Typically, prior to an investment, we conduct a property site review to assess the general physical condition of the property and the potential of additional services. In addition, we review third-party environmental reports, land surveys, and markets studies (if applicable) as well as conduct a financial due diligence review of the property before the investment is made.

We believe skilled nursing facilities are the lowest cost provider for certain levels of acuity; therefore, such facilities play a vital role in our nation’s health care delivery system. Our investments include direct ownership, development, first and second mortgages secured by skilled nursing centers and mezzanine loans. We prefer to invest in a property that has a significant market presence in its community and where state certificate of need and/or licensing procedures limit the entry of competing properties.

We believe that assisted living, independent living and memory care facilities are an important sector in the long term care market and our investments include direct ownership, development, joint ventures, mezzanine loans and mortgages secured by assisted living, independent living and/or memory care communities. We have attempted to diversify our portfolio both geographically and across care levels.

Borrowing Policies.  We may incur additional indebtedness when, in the opinion of our Board of Directors, it is advisable. We may incur such indebtedness to make investments in additional senior housing and health care properties or to meet the distribution requirements imposed upon REITs under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. For other short‑term purposes, we may, from time to time, negotiate lines of credit, or arrange for other short‑term borrowings from banks or otherwise. We may also arrange for long term borrowings through public or private offerings or from institutional investors.

In addition, we may incur mortgage indebtedness on real estate which we have acquired through purchase, foreclosure or otherwise. We may also obtain mortgage financing for unleveraged or underleveraged properties in which we have invested or may refinance properties acquired on a leveraged basis.

Competition

In the health care industry, we compete for real property investments with health care providers, other health care related REITs, real estate partnerships, banks, private equity funds, venture capital funds and other investors. Many

the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. To maintain our qualification as a REIT, we must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that we annually distribute to our shareholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding net capital gains. As a REIT, we generally are not subject to U.S. federal income tax on the taxable income we distribute to our shareholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the generally applicable corporate tax rate. Even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we may be subject to certain state and local taxes on our income, property or net worth and U.S. federal income and excise taxes on our undistributed income.

Governmental Regulation

Health Care Regulation

Overview

The health care industry is heavily regulated by the government. Our borrowers and lessees who operate health care facilities are subject to extensive regulation by federal, state and local governments. These laws and regulations are subject to frequent and substantial changes resulting from legislation, adoption of rules and regulations, and administrative and judicial interpretations of existing law. These changes may have a dramatic effect on the definition of permissible or impermissible activities, the relative costs associated with doing business and the amount of reimbursement by both government and other third-party payors. These changes may be applied retroactively. The ultimate timing or effect of these changes cannot be predicted. The failure of any borrower of funds from us or lessee of any of our properties to comply with such laws, requirements and regulations could result in sanctions or remedies such as denials of payment for new Medicare and Medicaid admissions, civil monetary penalties, state oversight and loss of Medicare and Medicaid participation or licensure. Such action could affect our borrower’s or lessee’s ability to operate its facility or facilities and could adversely affect such borrower’s or lessee’s ability to make debt or lease payments to us.

The properties we own and the manner in which they are operated are affected by changes in the reimbursement, licensing and certification policies of federal, state and local governments. Properties may also be affected by changes in accreditation standards or procedures of accrediting agencies. In addition, expansion (including the addition of new beds or services or acquisition of medical equipment) and occasionally the discontinuation of services of health care facilities are, in some states, subjected to state and regulatory approval through “certificate of need” laws and regulations.

Health Care Reform and Other Legislative Developments

In March 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended (the “Affordable Care Act”). The Affordable Care Act is designed to expand access to affordable health insurance, contain health care costs, and institute a variety of health policy reforms. This sweeping law expanded the insured population, but also reduced federal health care spending and imposed additional requirements on our lessees and borrowers. Among other things, the Affordable Care Act: reduced Medicare skilled nursing facility reimbursement by a so-called “productivity adjustment” based on economy-wide productivity gains; required the development of a value-basedvalue-

Medicare or Medicaid savings.time. There can be no assurances that enacted or future budget control mechanisms will not have an adverse impact on the financial condition of our borrowers and lessees, which subsequently could materially adversely impact our company.

The Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 requiresrequired the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a skilled nursing facility “value-based purchasing program,” which will tieprogram” tying Medicare payments to skilled nursing facilities to their performance on certain new readmissions measures, applicable to services furnished beginning October 1, 2018. Furthermore, the Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation Act of 2014 requires the collection of standardized post-acute care assessment data, which eventually could be used as the basis for developing changes to Medicare post-acute care reimbursement policy.  The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 setsset the annual skilled nursing facility prospective payment system update for fiscal year 2018 at 1%., and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 established an update of 2.4% for fiscal year 2019. Additional reforms affecting the payment for and availability of health care services have been proposed at the state level and adopted by certain states.  Increasingly state Medicaid programs are providing coverage through managed care programs under contracts with private health plans, which is intended to decrease state Medicaid costs. 

Congress and state legislatures can be expected to continue to review and assess alternative health care delivery systems and payment methodologies, including potential changes in Medicare and Medicaid payment policy for skilled nursing facility services and other types of post-acute care.  For instance, on November 24, 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) published a final rule that requires hospitals in selected geographic areas to participate in a new Medicare Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement model beginning April 1, 2016, under which CMS provides a “bundled” payment to participant hospitals for an “episode of care” for lower extremity joint replacement surgery, covering all services provided during the inpatient admission through 90 days post-discharge, including skilled nursing facility care.  In addition, on January 3, 2017, CMS published a final rule to establish an episode payment model program targeting care for Medicare beneficiaries receiving acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft, and surgical hip/femur fracture treatment in designated geographic areas.  Under this program, which is scheduled to begin July 1, 2017, all related care within 90 days of hospital discharge, including post-acute care, will be included in the episode payment. Additional changes in laws, new interpretations of existing laws, or other changes in payment methodologies may have a dramatic effect on the definition of permissible or impermissible activities, the relative costs associated with doing business and the amount of reimbursement by the government and other third partythird-party payors. There can be no assurances that enacted or future legislation will not have an adverse impact on the financial condition of our borrowers and lessees, which subsequently could materially adversely impact our company.

Reimbursement

The ability of our borrowers and lessees to generate revenue and profit determines the underlying value of that property to us. Revenues of our borrowers and lessees of skilled nursing centers are generally derived from payments for patient care. Sources of such payments for skilled nursing facilities include the federal Medicare program, state Medicaid programs, private insurance carriers, managed care organizations, preferred provider arrangements, and self-insured employers, as well as the patients themselves.

A significant portion of the revenue of our skilled nursing center borrowers and lessees is derived from governmentally-funded reimbursement programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. Because of significant health care costs paid by such government programs, both federal and state governments have adopted and continue to consider various health care reform proposals to control health care costs. In many instances, revenues from Medicaid programs are insufficient to cover the actual costs incurred in providing care to Medicaid patients. Moreover, the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured stated in October 2016 that 38 states reported implementing new Medicaid rate restrictions for at least one provider type in fiscal year 2016, compared to 45 states that implemented at least one provider increase. For fiscal year 2017, 41 states adopted provider rate restrictions while 40 plan rate increases. With regard to nursing facility rates in particular, 32 states increased rates in fiscal years 2016 and 2017, while 19 have adopted rate restrictions.  In addition, mostall states have been making changes to their long termlong-term care delivery systems that emphasize home and community-based long termlong-term care services, in some cases coupled with cost controlscost-controls for institutional providers. AccordingIncreasingly, state Medicaid programs are providing coverage through managed care programs under contracts with private health plans, which is intended to the Kaiser Commission, 46 states took action to expand home and community-based service programs in fiscal year 2016, and 47 took such action in 2017.

federal Medicaid payments to states. On January 30, 2020, the Trump Administration announced that states could apply to participate in a new Medicaid “Healthy Adult Opportunity” (“HAO”) Demonstration project, which would reimburse participating states under a capped aggregate or per-capita federal financial participation financing model in exchange for the states gaining greater flexibility in the scope and administration of their Medicaid programs for certain beneficiary populations (individuals qualifying for Medicaid based on need for long-term care services and supports would be exempt). As states and the federal government continue to respond to budget pressures, future reduction in Medicaid payments for skilled nursing facility services could have an adverse effect on the financial condition of our borrowers and lessees which could, in turn, adversely impact the timing or level of their payments to us.

