Chapter 11 Flashcards
(59 cards)
REITs
Not categorized as investments under the IA Act of 1940, but is under Securities Act of 1933. BDs MUST send prospectuses to any investors who acquire shares in the primary market.
Mortgage REITs
Borrows funds from investors to invest in mortgages and earn income based on the difference between the mtg. rate and the rate of return paid to investors.
Equity REITs
These REITs own and operate income-producing RE.
Hybrid REITs
A combo of mtg. REITs and equity REITs.
True or false: REITs are always publicly traded?
False, REITs can be publicly or privately traded. Publicly traded REITs pay high dividends and are very liquid. These REITs appear on customers’ account statements at their listed price per share. Public REITs are initially sold in an offering that’s registered w/ the SEC.
Privately traded REITs and non-traded REITs are illiquid. These REITs appear on customers’ account statements at their estimated MV per share. Private REITs are initially sold in an exempt private placement that’s conducted under Regulation D. After their initial issuance, private REITs are not listed and don’t trade on the exchanges.
- Both non-traded and exchange-traded REITs invest in various types of real estate and are subject to the same tax consequences (90% distribution on taxable income).
- Since both types are registered, they’re required to make the same disclosures to investors.
Tax Treatment of REITs
There’s no double taxation on REITs if the REIT pays out 90% of its income to shareholders. In this case, the dividends are only taxed at the shareholder level. REITs CANNOT pass through losses.
- 20% of the income that REITs distribute to its investors is tax deudctible
What is needed for a REIT to qualify for special tax treatment?
- At least 95% of gross income must be derived from dividends, interest, and rents from real property.
- At least 75% of gross income must be derived from real property income.
- No more than 30% of gross income may be derived from the sale of stock or securities that have been held for last than 12 months.
True or false: Dividends investors receive from REITs is taxed at the LT capital gains rate?
False, it’s taxed as ordinary income
Direct Participation Programs (DPPs)
A business where the the results (CFs, income, losses) flow directly through to the investors. These can be formed as general partnerships, joint ventures, and Sub S Corp.
S Corp.
A corporation w/ 100 or fewer shareholders. The income from S Corps is not taxed but instead the shareholders pay the taxes.
Limited partnership
A business made up a general partner, the partner responsible for managing the program, and a limited partner(s) who are passive investors. The general partner MUST contribute to at least 1% of the overall partnership’s capital.
A limited partnership must register with the SEC unless it qualifies for an exemption under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933.
The GP is also referred to as the sponsor.
- 20% of the income that limited partnerships distribute to its investors is tax deductible. Therefore, since 20% of the passive income from partnerships is deductible, the effective tax rate for investors who are in the highest tax bracket is 29.6%
Advantages of limited partnerships
- Favorable tax treatment: The partnership itself is NOT a taxable entity, but instead the tax burden is allocated to the partners’ personal tax returns.
- Limited liabilitiy
- Diversification
- Since the business doesn’t pay tax, limited partners may receive more income from a profitable DPP than from a profitable corporation. This is due to the fact that a corporation’s dividends are paid as after-tax distributions.
Disadvantages of limited partnerships
- Lack of control: GPs run the business, so the LPs don’t have control over day-to-day operations.
- Illiquidity
- Tax issues: Makes tax filings more complicated.
- Possible capital call
- Alternative minimum tax
True or false: Failure of an investor to meet the capital call may forfeit their interest in the limited partnership?
True
3 Documents Needed to Form a Limited Partnership
- Certificate of Limited Partnership
- Agreement of Limited Partnership
- The Subscription Agreement
Certificate of Limited Partnership
Sets the terms of the business relationship. Contents include:
- Name and purpose of the partnership.
- Name and address of each general & limited partners.
- The conditions under which the partnership will be terminated.
- Priority provisions in the event of partnership liquidation.
- This certificate must be filed w/ the respective state office.
Agreement of Limited Partnership
A contract between the GP and LPs. Content includes:
- The rights and obligations of the GP
- The rights and obligations of the LP
- Sharing arrangements for profits and losses
- Withdrawal terms for LPs
- Priority rankings in the event of a liquidation
The Subscription Agreement
Content includes:
* The amount to be invested
* To whom all the checks must be made payable and who must sign
* Suitability standards for the investment
* A statement that attests the investor’s ability to meet the financial requirements
* The parties who must sign the agreement (in most cases the GP and the LPs)
- Once a general partner accepts a limited partner’s subscription, the limited partner is considered a participant in the partnership. This acceptance of a limited partner is evidenced by the general partner’s signature on the subscription agreement.
Suitability Obligation
People who sell limited partnerships must ensure that the purchaser:
- Has read the prospectus/offering memorandum
- Understands the risk
- Has access to advice
- Has met all net worth, income, and suitability requirements
True or false: GPs also have limited liability?
False, GPs have unlimited liability
Activities the GP is restricted from engaging in:
- Competing w/ the partnership
- Testifying against the partnership
- Changing the business structure of the partnership
- Combining the LPs assets w/ the GP’s assets
- Borrowing money from the partnership
- Adding or substituting another GP
True or false: GPs are prohibited from lending money to the limited partnership at market rates?
False, they are permitted to lend but NOT to borrow.
Rights of LPs
- The right to inspect the books
- Call for the dissolution of the partnership by court decree
- Restrict the GP from discharging some duties
- Sue a GP or vote to remove a GP
- Engage in business that competes w/ the partnership
- Receive profits and comp. as stated in the Certificate of LP.
Priorities for distribution in the liquidation of a partnership
- Secured creditors
- General creditors
- Limited partners
- General partners