SLD Sutherland Asset Management Corp.

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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-196296

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated May 27, 2014)

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated May 27, 2014)

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CERTAIN TERMS

In this prospectus supplement, unless otherwise specified or the context requires otherwise, we use the terms “the company,” “we,” “us” and “our” to refer to Sutherland Asset Management Corporation, a Maryland corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries; references in this prospectus supplement to “Operating Partnership” refer to Sutherland Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and a subsidiary of Sutherland Asset Management Corporation; and references in this prospectus supplement to “our Manager” refer to Waterfall Asset Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus supplement, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC.  The information incorporated by reference herein is deemed to be part of this prospectus supplement, except for any information superseded by information in this prospectus supplement.  This prospectus supplement incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that we have previously filed with the SEC.  These documents contain important information about us, our business and our finances.

All documents that we file (but not those that we furnish) pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to the termination of the offering of any of the securities covered under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus supplement and any previously filed documents.

All of the documents that are incorporated by reference are available at the web site maintained by the SEC at https://www.sec.gov.  In addition, if you request, either orally or in writing, we will provide you with a copy of any or all documents that are incorporated by reference.  Such documents will be provided to you free of charge, but will not contain any exhibits, unless those exhibits are incorporated by reference into the document.  Requests should be addressed to Frederick C. Herbst, our company’s Secretary, at Sutherland Asset Management Corporation, 1140 Avenue of the Americas, 7th Floor, New York, New York 10036, telephone number (212) 257-4600.

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Our beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us or are within our control, including:

·                                           factors described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, including those set forth under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Business”;

·                                           applicable regulatory changes;

·                                           risks associated with acquisitions;

·                                           risks associated with achieving expected revenue synergies, cost savings and other benefits from the merger with ZAIS Financial and the increased scale of our company;

·                                           the availability, terms and deployment of capital;

·                                           the availability of suitable investment opportunities;

·                                           our dependence on our Manager, and our ability to find a suitable replacement if we or our Manager were to terminate the management agreement we have entered into with our Manager;

·                                           changes in our assets, interest rates or the general economy;

·                                           increased rates of default and/or decreased recovery rates on our investments;

·                                           changes in interest rates, interest rate spreads, the yield curve or prepayment rates; changes in prepayments of our assets;

·                                           limitations on our business as a result of our qualification as a REIT; and

·                                           the degree and nature of our competition, including competition for SBC loans, MBS, residential mortgage loans and other real estate-related investments that satisfy our investment objectives and strategies.

Upon the occurrence of these or other factors, our business, financial condition, liquidity and consolidated results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in, or implied by, any such forward-looking statements.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.  These forward-looking statements apply only as of the date of this prospectus supplement.  We are not obligated, and do not intend, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  See Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

We are a real estate finance company that acquires, originates, manages, services and finances primarily small balance commercial loans.  SBC loans range in original principal amount of between $500,000 and $10 million and are used by small businesses to purchase real estate used in their operations or by investors seeking to acquire small multi-family, office, retail, mixed use or warehouse properties.  Our acquisition and origination platforms consist of the following four operating segments:

·                                           Loan Acquisitions .  We acquire performing and non-performing SBC loans and intend to continue to acquire these loans as part of our business strategy.  We hold performing SBC loans to term, and we seek to maximize the value of the non-performing SBC loans acquired by us through proprietary loan modification programs.  We typically acquire non-performing loans at a discount to their unpaid principal balance when we believe that resolution of the loans will provide attractive risk-adjusted returns.

·                                           SBC Originations .  We originate SBC loans secured by stabilized or transitional investor properties using multiple loan origination channels through our wholly-owned subsidiary, ReadyCap Commercial, LLC.  Additionally, as part of this segment, we originate and service multi-family loan products under Freddie Mac’s small balance loan program.

·                                           SBA Originations, Acquisitions and Servicing .  We acquire, originate and service owner-occupied loans guaranteed by the SBA under the SBA Section 7(a) loan program through our wholly-owned subsidiary, ReadyCap Lending, LLC.  We hold an SBA license as one of only 14 non-bank Small Business Lending Companies and have been granted preferred lender status by the SBA.  In the future, we may originate SBC loans for real estate under the SBA 504 loan program, under which the SBA guarantees subordinated, long-term financing.

·                                           Residential Mortgage Banking .  In connection with our merger on October 31, 2016, as described in greater detail below, we added a residential mortgage loan origination segment through our wholly-owned subsidiary, GMFS, LLC (“GMFS”).  GMFS originates residential mortgage loans eligible to be purchased, guaranteed or insured by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, USDA and VA through retail, correspondent and broker channels.

Our objective is to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns to our stockholders, primarily through dividends and secondarily through capital appreciation.  In order to achieve this objective, we intend to continue to grow our investment portfolio and we believe that the breadth of our full service real estate finance platform will allow us to adapt to market conditions and deploy capital in our asset classes and segments with the most attractive risk-adjusted returns.

We are organized and conduct our operations to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).  So long as we qualify as a REIT, we are generally not subject to U.S. federal income tax on our net taxable income to the extent that we annually distribute all of our net taxable income to stockholders.  We are organized in a traditional umbrella partnership REIT format pursuant to which we serve as the general partner of, and conduct substantially all of our business through, our Operating Partnership, which serves as our operating partnership subsidiary.  We also intend to operate our business in a manner that will permit us to be excluded from registration as an investment company under the 1940 Act.

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the corresponding cash to pay such tax when it becomes due.  See Question 33 “What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of participating in the Plan?” below.

·                                           We may, in our sole discretion, without prior notice, change our determination as to whether shares of common stock will be purchased through the Plan Administrator directly from us or through open market or privately negotiated purchases facilitated by the Plan Administrator.  You will pay your pro rata share of all brokerage commissions in connection with any reinvestment of dividends in which the Plan Administrator facilitates purchases of shares of our common stock on the open market.

·                                           No interest will be paid on funds that the Plan Administrator holds pending investment or that may ultimately be returned to you.  See Questions 13 and 16 below.

·                                           The purchase price for shares of common stock purchased under the Plan may exceed the price of acquiring shares of common stock on the open market at any given time on the actual purchase date.

4.                                       Who is eligible to participate in the Plan?

The Plan is open to all U.S. residents that currently own shares of our common stock.

5.                                       Can non-U.S. citizens participate in the Plan?

Yes.  If you are not a U.S. citizen but currently own shares of our common stock, you can participate in the Plan, provided there are no laws or governmental regulations that would prohibit you from participating or laws or governmental regulations that would affect the terms of the Plan.  We reserve the right to terminate the participation of any stockholder if we deem it advisable under any foreign laws or regulations.  You will be subject to certain tax withholding regarding dividends that are reinvested.

6.                                       Is participation in the Plan voluntary?  How do I enroll in the Plan if I am already eligible to participate?

Participation in the Plan is voluntary, and we give no advice regarding your decision to join the Plan.

After being furnished with a copy of this prospectus supplement, you may join the Plan at any time by enrolling online through AST at https://www.astfinancial.com or by completing and returning the enclosed enrollment form.  All Plan materials, including enrollment forms, as well as other Plan forms and this prospectus supplement, are available through the Plan Administrator as indicated in the answer to Question 26 below.

You will become a participant after a properly completed enrollment form has been received and accepted by the Plan Administrator or after you enroll online.

7.                                       I already own shares, but they are held by my bank or broker and registered in “street name.” How can I participate in the Plan?

If you are the beneficial owner of common stock registered in “street name” (for example, in the name of a bank, broker or trustee), you may participate in the Plan by either:  (1) transferring those securities into your own name and depositing those shares of common stock into the Plan for safekeeping and/or electing to reinvest cash dividend payments on those shares in common stock (see the answer to Question 22 below); or (2) making arrangements with your record or registered holder (for example, your bank, broker or trustee, who will become the participant) to participate in the Plan on your behalf.

8.                                       Are there any expenses to participants in connection with purchases of common stock from our company under the Plan?

All costs or expenses arising out of the purchase of shares pursuant to the Plan, including the Plan Administrator’s fees, will be paid by us.  There will be no brokerage fees for shares purchased under the Plan, except that you will pay your pro rata share of all brokerage commissions in connection with any reinvestment of dividends

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in which the Plan Administrator facilitates purchases of shares of our common stock on the open market.  All administrative costs of the Plan will be paid by us.  For a description of the fees and commissions applicable to sales of shares through the Plan, see Question 21 below.

9.                                       What are the reinvestment options?

You may select from the following reinvestment options:

·                                           Full Dividend Reinvestment .  You may elect to reinvest all of your cash dividends by designating your election on your enrollment form.  Dividends paid on all shares registered in your name in stock certificate form and/or credited to your account will be reinvested under the Plan in additional shares of common stock.

·                                           Partial Dividend Reinvestment .  You may elect to receive part of your dividends in cash by designating your election on your enrollment form, subject to a minimum reinvestment percentage of 10%.  If you elect partial dividend reinvestment, you must specify the number of whole shares for which you want to receive cash dividends.  Dividends paid on all other shares registered in your name in stock certificate form and/or credited to your account will be reinvested under the Plan in additional shares of common stock.  Under the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (or the 2008 Act), and the relevant Treasury regulations, you must reinvest at least 10% of your dividend disbursement.

Automatic reinvestment of your dividends does not relieve you of liability for income taxes that may be owed on your dividends.  Dividends paid on shares credited to your account will be included in information provided both to you and the United States Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”).  You will generally be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as having received a dividend on the related date of purchase of shares of common stock under the Plan, which may give rise to a tax payment obligation without providing you with corresponding cash to pay such tax when it becomes due.  See Question 33 “What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of participating in the Plan?” below.

AST will begin to reinvest your dividends automatically on the next dividend payment date after AST receives your fully completed enrollment form and initial investment, if applicable.  If your completed enrollment form and initial investment, if applicable, do not arrive five business days before the record date, reinvestment may not begin until the following dividend.

10.                                Does the Plan permit optional cash investment in addition to dividend reinvestment?

The Plan does not permit any optional cash investment.

11.                                What transactions can I conduct through AST’s online services?

AST offers you a convenient way to invest in our common stock completely online, without having to send in any forms or checks by mail. Through AST’s online services, you may:

·                                           enroll in the Plan;

·                                           change your dividend reinvestment election;

·                                           review your transaction history and position summary;

·                                           request certificates;

·                                           arrange for online sales of some or all of your shares;

·                                           download enrollment and other forms;

·                                           update personal information;

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·                                           receive transaction confirmations via email; and

·                                           arrange to receive the company’s annual reports and other materials over the Internet.

You can access these services through AST’s website, https://www.astfinancial.com.  Participation in the Plan through the Internet is entirely voluntary.

If you are a registered holder, you will need your account number, social security number and password to access your account online.  If your shares are held by your bank or broker and registered in “street name,” see Question 7 above for more information.

12.                                What is the source of our common stock purchased through the Plan?

Shares will be purchased through the Plan Administrator:

·                                           directly from us —in the form of newly issued shares or provided from our treasury;

·                                           from parties other than us, through open market transactions facilitated by the Plan Administrator; or

·                                           using a combination of direct purchases and open market transactions;

in each case, at our sole discretion.

We may also, without prior notice to participants, change our determination as to whether shares of common stock will be purchased through the Plan Administrator directly from us or in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions facilitated by the Plan Administrator.  In connection with any purchase of shares of our common stock on the open market, you will pay your pro rata share of all brokerage commissions and therefore the cash dividends on your shares to be reinvested in our stock under the Plan will be reduced by the amount of such commissions you are responsible for.

Share purchases in the open market may be made on any stock exchange where our common stock is traded or in privately negotiated transactions on such terms as AST may reasonably determine.  Neither we nor any participant will have any authority or power to direct the date, time or price at which shares may be purchased by AST, no one, other than AST, may select the broker or dealer through or from whom purchases are to be made.

13.                                When will shares be purchased under the Plan?

The “Purchase Date” is the date or dates on which the Plan Administrator facilitates purchases of shares of our common stock for the Plan, as described below.

If the Plan Administrator acquires shares directly from us, it will combine the dividend funds of all Plan participants whose dividends are automatically reinvested and will generally invest such dividend funds on the dividend payment date (and any succeeding NYSE trading days necessary to complete the order).  If the dividend payment date falls on a day that is not a NYSE trading day, then the investment will occur on the next NYSE trading day.  If the Plan Administrator facilitates the acquisition of shares from parties other than us through open market transactions, such purchases will occur during a period beginning on the day that would be deemed the Purchase Date if the shares were acquired directly from us (the dividend payment date or, if the dividend payment date falls on a day that is not a NYSE trading day, the next NYSE trading day) and ending no later than thirty-five (35) days following the date on which we paid the applicable cash dividend, except where completion at a later date is necessary or advisable under any applicable federal or state securities laws or regulations.  No interest will be paid on cash dividends received and held pending investment by the Plan Administrator.  The record date associated with a particular dividend is referred to in this Plan as a “dividend record date”.

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14.                                At what price will shares be purchased?

The price of shares for dividend reinvestment will be determined as follows:

·                                           If the shares are purchased in the open market, the purchase price will be the average price per share of shares purchased.

·                                           If the shares are purchased from us, the purchase price will be the average of the daily high and low sales prices for a share of our common stock reported by the NYSE on the applicable Purchase Date or, if no trading occurs in shares of common stock on the applicable Purchase Date, the first NYSE trading day immediately preceding the Purchase Date for which trades are reported.

To maintain our compliance with the U.S. federal income tax rules applicable to REITs, we cannot, and will not under any circumstances, offer any discount on shares purchased pursuant to this Plan that exceeds 5% of the fair market value of the shares (inclusive of any applicable sales or brokerage fees we pay on your behalf), as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, on any particular investment date.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or anything contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, no provisions of the Plan shall be construed to permit a discount that would adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT.

15.                                Will fractional shares be purchased?

If any dividend reinvestment is not sufficient to purchase a whole share of our common stock, a fractional share equivalent will be credited to your account.  Dividends will be paid on the fraction and will be reinvested or paid in cash in accordance with your standing instructions.

16.                                Will interest be paid on Plan accounts?

No. Interest will not be paid on Plan accounts or on any amounts held pending investment.

17.                                Who will hold the additional shares purchased through the Plan?

Shares purchased through the Plan are held in your account in Plan Share form on AST’s records.  The number of shares (including fractional interests) held for each participant will be shown on each account statement.  Keeping shares in Plan Share form protects against certificate loss, theft and destruction.

18.                                How may I receive a stock certificate?

You may obtain a physical stock certificate (at no cost) for some or all of your whole shares at any time by requesting AST to withdraw shares from your Plan account.  You may make such a request by going to https://www.astfinancial.com, calling AST directly using their toll-free number within the United States (1-800-278-4353) or international number (718-921-8124) or by using the tear-off form attached to the account statement.  Certificates are normally issued to participants within five business days after receipt of the request.  Issuing a certificate for shares held in your Plan account does not affect the automatic reinvestment of your dividends unless you withdraw all of the shares held in your Plan account.  No certificates will be issued for fractional shares of common stock.  Any remaining whole or fractional shares will continue to be credited to your account.  If you request a certificate for all shares credited to your account, a certificate will be issued for the whole shares, and a cash payment will be made for any remaining fractional share.  That cash payment will be based upon the then current market price of the common stock, less any commissions and any other costs of sale.  Please refer to Question 24 below for instructions on closing your Plan account.

19.                                How do I replace a lost, stolen or destroyed stock certificate?

If your stock certificate is lost, stolen or destroyed, you should notify AST immediately so that a stop transfer order can be placed on the certificate.  You should provide as much specific information about the certificate in question as possible in order to assist AST in identifying which certificate to place a stop transfer order against (certificate number, number of shares, date issued, etc.).  AST will send you the forms necessary for issuing

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a replacement certificate.  Please note that there is a fee of approximately 2% of the market value of the shares (minimum of $50) charged to purchase the replacement indemnity bond.

20.                                May I add my physical shares of the company’s common stock to my Plan account for safekeeping?

At the time of enrollment in the Plan or at any later time, you may use the Plan’s share certificate safekeeping service to deposit with AST any share of our common stock in certificate form in your possession and registered in your name.  To combine shares held in certificate form with shares held through your Plan account, you must complete the tear-off section of the account statement and submit it, or a letter of instruction, with your certificates to AST at the address provided in Question 26 below.  You should not sign the certificate(s) or complete the assignment section.  Since you bear the risk of loss in transit, you should send your stock certificates by registered mail, return receipt requested and insured based on the market value, or by some other form of traceable and/or insurable delivery.  Shares held through your Plan account will be protected against certificate loss, theft and damage.

21.                                How may I sell shares I hold through the Plan?

You can sell some or all of the shares held in your Plan account by contacting AST online at https://www.astfinancial.com or you may call AST directly using their toll-free number within the United States (1-800-278-4353) or international number (718-921-8124).  You can also submit your request to AST by completing and submitting the tear-off portion of the account statement.  AST will cause your shares to be sold on the open market within five business days of receipt of your request.  AST may combine your shares to be sold with those of other Plan participants selling shares at the same time.  The sales price per share will be the weighted average price per share received by AST for all sales made on that day (and any succeeding days necessary to complete the sale order).  Once sold, AST will send you the proceeds, less a service fee of $15 per transaction and applicable commission fees, which are currently $0.12 per share sold.  Proceeds are normally paid by check, which are distributed within 24 hours after your sale transaction has settled.

AST reserves the right to decline to process a sale if it determines, in its sole discretion, that supporting legal documentation is required.  In addition, no one will have any authority or power to direct the time or price at which shares for the Plan are sold, and no one, other than AST, will select the broker(s) or dealer(s) through or from whom sales are to be made.

You should be aware that the price of our common stock may rise or fall during the period between a request for sale, its receipt by AST and the ultimate sale on the open market.  Instructions sent to AST to sell shares are binding and may not be rescinded.  If you prefer to have complete control as to the exact timing and sales prices, you can transfer the shares to a broker of your own choosing and sell them through that broker.

22.                                Can I transfer shares that I hold in the Plan to someone else?

Yes.  You may transfer ownership of some or all of your shares held through the Plan.  You may call AST using their toll-free number within the United States (1-800-278-4353) or international number (718-921-8124) for complete transfer instructions or go to https://www.astfinancial.com to download the appropriate materials.  You will be asked to send AST written transfer instructions and your signature must be “Medallion Guaranteed” by a financial institution.  Most banks and brokers participate in the Medallion Guarantee Program.  The Medallion Guarantee Program ensures that the individual signing is in fact the owner of the shares to be transferred.  A notary is not sufficient.

You may transfer shares to new or existing company stockholders.  You may not transfer fractional shares.

23.                                I’ve just moved.  How can I request a change of address or update other personal data?

It is important that our records contain your most up-to-date personal data.  If you need to request a change of address or update other personal data, please call AST using their toll-free number within the United States (1-800-278-4353) or international number (718-921-8124) or write to them at the address provided in Question 26 below.  You can also update your personal data through AST’s online services at https://www.astfinancial.com.

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24.                                How may I modify or close my Plan account?

·                                           Changing Reinvestment Options .  You may change reinvestment options through the Internet at https://www.astfinancial.com, by telephone or by submitting a new election to the Plan Administrator.  To be effective for a specific dividend, AST must receive any change five business days before the record date for such dividend.  Record dates are usually about fifteen (15) days prior to dividend payment dates.

·                                           Closing your Plan account .  You may close your Plan account by:

(a)                                  requesting that AST issue a stock certificate for all of your whole shares and a check for the value of any fractional share.  See Question 18 above for additional information on requesting a stock certificate; or

(b)                                  requesting that AST sell the shares held in your Plan account on the open market and remit to you a check for the proceeds for all full and fractional shares, less any applicable commissions.  See Question 21 above for additional information on sales.

In order to be effective for a particular dividend, AST must receive a request to close your Plan account at least five business days prior to the dividend payment date.

25.                                Are there any other limits on the purchase of shares of common stock under the Plan?

In order for us to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, shares of our stock must be owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (other than the first year for which we made an election to be taxed as a REIT) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year.  Also, not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of our stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include certain entities) during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first year for which we make an election to be taxed as a REIT).  See “Risk Factors—Tax Risks—Our failure to qualify as a REIT, or the failure of our predecessor to qualify as a REIT, would subject us to U.S. federal income tax and applicable state and local taxes, which would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.  To qualify as a REIT, our company must satisfy other requirements as well.

To assist us in complying with such limitations on the concentration of ownership, among other purposes, our charter provides that, subject to the exceptions described below, no person or entity may own, or be deemed to own, by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, more than 9.8% in value or in number, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock, or 9.8% in value or in number, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of all classes and series of our capital stock.  We refer to the common share ownership limit and the aggregate share ownership limit collectively as the “ownership limit.” A person or entity that becomes subject to the ownership limit by virtue of a violative transfer that results in a transfer to a trust, as described below, is referred to as a “purported transferee” if, had the violative transfer been effective, the person or entity would have been a record owner and beneficial owner or solely a beneficial owner of shares of our stock.

The constructive ownership rules under the Internal Revenue Code are complex and may cause shares of stock owned actually or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or entities to be owned constructively by one individual or entity.  As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8% in value or in number, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock, or 9.8% in value or in number, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of all classes and series of our capital stock (or the acquisition of an interest in an entity that owns, actually or constructively, shares of our stock by an individual or entity), could, nevertheless, cause that individual or entity, or another individual or entity, to own constructively in excess of the ownership limit.

Our board of directors (our “Board”) may, in its sole discretion, subject to such conditions as it may determine and the receipt of certain representations and undertakings, prospectively or retroactively, waive the ownership limit or establish a different limit on ownership, or excepted holder limit, for a particular stockholder if the stockholder’s ownership in excess of the ownership limit would not result in our company being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code (without regard to whether the ownership

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interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise would result in us failing to qualify as a REIT.  As a condition of its waiver, our Board may, but is not required to, require an opinion of counsel or the IRS ruling satisfactory to the Board with respect to its qualification as a REIT.

In connection with granting a waiver of the ownership limit or creating an excepted holder limit or at any other time, our Board may from time to time increase or decrease the ownership limit for all other persons and entities unless, after giving effect to such increase, five or fewer individuals could beneficially own in the aggregate, more than 49.9% in value of the shares then outstanding or our company would be “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or we would otherwise fail to qualify as a REIT.  A reduced ownership limit will not apply to any person or entity whose percentage ownership of our common stock or stock of all classes and series, as applicable, is in excess of such decreased ownership limit until such time as such person’s or entity’s percentage ownership of our common stock or stock of all classes and series, as applicable, equals or falls below the decreased ownership limit, but any further acquisition of shares of our common stock or stock of any other class or series, as applicable, in excess of such percentage ownership of our common stock or stock of all classes and series will be in violation of the ownership limit.

Our charter further prohibits:

·                                           any person from beneficially or constructively owning, applying certain attribution rules of the Internal Revenue Code, shares of our stock that would result in our company being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise cause our company to fail to qualify as a REIT; and

·                                           any person from transferring shares of our stock if such transfer would result in shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined without reference to any rules of attribution).

Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our stock that will or may violate the ownership limit or any of the foregoing restrictions relating to transferability and ownership must immediately give written notice to our company or, in the case of a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days’ prior written notice and provide our company with such other information as our company may request in order to determine the effect of such transfer on our qualification as a REIT.  The foregoing provisions on transferability and ownership will not apply if our Board determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT.

If any transfer of shares of our stock would result in shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons, such transfer will be null and void and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in such shares.  In addition, if any purported transfer of shares of our stock or any other event would otherwise result in any person violating the ownership limit or an excepted holder limit established by our Board or in our company being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT, then that number of shares (rounded up to the nearest whole share) that would cause our company to violate such restrictions will be automatically transferred to, and held by, a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable organizations selected by our company and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in such shares.  The automatic transfer will be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of the violative transfer or other event that results in a transfer to the trust.  Any dividend or other distribution paid to the purported transferee, prior to our discovery that the shares had been automatically transferred to a trust as described above, must be repaid to the trustee upon demand for distribution to the beneficiary by the trust.  If the transfer to the trust as described above is not automatically effective, for any reason, to prevent violation of the applicable ownership limit or excepted holder limit or our company being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT, then our charter provides that the transfer of the shares will be null and void and the purported transferee will acquire no rights in such shares.

Shares of stock transferred to the trustee of the charitable trust are deemed offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the price paid by the purported transferee for the shares (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the market price at the time of such devise or gift) and (2) the market price on the date

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we, or our designee, accept such offer.  We may reduce the amount payable to the purported transferee by the amount of dividends and other distributions which have been paid to the purported transferee and are owed by the purported transferee to the trustee.  We have the right to accept such offer until the trustee of the charitable trust has sold the shares of our stock held in the trust pursuant to the clauses discussed below.  Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold terminates, the trustee of the charitable trust must distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the purported transferee and any dividends or other distributions held by the trustee with respect to such shares of stock will be paid to the charitable beneficiary.

If we do not buy the shares, the trustee must, within 20 days of receiving notice from us of the transfer of shares to the trust, sell the shares to a person or entity designated by the trustee who could own the shares without violating the ownership limit or the other restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our stock.  After the sale of the shares, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares transferred to the trust will terminate and the trustee must distribute to the purported transferee an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the price paid by the purported transferee for the shares (or, if the purported transferee did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the trust, the market price of the shares on the day of the event which resulted in the transfer of such shares of stock to the trust) and (2) the sales proceeds (net of commissions and other expenses of sale) received by the trust for the shares.  Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the purported transferee will be immediately paid to the beneficiary of the trust, together with any dividends or other distributions thereon.  In addition, if, prior to discovery by our company that shares of stock have been transferred to a trust, such shares of stock are sold by a purported transferee, then such shares will be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and to the extent that the purported transferee received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such purported transferee was entitled to receive, such excess amount will be paid to the trustee upon demand.  The purported transferee has no rights in the shares held by the trustee.

The trustee of the charitable trust will be designated by our company and will be unaffiliated with our company and with any purported transferee.  Prior to the sale of any shares by the trust, the trustee will receive, in trust for the beneficiary of the trust, all dividends and other distributions paid by our company with respect to the shares held in trust and may also exercise all voting rights with respect to the shares held in trust.  These rights will be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the beneficiary of the trust.  Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to our discovery that shares of stock have been transferred to the trust will be paid by the recipient to the trustee upon demand.  Any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid will be paid when due to the trustee.

Subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares have been transferred to the trust, the trustee will have the authority, at the trustee’s sole discretion:

·                                           to rescind as void any vote cast by a purported transferee prior to our discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust; and

·                                           to recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the beneficiary of the trust.

However, if our company has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee may not rescind and recast the vote.

In addition, if our Board determines in good faith that a proposed transfer or other event has taken place that would violate the restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our stock or that a person intends or has attempted to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of stock in violation of such restrictions (whether or not such violation is intended), our Board will take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such transfer, including causing our company to redeem the shares of stock, refusing to give effect to the transfer on its books or instituting proceedings to enjoin the transfer.

Every owner of 5% or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Internal Revenue Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) of our stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, must give our company written notice, stating the stockholder’s name and address, the number of shares of each class and series of our stock that the stockholder beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which the shares are held.  Each such owner must provide our company with such additional information as our company may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of the stockholder’s beneficial ownership on our qualification as a REIT and to ensure

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compliance with the ownership limit.  In addition, each stockholder must provide our company with such information as our company may request in good faith in order to determine its qualification as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.

Any certificates representing shares of our stock will bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.

These restrictions relating to ownership and transfer will not apply if our Board determines that it is no longer in our best interests to continue to qualify as a REIT.

These ownership limits could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.

26.                                Who administers and interprets the Plan?  How do I contact them?

Administration of the Plan is conducted by the individual (who may be an employee of our company or our Advisor), bank, trust company or other entity (including our company) appointed from time-to-time by us to act as administrator of the Plan.  AST is the current Plan Administrator.  The Plan Administrator is responsible for administering the Plan, receiving all your cash investments, maintaining records of account activities, issuing statements of account and performing other duties required by the Plan.  The number of shares credited to your account under the Plan will be shown on your statement of account.

You may contact AST by:

Internet :                                                 Help@ASTFinancial.com

You can obtain information and perform certain transactions on your Plan account on the AST website at https://www.astfinancial.com.

Telephone :                                   1-800-278-4353

You can telephone AST within the United States toll-free by calling 1-800-278-4353, or for international calls 718-921-8124.  An automated voice response system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. Eastern Time (except holidays).

Mail :

You may write to the Plan Administrator at the following address:

For inquiries, to :

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activity and identify your cumulative share position.  Please notify AST promptly if your address changes.  In addition, you will receive copies of the same communications sent to all other holders of our common stock, such as our annual reports and proxy statements.  You will also receive any IRS information returns, if required.  Under the 2008 Act and the relevant IRS regulations, the Plan Administrator will now report the cost basis of the common stock purchased pursuant to the Plan to both the participants in the Plan and the IRS.  If you prefer, and if such materials are available online, you may consent to receive communications from us electronically over the Internet.  Instead of receiving materials by mail, you will receive an electronic notice to the e-mail address of record, notifying you of the availability of our materials and instructing you on how to view and act on them.  In addition, you can review your current account status, reinvestment options and transaction history online at any time at https://www.astfinancial.com.  Please retain all transaction statements for tax purposes as there may be a fee for reconstructing past history.

28.                                What if the company issues a stock dividend or declares a stock split or rights offering?

Any stock dividends or split shares of common stock distributed by us to you will be based on both the shares of common stock registered in your name in certificate form and the shares (whole and fractional) credited to your Plan account.  Such stock dividend or stock split shares will be added to your Plan account in Plan Share form.  You will receive a statement indicating the number of shares or dividends earned as a result of the transaction.  In the event of a rights offering, you will receive rights based upon the total number of whole shares you own, whether the shares are held in the form of a physical certificate or held in a Plan account.  Any transactions under the Plan may be curtailed or suspended until the completion of any stock dividend, stock split or corporate action.

29.                                How do I vote my Plan shares at stockholders’ meetings?

In connection with any meeting of our stockholders, you will receive proxy materials either online or by mail based on your preference.  Such material will include a proxy card representing both the shares for which you hold physical certificates and the shares held in your Plan account.  Those shares will only be voted as you indicate on your executed proxy whether submitted by telephone, online or through the mail.  If you sign and return the proxy card and no voting instructions are given with respect to any item on the proxy card, all of your shares will be voted in accordance with our recommendations.  This is the same procedure that is followed for all other stockholder who return signed proxy cards and do not provide instructions.  If you do not return the proxy card, or if you do not sign it, none of your shares will be voted.  As an alternative to returning your proxy card, you may also vote all of your shares in person at the stockholders’ meeting.

30.                                Can the Plan be changed?

We may suspend, modify or terminate the Plan at any time.  All participants will receive notice of any such suspension, modification or termination.  Amendments may include our appointment of a successor Plan administrator, who will have full power and authority to deliver services pursuant to the Plan or any separate replacement service program.  If the Plan is terminated, whole shares will continue to be held in Plan Share form in your Plan account or distributed in certificate form at our sole discretion.  A cash payment will be made for any fractional share.

AST also may terminate your Plan account if you do not own at least one whole share.  In the event your Plan account is terminated for this reason, a check for the cash value of the fractional share will be sent to you, less any service and processing fees, and your account will be closed.

31.                                What are the responsibilities of the company and AST under the Plan?

Neither we, our subsidiaries, our affiliates, nor AST will be liable for any act or omission to act, which was done in good faith, including any claim of liability:  (i) arising out of the failure to cease reinvestment of dividends for a participant’s account upon the participant’s death prior to receipt of notice in writing of the death along with a request to cease dividend reinvestment participation from a qualified representative of the deceased; and (ii) with respect to the prices or times at which shares are purchased or sold for you.  AST will have no liability for failed executions due to reasons beyond AST’s control.

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You should recognize that neither the company nor AST can assure you of a profit or protect you against a loss on shares purchased through the Plan.  You must make independent investment and participation decisions based on your own judgment and research as you alone bear the risk of fluctuations in the market value of our common stock.  You bear the risk of loss in value and you enjoy the benefits of gains from market price changes with respect to all of your shares.

32.                                Will dividends continue to be paid while the Plan is in effect?

To qualify as a REIT, we must distribute to our stockholders each calendar year at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain.  To the extent that we satisfy the 90% distribution requirement, but distribute less than 100% of our taxable income, we will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our undistributed income.  In addition, we will incur a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which our distributions in any calendar year are less than a minimum amount specified under U.S. federal income tax laws.

As a result of the foregoing, we may generate less cash flow than taxable income in a particular year and find it difficult or impossible to meet the REIT distribution requirements in certain circumstances.  In such circumstances, we may be required to (i) sell assets in adverse market conditions, (ii) borrow on unfavorable terms, (iii) distribute amounts that would otherwise be used for future investment or used to repay debt, or (iv) make a taxable distribution of shares of common stock as part of a distribution in which stockholders may elect to receive shares of common stock or (subject to a limit measured as a percentage of the total distribution) cash, in order to comply with the requirements.

Our current policy is to pay quarterly distributions which will allow us to satisfy the requirements to qualify as a REIT and generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.  Any distributions we make will be at the discretion of our Board and will depend upon our earnings and financial condition, maintenance of our REIT qualification, restrictions on making distributions under Maryland law and such other factors as our Board deems relevant.  Our earnings and financial condition will be affected by various factors, including the net interest and other income from our portfolio, our operating expenses and any other expenditures.

