ITEM 1: BUSINESS
GENERAL
Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund V (the “Partnership” or “CIGF5”) was formed on May 19, 2003 under the Pennsylvania Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act. The Partnership offered for sale up to 1,250,000 units of the limited partnership at the purchase price of $20 per unit (the “Offering”). The Partnership raised the minimum capital required ($1,150,000) and commenced operations on March 14, 2005. The Partnership terminated its offering of units on February 24, 2006 with 1,249,951 units ($24,957,862, net of transactions costs of $41,158) sold. Unless sooner terminated, the Partnership will continue until February 4, 2017.
During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were no redemptions granted to limited partners.
See “The Glossary” below for the definition of selected terms not otherwise defined in the text of this report.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
The Partnership was formed for the purpose of acquiring various types of equipment, including computer Information Technology and other similar capital equipment. The Partnership utilized the net proceeds of the offering to purchase information technology and other similar capital equipment. The Partnership has utilized retained proceeds and debt financing (not in excess of 30% of the aggregate cost of the equipment owned or subject to conditional sales contracts by the Partnership at the time the debt is incurred) to purchase additional equipment. The Partnership acquires and leases equipment principally to U.S. corporations and other institutions pursuant to operating leases. The Partnership retains the flexibility to enter into full payout net leases and conditional sales contracts, but has not done so.
The Partnership’s principal investment objectives are to:
a)acquire, lease and sell equipment to generate revenues from operations sufficient to provide annual cash distributions to Limited Partners;
b)preserve and protect Limited Partners’ capital;
c)use a portion of cash flow and net disposition proceeds derived from the sale, refinancing or other disposition of equipment to purchase additional equipment; and
d)refinance, sell or otherwise dispose of equipment in a manner that will maximize the proceeds to the Partnership.
THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT ANY OF THESE OBJECTIVES WILL BE ATTAINED
Limited Partners do not have the right to vote on or otherwise approve or disapprove any particular investment to be made by the Partnership.
Although the Partnership generally acquires new equipment, the Partnership may purchase used equipment. Generally, equipment is acquired from manufacturers, distributors, leasing companies, agents, owner-users, owner-lessors, and other suppliers upon terms that vary depending upon the equipment and supplier involved. Manufacturers and distributors usually furnish a limited warranty against defects in material and workmanship and some purchase agreements for equipment provide for service and replacement of parts during a limited period. Equipment purchases are also made through lease brokers and on an ad hoc basis to meet the needs of a particular lessee.
As of December 31, 2014, all equipment purchased by the Partnership is subject to an operating lease or a finance lease. The Partnership may also engage in sale/leaseback transactions, pursuant to which the Partnership would purchase equipment from companies that would then immediately lease the equipment from the Partnership. The Partnership may also purchase equipment which is leased under full payout net leases or sold under conditional sales contracts at the time of acquisition or the Partnership may enter into a full payout net lease or conditional sales contract with a third party when the Partnership acquires an item of equipment.
The Partnership may enter into arrangements with one or more manufacturers pursuant to which the Partnership purchases equipment that has previously been leased directly by the manufacturer to third parties (“vendor leasing agreements”). The Partnership and manufacturers may agree to obtain nonrecourse loans to the Partnership from the manufacturers, to finance the acquisition of equipment. Such loans would be secured only by the specific equipment financed and the receivables due to the manufacturers from users of such equipment. It is expected that the manufacturers of equipment will provide maintenance, remarketing and other services for the equipment subject to such agreements. As of December 31, 2014, the Partnership has not entered into any such agreement.
The General Partner has the discretion, consistent with its fiduciary duty, to change the investment objectives of the Partnership if it determines that such a change is in the best interest of the Limited Partners and so long as such a change is consistent with the Partnership Agreement. The General Partner will notify the Limited Partners if it makes such a determination to change the Partnership’s investment objectives.
TYPES OF EQUIPMENT
The Partnership invests in various types of equipment subject to leases. Our investment objective is to acquire primarily high technology equipment including, but not limited to: servers, desktops, laptops, workstations, printers, copiers, and storage devices. Our General Partner believes that dealing in high technology equipment is particularly advantageous due to a robust aftermarket. Information technology has developed rapidly in recent years and is expected to continue to do so. Technological advances have permitted reductions in the cost of computer processing capacity, speed, and utility. In the future, the rate and nature of equipment development may cause equipment to become obsolete more rapidly.
We also acquire high technology medical, telecommunications, and inventory management equipment. Our General Partner will seek to maintain an appropriate balance and diversity in the types of equipment acquired. The medical equipment we acquire may consist of ventilators, IV infusion pumps, long-term acute care beds, CT scanners, MRIs, flow cytometers, and other medical technology devices. The telecom equipment we acquire may include Cisco switches, routers, blade switches, wireless access points, and video conferencing systems. The market for high technology medical equipment is growing each year. Generally, this type of equipment will have a longer useful life than information technology equipment. This allows for increased re-marketability, if it is returned before its economic or announcement cycle is depleted.
Other Equipment-Restrictions. The Partnership generally acquires information technology, telecommunications, medical technology and inventory management equipment. The General Partner is also authorized to cause the Partnership to invest in other types of business-essential capital equipment. The Partnership may not invest in any of such other types of equipment (i) to the extent that the purchase price of such equipment, together with the aggregate purchase price of all such other types of equipment then owned by the Partnership, is in excess of 25% of the total cost of all of the assets of the Partnership at the time of the Partnership’s commitment to invest therein and (ii) unless the General Partner determines that such purchase is in the best economic interest of the Partnership at the time of the purchase. There can be no assurance that any equipment investments can be found which meet this standard. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that investments of this type will be made by the Partnership.
DIVERSIFICATION
Diversification is generally desirable to minimize the effects of changes in specific industries, local economic conditions or similar risks. However, the extent of the Partnership’s diversification, in the aggregate and within each category of equipment, depends in part upon the financing which can be assumed by the Partnership or borrowed from third parties on satisfactory terms. The Partnership’s policy not to borrow on a recourse basis will further limit its financing options. Diversification also depends on the availability of various types of equipment. Through December 31, 2014, the Partnership has acquired a diversified equipment portfolio, which it has leased to 14 different companies located throughout the United States.
The equipment types comprising the portfolio at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
During the operational stage of the Partnership, the Partnership may not at any one point in time lease (or sell pursuant to a conditional sales contract) more than 25% of the equipment to a single person or affiliated group of persons.
DESCRIPTION OF LEASES
The Partnership generally purchases only equipment that is subject to a lease or for which a lease or similar agreement will be entered into contemporaneously with the consummation of the Partnership’s acquisition of the equipment. The General Partner leases the equipment purchased by the Partnership to third parties pursuant to operating leases. Types of leases which the General Partner may enter into are operating leases, finance leases, and conditional sales contracts:
·
Operating leases are relatively short-term (12 to 48 month) leases under which the aggregate non-cancellable rental payments during the original term of the lease are not sufficient to permit the lessor to recover the purchase price of the subject equipment.
·
In a finance lease, the lessor generally recovers at least 90% of the present value of the equipment during the lease term.
·
A conditional sales contract generally provides that the non-cancellable payments to the seller over the term of the contract are sufficient to recover the investment in such equipment and to provide a return on such investment. Under a conditional sales contract, the seller reserves title to and retains a security interest in, the equipment until the purchase price of the equipment is paid.
In general, the terms of the Partnership’s leases, whether the equipment is leased pursuant to an operating lease or a finance lease, depend upon a variety of factors, including: the desirability of each type of lease from both an investment and a tax point of view; the relative demand among lessees for operating or full payout leases; the type and use of equipment and its anticipated residual value; the business of the lessee and its credit rating; the availability and cost of financing; regulatory considerations; the accounting treatment of the lease sought by the lessee or the Partnership; and competitive factors.
An operating lease generally represents a greater risk to the Partnership than a finance lease, because in order to recover the purchase price of the subject equipment and earn a return on such investment, it is necessary to renew or extend the operating lease, lease the equipment to a third party at the end of the original lease term, or sell the equipment. On the other hand, the term of an operating lease is generally much shorter than the term of a finance lease, and the lessor is thus afforded an opportunity under an operating lease to re-lease or sell the subject equipment at an earlier stage of the equipment’s life cycle than under a finance lease. Also, the annual rental payments received under an operating lease are ordinarily higher than those received under a finance lease.
The Partnership’s policy is to generally enter into “triple net leases” (or the equivalent, in the case of a conditional sales contract) which typically provide that the lessee or some other party bear the risk of physical loss of the equipment; pay taxes relating to the lease or use of the equipment; maintain the equipment; indemnify the Partnership-lessor against any liability suffered by the Partnership as the result of any act or omission of the lessee or its agents; maintain casualty insurance in an amount equal to the greater of the full value of the equipment and a specified amount set forth in the lease; and maintain liability insurance naming the Partnership as an additional insured with a minimum coverage which the General Partner deems appropriate. In addition, the Partnership may purchase “umbrella” insurance policies to cover excess liability and casualty losses, to the extent deemed practicable and advisable by the General Partner. As of December 31, 2014, all leases that have been entered into are “triple net leases”.
The terms and conditions of the Partnership’s leases, or conditional sales contracts, are each determined by negotiation and may impose substantial obligations upon the Partnership. Where the Partnership assumes maintenance or service obligations, the General Partner generally causes the Partnership to enter into separate maintenance or service agreements with manufacturers or certified maintenance organizations to provide such services. Such agreements generally require annual or more frequent adjustment of service fees. As of December 31, 2014, the Partnership has not entered into any such agreements.
