Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Our Consolidated Financial Statements include the operations of our taxable REIT subsidiary, which is subject to federal, state and local income taxes on its taxable income. As a REIT, we may also be subject to federal excise taxes if we engage in certain types of transactions.

The minimum dividend per share of Common Stock required for us to maintain our REIT status was $1.07, $1.01 and $0.32 per share in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Continued qualification as a REIT depends on our ability to satisfy the dividend distribution tests, stock ownership requirements and various other qualification tests prescribed in the Code. The tax basis of our assets (net of accumulated tax depreciation and amortization) and liabilities was approximately $2.9 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2012 and $2.7 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2011.

During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company qualified as a REIT, distributed the necessary amount of taxable income and, therefore, incurred no federal income tax expense; accordingly, the only federal income taxes included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are in connection with our taxable REIT subsidiary.

The taxable REIT subsidiary has operated at a cumulative taxable loss through December 31, 2012 of $4.7 million. In addition to the $2.1 million deferred tax asset for these cumulative tax loss carryforwards, the taxable REIT subsidiary also had net deferred tax liabilities of $2.2 million comprised primarily of tax versus book basis differences in certain investments held by the taxable REIT subsidiary. At December 31, 2011, the taxable REIT subsidiary had a $0.4 million net deferred asset position that was fully reserved with a valuation allowance. The taxable REIT subsidiary incurred $0.1 million of deferred income tax expense in 2012, including the release of this valuation allowance. Income taxes are not material to our operating results or financial position.

We recorded state income tax expense in rental property and other expenses of $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

We are subject to federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for 2009 through 2012.

Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]

Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Our Consolidated Financial Statements include the operations of the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiary, which is not entitled to the dividends paid deduction and is subject to federal, state and local income taxes. The taxable REIT subsidiary has operated at a cumulative taxable loss through December 31, 2012 of $4.7 million and has paid no income taxes since its formation. In addition to the $2.1 million deferred tax asset for these cumulative tax loss carryforwards, the taxable REIT subsidiary also had net deferred tax liabilities of $2.2 million comprised primarily of tax versus book basis differences in certain investments held by the taxable REIT subsidiary. At December 31, 2011, the taxable REIT subsidiary had a $0.4 million net deferred asset position that was fully reserved with a valuation allowance. The taxable REIT subsidiary incurred $0.1 million of deferred income tax expense in 2012, including the release of this valuation allowance. Income taxes are not material to our operating results or financial position. Other than income taxes related to its taxable REIT subsidiary, the Operating Partnership recorded state income tax expense in rental property and other expenses of $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The minimum dividend per share of Common Stock required for the Company to maintain its REIT status was $1.07, $1.01 and $0.32 per share in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Continued qualification as a REIT depends on the Company's ability to satisfy the dividend distribution tests, stock ownership requirements and various other qualification tests prescribed in the Code. The tax basis of our assets (net of accumulated tax depreciation and amortization) and liabilities was approximately $2.9 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2012 and $2.7 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2011.

The Company is subject to federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for 2009 through 2012.