33.                                What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of participating in the Plan?

Dividend Reinvestment .  The reinvestment of dividends does not relieve you of any U.S. federal income tax which may be payable on such dividends.  When your dividends are reinvested to acquire shares of our common stock (including any fractional share), you will be treated as having received a distribution in the amount of the fair market value of our common stock on the dividend payment date multiplied by the number of shares (including any fractional share) purchased, plus any trading fees or service charges that we pay on your behalf.

So long as we continue to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, the distribution will be taxable under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to REITs and their stockholders, pursuant to which (i) distributions (other than those designated as capital gain dividends) will be taxable to stockholders as ordinary income to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, (ii) distributions that are designated as capital gain dividends by us will be taxed as long-term capital gains to stockholders to the extent they do not exceed our net capital gain for the taxable year, (iii) distributions that are not designated as capital gains dividends and that are in excess of our current or accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the stockholders to the extent of the adjusted basis of each stockholder’s shares and will reduce the adjusted tax basis of each stockholder’s shares (but not below zero) and (iv) such distributions in excess of a stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of such shares.  If any shares of our common stock purchased with reinvested dividends were purchased at a discount or if we pay any portion of the purchase price, trading fees or service charges on your behalf, the taxable income received by you as a participant in the Plan would be greater than the taxable income that would have resulted from the receipt of the dividend in cash.

The Plan Administrator will report to you for U.S. federal income tax purposes the dividends to be credited to your account.  Such information will also be furnished to the IRS to the extent required by law.

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Receipt of Share Certificates and Cash .  You will not realize any additional income for U.S. federal income tax purposes when you receive certificates for shares of our common stock credited to your Plan account.  Any cash received for a fractional share held in your Plan account will be treated as an amount realized on the sale of the fractional share.  You therefore will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to any difference between the amount of cash received for a fractional share and your tax basis in the fractional share.

Withholding .  We or the Plan Administrator may be required to withhold on all dividend payments to a stockholder if (i) such stockholder has failed to furnish his or her taxpayer identification number, which for an individual is his or her social security number, (ii) the IRS has notified us that the stockholder has failed to properly report interest or dividends or (iii) the stockholder has failed to certify, under penalty of perjury, that he or she is not subject to backup withholding.  In the case of a stockholder who is subject to backup withholding tax on dividends under the Plan, the amount of the tax to be withheld will be deducted from the amount of the cash dividend and only the reduced amount will be reinvested in shares pursuant to the Plan.

The summary set forth in this Question 33 is intended only as a general discussion of the current U.S. federal income tax consequences of participation in the Plan.  This discussion does not purport to deal with all aspects of taxation that may be relevant to particular participants in light of their personal investment circumstances or certain types of participants (including foreign persons, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions or broker-dealers) subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws.  For a discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding stock in a REIT generally, see “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

34.                                Can I pledge my Plan shares?

You may not pledge or assign shares held in your Plan account.  Unless you first remove your shares from the Plan and request stock certificates for the shares, please note that you will not be able to pledge or hypothecate any shares held in your Plan account.

35.                                Am I protected against losses?

Your investment in the Plan is no different from any investment in shares held by you.  If you choose to participate in the Plan, then you should recognize that none of us, our subsidiaries and affiliates, nor the Plan Administrator can assure you of a profit or protect you against loss on the shares that you purchase under the Plan.  You bear the risk of loss in value and enjoy the benefits of gains with respect to all your shares.  You need to make your own independent investment and participation decisions consistent with your situation and needs.  None of us, our subsidiaries and affiliates, nor the Plan Administrator can guarantee liquidity in the markets, and the value and marketability of your shares may be adversely affected by market conditions.

Plan accounts are not insured or protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation or any other entity and are not guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency.

Neither we, our subsidiaries, our affiliates, nor the Plan Administrator will be liable for any act or for any failure to act, as long as we or they have made good faith efforts to carry out the terms of the Plan, as described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and on the forms that are designed to accompany each investment or activity.

In addition, the purchase price for shares acquired through the Plan will vary and cannot be predicted.  The Purchase Price may be different from (more or less than) the price of acquiring shares on the open market on the related dividend payment date.  Your investment in Plan shares will be exposed to changes in market conditions and changes in the market value of the shares.  Your ability to sell — both as to timing and pricing terms and related expenses — or otherwise liquidate shares under the Plan is subject to the terms of the Plan and the withdrawal procedures.  Also, no interest will be paid on dividends, cash or other funds held by the Plan Administrator pending investment.

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36.                                What other risks will I face through my participation in the Plan?

The following summary identifies several of the most important risks that you may face by virtue of your participation in the Plan.  There may be additional risks that are not listed below, and you should consult your financial, tax, legal and other advisors prior to determining whether to participate in the Plan.

·                                           There is no price protection for your shares in the Plan .  Your investment in the shares held in the Plan will be exposed to changes in market conditions and changes in the market value of the shares.  Your ability to liquidate or otherwise dispose of shares in the Plan is subject to the terms of the Plan and the withdrawal procedures thereunder.  You may not be able to withdraw or sell your shares in the Plan in time to react to market conditions.

·                                           The Purchase Price for shares purchased or sold under the Plan will vary .  The Purchase Price for any shares that you purchase or sell under the Plan will vary and cannot be predicted.  You may purchase or sell shares at a Purchase Price that is different from (more or less than) the price that you would face if you acquired or sold shares on the open market on the related dividend payment date or Purchase Date or sale date, as appropriate.

·                                           We may not be able to pay dividends .  To qualify as a REIT, we must distribute to our stockholders each calendar year at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain.  We have not established a minimum distribution payment level and our ability to pay distributions may be adversely affected by a number of factors.  All distributions will be made at the discretion of our Board and will depend on our earnings, our financial condition, any debt covenants, maintenance of the our REIT qualification, restrictions on making distributions under Maryland law and other factors as our Board may deem relevant from time to time.  We may not be able to make distributions in the future and our Board may change our distribution policy in the future.

·                                           We may change our determination as to whether the Plan purchases shares directly from us, which could increase the fees you pay under the Plan .  We may, without giving you prior written notice, decide to instruct the Plan Administrator to facilitate the purchase of shares of our common stock directly from third parties through open market transactions.  Such purchases will be subject to any brokerage commission that the Plan Administrator is required to pay to a broker-dealer.

·                                           You will not earn any interest on your dividends or cash pending investment .  No interest will be paid on dividends, cash or other funds held by the Plan Administrator pending investment or disbursement.

·                                           The market price for our common stock varies, and you should purchase shares for long-term investment only .  Although our common stock currently is traded on the NYSE, we cannot assure you that there will, at any time in the future, be an active trading market for our common stock.  Even if there is an active trading market for our common stock, we cannot assure you that you will be able to sell all of your shares at one time or at a favorable price, if at all.  As a result, you should participate in the Plan only if you are capable of, and seeking, to make a long-term investment in our common stock.

Other important factors and risks are identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.  You are encouraged to review these risk factors carefully.

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This summary assumes that stockholders will hold our common stock as capital assets, which generally means as property held for investment.

For the purposes of this summary, a U.S. person is a beneficial owner of our common stock who for U.S. federal income tax purposes is:

·                   a citizen or resident of the U.S.;

·                   a corporation (including an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S. or of a political subdivision thereof (including the District of Columbia);

·                   an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

·                   any trust if (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person.

For the purposes of this summary, a U.S. stockholder is a beneficial owner of our common stock who is a U.S. person. A tax exempt organization is a U.S. person who is exempt from U.S. federal income tax under Section 401(a) or 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

For the purposes of this summary, a non-U.S. person is a beneficial owner of our common stock who is neither a U.S. stockholder nor an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and a non-U.S. stockholder is a holder of our common stock who is a non-U.S. person.

THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX TREATMENT OF HOLDERS OF OUR COMMON STOCK DEPENDS IN SOME INSTANCES ON DETERMINATIONS OF FACT AND INTERPRETATIONS OF COMPLEX PROVISIONS OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAW FOR WHICH NO CLEAR PRECEDENT OR AUTHORITY MAY BE AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF HOLDING OUR COMMON STOCK TO ANY PARTICULAR STOCKHOLDER WILL DEPEND ON THE STOCKHOLDER’S PARTICULAR TAX CIRCUMSTANCES. YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU, IN LIGHT OF YOUR PARTICULAR INVESTMENT OR TAX CIRCUMSTANCES, OF ACQUIRING, HOLDING, AND DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON STOCK.

Taxation of Our Company

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2011. We believe that we have been organized and have operated in a manner that has enabled us to qualify as a REIT, and we intend to continue to operate, in a manner that will allow us to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. While we believe that we are organized and have operated, or intend to continue to operate so that we will qualify as a REIT, given the highly complex nature of the rules governing REITs, the ongoing importance of factual determinations and the possibility of future changes in our circumstances or applicable law, no assurance can be given that we will so qualify for any particular year. Furthermore, we hold certain assets through our ownership interest in Ready Capital Subsidiary REIT I, LLC, which we refer to as our subsidiary REIT. Our ability to qualify as a REIT is dependent in part on the REIT qualification of our subsidiary REIT, which is required to separately satisfy each of the REIT requirements in order to qualify as a REIT. In addition, we may have to utilize one or more REIT savings provisions discussed below, which could require the payment of a deficiency dividend or an excise or penalty tax (which could be significant in amount) in order to maintain REIT our qualification.

Qualification and taxation as a REIT depends on our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, through actual results of operations, distribution levels, diversity of share ownership and various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, our ability to qualify as a REIT may depend in part upon the operating results, organizational structure and entity classification for U.S. federal income tax purposes of

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certain entities in which we invest. Our ability to qualify as a REIT also requires that we satisfy certain asset and income tests, some of which depend upon the fair market values of assets directly or indirectly owned by us or which serve as security for loans made by us. Such values may not be susceptible to a precise determination. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of our operations for any taxable year will satisfy the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT.

Taxation of REITs in General

As indicated above, qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Internal Revenue Code. The material qualification requirements are summarized below, under “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT.” While we believe that we have operated and intend to continue to operate so that we qualify as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification as a REIT or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future. See “—Failure to Qualify.”

Provided that we qualify as a REIT, we will generally be entitled to a deduction for dividends that we pay and, therefore, will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our net taxable income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” at the corporate and stockholder levels that results generally from investment in a corporation. Rather, income generated by a REIT generally is taxed only at the stockholder level, upon a distribution of dividends by the REIT.

U.S. stockholders (as defined above) who are individuals are generally taxed on corporate dividends at a maximum rate of 20% (the same as long term capital gains), thereby substantially reducing, though not completely eliminating, the double taxation that has historically applied to corporate dividends. Dividends payable by REITs, however, are generally not eligible for these reduced qualified dividend rates and as a result individual U.S. stockholders are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax on such distributions at rates applicable to ordinary income, which are currently as high as 37%. However, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026, under the recently enacted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”), noncorporate taxpayers may deduct up to 20% of certain qualified business income, including “qualified REIT dividends” (generally, dividends received by a REIT shareholder that are not designated as capital gain dividends or qualified dividend income), subject to certain limitations, resulting in an effective maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 29.6% on such income. U.S. individual and certain other non-corporate U.S. stockholders may also be subject to an additional Medicare tax at a rate of 3.8%.

Net operating losses, foreign tax credits and other tax attributes of a REIT generally do not pass through to the stockholders of the REIT, subject to special rules for certain items, such as capital gains, recognized by REITs. See “—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders.”

Even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, however, we will be subject to U.S. federal income taxation as follows:

·                   We will be taxed at regular U.S. federal corporate rates on any undistributed income, including undistributed net capital gains.

·                   If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be subject to a 100% tax. See “Annual Distribution Requirement—Prohibited Transactions” and “Annual Distribution Requirement—Foreclosure Property” below.

·                   If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or from certain leasehold terminations as “foreclosure property,” we may thereby avoid (1) the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction) and (2) the inclusion of any income from such property not qualifying for purposes of the REIT gross income tests discussed below, but the income from the sale or operation of the property may be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate (currently 21%).

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·             If we derive “excess inclusion income” from an interest in certain mortgage loan securitization structures (i.e., from a taxable mortgage pool or a residual interest in a real estate mortgage investment conduit (“REMIC”))), we could be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a 21% rate to the extent that such income is allocable to specified types of tax-exempt stockholders known as “disqualified organizations” that are not subject to unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”). Similar rules may apply if we own an equity interest in a taxable mortgage pool through a subsidiary REIT of our operating partnership. To the extent that we own a REMIC residual interest or a taxable mortgage pool through a TRS, we will not be subject to this tax directly, but will indirectly bear such tax economically as the shareholder of such TRS. See “Annual Distribution Requirements—Excess Inclusion Income” below.

·                   If we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because other requirements are met, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount equal to (1) the greater of (A) the amount by which we fail the 75% gross income test or (B) the amount by which we fail the 95% gross income test, as the case may be, multiplied by (2) a fraction intended to reflect profitability.

·                   If we fail to satisfy any of the REIT asset tests, as described below, other than a failure of the 5% or 10% REIT asset tests that do not exceed a statutory de minimis amount as described more fully below, but our failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and we nonetheless maintain our REIT qualification because of specified cure provisions, we will be required to pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the highest corporate tax rate (currently 21%) of the net income generated by the non-qualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy the asset tests.

·                   If we fail to satisfy any provision of the Internal Revenue Code that would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT (other than a gross income or asset test requirement) and the violation is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, we may retain our REIT qualification but we will be required to pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure.

·                   If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (1) 85% our REIT ordinary income for such year, (2) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year and (3) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods (or the required distribution), we will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of (A) the amounts actually distributed (taking into account excess distributions from prior years), plus (B) retained amounts on which income tax is paid at the corporate level.

·                   We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record-keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of our stockholders, as described below in “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT.”

·                   A 100% excise tax may be imposed on some items of income and expense that are directly or constructively paid between us and any domestic taxable REIT subsidiary (or TRS) we may own if and to the extent that the IRS successfully adjusts the reported amounts of these items.

·                   If we acquire appreciated assets from a C corporation that is not a REIT in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the C corporation, we will be subject to tax on such appreciation at the highest corporate income tax rate then applicable on any gain from the disposition of such assets to the extent of the excess of the fair market value of the assets on the date they were acquired by us over the basis of such assets on such date if we dispose of the assets during the five-year period following our acquisition of such assets from the C corporation. The results described in this paragraph assume that the C corporation will not elect, in lieu of this treatment, to be subject to an immediate tax when the asset is acquired by us.

·                   We may elect to retain and pay U.S. federal income tax on our net long-term capital gain. In that case, a stockholder would include its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gain (to the extent we make a timely designation of such gain to the stockholder) in its income, and would be allowed a credit for its proportionate share of the tax that we paid, and an adjustment would be made to increase the stockholder’s basis

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in our common stock by the difference between (i) the amounts of capital gain that we designated and that the shareholder included in their taxable income, minus (ii) the tax that we paid with respect to that income.

We will have subsidiaries or own interests in other lower-tier entities that are domestic subchapter C corporations treated as TRSs, including ReadyCap Holdings, LLC (“Readycap”), ZFC Trust TRS I, LLC (“ZFC Trust TRS”), and Ready Capital TRS I, LLC, (“RC TRS”), the earnings of which will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax.

In addition, we may be subject to a variety of taxes other than U.S. federal income tax, including state, local, and foreign income, franchise property and other taxes. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.

Requirements for Qualification as a REIT

The Internal Revenue Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:

(1) that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;

(2) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;

(3) that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for the special Internal Revenue Code provisions applicable to REITs;

(4) that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to specific provisions of the Internal Revenue Code;

(5) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months;

(6) in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer “individuals” (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include specified entities);

(7) that makes an election to be a REIT for the current taxable year or has made such an election for a previous taxable year that has not been terminated or revoked;

(8) that has no earnings and profits from any non-REIT taxable year at the close of any taxable year;

(9) that uses the calendar year for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and

(10) that meets other tests described below, including with respect to the nature of its income and assets and the amount of its distributions.

The Internal Revenue Code provides that conditions (1) through (4) must be met during the entire taxable year, and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Conditions (5) and (6) do not need to be satisfied for the first taxable year for which an election to become a REIT has been made. We believe that we have outstanding common stock with sufficient diversity of ownership to satisfy the requirements described in conditions (5) and (6). In addition, our charter provides restrictions regarding the ownership and transfer of our shares, which are intended to assist us in satisfying the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above.

To monitor compliance with the share ownership requirements, we are generally required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our shares. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our shares of stock, in which the record holders are to disclose the

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actual owners of the shares (that is, the persons required to include in gross income the dividends paid by our company). A list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand must be maintained as part of our records. Failure by our company to comply with these record-keeping requirements could subject us to monetary penalties. If we satisfy these requirements and after exercising reasonable diligence would not have known that condition (6) is not satisfied, we will be deemed to have satisfied such condition. A stockholder that fails or refuses to comply with the demand is required by Treasury Regulations to submit a statement with its tax return disclosing the actual ownership of the shares and other information.

With respect to condition (8), we believe that we have not had any non-REIT earnings and profits. With respect to condition (9), we have adopted December 31 as our taxable year end and thereby satisfy this requirement.

Effect of Subsidiary Entities

Ownership of Partnership Interests

In the case of a REIT that is a partner in an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such as our Operating Partnership, Treasury Regulations provide that the REIT is deemed to own its proportionate share of the partnership’s assets and to earn its proportionate share of the partnership’s gross income based on its pro rata share of capital interests in the partnership for purposes of the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs, as described below. However, solely for purposes of the 10% value test, described below, the determination of a REIT’s interest in partnership assets will be based on the REIT’s proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership, excluding for these purposes, certain excluded securities as described in the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership generally are deemed to retain the same character in the hands of the REIT. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of partnerships in which we own an equity interest is treated as assets and items of income of our company for purposes of applying the REIT requirements described below. Consequently, to the extent that we directly or indirectly hold a preferred or other equity interest in a partnership, the partnership’s assets and operations may affect our ability to qualify as a REIT, even though we may have no control or only limited influence over the partnership.

As discussed in greater detail in “—Tax Aspects of Investments in Partnerships” below, an investment in a partnership involves special tax considerations. For example, it is possible that the IRS could treat a subsidiary partnership of ours as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In this case, the subsidiary partnership would be subject to entity-level tax and the character of our assets and items of gross income would change, possibly causing us to fail the requirements to qualify as a REIT. See “—Tax Aspects of Investments in Partnerships—Entity Classification” and “—Failure to Qualify” below. In addition, special rules apply in the case of appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an interest in the partnership. In general terms, these rules require that certain items of income, gain, loss and deduction associated with the contributed property be allocated to the contributing partner for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In certain circumstances, these rules could adversely affect us. See “—Tax Aspects of Investments in Partnerships—Tax Allocations With Respect to Partnership Assets” below.

Disregarded Subsidiaries

If a REIT owns a corporate subsidiary that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary,” that subsidiary is disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the subsidiary are treated as assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the REIT itself, including for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs, as summarized below. A qualified REIT subsidiary is any corporation, other than a TRS, that is wholly owned by a REIT, by other disregarded subsidiaries of a REIT or by a combination of the two. Single member limited liability companies that are wholly owned by a REIT are also generally disregarded as separate entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT gross income and asset tests. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with partnerships in which we hold an equity interest, are sometimes referred to herein as “pass-through subsidiaries.”

In the event that a disregarded subsidiary ceases to be wholly owned by us (for example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of our company), the subsidiary’s separate existence would no longer be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, it

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would have multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the value or voting power of the outstanding securities of another corporation. See “—Asset Tests” and “—Gross Income Tests.”

Taxable REIT Subsidiaries

A REIT, in general, may jointly elect with a subsidiary corporation, whether or not wholly owned, to treat the subsidiary corporation as a TRS. The separate existence of a TRS or other taxable corporation, unlike a disregarded subsidiary as discussed above, is not ignored for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, such an entity would generally be subject to corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow generated by us and our subsidiaries in the aggregate and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

We have elected, together with ReadyCap, for ReadyCap to be treated as a TRS; we have elected, together with ZFC Trust TRS, for ZFC Trust TRS to be treated as a TRS; we have elected, together with RC TRS, for RC TRS to be treated as a TRS; and we may make TRS elections with respect to certain other domestic entities and non-U.S. entities we may form in the future. We hold a significant amount of our assets in our TRSs. For example, as a result of ReadyCap’s SBLC license, ReadyCap’s ability to distribute cash and other assets is subject to significant limitations, and as a result, ReadyCap is required to hold certain assets that would be qualifying real estate assets for purposes of the REIT asset tests, would generate qualifying income for purposes of the REIT 75% income tests, and would not be subject to corporate taxation if held by our operating partnership. In addition, we intend that loans that we originate or buy with an intention of selling in a manner that might expose us to the 100% tax on “prohibited transactions” will be originated or sold by a TRS. Furthermore, loans that are to be modified may be held by a TRS on the date of their modification and for a period of time thereafter. Finally, some or all of the real estate properties that we may from time to time acquire by foreclosure or other procedure will likely be held in one or more TRSs.

The Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder provide a specific exemption from U.S. federal income tax that applies to a non-U.S. corporation that restricts its activities in the United States to trading in stock and securities (or any activity closely related thereto) for its own account whether such trading (or such other activity) is conducted by such a non-U.S. corporation or its employees through a resident broker, commission agent, custodian or other agent. Certain U.S. stockholders of such a non-U.S. corporation are required to include in their income currently their proportionate share of the earnings of such a corporation, whether or not such earnings are distributed. We may invest in certain non-U.S. corporations with which we will jointly make a TRS election which will be organized as Cayman Islands companies and will either rely on such exemption or otherwise operate in a manner so that such non-U.S. corporations will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on their net income. Therefore, despite such contemplated entities’ status as TRSs, such entities should generally not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on their earnings. However, we will likely be required to include in our income, on a current basis, the earnings of any such TRSs. This could affect our ability to comply with the REIT income tests and distribution requirement. See “—Gross Income Tests” and “—Annual Distribution Requirements.”

A REIT is not treated as holding the assets of a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation or as receiving any income that the subsidiary earns. Rather, the stock issued by the subsidiary is an asset in the hands of the REIT, and the REIT generally recognizes as income the dividends, if any, that it receives from the subsidiary. This treatment can affect the gross income and asset test calculations that apply to the REIT, as described below. Because a parent REIT does not include the assets and income of such subsidiary corporations in determining the parent REIT’s compliance with the REIT requirements, such entities may be used by the parent REIT to undertake indirectly activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude the parent REIT from doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries or render commercially unfeasible (for example, activities that give rise to certain categories of income such as non-qualifying fee or hedging income or inventory sales). If dividends are paid to us by one or more domestic TRSs we may own, then a portion of the dividends that we distribute to stockholders who are taxed at individual rates generally will be eligible for taxation at preferential qualified dividend income tax rates rather than at ordinary income rates. See “—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders” and “—Annual Distribution Requirements.”

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Certain restrictions imposed on TRSs are intended to ensure that such entities will be subject to appropriate levels of U.S. federal income taxation. First, a TRS may not deduct interest payments made in any year to an affiliated REIT to the extent that the excess of such payments over the TRS’s interest income exceeds, generally, 50% of the TRS’s adjusted taxable income for that year (although the TRS may carry forward to, and deduct in, a succeeding year the disallowed interest amount if the 50% test is satisfied in that year). Since this limitation generally only applies to interest expense to the extent it exceeds a TRS’s interest income, the limitation may not have a significant impact on TRSs that primarily hold debt investments. In addition, if amounts are paid to a REIT or deducted by a TRS due to transactions between a REIT, its tenants and/or the TRS, that exceed the amount that would be paid to or deducted by a party in an arm’s-length transaction, the REIT generally will be subject to an excise tax equal to 100% of such excess. We intend to continue to scrutinize all of our transactions with any of our subsidiaries that are treated as TRSs in an effort to ensure that we will not become subject to this excise tax; however, we cannot assure you that we will be successful in avoiding this excise tax.

We intend to hold a significant amount of assets in our TRSs, subject to the limitation that securities in TRSs may not represent more than 20% (25% for taxable years prior to 2018) of our assets. In general, we intend that SBC loans that we originate or buy with an intention of selling in a manner that might expose us to a 100% tax on certain “prohibited transactions” will be originated or sold by a TRS. The TRS through which any such sales are made may be treated as a dealer for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a dealer, the TRS would in general mark all the loans it holds, other than loans that are not held by primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of the TRS’s trade or business, on the last day of each taxable year to their market value, and would recognize ordinary income or loss on such loans with respect to such taxable year as if they had been sold for that value on that day. In addition, such TRS may elect to be subject to the mark-to-market regime described above in the event that the TRS is properly classified as a “trader” as opposed to a “dealer” for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Taxable Mortgage Pools

An entity, or a portion of an entity, is classified as a taxable mortgage pool under the Internal Revenue Code if:

·                substantially all of its assets consist of debt obligations or interests in debt obligations;

·                more than 50% of those debt obligations are real estate mortgage loans or interests in real estate mortgage loans as of specified testing dates;

·                the entity has issued debt obligations that have two or more maturities; and

·                the payments required to be made by the entity on its debt obligations “bear a relationship” to the payments to be received by the entity on the debt obligations that it holds as assets.

Under Treasury Regulations, if less than 80% of the assets of an entity (or a portion of an entity) consist of debt obligations, these debt obligations are considered not to comprise “substantially all” of its assets, and therefore the entity would not be treated as a taxable mortgage pool. We have securitized SBC mortgages in a securitization that is treated as a “taxable mortgage pool” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and we may enter into other securitization transactions that could result in us, our Operating Partnership or a portion of our assets being treated as a “taxable mortgage pool” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We are precluded from holding equity interests in such securitizations through our Operating Partnership at any time that our Operating Partnership is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, we currently hold the interests in the securitization described above through a qualified REIT subsidiary of our subsidiary REIT, and we would likely enter into any other such transaction through a qualified REIT subsidiary of a subsidiary REIT of our Operating Partnership. We are precluded from selling to outside investors equity interests in such a securitization or from selling any debt securities issued in connection with such a securitization that might be considered to be equity interests for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

A taxable mortgage pool generally is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, special rules apply to a REIT, a portion of a REIT, or a qualified REIT subsidiary that is a taxable mortgage pool. If a REIT, including a subsidiary REIT formed by our Operating Partnership, owns directly, or indirectly through one or more qualified REIT subsidiaries or other entities that are disregarded as a separate entity

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for U.S. federal income tax purposes, 100% of the equity interests in the taxable mortgage pool, the taxable mortgage pool will be a qualified REIT subsidiary and, therefore, ignored as an entity separate from the REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes and would not generally affect the tax qualification of the REIT. Rather, the consequences of the taxable mortgage pool classification would generally, except as described below, be limited to the REIT’s stockholders. See “—Annual Distribution Requirements —Excess Inclusion Income.”

If our subsidiary REIT or any other subsidiary REIT of our Operating Partnership were to own less than 100% of the ownership interests in a subsidiary that is a taxable mortgage pool, the foregoing rules would not apply. Rather, the subsidiary would be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and would be subject to corporate income tax. In addition, this characterization would alter the REIT income and asset test calculations of the subsidiary REIT and could adversely affect such REIT’s compliance with those requirements, which, in turn, could affect our compliance with the REIT requirements. We believe that our subsidiary REIT has held and will continue to hold all of the equity interests in the securitization described above that is treated as a taxable mortgage pool, and we do not expect that we, or any subsidiary REIT owned by our Operating Partnership, would form any subsidiary that would become a taxable mortgage pool, in which we own some, but less than all, of the ownership interests, and we intend to monitor the structure of any taxable mortgage pools in which we have an interest to ensure that they will not adversely affect our qualification as a REIT. However, no assurance can be provided that the IRS could not successfully challenge our ownership of 100% of the equity in such taxable mortgage pool, which would adversely impact the ability our subsidiary REIT to qualify as a REIT and would adversely impact our REIT qualification.

In addition, o ur Operating Partnership currently holds interests in certain existing securitizations that were structured so as to not be treated as taxable mortgage pools. If the IRS were to successfully assert that any such securitization is a taxable mortgage pool, the assets held in the securitization would be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax, and we could fail to qualify as a REIT.

Subsidiary REITs

Our Operating Partnership has established our subsidiary REIT and may establish one or more additional subsidiary REITs to hold certain assets and conduct certain activities. Our subsidiary REIT and any other subsidiary REIT we may form will be treated as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and we are not to be treated as owning the assets of such subsidiary REIT or recognizing the income recognized by such subsidiary REIT. Our subsidiary REIT and any other subsidiary REIT we may form is generally subject to U.S. federal income tax in the same manner as us and is subject to the same gross income tests, asset tests and other REIT qualification requirements and considerations as are applicable to us.

The stock of our subsidiary REIT is a qualifying asset to us for the purpose of the 75% asset test so long as our subsidiary REIT qualifies as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “—Asset Tests.” Any dividends received by our Operating Partnership from our subsidiary REIT will be qualifying income to us for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. See “—Gross Income Tests—Dividend Income.” We may capitalize a subsidiary REIT with debt in addition to equity. Such debt will generally not be a qualifying asset for purposes of the 75% asset test. See “—Asset Tests.” Interest paid to us on such debt will generally be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test but not the 75% gross income test. See “—Gross Income Tests—Interest Income.”

Gross Income Tests

In order to maintain our qualification as a REIT, we annually must satisfy two gross income tests. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year, excluding gross income from sales of inventory or dealer property in “prohibited transactions” and certain hedging and foreign currency transactions, must be derived from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including “rents from real property,” dividends received from and gains from the disposition of other shares of REITs, interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real property (including certain types of MBS), and gains from the sale of real estate assets (other than income or gains with respect to debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs that are not otherwise secured by real property), as well as income from certain kinds of temporary investments. Second, at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions and certain hedging and foreign

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currency transactions, must be derived from some combination of income that qualifies under the 75% income test described above, as well as other dividends, interest, and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real property. We intend to monitor the amount of our non-qualifying income and manage our portfolio of assets to comply with the gross income tests, but we cannot assure you that we will be successful in our effort.

For purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests, a REIT is deemed to have earned a proportionate share of the income earned by any entity or arrangement that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in which it owns an interest, which share is determined by reference to its capital interest in such entity, and is deemed to have earned the income earned by any qualified REIT subsidiary.

Interest Income

Interest income constitutes qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test to the extent that the obligation upon which such interest is paid is secured by a mortgage on real property. If we receive interest income with respect to a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and personal property, the value of the personal property securing the mortgage exceeds 15% of the value of all property securing the mortgage, and the highest principal amount of the loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property on the date of our binding commitment to make or purchase the mortgage loan, the interest income will be apportioned between the real property and the personal property, and our income from the arrangement will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test only to the extent that the interest is allocable to the real property. If a mortgage is secured by both real property and personal property and the value of the personal property does not exceed 15% of the aggregate value of the property securing the mortgage at the time we acquire or commit to acquire the mortgage, the mortgage is treated as secured solely by real property for this purpose. Thus, there is no apportionment for purposes of the asset tests or the gross income tests if the fair market value of personal property securing the loan does not exceed 15% of the fair market value of all property securing the loan. Even if a loan is not secured by real property or is undersecured, the income that it generates may nonetheless qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test.

To the extent that a REIT is required to apportion its annual interest income to the real property security, the apportionment is based on a fraction, the numerator of which is the value of the real property securing the loan, determined when the REIT commits to acquire the loan, and the denominator of which is the highest “principal amount” of the loan during the year. In IRS Revenue Procedure 2014-51 the IRS interpret the “principal amount” of the loan to be the face amount of the loan, despite the Internal Revenue Code requiring taxpayers to treat gain attributable to any market discount, that is the difference between the purchase price of the loan and its face amount, for all purposes (other than certain withholding and information reporting purposes) as interest.

To the extent the face amount of any loan that we hold that is secured by both real property and other property exceeds the value of the real property securing such loan, the interest apportionment rules described above may apply to certain of our loan assets unless the loan is secured solely by real property and personal property and the value of the personal property does not exceed 15% of the value of the property securing the loan. Thus, depending upon the value of the real property securing our mortgage loans and their face amount, and the other sources of our gross income generally, we may fail to meet the 75% REIT gross income test. In addition, although we will endeavor to accurately determine the values of the real property securing our loans at the time we acquire or commit to acquire such loans, such values may not be susceptible to a precise determination and will be determined based on the information available to us at such time. If the IRS were to successfully challenge our valuations of such assets and such revaluations resulted in a higher portion of our interest income being apportioned to property other than real property, we could fail to meet the 75% REIT gross income test. If we do not meet this test, we could potentially lose our REIT qualification or be required to pay a penalty tax to the IRS. Furthermore, prior to 2016, the apportionment rules described above applied to any debt instrument that was secured by real and personal property if the principal amount of the loan exceeded the value of the real property securing the loan. As a result, prior to 2016, these apportionment rules applied to mortgage loans held by us even if the personal property securing the loan did not exceed 15% of the total property securing the loan. We, and our predecessor Sutherland Asset Management Corporation that merged into ZAIS Financial, which we refer to as Pre-Merger Sutherland, have held significant mortgage loans that are secured by both real property and personal property. If the IRS were to successfully

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challenge the application of these rules to either us or Pre-Merger Sutherland, such company could fail to meet the 75% REIT gross income test, which could cause us or Pre-Merger Sutherland to fail to qualify as a REIT. In addition, although we will endeavor to accurately determine the values of the real property securing our loans at the time we acquire or commit to acquire such loans, such values may not be susceptible to a precise determination and will be determined based on the information available to us at such time. If the IRS were to successfully challenge our valuations of such assets and such revaluations resulted in a higher portion of our interest income being apportioned to property other than real property, we could fail to meet the 75% REIT gross income test. If we do not meet this test, we could potentially lose our REIT qualification or be required to pay a penalty tax to the IRS.

