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2018 Form 1120 REIT US Income Tax Return for Real Estate Investment Trusts

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Form 1120-REIT — U.S. Income Tax Return for Real Estate Investment Trusts (2018)

Department of the Treasury — Internal Revenue Service

For calendar year 2018 or tax year beginning , 2018, ending , 20

Please type or print.

Name

Number, street, and room or suite no.

City or town, state, and ZIP code

A. Year of REIT status election

B. Check if a:

REIT with 100% owned subsidiaries

Personal holding company

C. Employer identification number

D. Date REIT established

E. Total assets

F. Check applicable box(es):

Final return

Name change

Address change

Amended return

G. Identify the type of REIT:

Equity REIT

Mortgage REIT

H. PBA code

Part I — Real Estate Investment Trust Taxable Income

Income (excluding income required to be reported in Part II or Part IV)

1. Dividends

2. Interest

3. Gross rents from real property

4. Other gross rents

5. Capital gain net income

6. Net gain or (loss) from Form 4797, Part II, line 17

7. Other income

8. Total income

Deductions (excluding deductions directly connected with income required to be reported in Part II or Part IV)

9. Compensation of officers

10. Salaries and wages

11. Repairs and maintenance

12. Bad debts

13. Rents

14. Taxes and licenses

15. Interest

16. Depreciation

17. Advertising

18. Other deductions

19. Total deductions

20. Taxable income before net operating loss and other special deductions

21a. Net operating loss deduction

21b. Total deduction for dividends paid

21c. Section 857(b)(2)(E) deduction

21d. Total special deductions

Tax and Payments

22. REIT taxable income

23. Total tax

24. 2018 Net 965 tax liability paid from Form 965-B

25a. 2017 overpayment credited to 2018

25b. 2018 estimated tax payments

25c. Less 2018 refund applied for on Form 4466

25d. Balance

25e. Tax deposited with Form 7004

25f. Credits

25g. Refundable credit from Form 8827

25h. 2018 Net 965 tax liability from Form 965-B

25i. Total payments

26. Estimated tax penalty Check if Form 2220 is attached

27. Tax due

28. Overpayment

29. Amount to apply or refund

Sign Here

Signature of officer

Date

Title

May the IRS discuss this return with the preparer shown below?

Yes No

Paid Preparer Use Only

Print/Type preparer’s name

Preparer’s signature

Date

Check if self-employed

PTIN

Firm’s name

Firm’s address

Firm’s EIN

Phone no.


Page 2 — Part II: Tax on Net Income From Foreclosure Property

1. Net gain or (loss) from the sale or other disposition of foreclosure property

2. Gross income from foreclosure property

3. Total income from foreclosure property

4. Deductions directly connected with production of income

5. Net income from foreclosure property

6. Tax on net income from foreclosure property

Part III: Tax for Failure To Meet Certain Source-of-Income Requirements

1a. Enter total income from Part I, line 8

1b. Enter total income from foreclosure property from Part II, line 3

1c. Total

2a. Income from hedging transactions

2b. Passive foreign exchange gain

2c. Other source income

2d. Subtract amounts

2e. Multiply by 95%

3. Income from section 856(c)(2) sources

4. Subtract line 3 from line 2e

5a. Income from hedging transactions

5b. Real estate foreign exchange gain

5c. Other source income

5d. Subtract amounts

5e. Multiply by 75%

6. Income from section 856(c)(3) sources

7. Subtract line 6 from line 5

8. Greater of line 4 or line 7

9. Amount from Part I, line 20

10. Net capital gain from Schedule D

11. Subtract line 10 from line 9

12a. Total income from Part I, line 8

12b. Net short-term capital gain

12c. Add lines 12a and 12b

13. Capital gain net income

14. Subtract line 13 from line 12c

15. Divide line 11 by line 14

16. Section 857(b)(5) tax

Part IV: Tax on Net Income From Prohibited Transactions

1. Gain from sale or other disposition of section 1221(a)(1) property

2. Deductions directly connected with production of income

3. Tax on net income from prohibited transactions

Schedule A — Deduction for Dividends Paid

1. Dividends paid

2. Dividends paid in the 12-month period following the close of the tax year

3. Dividends declared in October, November, or December deemed paid on December 31

4. Consent dividends

5. Deficiency dividends

6. Total dividends paid

7. Total deduction for dividends paid

Schedule J — Tax Computation

Check if the REIT is a member of a controlled group

2a. Tax on REIT taxable income

2b. Tax from Part II, line 6

2c. Tax from Part III, line 16

2d. Tax from Part IV, line 3

2e. Tax imposed under section 857(b)(7)(A)

2f. Tax imposed under sections 856(c)(7) and 856(g)(5)

2g. Income tax

3a. Foreign tax credit

3b. Credit from Form 8834

3c. General business credit

3d. Other credits

3e. Total credits

4. Subtract line 3e from line 2g

5. Personal holding company tax

6. Other taxes

7. Total tax

Schedule K — Other Information

1. Method of accounting: Cash Accrual Other

2. Did the REIT own 50% or more of the voting stock of a domestic corporation? Yes No

3. Is the REIT a subsidiary in a parent-subsidiary controlled group? Yes No

Parent corporation name and EIN

4. Did any individual, partnership, corporation, estate, or trust own 50% or more of the REIT’s voting stock?

5a. Percentage owned by foreign person

5b. Owner’s country

5c. Number of Forms 5472 attached

6. Did the REIT pay dividends in excess of earnings and profits? Yes No

7. Publicly offered debt instruments with original issue discount

8. Tax-exempt interest received or accrued

9. Available NOL carryover from prior tax years

10. Election under section 163(j) in effect during the tax year? Yes No

11. Does the corporation satisfy one of the listed conditions? Yes No

12. Is the REIT attaching Form 8996 to certify as a Qualified Opportunity Fund? Yes No

Schedule L — Balance Sheets per Books

Beginning of tax year / End of tax year

1. Cash

2a. Trade notes and accounts receivable

2b. Less allowance for bad debts

3. U.S. government obligations

4. Tax-exempt securities

5. Other current assets

6. Loans to shareholders

7. Mortgage and real estate loans

8. Other investments

9a. Buildings and other depreciable assets

9b. Less accumulated depreciation

10. Land

11a. Intangible assets

11b. Less accumulated amortization

12. Other assets

13. Total assets

14. Accounts payable

Schedule M-1 — Reconciliation of Income (Loss) per Books With Income per Return

1. Net income (loss) per books

2a. Federal income tax

2b. Less taxes

2c. Balance

3. Excess of capital losses over capital gains

4. Income subject to tax not recorded on books this year

5. Expenses recorded on books this year not deducted on this return

6. Add lines 1 through 5

7. Income recorded on books this year not included on this return

8. Deductions on this return not charged against book income this year

9. Net income from foreclosure property

10. Net income from prohibited transactions

11. Add lines 7 through 10

12. REIT taxable income

Schedule M-2 — Analysis of Unappropriated Retained Earnings per Books

1. Balance at beginning of year

2. Net income (loss) per books

3. Other increases

4. Add lines 1, 2, and 3

5a. Cash distributions

5b. Stock distributions

5c. Property distributions

6. Other decreases

7. Add lines 5 and 6

8. Balance at end of year

Enter text✕

What the 2018 Form 1120-REIT is and when it’s used

The 2018 Form 1120 REIT US Income Tax Return for Real Estate Investment Trusts is the IRS corporate return used by entities qualifying as REITs to report taxable income, allowable deductions, distributions to shareholders, and tax liability for the 2018 tax year. It follows the same filing structure as Form 1120 but includes REIT-specific lines and schedules for dividends paid deduction, qualifying income tests, and capital gains. Filing accurately establishes REIT tax status and supports investor reporting and information returns, while providing the basis for any federal tax due or refund for that taxable year.

Why completing the 2018 Form 1120-REIT correctly matters

Accurate completion documents federal taxable income, documents compliance with REIT qualification rules, and preserves dividend-paid deductions that reduce corporate tax. Correct reporting minimizes penalty exposure and provides clear support for shareholder distributions and Form 1099/1099-DIV reporting.

Why completing the 2018 Form 1120-REIT correctly matters

Who typically prepares or signs a 2018 Form 1120-REIT

Typical preparers, reviewers, and recipients involved with a REIT tax return.

  • Corporate tax department or CFO preparing figures and signing the return for the REIT
  • External CPA or tax firm performing return preparation, review, and tax computations
  • General counsel or corporate secretary retaining copies for investor disclosure and recordkeeping

Different parties may own discrete responsibilities: financials, tax computation, and signature authority.

Core parts of a professional 2018 Form 1120-REIT submission

A complete Form 1120-REIT package includes identification, income and deduction schedules, REIT-specific schedules, tax computation, attachments for special items, and signatures with preparer information.

Identification

REIT legal name, EIN, address, and tax year must match corporate records and IRS database entries to avoid mismatches.

Income Reporting

Report gross rents, interest, dividends, gain on sales, and other income lines that determine REIT taxable income and qualification tests.

Deductions

Include operating expenses, depreciation, amortization, interest allowable against income, and other ordinary and necessary deductions.

Dividends Paid Deduction

Calculate and support the dividends-paid deduction to reduce taxable income, including timing and related adjustments.

Schedules & Attachments

Attach Schedules A/B or any required statements for portfolio sales, capital gains, and related-party transactions.

Signature & Preparer

An officer must sign and date; include the paid preparer section with PTIN, firm name, and address if used.

Essential data elements required on the form

Employer ID: EIN required
Tax Year: Taxable year dates
Entity Name: Legal REIT name
Principal Address: Complete mailing address
Total Income: Gross receipts/total income
Deductions: Total allowable deductions

Step-by-step: completing and filing the 2018 Form 1120-REIT

Follow these core steps to prepare, review, and file the REIT return accurately.

  • 01
    Assemble Records: Gather financial statements, schedules, and shareholder distribution records.
  • 02
    Complete Form: Populate identification, income, deductions, and REIT-specific lines.
  • 03
    Review & Reconcile: Have tax and finance review for consistency and reconciliation.
  • 04
    File & Retain: E-file or mail return and retain copies per retention rules.

Online configuration for completing and submitting the return

Key digital settings make e-filing and e-signature workflows auditable and repeatable.

Field Configuration
Authentication Use at least email plus SMS code when available
Templates Create a reusable template for header and schedules
Bulk Filing Enable bulk send for multiple entity returns if supported
Audit Trail Capture IP, timestamp, and signer details for each signature

Where to file or send the completed 2018 Form 1120-REIT

The return can be transmitted electronically to the IRS or mailed to the designated IRS service center depending on your filing choice.

  • Electronic Filing: Transmit via IRS-authorized e-file provider for faster acknowledgment
  • Paper Mailing: Mail to the IRS service center address for corporate returns
  • State Returns: File separate state corporate or franchise tax returns where required
  • Shareholder Reporting: Provide supporting investor schedules and 1099-DIV copies as applicable

Distribution and eSubmission considerations for digital filing

Choose tools that preserve digital audit trails, accept PDF/DOCX, and support signer authentication options.

  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX, and Excel supported
  • Integrations: Connectors for NetSuite, Salesforce, and Google Workspace
  • Auth Options: Email, SMS, and stronger verification

Maintain secure storage with encryption at rest and in transit, ensure audit trails are retained, and verify integration settings prior to large batches.

Key deadlines and processing expectations for the 2018 return

Deadlines depend on the REIT’s tax year; use these common deadlines to plan preparation and submission.

Regular Filing Deadline:

15th day of the fourth month after year end (April 15 for calendar-year REITs)

Extension Filing:

File Form 7004 to request a six-month extension to file the return

Processing Time:

E-file acknowledgments are typically faster; paper returns take longer to process

Shareholder Reporting:

Provide investor statements in time for information return filing deadlines

Late Payment Consequence:

Unpaid tax accrues interest and possible late payment penalties

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing Form 1120-REIT

  • Using an incorrect EIN or corporate name that does not match IRS records, which can delay processing and trigger backup withholding or correspondence
  • Misreporting the dividends paid deduction by failing to document distribution dates, leading to disallowed deductions and subsequent adjustments
  • Omitting required schedules for capital gains or related-party transactions, which undermines the return’s completeness and increases audit risk
  • Simple arithmetic and transposition errors between financial statements and tax schedules that cause reconciliation problems and IRS notices

Penalties and legal risks associated with incorrect returns

Late Filing Penalty: Penalties may apply
Late Payment Interest: Interest accrues on unpaid tax
Information Return Penalties: IRC §6721 penalties possible
Intentional Disregard: Higher per-form penalties apply
Backup Withholding: 24% triggered by incorrect TIN
Accuracy-Related: Accuracy penalties where understatements occur

eSignature vendor pricing snapshot for tax form workflows

Compare common vendor pricing and core features relevant to signing and distributing tax returns and supporting schedules.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial No No Yes, limited Yes, limited
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Practical examples of completing common 1120-REIT items

Two concise examples illustrate typical entries and documentation practices used in REIT returns.

Investor Distribution Example

A calendar-year REIT documents dividend dates and amounts for the dividends-paid deduction

  • Reconcile distribution ledger to bank records
  • Maintain signed shareholder schedules and board minutes to substantiate timing and amounts in case of an IRS inquiry.

Property Sale Reporting

Report gain on sale and allocate to capital gains lines

  • Provide closing statements and 1099-S where required
  • Attach computation schedules showing basis, selling expenses, depreciation recapture, and shareholder allocation if necessary.

Frequently asked questions about the 2018 Form 1120-REIT

Answers address common eligibility, filing, signature, and retention questions encountered when completing a REIT return.


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