Remarketing fees will be paid to the leasing companies from which the Partnership purchases leases. These are fees that are earned by the leasing companies when the initial terms of the lease have been met. The General Partner believes that this strategy adds value since it entices the leasing company to remain actively involved with the lessees for potential extensions, remarketing or sale of equipment. This strategy is designed to minimize any conflicts the leasing company may have with a new lessee and may assist in maximizing overall portfolio performance. The
remarketing fee is tied into lease performance thresholds and is a factor in the negotiation of the fee. Remarketing fees incurred in connection with lease extensions are accounted for as operating costs. Remarketing fees incurred in connection with the sale of equipment are included in the gain or loss calculations. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Partnership incurred remarketing fees of approximately $0 and $3,000, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, approximately $0 and $19,000 of remarketing fees were paid with cash or netted against receivables due from such parties, respectively.
Investment Criteria
When evaluating potential lease transactions in which we will invest, the general partner and the Sponsor’s management team performs a detailed credit and risk analysis of both the lessee and the lease transaction itself. The risk of doing business with the potential lessee, and the economics of each particular transaction must both be acceptable to our portfolio management team and to our CEO, who specifically approves each and every lease transaction. Some of the criteria we evaluate are described below:
Evaluation of Lessees
The management team will perform a credit analysis (including a review of the financial statements, credit history and public debt record) of all potential lessees to determine the lessee’s ability to make payments under the lease. We focus our investments in investment grade to middle market credits meeting our minimum acceptable fundamental analysis criteria. These criteria involve an overall fundamental assessment of the lessee, and application our own proprietary “rating” model that is tailored to specific economic criteria that are important to us. In addition to preparing a detailed credit-write up at the time of initiation of a transaction, we also re-evaluate a lessee’s credit risk on a monthly basis, and may review interim and annual lessee financial statements.
Generally, we seek lessees that have annual revenue of at least $10 million, have positive cash flow, and are not start-up entities, i.e., have been in business for at least five years. We will also apply a proprietary debt rating analysis when a Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s rating is not available. This allows us to create an equivalent, internal rating system without reliance solely on third-party models and analysis.
Evaluation of Transactions
As described above under “Description of Leases,” we prefer our lease investments to have a term of 12 to 36 months, and will not invest in a lease greater than 48 months. We engage in “Fair Market Value” lease transactions, which permit the lessee to purchase the equipment at the end of term for no less than the then fair market value of the equipment. We seek to limit or avoid leases that allow for early buyouts or terminations, as these arrangements reduce the predictability of our returns.
Our focus is on Tier 1 (Tier 1 is defined as a large and well-known vendor, often enjoying national or international recognition and acceptance. Tier 1 vendors may be both manufacturers and value-added resellers) information technology, telecommunications, and medical technology equipment, leased in transactions generally ranging in size from $50,000 to $1,000,000. We will consider larger transactions, but for diversification purposes will require such transactions to be divided among multiple lease schedules, and the general partner may even assign a portion of such larger transactions to other affiliated funds to further spread the risk involved in larger transactions. Also, where the equipment type and economic analytics are advantageous, we may engage in lease transactions involving other types of equipment, so long as we feel it is business-essential equipment for the lessee. Also, we conduct a detailed analysis, using a third-party consultant, to assess the residual value of the proposed equipment at the end of the original lease term. This includes an analysis of the equipment’s useful life and depreciation schedule, as well as the expected resale market of that equipment type and availability of remarketing channels. Finally, in assessing whether a proposed lease transaction will fit into our portfolio criteria, management will consider the amount of exposure we and our affiliated funds have to (i) the proposed asset type, (ii) the particular lessee, (iii) the lessee’s industry, and (iv) the geographic location of the equipment to be leased. 
BORROWING POLICIES
The General Partner, at its discretion, may cause the Partnership to incur debt in the maximum aggregate amount of 30% of the aggregate cost of the equipment owned, or subject to conditional sales contracts, by the Partnership at the time the debt is incurred, with monies received that are not considered “original proceeds” of the Partnership’s public offering. The Partnership incurs only non-recourse debt, which is secured by equipment and lease income therefrom. Such leveraging permits the Partnership to increase the aggregate amount of its depreciable assets, and, as a result, potentially increases both its lease revenues and its federal income tax deductions above those levels that would be achieved without leveraging. There is no limit on the amount of debt that may be incurred in connection with the acquisition of any single item of equipment. Any debt incurred is fully amortized over the term of the initial lease or conditional sales contract to which the equipment securing the debt is subject. The precise amount borrowed by the Partnership depends on a number of factors, including the types of equipment acquired by the Partnership; the creditworthiness of the lessee; the availability of suitable financing; and prevailing interest rates. The Partnership is flexible in the degree of leverage it employs, within the permissible limit. There can be no assurance that credit will be available to the Partnership in the amount or at the time desired or on terms considered reasonable by the General Partner. As of December 31, 2014, the aggregate nonrecourse debt outstanding of approximately $633,000 was approximately 8.2% of the aggregate cost of the equipment owned, with a carrying value of approximately $1,072,000 at December 31, 2014 and are nonrecourse liabilities of the Partnership.
The Partnership may purchase some items of equipment without leverage. If the Partnership purchases an item of equipment without leverage and thereafter suitable financing becomes available, it may then obtain the financing, secure the financing with the purchased equipment to the extent practicable and invest any proceeds from such financing in additional items of equipment. Any such later financing will be on terms consistent with the terms applicable to borrowings generally. During 2014, the Partnership did not enter into any such agreements.
The General Partner may cause the Partnership to borrow funds, to the fullest extent practicable, at interest rates fixed at the time of borrowing. However, the Partnership may borrow funds at rates that vary with the “prime” or “base” rate. If lease revenues were fixed, a rise in the “prime” or “base” rate would increase borrowing costs and reduce the amount of the Partnership’s income and cash available for distribution. Therefore, the General Partner is permitted to borrow funds to purchase equipment at fluctuating rates only if the lease for such equipment provides for fluctuating rental payments calculated on a similar basis.
Any additional debt incurred by the Partnership must be nonrecourse. Nonrecourse debt means that the lender providing the funds can look for security only to the equipment pledged as security and the proceeds derived from leasing or selling such equipment. Neither the Partnership nor any Partner (including the General Partner) would be liable for repayment of any nonrecourse debt.
Loan agreements may also require that the Partnership maintain certain reserves or compensating balances and may impose other obligations upon the Partnership. Moreover, since a significant portion of the Partnership’s revenues from the leasing of equipment will be reserved for repayment of debt, the use of financing reduces the cash, which might otherwise be available for distributions until the debt has been repaid and may reduce the Partnership’s cash flow over a substantial portion of the Partnership’s operating life. As of December 31, 2014, the Partnership had not entered into any such agreements.
The General Partner and any of its affiliates may, but are not required to, make loans to the Partnership on a short-term basis. If the General Partner or any of its affiliates makes such a short-term loan to the Partnership, the General Partner or affiliate may not charge interest at a rate greater than the interest rate charged by unrelated lenders on comparable loans for the same purpose in the same locality. In no event is the Partnership required to pay interest on any such loan at an annual rate greater than three percent over the “prime rate” from time to time announced by PNC Bank, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. All payments of principal and interest on any financing provided by the General Partner or any of its affiliates are due and payable by the Partnership within 12 months after the date of the loan.
REFINANCING POLICIES
Subject to the limitations set forth in “Borrowing Policies” above, the Partnership may refinance its debt from time to time. With respect to a particular item of equipment, the General Partner will take into consideration such factors as the amount of appreciation in value, if any, to be realized, the possible risks of continued ownership, and the anticipated advantages to be obtained for the Partnership, as compared to selling such equipment. As of December 31, 2014, the Partnership has not entered into any debt refinancing transactions.
Refinancing, if achievable, may permit the Partnership to retain an item of equipment and at the same time to generate additional funds for reinvestment in additional equipment or for distribution to the Limited Partners.
LIQUIDATION POLICIES
The General Partner intends to cause the Partnership to begin the liquidation phase approximately 10 years after commencement of operations. Notwithstanding the Partnership’s objective to sell all of its assets and dissolve by February 4, 2017, the General Partner may cause the Partnership to dispose of all its equipment and dissolve the Partnership sooner, if warranted by economic conditions.
Particular items of equipment may be sold at any time if, in the judgment of the General Partner, it is in the best interest of the Partnership to do so. The determination of whether particular items of Partnership equipment should be sold or otherwise disposed of is made by the General Partner after consideration of all relevant factors (including prevailing general economic conditions, lessee demand, the General Partner’s views of current and future market conditions, the cash requirements of the Partnership, potential capital appreciation, cash flow and federal income tax considerations), with a view toward achieving the principal investment objectives of the Partnership. As partial payment for equipment sold, the Partnership may receive purchase money obligations secured by liens on such equipment.
MANAGEMENT OF EQUIPMENT
Equipment management services for the Partnership’s equipment are provided by the General Partner and its affiliates and by persons employed by the General Partner. Such services will consist of collection of income from the equipment, negotiation and review of leases, conditional sales contracts and sales agreements, releasing and leasing-related services, payment of operating expenses, periodic physical inspections and market surveys, servicing indebtedness secured by equipment, general supervision of lessees to assure that they are properly utilizing and operating equipment, providing related services with respect to equipment, supervising, monitoring and reviewing services performed by others in respect to equipment and preparing monthly equipment operating statements and related reports.