In addition, if we modify a distressed debt investment of ours by an agreement with the borrower, and if the modification is treated as a “significant modification” under the applicable Treasury regulations, the modified debt will be considered to have been reissued to us in a debt-for-debt exchange with the borrower. In that event, we may generally be required to reapportion the interest income to the real property security based on the value of the real property at the time of the modification, which may have reduced considerably. In Revenue Procedure 2014-51, the IRS provided a safe harbor under which a REIT is not required to reapportion the interest income on a mortgage loan upon a modification of the loan if the modification was occasioned by a default or would present a substantially reduced risk of default, and certain other requirements are met. Revenue Procedure 2014-51 may therefore allow us to modify certain of our distressed debt investments without adversely affecting the qualification of interest income from such debt investments for purposes of the 75% gross income test. However, we may enter into modifications of distressed debt investments that do not qualify for the safe harbor provided in Revenue Procedure 2014-51, which could adversely affect our ability to satisfy the 75% gross income test.

We believe that substantially all of the interest, original issue discount (“OID”), and market discount income that we receive from debt instruments is qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income tests. However, a significant portion of the loans that we hold have a loan amount in excess of the value of the real property securing the loan. As a result, if the value of personal property equals or exceeds 15% of the total fair market value and the apportionment rules apply, income from such loans is qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test only to the extent of the ratio of the fair market value of the real property over the highest unpaid balance of the loan in the taxable year. In addition, we hold certain assets, including unsecured loans, loans secured by assets other than real property, and loans issued by our TRSs, and we may acquire certain assets, including interests in MBS secured by assets other than real property, that do not generate qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Accordingly, our ability to invest in such assets is limited. Furthermore, although we intend to monitor the income generated by these assets so as to satisfy the 75% gross income test, no assurance can be provided that we will be successful in this regard. Accordingly, our investment in such assets could cause us to fail to satisfy the REIT gross income tests, which could cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT.

Prior to Pre-Merger Sutherland’s formation transactions, the predecessor to our Operating Partnership had accounted for its interest in certain SBC securitizations as an interest in a single debt instrument for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In connection with Pre-Merger Sutherland’s formation transactions, the predecessor to our Operating Partnership was treated as terminating for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and our Operating Partnership was treated as a new partnership that acquired the assets of such terminated partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Beginning with such transactions, our Operating Partnership has properly accounted for its interests in these securitizations as interests in the underlying loans for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Since we did not have complete information regarding the tax basis of each of the loans held by our Operating Partnership at the time of the our formation transactions, our computation of taxable income with respect to these interests could be subject to adjustment by the IRS. While we believe that any such adjustment would not be significant in amount, the resulting redetermination of our gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes could cause us to fail to satisfy the REIT gross income tests, which could cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT. In addition, if any such adjustment resulted in an increase to our REIT taxable income, we could be required to pay a deficiency dividend in order to maintain our REIT qualification. See “—Annual Distribution Requirements.”

We have and may continue to invest in MBS that are either pass-through certificates or CMOs. We expect that such MBS are treated either as interests in a grantor trust or as regular interests in a REMIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that substantially all of the interest income, OID, and market discount from our MBS will be qualifying income for the 95% gross income test. In the case of MBS treated as interests in grantor trusts, we

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would be treated as owning an undivided beneficial ownership interest in the mortgage loans held by the grantor trust. The interest, OID and market discount on such mortgage loans would be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test to the extent that the obligation is secured by real property, as discussed above. In the case of MBS treated as interests in a REMIC, income derived from REMIC interests will generally be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. If less than 95% of the assets of the REMIC are real estate assets, however, then only a proportionate part of its interest in the REMIC and income derived from the interest will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test. In addition, some REMIC securitizations include imbedded interest swap or cap contracts or other derivative instruments that potentially could produce non-qualifying income for the holder of the related REMIC securities. In connection with the HARP program, the IRS issued guidance providing that, among other things, if a REIT holds a regular or residual interest in an “eligible REMIC” that informs the REIT that at least 80% of the REMIC’s assets constitute real estate assets, then the REIT may treat 80% of the gross income received with respect to the interest in the REMIC as interest on an obligation secured by a mortgage on real property for the purpose of the 75% REIT gross income test. For this purpose, a REMIC is an “eligible REMIC” if (i) the REMIC has received a guarantee from Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac that will allow the REMIC to make any principal and interest payments on its regular and residual interests and (ii) all of the REMIC’s mortgages and pass-through certificates are secured by interests in single-family dwellings. If we were to acquire an interest in an eligible REMIC less than 95% of the assets of which constitute real estate assets, the IRS guidance described above may generally allow us to treat 80% of the gross income derived from the interest as qualifying income for the purpose of the 75% REIT gross income test. However, the remaining portion of such income would not generally be qualifying income for the purpose of the 75% REIT gross income test, which could adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT. We expect that substantially all of our income from MBS will be qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests.

We believe that the interest, OID, and market discount income that we receive from our MBS and other debt instruments generally will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. However, to the extent that we own non-REMIC CMO obligations or other debt instruments secured by mortgage loans (rather than by real property) or secured by non-real estate assets, or debt securities that are not secured by mortgages on real property or interests in real property, the interest income received with respect to such securities generally will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not the 75% gross income test. In addition, the loan amount of a mortgage loan that we own may exceed the value of the real property securing the loan. In that case, income from the loan will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but the interest attributable to the amount of the loan that exceeds the value of the real property securing the loan will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test.

We may purchase Agency MBS through TBAs and we may recognize income or gains from the disposition of those TBAs, through dollar roll transactions or otherwise. There is no direct authority with respect to the qualification of income or gains from dispositions of TBAs as gains from the sale of real property (including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property) or other qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Consequently, our ability to enter into dollar roll transactions and other dispositions of TBA could be limited. No assurance can be given that the IRS will treat such income as qualifying income. We do not expect such income to adversely affect our ability to meet the 75% gross income test. In the event that such income were determined not to be qualifying for the 75% gross income test, we could be subject to a penalty tax or we could fail to qualify as a REIT if such income when added to any other non-qualifying income exceeded 25% of our gross income.

We may acquire excess MSRs, which means the portion of an MSR that exceeds the arm’s length fee for services performed by the mortgage servicer. In certain private letter rulings, the IRS ruled that interest received by a REIT from excess MSRs meeting certain requirements will be considered interest on obligations secured by mortgages on real property for purposes of the 75% REIT gross income test. A private letter ruling may be relied upon only by the taxpayer to whom it is issued, and the IRS may revoke a private letter ruling. Consistent with the analysis adopted by the IRS in that private letter ruling and based on advice of counsel, we intend to treat such income from any excess MSRs we acquire that meet the requirements provided in the private letter ruling as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Notwithstanding the IRS’s determination in the private letter ruling described above, it is possible that the IRS could successfully assert that such income does not qualify for purposes of the 75% and/or 95% gross income tests, which, if such income together with other income we earn that does not qualify for the 75% or 95% gross income test, as applicable, exceeded 25% or 5% of

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our gross income, could cause us to be subject to a penalty tax and could impact our ability to qualify as a REIT. See “—Failure to Satisfy the Gross Income Tests” and “—Failure to Qualify.” To the extent we acquire MSRs other than excess MSRs, we expect that we would hold such MSRs in a TRS in order to avoid recognizing non-qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests.

Phantom Income

Due to the nature of the assets in which we will invest, we may be required to recognize taxable income from certain of our assets in advance of our receipt of cash flow on or proceeds from disposition of such assets, which we refer to as “phantom income,” and we may be required to report taxable income in early periods that exceeds the economic income ultimately realized on such assets.

We have and may continue to acquire debt instruments, including SBC loans, mortgage loans, and MBS, in the secondary market for less than their face amount. The discount at which such debt instruments are acquired may reflect doubts about their ultimate collectability rather than current market interest rates. The amount of such discount will nevertheless generally be treated as “market discount” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Subject to the discussion below regarding the special accrual rule included in the TCJA, we expect to accrue market discount on a constant yield to maturity of the debt instrument, based generally on the assumption that all future payments on the debt instrument will be made. Accrued market discount is reported as income when, and to the extent that, any payment of principal on the debt instrument is received, unless we elect to include accrued market discount in incomes as it accrues. Principal payments on certain loans are made monthly, and consequently accrued market discount may have to be included in income each month as if the debt instrument would ultimately be collected in full. If we collect less on the debt instrument than our purchase price plus any market discount we had previously reported as income, we may not be able to benefit from any offsetting loss deductions in subsequent years. In certain cases, we may be able to cease accruing interest income with respect to a debt instrument, to the extent there is reasonable doubt as to our ability to collect such interest income. However, if we recognize insufficient interest income, and the IRS were to successfully assert that we did not accrue the appropriate amount of income with respect to such a debt instrument in a given taxable year, we may be required to increase our taxable income with respect to such year, which could cause us to be required to pay a deficiency dividend or a tax on undistributed income, or fail to qualify as a REIT.

Some of the MBS and other debt instruments that we purchase will likely have been issued with OID. Subject to the discussion below regarding the special accrual rule included in the TCJA, we will be required to accrue OID based on a constant yield method and income will accrue on the debt instruments based on the assumption that all future payments on such debt instruments will be made. If such debt instruments turn out not to be fully collectible, an offsetting loss will only become available in a later year when uncollectability is provable. Moreover, such loss will likely be treated as a capital loss in the hands of our Operating Partnership, and the utility of that deduction would therefore depend on our having capital gain in that later year or thereafter. In addition, we may also acquire distressed debt investments that are subsequently modified by agreement with the borrower. If the amendments to the outstanding debt are “significant modifications” under the applicable Treasury Regulations, the modified debt may be considered to have been reissued to us at a gain in a debt-for-debt exchange with the borrower, with gain recognized by us to the extent that the principal amount of the modified debt exceeds our cost of purchasing it prior to modification. To the extent that such modifications are made with respect to a debt instrument held by a TRS treated as a dealer for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such TRS would be required at the end of each taxable year, including the taxable year in which any such modification were made, to mark the modified debt obligation to its fair market value as if the debt obligation were sold. In that case, such TRS would recognize a loss at the end of the taxable year in which the modification were made to the extent the fair market value of such debt obligation were less than its principal amount after the modification. We may also be required under the terms of the indebtedness that we incur to use cash received from interest payments to make principal payment on that indebtedness, with the effect that we will recognize income but will not have a corresponding amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

In addition, we may acquire excess MSRs. Based on IRS guidance concerning the classification of excess MSRs, we intend to treat any excess MSRs that we may acquire that meet certain requirements as ownership interests in the interest payments made on the underlying pool of mortgage loans. Under this treatment, for purposes of determining the amount and timing of taxable income , each excess MSR is treated as a bond that was issued with

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OID on the date we acquired such excess MSR. In general, we will be required to accrue OID based on the constant yield to maturity of each excess MSR, and to treat such OID as taxable income in accordance with the applicable U.S. federal income tax rules. The constant yield of an excess MSR will be determined, and we will be taxed based on, a prepayment assumption regarding future payments due on the mortgage loans underlying the excess MSR. If the mortgage loans underlying an excess MSR prepay at a rate different than that under the prepayment assumption, our recognition of OID will be either increased or decreased depending on the circumstances. Thus, in a particular taxable year, we may be required to accrue an amount of income in respect of an excess MSR that exceeds the amount of cash collected in respect of that excess MSR. Furthermore, it is possible that, over the life of the investment in an excess MSR, the total amount we pay for, and accrue with respect to, the excess MSR may exceed the total amount we collect on such excess MSR. No assurance can be given that we will be entitled to an ordinary loss or deduction for such, meaning that we may not be able to use any such loss or deduction to offset OID recognized with respect to our excess MSRs or other ordinary income recognized by us. As a result of this mismatch in character between the income and losses generated by our excess MSRs, our REIT taxable income may be higher than it otherwise would have been in the absence of that mismatch.

Under the recently enacted TCJA, we generally will be required to recognize certain amounts in income no later than the time such amounts are reflected on our financial statements.  The application of this rule may require the accrual of income with respect to our loans, such as OID or market discount, earlier than would be the case under the otherwise applicable tax rules discussed above, although the precise application of this rule is unclear at this time.  This rule generally will be effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 but, for debt instruments issued with OID, for tax years beginning after December 31, 2018. MSRs are generally excluded from this rule.

Due to each of these potential differences between income recognition or expense deduction and related cash receipts or disbursements, there is a significant risk that we may have substantial taxable income in excess of cash available for distribution. In that event, we may need to borrow funds or take other actions to satisfy the REIT distribution requirements for the taxable year in which this “phantom income” is recognized. See “—Annual Distribution Requirements.”

Dividend Income

We may receive distributions from TRSs or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions are generally classified as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Such distributions generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not the 75% gross income test. Any dividends received by us from a REIT is qualifying income in our hands for purposes of both the 95% and 75% gross income tests.

Income inclusions from certain equity investments in a foreign TRS or other non-U.S. corporation in which we may hold an equity interest are technically neither dividends nor any of the other enumerated categories of income specified in the 95% gross income test for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, in certain private letter rulings, the IRS exercised its authority under Internal Revenue Code section 856(c)(5)(J)(ii) to treat such income as qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test. A private letter ruling may be relied upon only by the taxpayer to whom it is issued, and the IRS may revoke a private letter ruling. Consistent with the position adopted by the IRS in those private letter rulings and based on advice of counsel concerning the classification of such income inclusions for purposes of the REIT income tests, we intend to treat any such income inclusions that meet certain requirements as qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test. Notwithstanding the IRS’s determination in the private letter rulings described above, it is possible that the IRS could successfully assert that any such income does not qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test, which, if such income together with other income we earn that does not qualify for the 95% gross income test exceeded 5% of our gross income, could cause us to be subject to a penalty tax and could impact our ability to qualify as a REIT. See “—Failure to Satisfy the Gross Income Tests” and “—Failure to Qualify.” In addition, if any such income was determined not to qualify for the 95% gross income test, we would need to invest in sufficient qualifying assets, or sell some of our interests in any foreign TRSs or other non-U.S. corporations in which we hold an equity interest to ensure that the income recognized by us from our foreign TRSs or such other corporations does not exceed 5% of our gross income.

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Hedging Transactions

We may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements, swaptions, financial futures, and options. Under the Internal Revenue Code, any income that we generate from transactions intended to hedge its interest rate risks will generally be excluded from gross income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests if (i) the instrument (A) hedges interest rate risk or foreign currency exposure on liabilities used to carry or acquire real estate assets or (B) hedges risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% gross income tests, or (C) hedges an instrument described in clause (A) or (B) for a period following the extinguishment of the liability or the disposition of the asset that was previously hedged by the hedged instrument, and (ii) such instrument is properly identified under applicable Treasury Regulations. Any income from other hedges would generally constitute non-qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in this regard.

Rents from Real Property

To the extent that we own real property or interests therein, rents we receive qualify as “rents from real property” in satisfying the gross income tests described above, only if several conditions are met, including the following. If rent attributable to personal property leased in connection with a lease of real property is greater than 15% of the total rent received under any particular lease, then all of the rent attributable to such personal property will not qualify as rents from real property. The determination of whether an item of personal property constitutes real or personal property under the REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code is subject to both legal and factual considerations and is therefore subject to different interpretations.

In addition, in order for rents received by us to qualify as “rents from real property,” the rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount will not be excluded from rents from real property solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of sales or if it is based on the net income of a tenant which derives substantially all of its income with respect to such property from subleasing of substantially all of such property, to the extent that the rents paid by the subtenants would qualify as rents from real property, if earned directly by our company. Moreover, for rents received to qualify as “rents from real property,” we generally must not operate or manage the property or furnish or render certain services to the tenants of such property, other than through an “independent contractor” who is adequately compensated and from which we derive no income or through a TRS. We are permitted, however, to perform services that are “usually or customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and are not otherwise considered rendered to the occupant of the property. In addition, we may directly or indirectly provide non-customary services to tenants of our properties without disqualifying all of the rent from the property if the payment for such services does not exceed 1% of the total gross income from the property. In such a case, only the amounts for non-customary services are not treated as rents from real property and the provision of the services does not disqualify the related rent.

Rental income will qualify as rents from real property only to the extent that we do not directly or constructively own, (1) in the case of any tenant which is a corporation, stock possessing 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote, or 10% or more of the total value of shares of all classes of stock of such tenant, or (2) in the case of any tenant which is not a corporation, an interest of 10% or more in the assets or net profits of such tenant.

Failure to Satisfy the Gross Income Tests

We intend to monitor our sources of income, including any non-qualifying income received by us, and manage our assets so as to ensure our compliance with the gross income tests. We cannot assure you, however, that we will be able to satisfy the gross income tests. If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may still qualify as a REIT for the year if we are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. These relief provisions will generally be available if our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and, following the identification of such failure,

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we set forth a description of each item of our gross income that satisfies the gross income tests in a schedule for the taxable year filed in accordance with the Treasury Regulation. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all circumstances. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances, we will not qualify as a REIT. As discussed above under “—Taxation of REITs in General,” even where these relief provisions apply, a tax would be imposed upon the profit attributable to the amount by which we fail to satisfy the particular gross income test.

Asset Tests

We, at the close of each calendar quarter, must also satisfy multiple tests relating to the nature of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of “real estate assets,” cash, cash items, U.S. Government securities and, under some circumstances, stock or debt instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate assets include interests in real property (such as land, buildings, leasehold interests in real property), personal property leased with real property if rents attributable to the personal property do not exceed 15% of total rents, stock of other corporations that qualify as REITs, interests in mortgages in real property or on interests in real property, debt instruments issued by publicly offered REITs, interests in obligations secured by both real property and personal property if the fair market value of the personal property does not exceed 15% of the total fair market value of all property securing such mortgage, and certain kinds of MBS and mortgage loans. Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% test are subject to the additional asset tests described below. Second, the value of any one issuer’s securities owned by us may not exceed 5% of the value of our gross assets. Third, we may not own more than 10% of any one issuer’s outstanding securities, as measured by either (a) voting power or (b) value (the “10% value test”). Fourth, the aggregate value of all securities of TRSs held by us may not exceed 20% (25% before 2018) of the value of our gross assets. Fifth, not more than 25% of the value of our gross assets is represented by nonqualified publicly offered REIT debt instruments.

The 5% and 10% asset tests do not apply to stock and securities of TRSs and qualified REIT subsidiaries. The 10% value test does not apply to certain “straight debt” and other excluded securities, as described in the Internal Revenue Code, including any loan to an individual or an estate, any obligation to pay rents from real property and any security issued by a REIT. In addition, (1) a REIT’s interest as a partner in a partnership is not considered a security for purposes of applying the 10% value test; (2) any debt instrument issued by a partnership (other than straight debt or other excluded security) will not be considered a security issued by the partnership if at least 75% of the partnership’s gross income is derived from sources that would qualify for the 75% REIT gross income test; and (3) any debt instrument issued by a partnership (other than straight debt or other excluded security) will not be considered a security issued by the partnership to the extent of the REIT’s interest as a partner in the partnership.

For purposes of the 10% value test, “straight debt” means a written unconditional promise to pay on demand on a specified date a sum certain in money if (1) the debt is not convertible, directly or indirectly, into stock, (2) the interest rate and interest payment dates are not contingent on profits, the borrower’s discretion, or similar factors other than certain contingencies relating to the timing and amount of principal and interest payments, as described in the Internal Revenue Code and (3) in the case of an issuer which is a corporation or a partnership, securities that otherwise would be considered straight debt will not be so considered if we, and any of our “controlled taxable REIT subsidiaries” as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, hold any securities of the corporate or partnership issuer which (A) are not straight debt or other excluded securities (prior to the application of this rule), and (B) have an aggregate value greater than 1% of the issuer’s outstanding securities (including, for the purposes of a partnership issuer, our interest as a partner in the partnership).

After initially meeting the asset tests at the close of any quarter, we will not lose our qualification as a REIT for failure to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a later quarter solely by reason of changes in asset values. If we fail to satisfy the asset tests because we acquire assets during a quarter, we can cure this failure by disposing of sufficient non-qualifying assets within 30 days after the close of that quarter. If we fail the 5% asset test, or the 10% vote or value asset tests at the end of any quarter and such failure is not cured within 30 days thereafter, we may dispose of sufficient assets (generally within six months after the last day of the quarter in which the identification of the failure to satisfy these asset tests occurred) to cure such a violation that does not exceed the lesser of 1% of our assets at the end of the relevant quarter or $10,000,000. If we fail any of the other asset tests or our failure of the 5% and 10% asset tests is in excess of the de minimis amount described above, as long as such failure was due to

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reasonable cause and not willful neglect, it is permitted to avoid disqualification as a REIT, after the 30 day cure period, by taking steps, including the disposition of sufficient assets to meet the asset test (generally within six months after the last day of the quarter in which the identification of the failure to satisfy the REIT asset test occurred) and paying a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the highest corporate income tax rate (currently 21%) of the net income generated by the non-qualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy the asset test.

We believe that the majority of the SBC loans and MBS that we intend to own generally are qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test. However, certain of the assets that we hold or intend to hold, including debt instruments secured by non-real estate assets, unsecured debt, debt securities issued by C corporations or other fixed-income securities that are not secured by mortgages on real property or on interests in real property, or non-real estate ABS or other debt instruments secured by mortgage loans (rather than by real property), will generally not be qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test.

A real estate mortgage loan that we own generally will be treated as a real estate asset for purposes of the 75% REIT asset test if, on the date that we acquire or originate the mortgage loan, the value of the real property securing the loan (which, beginning in 2016, includes for these purposes personal property securing the loan if such personal property does not exceed 15% of the total fair market value of all of the property securing such loan) is equal to or greater than the principal amount of the loan or the loan either is secured only by real property or in the case of a loan secured by real and personal property, the value of the personal property securing the loan does not exceed 15% of the value of all property securing the loan. In the event that we invest in a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and personal property the value of which is more than 15% of the value of all property securing the loan (and, beginning in 2016, the fair market value of the other property securing the loan exceeds 15% of the total fair market value of all of the property securing such loan), Revenue Procedure 2014-51,may apply to determine what portion of the mortgage loan will be treated as a real estate asset for purposes of the 75% asset test. Pursuant to Revenue Procedure 2014-51 , the IRS has announced that it will not challenge a REIT’s treatment of a loan as a real estate asset if the REIT treats the loan as a real estate asset in an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the value of the loan or (2) the greater of (i) the current value of the real property securing the loan or (ii) the value of the real property securing the loan at the relevant testing date (generally, the date the REIT commits to make the loan or to purchase the loan, as the case may be). This safe harbor, if it applied to us, would help us comply with the REIT asset tests following the acquisition of distressed debt if the value of the real property securing the loan were to subsequently decline.

We may acquire excess MSRs. In certain private letter rulings, the IRS ruled that excess MSRs meeting certain requirements would be treated as an interest in mortgages on real property and thus a real estate asset for purposes of the 75% REIT asset test. A private letter ruling may be relied upon only by the taxpayer to whom it is issued, and the IRS may revoke a private letter ruling. Consistent with the analysis adopted by the IRS in that private letter ruling and based on advice of counsel, we intend to treat any excess MSRs that we acquire that meet the requirements provided in the private letter ruling as qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% REIT gross asset test. Notwithstanding the IRS’s determination in the private letter ruling described above, it is possible that the IRS could successfully assert that any excess MSRs that we acquire do not qualify for purposes of the 75% REIT gross asset test, which could cause us to be subject to a penalty tax and could impact our ability to qualify as a REIT. See “—Failure to Qualify.” To the extent we acquire MSRs other than excess MSRs, we expect that we would hold such MSRs in a TRS in order to avoid recognizing non-qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests.

In addition, if we modify a distressed debt investment of ours by an agreement with the borrower, and if the modification is treated as a “significant modification” under the applicable Treasury regulations, the modified debt may be considered to have been reissued to us in a debt-for-debt exchange with the borrower. In that event, we may generally be required to redetermine the portion of the loan that is treated as a real estate asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests. In Revenue Procedure 2014-51, the IRS has provided a safe harbor under which a REIT is not required to redetermine the value of real property securing a mortgage loan for purposes of the REIT asset tests in the event of a significant modification of the loan if the modification meets certain requirements. See “—Gross Income Tests—Interest Income.” However, we may enter into modifications of distressed debt investments that do not qualify for the safe harbor provided in Revenue Procedure 2014-51, which could adversely affect our ability to satisfy the REIT asset tests. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in mortgage loans cause a violation of the REIT asset tests.

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A significant portion of our assets may be held from time to time in TRSs. While we intend to manage our affairs so as to satisfy the 20% TRS limitation described above, there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so in all market circumstances. In order to satisfy this TRS limitation, we have been required to and may in the future be required to acquire assets that we otherwise would not acquire, liquidate or restructure assets that we hold through ReadyCap Holdings or any of our TRSs, or otherwise engage in transactions that we would not otherwise undertake absent the requirements for REIT qualifications. Each of these actions could reduce the distributions available to our stockholders. In addition, we and our subsidiary REIT have made loans to our TRSs that meet the requirements to be treated as qualifying investments of new capital, which is generally treated as a real estate asset under the Code. Because such loans are treated as real estate assets for purposes of the REIT requirements, we do not treat these loans as TRS securities for purposes of the TRS asset limitation, which is consistent with private rulings issues by the IRS. However, no assurance can be provided that the IRS may not successfully assert that such loans should be treated as securities of our or our subsidiary REIT’s TRSs, which could adversely impact our qualification as a REIT. In addition, our TRSs have obtained financing in transactions in which we and our other subsidiaries have provided guaranties and similar credit support. Although we believe that these financings are properly treated as financings of our TRS for U.S. federal income tax purposes, no assurance can be provided that the IRS would not assert that such financings should be treated as issued by other entities in our structure, which could impact our compliance with the TRS limitation and the other REIT requirements. Moreover, no assurance can be provided that we will be able to successfully manage our asset composition in a manner that causes us to satisfy this TRS limitation each quarter, in particular since the TRS limitation has been reduced from 25% to 20% beginning in 2018, and our failure to satisfy this limitation could result in our failure to qualify as a REIT.

Our TRSs may need to make dividend distributions to us at times when it may not be preferable to do so in order to satisfy the requirement that securities issued by TRSs do not exceed 20% of the value of our assets. We may, in turn, distribute all or a portion of such dividends to our stockholders at times when we might not otherwise wish to declare and pay such dividends. See “—Annual Distribution Requirements.” Distributions from a TRS will generally not constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. As a result, it is possible that we may wish to cause a TRS to distribute a dividend in order to reduce the value of our TRS securities below 20% of our assets, but be unable to do so without violating the 75% gross income test. In addition, because the 75% gross income test in an annual test and the amount of distributions of a TRS that are treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes depends on the earnings and profit of such TRS throughout the taxable year, it is not always possible for us to precisely determine how a distribution from a TRS will impact our compliance with the 75% gross income test for the year. Although there are other measures we can take in such circumstances in order to remain in compliance with the requirements for qualification as a REIT, there can be no assurance that we will be able to comply with both of these tests in all market conditions.

We believe that our holdings of loans and other securities will be structured in a manner that will comply with the foregoing REIT asset requirements and we intend to monitor compliance on an ongoing basis. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be successful in this effort. In this regard, to determine compliance with these requirements, we will need to estimate the value of our assets. We may not obtain independent appraisals to support our conclusions concerning the values of our assets, and the values of some of our assets may not be susceptible to a precise determination and are subject to change in the future. Although we will be prudent in making estimates as to the value of our assets, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not disagree with the determinations and assert that a different value is applicable, in which case we might not satisfy the 75% asset test and the other asset tests and could fail to qualify as a REIT. Furthermore, the proper classification of an instrument as debt or equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT asset tests. As an example, if we were to acquire equity securities of a private REIT issuer that were determined by the IRS to represent debt securities of such issuer, such securities would also not qualify as real estate assets. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in subsidiaries or in the securities of other issuers cause a violation of the REIT asset tests.

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Treatment of Specific Investments and Transactions

REMICs

The Internal Revenue Code provides that a regular or a residual interest in a REMIC is generally treated as a real estate asset for the purposes of the REIT asset tests, and any amount includible in our gross income with respect to such an interest is generally treated as interest on an obligation secured by a mortgage on real property for the purposes of the REIT gross income tests. If, however, less than 95% of the assets of a REMIC in which we hold an interest consist of real estate assets (determined as if we held such assets), we will be treated as holding our proportionate share of the assets of the REMIC for the purpose of the REIT asset tests and receiving directly our proportionate share of the income of the REMIC for the purpose of determining the amount of income from the REMIC that is treated as interest on an obligation secured by a mortgage on real property. In connection with the expanded HARP program, the IRS issued guidance providing that, among other things, if a REIT holds a regular interest in an “eligible REMIC,” or a residual interest in an “eligible REMIC” that informs the REIT that at least 80% of the REMIC’s assets constitute real estate assets, then (i) the REIT may treat 80% of the value of the interest in the REMIC as a real estate asset for the purpose of the REIT asset tests and (ii) the REIT may treat 80% of the gross income received with respect to the interest in the REMIC as interest on an obligation secured by a mortgage on real property for the purpose of the 75% REIT gross income test. For this purpose, a REMIC is an “eligible REMIC” if (i) the REMIC has received a guarantee from Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac that will allow the REMIC to make any principal and interest payments on its regular and residual interests and (ii) all of the REMIC’s mortgages and pass-through certificates are secured by interests in single-family dwellings. If we were to acquire an interest in an eligible REMIC less than 95% of the assets of which constitute real estate assets, the IRS guidance described above may generally allow us to treat 80% of its interest in such a REMIC as a qualifying real estate asset for the purpose of the REIT asset tests and 80% of the gross income derived from the interest as qualifying income for the purpose of the 75% REIT gross income test. Although the portion of the income from such a REMIC interest that does not qualify for the 75% REIT gross income test would likely be qualifying income for the purpose of the 95% REIT gross income test, the remaining 20% of the REMIC interest generally would not qualify as a real estate asset, which could adversely affect our ability to satisfy the REIT asset tests. Accordingly, owning such a REMIC interest could adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT.

Repurchase Transactions

We enter into repurchase agreements under which we nominally sell certain of our assets to a counterparty and simultaneously enter into an agreement to repurchase the sold assets. We believe that we are treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as the owner of the assets that are the subject of any such repurchase agreement and the repurchase agreement are treated as a secured lending transaction notwithstanding that we may transfer record ownership of the assets to the counterparty during the term of the agreement. It is possible, however, that the IRS could successfully assert that we did not own the assets during the term of the repurchase agreement, in which case we could fail to qualify as a REIT.

TBAs

We may have exposure to Agency residential MBS through TBAs. As with any forward purchase contract, the value of the underlying Agency residential MBS may decrease between the contract date and the settlement date, which may result in the recognition of income, gain or loss. The law is unclear regarding whether TBAs are qualifying assets for the REIT 75% asset test and whether income or gains from the dispositions of TBAs, through “dollar roll” transactions or otherwise, constitute qualifying income for purposes of the REIT 75% gross income test. Accordingly, our ability to purchase Agency residential MBS through TBAs or to dispose of TBAs through these transactions or otherwise, could be limited. We do not expect TBAs to adversely affect its ability to meet the REIT gross income and assets tests. No assurance can be given that the IRS would treat TBAs as qualifying assets or treat income and gains from the disposition of TBAs as qualifying income for these purposes, and, therefore, our ability to invest in such assets could be limited.

Annual Distribution Requirements

In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to:

(a) the sum of:

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·                   90% of our “REIT taxable income” (computed without regard to our deduction for dividends paid and our net capital gains); and

·                   90% of our net income (after tax), if any, from foreclosure property (as described below); minus

(b) the sum of specified items of non-cash income that exceeds a specified percentage of our income.

These distributions must be paid in the taxable year to which they relate or in the following taxable year if such distributions are declared in October, November or December of the taxable year, are payable to stockholders of record on a specified date in any such month and are actually paid before the end of January of the following year. Such distributions are treated as both paid by us and received by each stockholder on December 31 of the year in which they are declared. In addition, at our election, a distribution for a taxable year may be declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and be paid with or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration, provided that such payment is made during the 12-month period following the close of such taxable year. These distributions are taxable to our stockholders in the year in which paid, even though the distributions relate to our prior taxable year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement.

In order for distributions to be counted towards our distribution requirement and to give rise to a tax deduction by us, they must not be “preferential dividends.” A dividend is not a preferential dividend if it is pro rata among all outstanding shares of stock within a particular class and is in accordance with the preferences among different classes of stock as set forth in the organizational documents.

