Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Tax Basis Income

Piedmont’s income tax basis net income for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, is calculated as follows (in thousands):

	2012			2011			2010
GAAP basis financial statement net income	$	93,204		$	225,041		$	120,379
Increase (decrease) in net income resulting from:
Depreciation and amortization expense for financial reporting purposes in excess of amounts for income tax purposes	35,125			47,346			29,892
Rental income accrued for income tax purposes less than amounts for financial reporting purposes	(10,422		)	(9,380		)	(528		)
Net amortization of above/below-market lease intangibles for financial reporting purposes in excess of amounts for income tax purposes	(5,324		)	(6,605		)	(5,573		)
Gain on disposal of property for financial reporting purposes in excess of amounts for income tax purposes	(7,967		)	(66,410		)	(9,254		)
Taxable income of Piedmont Washington Properties, Inc., in excess of amount for financial reporting purposes	2,662			4,515			5,096
Other expenses for financial reporting purposes in excess of amounts for income tax purposes	14,361			(2,072		)	9,570
Income tax basis net income, prior to dividends paid deduction	$	121,639		$	192,435		$	149,582

Schedule of Characterization Of Dividends To Common Stockholders

For income tax purposes, dividends to common stockholders are characterized as ordinary income, capital gains, or as a return of a stockholder’s invested capital. The composition of Piedmont’s distributions per common share is presented below:

	2012		2011		2010
Ordinary income	73	%	61	%	69	%
Capital gains	16	%	27	%	—
Return of capital	11	%	12	%	31	%
	100	%	100	%	100	%