares is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. shareholder, in which case the non-U.S. shareholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. shareholders with respect to any such gain, except that a non-U.S. shareholder that is a corporation also may be subject to the 30% branch profits tax; or |
| · | the non-U.S. shareholder is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the United States, in which case the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on any such capital gains. |
FIRPTA Distributions
From time to time, some of our distributions may be of amounts attributable to gain from the sale or exchange of USRPIs. Such distributions to a non-U.S. shareholder generally will be subject to the taxation and withholding regime applicable to ordinary income dividends only if (1) dividends are received with respect to a class of shares that is “regularly traded” on a domestic “established securities market,” both as defined by applicable Treasury regulations, and (2) the non-U.S. shareholder does not own more than 10% of that class of shares at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of distribution. If both of these conditions are satisfied, qualifying non-U.S. shareholders will not be subject to FIRPTA withholding or reporting with respect to such dividends, and will not be required to pay branch profits tax. Instead, these dividends will be subject to U.S. federal income tax and withholding as ordinary dividends, currently at a 30% tax rate, unless reduced by applicable treaty. Although there can be no assurance in this regard, we believe that our common shares are “regularly traded” on a domestic “established securities market” within the meaning of applicable Treasury regulations; however, we can provide no assurance that our common shares are or will continue to be “regularly traded” on a domestic “established securities market” in future taxable years.
Except as discussed above, for any year in which we qualify as a REIT, distributions that are attributable to gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI are taxed to a non-U.S. shareholder as if these distributions were gains effectively connected with a trade or business in the U.S. conducted by the non-U.S. shareholder. A non-U.S. shareholder that does not qualify for the special rule discussed above will be taxed on these amounts at the normal rates applicable to a U.S. shareholder and will be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return reporting these amounts. If such a non-U.S. shareholder is a corporation, it also may owe the 30% branch profits tax under Section 884 of the Code in respect of these amounts. We or other applicable withholding agents will be required to withhold from distributions to such non-U.S. shareholders, and to remit to the IRS 21% of the amount treated as gain from the sale or exchange of USRPIs. The amount of any tax so withheld is creditable against the non-U.S. shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, and the non-U.S. shareholder may file for a refund from the IRS of any amount of withheld tax in excess of that tax liability.
A non-U.S. shareholder who has held more than 10% of our shares or a non-U.S. shareholder who is a “qualified shareholder” as defined in Section 897(k)(3)(A) of the Code should consult its own tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of the our distributions attributable to gain from the sale or exchange of USRPIs.
Undistributed Capital Gain
Although the law is not entirely clear on the matter, it appears that amounts designated by us as undistributed capital gains in respect of our shares held by non-U.S. shareholders generally should be treated in the same manner as actual distributions by us of capital gain dividends. Under this approach, the non-U.S. shareholder would be able to offset as a credit against its U.S. federal income tax liability resulting therefrom its proportionate share of the tax paid by us on the undistributed capital gains treated as long-term capital gains to the non-U.S. shareholder, and receive from the IRS a refund to the extent its proportionate share of the tax paid by us were to exceed the non-U.S. shareholder’s actual U.S. federal income tax liability on such long-term capital gain. If we were to designate any portion of our net capital gain as undistributed capital gain, a non-U.S. shareholder should consult its tax advisors regarding taxation of such undistributed capital gain.
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Dispositions of Our Shares
Unless our shares constitute a USRPI, a sale of our shares by a non-U.S. shareholder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation under FIRPTA.
Generally, with respect to any particular shareholder, our shares will constitute a USRPI only if each of the following three statements is true.
| · | Fifty percent or more of our assets throughout a prescribed testing period consists of interests in real property located within the United States, excluding for this purpose, interests in real property solely in a capacity as creditor. We believe that 50% or more of our assets will consist of interests in U.S. real property. |
| · | We are not a “domestically-controlled qualified investment entity.” A domestically-controlled qualified investment entity includes a REIT less than 50% of the value of which is held directly or indirectly by foreign persons (as defined in the Code) at all times during a specified testing period. Although we expect that we likely will be domestically-controlled, we cannot make any assurance that we are or will remain a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity. |
| · | Either (a) our shares are not “regularly traded,” as defined by applicable Treasury regulations, on an established securities market; or (b) our shares are “regularly traded” on an established securities market but the selling non-U.S. shareholder has held over 10% of that outstanding class of shares any time during the five-year period ending on the date of the sale. We expect that our common shares will continue to be regularly traded on an established securities market. |
In addition, dispositions of our capital stock by qualified shareholders are exempt from FIRPTA, except to the extent owners of such qualified shareholders that are not also qualified shareholders own, actually or constructively, more than 10% of our capital stock. An actual or deemed disposition of our capital stock by such shareholders may also be treated as a dividend. Furthermore, dispositions of our capital stock by “qualified foreign pension funds” or entities all of the interests of which are held by “qualified foreign pension funds” are exempt from FIRPTA. Non-U.S. shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these rules.