Over

With regard to the Medicare program, over the years there also have been fundamental changes in theefforts to contain Medicare program that resulted in reduced levelsfee-for-service spending, promote Medicare managed care, and, more recently, tie reimbursement to quality and value of payment for a substantial portion of health care services, including skilled nursing facility services.care. CMS annually updates Medicare skilled nursing facility prospective payment system rates and other policies. On July 30, 2015,31, 2018, CMS released itsissued a final rule updating skilled nursing facility prospective payment system updaterates and policies for fiscal year 2016,2019. The final rule includes a 2.4% payment increase, which CMS projected will increase overall payments to skilled nursing facilities by $820 million in fiscal year 2019 compared with fiscal year 2018 levels. The final rule also replaced the existing Resource Utilization Groups, Version IV (“RUG–IV”) case mix classification system with a new model beginning in fiscal year 2020, which began October 1, 2015.2019. The new case mix classification system, called the “Patient-Driven Payment Model,” bases Medicare payment on resident needs rather than the amount of therapy a resident receives. On July 30, 2019, CMS projected thatissued its final fiscal year 2020 Medicare skilled nursing facility update. Under the final rule, CMS projects Medicare aggregate Medicare payments to skilled nursing facilities will increase by $430$851 million, or 1.2%2.4%, under the final rule.  This increase reflects a 2.3% market basket increase, reduced by both a 0.6 percentage point forecast error adjustment and a 0.5 percentage point multifactor productivity adjustment mandated by the Affordable Care Act.  On July 29, 2016, CMS issued a final rule updatingfor fiscal year 2017 Medicare payment rates for skilled nursing facilities.2020 compared with fiscal year 2019. The final rule provides for a net market basket increasealso addresses implementation of 2.4 %, beginningthe Patient-Driven Payment Model case mix classification system, changes to the group therapy definition in the skilled nursing facility setting, and various skilled nursing facility Value-Based Purchasing (“VBP”) Program and quality reporting program policies. Under the VBP Program, which went into effect October 1, 2016.  This reflects a 2.7% market basket increase, reduced by a 0.3 percentage point multifactor productivity adjustment.2018, CMS estimates that aggregatereduces Medicare payments to skilled nursing facilities underby 2%. CMS then returns approximately 60% of the final rulewithheld amount to skilled nursing facilities based on their relative performance on a readmission measure. The remaining portion of the withheld amount will increase by approximately $920 million.  CMS also adopted new measures and policies for the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program and the Value-Based Purchasing Program. In addition, on October 4, 2016, CMS published a final rule that revises the requirements that long term care facilities must meet to participatebe retained in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.  This major rule addresses requirements for improving quality of care and patient safety, nursing facility staffing, care planning, binding arbitration agreements (currently not in effect due to litigation challenging the requirement), infection control, residents’ rights, compliance and ethics programs, and several other areas. CMS estimates that the total cost of the final rule will be $831 million in the first year and $736 million annually thereafter, with per-facility costs of $62,900 in the first year and $55,000 annually thereafter.  CMS also published a final rule on September 16, 2016 establishing emergency preparedness requirements for Medicare- and Medicaid-participating providers and suppliers, including long-term care facilities, to ensure that they can meet the needs of patients and residents during natural and man-made emergency situations.  In addition, CMS published a final rule on May 4, 2016 amending fire safety standards applicable to long-term care facilities and certain other types of Medicare- and Medicaid-participating health care facilities.Trust Fund. There can be no assurance that any future reductions in Medicare skilled nursing facility payment rates or other policy changes impacting long termlong-term care facilities would not have an adverse effect on the financial condition of our borrowers and lessees which could, in turn, adversely impact the timing or level of their payments to us.

On July 18, 2019, CMS published a final rule that eliminates the prohibition on pre-dispute binding arbitration agreements between long-term care facilities and their residents. The rule also strengthens the transparency of arbitration agreements and makes other changes to arbitration requirements for long-term care facilities. There can be no assurance that these rules or future regulations modifying Medicare skilled nursing facility payment rates or other requirements for Medicare and/or Medicaid participation will not have an adverse effect on the financial condition of our borrowers and lessees which could, in turn, adversely impact the timing or level of their payments to us.

CMS also has implemented a variety of Medicare bundled payment programs that seek to promote greater care coordination and more efficient use of resources. Certain of these models, such as the Medicare Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement and Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced models, have impacted post-acute care, including skilled nursing facility services. There can be no assurances that new Medicare payment models will not adversely affect revenues of our skilled nursing center borrowers and lessees and thereby adversely affect those borrowers’ and lessees’ abilities to make their debt or lease payments to us.

Moreover, health care facilities continue to experience pressures from private payors attempting to control health care costs, andcosts; reimbursement from private payors has in manysome cases effectively been reducedfallen relative to levels approaching those of government payors. Governmental and public concern regarding health care costs may result in significant reductions in payment to health care facilities, and there can be no assurance that future payment rates for either governmental or private payors will be sufficient to cover cost increases in providing services to patients. Any changes in reimbursement policies which reduce reimbursement to levels that are insufficient to cover the cost of providing patient care could adversely affect revenues of our skilled nursing center borrowers and lessees and to a much lesser extent our assisted living community borrowers and lessees and thereby adversely affect those borrowers’ and lessees’ abilities to make their debt or lease payments to us. Failure of

has a financial relationship, unless the financial relationship fits within an applicable exception to the Stark Law. The Stark Law also prohibits the entity receiving the referral from seeking payment under the Medicare program for services rendered pursuant to a prohibited referral. Sanctions for violating the Stark Law include civil monetary penalties of up to $24,253$25,820 per prohibited service provided, assessments equal to three times the dollar value of each such service provided and exclusion from the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Many states have enacted similar fraud and abuse laws which are not necessarily limited to items and services for which payment is made by federal health care programs. Violations of these laws may result in fines, imprisonment, denial of payment for services, and exclusion from federal and/or other state-funded programs. Other federal and state laws authorize the imposition of penalties, including criminal and civil fines and exclusion from participation in federal health care programs for submitting false claims, improper billing and other offenses. Federal and state government agencies have continued rigorous enforcement of criminal and civil fraud and abuse laws in the health care arena. Our borrowers and lessees are subject to many of these laws, and some of them could in the future become the subject of a governmental enforcement action.

Environmental Regulation

Under various federal, state and local environmental laws, ordinances and regulations, an owner of real property or a secured lender (such as us) may be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of hazardous or toxic substances at, under or disposed of in connection with such property, as well as other potential costs relating to hazardous or toxic substances (including government fines and damages for injuries to persons and adjacent property). Such laws often impose such liability without regard to whether the owner or secured lender knew of, or was responsible for, the presence or disposal of such substances and may be imposed on the owner or secured lender in connection with the activities of an operator of the property. The cost of any required remediation, removal, fines or personal or property damages and the owner’s or secured lender’s liability therefore could exceed the value of the property, and/or the assets of the owner or secured lender. In addition, the presence of such substances, or the failure to properly dispose of or remediate such substances, may adversely affect the owner’s ability to sell or rent such property or to borrow using such property as collateral which, in turn, would reduce our revenues.

