16. Income Taxes
For federal income tax purposes, distributions to stockholders are characterized as ordinary dividends, capital gain distributions, or return of capital distributions. Return of capital distributions will reduce stockholders’ basis in their shares, but not below zero. The portion of the distribution that exceeds the adjusted basis of the stock with be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of property. The following table shows the character of the distributions the Company paid on a percentage basis for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015:
|
Character of Distributions |
|
For the years ended December 31, |
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
2017 |
|
|
2016 |
|
|
2015 |
|
|||
|
Ordinary dividends |
|
|
51 |
% |
|
|
58 |
% |
|
|
51 |
% |
|
Capital gain distributions |
|
|
— |
% |
|
|
— |
% |
|
|
— |
% |
|
Return of capital distributions |
|
|
49 |
% |
|
|
42 |
% |
|
|
49 |
% |
|
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
100 |
% |