COMPETITION
The equipment leasing industry is highly competitive. The Partnership competes with leasing companies, equipment manufacturers and their affiliated financing companies, distributors and entities similar to the Partnership (including other programs sponsored by the General Partner), some of which have greater financial resources than the Partnership and more experience in the equipment leasing business than the General Partner. Other leasing companies and equipment manufacturers, their affiliated financing companies and distributors may be in a position to offer equipment to prospective lessees on financial terms, which are more favorable, than those which the Partnership can offer. They may also be in a position to offer trade-in privileges, software, maintenance contracts and other services, which the Partnership may not be able to offer. Equipment manufacturers and distributors may offer to sell equipment on terms (such as liberal financing terms and exchange privileges or service contracts), which will afford benefits to the purchaser similar to those obtained through leases. Other competitive factors include pricing, technological innovation and methods of financing. Certain manufacturer-lessors maintain advantages through patent protection, where applicable, and through a policy that combines service and hardware with payment accomplished through a single periodic charge. As a result of the advantages, which certain of its competitors may have, the Partnership may find it necessary to lease its equipment on a less favorable basis than certain of its competitors.
INVESTMENTS
Through February 9, 2015, the Partnership has purchased, or has made the commitment to purchase, the following equipment:
Lessee
Equipment Category
Purchased Term
Pro-rated Purchase Price
Alliant Techsystems, Inc.
High Vol & Spec Printers
$ 39,227
Alliant Techsystems, Inc.
Desktops - Tier 1
$ 22,503
Alliant Techsystems, Inc.
Desktops - Tier 1
$ 74,123
American Reprographics Company, L.L.C.
Multifunction Centers
$ 3,898
American Reprographics Company, L.L.C.
Multifunction Centers
$ 4,617
American Reprographics Company, L.L.C.
Multifunction Centers
$ 4,998
American Reprographics Company, L.L.C.
Multifunction Centers
$ 4,820
American Reprographics Company, L.L.C.
Multifunction Centers
$ 4,673
American Reprographics Company, L.L.C.
High Vol & Spec Printers
$ 5,821
American Reprographics Company, L.L.C.
Multifunction Centers
$ 5,232
American Reprographics Company, L.L.C.
High Vol & Spec Printers
$ 11,000
American Reprographics Company, L.L.C.
Multifunction Centers
$ 5,987
American Reprographics Company, L.L.C.
Multifunction Centers
$ 18,797
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP)
Small HP Servers
$ 100,219
Cummins Inc.
Small IBM Servers
$ 39,671
Cummins Inc.
Small IBM Servers
$ 6,680
Cummins Inc.
Small IBM Servers
$ 6,680
Cummins Inc.
Small IBM Servers
$ 158
Cummins Inc.
Small IBM Servers
$ 18,560
Cummins Inc.
Small IBM Servers
$ 13,299
Cummins Inc.
Small IBM Servers
$ 37,923
Cummins Inc.
Small IBM Servers
$ 27,840
Cummins Inc.
High Vol & Spec Printers
$ 13,178
Cummins Inc.
High Vol & Spec Printers
$ 3,496
Texas Instruments
Dell Servers
$ 34,305
RESERVES
Because the Partnership’s leases are on a “triple-net” basis, no permanent reserve for maintenance and repairs has been established from the offering proceeds. However, the General Partner, in its sole discretion, may retain a portion of the cash flow and net disposition proceeds available to the Partnership for maintenance, repairs and working capital. There are no limitations on the amount of cash flow and net disposition proceeds that may be retained as reserves. Since no reserve will be established, if available cash flow of the Partnership is insufficient to cover the Partnership’s operating expenses and liabilities, it may be necessary for the Partnership to obtain additional funds by refinancing its equipment or borrowing.
GENERAL RESTRICTIONS
Under the Partnership Agreement, the Partnership is not permitted, among other things, to:
(a)
invest in junior trust deeds unless received in connection with the sale of an item of equipment in an aggregate amount that does not exceed 30% of the assets of the Partnership on the date of the investment;
(b)
invest in or underwrite the securities of other issuers;
(c)
acquire any equipment for units;
(d)
issue senior securities (except that the issuance to lenders of notes or other evidences of indebtedness in connection with the financing or refinancing of equipment or the Partnership’s business shall not be deemed to be the issuance of senior securities);
(e)
make loans to any person, including the General Partner or any of its affiliates, except to the extent a conditional sales contract constitutes a loan;
(f)
sell or lease any equipment to, lease any equipment from, or enter into any sale- leaseback transactions with, the General Partner or any of its affiliates; or
(g)
give the General Partner or any of its affiliates an exclusive right or employment to sell the Partnership’s equipment.
The General Partner has also agreed in the Partnership Agreement to use its best efforts to assure that the Partnership shall not be deemed an “investment company” as such term is detained in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
The General Partner and its affiliates may engage in other activities, whether or not competitive with the Partnership. The Partnership Agreement provides, however, that neither the General Partner nor any of its affiliates may receive any rebate or “give up” in connection with the Partnership’s activities or participate in reciprocal business arrangements that circumvent the restrictions in the Partnership Agreement against dealings with affiliates.
EMPLOYEES
The Partnership had no employees during 2014 and received administrative and other services from a related party, Commonwealth Capital Corp. (“CCC”), which had 56 employees as of December 31, 2014.
ITEM 1A:
ITEM 1A: RISK FACTORS
NOT APPLICABLE
ITEM 1B:
ITEM 1B: UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
NONE
ITEM 2:
ITEM 2: PROPERTIES
NONE
ITEM 3:
ITEM 3: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
FINRA Review
On May 3, 2013, the FINRA Department of Enforcement filed a complaint naming Commonwealth Capital Securities Corp. (“CCSC”) and the owner of the firm, Kimberly Springsteen-Abbott, as respondents; however on October 22, 2013, FINRA filed an amended complaint that dropped the allegations against CCSC and reduced the scope of the allegations against Ms. Springsteen-Abbott. The sole remaining charge was that Ms. Springsteen-Abbott had approved the misallocation of some expenses to certain Funds. Management believes that the expenses at issue include amounts that were proper and that were properly allocated to Funds, and also identified a smaller number of expenses that had been allocated in error, but were adjusted and repaid to the affected Funds when they were identified in 2012. During the period in question, Commonwealth Capital Corp. and Ms. Springsteen-Abbott provided important financial support to the Funds, voluntarily absorbed expenses and voluntarily waived fees in amounts aggregating in excess of any questioned allocations. In addition, to avoid any future issues concerning the allocation of expenses, Commonwealth has implemented new procedures to better monitor the allocation process for expenses, which procedures have been in effect since 2012, and have been reviewed without objection in three succeeding FINRA annual inspections to date. In May 2014, a hearing was conducted before a FINRA panel. That Panel ruled on March 30, 2015, that Ms. Springsteen-Abbott should be barred from the securities industry because the Panel concluded that she allegedly misallocated $208,000 of expenses involving certain Funds over the course of three years. As noted above, during the same three year period (2009-2011), CCC and Ms. Springsteen-Abbott voluntarily provided approximately $2,300,000 to the Funds through capital contributions, waiver of fees and forgiveness of reimbursable expenses, as well as voluntarily absorbed 10% of all expenses that would otherwise have been allocable to the Funds. Ms. Springsteen-Abbott intends to vigorously challenge the Panel’s decision on appeal. Decisions issued by FINRA's Office of Hearing Officers may be appealed to FINRA's National Adjudicatory Council (NAC) pursuant to FINRA Rule 931. Under NASD Rule 1015, an applicant may file a written request for review of the membership decision with the NAC within 25 days after service of the decision. While a panel decision is on appeal, the sanction is not enforced against the individual. No adjustments were made to these financial statements with respect to the Fund’s share of the allegedly misallocated expenses, pending the appeal.
ITEM 4:
ITEM 4: MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
NOT APPLICABLE
PART II
ITEM 5:
ITEM 5:
MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
There is no public market for the units nor is it anticipated that one will develop. As of December 31, 2014, there were 895 holders of units. The units are not listed on any exchange or permitted to trade on any over-the-counter market. In addition, there are substantial restrictions on the transferability of units.
GENERAL LIMITATIONS
Units cannot be transferred without the consent of the General Partner, which may be withheld in its discretion according to the Partnership Agreement. The General Partner monitors transfers of units in an effort to ensure that all transfers are within certain safe harbors promulgated by the IRS to furnish guidance regarding publicly traded partnerships. These safe harbors limit the number of transfers that can occur in any one year. The General Partner intends to cause the Partnership to comply with the safe harbor that permits nonexempt transfers and redemptions of units of up to five percent of the total outstanding interest in the Partnership’s capital or profits in any one year.
REDEMPTION PROVISION
The Partnership may, at the sole discretion of the General Partner, repurchase a number of the outstanding units pursuant to its limited redemption plan. On a semi-annual basis, the General Partner, at its discretion, may establish an amount for redemption, generally not to exceed two percent of the outstanding units per year, subject to the General Partner’s good faith determination that such redemptions will not (a) cause the Partnership to be taxed as a corporation under Section 7704 of the Code or (b) impair the capital or operations of the Partnership. (The Partnership may redeem units in excess of the two percent limitation if, in the good faith judgment of the General Partner, the conditions imposed in the preceding sentence would remain satisfied.) The redemption price for units will be 105% of the selling Limited Partner’s adjusted capital contributions attributable to the units for sale. Following the determination of the annual redemption amount, redemptions will occur on a semi-annual basis and all requests for redemption, which must be made in writing, must be on file as of the record date in which the redemption is to occur. The General Partner will maintain a master list of requests for redemption with priority being given to units owned by estates, followed by IRAs and Qualified Plans. All other requests will be considered in the order received. Redemption requests made by or on behalf of Limited Partners who are not affiliated with the General Partner or its affiliates will be given priority over those made by Limited Partners who are affiliated with the General Partner or its affiliates. All redemption requests will remain in effect until and unless canceled, in writing, by the requesting Limited Partner(s).
