Exhibit 8.1
Entertainment Properties Trust
30 West Pershing Road, Suite 201
Kansas City, Missouri 64108
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
as Representative to the several Underwriters
c/o Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
383 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10179
Re: Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Issues
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as tax counsel to Entertainment Properties Trust, a Maryland
real estate investment trust (the "Company") in connection with the offer and
sale of up to 3,200,000 of 7.75% Series B preferred shares of beneficial
interest (the "Securities"), pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3,
registration No. 333-113626 (as amended and supplemented from time to time, the
"registration statement"), and the prospectus dated March 26, 2004 and
prospectus supplement dated January 11, 2005. The Company is a real estate
investment trust organized under the laws of the State of Maryland primarily for
the purpose of acquiring and leasing certain real estate.
You have requested our opinion as to (i) the qualification of the Company
as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes (a
"REIT") under the provisions of Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and (ii) the accuracy of the discussion of
U.S. federal income tax consequences contained under the caption "U.S. Federal
Income Tax Consequences" in the prospectus, as amended and supplemented by the
"Additional Federal Income Tax Consequences" in the prospectus supplement.
In connection with rendering this opinion, we have reviewed such documents
and made such inquiries as we have deemed appropriate for purposes of rendering
this opinion. The Company has delivered certain representations to us as set
forth in an Officers' Certificate dated January 11, 2005, and, with the
Company's permission, we have relied upon such representations in giving this
opinion. Our opinion is based on the information and representations set forth
in the Officers' Certificate. We have assumed, with your consent, that the
representations set forth in the Officers' Certificate are true, accurate and
complete as of the date hereof. Although we have not independently investigated
the representations to us set forth in the Officers' Certificate, nothing has
come to our attention that would lead us to question the accuracy of any
representation contained in the Officers' Certificate.
Based on such assumptions and representations, and assuming the accuracy
thereof, it is our opinion that (i) beginning with its taxable year ended
December 31, 1997, the Company has been organized and operated in conformity
with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT for U.S. federal
income tax purposes, and its current method of operation (as represented in the
Officers' Certificate and the prospectus and prospectus supplement) will enable
the Company to continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation
as a REIT under the Code and (ii) the statements in the prospectus under the
caption "U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences," as amended and supplemented by
the statements in the prospectus supplement under the caption "Additional
Federal Income Tax Consequences," to the extent that they describe matters of
law or legal conclusions, are correct in all material respects.
This opinion is based in part on the Code, Treasury Regulations promulgated
thereunder and interpretations thereof by the Internal Revenue Service and the
courts having jurisdiction over such matters, each as of the date hereof and all
of which are subject to change either prospectively or retroactively. Also, any
variation or difference in the facts from those set forth in the representations
furnished to us by the Company may affect the conclusions stated herein.
Moreover, the Company's qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon the
Company's ability to meet, through actual annual operating results, distribution
levels and diversity of share ownership and the various qualification tests
imposed under the Code, the results of which have not been and will not be
reviewed by us. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results
of the Company's operations for any taxable year will satisfy such requirements.
We consent to the reference to our firm under the captions "U.S. Federal
Income Tax Consequences" and "Legal Opinions" in the registration statement and
prospectus and the caption "Legal Matters" in the prospectus supplement and to
the attachment of this opinion as an exhibit to the registration statement.
Please be advised that we have rendered no opinion regarding any tax issues
other than as set forth herein.
This opinion letter shall not be construed as or deemed to be a guarantee
or insuring agreement. We disclaim any obligation to update this opinion for
developments which may occur subsequent to the date hereof.
Very truly yours,
Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP