Company: MFAN
Filing Date: 2025-08-06
Form Type: 10-Q
Source: 0001055160-25-000013
Chunk: 167

Company: MFA FINANCIAL, INC.
Filing Date: 2025-08-06
Form: 10-Q
Item: Part I, Item 1
Chunk 167
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.  For example: a) while our REIT uses fair value accounting for GAAP in some instances, it generally is not used for purposes of determining taxable income; b) impairments generally are not recognized by us for income tax purposes until the asset is written-off or sold; c) capital losses may only be recognized by us to the extent of its capital gains; capital losses in excess of capital gains generally are carried over by us for potential offset against future capital gains; and d) tax hedge gains and losses resulting from the termination of Swaps by us generally are amortized over the remaining term of the Swap.

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Securitization

Generally, securitization transactions for GAAP and tax can be characterized as either sales or financings, depending on transaction type, structure and available elections.  For GAAP purposes, our securitizations have generally been treated as on-balance sheet financing transactions.  For tax purposes, they have been characterized primarily as sale transactions.

Where a securitization has been characterized as a sale, gain or loss is recognized for tax purposes.  In addition, we own or may in the future acquire interests in securitization and/or re-securitization trusts, in which several of the classes of securities are or will be issued with original issue discount (or OID).  As the holder of the retained interests in the trust, for tax purposes we generally will be required to include OID in our current gross interest income over the term of the applicable securities as the OID accrues.  The rate at which the OID is recognized into taxable income is calculated using a constant rate of yield to maturity, with realized losses impacting the amount of OID recognized in REIT taxable income once they are actually incurred.  REIT taxable income may be recognized in excess of economic income (i.e., OID) or in advance of the corresponding cash flow from these assets, thereby affecting our dividend distribution requirement to stockholders. 

For securitization and/or re-securitization transactions that were treated as a sale of the underlying collateral for tax purposes, the unwinding of any such transaction will likely result in taxable income or loss.  Given that securitization and re-securitization transactions are typically accounted for as financing transactions for GAAP purposes, such income or loss is not likely to be recognized for GAAP.  As a result, the income recognized from securitization and re-securitization transactions may differ for tax and GAAP purposes.

Whether