The Partnership began to accept redemption requests beginning 30 months following the termination of the public offering of its units. There will be no limitations on the period of time that a redemption request may be pending prior to its being granted. Limited Partners will not be required to hold their interest in the Partnership for any specified period prior to their making a redemption request. In order to make a redemption request, Limited Partners will be required to advise the General Partner in writing of such request. Upon receipt of such notification, the Partnership will provide detailed forms and instructions to complete the request. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, no redemptions of limited partnership units occurred.
EXEMPT TRANSFERS
The following seven categories of transfers are exempt transfers for purposes of calculating the volume limitations imposed by the IRS and will generally be permitted by the General Partner:
(1)
transfers in which the basis of the unit in the hands of the transferee is determined, in whole or in part, by reference to its basis in the hands of the transferor (for example, units acquired by corporations in certain reorganizations, contributions to capital, gifts of units, units contributed to another partnership, and non-liquidating as well as liquidating distributions by a parent partnership to its partners of interests in a sub partnership);
(2)
transfers at death;
(3)
transfers between members of a family (which include brothers and sisters, spouse, ancestors, and lineal descendants);
(4)
transfers resulting from the issuance of units by the Partnership in exchange for cash, property, or services;
(5)
transfers resulting from distributions from qualified plans;
(6)
any transfer by a Limited Partner in one or more transactions during any 30-day period of units representing in the aggregate more than five percent of the total outstanding interests in capital or profits of the Partnership; and
(7)
transfers by one or more partners representing in the aggregate fifty percent (50%) or more of the total interests in partnership’s capital or profits in one transaction or a series of related transactions.
ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER
Limited Partners who wish to transfer their units to a new beneficial owner are required to pay the Partnership up to $50 for each transfer to cover the Partnership’s cost of processing the transfer application and take such other actions and execute such other documents as may be reasonably requested by the General Partner. There is no charge for re-registration of a certificate in the event of a marriage, divorce, death, or transfer to a trust so long as the transfer is not a result of a sale of the units.
In addition, the following restrictions apply to each transfer: (i) no transfer may be made if it would cause 25% or more of the outstanding units to be owned by benefit plans; and (ii) no transfer is permitted unless the transferee obtains such governmental approvals as may reasonably be required by the General Partner, including without limitation, the written consents of the Pennsylvania Securities Commissioner and of any other state securities agency or commission having jurisdiction over the transfer.
ALLOCATION AND DISTRIBUTION BETWEEN THE GENERAL PARTNER AND THE LIMITED PARTNERS
Cash distributions, if any, are made quarterly on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 of each year. Distributions are made 99% to the Limited Partners and 1% to the General Partner until the Limited Partners have received an amount equal to their capital contributions plus the priority return of 10% per annum; thereafter, cash distributions will be made 90% to Limited Partners and 10% to the General Partner. Distributions made in connection with the liquidation of the Partnership or a Partner’s units will be made in accordance with the Partner’s positive capital account balance as determined under the Partnership Agreement and Treasury Regulations.
The priority return is calculated on the Limited Partners’ adjusted capital contributions for their units. The adjusted capital contributions will initially be equal to the amount paid by the Limited Partners for their units. If distributions at any time exceed the priority return, the excess will reduce the adjusted capital contributions, decreasing the base on which the priority return is calculated.
If the proceeds resulting from the sale of any equipment are reinvested in equipment, sufficient cash will be distributed to the Partners to pay the additional federal income tax resulting from such sale for a Partner in a 35% federal income tax bracket or, if lower, the maximum federal income tax rate in effect for individuals for such taxable year.
Generally, the General Partner is allocated net profits equal to its cash distributions (but not less than one percent of net profits) and the balance is allocated to the Limited Partners. Net profits arising from transactions in connection with the termination or liquidation of the Partnership are allocated in the following order: (1) First, to each Partner in an amount equal to the negative amount, if any, of his capital account; (2) Second, an amount equal to the excess of the proceeds which would be distributed to the Partners based on the operating distributions to the Partners over the aggregate capital accounts of all the Partners, to the Partners in proportion to their respective shares of such excess, and (3) Third, with respect to any remaining net profits, to the Partners in the same proportions as if the distributions were operating distributions. Net losses, if any, are in all cases allocated 99% to the Limited Partners and 1% to the General Partner.
Net profits and net losses are computed without taking into account, in each taxable year of the Partnership, any items of income, gain, loss or deduction required to be specially allocated pursuant to Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulation promulgated thereunder. No Limited Partner is required to contribute cash to the capital of the Partnership in order to restore a closing capital account deficit, and the General Partner has only a limited deficit restoration obligation under the Partnership Agreement.
The General Partner continues to suspend distributions, as part of an aggressive work out plan of reinvestment and recovery for lost equity experienced during the litigation process with Mobile Pro/City of Tempe. The General Partner will reassess the funding of limited partner distributions on a quarterly basis, throughout 2015.
ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS AMONG THE LIMITED PARTNERS
Cash available for distribution that is allocable to the Limited Partners is apportioned among and distributed to them solely with reference to the number of units owned by each as of the record date for each such distribution.
Net profits, net losses and cash available for distribution allocable to the Limited Partners is apportioned among them in accordance with the number of units owned by each.
In addition, where a Limited Partner transfers units during a taxable year, the Limited Partner may be allocated net profits for a period for which such Limited Partner does not receive a corresponding cash distribution.
ITEM 6:
ITEM 6: SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
NOT APPLICABLE
ITEM 7:
ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following is a discussion of our current financial position and results of operations. This discussion should be read together with the Partnership’s financial statements contained under Item 8 of this Annual report on Form 10-K. This discussion should also be read in conjunction with the disclosures above regarding “Forward-Looking Statements.”
INTRODUCTION
We were formed on May 19, 2003 for the purpose of acquiring various types of business-essential technology equipment, including computer information technology, telecommunications, medical technology, inventory management and other similar capital equipment. We offered for sale up to 1,250,000 units of the limited partnership at the purchase price of $20 per unit (the “offering”). We reached the minimum offering amount, broke escrow and commenced operations on March 14, 2005. The offering terminated on February 24, 2006 with 1,249,951 units ($24,957,862 net of transaction costs of $41,158) sold.
Our management team consists of the officers of our corporate General Partner, Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund, Inc. We have utilized the net proceeds of our public offering to purchase equipment that is subject to leases with businesses throughout the United States. We have also utilized debt financing (not in excess of 30% of the aggregate cost of the equipment owned or subject to conditional sales contracts at the time the debt is incurred) to purchase
additional equipment. We acquire and lease equipment principally to U.S. corporations and other institutions pursuant to operating leases. We retain the flexibility to enter into full payout net leases and conditional sales contracts, but have not done so.
COMPETITIVE OUTLOOK
As discussed in “Competition” in Item 1 above, the commercial leasing and financing industry is highly competitive and is characterized by competitive factors that vary based upon product and geographic region. We compete primarily on the basis of pricing, terms and structure, particularly on structuring flexible, responsive, and customized financing solutions for our customers. Our investments are often made directly rather than through competition in the open market. This approach limits the competition for our typical investment, which is intended to enhance returns. We believe our investment model will represent the best way for individual investors to participate in investing in business-essential equipment. Nevertheless, to the extent that our competitors compete aggressively on any combination of the foregoing factors, our results could be adversely impacted.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
Our principal investment objectives are to:
(a)
acquire, lease and sell equipment to generate revenues from operations sufficient to provide annual cash distributions to our limited partners;
(b)
preserve and protect limited partners’ capital;
(c)
use a portion of cash flow and net disposition proceeds derived from the sale, refinancing or other disposition of equipment to purchase additional equipment; and
(d)
refinance, sell or otherwise dispose of equipment in a manner that will maximize proceeds.
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
We invest in various types of domestic information technology equipment leases located solely within the United States. Our investment objective is to acquire primarily high technology equipment. We believe that dealing in high technology equipment is particularly advantageous due to a robust aftermarket. Information technology has developed rapidly in recent years and is expected to continue to do so. Technological advances have permitted reductions in the cost of computer processing capacity, speed, and utility. In the future, the rate and nature of equipment development may cause equipment to become obsolete more rapidly. In an effort to mitigate this risk our portfolio manager attempts to diversify our fund through the acquisition of different types of equipment, staggered lease maturities, various lessees, businesses located throughout the U.S., and industries served.
We also acquire high technology medical, telecommunications and inventory management equipment. Our General Partner seeks to maintain an appropriate balance and diversity in the types of equipment acquired. The market for high technology medical equipment is growing each year. Generally, this type of equipment has a longer useful life. This allows for increased re-marketability, if it is returned before its economic or announcement cycle is depleted.
