Master Limited Partnerships 101:: Understanding Mlps

Master Limited
Partnerships 101:
NA PTP logo300dpi.jpg
Understanding MLPs
2013 National Association of Publicly Traded Partnerships
Updated 10/4/13
1
Disclaimer
For Informational Purposes Only
NAPTP is the trade association for publicly traded partnerships (PTPs). NAPTP is not acting as an
investment adviser, investment fiduciary, broker, dealer or other market participant, and is not
making any offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security. The following information in this
presentation is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a solicitation related to any
particular company, nor does NAPTP intend to provide investment, financial, legal or tax advice, and
no information, services, or materials offered by NAPTP shall be construed as such. This information
is not intended by NAPTP to serve as the basis for any investment decision. Investments and
solicitations for investment must be made directly through an agent, employee or representative of a
particular investment or fund and cannot be made through NAPTP. Investors should consult with
their investment fiduciary or other market professional, and legal, tax or other advisers before making
any investment in any security, fund or other investment, regarding the appropriateness of investing
in any of the securities or investment strategies discussed in this presentation. Nothing herein should
be construed to be an endorsement by NAPTP of any specific company or products or as an offer to
sell or a solicitation to buy any security or other financial instrument or to participate in any trading
strategy. Opinions, where and when expressed, are subject to change without notice. All index
information, investment returns or performance data (past, hypothetical or otherwise) are not
necessarily indicative of future returns or performance. Before an investment is made in any security,
fund or investment, you should request a copy of the prospectus or other disclosure or investment
documentation and read it carefully. Such prospectus or other information contains important
information about a securitys, funds or other investments objectives and strategies, risks and
expenses. Investors should read such information carefully before making an investment decision or
paying any money, to provide assurance to such investor that the investment is appropriate for the
investors own goals and risk tolerance.
2
Master Limited Partnerships 101

I.
What is an MLP and why should I

care?
II.
History of MLPs
III.
MLPs Today
IV.
How MLPs Work
V.
Owning MLP Units
VI.
For more information
What is a Master Limited

Partnership? (MLP)

An MLP is a publicly traded partnership
(PTP). This is the term used in the tax
code.
Simply, it is a partnership, or a limited
liability company (LLC) that has chosen
partnership taxation, that trades on a
public exchange (NYSE, NASDAQ, etc.) or
over the counter market.
Shareholders are called unitholders.

Although people use the terms PTP and
MLP interchangeably, technically they
are not always the same thing.
The term MLP is generally used to refer

to publicly traded partnerships and LLCs
taxed as partnerships that operate
active businesses, primarily energy
related.

There are a substantial number of
PTPs that do not operate businesses
but are simply investment funds,
usually commodity funds.
These are not generally thought of
as MLPs.
Why should I know about

Master Limited Partnerships?

Income: In an environment of fluctuating
share prices and low interest rates, many
investors are looking for income
investments. MLPs offer income through
regular cash distributions.
Opportunity for Growth: Most MLPs
strive to continually grow their businesses,
increasing their distributions.
Factors Supporting
Investment
in MLPs
Income from consistent cash flow streams
Low interest rate environment
Major energy companies are divesting lower
return, non-core assets, often to MLPs
Need for new energy infrastructure to facilitate
production and delivery of natural gas, natural
gas liquids (NGLs) and crude oil from shale
plays
Attractive risk / reward trade-off when added
to a diversified portfolio
10
AMZ MLP Index

