Two Harbors Investment Corp. Announces 2018 Dividend Tax Information

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Two Harbors Investment Corp. (NYSE: TWO) today announced the tax treatment of common stock and preferred stock dividends declared in 2018 for both Two Harbors Investment Corp. (Two Harbors) and CYS Investments, Inc. (CYS), which was acquired by Two Harbors on July 31, 2018. This information is provided to assist stockholders with tax reporting requirements related to dividend distribution of taxable income by Two Harbors and CYS. Stockholders should review the 2018 tax statements received from their brokerage firms or other institutions to ensure that the statements agree with the information provided below. Additionally, as each stockholder’s tax situation may be different, stockholders are encouraged to consult with their own professional tax advisor with respect to their individual tax consequences.

Tax Treatment of the Common and Preferred Distributions

Two Harbors and CYS are required to report the portion of their 2018 dividends that are treated as excess inclusion income for federal income tax purposes. No portion of either company’s 2018 dividend distributions are expected to consist of excess inclusion income, which may be treated as unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) and subject to special tax reporting for certain tax exempt investors.

Pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, dividends declared by a real estate investment trust (REIT) during the last three months of a calendar year that are payable to stockholders of record on a specified date in such three month period, but which are actually paid during January of the following calendar year, are considered paid on December 31st of the calendar year in which the dividends were declared, to the extent of the REIT’s distributable earnings and profits.

Distributions for Two Harbors Investment Corp.

The Federal income tax classification of the Two Harbors 2018 common and preferred stock distributions as it is expected to be reported on Form 1099-DIV is set forth in the following tables.

In addition, Two Harbors declared dividends with respect to its Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D and Series E preferred shares on December 18, 2018. The record date for Series A, Series B and Series C preferred dividends was January 11, 2019. The record date for Series D and Series E preferred dividends was January 1, 2019. Accordingly, these preferred dividends will be taxable to stockholders in the 2019 year.

Distributions for CYS Investments, Inc.

The Federal income tax classification of the CYS 2018 common and preferred stock distributions as it is expected to be reported on Form 1099-DIV is set forth in the following tables.

Merger of Two Harbors Investment Corp. and CYS Investments, Inc.

On July 31, 2018, Two Harbors and CYS announced the closing of the previously announced merger between Two Harbors and CYS. Trading in shares of CYS common stock ceased after market close on July 31, 2018 and shares of CYS common stock were converted into the right to receive 0.4680 newly issued Two Harbors common stock as well as cash consideration of $0.0965 per share prior to market open on August 1, 2018. Upon closing of the merger, each share of CYS 7.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock was converted into the right to receive one share of newly classified Two Harbors 7.75% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, and each share of CYS 7.50% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock was converted into the right to receive one share of newly classified Two Harbors 7.50% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. The newly issued shares of Two Harbors common stock, Series D and Series E preferred stock began trading on the NYSE on August 1, 2018.

Issuers of corporate securities are required to complete Internal Revenue Service Form 8937 to report organizational actions, including a merger that affects the basis of the securities involved in the organizational action. Stockholders are encouraged to review Form 8937 for the federal income tax treatment of the merger. The 2018 IRS Form 8937, Report of Organization Actions Affecting Basis of Securities, is provided under the “Investors” and “Dividend History” section of the Two Harbors website.

Consult Your Tax Advisor

Stockholders may have additional reporting obligations to the Internal Revenue Service and/or other tax authorities.

The U.S. federal income tax treatment of holding Two Harbors and CYS common and preferred 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 Two Harbors and CYS common and preferred stock.

Two Harbors and CYS do not provide tax, accounting or legal advice. Any tax statements contained herein were not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used for the purpose of avoiding U.S., federal, state or local tax penalties. Please consult your advisor as to any tax, accounting or legal statements made herein.

Two Harbors Investment Corp.

Two Harbors Investment Corp., a Maryland corporation, is a real estate investment trust that invests in residential mortgage-backed securities, mortgage servicing rights and other financial assets. Two Harbors is headquartered in New York, New York, and is externally managed and advised by PRCM Advisers LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pine River Capital Management L.P. Additional information is available at www.twoharborsinvestment.com.

Additional Information

Stockholders of Two Harbors and other interested persons may find additional information regarding the company at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Internet site at www.sec.gov or by directing requests to: Two Harbors Investment Corp., 575 Lexington Avenue, Suite 2930, New York, NY 10022, telephone 612-629-2500.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190122005912/en/

Investors: Margaret Field, Investor Relations, Two Harbors Investment Corp.
(212) 364-3663, margaret.field@twoharborsinvestment.com

Source: Two Harbors Investment Corp.

Released January 22, 2019