The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association's (ELFA) Monthly Leasing and Finance Index, which reports economic activity from 25 companies representing a cross section of the $903 billion equipment finance sector, showed their overall new business volume for December was $12.9 billion, up 20% from new business volume in December 2013. In a typical end-of-year spike, their new business volume was up 90% from November volume of $6.8 billion. Cumulative new business volume for 2014 rose 8% over 2013. Receivables over 30 days were unchanged from the previous month and from the same period in 2013 at 1%. Charge-offs were unchanged for the ninth consecutive month at an all-time low of 0.2%. Credit approvals totaled 78.6% in December, a slight decrease from 79.1% the previous month. Total headcount for equipment finance companies was up 0.5% year over year. Separately, the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation's Monthly Confidence Index (MCI-EFI) for January is 66.1, an increase from the December index of 63.4 and the highest level in the last three years.
ELFA President and CEO William G. Sutton, CAE, said: "Despite a very volatile Q4 equities market, the U.S. economy ended the year in a strong position, evidenced by lower unemployment, continued healing in the housing market, gas prices that seem to be declining almost daily, and robust consumer spending. Against this backdrop, C&I lending picked up as commercial businesses made significant investments in plant and equipment. Despite the typical end-of-year seasonal spike, December's MLFI-25 statistics enter record territory: the 20% increase in year-over-year new business volume was one of the largest December increases in the history of the MLFI-25. Add to this healthy credit markets and the equipment finance industry appears poised for the breakout performance industry observers have been waiting for. We hope that this momentum will carry forward into 2015.
Our business is directly impacted by factors such as economic, political, and market conditions, broad trends in industry and finance, legislative and regulatory changes, changes in government monetary and fiscal policies, and inflation, all of which are beyond our control. During 2014 we continued to experience a modest strengthening in the global economy. As we move into 2015 we expect this moderate recovery to continue, subject of course, to events that may be experienced in Europe and elsewhere throughout the globe. Given these circumstances, we believe companies overall, will continue to increasingly turn to leasing, as a financing solution. It is our belief that companies lease business-essential equipment because leasing can provide many benefits to a company. The number one benefit of leasing that we see is that there is no large outlay of cash required. Therefore, companies can preserve their working capital, lease equipment, which is an expense item, have the flexibility to upgrade the equipment when needed, and have no risk of obsolescence. Because we expect leasing to remain an attractive financing solution for American businesses during the next 12 months, we feel that our ability to increase our portfolio size and leasing revenues during that period will remain strong.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND USE OF ESTIMATES
Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Management’s estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe that our critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
Through December 31, 2014, the Partnership’s lease portfolio consisted of operating and finance leases. For operating leases, lease revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis in accordance with the terms of the lease agreements.
Finance lease interest income is recorded over the term of the lease using the effective interest method. For finance leases, we record, at lease inception, unearned finance lease income which is calculated as follows: total lease payments, plus any residual values and initial direct costs, less the cost of the leased equipment.
Upon the end of the lease term, if the lessee has not met the return conditions as set out in the lease, the Partnership is entitled, in certain cases, to additional compensation from the lessee. The Partnership’s accounting policy for recording such payments is to treat them as revenue.
Gain or losses from sales of leased and off lease equipment are recorded on a net basis in the Fund’s Statement of Operations.
Long Lived Assets
Depreciation on equipment for financial statement purposes is based on the straight-line method estimated generally over useful lives of two to four years. Once an asset comes off lease or is re-leased, the Partnership reassesses the useful life of an asset.
The Partnership evaluates its long-lived assets when events or circumstances indicate that the value of the asset may not be recoverable. The Partnership determines whether impairment exists by estimating the undiscounted cash flows to be generated by each asset. If the estimated undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset then impairment exists. The amount of the impairment is determined based on the difference between the carrying value and the fair value. Fair value is determined based on estimated discounted cash flows to be generated by the asset, third party appraisals or comparable sales of similar assets, as applicable, based on asset type.
Residual values are determined by management and are calculated using information from both internal and external sources, as well as other economic indicators.
Reimbursable Expenses
Reimbursable expenses are comprised of both ongoing operational expenses and fees associated with the allocation of salaries and benefits, referred to as other LP expenses. Reimbursable expenses, which are charged to us by CCC in connection with our administration and operation, are allocated to us based upon several factors including, but not limited to, the number of investors, compliance issues, and the number of existing leases. For example, if one partnership has more investors than another program sponsored by CCC, then higher amounts of expenses related to investor services, mailing and printing costs will be allocated to that partnership. Also, while a partnership is in its offering stage, higher compliance costs are allocated to it than to a program not in its offering stage, as compliance resources are utilized to review incoming investor suitability and proper documentation. Finally, lease related expenses, such as due diligence, correspondence, collection efforts and analysis staff costs, increase as programs purchase more leases, and decrease as leases terminate and equipment is sold. All of these factors contribute to CCC’s determination as to the amount of expenses to allocate to us or to other sponsored programs. CCC is not reimbursed for salary and benefit costs of control persons. For the Partnership, all reimbursable items are expensed as they are incurred.
Forgiveness of Related Party Payables
In accordance with ASC Topic 470-50 Debt Modifications and Extinguishments, the Partnership accounts for forgiveness of related party payables as Partners’ capital transactions.
Lease Income Receivable
Lease income receivable includes current lease income receivable net of allowances for uncollectible amounts. The Partnership monitors lease income receivable to ensure timely and accurate payment by lessees. Its Lease Relations department is responsible for monitoring lease income receivable and, as necessary, resolving outstanding invoices.
The Partnership reviews a customer’s credit history before extending credit. The Partnership may establish an allowance for uncollectible lease income receivable based upon the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends and other information when the analysis indicates that the probability of full collection is unlikely. The Partnership writes off its accounts receivable when it determines that it is uncollectible and all economically sensible means have been exhausted.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Information regarding recent accounting pronouncements is included in Note 2 to the financial statements, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, as set forth in Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our primary sources of cash for the year ended December 31, 2014 were generated by operating activities of approximately $200,000, proceeds from the sale of equipment of approximately $27,000 and proceeds from the sale of finance leases of approximately $18,000. Our primary sources of cash for the year ended December 31, 2013 were generated by operating activities of approximately $309,000 and proceeds from the sale of equipment of approximately $42,000 related to a buyout.
Our primary uses of cash for the year ended December 31, 2014 were capital expenditures for new equipment of approximately $86,000 and the purchase of finance leases of approximately $70,000. Our primary uses of cash for the year ended December 31, 2013 were for capital expenditures for new equipment of approximately $336,000, payments on borrowings from affiliate of approximately $105,000 and for the purchase of finance leases of approximately $37,000.
For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, depreciation and amortization expenses were approximately $1,024,000 and $1,060,000, respectively. Additionally, other non-cash activities included in the determination of net loss include direct payments of lease income by lessees to banks of approximately $668,000 and $566,000, respectively, gain on sale of equipment of approximately $18,000 and $25,000, respectively. In addition, bad debt recovery of approximately $19,000 was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2013.
At December 31, 2014, cash was held in two bank accounts maintained at one financial institution with an aggregate balance of approximately $122,000. Bank accounts are federally insured up to $250,000 by the FDIC. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the total cash bank balance was as follows:
The Partnership believes it mitigates the risk of holding uninsured deposits by only depositing funds with major financial institutions. The Partnership has not experienced any losses in our accounts, and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk. The amounts in such accounts will fluctuate throughout 2014 due to many factors, including the pace of cash receipts and equipment acquisitions.
As of December 31, 2014, we had future minimum rentals on non-cancellable operating leases of approximately $608,000 for the year ending December 31, 2015 and approximately $344,000 thereafter. These amounts represent scheduled payments on existing leases only, and do not include expected future revenues on leases that we have not yet entered into.
As of December 31, 2014, we had future minimum rentals on non-cancellable finance leases of approximately $28,000 for the year ending December 31, 2015 and approximately $62,000 thereafter. These amounts represent scheduled payments on existing leases only, and do not include expected future revenues on leases that we have not yet entered into.
The balance of our non-recourse debt at December 31, 2014 was approximately $633,000 with interest rates ranging from 1.6% to 5.60% which will be payable through October 2017. We assumed debt in connection with the purchase of computer equipment of approximately $314,000 during 2014. Non-recourse debt leases will not generate current cash flow because the rental payments received from these leases are used to service the indebtedness associated with acquiring or financing the lease. For these leases, we anticipate that the equipment will generate income to the investor either through an extension of the lease term or from the sale of the equipment at the end of the lease term. Management does not expect significant interest rate increases to take place during of 2015, and therefore expects our cost of nonrecourse borrowing to remain steady over the next 12 months.
CCC, on our behalf and on behalf of affiliated partnerships, acquires computer equipment subject to associated debt obligations and lease agreements and allocates a participation in the cost, debt and lease revenue to the various partnerships based on certain risk factors. The Partnership’s share of the cost of the equipment in which it participates with other partnerships at December 31, 2014 was approximately $4,808,000 and is included in the Partnership’s equipment on its balance sheet. The total cost of the equipment shared by the Partnership with other partnerships at December 31, 2014 was approximately $12,129,000. The Partnership’s share of the outstanding debt associated with this equipment at December 31, 2014 was approximately $494,000 and is included in the Partnership’s notes payable on its balance sheet. The total outstanding debt related to the equipment shared by the Partnership at December 31, 2014 was approximately $1,433,000. Sharing in the acquisition of a lease portfolio gives the fund an opportunity to acquire additional assets and revenue streams, while allowing the fund to remain diversified and reducing its overall
risk with respect to one portfolio. Thus, total shared equipment and related debt should continue to trend at a relatively steady pace during 2015.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, CCC forgave approximately $35,000 of payables owed to it by the Partnership. The General Partner and CCC have also waived certain fees owed to them by the Partnership in an effort to further support the Partnership. Additionally, the General Partner elected to forego any distributions and allocations of net income owed to it during the year ended December 31, 2014.