Attractive Total Return vs. 8 Other Asset Classes
10-Year
5-Year
3-Year
CAGR 1
AMZ
MLP
Index
AMZ
MLP
Index
AMZ
MLP
Index
18.3%
16.5%
16.5%
12.5%
12.5%
17.5%
17.5%
IG Bonds
Non-US Equity
Commodities
High Yield
Small Cap Equity
7.4%
17.9%
10.6%
8.6%
12.2%
Commodities
High Yield
Small Cap Equity
Small Cap Equity
IG Bonds
High Yield
20.4%
7.2%
16.3%
9.7%
7.5%
11.3%
Non-US Equity
REIT
Commodities
S&P 500
Non-US Equity
Small Cap Equity
S&P 500
-33.8%
32.5%
17.9%
2.1%
16.0%
8.7%
3.6%
10.9%
IG Bonds
AMZ
MLP
Index
Small Cap Equity
S&P 500
S&P 500
High Yield
High Yield
Hedge Funds
REIT
15.8%
6.2%
-36.9%
-36.9%
27.2%
15.1%
2.1%
14.4%
8.2%
1.9%
10.8%
Hedge Funds
S&P 500
S&P 500
S&P 500
High Yield
Hedge Funds
IG Bonds
S&P 500
S&P 500
IG Bonds
13.9%
5.5%
-37.0%
26.5%
12.4%
-2.5%
9.2%
7.1%
1.7%
9.0%
High Yield
High Yield
Commodities
REIT
Hedge Funds
REIT
Hedge Funds
Hedge Funds
Commodities
Commodities
8.2%
2.0%
-42.8%
25.1%
10.9%
-2.5%
6.1%
6.8%
1.2%
7.2%
IG Bonds
Small Cap Equity
Non-US Equity
Hedge Funds
IG Bonds
Small Cap Equity
AMZ
MLP
Index
IG Bonds
REIT
Hedge Funds
4.5%
-1.6%
-43.1%
18.6%
10.6%
-4.2%
4.8%
4.8%
6.1%
-2.5%
4.7%
Commodities
REIT
REIT
IG Bonds
Non-US Equity
Non-US Equity
Commodities
REIT
Non-US Equity
Non-US Equity
0.4%
-14.7%
-48.2%
17.8%
8.2%
-11.7%
0.3%
5.6%
-3.2%
4.0%
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
REIT
Commodities
IG Bonds
AMZ
MLP
Index
AMZ
MLP
Index
AMZ
MLP
Index
REIT
33.1%
40.7%
-6.1%
76.4%
76.4%
35.9%
35.9%
13.9%
13.9%
Non-US Equity
AMZ
MLP
Index
Hedge Funds
Commodities
Small Cap Equity
26.9%
12.7%
12.7%
-19.1%
50.3%
26.9%
AMZ
MLP
Index
Hedge Funds
High Yield
High Yield
26.1%
26.1%
12.6%
-21.3%
39.3%
Small Cap Equity
Non-US Equity
Small Cap Equity
18.4%
11.6%
S&P 500
(1)
CAGR
CAGR
CAGR calculations based upon closing prices ending the last trading day of the fourth quarter for each period.
Commodities: S&P World Commodity Index; Hedge Funds: CS Tremont Hedge Fund; High Yield: Vanguard High Yield US Corporate Fund; IG Bonds: Vanguard
Intermediate Term US Investment Grade Fund; MLP Index: Alerian Index; Non-US Equity: MSCI Daily Total Return EAFE Index; REIT: S&P REIT Index; S&P 500:
S&P 500 Index; Small Cap Equity: Russell 2000 Index
Source: Bloomberg L.P.
Past results may not be indicative of future performance.
11
History of MLPs
Master limited partnerships have been
around for three decades
12
History of MLPs
The first MLP was launched in 1981:
Apache Oil Company.
Other oil and gas MLPs soon followed and
were joined by real estate MLPs.
Their purpose was to raise capital from
smaller investors by offering them a
partnership investment in an affordable
and liquid security.
13
History of MLPs
Rapid Growth in the 1980s
The number of MLPs grew rapidly.
MLPs began to be used in other industries:
hotels and motels, restaurants, cable TV,
investment advisors, even amusement parks and
the Boston Celtics.
Congress and tax officials worried that large
numbers of corporations would become MLPs to
avoid corporate tax.
14
History of MLPs
In 1987 Congress passed legislation to define
and limit publicly traded partnerships. .
MLPs operate under those rules today.
Congress created Section 7704 of the Tax Code,
limiting partnership tax treatment to PTPs earning
>90 percent of their income from specific sources.
Existing PTPs with bad income were grandfathered. Most gradually went private, were
acquired or converted to other structures; only
three remain today.
15
History of MLPs
What kinds of income can a PTP earn?
Income and capital gains from natural
resources activities
Interest, dividends, and capital gains
Rental income and capital gains from real estate
Income from commodity investments
Capital gains from sale of assets used to
generate the above types of income
16
History of MLPs
Qualifying Natural Resources include:
Oil, gas, petroleum products