To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our “REIT taxable income,” as adjusted, we will be subject to tax at ordinary U.S. federal corporate tax rates on the retained portion. In addition, we may elect to retain, rather than distribute, our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains. In this case, we could elect to have our stockholders include their proportionate share of such undistributed long-term capital gains in income and receive a corresponding credit or refund, as the case may be, for their proportionate share of the tax paid by us. Our stockholders would then increase the adjusted basis of their stock in us by the difference between the designated amounts included in their long-term capital gains and the tax deemed paid with respect to their proportionate shares.

If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (1) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (2) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year and (3) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (x) the amounts actually distributed (taking into account excess distributions from prior periods) and (y) the amounts of income retained on which we have paid corporate income tax. We may be subject to the 4% excise tax for certain taxable years.

In addition, if we were to recognize “built-in gain” (as defined below) on the disposition of any assets acquired from a C corporation in a transaction in which our basis in the assets was determined by reference to the C corporation’s basis (for instance, if the assets were acquired in a tax-free reorganization or contribution), we would be required to distribute at least 90% of the built-in gain net of the tax we would pay on such gain. See “—Tax on Built-In Gains” below.

It is possible that we, from time to time, may not have sufficient cash to meet the distribution requirements due to timing differences between (a) the actual receipt of cash, including receipt of distributions from our subsidiaries and (b) the inclusion of items in income by us for U.S. federal income tax purposes prior to receipt of such income in cash. For example, we may acquire debt instruments or notes whose face value may exceed its issue price as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, reverse mortgages or market discount bonds such that we will be required to include in our income a portion of income each year that such instrument is held before we receive any corresponding cash. Similarly, income from excess MSRs that we acquire may be treated as debt instruments issued with OID, and as a result we may accrue interest income without receiving corresponding cash payments with respect to such excess MSRs. See “—Gross Income Tests—Phantom Income” above. In the event that such timing differences occur, to meet our distribution requirements it might be necessary to arrange for short-term, or possibly long-term, borrowings, use cash reserves, liquidate non-cash assets at rates or times that we regard

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as unfavorable or pay dividends in the form of taxable stock dividends. In the case of a taxable stock dividend, stockholders would be required to include the dividend as income and would be required to satisfy the tax liability associated with the distribution with cash from other sources, including sales of our common stock. Both a taxable stock distribution and sale of common stock resulting from such distribution could adversely affect the value of our common stock.

Under certain circumstances, it is possible that the IRS could assert that our net income for a taxable year was greater than we believed it to be. If the IRS were successful in asserting such an adjustment, the adjustment could cause us to fail to satisfy the distribution requirements for such taxable year if our distributions with respect to such taxable year were not sufficient after taking into account the increase in our net income. In such event, we may be able to rectify such a failure to meet the distribution requirements by paying “deficiency dividends” to stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the year that was subject to the adjustment. In this case, we may be able to avoid losing our qualification as a REIT or being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends. However, we would be required to pay interest and a penalty based on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.

Tax on Built-In Gains

If we acquire appreciated assets from a subchapter C corporation in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the C corporation, and if we subsequently dispose of any such assets during the five-year period following the acquisition of the assets from the C corporation, we will be subject to tax at the highest corporate tax rates on any gain from such assets to the extent of the excess of the fair market value of the assets on the date that they were acquired by us over the basis of such assets on such date, which we refer to as built-in gains. Similarly, to the extent that any C corporation holds an interest in an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes (either directly or through one or more other entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and we acquire appreciated assets from such partnership in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the partnership, the underlying C corporation’s proportionate share of such assets will be treated as contributed by a C corporation and therefore will be subject to the tax on built-in gains. However, the built-in gains tax will not apply if the C corporation elects to be subject to an immediate tax when the asset is acquired by us.

As part of the formation of Pre-Merger Sutherland, certain persons who are treated as C corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes may have contributed assets to Pre-Merger Sutherland in exchange for stock. We believe that any such contributors who were treated as a C corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes (including any person treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes with one or more direct or indirect C corporation partners) contributed assets with a de minimis amount of built-in gains. As a result, although it is possible that a portion of the assets contributed to Pre-Merger Sutherland in connection with its formation may be subject to the built-in gains tax, we expect that the built-in gains resulting from such assets should generally be de minimis .

Recordkeeping Requirements

We are required to maintain records and request on an annual basis information from specified stockholders. These requirements are designed to assist us in determining the actual ownership of our outstanding stock and maintaining our qualifications as a REIT.

Excess Inclusion Income

If we, our Operating Partnership or a subsidiary REIT owned by our Operating Partnership, acquire a residual interest in a REMIC, we may realize excess inclusion income. In addition, if we, our Operating Partnership or a subsidiary REIT owned by our Operating Partnership is deemed to have issued debt obligations having two or more maturities, the payments on which correspond to payments on mortgage loans owned by us, such arrangement will be treated as a taxable mortgage pool for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “—Effect of Subsidiary Entities—Taxable Mortgage Pools.” We may securitize mortgage loans or MBS that we acquire and certain securitizations may result in us owning interests in a taxable mortgage pool. We would be precluded from holding

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equity interests in such a securitization through our Operating Partnership. Accordingly, we would likely form such securitizations as qualified REIT subsidiaries of a subsidiary REIT of our Operating Partnership, and will be precluded from selling to outside investors equity interests in such securitizations or from selling any debt securities issued in connection with such securitizations that might be considered to be equity interests for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We are taxed at the highest corporate income tax rate on a portion of the income, referred to as “excess inclusion income,” arising from a taxable mortgage pool that is allocable to the percentage of our shares held in record name by “disqualified organizations,” which are generally certain cooperatives, governmental entities and tax-exempt organizations that are exempt from tax on unrelated business taxable income. To the extent that common stock owned by “disqualified organizations” is held in record name by a broker/dealer or other nominee, the broker/dealer or other nominee would be liable for the corporate level tax on the portion of our excess inclusion income allocable to the common stock held by the broker/dealer or other nominee on behalf of the “disqualified organizations.” Disqualified organizations may own our stock. Because this tax would be imposed on our company, all of our investors, including investors that are not disqualified organizations, will bear a portion of the tax cost associated with the classification of our company or a portion of our assets as a taxable mortgage pool. A RIC or other pass-through entity owning our common stock in record name will be subject to tax at the highest corporate tax rate on any excess inclusion income allocated to their owners that are disqualified organizations.

In addition, if we realize excess inclusion income and allocate it to stockholders, this income cannot be offset by net operating losses of our stockholders. If the stockholder is a tax-exempt entity and not a disqualified organization, then this income is fully taxable as UBTI under Section 512 of the Internal Revenue Code. If the stockholder is a foreign person, it would be subject to U.S. federal income tax withholding on this income without reduction or exemption pursuant to any otherwise applicable income tax treaty. If the stockholder is a REIT, a RIC, common trust fund or other pass-through entity, the stockholder’s allocable share of our excess inclusion income could be considered excess inclusion income of such entity. Accordingly, such investors should be aware that a significant portion of our income may be considered excess inclusion income. Finally, if a subsidiary REIT of our Operating Partnership through which we hold taxable mortgage pool securitizations were to fail to qualify as a REIT, our taxable mortgage pool securitizations will be treated as separate taxable corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes that could not be included in any consolidated corporate tax return.

We have engaged in certain securitization transactions that are treated as taxable mortgage pools for U.S. federal income tax purposes as described under “—Effect of Subsidiary Entities—Taxable Mortgage Pools.” Although we believe that such transactions are structured in a manner so that they should not cause any portion of the distributions in our shares to be treated as excess inclusion income, no assurance can be provided that the IRS would not assert a contrary position.

Prohibited Transactions

Net income we derive from a prohibited transaction is subject to a 100% tax. The term “prohibited transaction” generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than foreclosure property) that is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers, in the ordinary course of a trade or business by a REIT, by a lower-tier partnership in which the REIT holds an equity interest or by a borrower that has issued a shared appreciation mortgage or similar debt instrument to the REIT. We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset owned by us or our pass-through subsidiaries will be held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers, and that a sale of any assets owned by us directly or through a pass-through subsidiary will not be in the ordinary course of business. However, whether property is held as inventory or “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends on the particular facts and circumstances. If we were to sell a mortgage loan to a third party, depending on the circumstances of the sale, it is possible that the sale could be treated as a prohibited transaction. As a result, no assurance can be given that any securities or loans that we may dispose of will not be treated as property held-for-sale to customers. The Internal Revenue Code provides certain safe harbors under which disposition of assets are not treated as prohibited transactions. However, there can be no assurance that any disposition of our assets would comply with these safe-harbor provisions. The 100% tax will not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of the corporation at regular corporate income tax rates.

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based on the specific facts and circumstances relating to the partnership. Although our Operating Partnership expects to qualify for one of these safe harbors in all taxable years, we cannot provide any assurance that surviving partnership will, in each of its taxable years, qualify for one of these safe harbors.

If our Operating Partnership were taxable as a corporation, the character of our assets and items of our gross income would change and could preclude us from satisfying the REIT asset tests (particularly the tests generally preventing a REIT from owning more than 10% of the voting securities, or more than 10% of the value of the securities, of a corporation) or the gross income tests as discussed in “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT,” “—Asset Tests” and “—Gross Income Tests” above, and in turn could prevent us from qualifying as a REIT. See “—Failure to Qualify,” below, for a discussion of the effect of our failure to meet these tests for a taxable year. In addition, any change in the status of any of our subsidiary partnerships for tax purposes might be treated as a taxable event, in which case we could have taxable income that is subject to the REIT distribution requirements without receiving any cash.

Tax Allocations With Respect to Partnership Assets

The partnership agreement of our Operating Partnership generally provides that, after allocations to the holder of the Class A Special Unit, items of operating income and loss will be allocated to the holders of units in proportion to the number of units held by each holder. If an allocation of partnership income or loss does not comply with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, the item subject to the allocation will be reallocated in accordance with the partners’ interests in the partnership. This reallocation will be determined by taking into account all of the facts and circumstances relating to the economic arrangement of the partnership with respect to such item. Our Operating Partnership’s allocations of income and loss are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

Under Section 704(c), income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an interest in the partnership must be allocated for tax purposes in a manner such that the contributing partner is charged with, or benefits from, the unrealized gain or unrealized loss associated with the property at the time of the contribution. The amount of the unrealized gain or unrealized loss is generally equal to the difference between the fair market value (or the book value) of the contributed property and the adjusted tax basis of such property at the time of the contribution (or a book-tax difference). Such allocations are solely for U.S. federal income tax purposes and do not affect partnership capital accounts or other economic or legal arrangements among the partners.

The partnership agreement requires that allocations with respect to any property contributed to our Operating Partnership in exchange for OP units in a tax-deferred transaction be made in a manner consistent with Section 704(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. As a result, any gain recognized on the sale of any such properties would generally be allocated to the partner who contributed the property to our Operating Partnership to the extent of the book-tax difference at the time of such contribution. As a result, in the event that any such properties are sold, the partner who contributed such assets to our Operating Partnership or, in certain cases, a successor to such partner, which may include us, could be allocated gain in excess of its corresponding book gain (or taxable loss that is less than such person’s corresponding economic or book loss), with a corresponding benefit to the partners who did not contribute such assets to our Operating Partnership. These provisions will also apply to revaluations of our assets in connection with our Operating Partnership’s issuance of additional OP Units. The application of Section 704(c) of the Internal Revenue Code to a partnership such as our Operating Partnership that holds numerous loan securities can be complex and may require the adoption of certain conventions or methods that could be subject to challenge by the IRS. If any taxable income or loss of our Operating Partnership were subject to reallocation, such a reallocation could adversely impact our ability to qualify as a REIT or require us to pay a deficiency dividend in order to maintain our qualification as a REIT.

In connection with the formation of Pre-Merger Sutherland, certain persons were treated as contributing assets to our operating partnership in exchange for operating partnership units for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and therefore we are subject to the allocation provisions described above to the extent of any book-tax difference in our assets at the time of each such contribution. These allocation provisions could result in us having taxable income that is in excess of our economic or book income as well as our cash distributions from our Operating Partnership,

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which might adversely affect our ability to comply with the REIT distribution requirements or result in a greater portion of our distributions being treated as taxable dividend income.

Failure to Qualify

In the event that we violate a provision of the Internal Revenue Code that would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT, we may nevertheless continue to qualify as a REIT under specified relief provisions available to us to avoid such disqualification if (1) the violation is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, (2) we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each failure to satisfy a requirement for qualification as a REIT and (3) the violation does not include a violation under the gross income or asset tests described above (for which other specified relief provisions are available). This cure provision reduces the instances that could lead to our disqualification as a REIT for violations due to reasonable cause. If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year and none of the relief provisions of the Internal Revenue Code apply, we will be subject to tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. Distributions to our stockholders in any year in which we are not a REIT will not be deductible by us, nor will they be required to be made. In this situation, to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits, and, subject to limitations of the Internal Revenue Code, distributions to our stockholders will generally be taxable in the case of U.S. stockholders (as defined above) who are individuals at a maximum rate of 20%, and dividends in the hands of our corporate U.S. stockholders may be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Unless we are entitled to relief under the specific statutory provisions, we will also be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following a year during which qualification was lost. It is not possible to state whether, in all circumstances, we will be entitled to statutory relief.

Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders

This section summarizes the taxation of U.S. stockholders that are not tax exempt organizations. If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partner of a partnership holding our common stock should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to the partner of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our stock by the partnership.

Distributions

Provided that we qualify as a REIT, distributions made to our taxable U.S. stockholders out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, and not designated as capital gain dividends, will generally be taken into account by them as ordinary dividend income and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations. In determining the extent to which a distribution with respect to our common stock constitutes a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our earnings and profits will be allocated first to distributions with respect to our preferred stock, if any, and then to our common stock. Dividends received from REITs are generally not eligible to be taxed at the preferential qualified dividend income rates applicable to individual U.S. stockholders who receive dividends from taxable subchapter C corporations. However, individuals, trusts, and estates that own our stock are permitted to deduct up to 20% of dividends received from us (other than dividends that are designated as capital gain dividends or qualified dividend income), generally resulting in an effective maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 29.6% on such dividends (through taxable years ending in 2025). As discussed above, if we realize excess inclusion income and allocate it to a taxable U.S. stockholder, this income cannot be offset by net operating losses of such stockholder.

In addition, distributions from us that are designated as capital gain dividends will be taxed to U.S. stockholders as long-term capital gains, to the extent that they do not exceed the actual net capital gain of our company for the taxable year, without regard to the period for which the U.S. stockholder has held our stock. To the extent that we elect under the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code to retain our net capital gains, U.S. stockholders will be treated as having received, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our undistributed capital gains as well as a corresponding credit or refund, as the case may be, for taxes paid by us on such retained capital gains. U.S. stockholders will increase their adjusted tax basis in our common stock by the difference between their allocable share of such retained capital gain and their share of the tax paid by us. Corporate U.S. stockholders may

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be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income. Long-term capital gains are generally taxable at maximum U.S. federal rates of 20% in the case of U.S. stockholders who are individuals and 21% for corporations. Capital gains attributable to the sale of depreciable real property held for more than 12 months are subject to a 25% maximum U.S. federal income tax rate for U.S. stockholders who are individuals, to the extent of previously claimed depreciation deductions.

Distributions from us in excess of our current or accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to a U.S. stockholder to the extent that they do not exceed the adjusted tax basis of the U.S. stockholder’s shares of our common stock in respect of which the distributions were made, but rather will reduce the adjusted tax basis of these shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted tax basis of a U.S. stockholder’s shares of our common stock, they will be included in income as long-term capital gain, or short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for one year or less. See also “—Medicare Tax on Unearned Income” below.

In addition, any dividend declared by us in October, November or December of any year and payable to a U.S. stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the U.S. stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that the dividend is actually paid by us before the end of January of the following calendar year.

With respect to U.S. stockholders who are taxed at the rates applicable to individuals, we may elect to designate a portion of our distributions paid to such U.S. stockholders as “qualified dividend income.” A portion of a distribution that is properly designated as qualified dividend income is taxable to non corporate U.S. stockholders as capital gain, provided that the U.S. stockholder has held the common stock with respect to which the distribution is made for more than 60 days during the 121 day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the date on which such common stock became ex dividend with respect to the relevant distribution. The maximum amount of our distributions eligible to be designated as qualified dividend income for a taxable year is equal to the sum of:

(i) the qualified dividend income received by us during such taxable year from non REIT C corporations (including any TRS in which we own an interest);

(ii) the excess of any “undistributed” REIT taxable income recognized during the immediately preceding year over the U.S. federal income tax paid by us with respect to such undistributed REIT taxable income; and

(iii) the excess of any income recognized during the immediately preceding year attributable to the sale of a built-in gain asset that was acquired in a carry over basis transaction from a non REIT C corporation over the U.S. federal income tax paid by us with respect to such built in gain.

Generally, dividends that we receive will be treated as qualified dividend income for purposes of (i) above if the dividends are received from a domestic C corporation (other than a REIT or a RIC), ReadyCap, ZFC Trust TRS, RC TRS, and any other TRS we may form, or a “qualified foreign corporation” and specified holding period requirements and other requirements are met.

To the extent that we have available net operating losses and capital losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that must be made in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. See “—Taxation of Our Company” and “—Annual Distribution Requirements.” Such losses, however, are not passed through to U.S. stockholders and do not offset income of U.S. stockholders from other sources, nor do they affect the character of any distributions that are actually made by us, which are generally subject to tax in the hands of U.S. stockholders to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and profits.

Dispositions of Our Common Stock

In general, a U.S. stockholder will realize gain or loss upon the sale, redemption or other taxable disposition of our common stock in an amount equal to the difference between the sum of the fair market value of any property and the amount of cash received in such disposition and the U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock at the time of the disposition. In general, a U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis will equal the U.S.

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stockholder’s acquisition cost, increased by the excess of net capital gains deemed distributed to the U.S. stockholder (discussed above) less tax deemed paid on it and reduced by returns of capital. In general, capital gains recognized by individuals and other non-corporate U.S. stockholders upon the sale or disposition of shares of our common stock will be subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% if such shares were held for more than 12 months, and will be taxed at ordinary income rates (of up to 37%) if such shares were held for 12 months or less. Gains recognized by U.S. stockholders that are corporations are subject to U.S. federal income tax at a maximum rate of 21%, whether or not classified as long-term capital gains. The IRS has the authority to prescribe, but has not yet prescribed, regulations that would apply a capital gain tax rate of 25% (which is generally higher than the long-term capital gain tax rates for non-corporate holders) to a portion of capital gain realized by a non-corporate holder on the sale of REIT stock or depositary shares that would correspond to the REIT’s “unrecaptured Section 1250 gain.”

Holders are advised to consult with their tax advisors with respect to their capital gain tax liability. Capital losses recognized by a U.S. stockholder upon the disposition of our common stock held for more than one year at the time of disposition will be considered long-term capital losses, and are generally available only to offset capital gain income of the U.S. stockholder but not ordinary income (except in the case of individuals, who may offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year). In addition, any loss upon a sale or exchange of shares of our common stock by a U.S. stockholder who has held the shares for six months or less, after applying holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of distributions received from us that were required to be treated by the U.S. stockholder as long-term capital gain.

Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations

Distributions made by us and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a U.S. stockholder of our common stock will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, U.S. stockholders will not be able to apply any “passive losses” against income or gain relating to our common stock. Distributions made by us, to the extent they do not constitute a return of capital, generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation. A U.S. stockholder that elects to treat capital gain dividends, qualified dividend income or capital gains from the disposition of stock as investment income for purposes of the investment interest limitation will be taxed at ordinary income rates on such amounts.

Medicare Tax on Unearned Income

Certain U.S. stockholders that are individuals, estates or trusts to pay an additional 3.8% tax on, among other things, dividends on and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of stock. U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this legislation on their ownership and disposition of our common stock.

Taxation of Tax Exempt U.S. Stockholders

U.S. tax exempt entities, including qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts, generally are exempt from U.S. federal income taxation. However, they are subject to taxation on their UBTI. While many investments in real estate may generate UBTI, the IRS has ruled that regular distributions from a REIT to a tax exempt entity do not constitute UBTI. Based on that ruling, and provided that (1) a tax exempt U.S. stockholder has not held our common stock as “debt financed property” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code (that is, where the acquisition or holding of the property is financed through a borrowing by the tax exempt stockholder), (2) our common stock is not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business and (3) we do not hold an asset that gives rise to “excess inclusion income,” (see “—Annual Distribution Requirements—Excess Inclusion Income”) distributions from us and income from the sale of our common stock generally should not give rise to UBTI to a tax exempt U.S. stockholder. As previously noted, we may engage in transactions that would result in a portion of our dividend income being considered “excess inclusion income” and, accordingly, it is possible that a portion of our dividends received by a tax-exempt stockholder may be treated as UBTI.

Tax exempt U.S. stockholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans exempt from U.S. federal income taxation

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under Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the Internal Revenue Code, respectively, are subject to different UBTI rules, which generally will require them to characterize distributions from us as UBTI.

In certain circumstances, a pension trust (1) that is described in Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, (2) is tax exempt under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, and (3) that owns more than 10% of our stock could be required to treat a percentage of the dividends from us as UBTI if it is a “pension-held REIT.” We will not be a pension-held REIT unless (1) either (A) one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of our stock, or (B) a group of pension trusts, each individually holding more than 10% of the value of our stock, collectively owns more than 50% of such stock; and (2) we would not have qualified as a REIT but for the fact that Section 856(h)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code provides that stock owned by such trusts shall be treated, for purposes of the requirement that not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding stock of a REIT is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer “individuals” (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include certain entities), as owned by the beneficiaries of such trusts.

Tax exempt U.S. stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of owning our stock.

Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock applicable to non-U.S. stockholders of our common stock. The discussion is based on current law and is for general information only. It addresses only selective and not all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation. Non-U.S. Stockholders should consult their tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of ownership of our common stock.

For most non-U.S. persons, an investment in a REIT that invests principally in mortgage loans and MBS is not the most tax-efficient way to invest in such assets. That is because receiving distributions of income derived from such assets in the form of REIT dividends subjects most non-U.S. persons to withholding taxes that direct investment in those asset classes, and the direct receipt of interest and principal payments with respect to them, would not. The principal exceptions are foreign sovereigns and their agencies and instrumentalities, which may be exempt from withholding taxes on REIT dividends under the Internal Revenue Code, and certain foreign pension funds or similar entities able to claim an exemption from withholding taxes on REIT dividends under the terms of a bilateral tax treaty between their country of residence and the United States.

Ordinary Dividends

Subject to the discussion below under “—Capital Gain Dividends”, dividends received by non-U.S. stockholders payable out of our earnings and profits that are not attributable to gains from sales or exchanges of “U.S. real property interests” or designated as capital gains dividends and which are not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder will generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at the rate of 30%, unless reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty. Under some treaties, however, lower rates generally applicable to dividends do not apply to dividends from REITs. In addition, any portion of the dividends paid to non-U.S. stockholders that are treated as excess inclusion income will not be eligible for exemption from the 30% withholding tax or a reduced treaty rate. As previously noted, we may engage in transactions that could result in a portion of our dividends being considered excess inclusion income, and accordingly, a portion of our dividend income may not be eligible for exemption from the 30% withholding rate or a reduced treaty rate. In the case of a taxable stock dividend with respect to which any withholding tax is imposed on a non-U.S. stockholder, we may have to withhold or dispose of part of the shares otherwise distributable in such dividend and use such withheld shares or the proceeds of such disposition to satisfy the withholding tax imposed.

In general, non-U.S. stockholders will not be considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business solely as a result of their ownership of our stock. In cases where the dividend income from a non-U.S. stockholder’s investment in our common stock is, or is treated as, effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. stockholder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. stockholders are taxed with respect to such dividends, and may also be

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subject to the 30% branch profits tax on the income after the application of the income tax in the case of a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation.

Non-Dividend Distributions

Unless (1) our common stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest (or USRPI) or (2) either (A) the non-U.S. stockholder’s investment in our common stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. stockholder (in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders with respect to such gain) or (B) the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the U.S. (in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s net capital gain for the year), distributions by us which are not dividends out of our earnings and profits will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. Because our stock is expected to be regularly traded, it is expected that our common stock will not constitute USRPI with respect to a holder unless such holder holds more than 10% of our stock. If it cannot be determined at the time at which a distribution is made whether or not the distribution will exceed current or accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to dividends. However, the non-U.S. stockholder may seek a refund from the IRS of any amounts withheld if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. If our common stock constitutes a USRPI, as described below, distributions by us in excess of the sum of our earnings and profits plus the non-U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in our common stock will be taxed under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (or FIRPTA) at the rate of tax, including any applicable capital gains rates, that would apply to a U.S. stockholder of the same type (such as, an individual or a corporation, as the case may be), and the collection of the tax will be enforced by a refundable withholding at a rate of 10% of the amount by which the distribution exceeds the stockholder’s share of our earnings and profits. Because our stock is expected to be regularly traded, it is expected that non-dividend distributions by us to a holder are generally not subject to FIRPTA unless such holder holds more than 10% of our stock. Non-U.S. stockholders that are treated as “qualified foreign pension funds” are exempt from federal income and withholding tax under FIRPTA on such distributions by us .

Capital Gain Dividends

Under FIRPTA, a distribution made by us to a non-U.S. stockholder, to the extent attributable to gains from dispositions of USRPIs held by us directly or through pass-through subsidiaries (or USRPI capital gains), will be considered effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. stockholders, without regard to whether the distribution is designated as a capital gain dividend. In addition, we will be required to withhold tax equal to 21% of the amount of capital gain dividends to the extent the dividends constitute USRPI capital gains. Distributions subject to FIRPTA may also be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation. However, the 21% withholding tax will not apply to any capital gain dividend (i) with respect to any class of our stock which is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the U.S. if the non-U.S. stockholder did not own more than 10% of such class of stock at any time during the one year period ending on the date of such dividend or (ii) received by certain non-U.S. publicly traded investment vehicles. Instead any capital gain dividend received by such a stockholder will be treated as a distribution subject to the rules discussed above under “—Ordinary Dividends.” Also, the branch profits tax will not apply to such a distribution. We expect that our common stock will be regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States, although no assurance can be provided in this regard. In addition, non-U.S. stockholders that are treated as “qualified foreign pension funds” are exempt from income and withholding tax under FIRPTA on distributions from us to the extent attributable to USRPI capital gains.

A distribution is not a USRPI capital gain if we held the underlying asset solely as a creditor, although the holding of a shared appreciation mortgage loan would not be solely as a creditor. Capital gain dividends received by a non-U.S. stockholder from a REIT that are not USRPI capital gains are generally not subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, unless either (1) the non-U.S. stockholder’s investment in our common stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. stockholder (in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders with respect to such gain) or (2) the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the

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taxable year and has a “tax home” in the U.S. (in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s net capital gain for the year).

Dispositions of Our Common Stock

Unless our common stock constitutes a USRPI, a sale of the stock by a non-U.S. stockholder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation under FIRPTA. The stock will not be treated as a USRPI if less than 50% of our assets throughout a prescribed testing period consist of interests in real property located within the U.S., excluding, for this purpose, interests in real property solely in a capacity as a creditor. Although we do not expect that 50% or more of our assets will consist of interests in real property located in the U.S. for purposes of this test, no assurance can be provided in this regard.

Even if our shares of common stock otherwise would be a USRPI under the foregoing test, our shares of common stock will not constitute a USRPI if we are a “domestically controlled REIT.” A domestically controlled REIT is a REIT in which, at all times during a specified testing period (generally the lesser of the five year period ending on the date of disposition of the REIT’s shares of common stock or the period of the REIT’s existence), less than 50% in value of its outstanding shares of common stock is held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. stockholders.

The following rules simplify such determination:

·                   In the case of a publicly traded REIT, a person holding less than 5% of a publicly traded class of stock at all times during the testing period is treated as a US person unless the REIT has actual knowledge that such person is not a US person.

·                   In the case of REIT stock held by a publicly traded REIT or certain publicly traded or open-ended regulated investment companies (RICs), the REIT or RIC will be treated as a US person if the REIT or RIC is domestically controlled and will be treated as a non-US person otherwise.

·                   In the case of REIT stock held by a REIT or RIC not described in the previous rule, the REIT or RIC is treated as a US person or a non-US person on a look-through basis.

We may be a domestically controlled REIT, in which case the sale of our common stock would not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. However, because our stock is expected to be widely held, we cannot assure investors that we will be a domestically controlled REIT.

Even if we do not qualify as a domestically controlled REIT and our stock is treated as a USRPI, a non-U.S. stockholder’s sale of our common stock nonetheless will generally not be subject to tax under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI, provided that (1) our common stock owned is of a class that is “regularly traded,” as defined by the applicable Treasury Regulation, on an established securities market, and (2) the selling non-U.S. stockholder owned, actually or constructively, 10% or less of our outstanding stock of that class at all times during a specified testing period. We expect that our common stock will be regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States, although no assurance can provided in this regard. In addition, even if we do not qualify as a domestically controlled REIT and our common stock is not regularly traded on an established securities market, non-U.S. stockholders that are treated as “qualified foreign pension funds” are exempt from tax under FIRPTA on the sale of our common stock.

If gain on the sale of our common stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. stockholder would be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of non-resident alien individuals, and the purchaser of the stock could be required to withhold 15% of the purchase price and remit such amount to the IRS.

Gain from the sale of our common stock that would not otherwise be subject to FIRPTA will nonetheless be taxable in the U.S. to a non-U.S. stockholder in two cases: (1) if the non-U.S. stockholder’s investment in our common stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. stockholder, the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, or (2) if the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during

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the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the U.S., the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s net capital gain.

Tax consequences of participation in the Plan

General

We plan to offer stockholders and prospective stockholders the opportunity to participate in the Plan. Although we do not initially anticipate offering shares of our common stock at a discount or discounting the purchase price of our shares under the Plan, in the future, at our sole discretion, shares of our common stock acquired from us or in the open market pursuant to the Plan may be acquired at a discount as determined and set by us from time to time, ranging from 0% to 5%, taking into account any brokerage fees incurred by us.

Amounts treated as a distribution

Generally, a Plan participant will be treated as having received a distribution with respect to our common stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount determined as described below.

A stockholder whose dividends are reinvested in our common stock purchased from us or in the open market will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as having received a distribution from us with respect to our common stock equal to the fair market value of our common stock credited to the stockholder’s Plan account on the date the dividends are reinvested plus any brokerage fees and any other expenses deducted from the amount of the distribution reinvested. The amount of the distribution deemed received (and that will be reported on the Form 1099-DIV received by the stockholder) may exceed the amount of the cash dividend that was reinvested, due to a discount that may be offered on the purchase price of the common stock purchased.

In the situation described above, a stockholder will generally be treated as receiving a distribution from us even though no cash distribution is actually received. These distributions will be taxable in the same manner as all other distributions paid by us, as described above under “Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders,” “Taxation of Tax-exempt Stockholders,” or “Taxation of non-U.S. Stockholders,” as applicable.

Basis and holding period in stock acquired pursuant to the Plan

Subject to the discussion below regarding the “average basis method,” the tax basis for our common stock acquired by reinvesting cash distributions through the Plan generally will equal the fair market value of our common stock on the date of distribution (plus the amount of any brokerage fees paid by the stockholder). Accordingly, if we offer a discount on the purchase price of our common stock purchased with reinvested cash distributions, the tax basis in our common stock would include the amount of any discount. The holding period for our common stock acquired by reinvesting cash distributions will begin on the day following the date of distribution.

Absent an election to the contrary from you, the Plan Administrator intends to use the “FIFO” (as defined in applicable Treasury Regulations) for shares of our common stock acquired by or for you under the Plan. The FIFO method of computing tax basis will apply to shares acquired by or for you under the Plan, except to the extent you provide notice to the Plan Administrator that you elect to use the average basis method of computing the tax basis of your shares under the Plan or another permitted method. The Plan complies with recent Treasury Regulations, which generally allow taxpayers to elect to use the average basis method with respect to shares of stock acquired in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan if the plan requires the reinvestment of at least 10% of every dividend. As a result, you may make an election to use the average basis method of determining such tax basis at any time, and such method will apply to all dispositions of shares under the Plan following such election. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the average basis method and the elections that are appropriate for you.

When a participant withdraws stock from the Plan and receives stock certificates, the participant will not realize any taxable income. However, if the participant receives cash for a fractional share, the participant will be required to recognize gain or loss with respect to that fractional share.

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Effect of Withholding Requirements

Withholding requirements generally applicable to distributions from us will apply to all amounts treated as distributions pursuant to the Plan. See “—Taxation of non-U.S. stockholders,” “—Backup withholding and information reporting” and “—Foreign accounts” for discussion of the withholding requirements that apply to other distributions that we pay. All withholding amounts will be withheld from distributions before the distributions are reinvested under the Plan. Therefore, if a stockholder is subject to withholding, distributions which would otherwise be available for reinvestment under the Plan will be reduced by the withholding amount.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

We will report to our U.S. stockholders and the IRS the amount of dividends paid during each calendar year and the amount of any tax withheld. Under the backup withholding rules, a U.S. stockholder may be subject to backup withholding with respect to dividends paid unless the holder is a corporation or comes within other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact or provides a taxpayer identification number or social security number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. A U.S. stockholder that does not provide his or her correct taxpayer identification number or social security number may also be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. In addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain distribution to any U.S. stockholder who fails to certify their non-foreign status.