Specific wash sale rules applicable to sales of shares in a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity could result in gain recognition, taxable under FIRPTA, upon the sale of our shares even if we are a domestically-controlled qualified investment entity. These rules would apply if a non-U.S. shareholder (1) disposes of our shares within a 30-day period preceding the ex-dividend date of a distribution, any portion of which, but for the disposition, would have been taxable to such non-U.S. shareholder as gain from the sale or exchange of a USRPI, (2) acquires, or enters into a contract or option to acquire, other shares during the 61-day period that begins 30 days prior to such ex-dividend date, and (3) if our shares are “regularly traded” on an established securities market in the United States, such non-U.S. shareholder has owned more than 10% of such class of outstanding shares at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of such distribution.
If gain on the sale of our shares were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. shareholder would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return and would be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. shareholder with respect to such gain, subject to the applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of non-resident alien individuals, and the purchaser of the shares could be required to withhold 15% of the purchase price and remit such amount to the IRS.
Gain from the sale of our shares that otherwise would not be subject to FIRPTA will nonetheless be taxable in the United States to a non-U.S. shareholder as follows: (1) if the non-U.S. shareholder’s investment in our shares is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. shareholder, the non-U.S. shareholder will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. shareholder with respect to such gain, or (2) if the non-U.S. shareholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the United States, the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s capital gain.
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Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
The sale of our shares by a non-U.S. shareholder through a non-U.S. office of a broker generally will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding. The sale generally is subject to the same information reporting applicable to sales through a U.S. office of a U.S. or foreign broker if the sale of shares is effected at a non-U.S. office of a broker that is:
| · | a U.S. person; |
| · | a controlled foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
| · | a foreign person 50% or more of whose gross income is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business for a specified three-year period; or |
| · | a foreign partnership, if at any time during its tax year: (1) one or more of its partners are “U.S. persons,” as defined in U.S. Treasury regulations, who, in the aggregate, hold more than 50% of the income or capital interest in the foreign partnership; or (2) such foreign partnership is engaged in the conduct of a U.S. trade or business. |
Backup withholding generally does not apply if the broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a United States person and the applicable documentation requirements are satisfied. Generally, a non-U.S. shareholder satisfies the information reporting requirements by providing the IRS with Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E or an acceptable substitute. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts that we withhold under the backup withholding rules will be refunded or credited against the non-U.S. shareholder’s federal income tax liability if certain required information is furnished to the IRS. The application of information reporting and backup withholding varies depending on the shareholder’s particular circumstances and, therefore, a non-U.S. shareholder is advised to consult its tax advisor regarding applicable information reporting and backup withholding requirements.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) imposes a 30% withholding tax on dividends in respect of our shares if paid to a foreign entity, unless either (i) the foreign entity is a “foreign financial institution” that undertakes certain due diligence, reporting, withholding, and certification obligations, or in the case of a foreign financial institution that is a resident in a jurisdiction that has entered into an intergovernmental agreement to implement FATCA, the entity complies with the diligence and reporting requirements of such agreement, (ii) the foreign entity is not a “foreign financial institution” and identifies certain of its U.S. investors, or (iii) the foreign entity otherwise is excepted under FATCA. While withholding under FATCA would have applied to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our shares received after December 31, 2018, proposed Treasury regulations eliminate FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely. Taxpayers may generally rely on these proposed Treasury regulations until final Treasury regulations are issued.
If withholding is required under FATCA on a payment related to our shares, investors that otherwise would not be subject to withholding (or that otherwise would be entitled to a reduced rate of withholding) generally will be required to seek a refund or credit from the IRS to obtain the benefit of such exemption or reduction (provided that such benefit is available). Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect of FATCA in their particular circumstances.
Other Tax Considerations
Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs
The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation (or otherwise affecting REITs) are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process (including the IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department). We cannot give you any assurances as to whether, or in what form, any legislative proposals affecting REITs or their shareholders will be enacted. Changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws (or other laws affecting REITs) and interpretations thereof, possibly with retroactive effect, could adversely affect an investment in our shares. Taxpayers should consult with their tax advisors regarding the effect of potential changes to the U.S. federal income tax or other laws and interpretations on their particular circumstances.
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State, Local and Foreign Taxes
We, our subsidiaries, and/or our shareholders may be subject to state, local or foreign taxation in various jurisdictions, including those in which we or they transact business, own property or reside. We own properties located in numerous U.S. jurisdictions and may be required to file tax returns in some or all of those jurisdictions. Our state and local tax treatment and the state, local and foreign tax treatment of our shareholders may not conform to the federal income tax treatment discussed above. Prospective shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application and effect of state, local and foreign income and other tax laws on an investment in our shares.
Tax Shelter Reporting
If a holder of our shares recognizes a loss as a result of a transaction with respect to our shares of at least (1) $2 million or more in a single taxable year or $4 million or more in a combination of taxable years, for a shareholder that is an individual, S corporation, trust, or a partnership with at least one non-corporate partner, or (2) $10 million or more in a single taxable year or $20 million or more in a combination of taxable years, for a shareholder that is either a corporation or a partnership with only corporate partners, such shareholder may be required to file a disclosure statement with the IRS on Form 8886. Direct holders of portfolio securities are in many cases exempt from this reporting requirement, but holders of REIT securities currently are not exempt. The fact that a loss is reportable under these Treasury regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. The Code imposes significant penalties for failure to comply with these requirements. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers concerning any possible disclosure obligation with respect to the receipt or disposition of our shares, or transactions that we might undertake directly or indirectly. Moreover, shareholders should be aware that we and other participants in the transactions in which we are involved (including their advisors) might be subject to disclosure or other requirements pursuant to these regulations.