Coal and other minerals
Timber
Any other resource that is depletable under
section 613 of the federal tax code
Industrial source carbon dioxide (added in 2008)
Ethanol, biodiesel, and other alternative fuelstransportation and storage only (added in 2008)
17
History of MLPs
Qualifying Natural Resource Activities include:
Exploration, development & production (E&P)

Mining
Gathering and processing
Refining
Compression
Transportation (pipeline, ship, truck)
Storage, marketing, distribution
But not retail sales, except for propane
18
History of MLPs
During the late 1980s and the 1990s:
Many of the original oil and gas MLPs left the
market, unable to maintain distributions as oil and
gas prices dropped.
Most of the original real estate MLPs converted to

REITs.
Integrated energy companies began selling or
spinning off midstream assets (gathering,
processing, pipelines, distribution) to MLPs to focus
on their core business. These became the core of
the modern MLP universe.
19
History of MLPs
During the 2000s:
The number of MLPs in oil and
natural gas midstream
businesses steadily increased.

They were joined by MLPs engaged in marine
transportation of petroleum products and in propane
distribution.
Some MLPs were created in the coal industry
Beginning in 2006 exploration and production MLPs

returned, now with extensive hedging programs.
.
20
History of MLPs
Several general partners of MLPs went public as MLPs
themselves in 2005 and 2006but several are now being folded
back into the original MLP.
Beginning in 2007 some investment managers and private

equity firms turned their holding companies into PTPs (e.g.,
Blackstone an Fortress).
In recent years, the number of MLPs engaged in

downstream activities (refining, distribution, marketing) has
increased.
We are also seeing more MLPs involved with non-petroleum
natural resourcesfertilizer, fracking sand, trona ore for
production of soda ash.
21
History of MLPs
In 2008 qualifying income was expanded
by Congress for the first time since 1987.
Qualifying natural resources activities now
include transportation and storage of
biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel.
Industrial carbon dioxide now qualifies as
a natural resource.
22
History of MLPs
Alternative fuels qualifying under the 2008
addition include:
Ethanol and methanol and other alcohol fuels

and fuel mixtures
Biodiesel fuels and biodiesel mixtures
Liquified petroleum gas
Liquified hydrogen
Liquified or compressed natural gas
Liquid fuels derived from coal
Liquid fuels derived from biomass
23
Master Limited Partnerships
Today
24
MLPs Today
Currently, close to 130 MLPs are trading on major
exchanges or, in a few cases, over the counter.
Todays MLPs primarily focus on energy-related
industries and natural resources.
The majority engage in oil and gas midstream and
downstream activities--gathering, processing, natural
gas compression, transportation, storage, refining,
distribution, and marketing.
Others are in other oil and gas activities, coal, and

fertilizers.
25
MLPs Today
Most of the rest are engaged in investment
and financial activities.
There are also a significant number of PTPs
that are not active businesses but simply
publicly traded commodity funds. Some oil
and gas royalty trusts have also taken the
PTP form; some consider these to be MLPs
as well.
26
MLPs Today
Changes in Industry Concentration
Industry
1990
2013
Oil and Gas Midstream and Downstream
10% 51%
Oil & Gas Exploration & Production (Upstream)
21% 12%
Propane
0%
3%
O&G Marine Transportation
1%
5%
Coal Leasing or Production
0%
4%
Other Natural Resource
5%
7%
14%
2%
4%
0%
Real Estate-Mortgage Securities
13%
2%
Hotels, Motels, Restaurants
12%
0%
6%
9%
15%
4%
Real Estate-Income Properties