We must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. stockholder the amount of dividends paid to such holder and the tax withheld with respect to such dividends, regardless of whether withholding was required. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. stockholder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty. A non-U.S. stockholder may be subject to backup withholding unless applicable certification requirements are met.

Payment of the proceeds of a sale of our common stock within the U.S. is subject to both backup withholding and information reporting unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalties of perjury that it is a non-U.S. stockholder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a U.S. person) or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Payment of the proceeds of a sale of our common stock conducted through certain U.S. related financial intermediaries is subject to information reporting (but not backup withholding) unless the financial intermediary has documentary evidence in its records that the beneficial owner is a non-U.S. stockholder and specified conditions are met or an exemption is otherwise established.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Foreign Accounts

Legislation enacted in 2010 (commonly known as foreign account tax compliance act (“FATCA”)) and existing guidance issued thereunder generally imposes a 30% withholding tax on dividends in respect of, and, after December 31, 2018, gross proceeds from a disposition of shares of common stock held by or through (1) a foreign financial institution (as that term is defined in Section 1471(d)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code) unless that foreign financial institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury Department to collect and disclose information regarding U.S. account holders of that foreign financial institution (including certain account holders that are foreign entities that have U.S. owners) and satisfies other requirements, and (2) specified other non-U.S. entities unless such an entity provides the payor with a certification identifying the direct and indirect U.S. owners of the entity and complies with other requirements. Accordingly, the entity through which our shares of common stock are held will affect the determination of whether withholding is required. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country, or future Treasury regulations or other guidance, may modify these requirements. Holders of our stock are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisor regarding the possible implications of this legislation on their particular circumstances.

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Tax Shelter Regulations

In certain circumstances, a holder of common stock who disposes of an interest in a transaction resulting in the recognition by such stockholder of significant losses in excess of certain threshold amounts may be obligated to disclose its participation in such transaction (or a reportable transaction) in accordance with recently issued regulations governing tax shelters and other potentially tax-motivated transactions (or the Tax Shelter Regulations). Holders should consult their tax advisors concerning any possible disclosure obligation under the Tax Shelter Regulations with respect to the disposition of common stock.

State, Local and Foreign Taxes

We and our stockholders may be subject to state, local or foreign taxation in various jurisdictions, including those in which it or they transact business, own property or reside. The state, local or foreign tax treatment of our Company and our stockholders may not conform to the U.S. federal income tax treatment discussed above. Any foreign taxes incurred by us would not pass through to stockholders as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability. Prospective stockholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application and effect of state, local and foreign income and other tax laws on an investment in our common stock.

Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs

The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. No assurance can be given as to whether, when, or in what form, U.S. federal income tax laws applicable to us and our stockholders may be enacted. Changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws and interpretations of U.S. federal income tax laws could adversely affect an investment in our shares of common stock.

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PROSPECTUS

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IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

Please read this prospectus carefully. If you own shares now or if you decide to buy shares in the future, then please keep this prospectus with your permanent investment records since it contains important information about the Plan.

You should rely only on the information provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale of these securities is not permitted. You should not assume that the information appearing in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement or the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate as of any date other than their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should read carefully the entirety of this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, as well as the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, before making an investment decision.

CERTAIN TERMS

In this prospectus, unless otherwise specified or the context requires otherwise, we use the terms “the company,” “we,” “us” and “our” to refer to ZAIS Financial Corp., a Maryland corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries; references in this prospectus to “Operating Partnership” refer to ZAIS Financial Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and a subsidiary of ZAIS Financial Corp.; references in this prospectus to “ZAIS” refer to ZAIS Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, together with its subsidiaries; and references in this prospectus to “our Advisor” refer to ZAIS REIT Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and an indirect subsidiary of ZAIS Group, LLC.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or the Exchange Act) and, in accordance therewith, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information we file at the SEC’s public reference rooms located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. Our SEC filings are also available at the web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. We maintain a web site at www.zaisfinancial.com. The information on our web site is not, and you must not consider the information to be, a part of this prospectus. Our securities are listed on the NYSE and all such material filed by us with the NYSE also can be inspected at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York 10005.

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3, of which this prospectus is a part, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (or the Securities Act) with respect to the securities. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information concerning our company and the securities, reference is made to the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other documents are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or documents filed as exhibits to the registration statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference herein is deemed to be part of this prospectus, except for any information superseded by information in this prospectus. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that we have previously filed with the SEC. These documents contain important information about us, our business and our finances.

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All documents that we file (but not those that we furnish) pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of the initial registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus, and any previously filed documents. In addition, all documents that we file (but not those that we furnish) pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of any of the securities covered under this prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any previously filed documents.

All of the documents that are incorporated by reference are available at the web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, if you request, either orally or in writing, we will provide you with a copy of any or all documents that are incorporated by reference. Such documents will be provided to you free of charge, but will not contain any exhibits, unless those exhibits are incorporated by reference into the document. Requests should be addressed to Steven Haber, our company’s Secretary, at ZAIS Financial Corp., Two Bridge Avenue, Suite 322, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701-1106, telephone number (732) 978-9716.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. These forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account information currently available to us. In some cases, you can identify forward looking statements by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “should” and “would” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Statements regarding the following subjects, among others, are forward-looking by their nature:

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Our beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us or are within our control. If any such change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in, or implied by, our forward-looking statements. You should carefully consider these risks before you make an investment decision with respect to our common stock, along with, among others, the following factors that could cause actual results to vary from our forward-looking statements:

·                   the factors referenced in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” in such report, and the factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K under the headings “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” as well as information set forth under such captions or under other headings in other periodic and other reports we file with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement;

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. You should not rely on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this prospectus. We are not obligated, and do not intend, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SUMMARY INFORMATION

We are a Maryland corporation that primarily invests in, finances and manages performing and re-performing residential mortgage loans which may be seasoned or recently originated. We also invest in, finance and manage RMBS that are not issued or guaranteed by a federally chartered corporation, such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, or an agency of the U.S. Government, such as Ginnie Mae with an emphasis on securities that, when originally issued, were rated in the highest rating category by one or more of the nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. We also have the discretion to invest in mortgage servicing rights (or MSRs), RMBS that are issued or guaranteed by a federally chartered corporation or a U.S. Government agency (or Agency RMBS), including through To-Be-Announced (or TBA) contracts, and in other real estate-related and financial assets, such as interest only strips created from RMBS, commercial mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities. We refer collectively to the assets we target for acquisition as our target assets.

We plan over time to evolve our whole loan strategy to include newly originated residential mortgage loans, which we expect to become a core component of our strategy. While we have not yet begun originating or purchasing newly originated loans, we have taken steps to build out our capabilities. We believe that this business will benefit from the existing expertise of our Advisor in mortgage product development, loan pricing, hedging and analytics, due diligence, risk management and servicing oversight. We may pursue opportunities for the origination and purchase of newly originated mortgage loans through a loan seller network or through the acquisition or establishment of a mortgage origination platform.

Our income is generated primarily by the net spread between the income we earn on our assets and the cost of our financing and hedging activities. Our objective is to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns to our stockholders, primarily through quarterly distributions and secondarily through capital appreciation.

We are externally managed and advised by our Advisor. Pursuant to the terms of the investment advisory agreement between us and our Advisor, our Advisor is responsible for our investment strategies and decisions and our day-to-day operations.

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2011. We also expect to operate our business so that we are not required to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act.

Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “ZFC.” Our principal executive offices are located at Two Bridge Avenue, Suite 322, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701-1106. Our telephone number is (732) 978-7518. Our website is www.zaisfinancial.com. The information on our website is not considered part of this prospectus.

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·                   We may, in our sole discretion, without prior notice, change our determination as to whether shares of common stock will be purchased through the Plan Administrator directly from us or through open market or privately negotiated purchases facilitated by the Plan Administrator. You will pay your pro rata share of all brokerage commissions in connection with any reinvestment of dividends in which the Plan Administrator facilitates purchases of shares of our common stock on the open market.

·                   No interest will be paid on funds that the Plan Administrator holds pending investment or that may ultimately be returned to you. See Questions 13 and 16 below.

·                   The purchase price for shares of common stock purchased under the Plan may exceed the price of acquiring shares of common stock on the open market at any given time on the actual purchase date.

4. Who is eligible to participate in the Plan?

The Plan is open to all U.S. residents that currently own shares of our common stock.

5. Can non-U.S. citizens participate in the Plan?

Yes. If you are not a U.S. citizen but currently own shares of our common stock, you can participate in the Plan, provided there are no laws or governmental regulations that would prohibit you from participating or laws or governmental regulations that would affect the terms of the Plan. We reserve the right to terminate the participation of any stockholder if we deem it advisable under any foreign laws or regulations. You will be subject to certain tax withholding regarding dividends that are reinvested.

6. Is participation in the Plan voluntary? How do I enroll in the Plan if I am already eligible to participate?

Participation in the Plan is voluntary, and we give no advice regarding your decision to join the Plan.

After being furnished with a copy of this prospectus, you may join the plan at any time by enrolling online through Broadridge at http://shareholder.broadridge.com/zaisfinancial or by completing and returning the enclosed enrollment form. All plan materials, including enrollment forms, as well as other plan forms and this prospectus, are available through the Plan Administrator as indicated in the answer to Question 26 below.

You will become a participant after a properly completed enrollment form has been received and accepted by the Plan Administrator or after you enroll online.

7. I already own shares, but they are held by my bank or broker and registered in “street name.” How can I participate in the Plan?

If you are the beneficial owner of common stock registered in “street name” (for example, in the name of a bank, broker or trustee), you may participate in the plan by either: (1) transferring those securities into your own name and depositing those shares of common stock into the plan for safekeeping and/or electing to reinvest cash dividend payments on those shares in common stock (see the answer to Question 22 below); or (2) making arrangements with your record or registered holder (for example, your bank, broker or trustee, who will become the participant) to participate in the plan on your behalf.

8. Are there any expenses to participants in connection with purchases of common stock from our company under the Plan?

All costs or expenses arising out of the purchase of shares pursuant to the Plan, including the Plan Administrator’s fees, will be paid by us. There will be no brokerage fees for shares purchased under the Plan, except that you will pay your pro rata share of all brokerage commissions in connection with any reinvestment of dividends in which the Plan Administrator facilitates purchases of shares of our common stock on the open market. All administrative costs of the Plan will be paid by us. For a description of the fees and commissions applicable to sales of shares through the Plan, see Question 21 below.

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9. What are the reinvestment options?

You may select from the following reinvestment options:

·                   Full Dividend Reinvestment: You may elect to reinvest all of your cash dividends by designating your election on your enrollment form. Dividends paid on all shares registered in your name in stock certificate form and/or credited to your account will be reinvested under the Plan in additional shares of common stock.

·                   Partial Dividend Reinvestment : You may elect to receive part of your dividends in cash by designating your election on your enrollment form, subject to a minimum reinvestment percentage of 10%. If you elect partial dividend reinvestment, you must specify the number of whole shares for which you want to receive cash dividends. Dividends paid on all other shares registered in your name in stock certificate form and/or credited to your account will be reinvested under the Plan in additional shares of common stock. Under the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 (or the 2008 Act), and the relevant Treasury regulations, you must reinvest at least 10% of your dividend disbursement.

Automatic reinvestment of your dividends does not relieve you of liability for income taxes that may be owed on your dividends. Dividends paid on shares credited to your account will be included in information provided both to you and the Internal Revenue Service (or IRS). You will generally be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as having received a dividend on the related date of purchase of shares of common stock under the Plan, which may give rise to a tax payment obligation without providing you with corresponding cash to pay such tax when it becomes due. See Question 33 “What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of participating in the Plan?” below.

Broadridge will begin to reinvest your dividends automatically on the next dividend payment date after Broadridge receives your fully completed enrollment form and initial investment, if applicable. If your completed enrollment form and initial investment, if applicable, do not arrive five business days before the record date, reinvestment may not begin until the following dividend.

10. Does the Plan permit optional cash investment in addition to dividend reinvestment?

The Plan does not permit any optional cash investment.

11. What transactions can I conduct through Broadridge’s online services?

Broadridge offers you a convenient way to invest in our common stock completely online, without having to send in any forms or checks by mail. Through Broadridge’s online services, you may:

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·                   Receive transaction confirmations via email; and

·                   Arrange to receive the company’s annual reports and other materials over the Internet.

You can access these services through Broadridge’s website, http://shareholder.broadridge.com/zaisfinancial . Participation in the Plan through the Internet is entirely voluntary.

If you are a registered holder, you will need your account number, social security number and password to access your account online. If your shares are held by your bank or broker and registered in “street name,” see Question 7 above for more information.

12. What is the source of our common stock purchased through the Plan?

Shares will be purchased through the Plan Administrator:

in each case, at our sole discretion.

We may also, without prior notice to participants, change our determination as to whether shares of common stock will be purchased through the Plan Administrator directly from us or in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions facilitated by the Plan Administrator. In connection with any purchase of shares of our common stock on the open market, you will pay your pro rata share of all brokerage commissions and therefore the cash dividends on your shares to be reinvested in our stock under the Plan will be reduced by the amount of such commissions you are responsible for.

Share purchases in the open market may be made on any stock exchange where our common stock is traded or in privately negotiated transactions on such terms as Broadridge may reasonably determine. Neither we nor any participant will have any authority or power to direct the date, time or price at which shares may be purchased by Broadridge, no one, other than Broadridge, may select the broker or dealer through or from whom purchases are to be made.

We presently expect that most shares will be purchased directly from us in the form of newly issued shares.

13. When will shares be purchased under the Plan?

The “Purchase Date” is the date or dates on which the Plan Administrator facilitates purchases of shares of our common stock for the Plan, as described below.

If the Plan Administrator acquires shares directly from us, it will combine the dividend funds of all Plan participants whose dividends are automatically reinvested and will generally invest such dividend funds on the dividend payment date (and any succeeding NYSE trading days necessary to complete the order). If the dividend payment date falls on a day that is not a NYSE trading day, then the investment will occur on the next NYSE trading day. If the Plan Administrator facilitates the acquisition of shares from parties other than us through open market transactions, such purchases will occur during a period beginning on the day that would be deemed the Purchase Date if the shares were acquired directly from us (the dividend payment date or, if the dividend payment date falls on a day that is not a NYSE trading day, the next NYSE trading day) and ending no later than thirty-five (35) days following the date on which we paid the applicable cash dividend, except where completion at a later date is necessary or advisable under any applicable federal or state securities laws or regulations. No interest will be paid on cash dividends received and held pending investment by the Plan Administrator. The record date associated with a particular dividend is referred to in this Plan as a “dividend record date”.

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14. At what price will shares be purchased?

The price of shares for dividend reinvestment will be determined as follows:

·                   If the shares are purchased in the open market, the purchase price will be the average price per share of shares purchased.

·                   If the shares are purchased from us, the purchase price will be the average of the daily high and low sales prices for a share of our common stock reported by the NYSE on the applicable Purchase Date or, if no trading occurs in shares of common stock on the applicable Purchase Date, the first NYSE trading day immediately preceding the Purchase Date for which trades are reported.

To maintain our compliance with the U.S. federal income tax rules applicable to REITs, we cannot, and will not under any circumstances, offer any discount on shares purchased pursuant to this Plan that exceeds 5% of the fair market value of the shares (inclusive of any applicable sales or brokerage fees we pay on your behalf), as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, on any particular investment date. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or anything contained in this prospectus, no provisions of the Plan shall be construed to permit a discount that would adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT.

15. Will fractional shares be purchased?

If any dividend reinvestment is not sufficient to purchase a whole share of our common stock, a fractional share equivalent will be credited to your account. Dividends will be paid on the fraction and will be reinvested or paid in cash in accordance with your standing instructions.

16. Will interest be paid on Plan accounts?

No. Interest will not be paid on Plan accounts or on any amounts held pending investment.

17. Who will hold the additional shares purchased through the Plan?

Shares purchased through the Plan are held in safekeeping in book-entry form on Broadridge’s records. The number of shares (including fractional interests) held for each participant will be shown on each account statement. Keeping shares in book-entry form protects against certificate loss, theft and destruction.

18. How may I receive a stock certificate?

You may obtain a physical stock certificate (at no cost) for some or all of your whole shares at any time by requesting Broadridge to withdraw shares from your Plan account. You may make such a request by going to http://shareholder.broadridge.com/zaisfinancial , calling Broadridge directly using their toll-free number within the United States (866-202-3034) or toll-free international number (720-358-3637) or by using the tear-off form attached to the account statement. Certificates are normally issued to participants within five business days after receipt of the request. Issuing a certificate for shares held in your Plan account does not affect the automatic reinvestment of your dividends unless you withdraw all of the shares held in your Plan account. No certificates will be issued for fractional shares of common stock. Any remaining whole or fractional shares will continue to be credited to your account. If you request a certificate for all shares credited to your account, a certificate will be issued for the whole shares, and a cash payment will be made for any remaining fractional share. That cash payment will be based upon the then current market price of the common stock, less any commissions and any other costs of sale. Please refer to Question 24 below for instructions on closing your Plan account.

19. How do I replace a lost, stolen or destroyed stock certificate?

If your stock certificate is lost, stolen or destroyed, you should notify Broadridge immediately so that a stop transfer order can be placed on the certificate. You should provide as much specific information about the certificate in question as possible in order to assist Broadridge in identifying which certificate to place a stop transfer order against (certificate number, number of shares, date issued, etc.). Broadridge will send you the forms necessary for issuing a replacement certificate. Please note that there is a fee of approximately 2% of the market value of the shares (minimum of $50) charged to purchase the replacement indemnity bond.

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20. May I add my physical shares of the company’s common stock to my Plan account for safekeeping?

At the time of enrollment in the Plan or at any later time, you may use the Plan’s share certificate safekeeping service to deposit with Broadridge any share of our common stock in certificate form in your possession and registered in your name. To combine shares held in certificate form with shares held through your Plan account, you must complete the tear-off section of the account statement and submit it, or a letter of instruction, with your certificates to Broadridge at the address provided in Question 26 below. You should not sign the certificate(s) or complete the assignment section. Since you bear the risk of loss in transit, you should send your stock certificates by registered mail, return receipt requested and insured based on the market value, or by some other form of traceable and/or insurable delivery. Shares held through your Plan account will be protected against certificate loss, theft and damage.

21. How may I sell shares I hold through the Plan?

You can sell some or all of the shares held in your Plan account by contacting Broadridge online at http://shareholder.broadridge.com/zaisfinancial or you may call Broadridge directly using their toll-free number within the United States (866-202-3034) or toll-free international number (720-358-3637). You can also submit your request to Broadridge by completing and submitting the tear-off portion of the account statement. Broadridge will cause your shares to be sold on the open market within five business days of receipt of your request. Broadridge may combine your shares to be sold with those of other Plan participants selling shares at the same time. The sales price per share will be the weighted average price per share received by Broadridge for all sales made on that day (and any succeeding days necessary to complete the sale order). Once sold, Broadridge will send you the proceeds, less a service fee of $15 per transaction and applicable commission fees, which are currently $0.10 per share sold. Proceeds are normally paid by check, which are distributed within 24 hours after your sale transaction has settled.

Broadridge reserves the right to decline to process a sale if it determines, in its sole discretion, that supporting legal documentation is required. In addition, no one will have any authority or power to direct the time or price at which shares for the Plan are sold, and no one, other than Broadridge, will select the broker(s) or dealer(s) through or from whom sales are to be made.

You should be aware that the price of our common stock may rise or fall during the period between a request for sale, its receipt by Broadridge and the ultimate sale on the open market. Instructions sent to Broadridge to sell shares are binding and may not be rescinded. If you prefer to have complete control as to the exact timing and sales prices, you can transfer the shares to a broker of your own choosing and sell them through that broker.

22. Can I transfer shares that I hold in the Plan to someone else?

Yes. You may transfer ownership of some or all of your shares held through the Plan. You may call Broadridge using their toll-free number within the United States (866-202-3034) or toll-free international number (720-358-3637) for complete transfer instructions or go to http://shareholder.broadridge.com/zaisfinancial to download the appropriate materials. You will be asked to send Broadridge written transfer instructions and your signature must be “Medallion Guaranteed” by a financial institution. Most banks and brokers participate in the Medallion Guarantee Program. The Medallion Guarantee Program ensures that the individual signing is in fact the owner of the shares to be transferred. A notary is not sufficient.

You may transfer shares to new or existing company stockholders. You may not transfer fractional shares.

23. I’ve just moved. How can I request a change of address or update other personal data?

It is important that our records contain your most up-to-date personal data. If you need to request a change of address or update other personal data, please call Broadridge using their toll-free number within the United States (866-202-3034) or toll-free international number (720-358-3637) or write to them at the address provided in Question 26 below. You can also update your personal data through Broadridge’s online services at http://shareholder.broadridge.com/zaisfinancial .

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24. How may I modify or close my Plan account?

·                   Changing Reinvestment Options : You may change reinvestment options through the Internet at http://shareholder.broadridge.com/zaisfinancial , by telephone or by submitting a new election to the Plan Administrator. To be effective for a specific dividend, Broadridge must receive any change five business days before the record date for such dividend. Record dates are usually about fifteen (15) days prior to dividend payment dates.

·                   Closing your Plan account . You may close your Plan account by:

(a)          Requesting that Broadridge issue a stock certificate for all of your whole shares and a check for the value of any fractional share. See Question 18 above for additional information on requesting a stock certificate; or

(b)          Requesting that Broadridge sell the shares held in your Plan account on the open market and remit to you a check for the proceeds for all full and fractional shares, less any applicable commissions. See Question 21 above for additional information on sales.

In order to be effective for a particular dividend, Broadridge must receive a request to close your Plan account at least five business days prior to the dividend payment date.

25. Are there any other limits on the purchase of shares of common stock under the Plan?

In order for us to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, shares of our stock must be owned by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months (other than the first year for which we made an election to be taxed as a REIT) or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Also, not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding shares of our stock may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include certain entities) during the last half of a taxable year (other than the first year for which we make an election to be taxed as a REIT). See “Risk Factors—Tax Risks—The company’s failure to qualify as a REIT would subject it to U.S. federal income tax and applicable state and local taxes, which would reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to the Company’s stockholders” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. To qualify as a REIT, our company must satisfy other requirements as well.

To assist us in complying with such limitations on the concentration of ownership, among other purposes, our charter provides that, subject to the exceptions described below, no person or entity may own, or be deemed to own, by virtue of the applicable constructive ownership provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, more than 9.8% in value or in number, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock, or 9.8% in value or in number, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of all classes and series of our capital stock. We refer to the common share ownership limit and the aggregate share ownership limit collectively as the “ownership limit.” A person or entity that becomes subject to the ownership limit by virtue of a violative transfer that results in a transfer to a trust, as described below, is referred to as a “purported transferee” if, had the violative transfer been effective, the person or entity would have been a record owner and beneficial owner or solely a beneficial owner of shares of our stock.

The constructive ownership rules under the Internal Revenue Code are complex and may cause shares of stock owned actually or constructively by a group of related individuals and/or entities to be owned constructively by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than 9.8% in value or in number, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of our common stock, or 9.8% in value or in number, whichever is more restrictive, of the outstanding shares of all classes and series of our capital stock (or the acquisition of an interest in an entity that owns, actually or constructively, shares of our stock by an individual or entity), could, nevertheless, cause that individual or entity, or another individual or entity, to own constructively in excess of the ownership limit.

Our board of directors (or our Board) may, in its sole discretion, subject to such conditions as it may determine and the receipt of certain representations and undertakings, prospectively or retroactively, waive the ownership limit or establish a different limit on ownership, or excepted holder limit, for a particular stockholder if the stockholder’s ownership in excess of the ownership limit would not result in our company being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise would result in us failing to qualify as a REIT. As a condition of its waiver, our Board may, but is not required to, require an opinion of counsel or the Internal Revenue Service (or IRS) ruling satisfactory to the Board with respect to its qualification as a REIT.

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In connection with granting a waiver of the ownership limit or creating an excepted holder limit or at any other time, our Board may from time to time increase or decrease the ownership limit for all other persons and entities unless, after giving effect to such increase, five or fewer individuals could beneficially own in the aggregate, more than 49.9% in value of the shares then outstanding or our company would be “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or we would otherwise fail to qualify as a REIT. A reduced ownership limit will not apply to any person or entity whose percentage ownership of our common stock or stock of all classes and series, as applicable, is in excess of such decreased ownership limit until such time as such person’s or entity’s percentage ownership of our common stock or stock of all classes and series, as applicable, equals or falls below the decreased ownership limit, but any further acquisition of shares of our common stock or stock of any other class or series, as applicable, in excess of such percentage ownership of our common stock or stock of all classes and series will be in violation of the ownership limit.

Our charter further prohibits:

·                   any person from beneficially or constructively owning, applying certain attribution rules of the Internal Revenue Code, shares of our stock that would result in our company being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year) or otherwise cause our company to fail to qualify as a REIT; and

·                   any person from transferring shares of our stock if such transfer would result in shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons (determined without reference to any rules of attribution).

Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of shares of our stock that will or may violate the ownership limit or any of the foregoing restrictions relating to transferability and ownership must immediately give written notice to our company or, in the case of a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days’ prior written notice and provide our company with such other information as our company may request in order to determine the effect of such transfer on our qualification as a REIT. The foregoing provisions on transferability and ownership will not apply if our Board determines that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to qualify, or to continue to qualify, as a REIT.

If any transfer of shares of our stock would result in shares of our stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 persons, such transfer will be null and void and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in such shares. In addition, if any purported transfer of shares of our stock or any other event would otherwise result in any person violating the ownership limit or an excepted holder limit established by our Board or in our company being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT, then that number of shares (rounded up to the nearest whole share) that would cause our company to violate such restrictions will be automatically transferred to, and held by, a trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more charitable organizations selected by our company and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in such shares. The automatic transfer will be effective as of the close of business on the business day prior to the date of the violative transfer or other event that results in a transfer to the trust. Any dividend or other distribution paid to the purported transferee, prior to our discovery that the shares had been automatically transferred to a trust as described above, must be repaid to the trustee upon demand for distribution to the beneficiary by the trust. If the transfer to the trust as described above is not automatically effective, for any reason, to prevent violation of the applicable ownership limit or excepted holder limit or our company being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT, then our charter provides that the transfer of the shares will be null and void and the purported transferee will acquire no rights in such shares.

Shares of stock transferred to the trustee of the charitable trust are deemed offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (1) the price paid by the purported transferee for the shares (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the market price at the time of such devise or gift) and (2) the market price on the date we, or our designee, accepts such offer. We may reduce the amount payable to the purported transferee by the amount of dividends and other distributions which have been paid to the purported transferee and are owed by the purported transferee to the trustee. We have the right to accept such offer until the trustee of the charitable trust has sold the shares of our stock held in the trust pursuant to the clauses discussed below. Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares sold terminates, the trustee of the charitable trust must distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the purported transferee and any dividends or other distributions held by the trustee with respect to such shares of stock will be paid to the charitable beneficiary.

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If we do not buy the shares, the trustee must, within 20 days of receiving notice from us of the transfer of shares to the trust, sell the shares to a person or entity designated by the trustee who could own the shares without violating the ownership limit or the other restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our stock. After the sale of the shares, the interest of the charitable beneficiary in the shares transferred to the trust will terminate and the trustee must distribute to the purported transferee an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the price paid by the purported transferee for the shares (or, if the purported transferee did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the trust, the market price of the shares on the day of the event which resulted in the transfer of such shares of stock to the trust) and (2) the sales proceeds (net of commissions and other expenses of sale) received by the trust for the shares. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the purported transferee will be immediately paid to the beneficiary of the trust, together with any dividends or other distributions thereon. In addition, if, prior to discovery by our company that shares of stock have been transferred to a trust, such shares of stock are sold by a purported transferee, then such shares will be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the trust and to the extent that the purported transferee received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such purported transferee was entitled to receive, such excess amount will be paid to the trustee upon demand. The purported transferee has no rights in the shares held by the trustee.

The trustee of the charitable trust will be designated by our company and will be unaffiliated with our company and with any purported transferee. Prior to the sale of any shares by the trust, the trustee will receive, in trust for the beneficiary of the trust, all dividends and other distributions paid by our company with respect to the shares held in trust and may also exercise all voting rights with respect to the shares held in trust. These rights will be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the beneficiary of the trust. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to our discovery that shares of stock have been transferred to the trust will be paid by the recipient to the trustee upon demand. Any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid will be paid when due to the trustee.

Subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares have been transferred to the trust, the trustee will have the authority, at the trustee’s sole discretion:

·                   to rescind as void any vote cast by a purported transferee prior to our discovery that the shares have been transferred to the trust; and

·                   to recast the vote in accordance with the desires of the trustee acting for the benefit of the beneficiary of the trust.

However, if our company has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee may not rescind and recast the vote.

In addition, if our Board determines in good faith that a proposed transfer or other event has taken place that would violate the restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our stock or that a person intends or has attempted to acquire beneficial or constructive ownership of stock in violation of such restrictions (whether or not such violation is intended), our Board will take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such transfer, including causing our company to redeem the shares of stock, refusing to give effect to the transfer on its books or instituting proceedings to enjoin the transfer.

Every owner of 5% or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Internal Revenue Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder) of our stock, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, must give our company written notice, stating the stockholder’s name and address, the number of shares of each class and series of our stock that the stockholder beneficially owns and a description of the manner in which the shares are held. Each such owner must provide our company with such additional information as our company may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of the stockholder’s beneficial ownership on our qualification as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limit. In addition, each stockholder must provide our company with such information as our company may request in good faith in order to determine its qualification as a REIT and to comply with the requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.

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Any certificates representing shares of our stock will bear a legend referring to the restrictions described above.

These restrictions relating to ownership and transfer will not apply if our Board determines that it is no longer in our best interests to continue to qualify as a REIT.

These ownership limits could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.

26. Who administers and interprets the Plan? How do I contact them?

Administration of the Plan is conducted by the individual (who may be an employee of our company, ZAIS or our Advisor), bank, trust company or other entity (including our company) appointed from time-to-time by us to act as administrator of the plan. Broadridge is the current Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator is responsible for administering the plan, receiving all your cash investments, maintaining records of account activities, issuing statements of account and performing other duties required by the Plan. The number of shares credited to your account under the Plan will be shown on your statement of account.

You may contact Broadridge by:

Internet

You can obtain information and perform certain transactions on your plan account on the Broadridge website at http://shareholder.broadridge.com/zaisfinancial .

Telephone

You can telephone Broadridge toll-free within the United States by calling 866-202-3034, or for international toll-free calls 720-358-3637. An automated voice response system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Customer service representatives are available Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. Eastern time (except holidays).

Mail

You may write to the Plan Administrator at the following address:

For inquiries, to:

ZAIS Financial Corp. Dividend Reinvestment Plan
c/o Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc.
P.O. Box 1342, Brentwood, NY 11717

You should be sure to include your name, address, daytime phone number, social security or tax I.D. number and a reference to “ZAIS Financial Corp.” on all correspondence.

27. What reports will I receive?

Easy to read statements of your calendar year-to-date account activity will be sent to you promptly after the settlement of each purchase of shares, which will simplify your record keeping. Each statement will show the amount invested, the purchase price, the number of shares purchased and the applicable service fees, as well as any activity associated with share deposits, transfers or withdrawals. These statements are a record of your Plan account activity and identify your cumulative share position. Please notify Broadridge promptly if your address changes. In addition, you will receive copies of the same communications sent to all other holders of our common stock, such as our annual reports and proxy statements. You will also receive any IRS information returns, if required. Under the 2008 Act and the relevant IRS regulations, the Plan Administrator will now report the cost basis of the common stock purchased pursuant to the Plan to both the participants in the Plan and the IRS. If you prefer, and if such materials are available online, you may consent to receive communications from us electronically over the Internet. Instead of receiving materials by mail, you will receive an electronic notice to the e-mail address of record, notifying you of the availability of our materials and instructing you on how to view and act on them. In addition, you can review your current account status, reinvestment options and transaction history online at any time at http://shareholder.broadridge.com/zaisfinancial . Please retain all transaction statements for tax purposes as there may be a fee for reconstructing past history.

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28. What if the company issues a stock dividend or declares a stock split or rights offering?

Any stock dividends or split shares of common stock distributed by us to you will be based on both the shares of common stock registered in your name in certificate form and the shares (whole and fractional) credited to your Plan account. Such stock dividend or stock split shares will be added to your Plan account in book-entry form. You will receive a statement indicating the number of shares or dividends earned as a result of the transaction. In the event of a rights offering, you will receive rights based upon the total number of whole shares you own, whether the shares are held in the form of a physical certificate or held in a Plan account. Any transactions under the Plan may be curtailed or suspended until the completion of any stock dividend, stock split or corporate action.

29. How do I vote my Plan shares at stockholders’ meetings?

In connection with any meeting of our stockholders, you will receive proxy materials either online or by mail based on your preference. Such material will include a proxy card representing both the shares for which you hold physical certificates and the shares held in your Plan account. Those shares will only be voted as you indicate on your executed proxy whether submitted by telephone, online or through the mail. If you sign and return the proxy card and no voting instructions are given with respect to any item on the proxy card, all of your shares will be voted in accordance with our recommendations. This is the same procedure that is followed for all other stockholder who return signed proxy cards and do not provide instructions. If you do not return the proxy card, or if you do not sign it, none of your shares will be voted. As an alternative to returning your proxy card, you may also vote all of your shares in person at the stockholders’ meeting.