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We are registering the common shares covered by this prospectus to permit the selling shareholders to conduct public secondary trades of these securities from time to time after the date of this prospectus. We have been advised by the selling shareholders that the selling shareholders or pledgees, donees or transferees of, or other successors in interest to, the selling shareholders may sell all or a portion of the common shares beneficially owned by them and offered hereby from time to time either directly, or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, who may act solely as agents or who may acquire the common shares as principals or as both, and who may receive compensation in the form of discounts, commissions or concessions from the selling shareholders or from the purchasers of our common shares for whom they may act as agent (which compensation as to a particular broker-dealer may be less than or in excess of customary commissions).
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of our common shares by the selling shareholders pursuant to this prospectus. We will bear the fees and expenses incurred in connection with our obligation to register the common shares. However, the selling shareholders will pay all underwriting discounts, commissions and agent’s commissions, if any.
Determination of Offering Price by Selling Shareholders
The selling shareholders may offer their common shares pursuant to this prospectus from time to time at fixed prices, which may be changed, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. The prices will be determined by the market, by the selling shareholders or by agreement between the selling shareholders and underwriters or dealers.
The public price at which our common shares trade in the future might be below the prevailing market price at the time the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part is declared effective. In determining the prices at which the selling shareholders may offer their common shares from time to time pursuant to this prospectus, we expect selling shareholders to consider a number of factors in addition to prevailing market conditions, including:
| · | the information set forth in this prospectus and otherwise available to selling shareholders; |
| · | the history of and prospects for our industry; |
| · | an assessment of our management; |
| · | our present operations; |
| · | the trend of our revenues and earnings; |
| · | our earnings prospects; |
| · | the price of similar securities of generally comparable companies; and |
| · | other factors deemed relevant. |
Methods of Distribution
The sales described in the preceding paragraphs may be effected in transactions:
| · | on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which our common shares are listed or quoted at the time of sale; |
| · | in the over-the-counter market; |
| · | in transactions (which may include underwritten transactions) otherwise than on such exchanges or services or in the over-the-counter market; |
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| · | block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; |
| · | through the writing of options whether the options are listed on an option exchange or otherwise; |
| · | through the settlement of short sales (except that no selling shareholder may satisfy its obligations in connection with short sales or hedging transactions entered into before the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part by delivering securities registered under this registration statement); or |
| · | a combination of any such methods or any other method permitted by applicable law. |
In connection with sales of our common shares, selling shareholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers. These broker-dealers may in turn engage in short sales of our common shares in the course of hedging their positions. The selling shareholders may also sell our common shares short and deliver our common shares to close out short positions, or loan or pledge our common shares to broker-dealers that in turn may sell the common shares.
The selling shareholders or their successors in interest may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers that require the delivery by such broker-dealers of our common shares which may be resold thereafter pursuant to this prospectus if our common shares are delivered by the selling shareholders. However, if the common shares are to be delivered by the selling shareholders’ successors in interest, we must file a prospectus supplement or an amendment to this registration statement under applicable provisions of the Securities Act amending the list of selling shareholders to include the successors in interest as selling shareholders under this prospectus.
Selling shareholders might not sell any, or all, of our common shares offered by them pursuant to this prospectus. In addition, we cannot assure you that a selling shareholder will not transfer our common shares by other means not described in this prospectus.
To the extent required, upon being notified by a selling shareholder that any arrangement has been entered into with any agent, underwriter or broker-dealer for the sale of our common shares through a block trade, special offering, exchange distribution or secondary distribution or a purchase of any agent, underwriter or broker-dealer(s), the name(s) of the selling shareholder(s) and of the participating agent, underwriter or broker-dealer(s), specific common shares to be sold, the respective purchase prices and public offering prices, any applicable commissions or discounts, and other facts material to the transaction will be set forth in a supplement to this prospectus or a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, as appropriate.
The selling shareholders or their successors in interest may from time to time pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the common shares, and, if the selling shareholders default in the performance of their secured obligation, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell such pledged common shares from time to time under this prospectus; however, in the event of a pledge or the default on the performance of a secured obligation by the selling shareholders, in order for the common shares to be sold under this registration statement, unless permitted by law, we must file an amendment to this registration statement under applicable provisions of the Securities Act amending the list of selling shareholders to include the pledgee, transferee, secured party or other successors in interest as selling shareholders under this prospectus.
In addition, any securities registered and offered pursuant to this prospectus that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 144A of the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 or Rule 144A rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
In order to comply with the securities laws of some states, our common shares may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.
The selling shareholders and any other person participating in such distribution will be subject to the applicable provisions of the Exchange Act. The Exchange Act rules include, without limitation, Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any common shares by the selling shareholders and any such other person. In addition, Regulation M of the Exchange Act may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of our common shares to engage in market-making activities with respect to the particular shares being distributed. All of the above may affect the marketability of our common shares and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to our common shares.
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Underwriting Discounts and Commissions, Indemnification and Expenses
Brokers, dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of our common shares pursuant to this prospectus as agents may receive compensation in the form of commissions, discounts or concessions from the selling shareholders and/or purchasers of our common shares for whom such broker-dealers may act as agent, or to whom they may sell as principal, or both (which compensation as to a particular broker-dealer may be less than or in excess of customary commissions).
The selling shareholders and any brokers, dealers, agents or underwriters that participate with the selling shareholders in the distribution of our common shares pursuant to this prospectus may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act. In this case, any commissions received by these broker-dealers, agents or underwriters and any profit on the resale of our common shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. In addition, any profits realized by the selling shareholders may be deemed to be underwriting commissions. Neither we nor any selling shareholder can presently estimate the amount of such compensation. If a selling shareholder is deemed to be an underwriter, the selling shareholder may be subject to certain statutory liabilities including, but not limited to, Sections 11, 12 and 17 of the Securities Act and Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act. Selling shareholders who are deemed underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. Selling shareholders who are registered broker-dealers or affiliates of registered-broker dealers may be deemed underwriters under the Securities Act.
Pursuant to a registration rights agreement between us and the selling shareholders, we have agreed to indemnify each selling shareholder, each person, if any, who controls a selling shareholder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, and the partners, members, officers, directors, employees or representatives of any of the foregoing, against specified liabilities arising under the Securities Act. Each selling shareholder has agreed to indemnify us and each of our trustees and officers, and each person, if any, who controls us within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act against specified liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
We have agreed, among other things, to bear all expenses, other than brokerage and sales commissions, fees and disbursements of the selling shareholders’ counsel, accountants and other advisors, and any transfer taxes, in connection with the registration and sale of our common shares pursuant to this prospectus.
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The validity of the securities offered by means of this prospectus and certain U.S. federal income tax matters have been passed upon for us by Hogan Lovells US LLP.
The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
We file annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Our reference to the SEC’s website is intended to be an inactive textual reference only.
This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. If a reference is made in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement to any of our contracts or other documents, the reference may not be complete and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of or incorporated by reference in the registration statement for a copy of the contract or document.
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. Information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus. Later information filed with the SEC will update and supersede this information.
This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below, all of which have been previously filed with the SEC:
| · | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023; |
| · | our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024; |
| · | our Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on March 28, 2024; |
| · | our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 2, 2024; and |
| · | the description of our common shares included in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (SEC File No. 001-35169) filed with the SEC on May 9, 2011 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 additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from the date of this prospectus until we have sold all of the securities to which this prospectus relates or the offering is otherwise terminated; provided, however that we are not incorporating any information furnished under either Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K.
You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by contacting Chad D. Perry, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, 7373 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1500, Maryland 20814, by telephone at 301-280-7777, by e-mail at cperry@rljlodgingtrust.com, or by visiting our website, www.rljlodgingtrust.com. The information contained on our website is not part of this prospectus. Our reference to our website is intended to be an inactive textual reference only.
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PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
The following table sets forth the costs and expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by us in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being registered. All amounts except the SEC registration fee are estimated.
| SEC Registration Fee | $ | 2,942.56 | ||
| Accountant’s Fees and Expenses | 5,000 | |||
| Legal Fees and Expenses | 45,000 | |||
| Printing Expenses | 15,000 | |||
| Miscellaneous | — | |||
| TOTAL | $ | 67,942.56 |
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS.
The Maryland REIT law permits a Maryland real estate investment trust to include in its declaration of trust a provision eliminating the liability of its trustees and officers to the real estate investment trust and its shareholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action. Our declaration of trust contains such a provision which eliminates such liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
The Maryland REIT law permits a Maryland real estate investment trust to indemnify and advance expenses to its trustees and officers to the same extent as permitted by the MGCL for directors and officers of Maryland corporations. The MGCL permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, 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 in those or other capacities unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received, unless, in either case, a court orders indemnification and then only for expenses. In addition, the MGCL permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation’s receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the trustee or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or on his behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct was not met.
Our declaration of trust provides that we shall indemnify, and pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, (i) any individual who is a present or former trustee or officer, and (ii) any individual who, while a trustee or officer, at our request, serves or has served as an, officer, partner, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise from and against any claim or liability to which such person may become subject or which such person may incur by reason of his status as a present or former officer, partner, employee or agent of our company. We have the power, with the approval of our board of trustees, to provide such indemnification and advancement of expenses to a person who served a predecessor of our company in any of the capacities described in (a) or (b) above and to any employee or agent of our company or a predecessor of our company. Maryland law requires us to indemnify a trustee or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he is made a party by reason of his service in that capacity.
In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our trustees and executive officers that provide for indemnification to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
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ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.
EXHIBIT INDEX
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
| (a) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: |
| (1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
| (i) | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; |
| (ii) | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and |
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| (iii) | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to such information in this registration statement; |
provided, however, that subparagraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of this registration statement.
| (2) | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| (3) | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered that remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
| (4) | That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser: |
| (A) | Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in this registration statement; and |
| (B) | Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in this registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is a part of this registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into this registration statement or prospectus that is a part of this registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in this registration statement or prospectus that was part of this registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date. |
| (5) | That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: |
The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
| (i) | Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
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| (ii) | Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; |
| (iii) | The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and |
| (iv) | Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
| (b) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| (c) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Bethesda, State of Maryland, on August 23, 2024.
| RLJ LODGING TRUST | ||
| By: | /s/ Leslie D. Hale | |
| Leslie D. Hale | ||
| President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned directors and officers of RLJ Lodging Trust, does hereby constitute and appoint Leslie D. Hale or Chad D. Perry and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement (including post-effective amendments to the registration statement), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and any other documents in connection therewith, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in their respective capacities on August 23, 2024.
| /s/ Robert L. Johnson | Executive Chairman and Trustee | |
| Robert L. Johnson | ||
| /s/ Leslie D. Hale | President and Chief Executive Officer and Trustee | |
| Leslie D. Hale | (Principal Executive Officer) | |
| /s/ Sean M. Mahoney | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |
| Sean M. Mahoney | (Principal Financial Officer) | |
| /s/ Christopher A. Gormsen | Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer | |
| Christopher A. Gormsen | (Principal Accounting Officer) | |
| /s/ Evan Bayh | Trustee | |
| Evan Bayh | ||
| /s/ Arthur R. Collins | Trustee | |
| Arthur R. Collins | ||
| /s/ Nathaniel A. Davis | Trustee | |
| Nathaniel A. Davis | ||
| /s/ Patricia L. Gibson | Trustee | |
| Patricia L. Gibson | ||
| /s/ Robert M. La Forgia | Trustee | |
| Robert M. La Forgia | ||
| /s/ Robert J. McCarthy | Trustee | |
| Robert J. McCarthy | ||
| /s/ Robin M. Zeigler | Trustee | |
| Robin M. Zeigler |
Exhibit 5.1
 |
Hogan Lovells US LLP Columbia Square 555 Thirteenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20004 T +1 202 637 5600 F +1 202 637 5910 www.hoganlovells.com |
August 23, 2024
Board of Trustees
RLJ Lodging Trust
7373 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1500
Bethesda, MD 20814
To the addressee referred to above:
We are acting as counsel to RLJ Lodging Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “Company”), in connection with its registration statement on Form S-3, as amended (the “Registration Statement”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the resale from time to time by the selling shareholders identified in the Registration Statement of up to 2,157,580 common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, including (i) common shares that were issued to such selling shareholders pursuant to that certain Merger Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2011, by and among RLJ Lodging Fund II, L.P., RLJ Lodging Fund II (PF #1), L.P., RLJ Lodging Trust and RLJ Capital Partners II, LLC or that certain Merger Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2011, by and among RLJ Real Estate Fund III, L.P., RLJ Real Estate Fund III (PF #1), L.P., RLJ Lodging Trust and RLJ Capital Partners III, LLC, as applicable (the “Shares”), and (ii) up to 558,750 common shares (the “Redemption Shares”) that the Company may issue to certain holders of units of limited partnership interest (“OP units”) in RLJ Lodging Trust, L.P., and to any of their pledgees, donees, transferees or other successors in interest upon tender of OP units for redemption, which OP units were issued to certain selling shareholders pursuant to that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of April 25, 2011, as amended, by and between RLJ Lodging Trust and RLJ Development, LLC. This opinion letter is furnished to you at your request to enable you to fulfill the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K, 17 C.F.R. § 229.601(b)(5), in connection with the Registration Statement.
For purposes of this opinion letter, we have examined copies of such agreements, instruments and documents as we have deemed an appropriate basis on which to render the opinions hereinafter expressed. In our examination of the aforesaid documents, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the accuracy and completeness of all documents submitted to us, the authenticity of all original documents, and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies (including pdfs). We also have assumed that the Shares have not been, and that the Redemption Shares will not be, issued in violation of the ownership limit contained in the Company’s Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Declaration of Trust, as amended. As to all matters of fact, we have relied on the representations and statements of fact made in the documents so reviewed, and we have not independently established the facts so relied on. This opinion letter is given, and all statements herein are made, in the context of the foregoing.
Hogan Lovells US LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in the state of Delaware. “Hogan Lovells” is an international legal practice that includes Hogan Lovells US LLP and Hogan Lovells International LLP, with offices in: Alicante Amsterdam Baltimore Berlin Beijing Birmingham Boston Brussels Colorado Springs Denver Dubai Dusseldorf Frankfurt Hamburg Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City Hong Kong Houston Johannesburg London Los Angeles Luxembourg Madrid Mexico City Miami Milan Minneapolis Monterrey Munich New York Northern Virginia Paris Philadelphia Riyadh Rome San Francisco São Paulo Shanghai Silicon Valley Singapore Sydney Tokyo Warsaw Washington, D.C. Associated Offices: Budapest Jakarta Shanghai FTZ. Business Service Centers: Johannesburg Louisville. For more information see www.hoganlovells.com
Board of Trustees RLJ Lodging Trust |
- 2 - | August 23, 2024 |
This opinion letter is based as to matters of law solely on the applicable provisions of the following, as currently in effect: Title 8 of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended, and the Maryland General Corporation Law, as amended. We express no opinion herein as to any other statutes, rules or regulations.