Real Estate- Developers, Homebuilders
Investment/Financial
Other Businesses
27
MLPs Today: Changes in Industry Groups

MLPs by Industry Group-1990
Energy and
Natural
Resources
37%
Other
32%
Real Estate (incl.

mortgage
securities)
31%
28
MLPs Today: Industry Group

MLPs by Industry Group 2013
Energy and Natural
Resources
82%
Other Businesses
4%
9%
Real Estate (incl. mortg.

securities)
2013 National Association of Publicly Traded Partnerships 5%
29
MLPs Today: Changes in Industry

MLPs by Industry - 1990
Other Businesses
15%
Oil and Gas

Exploration &
Production
21%
Investment/
Financial
5%
Oil and Gas

Midstream
10%
Hotel, Motel,
Restaurant
12%
Real estatemortgage securities

13%
Real EstateDevelopers,
Homebuilders
4%
Oil and Gas Marine

Transportation
1%
Minerals and
Timber
5%
Real estate-income
properties
14%
30
MLPs Today: Changes in Industry

MLPs by Industry
12%
Other Businesses
4%
Real Estate-Properties
2%
Oil and Gas Midstream
45%

7%
Coal
4%
Marine Transportation
5%
Oil and Gas Production
11%
Propane & Refined Fuel

3%
Oil and Gas Downstream
6%
Oil & Gas, Oilfield Services
1%
31
MLPs Today: Activities of

Energy & Natural Resource MLPs
8%
6%
Propane
4%
Coal
5%

55%
Oil & Gas Downstream
7%
Oil & Gas E&P (Upstream)

14%
Oil and Gas: Oilfield

Services (Seadrill)
1%
32
MLPs Today: Market Capital

Total market capital today (as of
9/30/13) is close to $490 billion.
About 86% of the total, about $422
billion, is attributable to energy and
natural resource MLPs, primarily the
midstream group.
33
MLPs Today: Market Capital

MLP Market Capital by Industry Group
Energy and Natural
Resources
86%
Other
3%
Investment/ Financial
10%
Real Estate Properties
0.33%
Market Capital on 9/30/13

34
MLP Market Capital

by Sector
Real Estate Properties
0.33%
Other Minerals, Timber
2%
Propane Coal
2.19%
2%
Other
3%
10%
2%
Oil and Gas
Downstream
3%

71%
Oil and Gas E&P

5%
Market Capital on 9/30/13

35
Energy & Natural Resource MLP

Market Capital
Other Minerals, Timber
2%
Coal
2%
Propane
3%
2%
Oil & Gas Midstream

83%
Oil & Gas Downstream

3%
Oilfield Services
0.3%
Oil & Gas E&P

5%
Market capital on 9/30/13
36
HOW MLPs WORK
37
How MLPs Work

MLPs that are limited partnerships have:
One or More General Partners (GPs)
GP Manages Partnership
Generally has ~2% ownership stake in partnership
May have incentive distribution rights (IDRs)
Thousands of Limited Partners (LPs)/Unitholders
Unitholders = LPs holding publicly traded units

Provide capital
Have no role in partnerships operations or management
Receive quarterly cash distributions
38
How MLPs Work

Typical Limited Partnership Structure
Corporate
Parent or Other
Owners
Pipeline GP LLC
General Partner
(2%)
LP Interest
LP Interest
UnitholdersLimited Partners
2% GP
Interest
Pipeline MLP, L.P.

100% Owned
Pipeline Operating LLC (or L.P.)
Operating Subsidiaries
39
How PTPs Work

MLP With Publicly Traded GP
Corporate
Parent or Other
Owners
Public
UnitholdersPipeline GP
Holdings, L.P.
Limited Partners
Pipeline GP Holdings, L.P.

LP Interest
100% Membership
Interest
Pipeline GP LLC
General Partner
Public UnitholdersLimited Partners
<2% GP
Interest
Pipeline MLP, L.P.

