11. INCOME TAXES

For 2025, 2024, and 2023, UDR believes that we have complied with the REIT requirements specified in the Code. As such, the REIT would generally not be subject to federal income taxes.

For income tax purposes, distributions paid to common stockholders may consist of ordinary income, qualified dividends, capital gains, unrecaptured section 1250 gains, return of capital, or a combination thereof. Distributions that exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits constitute a return of capital rather than taxable income and reduce the stockholder’s basis in their common shares. To the extent that a distribution exceeds both current and accumulated earnings and profits and the stockholder’s basis in the common shares, it generally will be treated as a gain

from the sale or exchange of that stockholder’s common shares. Taxable distributions paid per common share were taxable as follows for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 (unaudited):

Year Ended December 31, 

2025

2024

2023

Ordinary income

  ​ ​ ​

$

1.4244

  ​ ​ ​

$

1.5935

  ​ ​ ​

$

1.4384

Qualified ordinary income

 

0.0001

 

0.0001

 

0.0001

Long-term capital gain

 

0.1771

 

0.0458

 

0.1697

Unrecaptured section 1250 gain

 

0.1134

 

0.0556

 

0.0318

Total

$

1.7150

$

1.6950

$

1.6400

We have a TRS that is subject to federal and state income taxes. A TRS is a C-corporation which has not elected REIT status and as such is subject to United States federal and state income tax. The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023 (dollars in thousands):

Year Ended December 31, 

2025

2024

2023

Income tax (benefit)/provision

  ​ ​ ​

  ​

  ​ ​ ​

  ​

  ​ ​ ​

  ​

Current

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Federal

$

210

$

314

$

69

State

 

940

 

1,192

 

2,036

Total current

 

1,150

 

1,506

 

2,105

Deferred

Federal

 

(252)

 

(103)

 

26

State

 

(15)

 

(476)

 

23

Investment tax credit

(48)

(48)

(48)

Total deferred

 

(315)

 

(627)

 

1

Total income tax (benefit)/provision

$

835

$

879

$

2,106

Deferred income taxes are provided for the change in temporary differences between the basis of certain assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and income tax reporting purposes. The expected future tax rates are based upon enacted tax laws. The components of our TRS deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded in Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and are as follows for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023 (dollars in thousands):

Year Ended December 31, 

2025

2024

2023

Deferred tax assets:

  ​ ​ ​

  ​

  ​ ​ ​

  ​

  ​ ​ ​

  ​

Federal and state tax attributes

$

31

$

55

$

28

Other

 

401

 

142

 

153

Total deferred tax assets

 

432

 

197

 

181

Valuation allowance

 

(27)

 

(27)

 

(27)

Net deferred tax assets

 

405

 

170

 

154

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Book/tax depreciation and basis

(787)

(878)

(881)

Other

 

(132)

 

(73)

 

(76)

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

(919)

 

(951)

 

(957)

Net deferred tax assets/(liabilities)

$

(514)

$

(781)

$

(803)

Income tax provision/(benefit), net from our TRS differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. statutory rate of 21% to pretax income/(loss) for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023 as follows (dollars in thousands):

Year Ended December 31, 

2025

2024

2023

Income tax provision/(benefit)

  ​ ​ ​

  ​

  ​ ​ ​

  ​

  ​ ​ ​

  ​

U.S. federal income tax provision/(benefit)

$

(40)

$

251

$

105

State income tax provision

 

923

 

1,233

 

2,054

Solar credit amortization

(48)

(48)

(48)

ITC basis adjustment

 

 

(557)

 

Valuation allowance

 

 

 

(5)

Total income tax provision/(benefit)

$

835

$

879

$

2,106

The Company’s Tax benefit/(provision), net was $(0.8) million, $(0.9) million and $(2.1) million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease of $0.1 million was primarily attributable to a decrease in state taxes for the tax year ended December 31, 2025. GAAP defines a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The financial statements reflect expected future tax consequences of income tax positions presuming the taxing authorities’ full knowledge of the tax position and all relevant facts, but without considering time values. GAAP also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting for interim periods, disclosure and transition.

The Company evaluates our tax position using a two-step process. First, we determine whether a tax position is more likely than not (greater than 50 percent probability) to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The Company will then determine the amount of benefit to recognize and record the amount of the benefit that is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, UDR has no material unrecognized income tax benefits/(provisions), net.

The Company files income tax returns in federal and various state and local jurisdictions. The tax years 2022 through 2025 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 17, 2026Showing above
2024Feb 18, 2025
2023Feb 20, 2024
2022Feb 13, 2023
2021Feb 15, 2022
2020Feb 18, 2021
2019Feb 18, 2020
2018Feb 19, 2019
2017Feb 20, 2018
2016Feb 21, 2017
2015Feb 23, 2016

About Income Taxes Disclosures

The income tax disclosure reveals how much a company actually pays in taxes versus what the statutory rate would predict. Analysts focus on the effective tax rate (ETR) reconciliation, which breaks down every item driving the gap between the 21% federal rate and the company's reported ETR — including R&D credits, foreign rate differentials, and state taxes. Deferred tax assets (DTAs) and their valuation allowances signal management's confidence in future profitability: a rising allowance suggests the company doubts it can use accumulated tax benefits. Uncertain tax benefit (UTB) reserves quantify exposure to IRS challenges on aggressive positions.

Key signals to watch: sudden ETR drops without clear operational reasons, large increases in valuation allowances, growing UTB balances, and significant unremitted foreign earnings. Post-TCJA, pay attention to GILTI and BEAT provisions that affect multinational tax structures. Compare the cash taxes paid (from the cash flow statement) against the income tax provision to gauge earnings quality.