Based upon, subject to and limited by the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares are validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable and the Redemption Shares, if and when issued in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership, dated May 13, 2011, as amended, of RLJ Lodging Trust, L.P., will be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.
This opinion letter has been prepared for use in connection with the Registration Statement. We assume no obligation to advise of any changes in the foregoing subsequent to the effective date of the Registration Statement.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus constituting a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are an “expert” within the meaning of the Act.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Hogan Lovells US LLP
HOGAN LOVELLS US LLP
Exhibit 8.1
 |
Hogan Lovells US LLP Columbia Square 555 Thirteenth Street, NW Washington, DC 20004 T +1 202 637 5600 F +1 202 637 5910 www.hoganlovells.com |
August 23, 2024
Board of Trustees
RLJ Lodging Trust
7373 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1500
Bethesda, MD 20814
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This firm has acted as tax counsel to RLJ Lodging Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “Company”), in connection with its registration statement on Form S-3, as amended (the “Registration Statement”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the resale from time to time by the selling shareholders identified in the Registration Statement of up to 2,157,580 common shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, including (i) common shares that were issued to such selling shareholders pursuant to that certain Merger Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2011, by and among RLJ Lodging Fund II, L.P., RLJ Lodging Fund II (PF #1), L.P., RLJ Lodging Trust and RLJ Capital Partners II, LLC or that certain Merger Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2011, by and among RLJ Real Estate Fund III, L.P., RLJ Real Estate Fund III (PF #1), L.P., RLJ Lodging Trust and RLJ Capital Partners III, LLC, as applicable (the “Shares”), and (ii) up to 558,750 common shares (the “Redemption Shares”) that the Company may issue to certain holders of units of limited partnership interest (“OP units”), in RLJ Lodging Trust, L.P., and to any of their pledgees, donees, transferees or other successors in interest upon tender of OP units for redemption, which OP units were issued to certain selling shareholders pursuant to that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of April 25, 2011, as amended, by and between RLJ Lodging Trust and RLJ Development, LLC.
In connection with the filing of the Registration Statement, we have been asked to provide you with this letter regarding the Company’s qualification as a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and certain other U.S. federal income tax matters to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. Capitalized terms used herein, unless otherwise defined in the body of this letter, shall have the meanings set forth in Appendix A.
Bases for Opinions
The opinions set forth in this letter are based on relevant current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Treasury Regulations thereunder (including proposed and temporary Treasury Regulations), and interpretations of the foregoing as expressed in court decisions, applicable legislative history, and the administrative rulings and practices of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), including its practices and policies in issuing private letter rulings, which are not binding on the IRS except with respect to a taxpayer that receives such a ruling, all as of the date hereof. These provisions and interpretations are subject to change by the IRS, Congress and the courts (as applicable), which may or may not be retroactive in effect and which might result in material modifications of our opinions. Our opinions do not foreclose the possibility of a contrary determination by the IRS or a court of competent jurisdiction, or of a contrary position taken by the IRS or the Treasury Department in regulations or rulings issued in the future. In this regard, an opinion of counsel with respect to an issue represents counsel’s best professional judgment with respect to the outcome on the merits with respect to such issue, if such issue were to be litigated, but an opinion is not binding on the IRS or the courts, and is not a guarantee that the IRS will not assert a contrary position with respect to such issue or that a court will not sustain such a position asserted by the IRS.
Hogan Lovells US LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in the state of Delaware. “Hogan Lovells” is an international legal practice that includes Hogan Lovells US LLP and Hogan Lovells International LLP, with offices in: Alicante Amsterdam Baltimore Berlin Beijing Birmingham Boston Brussels Colorado Springs Denver Dubai Dusseldorf Frankfurt Hamburg Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City Hong Kong Houston Johannesburg London Los Angeles Luxembourg Madrid Mexico City Miami Milan Minneapolis Monterrey Munich New York Northern Virginia Paris Philadelphia Riyadh Rome San Francisco São Paulo Shanghai Silicon Valley Singapore Sydney Tokyo Warsaw Washington, D.C. Associated Offices: Budapest Jakarta Shanghai FTZ. Business Service Centers: Johannesburg Louisville. For more information see www.hoganlovells.com
Board of Trustees
RLJ Lodging Trust
August 23, 2024
Page 2
In rendering the following opinions, we have examined such statutes, regulations, records, agreements, certificates and other documents as we have considered necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions, including, but not limited to:
| (1) | the Registration Statement; |
| (2) | the Declaration of Trust of the Company, dated as of January 31, 2011, as amended through the date hereof (the “Declaration of Trust”); |
| (3) | certain of the Leases; and |
| (4) | such other documents as we deemed necessary or appropriate (the documents referred to in clauses (1) through (4), the “Reviewed Documents”). |
The opinions set forth in this letter are premised on, among other things, the written representations of the Company and the Operating Partnership contained in a letter to us dated as of the date hereof (the “Representation Letter”).
