What tax forms should REIT owners expect to receive?

Question

In the United States, an MLP generates a yearly K-1 form. Do REITs generate any special year end tax form?

Answer 1

REITs pay dividends and send form 1099-DIV (either directly or through the brokers, depending on how you invested). Here's the quote from the Vanguard FAQ:

Shareholders who have held the REIT Index Fund during the year shouldn't file federal or state income tax returns until they receive their Form 1099-DIV for REIT Index Fund.

You can also look at the relevant article from Morningstar.

Answer 2

Terrible answer. The question was about REITs, not index funds. If you hold MLPs individually, you receive a K-1. If you MLPs in a fund, you receive a 1099 - the fund gets the K-1.