Distributions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Distributions

Distributions

12. Distributions

We must distribute at least 90% of our taxable income in order to continue to qualify as a REIT. This distribution requirement can be satisfied by current year distributions or, to a certain extent, by distributions in the following year.

For federal tax purposes, distributions to stockholders are treated as ordinary income, capital gains, return of capital or a combination thereof. Distributions for 2019, 2018 and 2017 were cash distributions. The federal income tax classification of the per share common stock distributions are as follows (unaudited):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Ordinary taxable distribution	$	2.084	$	0.349	$	1.607
Return of capital		—		—		0.444
Unrecaptured Section 1250 gain		0.132		0.636		0.163
Long-term capital gain		0.064		1.295		0.066
Total	$	2.280	$	2.280	$	2.280