Although we have discussed the Representation Letter with the signatories thereto, for purposes of rendering our opinions, we have not made an independent investigation or audit of the facts set forth in the Reviewed Documents and the Representation Letter. We consequently have relied upon the representations and statements of the Company and RLJ LP, as described in the Reviewed Documents and the Representation Letter, and assumed that the information presented in such documents or otherwise furnished to us is accurate and complete in all material respects.
In this regard, we have assumed with your consent the following:
| (1) | that (A) all of the representations and statements set forth in each of the Reviewed Documents and the Representation Letter are true, correct, and complete as of the date hereof, (B) any representation or statement made in any of the Reviewed Documents or the Representation Letter as a belief or made “to the knowledge of” or similarly qualified is true, correct, and complete as of the date hereof, without such qualification, (C) each agreement described in any of the Reviewed Documents is valid and binding in accordance with its terms, and (D) each of the obligations of the Company, the Operating Partnership and their respective subsidiaries, as described in the Reviewed Documents, has been or will be performed or satisfied in accordance with its terms; |
| (2) | the genuineness of all signatures, the proper execution of all documents, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to originals of documents submitted to us as copies, and the authenticity of the originals from which any copies were made; |
Board of Trustees
RLJ Lodging Trust
August 23, 2024
Page 3
| (3) | that any documents as to which we have reviewed only a form were or will be duly executed without material changes from the form reviewed by us; and |
| (5) | from and after the date of this letter, the Company and the Operating Partnership will comply with the representations contained in the Representation Letter that the Company will utilize all appropriate “savings provisions” (including the provisions of Sections 856(c)(6), 856(c)(7), and 856(g) of the Code, and the provision included in Section 856(c)(4) of the Code (flush language) allowing for the disposal of assets within 30 days after the close of a calendar quarter, and all available deficiency dividend procedures) available to the Company under the Code in order to correct any violations of the applicable REIT qualification requirements of Sections 856 and 857 of the Code, to the full extent the remedies under such provisions are available. |
Any material variation or difference in the facts from those set forth in the documents that we have reviewed and upon which we have relied (including, in particular, the Registration Statement and the Representation Letter) may adversely affect the conclusions stated herein.
Opinions
Based upon, and subject to the assumptions and qualifications set forth herein, including, without limitation, the discussion in the next paragraph below, we are of the opinion that:
| (1) | the Company has been organized and has operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for each of its taxable years beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 2014 through and including its taxable year ended December 31, 2023, and the Company’s current organization and current and proposed method of operation (as described in the Registration Statement and the Representation Letter) will enable it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code for its taxable year ending December 31, 2024, and future taxable years; and |
| (2) | the portions of the discussions in the Registration Statement under the heading “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” that describe applicable U.S. federal income tax law are correct in all material respects as of the date hereof. |
* * * * *
In addition to the assumptions set forth above, our opinions are subject to the exceptions, limitations and qualifications set forth below:
Board of Trustees
RLJ Lodging Trust
August 23, 2024
Page 4
| (1) | The Company’s ability to qualify as a REIT depends in particular upon whether each of the Leases is respected as a lease for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If one or more Leases are not respected as leases for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Company may fail to qualify as a REIT (including by reason of one or more of the Old REITs or the Subsidiary REITs failing to qualify as a REIT in one or more taxable years. The determination of whether the Leases are leases for U.S. federal income tax purposes is highly dependent on specific facts and circumstances. In addition, for the rents payable under a Lease to qualify as “rents from real property” under the Code, the rental provisions of the Leases and the other terms thereof must conform with normal business practice and not be used as a means to base the rent paid on the income or profits of the Lessees. In delivering the first opinion set forth above, we expressly rely upon, among other things, the Company’s representations as to various factual matters with respect to the Leases, including representations as to the commercial reasonableness of the economic and other terms of the Leases at the times the Leases were originally entered into and subsequently renewed or extended (and taking into account for this purpose changes to the economic and other terms of the Leases pursuant to subsequent amendments), the intent and economic expectations of the parties to the Leases, the allocation of various economic risks between the parties to the Leases, taking into account all surrounding facts and circumstances, the conformity of the rental provisions and other terms of the Leases with normal business practice, the conduct of the parties to the Leases, and the conclusion that such terms are not being, and will not be, used as a means to base the rent paid on the income or profits of the Lessees. We express no opinion as to any of the economic terms of the Leases, the commercial reasonableness thereof, or whether the actual economic relationships created thereby are such that the Leases will be respected for U.S. federal income tax purposes or whether the rental and other terms of the Leases conform with normal business practice (and are not being used as a means to base the rent paid on the income or profits of the Lessees). |
| (2) | The Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code will depend upon the ability of the Company to meet on an ongoing basis (through actual quarterly and annual operating results, distribution levels, diversity of share ownership and otherwise) the various qualification tests imposed under the Code, and upon the Company utilizing any and all appropriate “savings provisions” (including the provisions of Sections 856(c)(6), 856(c)(7), and 856(g) of the Code and the provision included in Section 856(c)(4) of the Code (flush language) allowing for the disposal of assets within 30 days after the close of a calendar quarter, and all available deficiency dividend procedures) available to the Company under the Code in order to correct any violations of the applicable REIT qualification requirements of Sections 856 and 857 of the Code. Our opinions set forth in this letter do not foreclose the possibility that the Company may have to utilize one or more of these “savings provisions” in the future, which could require the Company to pay an excise or penalty tax (which could be significant in amount) in order to maintain its REIT qualification. We have not undertaken at this time to review the Company’s compliance with the applicable REIT qualification requirements on a continuing basis, nor will we do so in the future. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of the Company’s operations, the sources of its income, the nature of its assets, the level of its distributions to shareholders and the diversity of its share ownership for any given taxable year will satisfy the requirements under the Code for qualification and taxation as a REIT. |
| (3) | This opinion letter addresses only the specific U.S. federal income tax matters set forth above. This opinion letter does not address any other U.S. federal, state, local or foreign legal or tax issues. |
This opinion letter has been prepared solely for your use in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement and speaks as of the date hereof. We assume no obligation by reason of this opinion letter or otherwise to advise you of any changes in our opinions subsequent to the date hereof. Except as provided in the last paragraph, this opinion letter may not be distributed, quoted in whole or in part or otherwise reproduced in any document, or filed with any governmental agency without our express written consent. In addition, this opinion letter may not be relied on by any other person for any other purpose without our prior written consent.