Although the mortgage loans that we provide and leases covering our properties require the borrower and the lessee to indemnify us for certain environmental liabilities, the scope of such obligations may be limited and we cannot assure that any such borrower or lessee would be able to fulfill its indemnification obligations.

Insurance

It is our current policy, and we intend to continue this policy, that all borrowers of funds from us and lessees of any of our properties secure adequate comprehensive property and general and professional liability insurance that covers us as well as the borrower and/or lessee. Even thoughAlthough we actively monitor and seek to ensure compliance with our policies, we may be subject to loss for any number of reasons, such as, noncompliance on the part of our lessees/borrowers, losses that is our policy, certain exceed covered limits or that aren’t covered, inability of lessees/borrowers and lessees have been unable to obtain general and professional liability insurance in the specific amounts required by our leaseson commercially reasonable terms, bankruptcy of a carrier, or mortgages because the cost of such insurance and some insurers have stopped offering such insurance for long term care facilities. Additionally, in the past, insurance companies have filed for bankruptcy protection leaving certain of our borrowers and/or lessees without coverage for periods that were believed to be covered prior to such bankruptcies. The unavailability and associated exposure as well as increased cost of such insurance could have a material adverse effect on the lessees and borrowers, including their ability to make lease or mortgage payments. Although weinsufficient tail coverage.  We contend that as a non‑possessorynon-possessory landlord we are not generally responsible for what takes place on real estate we do not possess, claims including general and professional liability claims may still be asserted against us which may result in costs and exposure for which insurance is not available. Certain risks may be uninsurable, not economically insurable or insurance may not

Employees

At December 31, 2016,2019, we employed 2422 people. Our employees are not members of any labor union, and we consider our relations with our employees to be excellent.

Taxation of our Company

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code (or the Code). We believe that we have been organized and have operated in such a manner as to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Code commencing with our taxable year ending December 31, 1992. We intend to continue to operate in such a manner, but there is no assurance that we have operated or will continue to operate in a manner so as to qualify or remain qualified.

If we continue to qualify for taxation as a REIT, we generally will not be subject to federal corporate income taxes on our net income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” (once at the corporate level when earned and once at stockholder level when distributed) that generally results from investment in a non‑REIT corporation.

However, we will be subject to federal income tax as follows:

First, we will be taxed at regular corporate rates on any undistributed taxable income, including undistributed net capital gains.

Second, under certain circumstances, we may be subject to the alternative minimum tax, if our dividend distributions are less than our alternative minimum taxable income.

Third, if we have (i) net income from the sale or other disposition of foreclosure property which is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business or (ii) other non‑qualifying income from foreclosure property, we may elect to be subject to tax at the highest corporate rate on such income, if necessary to maintain our REIT status.

Fourth, if we have net income from “prohibited transactions” (as defined below), such income will be subject to a 100% tax.

Fifth, if we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test (as discussed below), but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because certain other requirements have been met, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount equal to (a) the gross income attributable to the greater of the amount by which we fail the 75% or 95% test multiplied by (b) a fraction intended to reflect our profitability.

Sixth, if we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (i) 85% of our ordinary income for such year, (ii) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year, and (iii) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the amounts actually distributed.

Seventh, if we acquire an asset which meets the definition of a built‑in gain asset from a corporation which is or has been a C corporation (i.e., generally a corporation subject to full corporate‑level tax) in certain transactions in which the basis of the built‑in gain asset in our hands is determined by reference to the basis of the asset in the hands of the C corporation, and if we subsequently recognize gain on the disposition of such asset during the five‑year period, called the recognition period, beginning on the date on which we acquired the asset, then, to the extent of the built‑in gain (i.e., the excess of (a) the fair market value of such asset over (b) our adjusted basis in such asset, both determined as of the beginning of the recognition period), such gain will be subject to tax at the highest regular corporate tax rate, pursuant to IRS regulations.

Eighth, if we have taxable REIT subsidiaries and they are required to be reported on a combined basis, we would be subject to corporate tax on the taxable income of the taxable REIT subsidiaries. In addition, we will also be subject to a tax of 100% on the amount of any rents from real property, redetermined TRS service income, deductions or excess interest paid to us by any of our taxable REIT subsidiaries that would be reduced through reapportionment under certain federal income tax principles in order to more clearly reflect income for the taxable REIT subsidiary.

Ninth, if we fail to satisfy any of the REIT asset tests, as described below, by more than a de minimus amount, due to reasonable cause and we nonetheless maintain our REIT qualification because of specified cure provisions, we will be required to pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the highest corporate tax rate multiplied by the net income generated by the non‑qualifying assets that caused us to fail such test.

Tenth, if we fail to satisfy any provision of the Code that would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT (other than a violation of the REIT gross income tests or certain violations of the asset tests described below) and the violation is due to reasonable cause, we may retain our REIT qualification but we will be required to pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure.

Finally, if we own a residual interest in a real estate mortgage investment conduit (or REMIC), we will be taxed at the highest corporate rate on the portion of any excess inclusion income that we derive from the REMIC residual interests equal to the percentage of our shares that is held in record name by “disqualified organization.” A “disqualified organization” includes the United States, any state or political subdivision thereof, any foreign government or international organization, any agency or instrumentality of any of the foregoing, any rural electrical or telephone cooperative and any tax‑ exempt organization (other than a farmer’s cooperative described in Section 521 of the Code) that is exempt from income taxation and from the unrelated business taxable income provisions of the Code. However, to the extent that we own a REMIC residual interest through a taxable REIT subsidiary, we will not be subject to this tax.

Requirements for Qualification.  The Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:

The Code provides that conditions (1) to (4), inclusive, must be met during the entire taxable year and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months. Conditions (5) and (6) do not apply until after the first taxable year for which an election is made to be taxed as a REIT. For purposes of condition (6), pension funds and certain other entities are treated as individuals, subject to a “look‑ through” exception.

Pursuant to the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations, in order to be able to elect to be taxed as a REIT, we must maintain certain records and request certain information from our stockholders designed to disclose the actual ownership of our stock. Based on publicly available information, we believe we have satisfied the share ownership requirements set forth in conditions (5) and (6). In addition, Sections 9.2 and 9.3 of our Charter provide for restrictions regarding the transfer and ownership of shares. These restrictions are intended to assist us in continuing to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6). These restrictions, however, may not ensure that we will, in all cases, be able to satisfy the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6).

We have complied with, and will continue to comply with, regulatory rules to send annual letters to certain of our stockholders requesting information regarding the actual ownership of our stock. If despite sending the annual letters,

we do not know, or after exercising reasonable diligence would not have known, whether we failed to satisfy the ownership requirement set forth in condition (6) above, we will be treated as having satisfied such condition. If we fail to comply with these regulatory rules, we will be subject to a monetary penalty. If our failure to comply was due to intentional disregard of the requirement, the penalty would be increased. However, if our failure to comply was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, no penalty would be imposed.

Income Tests.  There presently are two gross income requirements that we must satisfy to qualify as a REIT:

Cancellation of indebtedness income generated by us is not taken into account in applying the 75% and 95% income tests discussed above. A “prohibited transaction” is a sale or other disposition of property (other than foreclosure property) held for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business. Any gain realized from a prohibited transaction is subject to a 100% penalty tax.