If available cash flow or net asset disposition proceeds are insufficient to cover our expenses and liabilities on a short or long term basis, we will attempt to obtain additional funds by disposing of or refinancing equipment, or by borrowing within our permissible limits. The General Partner continues to suspend distributions, as part of an aggressive work out plan of reinvestment and recovery for lost equity experienced during the litigation process with Mobile Pro/City of Tempe. The General Partner will reassess the funding of limited partner distributions on a quarterly basis, throughout 2015. The General Partner and CCC will determine if related party payables owed to them by the Partnership may be deferred (if deemed necessary) in an effort to increase the Partnership’s cash flow.
The General Partner and CCC have committed to fund, either through cash contributions and/or forgiveness of indebtedness, any necessary operational cash shortfalls of the Partnership through December 31, 2015. The General Partner will continue to reassess the funding of limited partner distributions throughout 2015 and will continue to waive certain fees. If available cash flow or net disposition proceeds are insufficient to cover the Partnership expenses and liabilities on a short and long term basis, the Partnership may attempt to obtain additional funds by disposing of or refinancing equipment, or by borrowing within its permissible limits. Additionally, the Partnership will seek to enhance portfolio returns and maximize cash flow through the use of leveraged lease transactions: the acquisition of lease equipment through debt financing. This strategy allows the General Partner to acquire additional revenue generating leases without the use of investor funds thus maximizing overall return. Through December 31, 2014, the Partnership has acquired approximately $400,000 in equipment, of which approximately $314,000 is leveraged.
RESULTS FROM OPERATIONS
For the year ended December 31, 2014 we recognized revenue of approximately $1,173,000 and expenses, net of insurance recoveries, of approximately $1,204,000 resulting in net loss of approximately $31,000.
The Partnership has 103 active operating leases that generated lease revenue of approximately $1,147,000 during 2014 and had 137 active operating leases that generated lease revenue of approximately $1,139,000 during 2013. Despite the reduction in number of active leases, overall lease revenue increased during 2014. This is primarily due to an increase in the overall size of the leases acquired during 2014. As the operational phase of the Partnership draws to a close, management will continue to seek short term lease opportunities to enhance portfolio returns and cash flow. Our investment strategy has been to incorporate a conservative discipline with opportunity. Management believes that this strategy has enabled the Partnership to acquire lease structures that maximize and potentially enhance overall performance of investors.
We have 104 operating leases that generated lease revenue of approximately $1,147,000 during 2014. Management expects to add new leases to our portfolio throughout 2015, funded primarily through debt financing. The General Partner is continuously monitoring its lessee concentration to potentially reduce the risk associated with a high concentration of activity in a few lessees.
The Partnership’s equipment portfolio consists of approximately 53% servers produced by various manufacturers. The General Partner continuously monitors and seeks to decrease the concentration of equipment by type to diversify the equipment portfolio and potentially reduce the overall risk to the investor. There are two lessees that accounted 50% and 22% of lease revenue for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Lease revenue increased to approximately $1,147,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014 from approximately $1,139,000 for the year ended December 31, 2013. Despite the reduction in number of active leases, overall lease
revenue increased during 2014. This is primarily due to an increase in the overall size of the leases acquired during 2014.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, operating expenses, excluding depreciation, primarily consist of accounting and legal fees, outside service fees and reimbursement of expenses to CCC for administration and operation of the Partnership. These expenses increased to approximately $165,000 during 2014 from approximately $110,000 in 2013. This increase is primarily attributable to an increase in legal fees as a result of a FINRA matter. Included in operating expense were legal fees for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 of approximately $74,000 and $1,000 related to the FINRA matter, respectively.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Partnership recorded a gain of approximately $50,000 for an insurance recovery under the Partnership’s Officers’ and Directors’ insurance policy related to legal fees incurred in connection with the FINRA review.
During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Partnership recorded approximately $47,000 related to the SEC settlement as a reduction in expenses and corresponding receivable from the General Partner in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance. The matter was settled in September 2013 with the General Partner neither admitting nor denying the findings. The Partnership’s portion of the settlement is approximately $47,000, which was recorded as a reduction in expenses in the condensed statement of operations during the year ended December 31, 2013 in accordance with the accounting guidance in FASB ASC 605-50. As of December 31, 2014, the receivable was completely satisfied.
We pay an equipment management fee to our General Partner for managing our equipment portfolio. In July of 2010, the equipment management fee was reduced to 2.5% from 5% of the gross lease revenue attributable to equipment that is subject to operating leases. Equipment management fees remained constant at approximately $29,000 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, interest expense decreased to approximately $37,000 from approximately $51,000 for the year ended December 31, 2013. This decrease is as a result of a reduction in debt obligations taken on by the Partnership during 2014.
Depreciation and amortization expenses consist of depreciation on computer equipment and amortization of equipment acquisition fees. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, these expenses were approximately $1,024,000 and $1,060,000, respectively. This decrease was due to equipment and acquisition fees being fully depreciated/amortized and not being replaced with as many new equipment purchases during 2014.
Net loss increased to approximately $31,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014 from approximately $1,000 for the year ended December 31, 2013. The changes in net loss were attributable to the changes in revenue and expenses as discussed above.
ITEM 7A:
ITEM 7A: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
NOT APPLICABLE
ITEM 8:
ITEM 8: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Our financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the report thereon of the independent registered public accounting firm is included in this annual report.
ITEM 9:
ITEM 9: CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
NONE
ITEM 9A:
ITEM 9A: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of the General Partner’s chief executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures related to our reporting and disclosure obligations as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on such evaluation, the chief executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2014, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information relating to us, which is required to be disclosed in our periodic reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (a) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and (b) accumulated and communicated to management, including the chief executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. It is the responsibility of the General Partner to establish and maintain adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The General Partner’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Partnership; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Partnership are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the General Partner; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Partnership’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting at December 31, 2014. Management based this assessment on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in “Internal Control - Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO)”. Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design of the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting. Management reviewed the results of its assessment with the board of directors.
Based on our assessment, management determined that, at December 31, 2014, the Partnership maintained effective internal control over financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. There has been no change in internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2014 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the company's registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by the Partnership’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to final rule of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Partnership to provide only management's report in this annual report.
ITEM 9B:
ITEM 9B: OTHER INFORMATION
NONE
ITEM 10:
ITEM 10: DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Partnership does not have any Directors or executive officers. Rather, it is managed by the Manager. The directors and officers of the Manager are required to spend only such time on Partnership affairs as is necessary for the proper conduct of Partnership business. Under certain circumstances, such directors and officers are entitled to indemnification from the Partnership. The Manager reserves the right to determine now and in the future which personnel are deemed control persons and, therefore would not seek reimbursement for personnel costs related to such persons. It is not intended that every person who carries a title such as director, vice president, executive vice president, senior vice president, manager, secretary, controller or treasurer or who holds a 5% equity interest be considered a -Controlling Person.
The Board of Directors of the Sponsor has established an Executive Committee, and the operations of the Manager are effectively controlled by the Executive Committee of the Sponsor. The Executive Committee has functional control over all day-to-day activities of the Sponsor and effectively the Manager. Currently, Kimberly A. Springsteen-Abbott and Henry J. Abbott are the members of the Executive Committee. Kimberly A. Springsteen-Abbott is the sole shareholder of Commonwealth Capital Corp., and thus retains ultimate control of all Commonwealth entities through her ability to elect, remove and replace directors. Prior to mid-2011, only Ms. Springsteen-Abbott was considered a controlling person of the Commonwealth-sponsored equipment funds and Mr. Abbott is currently a controlling person with respect to the equipment funds as well, with the goal being that Executive Committee membership will be indicative of control over the income funds as well as the Sponsor. For purposes of our financial operations, we do not currently consider any other employees to be control persons, and do not expect to do so in the foreseeable future.
The General Partner, a wholly owned subsidiary of Commonwealth of Delaware, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which is in turn a wholly-owned subsidiary of CCC, a Pennsylvania corporation, was incorporated in Pennsylvania on August 26, 1993. The General Partner also acts as the General Partner Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund IV, Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund VI and Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund VII and is the manager of several private entities. The principal business office of the General Partner is 17755 US Highway 19 North, Suite 400, Clearwater, FL 33764 and its telephone number is (877) 654-1500. The General Partner manages and controls the affairs of the Partnership and has sole responsibility for all aspects of the Partnership’s operations. The officers of the General Partner devote such time to the affairs of the Partnership as in the opinion of the General Partner is necessary to enable it to perform its function as General Partner. The officers of the General Partner are not required to spend their full time in meeting their obligations to the Partnership.