Board of Trustees
RLJ Lodging Trust
August 23, 2024
Page 5
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 8.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to Hogan Lovells US LLP under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, however, we do not admit thereby that we are an “expert” within the meaning of the Act.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Hogan Lovells US LLP
HOGAN LOVELLS US LLP
Appendix A
Definitions
“Fund II REIT” means each of RLJ Lodging II REIT, LLC and RLJ Lodging II REIT (PF #1), LLC, each a Delaware limited liability company that elected to be taxed as a REIT.
“Fund III REIT” means each of RLJ Real Estate III REIT, LLC, and RLJ Real Estate III REIT (PF #1), LLC, each a Delaware limited liability company that elected to be taxed as a REIT.
“Hotel” means each hotel in which the Company has a direct or indirect interest.
“Lease” means any real estate lease of a Hotel pursuant to which either the Company, directly or through a Subsidiary REIT and/or one or more Partnership Subsidiaries, or one or more of the Old REITs leased or leases a Hotel or other Real Property to a Lessee, taking into actcount all subsequent amendments, renewals and/or extensions.
“Lessee” means any TRS Lessee or any other party that leases one or more Hotels or other leased Real Property pursuant to a Lease.
“Old REITs” means any of the Fund II REITs or the Fund III REITs.
“Operating Partnership” means RLJ Lodging Trust, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.
“Partnership Subsidiary” means any of the Operating Partnership and each partnership, limited liability company, or other entity treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes or disregarded as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes in which either the Company, an Old REIT, or a Subsidiary REIT owns (or owned) an interest, either directly or through one or more other partnerships, limited liability companies or other entities treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes or disregarded as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes (whether or not the interest is (or was) a controlling interest in, or otherwise represents (or represented) the ability to control or direct the operation of, such entity). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Partnership Subsidiary” shall not in any way be deemed to include a TRS or subsidiaries thereof.
“Real Property” means real property, including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property.
“Subsidiary REIT” means any of RLJ III – MH Denver Airport, Inc. (f/k/a Lodgian Denver Inc.), RLJ III – EM West Palm Beach, Inc. (f/k/a Servico Centre Associates, Inc.), RLJ III – C Buckhead, Inc. (f/k/a Lodgian Buckhead, Inc.) and, from and after the effective date of its REIT election, any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Operating Partnership that has elected to be treated as a REIT under the Code.
“TRS” means a “taxable REIT subsidiary,” as described in Section 856(l) of the Code. Any entity taxable as a corporation in which a TRS of a real estate investment trust owns (x) securities possessing more than 35% of the total voting power of the outstanding securities of such entity or (y) securities having a value of more than 35% of the total value of the outstanding securities of such entity shall also be treated as a TRS of such real estate investment trust whether or not a separate election is made with respect to such other entity.
“TRS Lessee” means any lessee of a Hotel that is a TRS.
A-1
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of RLJ Lodging Trust of our report dated February 27, 2024 relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in RLJ Lodging Trust's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Washington, District Of Columbia
August 23, 2024
1
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Calculation of Filing Fee Tables |
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Table 1: Newly Registered and Carry Forward Securities |
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Security Type |
Security Class Title |
Fee Calculation or Carry Forward Rule |
Amount Registered |
Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit |
Maximum Aggregate Offering Price |
Fee Rate |
Amount of Registration Fee |
Carry Forward Form Type |
Carry Forward File Number |
Carry Forward Initial Effective Date |
Filing Fee Previously Paid in Connection with Unsold Securities to be Carried Forward |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newly Registered Securities | |||||||||||||
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
$
|
$
|
|
$
|
||||
| Fees Previously Paid | |||||||||||||
| Carry Forward Securities | |||||||||||||
| Carry Forward Securities | |||||||||||||
|
Total Offering Amounts: |
$
|
$
|
|||||||||||
|
Total Fees Previously Paid: |
$
|
||||||||||||
|
Total Fee Offsets: |
$
|
||||||||||||
|
Net Fee Due: |
$
|
||||||||||||
|
Offering Note |
|
1 |
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