30. Can the Plan be changed?

We may suspend, modify or terminate the Plan at any time. All participants will receive notice of any such suspension, modification or termination. Amendments may include our appointment of a successor Plan administrator, who will have full power and authority to deliver services pursuant to the Plan or any separate replacement service program. If the Plan is terminated, whole shares will continue to be held in book-entry form in your Plan account or distributed in certificate form at our sole discretion. A cash payment will be made for any fractional share.

Broadridge also may terminate your Plan account if you do not own at least one whole share. In the event your Plan account is terminated for this reason, a check for the cash value of the fractional share will be sent to you, less any service and processing fees, and your account will be closed.

31. What are the responsibilities of the company and Broadridge under the Plan?

Neither we, our subsidiaries, our affiliates, nor Broadridge will be liable for any act or omission to act, which was done in good faith, including any claim of liability: (i) arising out of the failure to cease reinvestment of dividends for a participant’s account upon the participant’s death prior to receipt of notice in writing of the death along with a request to cease dividend reinvestment participation from a qualified representative of the deceased; and (ii) with respect to the prices or times at which shares are purchased or sold for you. Broadridge will have no liability for failed executions due to reasons beyond Broadridge’s control.

You should recognize that neither the company nor Broadridge can assure you of a profit or protect you against a loss on shares purchased through the Plan. You must make independent investment and participation decisions based on your own judgment and research as you alone bear the risk of fluctuations in the market value of our common stock. You bear the risk of loss in value and you enjoy the benefits of gains from market price changes with respect to all of your shares.

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32. Will dividends continue to be paid while the Plan is in effect?

To qualify as a REIT, we must distribute to our stockholders each calendar year at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain. To the extent that we satisfy the 90% distribution requirement, but distribute less than 100% of our taxable income, we will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our undistributed income. In addition, we will incur a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the amount, if any, by which our distributions in any calendar year are less than a minimum amount specified under U.S. federal income tax laws.

As a result of the foregoing, we may generate less cash flow than taxable income in a particular year and find it difficult or impossible to meet the REIT distribution requirements in certain circumstances. In such circumstances, we may be required to (i) sell assets in adverse market conditions, (ii) borrow on unfavorable terms, (iii) distribute amounts that would otherwise be used for future investment or used to repay debt, or (iv) make a taxable distribution of shares of common stock as part of a distribution in which stockholders may elect to receive shares of common stock or (subject to a limit measured as a percentage of the total distribution) cash, in order to comply with the requirements.

Our current policy is to pay quarterly distributions which will allow us to satisfy the requirements to qualify as a REIT and generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. Any distributions we make will be at the discretion of our Board and will depend upon our earnings and financial condition, maintenance of our REIT qualification, restrictions on making distributions under Maryland law and such other factors as our Board deems relevant. Our earnings and financial condition will be affected by various factors, including the net interest and other income from our portfolio, our operating expenses and any other expenditures.

33. What are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of participating in the Plan?

Dividend Reinvestment . The reinvestment of dividends does not relieve you of any U.S. federal income tax which may be payable on such dividends. When your dividends are reinvested to acquire shares of our common stock (including any fractional share), you will be treated as having received a distribution in the amount of the fair market value of our common stock on the dividend payment date multiplied by the number of shares (including any fractional share) purchased, plus any trading fees or service charges that we pay on your behalf.

So long as we continue to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, the distribution will be taxable under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to REITs and their stockholders, pursuant to which (i) distributions (other than those designated as capital gain dividends) will be taxable to stockholders as ordinary income to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, (ii) distributions that are designated as capital gain dividends by us will be taxed as long-term capital gains to stockholders to the extent they do not exceed our net capital gain for the taxable year, (iii) distributions that are not designated as capital gains dividends and that are in excess of our current or accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the stockholders to the extent of the adjusted basis of each stockholder’s shares and will reduce the adjusted tax basis of each stockholder’s shares (but not below zero) and (iv) such distributions in excess of a stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of such shares. If any shares of our common stock purchased with reinvested dividends were purchased at a discount or if we pay any portion of the purchase price, trading fees or service charges on your behalf, the taxable income received by you as a participant in the Plan would be greater than the taxable income that would have resulted from the receipt of the dividend in cash.

The Plan Administrator will report to you for U.S. federal income tax purposes the dividends to be credited to your account. Such information will also be furnished to the IRS to the extent required by law.

Receipt of Share Certificates and Cash . You will not realize any additional income for U.S. federal income tax purposes when you receive certificates for shares of our common stock credited to your Plan account. Any cash received for a fractional share held in your Plan account will be treated as an amount realized on the sale of the fractional share. You therefore will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes equal to any difference between the amount of cash received for a fractional share and your tax basis in the fractional share.

Withholding . We or the Plan Administrator may be required to withhold on all dividend payments to a stockholder if (i) such stockholder has failed to furnish his or her taxpayer identification number, which for an individual is his or her social security number, (ii) the IRS has notified us that the stockholder has failed to properly report interest or dividends or (iii) the stockholder has failed to certify, under penalty of perjury, that he or she is not subject to backup withholding. In the case of a stockholder who is subject to backup withholding tax on dividends under the Plan, the amount of the tax to be withheld will be deducted from the amount of the cash dividend and only the reduced amount will be reinvested in shares pursuant to the Plan.

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The summary set forth in this Question 33 is intended only as a general discussion of the current U.S. federal income tax consequences of participation in the Plan. This discussion does not purport to deal with all aspects of taxation that may be relevant to particular participants in light of their personal investment circumstances or certain types of participants (including foreign persons, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions or broker-dealers) subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws. For a discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding stock in a REIT generally, see “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

34. Can I pledge my Plan shares?

You may not pledge or assign book-entry shares held in your Plan account. Unless you first remove your shares from the Plan and request stock certificates for the shares, please note that you will not be able to pledge or hypothecate any shares held in your Plan account.

35. Am I protected against losses?

Your investment in the Plan is no different from any investment in shares held by you. If you choose to participate in the Plan, then you should recognize that none of us, our subsidiaries and affiliates, nor the Plan Administrator can assure you of a profit or protect you against loss on the shares that you purchase under the Plan. You bear the risk of loss in value and enjoy the benefits of gains with respect to all your shares. You need to make your own independent investment and participation decisions consistent with your situation and needs. None of us, our subsidiaries and affiliates, nor the Plan Administrator can guarantee liquidity in the markets, and the value and marketability of your shares may be adversely affected by market conditions.

Plan accounts are not insured or protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation or any other entity and are not guaranteed by the FDIC or any government agency.

Neither we, our subsidiaries, our affiliates, nor the Plan Administrator will be liable for any act or for any failure to act, as long as we or they have made good faith efforts to carry out the terms of the Plan, as described in this prospectus and on the forms that are designed to accompany each investment or activity.

In addition, the purchase price for shares acquired through the Plan will vary and cannot be predicted. The Purchase Price may be different from (more or less than) the price of acquiring shares on the open market on the related dividend payment date. Your investment in Plan shares will be exposed to changes in market conditions and changes in the market value of the shares. Your ability to sell — both as to timing and pricing terms and related expenses — or otherwise liquidate shares under the Plan is subject to the terms of the Plan and the withdrawal procedures. Also, no interest will be paid on dividends, cash or other funds held by the Plan Administrator pending investment.

36. What other risks will I face through my participation in the Plan?

The following summary identifies several of the most important risks that you may face by virtue of your participation in the Plan. There may be additional risks that are not listed below, and you should consult your financial, tax, legal and other advisors prior to determining whether to participate in the Plan.

·                   There is no price protection for your shares in the Plan . Your investment in the shares held in the Plan will be exposed to changes in market conditions and changes in the market value of the shares. Your ability to liquidate or otherwise dispose of shares in the Plan is subject to the terms of the Plan and the withdrawal procedures thereunder. You may not be able to withdraw or sell your shares in the Plan in time to react to market conditions.

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·                   The Purchase Price for shares purchased or sold under the Plan will vary . The Purchase Price for any shares that you purchase or sell under the Plan will vary and cannot be predicted. You may purchase or sell shares at a Purchase Price that is different from (more or less than) the price that you would face if you acquired or sold shares on the open market on the related dividend payment date or Purchase Date or sale date, as appropriate.

·                   We may not be able to pay dividends . To qualify as a REIT, we must distribute to our stockholders each calendar year at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain. We have not established a minimum distribution payment level and our ability to pay distributions may be adversely affected by a number of factors. All distributions will be made at the discretion of our Board and will depend on our earnings, our financial condition, any debt covenants, maintenance of the our REIT qualification, restrictions on making distributions under Maryland law and other factors as our Board may deem relevant from time to time. We may not be able to make distributions in the future and our Board may change our distribution policy in the future.

·                   We may change our determination as to whether the Plan purchases shares directly from us, which could increase the fees you pay under the Plan . Although we presently expect that most shares will be purchased directly from us in the form of newly issued shares, we may, without giving you prior written notice, decide to instruct the Plan Administrator to facilitate the purchase of shares of our common stock directly from third parties through open market transactions. Such purchases will be subject to any brokerage commission that the Plan Administrator is required to pay to a broker-dealer.

·                   You will not earn any interest on your dividends or cash pending investment . No interest will be paid on dividends, cash or other funds held by the Plan Administrator pending investment or disbursement.

·                   The market price for our common stock varies, and you should purchase shares for long-term investment only . Although our common stock currently is traded on the NYSE, we cannot assure you that there will, at any time in the future, be an active trading market for our common stock. Even if there is an active trading market for our common stock, we cannot assure you that you will be able to sell all of your shares at one time or at a favorable price, if at all. As a result, you should participate in the Plan only if you are capable of, and seeking, to make a long-term investment in our common stock.

Other important factors and risks are identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You are encouraged to review these risk factors carefully.

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U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to our qualification and taxation as a REIT and the acquisition, holding, and disposition of our common stock. For purposes of this section, references to “we,” “us” or “our company” means only ZAIS Financial Corp. and not its subsidiaries or other lower-tier entities, except as otherwise indicated. This summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code, the regulations promulgated by the Treasury Regulations, current administrative interpretations and practices of the IRS (including administrative interpretations and practices expressed in private letter rulings which are binding on the IRS only with respect to the particular taxpayers who requested and received those rulings) and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. No advance ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS regarding any matter discussed in this summary. The summary is also based upon the assumption that the operation of our company, and of our subsidiaries and other lower-tier and affiliated entities, including our Operating Partnership will, in each case, be in accordance with its applicable organizational documents. This summary is for general information only, and does not purport to discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be important to a particular stockholder in light of its investment or tax circumstances or to stockholders subject to special tax rules, such as:

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·                   tax exempt organizations, except to the extent discussed below in “—Taxation of Tax Exempt U.S. Stockholder;” and

·                   non-U.S. persons (as defined below), except to the extent discussed below in “—Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholder.”

This summary assumes that stockholders will hold our common stock as capital assets, which generally means as property held for investment.

For the purposes of this summary, a U.S. person is a beneficial owner of our common stock who for U.S. federal income tax purposes is:

·                   a citizen or resident of the U.S.;

·                   a corporation (including an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S. or of a political subdivision thereof (including the District of Columbia);

·                   an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

·                   any trust if (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person.

For the purposes of this summary, a U.S. stockholder is a beneficial owner of our common stock who is a U.S. person. A tax exempt organization is a U.S. person who is exempt from U.S. federal income tax under Section 401(a) or 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

For the purposes of this summary, a non-U.S. person is a beneficial owner of our common stock who is neither a U.S. stockholder nor an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and a non-U.S. stockholder is a holder of our common stock who is a non-U.S. person.

THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX TREATMENT OF HOLDERS OF OUR COMMON STOCK DEPENDS IN SOME INSTANCES ON DETERMINATIONS OF FACT AND INTERPRETATIONS OF COMPLEX PROVISIONS OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAW FOR WHICH NO CLEAR PRECEDENT OR AUTHORITY MAY BE AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF HOLDING OUR COMMON STOCK TO ANY PARTICULAR STOCKHOLDER WILL DEPEND ON THE STOCKHOLDER’S PARTICULAR TAX CIRCUMSTANCES. YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU, IN LIGHT OF YOUR PARTICULAR INVESTMENT OR TAX CIRCUMSTANCES, OF ACQUIRING, HOLDING, AND DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON STOCK.

Taxation of Our Company

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2011. We believe that we have been organized and operated, and we intend to continue to operate, in a manner that allows us to qualify for taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code.

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The law firm of Clifford Chance US LLP has acted as our counsel in connection with this prospectus. We will receive an opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP to the effect that, commencing with our taxable year ended December 31, 2011, we have been organized and operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, and our proposed method of operation, as represented by our management and our Advisor in their certificate of representations supporting the opinion, will enable us to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. It must be emphasized that the opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP is based on various assumptions relating to our organization and operation, including that all factual representations and statements set forth in all relevant documents, records and instruments are true and correct, all actions described in this prospectus are completed in a timely fashion and that we will at all times operate in accordance with the method of operation described in our organizational documents and this prospectus. Additionally, the opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP is conditioned upon factual representations and covenants made by the Advisor and our management regarding our organization, assets, past, present and future conduct of our business operations, diversity of ownership of our capital stock, and other items regarding our ability to meet the various requirements for qualification as a REIT, and assumes that such representations and covenants are accurate and complete and that we will take no action inconsistent with our qualification as a REIT. While our Advisor believes that we are organized and have operated, or intend to continue to operate so that we will qualify as a REIT, given the highly complex nature of the rules governing REITs, the ongoing importance of factual determinations and the possibility of future changes in our circumstances or applicable law, no assurance can be given by Clifford Chance US LLP or us that we will so qualify for any particular year. Clifford Chance US LLP will have no obligation to advise us or the holders of shares of our common stock of any subsequent change in the matters stated, represented or assumed or of any subsequent change in the applicable law. You should be aware that opinions of counsel are not binding on the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions.

Qualification and taxation as a REIT depends on our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, through actual results of operations, distribution levels, diversity of share ownership and various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Internal Revenue Code, the compliance with which has not been reviewed by Clifford Chance US LLP. In addition, our ability to qualify as a REIT may depend in part upon the operating results, organizational structure and entity classification for U.S. federal income tax purposes of certain entities in which we invest, which entities have not been reviewed by Clifford Chance US LLP. Our ability to qualify as a REIT also requires that we satisfy certain asset and income tests, some of which depend upon the fair market values of assets directly or indirectly owned by us or which serve as security for loans made by us. Such values may not be susceptible to a precise determination. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of our operations for any taxable year will satisfy the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT.

Taxation of REITs in General

As indicated above, qualification and taxation as a REIT depends upon our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various qualification requirements imposed upon REITs by the Internal Revenue Code. The material qualification requirements are summarized below, under “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT.” While we intend to operate so that we qualify as a REIT, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge our qualification as a REIT or that we will be able to operate in accordance with the REIT requirements in the future. See “—Failure to Qualify.”

Provided that we qualify as a REIT, we will generally be entitled to a deduction for dividends that we pay and, therefore, will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our net taxable income that is currently distributed to our stockholders. This treatment substantially eliminates the “double taxation” at the corporate and stockholder levels that results generally from investment in a corporation. Rather, income generated by a REIT generally is taxed only at the stockholder level, upon a distribution of dividends by the REIT.

U.S. stockholders (as defined above) who are individuals are generally taxed on corporate dividends at a maximum rate of 20% (the same as long term capital gains), thereby substantially reducing, though not completely eliminating, the double taxation that has historically applied to corporate dividends.

With limited exceptions, however, dividends received by individual U.S. stockholders from our company or from other entities that are taxed as REITs will continue to be taxed at rates applicable to ordinary income, which are as high as 39.6%.

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Net operating losses, foreign tax credits and other tax attributes of a REIT generally do not pass through to the stockholders of the REIT, subject to special rules for certain items, such as capital gains, recognized by REITs. See “—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders.”

Even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, however, we will be subject to U.S. federal income taxation as follows:

·                   We will be taxed at regular U.S. federal corporate rates on any undistributed income, including undistributed net capital gains.

·                   We may be subject to the “alternative minimum tax” on our items of tax preference, if any.

·                   If we have net income from prohibited transactions, which are, in general, sales or other dispositions of property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, other than foreclosure property, such income will be subject to a 100% tax. See “—Prohibited Transactions” and “—Foreclosure Property” below.

·                   If we elect to treat property that we acquire in connection with a foreclosure of a mortgage loan or from certain leasehold terminations as “foreclosure property,” we may thereby avoid (1) the 100% tax on gain from a resale of that property (if the sale would otherwise constitute a prohibited transaction) and (2) the inclusion of any income from such property not qualifying for purposes of the REIT gross income tests discussed below, but the income from the sale or operation of the property may be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax at the highest applicable rate (currently 35%).

·                   If we fail to satisfy the 75% gross income test or the 95% gross income test, as discussed below, but nonetheless maintain our qualification as a REIT because other requirements are met, we will be subject to a 100% tax on an amount equal to (1) the greater of (A) the amount by which we fail the 75% gross income test or (B) the amount by which we fail the 95% gross income test, as the case may be, multiplied by (2) a fraction intended to reflect profitability.

·                   If we fail to satisfy any of the REIT asset tests, as described below, other than a failure of the 5% or 10% REIT asset tests that do not exceed a statutory de minimis amount as described more fully below, but our failure is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and we nonetheless maintain our REIT qualification because of specified cure provisions, we will be required to pay a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the highest corporate tax rate (currently 35%) of the net income generated by the non-qualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy the asset tests.

·                   If we fail to satisfy any provision of the Internal Revenue Code that would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT (other than a gross income or asset test requirement) and the violation is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, we may retain our REIT qualification but we will be required to pay a penalty of $50,000 for each such failure.

·                   If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (1) 85% our REIT ordinary income for such year, (2) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year and (3) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods (or the required distribution), we will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of (A) the amounts actually distributed (taking into account excess distributions from prior years), plus (B) retained amounts on which income tax is paid at the corporate level.

·                   We may be required to pay monetary penalties to the IRS in certain circumstances, including if we fail to meet record-keeping requirements intended to monitor our compliance with rules relating to the composition of our stockholders, as described below in “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT.”

·                   A 100% excise tax may be imposed on some items of income and expense that are directly or constructively paid between us and any ZAIS I TRS, Inc. (or ZAIS I TRS), ZFC Trust TRS I, LLC (or ZFC Trust TRS), and any other domestic taxable REIT subsidiary (or TRS) we may own if and to the extent that the IRS successfully adjusts the reported amounts of these items.

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·                   If we acquire appreciated assets from a corporation that is not a REIT in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the C corporation, we will be subject to tax on such appreciation at the highest corporate income tax rate then applicable if we subsequently recognize gain on a disposition of any such assets during the 10-year period following their acquisition from the C corporation. The results described in this paragraph assume that the C corporation will not elect, in lieu of this treatment, to be subject to an immediate tax when the asset is acquired by us.

·                   We may elect to retain and pay U.S. federal income tax on our net long-term capital gain. In that case, a stockholder would include its proportionate share of our undistributed long-term capital gain (to the extent we make a timely designation of such gain to the stockholder) in its income, would be deemed to have paid the tax that we paid on such gain, and would be allowed a credit for its proportionate share of the tax deemed to have been paid, and an adjustment would be made to increase the stockholder’s basis in our common stock.

·                   We may have subsidiaries or own interests in other lower-tier entities that are subchapter C corporations, the earnings of which could be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax.

·                   We will generally be subject to tax on the portion of any excess inclusion income derived from an investment in residual interests in REMICs to the extent our stock is held in record name by specified tax exempt organizations not subject to tax on unrelated business taxable income (UBTI).

In addition, we may be subject to a variety of taxes other than U.S. federal income tax, including state, local, and foreign income, franchise property and other taxes. We could also be subject to tax in situations and on transactions not presently contemplated.

Requirements for Qualification as a REIT

The Internal Revenue Code defines a REIT as a corporation, trust or association:

(1) that is managed by one or more trustees or directors;

(2) the beneficial ownership of which is evidenced by transferable shares or by transferable certificates of beneficial interest;

(3) that would be taxable as a domestic corporation but for the special Internal Revenue Code provisions applicable to REITs;

(4) that is neither a financial institution nor an insurance company subject to specific provisions of the Internal Revenue Code;

(5) the beneficial ownership of which is held by 100 or more persons during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a taxable year of less than 12 months;

(6) in which, during the last half of each taxable year, not more than 50% in value of the outstanding stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer “individuals” (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include specified entities);

(7) that makes an election to be a REIT for the current taxable year or has made such an election for a previous taxable year that has not been terminated or revoked;

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(8) that has no earnings and profits from any non-REIT taxable year at the close of any taxable year;

(9) that uses the calendar year for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and

(10) that meets other tests described below, including with respect to the nature of its income and assets and the amount of its distributions.

The Internal Revenue Code provides that conditions (1) through (4) must be met during the entire taxable year, and that condition (5) must be met during at least 335 days of a taxable year of 12 months, or during a proportionate part of a shorter taxable year. Conditions (5) and (6) do not need to be satisfied for the first taxable year for which an election to become a REIT has been made. We believe that we have outstanding common stock with sufficient diversity of ownership to satisfy the requirements described in conditions (5) and (6). In addition, our charter provides restrictions regarding the ownership and transfer of our shares, which are intended to assist us in satisfying the share ownership requirements described in conditions (5) and (6) above. We believe that we have satisfied condition (6) and will continue to satisfy condition (6). However, prior to our IPO, certain individuals owned in excess of 9.8% of our common stock under the attribution rules applicable for purposes of condition (6). Until the closing of the IPO, we monitored all purchases and transfers of our common stock to ensure that we met condition (6). However, the attribution rules that apply for purposes of determining the ownership of shares for purposes of condition (6) are complex and in some cases dependent on facts that are not always easy to determine. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that we have at all times satisfied condition (6). If the IRS were to challenge our satisfaction of condition (6) during a prior taxable year, we could fail to qualify as a REIT in such taxable year and could be ineligible to elect to qualify as a REIT during the four taxable years following the year of such failure. See “—Failure to Qualify.” For purposes of condition (6), an “individual” generally includes a supplemental unemployment compensation benefit plan, a private foundation or a portion of a trust permanently set aside or used exclusively for charitable purposes, but does not include a qualified pension plan or profit sharing trust.

To monitor compliance with the share ownership requirements, we are generally required to maintain records regarding the actual ownership of our shares. To do so, we must demand written statements each year from the record holders of significant percentages of our shares of stock, in which the record holders are to disclose the actual owners of the shares (that is, the persons required to include in gross income the dividends paid by our company). A list of those persons failing or refusing to comply with this demand must be maintained as part of our records. Failure by our company to comply with these record-keeping requirements could subject us to monetary penalties. If we satisfy these requirements and after exercising reasonable diligence would not have known that condition (6) is not satisfied, we will be deemed to have satisfied such condition. A stockholder that fails or refuses to comply with the demand is required by Treasury Regulations to submit a statement with its tax return disclosing the actual ownership of the shares and other information.

With respect to condition (8), we believe that we will not have any non-REIT earnings and profits. With respect to condition (9), we have adopted December 31 as our taxable year end and thereby satisfy this requirement.

Effect of Subsidiary Entities

Ownership of Partnership Interests

In the case of a REIT that is a partner in an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such as our Operating Partnership, Treasury Regulations provide that the REIT is deemed to own its proportionate share of the partnership’s assets and to earn its proportionate share of the partnership’s gross income based on its pro rata share of capital interests in the partnership for purposes of the asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs, as described below. However, solely for purposes of the 10% value test, described below, the determination of a REIT’s interest in partnership assets will be based on the REIT’s proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership, excluding for these purposes, certain excluded securities as described in the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, the assets and gross income of the partnership generally are deemed to retain the same character in the hands of the REIT. Thus, our proportionate share of the assets and items of income of partnerships in which we own an equity interest is treated as assets and items of income of our company for purposes of applying the REIT requirements described below. Consequently, to the extent that we directly or indirectly hold a preferred or other equity interest in a partnership, the partnership’s assets and operations may affect our ability to qualify as a REIT, even though we may have no control or only limited influence over the partnership.

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As discussed in greater detail in “—Tax Aspects of Investments in Partnerships” below, an investment in a partnership involves special tax considerations. For example, it is possible that the IRS could treat a subsidiary partnership of ours as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In this case, the subsidiary partnership would be subject to entity-level tax and the character of our assets and items of gross income would change, possibly causing us to fail the requirements to qualify as a REIT. See “—Tax Aspects of Investments in Partnerships—Entity Classification” and “—Failure to Qualify” below. In addition, special rules apply in the case of appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an interest in the partnership. In general terms, these rules require that certain items of income, gain, loss and deduction associated with the contributed property be allocated to the contributing partner for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In certain circumstances, these rules could adversely affect us. See “—Tax Aspects of Investments in Partnerships—Tax Allocations With Respect to Partnership Assets” below.

Disregarded Subsidiaries

If a REIT owns a corporate subsidiary that is a “qualified REIT subsidiary,” that subsidiary is disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and all assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the subsidiary are treated as assets, liabilities and items of income, deduction and credit of the REIT itself, including for purposes of the gross income and asset tests applicable to REITs, as summarized below. A qualified REIT subsidiary is any corporation, other than a TRS, that is wholly owned by a REIT, by other disregarded subsidiaries of a REIT or by a combination of the two. Single member limited liability companies that are wholly owned by a REIT are also generally disregarded as separate entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including for purposes of the REIT gross income and asset tests. Disregarded subsidiaries, along with partnerships in which we hold an equity interest, are sometimes referred to herein as “pass-through subsidiaries.”

In the event that a disregarded subsidiary ceases to be wholly owned by us (for example, if any equity interest in the subsidiary is acquired by a person other than us or another disregarded subsidiary of our company), the subsidiary’s separate existence would no longer be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Instead, it would have multiple owners and would be treated as either a partnership or a taxable corporation. Such an event could, depending on the circumstances, adversely affect our ability to satisfy the various asset and gross income tests applicable to REITs, including the requirement that REITs generally may not own, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the value or voting power of the outstanding securities of another corporation. See “—Asset Tests” and “—Gross Income Tests.”

Taxable REIT Subsidiaries

A REIT, in general, may jointly elect with a subsidiary corporation, whether or not wholly owned, to treat the subsidiary corporation as a TRS. The separate existence of a TRS or other taxable corporation, unlike a disregarded subsidiary as discussed above, is not ignored for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, such an entity would generally be subject to corporate income tax on its earnings, which may reduce the cash flow generated by us and our subsidiaries in the aggregate and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.

We have elected, together with ZAIS I TRS, for ZAIS I TRS to be treated as a TRS, we have elected, together with ZFC Trust TRS, for ZFC Trust TRS to be treated as a TRS, and we may make TRS elections with respect to certain other domestic entities and non-U.S. entities we may form in the future. The Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder provide a specific exemption from U.S. federal income tax that applies to a non-U.S. corporation that restricts its activities in the United States to trading in stock and securities (or any activity closely related thereto) for its own account whether such trading (or such other activity) is conducted by such a non-U.S. corporation or its employees through a resident broker, commission agent, custodian or other agent. Certain U.S. stockholders of such a non-U.S. corporation are required to include in their income currently their proportionate share of the earnings of such a corporation, whether or not such earnings are distributed. We may invest in certain non-U.S. corporations with which we will jointly make a TRS election which will be organized as Cayman Islands companies and will either rely on such exemption or otherwise operate in a manner so that such non-U.S. corporations will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on their net income. Therefore, despite such contemplated entities’ status as TRSs, such entities should generally not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on their earnings. However, we will likely be required to include in our income, on a current basis, the earnings of any such TRSs. This could affect our ability to comply with the REIT income tests and distribution requirement. See “—Gross Income Tests” and “—Annual Distribution Requirements.”

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A REIT is not treated as holding the assets of a TRS or other taxable subsidiary corporation or as receiving any income that the subsidiary earns. Rather, the stock issued by the subsidiary is an asset in the hands of the REIT, and the REIT generally recognizes as income the dividends, if any, that it receives from the subsidiary. This treatment can affect the gross income and asset test calculations that apply to the REIT, as described below. Because a parent REIT does not include the assets and income of such subsidiary corporations in determining the parent REIT’s compliance with the REIT requirements, such entities may be used by the parent REIT to undertake indirectly activities that the REIT rules might otherwise preclude the parent REIT from doing directly or through pass-through subsidiaries or render commercially unfeasible (for example, activities that give rise to certain categories of income such as non-qualifying fee or hedging income or inventory sales). If dividends are paid to us by one or more domestic TRSs we may own, then a portion of the dividends that we distribute to stockholders who are taxed at individual rates generally will be eligible for taxation at preferential qualified dividend income tax rates rather than at ordinary income rates. See “—Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders” and “—Annual Distribution Requirements.”

Certain restrictions imposed on TRSs are intended to ensure that such entities will be subject to appropriate levels of U.S. federal income taxation. First, a TRS may not deduct interest payments made in any year to an affiliated REIT to the extent that the excess of such payments over the TRS’s interest income exceeds, generally, 50% of the TRS’s adjusted taxable income for that year (although the TRS may carry forward to, and deduct in, a succeeding year the disallowed interest amount if the 50% test is satisfied in that year). Since this limitation generally only applies to interest expense to the extent it exceeds a TRS’s interest income, the limitation may not have a significant impact on TRSs that primarily hold debt investments. In addition, if amounts are paid to a REIT or deducted by a TRS due to transactions between a REIT, its tenants and/or the TRS, that exceed the amount that would be paid to or deducted by a party in an arm’s-length transaction, the REIT generally will be subject to an excise tax equal to 100% of such excess. We intend to scrutinize all of our transactions with any of our subsidiaries that are treated as TRSs in an effort to ensure that we will not become subject to this excise tax; however, we cannot assure you that we will be successful in avoiding this excise tax.

Taxable Mortgage Pools

An entity, or a portion of an entity, is classified as a taxable mortgage pool under the Internal Revenue Code if:

·                   substantially all of its assets consist of debt obligations or interests in debt obligations;

·                   more than 50% of those debt obligations are real estate mortgage loans or interests in real estate mortgage loans as of specified testing dates;

·                   the entity has issued debt obligations that have two or more maturities; and

·                   the payments required to be made by the entity on its debt obligations “bear a relationship” to the payments to be received by the entity on the debt obligations that it holds as assets.

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Under Treasury Regulations, if less than 80% of the assets of an entity (or a portion of an entity) consist of debt obligations, these debt obligations are considered not to comprise “substantially all” of its assets, and therefore the entity would not be treated as a taxable mortgage pool. We may enter into transactions that could result in us, our Operating Partnership or a portion of our assets being treated as a “taxable mortgage pool” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Specifically, we may securitize mortgage loans or RMBS that we acquire and certain securitizations may result in us owning interests in a taxable mortgage pool. We would be precluded from holding equity interests in such a securitization through our Operating Partnership unless we own all of the outstanding interests in our Operating Partnership during the period that we hold such securitization. Accordingly, we would likely enter into such a transaction through a qualified REIT subsidiary of a subsidiary REIT of our Operating Partnership, and will be precluded from selling to outside investors equity interests in such a securitization or from selling any debt securities issued in connection with such a securitization that might be considered to be equity interests for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

A taxable mortgage pool generally is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, special rules apply to a REIT, a portion of a REIT, or a qualified REIT subsidiary that is a taxable mortgage pool. If a REIT, including a subsidiary REIT formed by our Operating Partnership, owns directly, or indirectly through one or more qualified REIT subsidiaries or other entities that are disregarded as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, 100% of the equity interests in the taxable mortgage pool, the taxable mortgage pool will be a qualified REIT subsidiary and, therefore, ignored as an entity separate from the REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes and would not generally affect the tax qualification of the REIT. Rather, the consequences of the taxable mortgage pool classification would generally, except as described below, be limited to the REIT’s stockholders. See “—Excess Inclusion Income.”

If such a subsidiary REIT of our Operating Partnership owns less than 100% of the ownership interests in a subsidiary that is a taxable mortgage pool, the foregoing rules would not apply. Rather, the subsidiary would be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and would be subject to corporate income tax. In addition, this characterization would alter the REIT income and asset test calculations of such a subsidiary REIT and could adversely affect such REIT’s compliance with those requirements, which, in turn, could affect our compliance with the REIT requirements. We do not expect that we, or any subsidiary REIT owned by our Operating Partnership, would form any subsidiary that would become a taxable mortgage pool, in which we own some, but less than all, of the ownership interests, and we intend to monitor the structure of any taxable mortgage pools in which we have an interest to ensure that they will not adversely affect our qualification as a REIT.

Subsidiary REITs

Our Operating Partnership may establish one or more subsidiary REITs to hold certain assets and conduct certain activities. Any such subsidiary REIT will be treated as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and we will not be treated as owning the assets of such subsidiary REIT or recognizing the income recognized by such subsidiary REIT. Any such subsidiary REIT will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the same manner as us and will be subject to the same gross income tests, asset tests and other REIT qualification requirements and considerations as are applicable to us.

The stock of any such subsidiary REIT will be a qualifying asset to us for the purpose of the 75% asset test so long as such subsidiary REIT continues to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “—Asset Tests.” Any dividends received by our Operating Partnership from such subsidiary REIT will be qualifying income to us for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. See “—Gross Income Tests—Dividend Income.” We may capitalize a subsidiary REIT with debt in addition to equity. Such debt will generally not be a qualifying asset for purposes of the 75% asset test. See “—Asset Tests.” Interest paid to us on such debt will generally be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test but not the 75% gross income test. See “—Gross Income Tests—Interest Income.”

