Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

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

The minimum dividend per share of Common Stock required for us to maintain our REIT status was $1.01, $0.32 and $0.89 per share in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Continued qualification as a REIT depends on our ability to satisfy the dividend distribution tests, stock ownership requirements and various other qualification tests prescribed in the Code. The tax basis of our assets (net of accumulated tax depreciation and amortization) and liabilities was approximately $2.7 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2011 and $2.4 billion and $1.6 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2010.

No provision has been made for federal income taxes during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 because the Company qualified as a REIT, distributed the necessary amount of taxable income and, therefore, incurred no federal income tax expense during the periods. We recorded state income tax expense in rental property and other expenses of $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The taxable REIT subsidiary has operated at a cumulative taxable loss through December 31, 2011 of approximately $5.3 million. In addition to the $2.0 million deferred tax asset for these cumulative tax loss carryforwards, the taxable REIT subsidiary also had net deferred tax liabilities of approximately $1.6 million comprised primarily of tax versus book basis differences in certain investments and depreciable assets held by the taxable REIT subsidiary. Because the future tax benefit of the cumulative losses is not assured, the approximate $0.4 million net deferred tax asset position of the taxable REIT subsidiary has been fully reserved as management does not believe that it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax asset will be realized. The tax benefit of the cumulative losses could be recognized for financial reporting purposes in future periods to the extent the taxable REIT subsidiary generates sufficient taxable income.

We are subject to federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for 2008 through 2011.

Highwoods Realty Limited Partnership [Member]

Income Tax Disclosure [Line Items]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Our Consolidated Financial Statements include the operations of the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiary, which is not entitled to the dividends paid deduction and is subject to federal, state and local income taxes. The taxable REIT subsidiary has operated at a cumulative taxable loss through December 31, 2011 of approximately $5.3 million and has paid no income taxes since its formation. In addition to the $2.0 million deferred tax asset for these cumulative tax loss carryforwards, the taxable REIT subsidiary also had net deferred tax liabilities of approximately $1.6 million comprised primarily of tax versus book basis differences in certain investments and depreciable assets held by the taxable REIT subsidiary. Because the future tax benefit of the cumulative losses is not assured, the approximate $0.4 million net deferred tax asset position of the taxable REIT subsidiary has been fully reserved as management does not believe that it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax asset will be realized. The tax benefit of the cumulative losses could be recognized for financial reporting purposes in future periods to the extent the taxable REIT subsidiary generates sufficient taxable income. Other than income taxes related to its taxable REIT subsidiary, the Operating Partnership recorded state income tax expense in rental property and other expenses of $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The minimum dividend per share of Common Stock required for the Company to maintain its REIT status was $1.01, $0.32 and $0.89 per share in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Continued qualification as a REIT depends on the Company's ability to satisfy the dividend distribution tests, stock ownership requirements and various other qualification tests prescribed in the Code. The tax basis of our assets (net of accumulated tax depreciation and amortization) and liabilities was approximately $2.7 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2011 and $2.4 billion and $1.6 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2010.

The Company is subject to federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for 2008 through 2011.