Rents received by us will qualify as “rents from real property” for purposes of satisfying the gross income tests for a REIT only if several conditions are met:

For taxable years beginning after August 5, 1997, a REIT has been permitted to render a de minimus amount of impermissible services to tenants and still treat amounts received with respect to that property as rents from real property. The amount received or accrued by the REIT during the taxable year for the impermissible services with respect to a property may not exceed 1% of all amounts received or accrued by the REIT directly or indirectly from the property. If the amount received or accrued by the REIT during the taxable year for impermissible services with respect to a property exceeds 1% of the total amounts received or accrued with respect to such property, then none of the rents received or accrued from such property shall be treated as rents from real property. The amount received for any service or management operation for this purpose shall be deemed to be not less than 150% of the direct cost of the REIT in furnishing or rendering the service or providing the management or operation. Furthermore, impermissible services may be furnished to tenants by a taxable REIT subsidiary subject to certain conditions, and we may still treat rents received with respect to the property as rent from real property.

The term “interest” generally does not include any amount if the determination of the amount depends in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person, although an amount generally will not be excluded from the term “interest” solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage of receipts or sales.

If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may nevertheless qualify as a REIT for the year if we are eligible for relief. These relief provisions will be generally available if our failure to meet the tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and following the identification of the failure to satisfy one or both income tests, a description of each item of gross income is filed in accordance with IRS regulations.

It is not now possible to determine the circumstances under which we may be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions. If these relief provisions apply, a 100% tax is imposed on an amount equal to (a) the gross income attributable to the greater of the amount by which we failed the 75% or 95% test, multiplied by (b) a fraction intended to reflect our profitability.

Asset Tests.  At the close of each quarter of our taxable year, we must also satisfy several tests relating to the nature and diversification of our assets. At least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by real estate assets, cash, cash items (including receivables arising in the ordinary course of our operations), and government securities and qualified temporary investments. Although the remaining 25% of our assets generally may be invested without restriction, we are prohibited from owning securities representing more than 10% of either the vote or value of the outstanding securities of any issuer other than a qualified REIT subsidiary, another REIT or a taxable REIT subsidiary (the “10% vote and value test”). Further, no more than 25% of our total assets may be represented by securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries (for tax years beginning prior to July 30, 2008 and after December 31, 2017, 20% of the total value of our assets) and no more than 5% of the value of our total assets may be represented by securities of any non‑governmental issuer other than a qualified REIT subsidiary, another REIT or a taxable REIT subsidiary (or TRS). Each of the 10% vote and value test and the 25% and 5% asset tests must be satisfied at the end of any quarter. There are special rules which provide relief if the value related tests are not satisfied due to changes in the value of the assets of a REIT.

Investments in Taxable REIT Subsidiaries.  For taxable years beginning after December 1, 2000, REITs may own more than 10% of the voting and value of securities in a TRS. A TRS is a corporation other than a REIT in which a REIT directly or indirectly holds stock, and that has made a joint election with the REIT to be treated as a TRS. A TRS also includes any corporation other than a REIT with respect to which a TRS owns securities possessing more that 35% of the total voting power or value of the outstanding securities of such corporation. Other than some activities relating to lodging and health care facilities, a TRS may generally engage in any business, including the provision of customary or non‑customary services to tenants of its parent REIT. A TRS is subject to income tax as a regular C corporation. In addition, a TRS may be prevented from deducting interest on debt funded directly or indirectly by its parent REIT if certain tests regarding the TRS’s debt to equity ratio and interest expense are not satisfied. A REIT’s ownership of a TRS will not be subject to the 10% or 5% asset tests described above, and its operations will be subject to the provisions described above. At this time, we do not have any taxable REIT subsidiaries.

REMIC.  A regular or residual interest in a REMIC will be treated as a real estate asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests, and income derived with respect to such interest will be treated as interest on an obligation secured by a mortgage on real property, assuming that at least 95% of the assets of the REMIC are real estate assets. If less than 95% of the assets of the REMIC are real estate assets, only a proportionate share of the assets of and income derived from the REMIC will be treated as qualifying under the REIT asset and income tests. All of our historical REMIC certificates were secured by real estate assets, therefore we believe that our historic REMIC interests fully qualified for purposes of the REIT income and asset tests.

Ownership of Interests in Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies and Qualified REIT Subsidiaries. We own interests in various partnerships and limited liabilities companies. In the case of a REIT which is a partner in a partnership, or a member in a limited liability company treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, Treasury Regulations provide that the REIT will be deemed to own its proportionate share of the assets of the partnership or limited liability company, based on its interest in partnership capital, subject to special rules relating to the 10% REIT asset test described above. Also, the REIT will be deemed to be entitled to its proportionate share of income of that entity. The assets and items

of gross income of the partnership or limited liability company retain the same character in the hands of the REIT for purposes of Section 856 of the Code, including satisfying the gross income tests and the asset tests. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of partnerships and limited liability companies taxed as partnerships, in which we are, directly or indirectly through other partnerships or limited liability companies taxed as partnerships, a partner or member, are treated as our assets and items of income for purposes of applying the REIT qualification requirements described in this Annual Report on Form 10‑K (including the income and asset tests previously described).

We also own interests in a number of subsidiaries which are intended to be treated as qualified REIT subsidiaries. The Code provides that such subsidiaries will be ignored for federal income tax purposes and that all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of such subsidiaries will be treated as assets, liabilities and such items of our company. If any partnership or qualified real estate investment trust subsidiary in which we own an interest were treated as a regular corporation (and not as a partnership or qualified real estate investment trust subsidiary) for federal income tax purposes, we would likely fail to satisfy the REIT asset test prohibiting a REIT from owning greater than 10% of the voting power of the stock or value of securities of any issuer, as described above, and would therefore fail to qualify as a REIT. We believe that each of the partnerships and subsidiaries in which we own an interest will be treated for tax purposes as a partnership or qualified REIT subsidiary, respectively, although no assurance can be given that the IRS will not successfully challenge the status of any such entity.

Annual Distribution Requirements.  In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends (other than capital gain dividends) to our stockholders annually in an amount at least equal to:

In addition, if we dispose of any asset we acquired from a corporation which is or has been a C corporation in a transaction in which our basis in the asset is determined by reference to the basis of the asset in the hands of that C corporation, within the five‑year period following our acquisition of such asset, we would be required to distribute at least 90% of the after‑tax gain, if any, we recognized on the disposition of the asset, to the extent that gain does not exceed the excess of (a) the fair market value of the asset on the date we acquired the asset over (b) our adjusted basis in the asset on the date we acquired the asset.

We must pay these annual distributions (1) in the taxable year to which they relate or (2) in the following year if (i) we pay these distributions during January to stockholders of record in either October, November, or December of the prior year or (ii) we elect to declare the dividend before the due date of the tax return (including extensions) and pay on or before the first regular dividend payment date after such declaration.

Amounts distributed prior to January 1, 2015, must not be preferential; that is, every stockholder of the class of stock with respect to which a distribution is made must be treated the same as every other stockholder of that class, and no class of stock may be treated otherwise than in accordance with its dividend rights as a class.

To the extent that we do not distribute all of our net long term capital gain or distribute at least 90% but less than 100%, of our “real estate investment trust taxable income,” as adjusted, we will be subject to tax on such amounts at regular corporate tax rates. Furthermore, we would be subject to an excise tax, as described below, if we should fail to distribute during each calendar year (or, in the case of distributions with declaration and record dates in the last three months of the calendar year, by the end of the following January) at least the sum of:

The excise tax to which we would be subject is 4% of the excess of such required distributions over the amounts actually distributed. Any real estate investment trust taxable income and net capital gain on which this excise tax is imposed for any year is treated as an amount distributed during that year for purposes of calculating such tax.

We intend to make timely distributions sufficient to satisfy these annual distribution requirements and to avoid the imposition of the 4% excise tax.