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Gross Income Tests

In order to maintain our qualification as a REIT, we annually must satisfy two gross income tests. First, at least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year, excluding gross income from sales of inventory or dealer property in “prohibited transactions” and certain hedging and foreign currency transactions, must be derived from investments relating to real property or mortgages on real property, including “rents from real property,” dividends received from and gains from the disposition of other shares of REITs, interest income derived from mortgage loans secured by real property (including certain types of RMBS), and gains from the sale of real estate assets, as well as income from certain kinds of temporary investments. Second, at least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year, excluding gross income from prohibited transactions and certain hedging and foreign currency transactions, must be derived from some combination of income that qualifies under the 75% income test described above, as well as other dividends, interest, and gain from the sale or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real property. We intend to monitor the amount of our non-qualifying income and manage our portfolio of assets to comply with the gross income tests, but we cannot assure you that we will be successful in our effort.

For purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests, a REIT is deemed to have earned a proportionate share of the income earned by any partnership, or any limited liability company treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in which it owns an interest, which share is determined by reference to its capital interest in such entity, and is deemed to have earned the income earned by any qualified REIT subsidiary.

Interest Income

Interest income constitutes qualifying mortgage interest for purposes of the 75% gross income test to the extent that the obligation upon which such interest is paid is secured by a mortgage on real property. If we receive interest income with respect to a mortgage loan that is secured by both real property and other property and the highest principal amount of the loan outstanding during a taxable year exceeds the fair market value of the real property on the date of our binding commitment to make or purchase the mortgage loan, the interest income will be apportioned between the real property and the other property, and our income from the arrangement will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test only to the extent that the interest is allocable to the real property. Even if a loan is not secured by real property or is undersecured, the income that it generates may nonetheless qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test.

In the event that we invest in a mortgage that is secured by both real property and other property, we would be required to apportion our annual interest income to the real property security based on a fraction, the numerator of which is the value of the real property securing the loan, determined when we commit to acquire the loan, and the denominator of which is the highest “principal amount” of the loan during the year. The IRS has issued Revenue Procedure 2011-16, which interprets the “principal amount” of the loan to be the face amount of the loan, despite the Internal Revenue Code requiring taxpayers to treat any market discount, that is the difference between the purchase price of the loan and its face amount, for all purposes (other than certain withholding and information reporting purposes) as interest rather than principal. Any mortgage loan that we invest in that is not fully secured by real property may therefore be subject to the interest apportionment rules and the position taken in IRS Revenue Procedure 2011-16 as described above.

We have and intend to continue to invest in RMBS that are either pass-through certificates or CMOs. We expect that such RMBS are treated either as interests in a grantor trust or as regular interests in a REMIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that substantially all of the interest income, original issue discount, or OID, and market discount from our RMBS will be qualifying income for the 95% gross income test. In the case of RMBS treated as interests in grantor trusts, we would be treated as owning an undivided beneficial ownership interest in the mortgage loans held by the grantor trust. The interest, OID and market discount on such mortgage loans would be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test to the extent that the obligation is secured by real property, as discussed above. In the case of RMBS treated as interests in a REMIC, income derived from REMIC interests will generally be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. If less than 95% of the assets of the REMIC are real estate assets, however, then only a proportionate part of its interest in the REMIC and income derived from the interest will qualify for purposes of the 75% gross income test. In addition, some REMIC securitizations include imbedded interest swap or cap contracts or other derivative instruments that potentially could produce non-qualifying income for the holder of the related REMIC securities. In connection with the recently expanded HARP program, the IRS recently issued guidance providing that, among other things, if a REIT holds a regular or residual interest in an “eligible REMIC” that informs the REIT that at least 80% of the REMIC’s assets constitute real estate assets, then the REIT may treat 80% of the gross income received with respect to the interest in the REMIC as interest on an obligation secured by a mortgage on real property for the purpose of the 75% REIT gross income test. For this purpose, a REMIC is an “eligible REMIC” if (i) the REMIC has received a guarantee from Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac that will allow the REMIC to make any principal and interest payments on its regular and residual interests and (ii) all of the REMIC’s mortgages and pass-through certificates are secured by interests in single-family dwellings. If we were to acquire an interest in an eligible REMIC less than 95% of the assets of which constitute real estate assets, the IRS guidance described above may generally allow us to treat 80% of the gross income derived from the interest as qualifying income for the purpose of the 75% REIT gross income test. However, the remaining portion of such income would not generally be qualifying income for the purpose of the 75% REIT gross income test, which could adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT. We expect that substantially all of our income from RMBS will be qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests.

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We believe that the interest, OID, and market discount income that we receive from our RMBS and other debt instruments generally will be qualifying income for purposes of both the 75% and 95% gross income tests. However, to the extent that we own non-REMIC CMO obligations or other debt instruments secured by mortgage loans (rather than by real property) or secured by non-real estate assets, or debt securities that are not secured by mortgages on real property or interests in real property, the interest income received with respect to such securities generally will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not the 75% gross income test. In addition, the loan amount of a mortgage loan that we own may exceed the value of the real property securing the loan. In that case, income from the loan will be qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but the interest attributable to the amount of the loan that exceeds the value of the real property securing the loan will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test.

We may purchase Agency RMBS through TBAs and we may recognize income or gains from the disposition of those TBAs, through dollar roll transactions or otherwise. There is no direct authority with respect to the qualification of income or gains from dispositions of TBAs as gains from the sale of real property (including interests in real property and interests in mortgages on real property) or other qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Consequently, our ability to enter into dollar roll transactions and other dispositions of TBA could be limited. No assurance can be given that the IRS will treat such income as qualifying income. We do not expect such income to adversely affect our ability to meet the 75% gross income test. In the event that such income were determined not to be qualifying for the 75% gross income test, we could be subject to a penalty tax or we could fail to qualify as a REIT if such income when added to any other non-qualifying income exceeded 25% of our gross income.

We may acquire excess MSRs, which means the portion of an MSR that exceeds the arm’s length fee for services performed by the mortgage servicer. In a recent private letter ruling, the IRS ruled that interest received by a REIT from excess MSRs meeting certain requirements will be considered interest on obligations secured by mortgages on real property for purposes of the 75% REIT gross income test. A private letter ruling may be relied upon only by the taxpayer to whom it is issued, and the IRS may revoke a private letter ruling. Consistent with the analysis adopted by the IRS in that private letter ruling and based on advice of counsel, we intend to treat such income from any excess MSRs we acquire that meet the requirements provided in the private letter ruling as qualifying income for purposes of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. Notwithstanding the IRS’s determination in the private letter ruling described above, it is possible that the IRS could successfully assert that such income does not qualify for purposes of the 75% and/or 95% gross income tests, which, if such income together with other income we earn that does not qualify for the 75% or 95% gross income test, as applicable, exceeded 25% or 5% of our gross income, could cause us to be subject to a penalty tax and could impact our ability to qualify as a REIT. See “—Failure to Satisfy the Gross Income Tests” and “—Failure to Qualify.” To the extent we acquire MSRs other than excess MSRs, we expect that we would hold such MSRs in a TRS in order to avoid recognizing non-qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests.

Phantom Income

Due to the nature of the assets in which we will invest, we may be required to recognize taxable income from certain of our assets in advance of our receipt of cash flow on or proceeds from disposition of such assets, which we refer to as “phantom income,” and we may be required to report taxable income in early periods that exceeds the economic income ultimately realized on such assets.

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We have and may continue to acquire debt instruments, including RMBS, in the secondary market for less than their face amount. The discount at which such debt instruments are acquired may reflect doubts about their ultimate collectability rather than current market interest rates. The amount of such discount will nevertheless generally be treated as “market discount” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We expect to accrue market discount on a constant yield to maturity of the debt instrument, based generally on the assumption that all future payments on the debt instrument will be made. Accrued market discount is reported as income when, and to the extent that, any payment of principal on the debt instrument is received, unless we elect to include accrued market discount in incomes as it accrues. Principal payments on certain loans are made monthly, and consequently accrued market discount may have to be included in income each month as if the debt instrument would ultimately be collected in full. If we collect less on the debt instrument than our purchase price plus any market discount we had previously reported as income, we may not be able to benefit from any offsetting loss deductions in subsequent years. In certain cases, we may be able to cease accruing interest income with respect to a debt instrument, to the extent there is reasonable doubt as to our ability to collect such interest income. However, if we recognize insufficient interest income, and the IRS were to successfully assert that we did not accrue the appropriate amount of income with respect to such a debt instrument in a given taxable year, we may be required to increase our taxable income with respect to such year, which could cause us to be required to pay a deficiency dividend or a tax on undistributed income, or fail to qualify as a REIT.

Some of the RMBS that we purchase will likely have been issued with OID. We will be required to accrue OID based on a constant yield method and income will accrue on the RMBS based on the assumption that all future payments on such RMBS will be made. If such RMBS turn out not to be fully collectible, an offsetting loss will only become available in a later year when uncollectability is provable. Moreover, such loss will likely be treated as a capital loss in the hands of our Operating Partnership, and the utility of that deduction would therefore depend on our having capital gain in that later year or thereafter. We may also be required under the terms of the indebtedness that we incur to use cash received from interest payments to make principal payment on that indebtedness, with the effect that we will recognize income but will not have a corresponding amount of cash available for distribution to our stockholders.

In addition, we may acquire excess MSRs. Based on IRS guidance concerning the classification of excess MSRs, we intend to treat any excess MSRs that we may acquire that meet certain requirements as ownership interests in the interest payments made on the underlying pool of mortgage loans. Under this treatment, each excess MSR is treated as a bond that was issued with OID on the date we acquired such excess MSR. In general, we will be required to accrue OID based on the constant yield to maturity of each excess MSR, and to treat such OID as taxable income in accordance with the applicable U.S. federal income tax rules. The constant yield of an excess MSR will be determined, and we will be taxed based on, a prepayment assumption regarding future payments due on the mortgage loans underlying the excess MSR. If the mortgage loans underlying an excess MSR prepay at a rate different than that under the prepayment assumption, our recognition of OID will be either increased or decreased depending on the circumstances. Thus, in a particular taxable year, we may be required to accrue an amount of income in respect of an excess MSR that exceeds the amount of cash collected in respect of that excess MSR. Furthermore, it is possible that, over the life of the investment in an excess MSR, the total amount we pay for, and accrue with respect to, the excess MSR may exceed the total amount we collect on such excess MSR. No assurance can be given that we will be entitled to an ordinary loss or deduction for such, meaning that we may not be able to use any such loss or deduction to offset OID recognized with respect to our excess MSRs or other ordinary income recognized by us. As a result of this mismatch in character between the income and losses generated by our excess MSRs, our REIT taxable income may be higher than it otherwise would have been in the absence of that mismatch.

Due to each of these potential differences between income recognition or expense deduction and related cash receipts or disbursements, there is a significant risk that we may have substantial taxable income in excess of cash available for distribution. In that event, we may need to borrow funds or take other actions to satisfy the REIT distribution requirements for the taxable year in which this “phantom income” is recognized. See “—Annual Distribution Requirements.”

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Dividend Income

We may receive distributions from TRSs or other corporations that are not REITs or qualified REIT subsidiaries. These distributions are generally classified as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the distributing corporation. Such distributions generally constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test, but not the 75% gross income test. Any dividends received by us from a REIT is qualifying income in our hands for purposes of both the 95% and 75% gross income tests.

Income inclusions from certain equity investments in a foreign TRS or other non-U.S. corporation in which we may hold an equity interest are technically neither dividends nor any of the other enumerated categories of income specified in the 95% gross income test for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, in recent private letter rulings, the IRS exercised its authority under Internal Revenue Code section 856(c)(5)(J)(ii) to treat such income as qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test. A private letter ruling may be relied upon only by the taxpayer to whom it is issued, and the IRS may revoke a private letter ruling. Consistent with the position adopted by the IRS in those private letter rulings and based on advice of counsel concerning the classification of such income inclusions for purposes of the REIT income tests, we intend to treat such income inclusions that meet certain requirements as qualifying income for purposes of the 95% gross income test. Notwithstanding the IRS’s determination in the private letter rulings described above, it is possible that the IRS could successfully assert that such income does not qualify for purposes of the 95% gross income test, which, if such income together with other income we earn that does not qualify for the 95% gross income test exceeded 5% of our gross income, could cause us to be subject to a penalty tax and could impact our ability to qualify as a REIT. See “—Failure to Satisfy the Gross Income Tests” and “—Failure to Qualify.” In addition, if such income was determined not to qualify for the 95% gross income test, we would need to invest in sufficient qualifying assets, or sell some of our interests in any foreign TRSs or other non-U.S. corporations in which we hold an equity interest to ensure that the income recognized by us from our foreign TRSs or such other corporations does not exceed 5% of our gross income.

Hedging Transactions

We may enter into hedging transactions with respect to one or more of our assets or liabilities. Hedging transactions could take a variety of forms, including interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements, options, forward rate agreements or similar financial instruments. Except to the extent provided by Treasury Regulations, any income from a hedging transaction we enter into (1) in the normal course of business primarily to manage risk of interest rate or price changes or currency fluctuations with respect to borrowings made or to be made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets, which is clearly identified as specified in Treasury Regulations before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into, including gain from the sale or disposition of such a transaction, and (2) primarily to manage risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain that would be qualifying income under the 75% or 95% gross income tests which is clearly identified as such before the close of the day on which it was acquired, originated, or entered into, will not constitute gross income for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income test. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions, the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both of the 75% and 95% gross income tests. We intend to structure any hedging transactions in a manner that does not jeopardize our qualification as a REIT, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in this regard.

Rents from Real Property

We currently do not intend to acquire real property other than through a TRS. However, to the extent that we own real property or interests therein, rents we receive qualify as “rents from real property” in satisfying the gross income tests described above, only if several conditions are met, including the following. If rent attributable to personal property leased in connection with a lease of real property is greater than 15% of the total rent received under any particular lease, then all of the rent attributable to such personal property will not qualify as rents from real property. The determination of whether an item of personal property constitutes real or personal property under the REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code is subject to both legal and factual considerations and is therefore subject to different interpretations.

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In addition, in order for rents received by us to qualify as “rents from real property,” the rent must not be based in whole or in part on the income or profits of any person. However, an amount will not be excluded from rents from real property solely by reason of being based on a fixed percentage or percentages of sales or if it is based on the net income of a tenant which derives substantially all of its income with respect to such property from subleasing of substantially all of such property, to the extent that the rents paid by the subtenants would qualify as rents from real property, if earned directly by our company. Moreover, for rents received to qualify as “rents from real property,” we generally must not operate or manage the property or furnish or render certain services to the tenants of such property, other than through an “independent contractor” who is adequately compensated and from which we derive no income or through a TRS. We are permitted, however, to perform services that are “usually or customarily rendered” in connection with the rental of space for occupancy only and are not otherwise considered rendered to the occupant of the property. In addition, we may directly or indirectly provide non-customary services to tenants of our properties without disqualifying all of the rent from the property if the payment for such services does not exceed 1% of the total gross income from the property. In such a case, only the amounts for non-customary services are not treated as rents from real property and the provision of the services does not disqualify the related rent.

Rental income will qualify as rents from real property only to the extent that we do not directly or constructively own, (1) in the case of any tenant which is a corporation, stock possessing 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote, or 10% or more of the total value of shares of all classes of stock of such tenant, or (2) in the case of any tenant which is not a corporation, an interest of 10% or more in the assets or net profits of such tenant.

Failure to Satisfy the Gross Income Tests

We intend to monitor our sources of income, including any non-qualifying income received by us, and manage our assets so as to ensure our compliance with the gross income tests. We cannot assure you, however, that we will be able to satisfy the gross income tests. If we fail to satisfy one or both of the 75% or 95% gross income tests for any taxable year, we may still qualify as a REIT for the year if we are entitled to relief under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. These relief provisions will generally be available if our failure to meet these tests was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect and, following the identification of such failure, we set forth a description of each item of our gross income that satisfies the gross income tests in a schedule for the taxable year filed in accordance with the Treasury Regulation. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all circumstances. If these relief provisions are inapplicable to a particular set of circumstances involving us, it will not qualify as a REIT. As discussed above under “—Taxation of REITs in General,” even where these relief provisions apply, a tax would be imposed upon the profit attributable to the amount by which we fail to satisfy the particular gross income test.

Asset Tests

We, at the close of each calendar quarter, must also satisfy four tests relating to the nature of our assets. First, at least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of “real estate assets,” cash, cash items, U.S. Government securities and, under some circumstances, stock or debt instruments purchased with new capital. For this purpose, real estate assets include interests in real property, such as land, buildings, leasehold interests in real property, stock of other corporations that qualify as REITs and certain kinds of RMBS and mortgage loans. Regular or residual interests in REMICs are generally treated as a real estate asset. If, however, less than 95% of the assets of a REMIC consists of real estate assets (determined as if we held such assets), we will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the assets of the REMIC. As further discussed above under “—Gross Income Tests—Interest Income,” the IRS has recently issued guidance providing that, among other things, if a REIT holds a regular or residual interest in an “eligible REMIC” that informs the REIT that at least 80% of the REMIC’s assets constitute real estate assets, then the REIT may treat 80% of the value of the interest in the REMIC as a real estate asset for the purpose of the REIT asset tests. The remaining 20% of the value of the REIT’s interest in the REMIC would not qualify as a real estate asset for purposes of the REIT asset tests and could adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT. In the case of interests in grantor trusts, we will be treated as owning an undivided beneficial interest in the mortgage loans held by the grantor trust. Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% test are subject to the additional asset tests described below. Second, the value of any one issuer’s securities owned by us may not exceed 5% of the value of our gross assets. Third, we may not own more than 10% of any one issuer’s outstanding securities, as measured by either voting power or value. Fourth, the aggregate value of all securities of TRSs held by us may not exceed 25% of the value of our gross assets.

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The 5% and 10% asset tests do not apply to stock and securities of TRSs and qualified REIT subsidiaries. The 10% value test does not apply to certain “straight debt” and other excluded securities, as described in the Internal Revenue Code, including any loan to an individual or an estate, any obligation to pay rents from real property and any security issued by a REIT. In addition, (1) a REIT’s interest as a partner in a partnership is not considered a security for purposes of applying the 10% value test; (2) any debt instrument issued by a partnership (other than straight debt or other excluded security) will not be considered a security issued by the partnership if at least 75% of the partnership’s gross income is derived from sources that would qualify for the 75% REIT gross income test; and (3) any debt instrument issued by a partnership (other than straight debt or other excluded security) will not be considered a security issued by the partnership to the extent of the REIT’s interest as a partner in the partnership.

For purposes of the 10% value test, “straight debt” means a written unconditional promise to pay on demand on a specified date a sum certain in money if (1) the debt is not convertible, directly or indirectly, into stock, (2) the interest rate and interest payment dates are not contingent on profits, the borrower’s discretion, or similar factors other than certain contingencies relating to the timing and amount of principal and interest payments, as described in the Internal Revenue Code and (3) in the case of an issuer which is a corporation or a partnership, securities that otherwise would be considered straight debt will not be so considered if we, and any of our “controlled taxable REIT subsidiaries” as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, hold any securities of the corporate or partnership issuer which (A) are not straight debt or other excluded securities (prior to the application of this rule), and (B) have an aggregate value greater than 1% of the issuer’s outstanding securities (including, for the purposes of a partnership issuer, our interest as a partner in the partnership).

After initially meeting the asset tests at the close of any quarter, we will not lose our qualification as a REIT for failure to satisfy the asset tests at the end of a later quarter solely by reason of changes in asset values. If we fail to satisfy the asset tests because we acquire assets during a quarter, we can cure this failure by disposing of sufficient non-qualifying assets within 30 days after the close of that quarter. If we fail the 5% asset test, or the 10% vote or value asset tests at the end of any quarter and such failure is not cured within 30 days thereafter, we may dispose of sufficient assets (generally within six months after the last day of the quarter in which the identification of the failure to satisfy these asset tests occurred) to cure such a violation that does not exceed the lesser of 1% of our assets at the end of the relevant quarter or $10,000,000. If we fail any of the other asset tests or our failure of the 5% and 10% asset tests is in excess of the de minimis amount described above, as long as such failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, it is permitted to avoid disqualification as a REIT, after the 30 day cure period, by taking steps, including the disposition of sufficient assets to meet the asset test (generally within six months after the last day of the quarter in which the identification of the failure to satisfy the REIT asset test occurred) and paying a tax equal to the greater of $50,000 or the highest corporate income tax rate (currently 35%) of the net income generated by the non-qualifying assets during the period in which we failed to satisfy the asset test.

We expect that the RMBS that we own generally will be qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test. However, to the extent that we own non-REMIC CMOs or other debt instruments secured by mortgage loans (rather than by real property) or secured by non-real estate assets, or debt securities issued by C corporations or other fixed-income securities that are not secured by mortgages on real property, those securities will generally not be qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test.

A real estate mortgage loan that we own generally will be treated as a real estate asset for purposes of the 75% REIT asset test if, on the date that we acquire or originate the mortgage loan, the value of the real property securing the loan is equal to or greater than the principal amount of the loan. Revenue Procedure 2011 16 may apply to determine what portion of the mortgage loan will be treated as a real estate asset for purposes of the 75% asset test. The interest apportionment rules apply if the mortgage loan in question is secured by both real property and other property. We expect that all or most of the mortgage loans that we acquire will be secured only by real property and no other property value will be taken into account in our underwriting process. Pursuant to Revenue Procedure 2011 16, the IRS has announced that it will not challenge a REIT’s treatment of a loan as a real estate asset in its entirety to the extent that the value of the loan is equal to or less than the value of the real property securing the loan at the relevant testing date. However, uncertainties exist regarding the application of Revenue Procedure 2011 16, particularly with respect to the proper treatment under the asset tests of mortgage loans acquired at a discount that increase in value following their acquisition, and no assurance can be given that the IRS would not challenge our treatment of such assets.

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We may acquire excess MSRs. In a recent private letter ruling, the IRS ruled that excess MSRs meeting certain requirements would be treated as an interest in mortgages on real property and thus a real estate asset for purposes of the 75% REIT asset test. A private letter ruling may be relied upon only by the taxpayer to whom it is issued, and the IRS may revoke a private letter ruling. Consistent with the analysis adopted by the IRS in that private letter ruling and based on advice of counsel, we intend to treat any excess MSRs that we acquire that meet the requirements provided in the private letter ruling as qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% REIT gross asset test. Notwithstanding the IRS’s determination in the private letter ruling described above, it is possible that the IRS could successfully assert that any excess MSRs that we acquire do not qualify for purposes of the 75% REIT gross asset test, which could cause us to be subject to a penalty tax and could impact our ability to qualify as a REIT. See “—Failure to Qualify.” To the extent we acquire MSRs other than excess MSRs, we expect that we would hold such MSRs in a TRS in order to avoid recognizing non-qualifying income for purposes of the REIT gross income tests.

We believe that our holdings of securities and other assets will be structured in a manner that will comply with the foregoing REIT asset requirements and we intend to monitor compliance on an ongoing basis. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be successful in this effort. In this regard, to determine compliance with these requirements, we will need to estimate the value of our assets. We may not obtain independent appraisals to support our conclusions concerning the values of our assets, and the values of some of our assets may not be susceptible to a precise determination and are subject to change in the future. Although we will be prudent in making estimates as to the value of our assets, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not disagree with the determinations and assert that a different value is applicable, in which case we might not satisfy the 75% asset test and the other asset tests and could fail to qualify as a REIT. Furthermore, the proper classification of an instrument as debt or equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT asset tests. As an example, if we were to acquire equity securities of a REIT issuer that were determined by the IRS to represent debt securities of such issuer, such securities would also not qualify as real estate assets. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not contend that our interests in subsidiaries or in the securities of other issuers (including REIT issuers) cause a violation of the REIT asset tests.

In addition, we enter into repurchase agreements under which we will nominally sell certain of our assets to a counterparty and simultaneously enter into an agreement to repurchase the sold assets. We believe that we are treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as the owner of the assets that are the subject of any such repurchase agreement and the repurchase agreement are treated as a secured lending transaction notwithstanding that we may transfer record ownership of the assets to the counterparty during the term of the agreement. It is possible, however, that the IRS could successfully assert that we did not own the assets during the term of the repurchase agreement, in which case we could fail to qualify as a REIT.

We may purchase Agency RMBS through TBAs. The law is unclear regarding whether TBAs are qualifying assets for purposes of the 75% asset test. Accordingly, our ability to purchase Agency RMBS through TBAs or to dispose of TBAs through these transactions or otherwise, could be limited. We do not expect TBAs to adversely affect our ability to meet the REIT asset tests. No assurance can be given that the IRS would treat TBAs as qualifying assets. In the event that such assets are determined to be non-qualifying, we could be subject to a penalty tax or we could fail to qualify as a REIT if the value of our TBAs, together with our non-qualifying assets for the REIT 75% asset test, exceeded 25% of our total assets at the end of any calendar quarter.

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Annual Distribution Requirements

In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required to distribute dividends, other than capital gain dividends, to our stockholders in an amount at least equal to:

(a) the sum of:

·                   90% of our “REIT taxable income” (computed without regard to our deduction for dividends paid and our net capital gains); and

·                   90% of the net income (after tax), if any, from foreclosure property (as described below); minus

(b) the sum of specified items of non-cash income that exceeds a percentage of our income.

These distributions must be paid in the taxable year to which they relate or in the following taxable year if such distributions are declared in October, November or December of the taxable year, are payable to stockholders of record on a specified date in any such month and are actually paid before the end of January of the following year. Such distributions are treated as both paid by us and received by each stockholder on December 31 of the year in which they are declared. In addition, at our election, a distribution for a taxable year may be declared before we timely file our tax return for the year and be paid with or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration, provided that such payment is made during the 12-month period following the close of such taxable year. These distributions are taxable to our stockholders in the year in which paid, even though the distributions relate to our prior taxable year for purposes of the 90% distribution requirement.

In order for distributions to be counted towards our distribution requirement and to give rise to a tax deduction by us, they must not be “preferential dividends.” A dividend is not a preferential dividend if it is pro rata among all outstanding shares of stock within a particular class and is in accordance with the preferences among different classes of stock as set forth in the organizational documents.

To the extent that we distribute at least 90%, but less than 100%, of our “REIT taxable income,” as adjusted, we will be subject to tax at ordinary U.S. federal corporate tax rates on the retained portion. In addition, we may elect to retain, rather than distribute, our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains. In this case, we could elect to have our stockholders include their proportionate share of such undistributed long-term capital gains in income and receive a corresponding credit or refund, as the case may be, for their proportionate share of the tax paid by us. Our stockholders would then increase the adjusted basis of their stock in us by the difference between the designated amounts included in their long-term capital gains and the tax deemed paid with respect to their proportionate shares.

If we fail to distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (1) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (2) 95% of our REIT capital gain net income for such year and (3) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (x) the amounts actually distributed (taking into account excess distributions from prior periods) and (y) the amounts of income retained on which we have paid corporate income tax.

In addition, if we were to recognize “built-in gain” (as defined below) on the disposition of any assets acquired from a C corporation in a transaction in which our basis in the assets was determined by reference to the C corporation’s basis (for instance, if the assets were acquired in a tax-free reorganization or contribution), we would be required to distribute at least 90% of the built-in gain net of the tax we would pay on such gain. See “—Tax on Built-In Gains” below.

It is possible that we, from time to time, may not have sufficient cash to meet the distribution requirements due to timing differences between (a) the actual receipt of cash, including receipt of distributions from our subsidiaries and (b) the inclusion of items in income by us for U.S. federal income tax purposes prior to receipt of such income in cash. For example, we may acquire debt instruments or notes whose face value may exceed its issue price as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, reverse mortgages or market discount bonds such that we will be required to include in our income a portion of income each year that such instrument is held before we receive any corresponding cash. Similarly, income from excess MSRs that we acquire may be treated as debt instruments issued with OID, and as a result we may accrue interest income without receiving corresponding cash payments with respect to such excess MSRs. See “—Gross Income Tests—Phantom Income” above. In the event that such timing differences occur, to meet our distribution requirements it might be necessary to arrange for short-term, or possibly long-term, borrowings, use cash reserves, liquidate non-cash assets at rates or times that we regard as unfavorable or pay dividends in the form of taxable stock dividends. In the case of a taxable stock dividend, stockholders would be required to include the dividend as income and would be required to satisfy the tax liability associated with the distribution with cash from other sources, including sales of our common stock. Both a taxable stock distribution and sale of common stock resulting from such distribution could adversely affect the value of our common stock.

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We may be able to rectify a failure to meet the distribution requirements for a year by paying “deficiency dividends” to stockholders in a later year, which may be included in our deduction for dividends paid for the earlier year. In this case, we may be able to avoid losing our qualification as a REIT or being taxed on amounts distributed as deficiency dividends. However, we will be required to pay interest and a penalty based on the amount of any deduction taken for deficiency dividends.

Tax on Built-In Gains

If we acquire appreciated assets from a subchapter C corporation in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the C corporation, and if we subsequently dispose of any such assets during the 10-year period following the acquisition of the assets from the C corporation, we will be subject to tax at the highest corporate tax rates on any gain from such assets to the extent of the excess of the fair market value of the assets on the date that they were contributed to us over the basis of such assets on such date, which we refer to as built-in gains. Similarly, to the extent that any C corporation holds an interest in an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes (either directly or through one or more other entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and we acquire appreciated assets from such partnership in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the partnership, the underlying C corporation’s proportionate share of such assets will be treated as contributed by a C corporation and therefore will be subject to the tax on built-in gains. However, the built-in gains tax will not apply if the C corporation elects to be subject to an immediate tax when the asset is acquired by us.

As part of our formation, certain funds and certain other persons who are treated as C corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes contributed assets to us in exchange for stock. The funds that are treated as C corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes have elected to recognize any gain or loss on such contribution of assets to us pursuant to our formation. We believe that any other person who contributed assets to us in exchange for stock in connection with our formation and who is treated as a C corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes (including any person treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes with one or more direct or indirect C corporation partners) contributed assets with a de minimis amount of built-in gains. As a result, although it is possible that a portion of the assets contributed to us in connection with our formation may be subject to the built-in gains tax, we expect that the built-in gains resulting from such assets should generally be de minimis .

Recordkeeping Requirements

We are required to maintain records and request on an annual basis information from specified stockholders. These requirements are designed to assist us in determining the actual ownership of our outstanding stock and maintaining our qualifications as a REIT.

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Excess Inclusion Income

If we, our Operating Partnership or a subsidiary REIT owned by our Operating Partnership, acquire a residual interest in a REMIC, we may realize excess inclusion income. In addition, if we, our Operating Partnership or a subsidiary REIT owned by our Operating Partnership is deemed to have issued debt obligations having two or more maturities, the payments on which correspond to payments on mortgage loans owned by us, such arrangement will be treated as a taxable mortgage pool for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “—Effect of Subsidiary Entities—Taxable Mortgage Pools.” We may securitize mortgage loans or RMBS that we acquire and certain securitizations may result in us owning interests in a taxable mortgage pool. We would be precluded from holding equity interests in such a securitization through our Operating Partnership. Accordingly, we would likely form such securitizations as qualified REIT subsidiaries of a subsidiary REIT of our Operating Partnership, and will be precluded from selling to outside investors equity interests in such securitizations or from selling any debt securities issued in connection with such securitizations that might be considered to be equity interests for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We are taxed at the highest corporate income tax rate on a portion of the income, referred to as “excess inclusion income,” arising from a taxable mortgage pool that is allocable to the percentage of our shares held in record name by “disqualified organizations,” which are generally certain cooperatives, governmental entities and tax-exempt organizations that are exempt from tax on unrelated business taxable income. To the extent that common stock owned by “disqualified organizations” is held in record name by a broker/dealer or other nominee, the broker/dealer or other nominee would be liable for the corporate level tax on the portion of our excess inclusion income allocable to the common stock held by the broker/dealer or other nominee on behalf of the “disqualified organizations.” Disqualified organizations may own our stock. Because this tax would be imposed on our company, all of our investors, including investors that are not disqualified organizations, will bear a portion of the tax cost associated with the classification of our company or a portion of our assets as a taxable mortgage pool. A RIC or other pass-through entity owning our common stock in record name will be subject to tax at the highest corporate tax rate on any excess inclusion income allocated to their owners that are disqualified organizations.

In addition, if we realize excess inclusion income and allocate it to stockholders, this income cannot be offset by net operating losses of our stockholders. If the stockholder is a tax-exempt entity and not a disqualified organization, then this income is fully taxable as unrelated business taxable income under Section 512 of the Internal Revenue Code. If the stockholder is a foreign person, it would be subject to U.S. federal income tax withholding on this income without reduction or exemption pursuant to any otherwise applicable income tax treaty. If the stockholder is a REIT, a RIC, common trust fund or other pass-through entity, the stockholder’s allocable share of our excess inclusion income could be considered excess inclusion income of such entity. Accordingly, such investors should be aware that a significant portion of our income may be considered excess inclusion income. Finally, if a subsidiary REIT of our Operating Partnership through which we hold taxable mortgage pool securitizations were to fail to qualify as a REIT, our taxable mortgage pool securitizations will be treated as separate taxable corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes that could not be included in any consolidated corporate tax return.