Pipeline Operating LLC (or L.P.)
40
How MLPs Work

MLP Structure
Incentive Distribution Rights (IDR)
The IDR is a share of cash distributions paid to the GP in
many MLPs. It generally starts at 2% (vs. 98% to LPs).
As quarterly distribution to LPs goes up, and targeted

distribution levels achieved, IDRs to GP increase with
each marginal increase in distributions.
IDR Pros and Cons
Incentive for General Partner to grow the business.
GP typically retains subordinated units for a period after
the IPOIDRs are compensation for unit subordination.
But increases cost of capitaleach new asset must yield
return high enough to cover both GP and LP shares.
41
How MLPs Work

MLP Structure
Example: Incentive Distribution Tiers
LP
distribution
LP %
GP%
up to
Tier 1
98%
2%
$2.00
Tier 2
85%
15%
$2.50
Tier 3
75%
25%
$3.00
Tier 4
50%
50%
Above $3.00
42
How MLPs Work

LLCs
MLPs That Are LLCs:
Technically have membership interests rather
than partnership interests.
Do not have a general partner. Both
management and investors have same
membership interest.
Have no incentive distribution rights, although
there may be other management incentives.
All members, including public unitholders, have
voting rights.
43
How MLPs Work

Typical LLC Structure
Management
Public Unitholders
(Members)
Other Owners
(Members)
Energy Co., LLC
44
How MLPs Work

In both Limited Partnerships and LLCs:
Lower-level entities, not the MLP, own the

assets and conduct operations
Taxation is on a pass-through basis
There is no corporate or other entity-level
tax
All tax items flow through to the unitholders, who pay tax at their own rates
45
How MLPs Work

Characteristic
MLP
LLC
Corporation
Taxable at entity level
No
No
Yes
Tax Items Flow

Through
Yes
Yes
No
Tax Deferral on
Distributions
Yes
Yes
No
Tax Reporting
K-1
K-1
DIV-1099
General Partner
Yes
No
No
IDRs
Yes
No
No
Investor Voting Rights
No
Yes
Yes
Source: Wells Fargo
46
How MLPs Work

Benefits of Operating as an MLP:
Pass-through tax structure (no double
taxation) means lower cost of capital.
This is important in capital intensive
energy industries.
Allows companies to build and operate
low-return assets (e.g., rate-regulated
pipelines) and still provide a sufficient rate
of return to attract investors.
47
How MLPs Work

Benefits of Operating as an MLP:
Distribution of all available cash attracts to
investors seeking income, and public trading
allows MLP to raise capital from broader range
of investors than if not traded.
Operating as an MLP rather than a corporation
gives management greater control. Corporate
sponsors may transfer assets to MLPs so that
value can be realized by market with sponsor
retaining control.
48
Investing in MLPs
49
Investing in MLPs
Being an MLP unitholder is different
from being a corporate stockholder:
Taxation of your investment is very
different and somewhat more complex
Depending on the structure, you may not
have the voting rights that a stockholder
does (LPs generally dont; LLC members
do)
50
Investing in MLPs
Taxation
Partnership Tax Basics: Income
An MLP is a pass-though entity which pays no tax
itself.
The unitholder is treated for tax purposes as if he
is directly earning the MLPs income.
Each unitholder is allocated on paper a share of the
MLPs income, gain, deductions, losses, and credits.
This is reported annually on the K-1.
The unitholder enters these items on his return and
pays tax on the net income at his own tax rate.
51
Investing in MLPs
Simplified Taxation Example
Amount per share / unit:
Corporation
MLP
Gross Income
$4.00
$4.00
Deductions
-$3.00
-$3.00
Taxable Income
$1.00
$1.00
Federal corporate tax
-$0.35
$0.00
State tax (assumes 5% rate)
-$0.05
$0.00
Entity's net income
$0.60
$1.00
Shareholder's federal tax (15% rate for

dividend, 28% rate for MLP income)
-$0.09
-$0.28
Shareholder's state tax (5%)
-$0.03
-$0.05
Net income to shareholder
$0.48
$0.67
52
Investing in MLPs
Taxation
Tax Basics: Distributions
You will receive quarterly cash distributions, which
are not the same as your share of the MLPs income.
Distributions are based on distributable cash flow
(DCF), which in its simplest form is:
Net earnings, plus
Depreciation (which is subtracted from income in the
earnings calculation but is not a cash expense), minus
Amounts needed for maintenance and repair of assets
used in producing income (maintenance cap ex)
53
Investing in MLPs
Taxation
Tax Basics: Distributions
Under the tax code, the distributions are a return
of capital and are not taxed when received.
Your basis in your partnership units (the amount
you paid + or - adjustments) is lowered by the
amount of the distribution.
Thus, when you sell your units, your taxable
gain (sales price minus adjusted basis) is
increased by the amount of the distributions.
54
Investing in MLPs
Taxation
Often you will hear someone say that
80% of the MLPs distribution is taxdeferred.
What they mean is that the unitholders

allocated share of net income as reported
on the K-1 ($.50 per unit in the example)
equals only 20% of the cash distribution.
55
Investing in MLPs
Taxation
Corporations - Dividends
Corporation pays tax on earnings
After-tax earnings paid to shareholder as dividend
Shareholder pays tax on dividend
Partnerships - Distributions
Partnership does not pay tax; income and deductions flow
through to partners
Partners pay tax on net earnings (regardless of cash
received)
Cash distribution exceeding net income treated as tax
deferred return of capital; lowers basis and is taxed on sale.
56
Investing in MLPs
Taxation
Basis Adjustments
Your basis is adjusted not only by distributions but
by tax items:
Your share of partnership income each year adjusts the
basis upwards. Your share of deductions like
depreciation adjusts it downwards.
So your basis is lowered each year by the amount of the
distributions minus your net partnership income.
The idea is that all income you receive from the

partnership is taxed once and only onceeither in the
year you receive it, or when you sell your units.
57
Investing in MLPs - Taxation

Adjusted Basis Example
Year 1: 1,000 units purchased @ $30.00.
Basis is:
$30,000
Investor receives total cash distributions of

$2.50/unit
- $2,500
Investor is allocated $2.00 of income and $1.50

of depreciation.
Investor pays tax on net taxable income of
$.50/unit
+ $ 500
Adjusted Basis
$28,000
Year 2: All units sold @ $32.00
$32,000
Gain per unit - $32.00 - $28.00
$ 4,000
58
Investing in MLPs
Taxation
Important Note:
Not all of the gain when units are sold is taxed at
capital gains rates.
A substantial amount of the gain comes from basis
reductions due to depreciation and is taxed at
ordinary income ratesthis is called recapture.
In our example, the unitholder had a $1,500
depreciation deduction. So $1,500 of the $4,000 is
taxed as ordinary income and $2,500 as capital
gain.
59
Investing in MLPs
Advantages
Income: MLPs generally provide consistent streams of
cash flow in the form of quarterly distributions and
growth
MLPs pay out cash not needed for current operations and
maintenance of capital assets to their unitholders in the
form of quarterly cash distributions.
Most MLPs strive to increase their cash distributions as
often as possible and prudent.
Most MLPs cover their distributions with distributable cash
flow generated, with some MLPs consistently having
stronger coverage (the coverage ratio, DCF/distribution, is
an important metric.
Larger, capitalized MLPs provide multiple sources of cash
flow from a large, diversified footprint of assets
60
Investing in MLPs
Advantages
Tax benefits: Deduction pass-throughs lower
currently taxable income, tax deferral on
distributions
LiquidityMLPs provide the benefits of
partnership investment without tying up your
money for years.
Estate planning: as with other securities, the
basis in PTP units is stepped up to fair market
value at deaththe heir receives a fresh start.
61
Investing in MLPs
Advantages
In sum, MLPs may be suitable for investors:
Looking for a source of regular income payments

Motivated by yield
Seeking a combination of income and growth

Wanting to reduce/defer taxes on their
investments
Interested in estate planning advantages
62
Investing in MLPs
Challenges
As weve seen, tax reporting for an MLP
investment is more complex than for shares in a
corporation.
Investor receives a K-1 instead of a 1099
The K-1 reports investors share of all MLP tax items,

which investor must enter on his/her own return
MLPs try to make the process as easy as possible.
Many post K-1s online, and they can be downloaded
into Turbotax.
63
Investing in MLPs
Challenges
State tax issues:
Technically, partners owe tax on their share of
income allocable to each state in which an MLP
operates
Practically, after the MLPs income is divided among
all partners and all states, and depreciation and
other deductions applied, each unitholders income
in each state will generally be too small to tax,
except for those with large holdings.
64
Investing in MLPs
Retirement Plans
Retirement Plan Issues
Think carefully before investing your IRA, 401(k), or
other retirement plan in MLPs.
These plans are tax-exempt already, so dont need the
tax advantages.
More importantly, the plans share of net partnership
income over $1,000 (not the distributions) is likely to be
subject to unrelated business income tax (UBIT).
65
Investing in MLPs
Retirement Plans
UBIT is imposed on tax-exempt entities (including
retirement plans) that earn income from a business
that is not related to the purpose of their tax
exemption.
Because MLPs are pass-through entities, tax-exempt
partners (e.g., your IRA) are treated as directly
earning the MLPs business income and are taxed on
it.
Investment income like interest, dividends, and
royalties is not taxed.
66
Investing in MLPs
Retirement Plans
Some analysts feel MLPs are still a good investment
for IRAs and other retirement funds, because:
The tax is on net income. Passthrough of depreciation
and other deductions means net income may be below
$1,000.
Even if tax is owed, the income may be sufficient to
produce a very good return.
If your IRA or 401(k) does owe UBIT, it, not you, owes
the tax. The plan custodian should file a return and
pay tax from the plans funds.
67
Investing in MLPs
Alternatives to Direct Investment
Corporate Intermediary:
Kinder Morgan (KMP) and Enbridge Energy Partners (EEP)
have publicly traded management companies (KMR and EEQ)
that issue I-Shares. These are corporations whose only
assets are units in the MLPs. Dividends consist of additional IShares. There are no K-1 and no UBITbut also no cash
distributions.
Linn Energy (LINE) has a similar corporation, LinnCo (LNCO),
that does pay cash dividends.
Investing Through Funds: Over the last few years, a

number of options have been developed for investing in MLPs
through mutual and other funds.
68
Investing in MLPs
Closed-end mutual funds: Closed end funds issue
a fixed number of shares. They may trade at a price
that differs from net asset value (NAV). There have
been closed-end MLP funds since 2004.
Open-end mutual funds: Open end funds are
conventional mutual funds with no limit on the
amount of shares issued. They trade at NAV. The
first open-end MLP funds were in 2010.
Exchange Traded Funds: There are several MLPfocused ETNs and one ETF pegged to MLP indexes.
These also are a fairly recent development.
69
Investing in MLPs
Advantages to investing through funds:
A diverse MLP portfolio selected by experts.
The fund is the limited partner; it rather than the
investor deals with the K-1 form and paying federal
and state taxes on partnership income.
The investor receives a dividend and the familiar
1099 form. The dividend retains return of capital
treatment to a large extent.
The investment can be placed in a retirement
account without generating UBIT.
70
Investing in MLPs
Disadvantages to Investing Through Funds
Reduced tax benefits: The funds are generally
corporations and must tax on their share of K-1
income at the corporate rate before paying you.
You will not get the benefit of any deduction or loss
pass-throughs.
Reduced return: In addition to taxes, your return
will be diminished by administrative fees and
expenses charged by the fund. Be sure to examine
and compare these before investing.
71
How can I find out more

about MLPs?
72
Visit the NAPTP website
www.naptp.org
73
Contact Information
Mary Lyman
Executive Director, NAPTP
4350 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 815
Arlington, VA 22203)
(703) 822-4995
mlyman@naptp.org
74

Master Limited Partnerships 101:: Understanding Mlps

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Master Limited Partnerships 101:: Understanding Mlps

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Master Limited Partnerships 101:: Understanding Mlps

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Master Limited

2013 National Association of Publicly Traded Partnerships