Failure to Qualify.  If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year, and certain relief provisions do not apply, we will be subject to tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. Distributions to stockholders in any year in which we fail to qualify as a REIT will not be deductible by us, nor will any distributions be required to be made. Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory provisions, we will also be disqualified from re‑electing our REIT status for the four taxable years following the year during which qualification was lost. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the statutory relief in all circumstances. Failure to qualify as a REIT for even one year could substantially reduce distributions to stockholders and could result in our incurring substantial indebtedness (to the extent borrowings are feasible) or liquidating substantial investments in order to pay the resulting taxes.

State and local taxation. We may be subject to state or local taxation in various state or local jurisdictions, including those in which we transact business or reside. The state and local tax treatment of our Company may not conform to the federal income tax consequences discussed above.

Taxation of our Stockholders

Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders.  The following summary applies to you only if you are a “U.S. stockholder.” A U.S. stockholder is a stockholder of our shares of stock who, for United State federal income tax purposes, is:

a citizen or resident alien of the United States;

a corporation or partnership or other entity classified as a corporation or partnership for these purposes, created or organized in or under laws of the United States or of any state or in the District of Columbia, unless, in the case of a partnership, Treasury Regulations provide otherwise;

an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

a trust whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and which has one or more United States persons, within the meaning of the Code who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

If a partnership or an entity treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes holds our stock, the federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding our stock, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the consequences of the ownership and disposition of shares of our stock by the partnership.

As long as we qualify as a REIT, distributions made to our taxable U.S. stockholders out of current or accumulated earnings and profits (and not designated as capital gain dividends) will be taken into account by such U.S. stockholders as ordinary income and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations. Distributions that are designated as capital gain dividends will be taxed as long-term capital gains (to the extent they do not exceed our actual net capital gain for the taxable year or are designated as unrecaptured §1250 gain distributions, which are taxable at a 25% rate) without regard to the period for which the stockholder has held its stock. However, corporate stockholders may be required to treat up to 20% of certain capital gain dividends as ordinary income.

The Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 generally reduced the maximum tax rate applicable on long term capital gains recognized on the sale or other disposition of shares of our stock from 20% to 15%. The Jobs

and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 also generally reduced the maximum marginal rate of tax payable by individuals on dividends received from corporations that are subject to a corporate level of tax. As a result of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, qualified dividends and long term capital gains realized by noncorporate taxpayers are now subject to a 20% maximum tax rate (instead of the prior 15% maximum rate). Except in limited circumstances, this reduced tax rate does not apply to dividends paid to you by us on shares of our stock, because generally we are not subject to federal income tax on the portion of our REIT taxable income or capital gains distributed to our stockholders. The reduced maximum federal income tax rate will apply to that portion, if any, of dividends received by you with respect to shares of our stock held by you that are attributable to (1) dividends received by us from non-REIT corporations or taxable REIT subsidiaries, (2) income from the prior year with respect to which we were required to pay federal corporate income tax during the prior year (if, for example, we did not distribute 100% of our REIT taxable income for the prior year) and (3) distributions by us that we designate as long-term capital gains dividends (except for some distributions taxable to you at a maximum rate of 25%).

Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be currently taxable to you to the extent that they do not exceed the adjusted basis of your stock, but rather will reduce the adjusted basis of such stock. To the extent that distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits exceed the adjusted basis of your stock, such distributions will be included in income as long-term capital gain (or short-term capital gain if the stock has been held for one year or less) assuming you hold the stock as a capital asset. In addition, any distribution declared in October, November or December of any year and payable to you as a stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month, will be treated as both paid by us and received by you on December 31 of the applicable year, provided that we actually pay the distribution during January of the following calendar year. Stockholders may not include in their individual income tax returns any of our net operating losses or capital losses.

If we elect to retain and pay income tax on any net long-term capital gain, you would include in income, as long-term capital gain, your proportionate share of this net long-term capital gain. You would also receive a refundable tax credit for your proportionate share of the tax paid by us on these retained capital gains and you would have an increase in the basis of your shares of our stock in an amount equal to your includable capital gains less your share of the tax deemed paid.

We will be treated as having sufficient earnings and profits to treat as a dividend any distribution up to the amount required to be distributed in order to avoid imposition of the 4% excise tax discussed under “Taxation of Our Company—General” and “Taxation of Our Company —Annual Distribution Requirements” above. As a result, you may be required to treat as taxable dividends certain distributions that would otherwise result in a tax-free return of capital. Moreover, any “deficiency dividend” will be treated as a dividend (an ordinary dividend or a capital gain dividend, as the case may be), regardless of our earnings and profits. Any other distributions in excess of current or accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to you to the extent these distributions do not exceed the adjusted tax basis of your shares of our stock. You will be required to reduce the tax basis of your shares of our stock by the amount of these distributions until the basis has been reduced to zero, after which these distributions will be taxable as capital gain, if the shares of our stock are held as a capital asset. The tax basis as so reduced will be used in computing the capital gain or loss realized upon sale of the shares of our stock. Any loss upon a sale or exchange of shares of our stock which were held for six months or less (after application of certain holding period rules) will generally be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent you previously received capital gain distributions with respect to these shares of our stock.

Upon the sale or exchange of any shares of our stock to or with a person other than us or a sale or exchange of all shares of our stock (whether actually or constructively owned) with us, you will generally recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or exchange and your adjusted tax basis in these shares of our stock. This gain or loss will be capital if you held these shares of our stock as a capital asset.

If we redeem any of your shares in us, the treatment can only be determined on the basis of particular facts at the time of redemption. In general, you will recognize gain or loss (as opposed to dividend income) equal to the difference between the amount received by you in the redemption and your adjusted tax basis in your shares redeemed if such redemption results in a “complete termination” of your interest in all classes of our equity securities, is a “substantially disproportionate redemption” or is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to you. In applying these tests, there must be taken into account your ownership of all classes of our equity securities (e.g.,

Common Stock or Preferred Stock). You also must take into account any equity securities that are considered to be constructively owned by you.

If, as a result of a redemption by us of your shares, you no longer own (either actually or constructively) any of our equity securities or only own (actually and constructively) an insubstantial percentage of our equity securities, then it is probable that the redemption of your shares would be considered “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” and, thus, would result in gain or loss to you. However, whether a distribution is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” depends on all of the facts and circumstances, and if you rely on any of these tests at the time of redemption, you should consult your tax advisor to determine their application to the particular situation.

Generally, if the redemption does not meet the tests described above, then the proceeds received by you from the redemption of your shares will be treated as a distribution taxable as a dividend to the extent of the allocable portion of current or accumulated earnings and profits. If the redemption is taxed as a dividend, your adjusted tax basis in the redeemed shares will be transferred to any other shareholdings in us that you own. If you own no other shareholdings in us, under certain circumstances, such basis may be transferred to a related person, or it may be lost entirely.

Gain from the sale or exchange of our shares held for more than one year is taxed at a maximum long-term capital gain rate, which is currently 20% for noncorporate taxpayers (prior to the effective date of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, described above, the maximum long-term capital gain rate was 15%). Pursuant to Internal Revenue Service guidance, we may classify portions of our capital gain dividends as gains eligible for the long-term capital gains rate or as gain taxable to individual stockholders at a maximum rate of 25%.

Taxation of Tax-Exempt Stockholders.  In general, a stockholder that is a tax-exempt entity not subject to tax on its investment income will not be subject to tax on our distributions. In Revenue Ruling 66-106, 1966-1 C.B. 151, the IRS ruled that amounts distributed as dividends by a REIT do not constitute unrelated business taxable income as defined in the Code when received by a qualified plan. Based on that ruling, regardless of whether we incur indebtedness in connection with the acquisition of properties, our distributions paid to a stockholder that is a tax-exempt entity will not be treated as unrelated business taxable income, provided that (i) the tax-exempt entity has not financed the acquisition of its stock with acquisition indebtedness within the meaning of the Code and the stock otherwise is not used in an unrelated trade or business of the tax-exempt entity and (ii) we are not a pension-held REIT. This ruling applies to a stockholder that is an organization that qualifies under Code Section 401(a), an IRA or any other tax-exempt organization that would compute unrelated business taxable income, if any, in accordance with Code Section 512(a)(1). However, if we are a pension-held REIT and a qualified plan owns more than 10% of the value of all of our stock, such stockholder will be required to recognize as unrelated business taxable income that percentage of the dividends that it receives from us as is equal to the percentage of our gross income that would be unrelated business taxable income to us if we were a tax-exempt entity required to recognize unrelated business taxable income. A REIT is a pension-held REIT if at least one qualified trust holds more than 25% of the value of all of our stock or one or more qualified trusts, each of whom own more than 10% of the value of all of our stock, hold more than 50% of the value of all of our stock.

For social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts and qualified group legal services plans exempt from federal income taxation under Code Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20), respectively, income from an investment in us will constitute unrelated business taxable income unless the organization is able to deduct amounts set aside or placed in reserve for certain purposes so as to offset the unrelated business taxable income generated by its investment in us. Such prospective stockholders should consult their own tax advisors concerning these “set aside” and reserve requirements.

Taxation of Foreign Stockholders.  The rules governing U.S. federal income taxation of nonresident alien individuals, foreign corporations, foreign partnerships and other foreign stockholders are complex. We have not attempted to provide more than a summary of these rules. Prospective non-U.S. stockholders should consult with their own tax advisors to determine the impact of federal, state and local income tax laws with regard to an investment in stock, including any reporting requirements.

Distributions that are not attributable to gain from our sales or exchanges of U.S. real property interests and not designated by us as capital gains dividends will be treated as dividends of ordinary income to the extent that they are

made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. Such distributions will ordinarily be subject to a withholding tax equal to 30% of the gross amount of the distribution unless an applicable tax treaty reduces or eliminates that tax. However, if income from the investment in the stock is treated as effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. stockholder generally will be subject to a tax at graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. stockholders are taxed with respect to such distributions and may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax in the case of a stockholder that is a foreign corporation. We expect to withhold U.S. income tax at the rate of 30% on the gross amount of any such distributions made to a non-U.S. stockholder unless (i) a lower treaty rate applies and the holder provides us with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN (or successor form) or (ii) the non-U.S. stockholder provides us with a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or successor form) claiming that the distribution is effectively connected income.

Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to a stockholder to the extent that such distributions do not exceed the adjusted basis of the stockholder’s stock, but rather will reduce the adjusted basis of such stock. To the extent that distributions in excess of current accumulated earnings and profits exceed the adjusted basis of a non-U.S. stockholder’s stock, such distributions will give rise to tax liability if the non-U.S. stockholder would otherwise be subject to tax on any gain from the sale or disposition of our stock, as described below. If it cannot be determined at the time a distribution is made whether or not distributions will be in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profit, the distributions will be subject to withholding at the same rate as dividends. However, amounts thus withheld are refundable if it is subsequently determined that such distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits.

We are required to withhold 15% (10% for distributions prior to February 16, 2016) of any distribution that exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, subject to certain exceptions provided in the applicable Treasury Regulations. Thus, to the extent we do not withhold 30% on the entire amount of any distribution, we will withhold at a rate of 15% on any portion of a distribution not subject to withholding at a rate of 30%.

For any year in which we qualify as a REIT, distributions that are attributable to gain from our sales or exchanges of U.S. real property interests will be taxed to a non-U.S. stockholder under the provisions of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 or FIRPTA. Under FIRPTA, distributions attributable to gain from sales of U.S. real property interests are taxed to a non-U.S. stockholder as if such gain were effectively connected with a U.S. business. Non-U.S. stockholders would thus be taxed at the normal capital gain rates applicable to U.S. stockholders (subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of nonresident alien individuals) for distributions that are designated as capital gain dividends and at the normal graduated rates for US shareholders on distributions that are not so designated. Also, distributions subject to FIRPTA may be subject to a 30% branch profits tax if a foreign corporate stockholder is not entitled to treaty exemption. We are required by applicable Treasury Regulations to withhold 35% for foreign individuals and 35% for foreign corporations of any distribution that we could designate as a capital gains dividend. This amount is creditable against the non-U.S. stockholder FIRPTA tax liability. If we designate prior distributions as capital gains dividends, then subsequent distributions up to the amount of such prior distributions will be treated as capital gains dividends for purposes of withholding.

Gain recognized by a non-U.S. stockholder upon a sale of our equity securities generally will not be taxed under FIRPTA if we are a “domestically controlled real estate investment trust,” defined generally as a real estate investment trust in which at all times during a specified testing period less than 50% in value of the stock were held directly or indirectly by foreign persons. We currently anticipate that we will be a “domestically controlled real estate investment trust,” and therefore the sale of equity securities will not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. Additionally, the sale of our equity securities will not be taxed under FIRPTA if the class of stock is regularly traded on an established securities market and the selling non-U.S. stockholder has not held more than 10% (5% prior to December 18, 2015) of the class of stock at any time during the preceding five-year period. However, gain not subject to FIRPTA will be taxable to a non-U.S. stockholder if the investment in the stock is effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder’s U.S. trade or business, in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders with respect to such gain. Also, if the non-U.S. stockholder 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 (unless reduced or exempted by treaty) on the individual’s capital gains. A non-resident alien individual could, however, elect to treat such gain as effectively connected income and pay tax as a U.S. stockholder

would. If the gain on the sale of stock were to be subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders with respect to such gain.

If the proceeds of a disposition of our equity securities are paid by or through a U.S. office of a broker, the payment is subject to information reporting and to backup withholding unless the disposing non-U.S. stockholder certifies as to his name, address and non-U.S. status or otherwise establishes an exemption. Generally, U.S. information reporting and backup withholding will not apply to a payment of disposition proceeds if the payment is made outside the United States through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker. U.S. information reporting requirements (but not backup withholding) will apply, however, to a payment of disposition proceeds outside the United States if (i) the payment is made through an office outside the United States of a broker that is either (a) a U.S. person, (b) a foreign person that derives 50% or more of its gross income for certain periods from the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, (c) a controlled foreign corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or (d) a foreign partnership more than 50% of the capital or profits of which is owned by one or more U.S. persons or which engages in a U.S. trade or business and (ii) the broker fails to initiate documentary evidence that the stockholder is a non-U.S. stockholder and that certain conditions are met or that the non-U.S. stockholder otherwise is entitled to an exemption.

Recently enacted legislation will generally impose a 30% withholding tax on dividends paid on our stock, interest paid on our notes, and the gross proceeds of a disposition of our stock or notes paid to a foreign financial institution, unless such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding U.S. account holders of such institution (which includes certain equity and debt holders of such institution, as well as certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners). This legislation will also generally impose a 30% withholding tax on dividends paid on our stock, interest paid on our notes, and the gross proceeds of a disposition of our stock or notes paid to a non-financial foreign entity unless such entity provides the withholding agent with a certification identifying the direct and indirect U.S. owners of the entity. Under certain circumstances, a non-U.S. holder of our common stock might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes and may be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return to claim such refunds or credits. Under recently promulgated Treasury Regulations, these rules will be phased in over the next several years. Investors are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this legislation on their investment in our stock and notes.

Other Tax Consequences.  You should recognize that the present federal income tax treatment of an investment in us may be modified by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any time and that any action may affect investments and commitments previously made. The rules dealing with federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department, resulting in revisions of regulations and revised interpretations of established concepts as well as statutory changes. Revisions in federal tax laws and interpretations of these laws could adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in us.

