PALO ALTO, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 01/18/13 -- 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:



                                                       Capital  Unrecaptured
                       Cash      Ordinary                Gain   Section 1250
 Record   Payment  Distribution   Taxable   Return of    (15%   Capital Gain
  Date      Date     Per Share   Dividend    Capital    rate)    (25% rate)
                   ---------------------------------------------------------
  1/3/     1/13/
  2012      2012     $1.040000  $0.7339920 $0.1320822 $0.091005  $0.0829211
  3/30/    4/13/
  2012      2012     $1.100000  $0.7763377 $0.1397023 $0.096255  $0.0877050
  6/29/    7/13/
  2012      2012     $1.100000  $0.7763377 $0.1397023 $0.096255  $0.0877050
  9/28/    10/15/
  2012      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:

                                                                Unrecaptured
                       Cash      Ordinary              Capital  Section 1250
 Record   Payment  Distribution   Taxable  Return of    Gain    Capital Gain
  Date      Date     Per Share   Dividend   Capital  (15% rate)  (25% rate)
                   ---------------------------------------------------------
  1/3/     1/31/
  2012      2012     $0.304690   $0.246322 $0.000000  $0.030540  $0.0278278
  4/2/     4/30/
  2012      2012     $0.304690   $0.246322 $0.000000  $0.030540  $0.0278278
  7/2/     7/31/
  2012      2012     $0.304690   $0.246322 $0.000000  $0.030540  $0.0278278
  10/1/    10/31/
  2012      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:

                                                      Capital   Unrecaptured
                       Cash      Ordinary               Gain    Section 1250
 Record   Payment  Distribution   Taxable  Return of    (15%    Capital Gain
  Date      Date     Per Share   Dividend   Capital    rate)     (25% rate)
                   ---------------------------------------------------------
  1/3/     1/13/
  2012      2012     $0.445310   $0.360004 $0.000000 $0.044635   $0.0406708
  4/2/     4/13/
  2012      2012     $0.445310   $0.360004 $0.000000 $0.044635   $0.0406708
  7/2/     7/13/
  2012      2012     $0.445310   $0.360004 $0.000000 $0.044635   $0.0406708
  10/1/    10/15/
  2012      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.