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Appendix B — Accounting for Common-Control Transactions

B.6 Transactions Involving Master Limited Partnerships

B.6 Transactions Involving Master Limited Partnerships

ASC 805-50
Master Limited Partnership Transactions
05-7 Master limited partnerships are partnerships in which interests are publicly traded. Most master limited partnerships are formed from assets in existing businesses. Typically, the general partner of the master limited partnership is affiliated with the existing business (that is, the master limited partnership is usually operated as an extension of or complementary to the business of the general partner). The purposes for forming a master limited partnership vary. They can be formed to realize the value of undervalued assets, to pass income and tax-deductible losses directly through to owners, to raise capital, to combine several existing partnerships, or as a vehicle to enable entities to sell, spin off, or liquidate existing operations. A master limited partnership may be created in a variety of ways. Whether a particular transaction is a business combination that should be accounted for using the acquisition method or a transaction between entities under common control can be determined only after a careful analysis of all facts and circumstances. The Formation of a Master Limited Partnership Subsections identify specific transactions involving master limited partnerships and provide guidance on whether a new basis of accounting is appropriate.
Formation of a Master Limited Partnership
30-7 Because of such factors as the consideration of common ownership and changes in control, a new basis of accounting is not appropriate for any of the following transactions that create a master limited partnership:
  1. A rollup in which the general partner of the new master limited partnership was also the general partner in some or all of the predecessor limited partnerships and no cash is involved in the transaction. Transaction costs in a rollup shall be charged to expense.
  2. A dropdown in which the sponsor receives 1 percent of the units in the master limited partnership as the general partner and 24 percent of the units as a limited partner, the remaining 75 percent of the units are sold to the public, and a two-thirds vote of the limited partners is required to replace the general partner.
  3. A rollout.
  4. A reorganization.
30-8 In other situations, it is possible that a new basis of accounting would be appropriate.
30-9 The issuance of master limited partnership units to a general partner of a predecessor limited partnership who will not be the general partner of the new master limited partnership in settlement of management contracts or for other services that will not carry over to the new master limited partnership has characteristics of compensation rather than of equity and shall be accounted for accordingly by the new master limited partnership.