Although the timing and nature of legislative changes is uncertain, based on recent comments made by the Administration and Congress, the possibility exists that there will be significant tax reform legislation considered by the current Congress. Among other things, measures impacting investments in real property could include tax rate reductions with base broadening including changes to the interest deduction, expensing of property improvements, and provisions related to infrastructure spending. Overseas property investment may also be impacted by international tax reform.  Investments in pass-through entities may be impacted by tax reform. Any material alterations with respect to nonrecognition treatment for partnership contributions and distributions may affect the performance of our investment.  Congress may enact all or none of these or adopt additional measures not mentioned. Consult a tax advisor with respect to legislative developments and their effect on an investment in us.

Investor Information

We make available to the public free of charge through our internet website our Annual Report on Form 10‑K,10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10‑Q,10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8‑K,8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such reports with, or furnish such reports to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (or

SEC)(“SEC”). Our internet website address is www.LTCreit.com. We are not including the information contained on our website as part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10‑K.10-K.

Posted on our website www.LTCreit.com under “Corporate Governance” in the “Investors” section are our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charters, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics governing our directors, officers and employees. Within the time period required by the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange (or NYSE), we will post on our website any amendment to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and any waiver applicable to our Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer or Directors. In addition, our website under “SEC Filings” in Investors section includes information concerning purchases and sales of our equity securities by our executive officers and directors.

You may read and copy materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room is available by calling the SEC at 1‑800‑SEC‑0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet siteinternet website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information we file. The internet address of the SEC website is www.sec.gov.

You also may contact our Investor Relations Department at:

LTC Properties, Inc.

2829 Townsgate Road, Suite 350

Westlake Village, California 91361

Attn: Investor Relations

(805) 981‑8655981-8655

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Item 1A. RISK FACTORSFACTORS

This section discusses risk factors that may affect our business, operations, and financial condition. If any of these risks, as well as other risks and uncertainties that we have not yet identified or that we currently think are not material, actually occur, we could be materially adversely affected and the value of our securities could decline. In addition, these risk factors contain “forward‑looking“forward-looking statements” as discussed above under the heading “Cautionary Statement.” The following information should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis, and the consolidated financial statements and related notes in this Annual Report on Form 10‑ K.10-K.

A Failure to Maintain or Increase our Dividend Could Reduce the Market Price of Our Stock.The ability to maintain or raise our common dividend is dependent, to a large part, on growth of funds available for distribution. This growth in turn depends upon increased revenues from additional investments and loans, rental increases and mortgage rate increases.

At Times, We May Have Limited Access to Capital At Times, Which Will SlowCould Cause Our Growth.Growth to Slow. A REIT is required to make dividend distributions and retains little cash flow for growth. As a result, growth for a REIT is generally through the steady investment of new capital in real estate assets. ThereAt December 31, 2019, we had $4.2 million of cash on hand, $506.1 million available under our unsecured revolving line of credit. We also have the potential ability to access the capital markets through the issuance of $200.0 million of common stock under our equity distribution agreement and an indeterminate amount through the issuance of debt and/or equity securities under an automatic shelf registration statement. As a result, we currently believe our liquidity and various sources of available capital are sufficient to fund operations and development commitments, meet debt service obligations (both principal and interest), make dividend distributions and finance future investments should we determine such future investments are financially

Also, we also have the potential ability to access the capital markets through the issuance of $200.0 million of common stock under our equity distribution agreement and an indeterminate amount through the issuance of debt and/or equity securities under an effective shelf registration statement. Subsequent to December 31, 2016, we sold 312,881 shares of common stock for $14.6 million under our equity distribution agreement. Accordingly, we have $185.2 million available under this agreement.

As a result, we currently believe our liquidity and various sources of available capital are sufficient to fund operations and development commitments, meet debt service obligations (both principal and interest), make dividend distributions and finance some future investments should we determine such future investments are financially feasible.

Income and Returns from Health Care Facilities Can be Volatile.  The There is a possibility that the health care properties in which we invest will not generate income sufficient to meet operating expenses, will generate income and capital appreciation, if any, at rates lower than those anticipated or will yield returns lower than those available through investments in comparable real estate or other investments are additional risks of investing in health care related real estate.investments. Income from properties and yields from investments in suchour properties may be affected by many factors, including changes in governmental regulation (such as zoning laws and government payment), general or local economic conditions (such as fluctuations in interest rates and employment conditions), the available local supply of and demand for improved real estate, a reduction in rental income as the result of an inability to maintain occupancy levels, natural disasters (such as hurricanes, earthquakes and floods) or similar factors.

We Depend on Lease Income and Mortgage PaymentsInterest Income from Real Property.Estate Investments. Approximately 99.5%98.6% of our revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016,2019, was derived from lease income and mortgage paymentsinterest income from real property.estate investments. Our revenue would be adversely affected if a significant number of our borrowers or lessees were unable to meet their obligations to us or if we were unable to lease our properties or make mortgage loans on economically favorable terms. There can be no assurance that any lessee will exercise its option to renew its lease upon the expiration of the initial term. There can be no assurance that if such failure to renew were to occur, or if we did not re‑leasere-lease a property to a current lessee, we could lease the property to others on favorable terms, at the same rent as the current rent, or on a timely basis.

We Rely on a Few Major Operators. During the year ended December 31, 2019, approximately 35.8% of our Operators.revenues from leases and interest income from real estate investments were generated from three operators. The failure, inability or unwillingness of these operators to meet their obligations to us could materially reduce our cash flow as well as our results of operations, which could in turn reduce the amount of dividends we pay, cause our stock price to decline and have other material adverse effects on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We Depend on our Operators For Revenue and Cash Flow. Substantially all of our revenues and sources of cash flows from operations are derived from operating lease rentals and interest earned on outstanding loans receivable. Our investments in owned properties and mortgage loans represent our primary source of liquidity to fund distributions and are dependent upon the performance of the operators on their lease and loan obligations and the rates earned thereon. Our financial position and ability to make distributions may be adversely affected by financial difficulties experienced by any of our lessees or borrowers, including bankruptcies, inability to emerge from bankruptcy, insolvency or general downturn in business of any such operator, or in the event any such operator does not renew and/or extend its relationship with us or our borrowers when it expires.

The Bankruptcy, Insolvency or Financial Deterioration of our Lessees Could Delay or Prevent Us From Collecting Unpaid Rents or Require Us to Find New Tenants to Operate our Properties. We have limited control over the success or failure of our operators’ businesses. If an operator experiences financial or legal difficulties, the operator may fail to make its rent payments when due or declare bankruptcy, either of which could result in the termination of the operator’s lease and adversely affect us. In the case of a master lease, this risk is magnified, as an operator default could reduce or eliminate rental revenue from several properties. Over the past three years, four of our operators have had or continue to have financial or legal difficulties resulting in non-payment of rent or bankruptcy. See Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Executive Overview—Portfolio Overview—Update on Certain Operators for further discussion. If an operator is unable to comply with the terms of its leases, we may be forced to modify the leases in ways that are unfavorable to us. Alternatively, the failure of an operator to perform its obligations under its lease or other agreements with us could force us to declare a default, terminate the lease and transition or sell the property. We cannot provide any assurances that we would be able to find a suitable replacement operator, re-lease the property on substantially equivalent or better terms than the prior lease, or at all, successfully reposition the property for other uses, or sell the property on terms that are favorable to us. If a lessee seeks bankruptcy protection, the Bankruptcy Court may impose an automatic stay that would preclude us from collecting pre-bankruptcy obligations from that operator or seizing its property. An operator bankruptcy could also delay our efforts to collect past

