12. Distributions

We must distribute at least 90% of our taxable income in order to continue to qualify as a REIT. This distribution requirement can be satisfied by current year distributions or, to a certain extent, by distributions in the following year.

For federal tax purposes, distributions to stockholders are treated as ordinary income, capital gains, return of capital or a combination thereof. Distributions for 2018, 2017 and 2016 were cash distributions. The federal income tax classification of the per share common stock distributions are as follows (unaudited):


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
Ordinary taxable distribution	$	0.349	$	1.607	$	1.485
Return of capital		—		0.444		0.556
Unrecaptured Section 1250 gain		0.636		0.163		0.149
Long-term capital gain		1.295		0.066		—
Total	$	2.280	$	2.280	$	2.190