Essex Reports Characteristics of 2012 Dividend

PALO ALTO, CA--(Marketwire - Jan 18, 2013) - Essex Property Trust, Inc., (NYSE: ESS) announced today the income tax treatment for its 2012 distributions to shareholders. The 2012 distribution characteristics are as follows:

Common Stock - CUSIP Number 297178105:
Record Date		Payment Date		Cash Distribution Per Share		Ordinary Taxable Dividend		Return of Capital		Capital Gain (15% rate)		Unrecaptured Section 1250 Capital Gain (25% rate)
1/3/ 2012		1/13/ 2012		$1.040000		$0.7339920		$0.1320822		$0.091005		$0.0829211
3/30/ 2012		4/13/ 2012		$1.100000		$0.7763377		$0.1397023		$0.096255		$0.0877050
6/29/ 2012		7/13/ 2012		$1.100000		$0.7763377		$0.1397023		$0.096255		$0.0877050
9/28/ 2012		10/15/ 2012		$1.100000		$0.7763377		$0.1397023		$0.096255		$0.0877050
Totals:				$4.340000		$3.063005		$0.551189		$0.379770		$0.346036
Percentages:				100%		70.5762%		12.7002%		8.7505%		7.9732%

For purposes of calculating alternative minimum taxable income under Sec. 55 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Company apportions $0.03 per common share attributable to depreciation assuming a full year of ownership.

Series G Preferred - CUSIP Number 297178303:
Record Date		Payment Date		Cash Distribution Per Share		Ordinary Taxable Dividend		Return of Capital		Capital Gain (15% rate)		Unrecaptured Section 1250 Capital Gain (25% rate)
1/3/ 2012		1/31/ 2012		$0.304690		$0.246322		$0.000000		$0.030540		$0.0278278
4/2/ 2012		4/30/ 2012		$0.304690		$0.246322		$0.000000		$0.030540		$0.0278278
7/2/ 2012		7/31/ 2012		$0.304690		$0.246322		$0.000000		$0.030540		$0.0278278
10/1/ 2012		10/31/ 2012		$0.304690		$0.246322		$0.000000		$0.030540		$0.0278278
Totals:				$1.21876		$0.98529		$0.00000		$0.12216		$0.11131
Percentages:				100%		80.8435%		0%		10.0234%		9.1331%

Series H Preferred - CUSIP Number 297178402:
Record Date		Payment Date		Cash Distribution Per Share		Ordinary Taxable Dividend		Return of Capital		Capital Gain (15% rate)		Unrecaptured Section 1250 Capital Gain (25% rate)
1/3/ 2012		1/13/ 2012		$0.445310		$0.360004		$0.000000		$0.044635		$0.0406708
4/2/ 2012		4/13/ 2012		$0.445310		$0.360004		$0.000000		$0.044635		$0.0406708
7/2/ 2012		7/13/ 2012		$0.445310		$0.360004		$0.000000		$0.044635		$0.0406708
10/1/ 2012		10/15/ 2012		$0.445310		$0.360004		$0.000000		$0.044635		$0.0406708
Totals:				$1.78124		$1.44002		$0.00000		$0.17854		$0.16268
Percentages:				100%		80.8435%		0%		10.0234%		9.1331%

The Company did not incur any foreign taxes during 2012. 

Shareholders are encouraged to consult with their tax advisors as to their specific tax treatment of Essex Property Trust, Inc. dividends.

About Essex Property Trust, Inc.
Essex Property Trust, Inc., an S&P 400 company, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust (REIT) that acquires, develops, redevelops, and manages apartment communities located in highly desirable, supply-constrained markets. Essex currently has ownership interests in 161 multifamily properties with an additional 9 properties in various stages of development. Additional information about Essex can be found on the Company's web site at http://www.essexpropertytrust.com.