In March 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended (the “Affordable Care Act”). The Affordable Care Act is designed to expand access to affordable health insurance, contain health care costs, and institute a variety of health policy reforms. The provisions of this sweeping law may affect us directly, as well as impact our lessees and borrowers. While certain provisions, such as expanding the insured population, may positively impact the revenues of our lessees and borrowers, other provisions, particularly those intended to reduce federal health care spending, could have a negative impact on our lessees and borrowers. Among other things, the Affordable Care Act: reduced Medicare skilled nursing facility reimbursement by a so-called “productivity adjustment” based on economy-wide productivity gains beginning in fiscal year 2012; required the development of a value-based purchasing program for Medicare skilled nursing facility services; established a national voluntary pilot program to bundle Medicare payments for hospital and post-acute services that could lead to changes in the delivery of post-acute services; and provided incentives to state Medicaid programs to promote community-based care as an alternative to institutional long term care services. The Affordable Care Act also expanded public disclosure about nursing home ownership and operations, instituted mandatory compliance and quality assurance programs, increased penalties for noncompliance, and expanded fraud and abuse enforcement and penalty provisions that could impact our operators. In addition, the Affordable Care Act impacts both us and our lessees and borrowers as employers, including requirements related to the health insurance we offer to our respective employees. Many aspects of the Affordable Care Act have been implemented through regulations and subregulatory guidance. Moreover, President Trump and some members of Congress have called for repeal of the Affordable Care Act and replacement with alternative reforms.  The details and timing of any such actions are unknown at this time. There can be no assurance that the Affordable Care Act or any subsequent repeal and/or reform legislation will not adversely impact the operations, cash flows or financial condition of our lessees and borrowers, which subsequently could materially adversely impact our revenue and operations.

The Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 requires the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a skilled nursing facility “value-based purchasing program,” which will tie Medicare payments to skilled nursing facilities to their performance on certain new readmissions measures, applicable to services furnished beginning October 1, 2018.  Furthermore, the Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation Act of 2014 requires the collection of standardized post-acute care assessment data, which eventually could be used as the basis for developing changes to Medicare post-acute care reimbursement policy.  The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 sets the annual skilled nursing facility prospective payment system update for fiscal year 2018 at 1%.  

Additional reforms affecting the payment for and availability of health care services have been proposed at the state level and adopted by certain states.   Congress and state legislatures can be expected to continue to review and assess alternative health care delivery systems and payment methodologies along with other cost-control measures.  For instance, under the terms of the Budget Control Act of 2011, as modified by the American Taxpayer Relief Act, President Obama issued a sequestration order on March 1, 2013 that mandates a 2% cut to Medicare payments to providers and health plans.  The cuts generally apply to Medicare fee-for-service claims with dates-of-service or dates-of-discharge on or after April 1, 2013.  As amended by subsequent legislation, the Medicare sequestration cuts are currently scheduled to be applied through fiscal year 2025, although Congress and the Administration could enact legislation at any time that modifies sequestration.

CMS has also adopted regulations that impose new standards that long-term care facilities must meet to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, including an October 4, 2016 final rule that addresses requirements for improving quality of care and patient safety, nursing facility staffing, care planning, binding arbitration agreements, infection control, residents’ rights, compliance and ethics programs, and several other areas.  Separately, CMS published a final rule on September 16, 2016 establishing emergency preparedness requirements for Medicare- and Medicaid-participating providers and suppliers, including long-term care facilities, to ensure that they can meet the needs of patients and residents during natural and man-made emergency situations.  In addition, CMS published a final rule on May 4, 2016 amending fire safety standards applicable to long-term care facilities and certain other types of Medicare- and Medicaid-participating health care facilities.  These and other changes in the law or regulations, such as the adoption of new requirements for participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, new interpretations of existing laws, or changes in payment methodologies may have a dramatic effect on the definition of permissible or impermissible activities, the relative costs associated with doing business and the amount of reimbursement by the government and other third party payors.

Federal and State Health Care Cost Containment Measures Including Reductions in Reimbursement From Third PartyThird-Party Payors Such as Medicare and Medicaid Could Adversely Affect Us and The Ability of Our Operators to Make Payments to Us. The ability of our borrowers and lessees to generate revenue and profit determines the underlying value of that property to us. Revenues of our borrowers and skilled nursing center lessees are generally derived from payments for patient care. Sources of such payments include the federal Medicare program, state Medicaid programs, private insurance carriers, health care service plans, health maintenance organizations, preferred provider arrangements, self-insured employers, as well as the patients themselves.

The health care industry continues to face increased government and private payor pressure on health care providers to control costs. Certain of these initiatives have had the result of limiting Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement for nursing facility services. Federal legislative and regulatory policies have been adopted and may continue to be proposed that would reduce Medicare and/or Medicaid payments to nursing facilities. Moreover, state budget pressures continue to result in adoption of Medicaid provider payment reductions in some states. No assurances can be given that any additional Medicare orIncreasingly, state Medicaid legislation or regulatory policies adopted by the federal government or the states would not reduce Medicare orprograms are providing coverage through managed care programs under contracts with private health plans, which is intended to decrease state Medicaid reimbursement to nursing facilities or result in additional costs for operators of nursing facilities.

Congress also has given states greater flexibility to expand access to home and community based services as an alternative to nursing facility services. These provisions could further increase state funding for home and community based services, while prompting states to cut funding for nursing facilities and homes for persons with disabilities.costs. The Trump Administration and Congress are also considering revising federal payments to state Medicaid programs to be in the form ofestablish block grants or impose per capita limits on federal Medicaid payments to states.states, and the Trump Administration has announced that states may apply to receive payment on such a basis for limited patient populations under a new “Healthy Adult Opportunity” (HAO) Demonstration. See Item 1. Business—Health

time to time, we will have cash available from (1) proceeds of sales of shares of securities, (2) proceeds from new debt issuances, (3) principal payments on our mortgages and other investments, (4) sale of properties, and (5) funds from operations. We may reinvest this cash in health care investments and in accordance with our investment policies, repay outstanding debt or invest in qualified short termshort-term or long termlong-term investments. We compete for real estate investments with a broad variety of potential investors. The competition for attractive investments negatively affects our ability to make timely investments on acceptable terms. Delays in acquiring properties or making loans will negatively impact revenues and perhaps our ability to increase distributions to our stockholders.

Our Failure to Qualify as a REIT Would Have Serious Adverse Consequences to Our Stockholders. We intend to operate so as to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. We believe that we have been organized and have operated in a manner which would allow us to qualify as a REIT under the Code beginning with our taxable year ended December 31, 1992. However, it is possible that we have been organized or have operated in a manner which would not allow us to qualify as a REIT, or that our future operations could cause us to fail to qualify. Qualification as a REIT requires us to satisfy numerous requirements (some on an annual and quarterly basis) established under highly technical and complex Code provisions for which there are only limited judicial and administrative interpretations, and involves the determination of various factual matters and circumstances not entirely within our control. For example, in order to qualify as a REIT, at least 95% of our gross income in any year must be derived from qualifying sources, and we must pay dividends to stockholders aggregating annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and by excluding capital gains). Legislation, new regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions could significantly change the tax laws with respect to qualification as a REIT or the federal income tax consequences of such qualification.

If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to federal and state income tax (including any applicable alternative minimum tax)tax for taxable years ending prior to January 1, 2018) on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. Unless we are entitled to relief under statutory provisions, we would be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year during which we lost qualification. If we lose our REIT status, our net earnings available for investment or distribution to stockholders would be significantly reduced for each of the years involved. In addition, we would no longer be required to make distributions to stockholders.

Recent Changes to the U.S. Tax Laws Could Have a Significant Negative Impact on the Overall Economy, Our Tenants, Our Investors, and Our Business. On December 22, 2017, H.R. 1, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”) was signed into law making significant changes to the Code. Relevant changes include, but are not limited to the following: