INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the applicable provisions of the Code for every year beginning with the year ended December 31, 1999. We have also elected for certain of our subsidiaries to be treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRS” or “TRS entities”), which are subject to federal and state income taxes. All entities other than the TRS entities are collectively referred to as “the REIT” within this Note 12. Although the TRS entities have paid minimal cash federal income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2013, their federal income tax liabilities may increase in future periods as we exhaust net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards and as our senior living operations reportable business segment grows. Such increases could be significant. Our consolidated provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 was an expense of $1.7 million and $11.3 million, respectively. The income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2013 is due primarily to additions to income tax contingency reserves. The income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was due primarily to a valuation allowance recorded against certain deferred tax assets. Realization of a deferred tax benefit related to NOLs depends in part upon generating sufficient taxable income in future periods. Our NOL carryforwards begin to expire in 2024 with respect to our TRS entities and in 2016 for the REIT. Each TRS is a tax paying component for purposes of classifying deferred tax assets and liabilities. Net deferred tax liabilities with respect to our TRS entities totaled $261.2 million and $257.0 million as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, and related primarily to differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of fixed and intangible assets and to NOLs. Generally, we are subject to audit under the statute of limitations by the Internal Revenue Service for the year ended December 31, 2009 and subsequent years and are subject to audit by state taxing authorities for the year ended December 31, 2008 and subsequent years. We are also subject to audit by the Canada Revenue Agency and provincial authorities generally for periods subsequent to 2007 related to entities acquired or formed in connection with our 2007 acquisition of Sunrise Senior Living Real Estate Investment Trust.

INCOME TAXES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the applicable provisions of the Code for every year beginning with the year ended December 31, 1999. We have also elected for certain of our subsidiaries to be treated as taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRS” or “TRS entities”), which are subject to federal and state income taxes. All entities other than the TRS entities are collectively referred to as “the REIT” within this Note 12.

Although the TRS entities have paid minimal cash federal income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2013, their federal income tax liabilities may increase in future periods as we exhaust net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards and as our senior living operations reportable business segment grows. Such increases could be significant.

Our consolidated provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 was an expense of $1.7 million and $11.3 million, respectively. The income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2013 is due primarily to additions to income tax contingency reserves. The income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was due primarily to a valuation allowance recorded against certain deferred tax assets.

Realization of a deferred tax benefit related to NOLs depends in part upon generating sufficient taxable income in future periods. Our NOL carryforwards begin to expire in 2024 with respect to our TRS entities and in 2016 for the REIT.

Each TRS is a tax paying component for purposes of classifying deferred tax assets and liabilities. Net deferred tax liabilities with respect to our TRS entities totaled $261.2 million and $257.0 million as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, and related primarily to differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of fixed and intangible assets and to NOLs.

Generally, we are subject to audit under the statute of limitations by the Internal Revenue Service for the year ended December 31, 2009 and subsequent years and are subject to audit by state taxing authorities for the year ended December 31, 2008 and subsequent years. We are also subject to audit by the Canada Revenue Agency and provincial authorities generally for periods subsequent to 2007 related to entities acquired or formed in connection with our 2007 acquisition of Sunrise Senior Living Real Estate Investment Trust.