Prohibited Transactions

Net income we derive from a prohibited transaction is subject to a 100% tax. The term “prohibited transaction” generally includes a sale or other disposition of property (other than foreclosure property) that is held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers, in the ordinary course of a trade or business by a REIT, by a lower-tier partnership in which the REIT holds an equity interest or by a borrower that has issued a shared appreciation mortgage or similar debt instrument to the REIT. We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset owned by us or our pass-through subsidiaries will be held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers, and that a sale of any assets owned by us directly or through a pass-through subsidiary will not be in the ordinary course of business. However, whether property is held as inventory or “primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or business” depends on the particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can be given that any particular asset in which we hold a direct or indirect interest will not be treated as property held as inventory or primarily for sale to customers or that certain safe harbor provisions of the Internal Revenue Code that prevent such treatment will apply. The 100% tax will not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of the corporation at regular corporate income tax rates.

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Foreclosure Property

Foreclosure property is real property and any personal property incident to such real property (1) that is acquired by a REIT as a result of the REIT having bid on the property at foreclosure or having otherwise reduced the property to ownership or possession by agreement or process of law after there was a default (or default was imminent) on a lease of the property or a mortgage loan held by the REIT and secured by the property, (2) for which the related loan or lease was acquired by the REIT at a time when default was not imminent or anticipated and (3) for which such REIT makes a proper election to treat the property as foreclosure property. REITs generally are subject to tax at the maximum U.S. federal corporate rate (currently 35%) on any net income from foreclosure property, including any gain from the disposition of the foreclosure property, other than income that would otherwise be qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. Any gain from the sale of property for which a foreclosure property election has been made will not be subject to the 100% tax on gains from prohibited transactions described above, even if the property would otherwise constitute inventory or dealer property in the hands of the selling REIT. We do not anticipate that we will receive any income from foreclosure property that is not qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test, but, if we receive any such income, we intend to elect to treat the related property as foreclosure property.

Tax Aspects of Investments in Partnerships

General

We will hold certain of our investments through entities that are classified as partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including our interest in our Operating Partnership and potentially equity interests in lower-tier partnerships. In general, partnerships are “pass-through” entities that are not subject to U.S. federal income tax. Rather, partners are allocated their proportionate shares of the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of a partnership, and are subject to tax on these items without regard to whether the partners receive a distribution from the partnership. We will include in our income our proportionate share of these partnership items for purposes of the various REIT income tests, based on our capital interest in such partnership. Moreover, for purposes of the REIT asset tests, we will include our proportionate share of assets held by subsidiary partnerships, based on its capital interest in such partnerships (other than for purposes of the 10% value test, for which the determination of our interest in partnership assets will be based on its proportionate interest in any securities issued by the partnership excluding, for these purposes, certain excluded securities as described in the Internal Revenue Code). Consequently, to the extent that we hold an equity interest in a partnership, the partnership’s assets and operations may affect our ability to qualify as a REIT, even though we may have no control, or only limited influence, over the partnership.

Entity Classification

The investment by us in partnerships involves special tax considerations, including the possibility of a challenge by the IRS of the status of any of our subsidiary partnerships as a partnership, as opposed to an association taxable as a corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If any of these entities were treated as an association for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it would be taxable as a corporation and, therefore, could be subject to an entity-level tax on its income.

Pursuant to Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code, a partnership that does not elect to be treated as a corporation nevertheless will be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if it is a “publicly traded partnership” and it does not receive at least 90% of its gross income from certain specified sources of “qualifying income” within the meaning of that section. A “publicly traded partnership” is any partnership (i) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market or (ii) the interests in which are readily tradable on a “secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof.” Although the OP units will not be traded on an established securities market, there is a significant risk that the right of a holder of OP units to redeem the units for our common stock could cause the OP units to be considered readily tradable on the substantial equivalent of a secondary market. Under the relevant Treasury Regulations, interests in a partnership will not be considered readily tradable on a secondary market or on the substantial equivalent of a secondary market if the partnership qualifies for specified “safe harbors,” which are based on the specific facts and circumstances relating to the partnership. Although our Operating Partnership may, depending on the number of parties in our Operating Partnership and the percentage of interests in our Operating Partnership transferred during a taxable year, qualify for one of these safe harbors, we cannot provide any assurance that our Operating Partnership will, in each of its taxable years, qualify for one of these safe harbors. If our Operating Partnership were a publicly traded partnership, it would be taxed as a corporation unless at least 90% of its gross income consisted of “qualifying income” under Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code. Qualifying income is generally real property rents and other types of passive income. We believe that our Operating Partnership has sufficient qualifying income so that it would be taxed as a partnership even if it were a publicly traded partnership. The income requirements applicable to us to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code and the definition of qualifying income under the publicly traded partnership rules are very similar. Although differences exist between these two income tests, we do not believe that these differences would cause our Operating Partnership not to satisfy the 90% gross income test applicable to publicly traded partnerships.

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If our Operating Partnership were taxable as a corporation, the character of our assets and items of our gross income would change and could preclude us from satisfying the REIT asset tests (particularly the tests generally preventing a REIT from owning more than 10% of the voting securities, or more than 10% of the value of the securities, of a corporation) or the gross income tests as discussed in “—Requirements for Qualification as a REIT,” “—Asset Tests” and “—Gross Income Tests” above, and in turn could prevent us from qualifying as a REIT. See “—Failure to Qualify,” below, for a discussion of the effect of our failure to meet these tests for a taxable year. In addition, any change in the status of any of our subsidiary partnerships for tax purposes might be treated as a taxable event, in which case we could have taxable income that is subject to the REIT distribution requirements without receiving any cash.

Tax Allocations With Respect to Partnership Assets

The partnership agreement of our Operating Partnership generally provides that items of operating income and loss will be allocated to the holders of units in proportion to the number of units held by each holder. If an allocation of partnership income or loss does not comply with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, the time subject to the allocation will be reallocated in accordance with the partners’ interests in the partnership. This reallocation will be determined by taking into account all of the facts and circumstances relating to the economic arrangement of the partnership with respect to such item. Our Operating Partnership’s allocations of income and loss are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated under such section.

Under Section 704(b), income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to appreciated or depreciated property that is contributed to a partnership in exchange for an interest in the partnership must be allocated for tax purposes in a manner such that the contributing partner is charged with, or benefits from, the unrealized gain or unrealized loss associated with the property at the time of the contribution. The amount of the unrealized gain or unrealized loss is generally equal to the difference between the fair market value (or the book value) of the contributed property and the adjusted tax basis of such property at the time of the contribution (or a book-tax difference). Such allocations are solely for U.S. federal income tax purposes and do not affect partnership capital accounts or other economic or legal arrangements among the partners.

The partnership agreement requires that allocations with respect to any property contributed to our Operating Partnership in exchange for OP units in a tax-deferred transaction be made in a manner consistent with Section 704(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. As a result, any gain recognized on the sale of any such properties would generally be allocated to the partner who contributed the property to our Operating Partnership to the extent of the book-tax difference at the time of such contribution. As a result, in the event that any such properties are sold, the partner who contributed such assets to our Operating Partnership or, in certain cases, a successor to such partner, which may include us, could be allocated gain in excess of its corresponding book gain (or taxable loss that is less than such person’s corresponding economic or book loss), with a corresponding benefit to the partners who did not contribute such assets to our Operating Partnership.

Prior to the IPO, we were treated as contributing assets to our Operating Partnership in exchange for OP units for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and therefore we are subject to the allocation provisions described above to the extent of any book-tax difference in our assets at the time of such contribution. These provisions will also apply to revaluations of our assets in connection with our Operating Partnership’s issuance of additional OP Units. The application of Section 704(c) of the Internal Revenue Code to a partnership such as our Operating Partnership that holds numerous loan securities can be complex and may require the adoption of certain conventions or methods that could be subject to challenge by the IRS. If any taxable income or loss of our Operating Partnership were subject to reallocation, such a reallocation could adversely impact our ability to qualify as a REIT or require us to pay a deficiency dividend in order to maintain our qualification as a REIT. These allocation provisions could result in us having taxable income that is in excess of our economic or book income as well as our cash distributions from our Operating Partnership, which might adversely affect our ability to comply with the REIT distribution requirements or result in a greater portion of our distributions being treated as taxable dividend income.

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Failure to Qualify

In the event that we violate a provision of the Internal Revenue Code that would result in our failure to qualify as a REIT, we may nevertheless continue to qualify as a REIT under specified relief provisions available to us to avoid such disqualification if (1) the violation is due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect, (2) we pay a penalty of $50,000 for each failure to satisfy a requirement for qualification as a REIT and (3) the violation does not include a violation under the gross income or asset tests described above (for which other specified relief provisions are available). This cure provision reduces the instances that could lead to our disqualification as a REIT for violations due to reasonable cause. If we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT in any taxable year and none of the relief provisions of the Internal Revenue Code apply, we will be subject to tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax, on our taxable income at regular corporate rates. Distributions to our stockholders in any year in which we are not a REIT will not be deductible by us, nor will they be required to be made. In this situation, to the extent of current or accumulated earnings and profits, and, subject to limitations of the Internal Revenue Code, distributions to our stockholders will generally be taxable in the case of U.S. stockholders (as defined above) who are individuals at a maximum rate of 20%, and dividends in the hands of our corporate U.S. stockholders may be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Unless we are entitled to relief under the specific statutory provisions, we will also be disqualified from re-electing to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following a year during which qualification was lost. It is not possible to state whether, in all circumstances, we will be entitled to statutory relief.

Taxation of Taxable U.S. Stockholders

This section summarizes the taxation of U.S. stockholders that are not tax exempt organizations. If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partner of a partnership holding our common stock should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to the partner of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our stock by the partnership.

Distributions

Provided that we qualify as a REIT, distributions made to our taxable U.S. stockholders out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, and not designated as capital gain dividends, will generally be taken into account by them as ordinary dividend income and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations. In determining the extent to which a distribution with respect to our common stock constitutes a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our earnings and profits will be allocated first to distributions with respect to our preferred stock, if any, and then to our common stock. Dividends received from REITs are generally not eligible to be taxed at the preferential qualified dividend income rates applicable to individual U.S. stockholders who receive dividends from taxable subchapter C corporations. As discussed above, if we realize excess inclusion income and allocate it to a taxable U.S. stockholder, this income cannot be offset by net operating losses of such stockholder.

In addition, distributions from us that are designated as capital gain dividends will be taxed to U.S. stockholders as long-term capital gains, to the extent that they do not exceed the actual net capital gain of our company for the taxable year, without regard to the period for which the U.S. stockholder has held our stock. To the extent that we elect under the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code to retain our net capital gains, U.S. stockholders will be treated as having received, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our undistributed capital gains as well as a corresponding credit or refund, as the case may be, for taxes paid by us on such retained capital gains. U.S. stockholders will increase their adjusted tax basis in our common stock by the difference between their allocable share of such retained capital gain and their share of the tax paid by us. Corporate U.S. stockholders may be required to treat up to 20% of some capital gain dividends as ordinary income. Long-term capital gains are generally taxable at maximum U.S. federal rates of 20% in the case of U.S. stockholders who are individuals and 35% for corporations. Capital gains attributable to the sale of depreciable real property held for more than 12 months are subject to a 25% maximum U.S. federal income tax rate for U.S. stockholders who are individuals, to the extent of previously claimed depreciation deductions.

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Distributions from us in excess of our current or accumulated earnings and profits will not be taxable to a U.S. stockholder to the extent that they do not exceed the adjusted tax basis of the U.S. stockholder’s shares of our common stock in respect of which the distributions were made, but rather will reduce the adjusted tax basis of these shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the adjusted tax basis of a U.S. stockholder’s shares of our common stock, they will be included in income as long-term capital gain, or short-term capital gain if the shares have been held for one year or less. In addition, any dividend declared by us in October, November or December of any year and payable to a U.S. stockholder of record on a specified date in any such month will be treated as both paid by us and received by the U.S. stockholder on December 31 of such year, provided that the dividend is actually paid by us before the end of January of the following calendar year.

With respect to U.S. stockholders who are taxed at the rates applicable to individuals, we may elect to designate a portion of our distributions paid to such U.S. stockholders as “qualified dividend income.” A portion of a distribution that is properly designated as qualified dividend income is taxable to non corporate U.S. stockholders at reduced rates, with a current maximum rate of 20%, provided that the U.S. stockholder has held the common stock with respect to which the distribution is made for more than 60 days during the 121 day period beginning on the date that is 60 days before the date on which such common stock became ex dividend with respect to the relevant distribution. The maximum amount of our distributions eligible to be designated as qualified dividend income for a taxable year is equal to the sum of:

(i) the qualified dividend income received by us during such taxable year from non REIT C corporations (including ZAIS I TRS, ZFC Trust TRS and any other TRS in which we may own an interest);

(ii) the excess of any “undistributed” REIT taxable income recognized during the immediately preceding year over the U.S. federal income tax paid by us with respect to such undistributed REIT taxable income; and

(iii) the excess of any income recognized during the immediately preceding year attributable to the sale of a built-in gain asset that was acquired in a carry over basis transaction from a non REIT C corporation over the U.S. federal income tax paid by us with respect to such built in gain.

Generally, dividends that we receive will be treated as qualified dividend income for purposes of (i) above if the dividends are received from a domestic C corporation (other than a REIT or a RIC), ZAIS I TRS, ZFC Trust TRS, and any other TRS we may form, or a “qualified foreign corporation” and specified holding period requirements and other requirements are met.

To the extent that we have available net operating losses and capital losses carried forward from prior tax years, such losses may reduce the amount of distributions that must be made in order to comply with the REIT distribution requirements. See “—Taxation of Our Company” and “—Annual Distribution Requirements.” Such losses, however, are not passed through to U.S. stockholders and do not offset income of U.S. stockholders from other sources, nor do they affect the character of any distributions that are actually made by us, which are generally subject to tax in the hands of U.S. stockholders to the extent that we have current or accumulated earnings and profits.

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Dispositions of Our Common Stock

In general, a U.S. stockholder will realize gain or loss upon the sale, redemption or other taxable disposition of our common stock in an amount equal to the difference between the sum of the fair market value of any property and the amount of cash received in such disposition and the U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock at the time of the disposition. In general, a U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis will equal the U.S. stockholder’s acquisition cost, increased by the excess of net capital gains deemed distributed to the U.S. stockholder (discussed above) less tax deemed paid on it and reduced by returns of capital. In general, capital gains recognized by individuals and other non-corporate U.S. stockholders upon the sale or disposition of shares of our common stock will be subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% if such shares were held for more than 12 months, and will be taxed at ordinary income rates (of up to 39.6%) if such shares were held for 12 months or less. Gains recognized by U.S. stockholders that are corporations are subject to U.S. federal income tax at a maximum rate of 35%, whether or not classified as long-term capital gains. The IRS has the authority to prescribe, but has not yet prescribed, regulations that would apply a capital gain tax rate of 25% (which is generally higher than the long-term capital gain tax rates for non-corporate holders) to a portion of capital gain realized by a non-corporate holder on the sale of REIT stock or depositary shares that would correspond to the REIT’s “unrecaptured Section 1250 gain.”

Holders are advised to consult with their tax advisors with respect to their capital gain tax liability. Capital losses recognized by a U.S. stockholder upon the disposition of our common stock held for more than one year at the time of disposition will be considered long-term capital losses, and are generally available only to offset capital gain income of the U.S. stockholder but not ordinary income (except in the case of individuals, who may offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income each year). In addition, any loss upon a sale or exchange of shares of our common stock by a U.S. stockholder who has held the shares for six months or less, after applying holding period rules, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of distributions received from us that were required to be treated by the U.S. stockholder as long-term capital gain.

Passive Activity Losses and Investment Interest Limitations

Distributions made by us and gain arising from the sale or exchange by a U.S. stockholder of our common stock will not be treated as passive activity income. As a result, U.S. stockholders will not be able to apply any “passive losses” against income or gain relating to our common stock. Distributions made by us, to the extent they do not constitute a return of capital, generally will be treated as investment income for purposes of computing the investment interest limitation. A U.S. stockholder that elects to treat capital gain dividends, qualified dividend income or capital gains from the disposition of stock as investment income for purposes of the investment interest limitation will be taxed at ordinary income rates on such amounts.

Medicare tax on unearned income

Certain U.S. stockholders that are individuals, estates or trusts to pay an additional 3.8% tax on, among other things, dividends on and capital gains from the sale or other disposition of stock. U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this legislation on their ownership and disposition of our common stock.

Foreign Accounts

Dividends made after June 30, 2014, and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our common stock paid after December 31, 2016, to “foreign financial institutions” in respect of accounts of U.S. stockholders at such financial institutions may be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%. U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this legislation on their ownership and disposition of our common stock.

Taxation of Tax Exempt U.S. Stockholders

U.S. tax exempt entities, including qualified employee pension and profit sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts, generally are exempt from U.S. federal income taxation. However, they are subject to taxation on their UBTI. While many investments in real estate may generate UBTI, the IRS has ruled that regular distributions from a REIT to a tax exempt entity do not constitute UBTI. Based on that ruling, and provided that (1) a tax exempt U.S. stockholder has not held our common stock as “debt financed property” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code (that is, where the acquisition or holding of the property is financed through a borrowing by the tax exempt stockholder), (2) our common stock is not otherwise used in an unrelated trade or business and (3) we do not hold an asset that gives rise to “excess inclusion income,” (see “—Excess Inclusion Income”) distributions from us and income from the sale of our common stock generally should not give rise to UBTI to a tax exempt U.S. stockholder. As previously noted, we may engage in transactions that would result in a portion of our dividend income being considered “excess inclusion income” and, accordingly, it is possible that a portion of our dividends received by a tax-exempt stockholder may be treated as UBTI.

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Tax exempt U.S. stockholders that are social clubs, voluntary employee benefit associations, supplemental unemployment benefit trusts, and qualified group legal services plans exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under Sections 501(c)(7), (c)(9), (c)(17) and (c)(20) of the Internal Revenue Code, respectively, are subject to different UBTI rules, which generally will require them to characterize distributions from us as UBTI.

In certain circumstances, a pension trust (1) that is described in Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, (2) is tax exempt under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, and (3) that owns more than 10% of our stock could be required to treat a percentage of the dividends from us as UBTI if it is a “pension-held REIT.” We will not be a pension-held REIT unless (1) either (A) one pension trust owns more than 25% of the value of our stock, or (B) a group of pension trusts, each individually holding more than 10% of the value of our stock, collectively owns more than 50% of such stock; and (2) we would not have qualified as a REIT but for the fact that Section 856(h)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code provides that stock owned by such trusts shall be treated, for purposes of the requirement that not more than 50% of the value of the outstanding stock of a REIT is owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer “individuals” (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include certain entities), as owned by the beneficiaries of such trusts. Certain restrictions relating to the ownership and transfer of our stock should generally prevent a U.S. tax exempt entity from owning more than 10% of the value of our stock, or us from becoming a pension-held REIT.

Tax exempt U.S. stockholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of owning our stock.

Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders

The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock applicable to non-U.S. stockholders of our common stock. The discussion is based on current law and is for general information only. It addresses only selective and not all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation. Non-U.S. Stockholders should consult their tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of ownership of our common stock.

For most non-U.S. persons, an investment in a REIT that invests principally in mortgage loans and RMBS is not the most tax-efficient way to invest in such assets. That is because receiving distributions of income derived from such assets in the form of REIT dividends subjects most non-U.S. persons to withholding taxes that direct investment in those asset classes, and the direct receipt of interest and principal payments with respect to them, would not. The principal exceptions are foreign sovereigns and their agencies and instrumentalities, which may be exempt from withholding taxes on REIT dividends under the Internal Revenue Code, and certain foreign pension funds or similar entities able to claim an exemption from withholding taxes on REIT dividends under the terms of a bilateral tax treaty between their country of residence and the United States.

Ordinary Dividends

The portion of dividends received by non-U.S. stockholders payable out of our earnings and profits that are not attributable to gains from sales or exchanges of U.S. real property interests and which are not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder will generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at the rate of 30%, unless reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty. Under some treaties, however, lower rates generally applicable to dividends do not apply to dividends from REITs. In addition, any portion of the dividends paid to non-U.S. stockholders that are treated as excess inclusion income will not be eligible for exemption from the 30% withholding tax or a reduced treaty rate. As previously noted, we may engage in transactions that could result in a portion of our dividends being considered excess inclusion income, and accordingly, a portion of our dividend income may not be eligible for exemption from the 30% withholding rate or a reduced treaty rate. In the case of a taxable stock dividend with respect to which any withholding tax is imposed on a non-U.S. stockholder, we may have to withhold or dispose of part of the shares otherwise distributable in such dividend and use such withheld shares or the proceeds of such disposition to satisfy the withholding tax imposed.

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In general, non-U.S. stockholders will not be considered to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business solely as a result of their ownership of our stock. In cases where the dividend income from a non-U.S. stockholder’s investment in our common stock is, or is treated as, effectively connected with the non-U.S. stockholder’s conduct of a U.S. trade or business, the non-U.S. stockholder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at graduated rates, in the same manner as U.S. stockholders are taxed with respect to such dividends, and may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax on the income after the application of the income tax in the case of a non-U.S. stockholder that is a corporation. In addition, we may have to withhold or dispose of part of the shares otherwise distributable in such dividend and use such withheld shares or the proceeds of such disposition to satisfy the withholding tax imposed.

Non-Dividend Distributions

Unless (1) our common stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest (or USRPI) or (2) either (A) the non-U.S. stockholder’s investment in our common stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. stockholder (in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders with respect to such gain) or (B) the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the U.S. (in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s net capital gain for the year), distributions by us which are not dividends out of our earnings and profits will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. If it cannot be determined at the time at which a distribution is made whether or not the distribution will exceed current or accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will be subject to withholding at the rate applicable to dividends. However, the non-U.S. stockholder may seek a refund from the IRS of any amounts withheld if it is subsequently determined that the distribution was, in fact, in excess of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. If our common stock constitutes a USRPI, as described below, distributions by us in excess of the sum of our earnings and profits plus the non-U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in our common stock will be taxed under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (or FIRPTA) at the rate of tax, including any applicable capital gains rates, that would apply to a U.S. stockholder of the same type (such as, an individual or a corporation, as the case may be), and the collection of the tax will be enforced by a refundable withholding at a rate of 10% of the amount by which the distribution exceeds the stockholder’s share of our earnings and profits.

Capital Gain Dividends

Under FIRPTA, a distribution made by us to a non-U.S. stockholder, to the extent attributable to gains from dispositions of USRPIs held by us directly or through pass-through subsidiaries (or USRPI capital gains), will be considered effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. stockholders, without regard to whether the distribution is designated as a capital gain dividend. In addition, we will be required to withhold tax equal to 35% of the amount of capital gain dividends to the extent the dividends constitute USRPI capital gains. Distributions subject to FIRPTA may also be subject to a 30% branch profits tax in the hands of a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation. However, the 35% withholding tax will not apply to any capital gain dividend with respect to any class of our stock which is regularly traded on an established securities market located in the U.S. if the non-U.S. stockholder did not own more than 5% of such class of stock at any time during the one year period ending on the date of such dividend. Instead any capital gain dividend will be treated as a distribution subject to the rules discussed above under “—Ordinary Dividends.” Also, the branch profits tax will not apply to such a distribution. We believe that our common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States.

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A distribution is not a USRPI capital gain if we held the underlying asset solely as a creditor, although the holding of a shared appreciation mortgage loan would not be solely as a creditor. Capital gain dividends received by a non-U.S. stockholder from a REIT that are not USRPI capital gains are generally not subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax, unless either (1) the non-U.S. stockholder’s investment in our common stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. stockholder (in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as U.S. stockholders with respect to such gain) or (2) the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the U.S. (in which case the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s net capital gain for the year).

Dispositions of Our Common Stock

Unless our common stock constitutes a USRPI, a sale of the stock by a non-U.S. stockholder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation under FIRPTA. The stock will not be treated as a USRPI if less than 50% of our assets throughout a prescribed testing period consist of interests in real property located within the U.S., excluding, for this purpose, interests in real property solely in a capacity as a creditor. We do not expect that 50% or more of our assets will consist of interests in real property located in the U.S.

Even if our shares of common stock otherwise would be a USRPI under the foregoing test, our shares of common stock will not constitute a USRPI if we are a “domestically controlled REIT.” A domestically controlled REIT is a REIT in which, at all times during a specified testing period (generally the lesser of the five year period ending on the date of disposition of the REIT’s shares of common stock or the period of the REIT’s existence), less than 50% in value of its outstanding shares of common stock is held directly or indirectly by non-U.S. stockholders. We may be a domestically controlled REIT, in which case the sale of our common stock would not be subject to taxation under FIRPTA. However, because our stock is be widely held, we cannot assure investors that we will be a domestically controlled REIT. Even if we do not qualify as a domestically controlled REIT, a non-U.S. stockholder’s sale of our common stock nonetheless will generally not be subject to tax under FIRPTA as a sale of a USRPI, provided that (1) our common stock owned is of a class that is “regularly traded,” as defined by the applicable Treasury Regulation, on an established securities market, and (2) the selling non-U.S. stockholder owned, actually or constructively, 5% or less of our outstanding stock of that class at all times during a specified testing period. We believe that our common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market in the United States.

If gain on the sale of our common stock were subject to taxation under FIRPTA, the non-U.S. stockholder would be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, subject to applicable alternative minimum tax and a special alternative minimum tax in the case of non-resident alien individuals, and the purchaser of the stock could be required to withhold 10% of the purchase price and remit such amount to the IRS.

Gain from the sale of our common stock that would not otherwise be subject to FIRPTA will nonetheless be taxable in the U.S. to a non-U.S. stockholder in two cases: (1) if the non-U.S. stockholder’s investment in our common stock is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. stockholder, the non-U.S. stockholder will be subject to the same treatment as a U.S. stockholder with respect to such gain, or (2) if the non-U.S. stockholder is a nonresident alien individual who was present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the U.S., the nonresident alien individual will be subject to a 30% tax on the individual’s net capital gain.

Tax consequences of participation in the Plan

General

We plan to offer stockholders and prospective stockholders the opportunity to participate in the Plan. Although we do not initially anticipate offering shares of our common stock at a discount or discounting the purchase price of our shares under the Plan, in the future, at our sole discretion, shares of our common stock acquired from us or in the open market pursuant to the Plan may be acquired at a discount as determined and set by us from time to time, ranging from 0% to 5%, taking into account any brokerage fees incurred by us.

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Amounts treated as a distribution

Generally, a Plan participant will be treated as having received a distribution with respect to our common stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes in an amount determined as described below.

A stockholder whose dividends are reinvested in our common stock purchased from us or in the open market will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as having received a distribution from us with respect to our common stock equal to the fair market value of our common stock credited to the stockholder’s Plan account on the date the dividends are reinvested plus any brokerage fees and any other expenses deducted from the amount of the distribution reinvested. The amount of the distribution deemed received (and that will be reported on the Form 1099-DIV received by the stockholder) may exceed the amount of the cash dividend that was reinvested, due to a discount that may be offered on the purchase price of the common stock purchased.

In the situation described above, a stockholder will generally be treated as receiving a distribution from us even though no cash distribution is actually received. These distributions will be taxable in the same manner as all other distributions paid by us, as described above under “Taxation of taxable U.S. stockholders,” “Taxation of tax-exempt stockholders,” or “Taxation of non-U.S. stockholders,” as applicable.

Basis and holding period in stock acquired pursuant to the Plan

Subject to the discussion below regarding the “average basis method,” the tax basis for our common stock acquired by reinvesting cash distributions through the Plan generally will equal the fair market value of our common stock on the date of distribution (plus the amount of any brokerage fees paid by the stockholder). Accordingly, if we offer a discount on the purchase price of our common stock purchased with reinvested cash distributions, the tax basis in our common stock would include the amount of any discount. The holding period for our common stock acquired by reinvesting cash distributions will begin on the day following the date of distribution.

Absent an election to the contrary from you, the Plan Administrator intends to use the “FIFO” (as defined in applicable Treasury Regulations) for shares of our common stock acquired by or for you under the Plan. The FIFO method of computing tax basis will apply to shares acquired by or for you under the Plan, except to the extent you provide notice to the Plan Administrator that you elect to use the average basis method of computing the tax basis of your shares under the Plan or another permitted method. The Plan complies with recent Treasury Regulations, which generally allow taxpayers to elect to use the average basis method with respect to shares of stock acquired in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan if the plan requires the reinvestment of at least 10% of every dividend. As a result, you may make an election to use the average basis method of determining such tax basis at any time, and such method will apply to all dispositions of shares under the Plan following such election. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the average basis method and the elections that are appropriate for you.

When a participant withdraws stock from the Plan and receives stock certificates, the participant will not realize any taxable income. However, if the participant receives cash for a fractional share, the participant will be required to recognize gain or loss with respect to that fractional share.

Effect of Withholding Requirements

Withholding requirements generally applicable to distributions from us will apply to all amounts treated as distributions pursuant to the Plan. See “—Taxation of non-U.S. stockholders,” “—Backup withholding and information reporting” and “—Foreign accounts” for discussion of the withholding requirements that apply to other distributions that we pay. All withholding amounts will be withheld from distributions before the distributions are reinvested under the Plan. Therefore, if a stockholder is subject to withholding, distributions which would otherwise be available for reinvestment under the Plan will be reduced by the withholding amount.

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Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

We will report to our U.S. stockholders and the IRS the amount of dividends paid during each calendar year and the amount of any tax withheld. Under the backup withholding rules, a U.S. stockholder may be subject to backup withholding with respect to dividends paid unless the holder is a corporation or comes within other exempt categories and, when required, demonstrates this fact or provides a taxpayer identification number or social security number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup withholding and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. A U.S. stockholder that does not provide his or her correct taxpayer identification number or social security number may also be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. In addition, we may be required to withhold a portion of capital gain distribution to any U.S. stockholder who fails to certify their non-foreign status.

We must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. stockholder the amount of dividends paid to such holder and the tax withheld with respect to such dividends, regardless of whether withholding was required. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. stockholder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty. A non-U.S. stockholder may be subject to backup withholding unless applicable certification requirements are met.

Payment of the proceeds of a sale of our common stock within the U.S. is subject to both backup withholding and information reporting unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalties of perjury that it is a non-U.S. stockholder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a U.S. person) or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Payment of the proceeds of a sale of our common stock conducted through certain U.S. related financial intermediaries is subject to information reporting (but not backup withholding) unless the financial intermediary has documentary evidence in its records that the beneficial owner is a non-U.S. stockholder and specified conditions are met or an exemption is otherwise established.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Foreign Accounts

Federal legislation may, pursuant to recently finalized Treasury Regulations and related guidance, impose withholding taxes on U.S. source payments made after June 30, 2014 to “foreign financial institutions” and certain other non-U.S. entities and on disposition proceeds of U.S. securities realized after December 31, 2016. Under this legislation, the failure to comply with additional certification, information reporting and other specified requirements could result in withholding tax being imposed on payments of dividends and sales proceeds to U.S. stockholders (as defined in above) who own shares of our common stock through foreign accounts or foreign intermediaries and certain non-U.S. stockholders. The legislation imposes a 30% withholding tax on dividends on, and gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our common stock paid to a foreign financial institution or to a foreign entity other than a financial institution, unless (i) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations or (ii) the foreign entity is not a financial institution and either certifies it does not have any substantial United States owners or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner. If the payee is a foreign financial institution (that is not otherwise exempt), it must either enter into an agreement with the United States Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain United States persons or United States-owned foreign entities, annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on payments to account holders whose actions prevent it from complying with these reporting and other requirements or in the case of a foreign financial institution that is resident in a jurisdiction that has entered into an intergovernmental agreement to implement FATCA, comply with the revised diligence and reporting obligations of such intergovernmental agreement. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding this legislation.

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Tax Shelter Regulations

In certain circumstances, a holder of common stock who disposes of an interest in a transaction resulting in the recognition by such stockholder of significant losses in excess of certain threshold amounts may be obligated to disclose its participation in such transaction (or a reportable transaction) in accordance with recently issued regulations governing tax shelters and other potentially tax-motivated transactions (or the Tax Shelter Regulations). Holders should consult their tax advisors concerning any possible disclosure obligation under the Tax Shelter Regulations with respect to the disposition of common stock.

State, Local and Foreign Taxes

We and our stockholders may be subject to state, local or foreign taxation in various jurisdictions, including those in which it or they transact business, own property or reside. The state, local or foreign tax treatment of our Company and our stockholders may not conform to the U.S. federal income tax treatment discussed above. Any foreign taxes incurred by us would not pass through to stockholders as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability. Prospective stockholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application and effect of state, local and foreign income and other tax laws on an investment in our common stock.

Legislative or Other Actions Affecting REITs

The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. No assurance can be given as to whether, when, or in what form, U.S. federal income tax laws applicable to us and our stockholders may be enacted. Changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws and interpretations of U.S. federal income tax laws could adversely affect an investment in our shares of common stock.

LEGAL MATTERS

Clifford Chance US LLP will pass upon the validity of the shares of the securities we are offering under this prospectus and certain U.S. federal income tax matters.

EXPERTS

The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

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