BREIT Tax Highlights
BREIT delivers compelling after-tax distributions, supported by a high return of capital (“ROC”) percentage that can reduce investors’ effective tax rates.
This page and its contents are not to be viewed by or distributed to financial advisors or investors in the states of New Jersey, Ohio or Washington.
Compelling Distributions and Tax Advantages
Compelling Distributions and Tax Advantages
BREIT has a history of strong consistent monthly distributions. [ 1 ] In 2024, Class I shares delivered a pre-tax annualized distribution rate of 4.8% [ 2 ] with minimal tax dilution, resulting in an after-tax distribution rate of 4.7% [ 3 ] – equivalent to a 7.5% tax-equivalent distribution rate for investors in the highest federal tax bracket. [ 3 ][ 4 ][ 5 ][ 6 ]
Tax Features
- 96% of BREIT’s distribution in 2024 was treated as return of capital (“ROC”) primarily due to depreciation [ 7 ][ 8 ]
- ROC distributions result in minimal tax dilution through deferral, reducing ordinary income tax [ 5 ][ 7 ]
- If all BREIT distributions were taxable as ordinary income, investors would need to find an investment that generates a pre-tax distribution rate of 7.5% to match the 4.7% after-tax distribution rate generated by BREIT Class I shares [ 3 ][ 6 ]
Understanding REIT Tax Treatment [ 3 ]
Key Takeaway: A high ROC percentage combined with favorable REIT tax rates can decrease a REIT investor’s effective federal tax rate on distributions to 1.2% for investors in the highest marginal tax bracket. [ 7 ][ 8 ][ 9 ]
Real Estate Investtent Trust (REIT) distributions are taxed at different rates depending on whether they are characterized as ordinary income, capital gains or return of capital.
- ROC distributions are tax deferred until redemption, at which time they give rise to capital gains
- A portion of distributions that might otherwise be treated as ordinary income as ROC due to real estate-related factors such as depreciation
- REIT investors benefit from a 20% tax rate reduction to individual tax rates on the ordinary income portion of distributions [ 9 ]
- Inherited REIT shares are generally eligible for a tax-free step-up in basis to the prevailing fair market value at the time of transfer [ 10 ]
Explore More About BREIT
Important Disclosure Information
This page and its contents are not to be viewed by or distributed to financial advisors or investors in the states of New Jersey, Ohio or Washington.
All information is as of December 31, 2024, unless otherwise noted. There can be no assurance that any Blackstone fund or investment will be able to implement its investment strategy, achieve its objectives, or avoid substantial losses. Financial data is estimated and unaudited. This tax information is provided for informational purposes only, is subject to material change, and should not be relied upon as a guarantee or prediction of tax effects. This material also does not constitute tax advice to, and should not be relied upon by, potential investors, who should consult their own tax advisors regarding the matters discussed herein and the tax consequences of an investment. A return of capital in this context is intended to mean a current income distribution which is not a taxable dividend (as defined in IRC Section 316) and which reduces or exceeds the adjusted basis of the shareholder’s stock (i.e., a Section 301(c)(2) or Section 302(c)(3) distribution). No inference should be made about the source of the current income distribution (including the taxable and non taxable components). This material contains references to our net asset value (“NAV”) and NAV based calculations, which involve significant professional judgment. Our NAV is generally equal to the fair value of our assets less outstanding liabilities, calculated in accordance with our valuation guidelines. The calculated value of our assets and liabilities may differ from our actual realizable value or future value which would affect the NAV as well as any returns derived from that NAV, and ultimately the value of your investment. As return information is calculated based on NAV, return information presented will be impacted should the assumptions on which NAV was determined prove to be incorrect. NAV is not a measure used under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and will likely differ from the GAAP value of our equity reflected in our financial statements. As of December 31, 2024, our total equity under GAAP, excluding non-controlling third-party JV interests, was $30.3 billion and our NAV was $54.0 billion. As of December 31, 2024, our NAV per share was $13.70, $13.48, $13.39 and $13.71 for Class S, Class T, Class D and Class I shares, respectively, and GAAP equity per share/unit was $7.70. GAAP equity accounts for net income as calculated under GAAP, and we have incurred $0.9 billion in net losses, excluding net losses attributable to non-controlling interests in third-party JV interests, for the year ended December 31, 2024. Our net income (loss) as calculated under GAAP and a reconciliation of our GAAP equity, excluding non-controlling third-party JV interests, to our NAV are provided in our annual and interim financial statements. Our inception to date cash flows from operating activities, along with net gains from investment realizations, have funded 100% of our distributions through December 31, 2024. See “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities—Distributions” in BREIT’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information. For further information, please refer to “Net Asset Value Calculation and Valuation Guidelines” in BREIT’s prospectus, which describes our valuation process and the independent third parties who assist us.