The directors and officers of the General Partner and key employees of CCC and its subsidiary Commonwealth Capital Securities Corp. ("CCSC"), are as follows:
Kimberly A. Springsteen-Abbott, Kimberly A. Springsteen-Abbott, age 55, joined Commonwealth in April 1997 as a founding registered principal and Chief Compliance Officer of its broker/dealer, Commonwealth Capital Securities Corp. Ms. Springsteen-Abbott is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Commonwealth Capital Corp. (the parent corporation); Commonwealth Capital Securities Corp. (the broker/dealer); and Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund, Inc. (the General Partner), positions she has held since April 2006. Ms. Springsteen-Abbott is responsible for general operations of the equipment leasing/portfolio management side of the business. Ms. Springsteen-Abbott oversees all CCC operations, as well as CCSC SEC/FINRA compliance. For the broker/dealer, she oversees securities policies, company procedures/operations. Ms. Springsteen-Abbott oversees all corporate daily operations and training, as well as develops long-term corporate growth strategies. Ms. Springsteen-Abbott has over 27 years of experience in the financial services industry, specifically in the real estate, energy and leasing sectors of alternative investments. Ms. Springsteen-Abbott is the sole shareholder of Commonwealth Capital Corp. Ms. Springsteen-Abbott was elected to the Board of Directors of the parent corporation in 1997 and has also served as its Executive Vice President and COO. Also in 1997, she founded Commonwealth Capital Securities Corp., where she was elected to the Board of Directors and appointed President, COO and Chief Compliance Officer. Her responsibilities included business strategy, product development, broker/dealer relations development, due diligence, and compliance. From 1980 through 1997, Ms. Springsteen-Abbott was employed with Wheat First Butcher Singer, a regional broker/dealer located in Richmond, Virginia. At Wheat, she served as Senior Vice President & Marketing Manager for the Alternative Investments Division. Ms. Springsteen-Abbott holds her FINRA Series 7, 63 and 39 licenses. She is a member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, REISA, the Financial Planners Association, the National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers and has served on the Board of Trustees for the Investment Program Association. Ms. Springsteen-Abbott is a member of the Executive Committee and the Disaster Recovery Committee. Ms. Springsteen-Abbott is the wife of Henry J. Abbott.
Henry J. Abbott, age 64, joined Commonwealth in August 1998 as a Portfolio Manager, a position he held until April 2006, at which time he was elected President of CCC and CIGF, Inc., Executive Vice President of CCSC, and Director of CCC and its affiliates. Mr. Abbott is a registered principal of the broker/dealer. Mr. Abbott is responsible for lease acquisitions, equipment dispositions and portfolio review. Additionally, Mr. Abbott is also responsible for oversight of residual valuation, due diligence, equipment inspections, negotiating renewal and purchase options and remarketing off-lease equipment. Mr. Abbott serves as senior member on the Disaster Recovery Committee and the Facilities Committee, and was appointed to the Executive Committee in 2008. Prior to Commonwealth, Mr. Abbott has been active in the commercial lending industry, working primarily on asset-backed transactions for more than 30 years. Mr. Abbott attended St. John’s University and holds his FINRA Series 7, 63 and 24 licenses. Mr. Abbott was a founding partner of Westwood Capital LLC in New York, a Senior Vice President for IBJ Schroeder Leasing Corporation and has managed a group specializing in the provision of operating lease finance programs in the high technology sector. Mr. Abbott brings extensive knowledge and experience in leasing and has managed over $1.5 billion of secured transactions. Mr. Abbott is a member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, the National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers, REISA and the Investment Program Association. Mr. Abbott is a member of the executive committee and the Disaster Recovery Committee. Mr. Abbott is the husband of Kimberly A. Springsteen-Abbott.
Lynn A. Franceschina, age 43, joined Commonwealth in 2001 as Vice President and Accounting Manager. In October 2004 she became Controller and Senior Vice President, and since April 2006 has served as Executive Vice President of CCC and CIGF, Inc., Senior Vice President of CCSC, and Chief Operations Officer of CCC, CCSC, and CIGF, Inc. and certain of its affiliates. She was named as a director of CCC and its affiliates in June 2006, resigning from this position as of November 2012 for which an 8-K was filed. Ms. Franceschina is responsible for daily operations, including oversight of all accounting, financial reporting and tax functions, investor communications, and human resources. During the period of March 2004 to October 2004, Ms. Franceschina was employed at Wilmington Trust Corp. where she was part of the policies and procedures team responsible for Sarbanes-Oxley documentation. Prior to joining Commonwealth, Ms. Franceschina was the Business Controls Manager for Liquent, Inc., a leading software developer, where she was responsible for managing corporate forecasting and analysis, as well as the
budgeting for the sales and marketing division. From 1999 to 2000, she served as a Senior Financial Analyst for Environ Products, and from 1994 to 1999, she was a Senior Accountant with Duquesne University. Prior to joining Duquesne University, Ms. Franceschina was an accountant with the public accounting firm of Horovitz, Rudoy, & Roteman. Ms. Franceschina is a Sigma Beta Delta graduate of Robert Morris University, during which time she also served as treasurer of her Alpha Chi national honor society chapter. Ms. Franceschina holds her FINRA Series 22, 63, 39 and 99 licenses. She is a member of the Disaster Recovery Committee, the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, Investment Program Association, REISA and the Institute of Management Accountants.
Jay Dugan, age 66, joined Commonwealth in 2002 as Assistant Vice President and Network Adminstrator, and became a Vice President in December 2002, Senior Vice President in December 2003, and has been Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of the parent and its affiliates since December 2004. Mr. Dugan has also been a director of CCC and CIGF, Inc. since June 2006. Mr. Dugan is responsible for the information technology vision, security, operation and ongoing development, including network configurations, protection of corporate assets and maximizing security and efficiency of information flow. Prior to Commonwealth, Mr. Dugan founded First Securities USA, a FINRA member firm, in 1988 and operated that firm through 1998. From 1999 until 2002, Mr. Dugan was an independent due diligence consultant until he came to Commonwealth to develop that area of the firm. Mr. Dugan attended St. Petersburg College and holds an AS Degree in Computer Networking Technology. Mr. Dugan is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Microsoft Certified Database Administrator and Comp-Tia Certified Computer Technician. Mr. Dugan is a senior member of the Disaster Recovery Committee, as well as oversight member of the Website Committee.
Peter Daley, age 74, joined Commonwealth in June 2006 as a director. Mr. Daley is an Accredited Senior Appraiser for the discipline of Machinery and Equipment with a specialty in High-Technology for the valuation of computer equipment. Mr. Daley has been in the computer business since 1965, first with IBM as a computer broker/lessor and then with Daley Marketing Corporation (DMC), a firm he founded in July 1980 to publish reports about computer equipment, including “Market Value Reports” and “Residual Value Reports.” In January 2001 Mr. Daley acquired Computer Economics, merged DMC into CEI and in April 2005 sold the IT Management Company and created a new company focused on the fair market value business. Additionally, Mr. Daley remains President of DMC Consulting Group, a separate company that specializes in writing Appraisals, Portfolio Analysis and Property Tax Valuation from Fair Market Value to Residual Value valuations. Mr. Daley has developed a database of “Fair Market Value” equipment values from 1980 to the present, utilizing a variety of reports and publications along with the DMC and CEI Market Value Reports. This database has been successfully used in the valuation of computer equipment in the settlement of a number of Virginia tax cases. He has also previously testified in California, Minnesota, Michigan, New York, and the Virginia Courts as an expert in the field of valuation of computer equipment. Mr. Daley has a full repertoire of lectures, seminars, presentations, and publications that he has conceived and shared with the public. From 1994 to present he has been writing computer appraisals and reports for Fortune 500 companies. From April 2005 to present as president of DMC Valuations Group, Mr. Daley has been publishing, both on the web and in print, fair market values, residual values, and manufacturer’s price lists to existing valuation clients around the world. Mr. Daley graduated from Pepperdine University in 1991 with a Masters of Business Administration, and from Cal State Northridge with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1965. Mr. Daley is also an Accredited Senior Appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers.
James Pruett, age 49, joined Commonwealth in 2002 as an Executive Assistant. Mr. Pruett was named Assistant Vice President and a Compliance Associate in February 2005, Vice President and Compliance Manager in December 2005 and since December 2007 has served as Senior Vice President and Compliance Officer of the parent and its affiliates. Mr. Pruett was also named Secretary to the parent’s board of directors in December 2008. Mr. Pruett is responsible for management of regulatory policies and procedures, assisting in compliance internal audit, associate regulatory filings, broker/dealer registrations, state and broker/dealer financial regulatory reporting requirements. Mr. Pruett assists in the management of shareholder records and updates. Mr. Pruett is a member of the Website Committee and the Disaster Recovery Committee. Mr. Pruett holds his FINRA Series 22, 63 and 39 licenses. Prior to joining Commonwealth, Mr. Pruett served as Managing Editor/Associate Publisher for Caliber Entertainment, a publishing and entertainment licensing company. Mr. Pruett’s responsibilities included oversight of production of publishing library, as well as serving as Editor-in-Chief for all publications and additionally served as Media Relations Liaison. Mr. Pruett is a member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association and the Investment Program Association.
Mark Hershenson, age 49, joined Commonwealth in April 2002 as Broker Services Manager and has served as Senior Vice President and Broker Dealer Relations Manager of the parent and its affiliates since December 2007. Mr. Hershenson is responsible for management of all broker/dealer relationships, and over-sees the Due Diligence, Marketing, and Broker Services Departments. Prior to Commonwealth, Mr. Hershenson served as part of a financial planning practice at American United Life from 1999 through 2002. He has written a book for the Florida Insurance Commissioner on how to sell insurance products. Additionally, in 1991 through 1998, Mr. Hershenson served as sales trainer at MetLife for over 100 registered representatives. Mr. Hershenson attended Stonehill College and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a concentration in Marketing/Organizational Behaviorism and engaged in Master’s level coursework in Financial Planning though American College. He holds his FINRA Series 6, 7, 39 and 63 licenses. Mr. Hershenson is a member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association and the Investment Program Association.
David W. Riggleman, age 52, joined Commonwealth in July 2007 as a Business Development Specialist and was named Assistant Vice President in December 2007, Portfolio Manager in June 2008 and as a Vice President of CCC and CIGF, Inc. in December 2008. Mr. Riggleman is responsible for lease acquisitions, equipment research and evaluation, lease pricing, portfolio analysis, and asset remarketing and disposition. Prior to joining Commonwealth, Mr. Riggleman served from January 2005 to July 2007 as Vice President, Investments for Raymond James and Associates in Cumberland, Maryland. At Raymond James, he served as a Branch Owner in the Advisor Select Program. He managed branch associates in addition to managing private client accounts with more than $75 million in assets under management. From July 1994 to December 2004, Mr. Riggleman was Vice President, Investments and Branch Manager at Legg Mason. While there, he opened and managed a branch while also managing private client and institutional assets with assets under management of more than $65 million. He served as a member of Legg Mason President’s Council in 1998 and served consecutive terms as member of Legg Mason’s Financial Services Advisory Panel in 1999 and 2000. From January 1987 to June 1994, he was Vice President, Investments of Wheat First Securities, where he managed private client and institutional assets totaling more than $40 million. Mr. Riggleman studied Economics at the University of Richmond, and also Business Administration at Frostburg State University.
The directors and officers of the General Partner are required to spend only such time on the Partnership’s affairs as is necessary in the sole discretion of the directors of the General Partner for the proper conduct of the Partnership’s business. A substantial amount of time of such directors and officers is expected to be spent on matters unrelated to the Partnership, particularly after the Partnership’s investments have been selected. Under certain circumstances, such directors and officers are entitled to indemnification from the Partnership.
The Partnership has no audit committee financial expert, as defined in item 401 of Regulation S-K (17CFR § 229.401) under the Exchange Act, serving on its audit committee. An audit committee is not required because the Partnership’s units are not listed securities (as defined by 17CFR§ 240.10A-3); therefore, no audit committee financial expert is required.
CODE OF ETHICS
In view of the fiduciary obligation that the General Partner has to the Partnership, the General Partner believes an adoption of a formal code of ethics is unnecessary and would not benefit the Partnership, particularly, in light of Partnership's limited business activities.
ITEM 11:
ITEM 11: EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Partnership does not have any Directors or executive officers.
ITEM 12:
ITEM 12: SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
NONE
ITEM 13:
ITEM 13: CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The following table summarizes the types, amounts and recipients of compensation to be paid by the Partnership directly or indirectly to the General Partner and its affiliates. Some of these fees are paid regardless of the success or profitability of the Partnership’s operations and investments. While such compensation and fees were established by the General Partner and are not based on arm’s-length negotiations, the General Partner believes that such compensation and fees are comparable to those that would be charged by an unaffiliated entity or entities for similar services. The Partnership Agreement limits the liability of the General Partner and its affiliates to the Partnership and the Limited Partners and provides indemnification to the General Partner and its affiliates under certain circumstances.
The General Partner
Partnership Interest. The General Partner has a present and continuing one percent interest of $1,000 in the Partnership’s item of income, gain, loss, deduction, credit, and tax preference. In addition, the General Partner receives one percent of cash available for distribution until the Limited Partners have received distributions of cash available for Distribution equal to their capital contributions plus the 10% cumulative return and thereafter, the General Partner will receive 10% of cash available for distribution.
$
1,000
$
1,000
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The Partnership is subject to various conflicts of interest arising out of its relationships with the General Partner and its affiliates. These conflicts include the following:
COMPETITIONS WITH GENERAL PARTNER AND AFFILIATES: COMPETITIONS FOR MANAGEMENT’S TIME
The General Partner and its affiliates sponsor other investor programs, which are in potential competition with the Partnership in connection with the purchase of equipment as well as opportunities to lease and sell such equipment. Competition for equipment has occurred and is likely to occur in the future. The General Partner and its affiliates may also form additional investor programs, which may be competitive with the Partnership.
If one or more investor programs and the Partnership are in a position to acquire the same equipment, the General Partner will determine which program will purchase the equipment based upon the objectives of each and the suitability of the acquisition in light of those objectives. The General Partner will generally afford priority to the program or entity that has had funds available to purchase equipment for the longest period of time. If one or more investor programs and the Partnership are in a position to enter into lease with the same lessee or sell equipment to the same purchaser, the General Partner will generally afford priority to the equipment which has been available for lease or sale for the longest period of time. Certain senior executives of the General Partner and its affiliates also serve as officers and directors of the other programs and are required to apportion their time among these entities. The Partnership is, therefore, in competition with the other programs for the attention and management time of the General Partner and affiliates. The officers and directors of the General Partner are not required to devote all or substantially all of their time to the affairs of the Partnership.
ACQUISITIONS
CCC and the General Partner or other affiliates of the General Partner may acquire equipment for the Partnership provided that (i) the Partnership has insufficient funds at the time the equipment is acquired, (ii) the acquisition is in the best interest of the partnership and (iii) no benefit to the General Partner or its affiliates arises from the acquisition except for compensation paid to CCC, the General Partner or such other affiliate as disclosed in this report. CCC, the General Partner or their affiliates will not hold equipment for more than 60 days prior to transfer to the Partnership. If sufficient funds become available to the Partnership within such 60 day period, such equipment may be resold to the Partnership for a price not in excess of the sum of the cost of the equipment to such entity and any accountable acquisition expenses payable to third parties which are incurred by such entity and interest on the purchase price from the date of purchase to the date of transfer to the Partnership. CCC, the General Partner or such other affiliate will retain any rent or other payments received for the equipment, and bear all expenses and liabilities, other than accountable acquisition expenses payable to third parties with respect to such equipment, for all periods prior to the acquisition of the equipment by the Partnership. Except as described above, there will be no sales of equipment to or from any affiliate of CCC.
In certain instances, the Partnership may find it necessary, in connection with the ordering and acquisition of equipment, to make advances to manufacturers or vendors with funds borrowed from the General Partner for such purpose. The Partnership does not borrow money from the General Partner or any of its affiliates with a term in excess of twelve months. Interest is paid on loans or advances (in the form of deposits with manufacturers or vendors of equipment or otherwise) from the General Partner of its affiliates from their own funds at a rate equal to that which would be charged by third party financing institutions on comparable loans from the same purpose in the same geographic area, but in no event in excess of the General Partner’s or affiliate’s own cost of funds. In addition, if the General Partner or its affiliates borrow money and loan or advance it on a short-term basis to or on behalf of the Partnership, the General Partner or such affiliates shall receive no greater interest rate and financing charges from the
Partnership than that which unrelated lenders charge on comparable loans. The Partnership will not borrow money from the General Partner or any of its affiliates for a term in excess of twelve months.
If the General Partner or any of its affiliates purchases equipment in its own name and with its own funds in order to facilitate ultimate purchase by the Partnership, the purchaser is entitled to receive interest on the funds expended for such purchase on behalf of the Partnership. Simple interest on any such temporary purchases is charged on a floating rate basis not in excess of three percent over the “prime rate” from time to time announced by PNC Bank, from the date of initial acquisition to the date of repayment by the Partnership/ownership transfer.
The Partnership does not invest in equipment limited partnerships, General Partnerships or joint ventures, except that (a) the Partnership may invest in general partnerships or joint ventures with persons other than equipment programs formed by the General Partner or its affiliates, which partnerships or joint ventures own specific equipment; provided that (i) the Partnership has or acquires a controlling interest in such ventures or partnerships, (ii) the non-controlling interest is owned by a non-affiliate, and (iii) the are no duplicate fees; and (b) the Partnership may invest in joint venture arrangements with other equipment programs formed by the General Partner or its affiliates if such action is in the best interest of all programs and if all the following conditions are met: (i) all the programs have substantially identical investment objectives; (ii) there are no duplicate fees; (iii) the sponsor compensation is substantially identical in each program; (iv) the Partnership has a right of first refusal to buy another program’s interest in a joint venture if the other program wishes to sell equipment held in the joint venture; (v) the investment of each program is on substantially the same terms and conditions; and (vi) the joint venture is formed either for the purpose of effecting appropriate diversification for the programs or for the purpose of relieving the General Partner or its affiliates from a commitment entered into pursuant to certain provisions of the Partnership Agreement.
GLOSSARY
The following terms used in this report shall (unless otherwise expressly provided herein or unless the context otherwise requires) have the meanings set forth below.
“Acquisition Expenses” means expenses relating to the prospective selection and acquisition of or investment in equipment by the Partnership, whether or not actually acquired, including, but not limited to, legal fees and expenses, travel and communication expenses, costs of appraisal, accounting fees and expenses and other related expenses.
“Acquisition Fees” means the total of all fees and commissions paid by any party in connection with the initial purchase of equipment acquired by the Partnership. Included in the computation of such fees or commissions shall be the equipment acquisition fee and any commission, selection fee, construction supervision fee, financing fee, non-recurring management fee or any fee of a similar nature, however designated.
“Adjusted Capital Contributions” means capital contributions of the Limited Partners reduced by any cash distribution received by the Limited Partners pursuant to Sections 4.1 or 8.1 of the Partnership Agreement, to the extent such distributions exceed any unpaid priority return as of the date such distributions were made.
“Affiliate” means, when used with reference to a specified person, (i) any person, that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls or is controlled by or is under common control with the specified person, (ii) any person that is a director or an executive officer of, partner in, or serves in a similar capacity to, the specified person, or any person of which the specified person is an executive officer or partner or with respect to which the specified person serves in a similar capacity, (iii) any person owning or controlling 10% or more of the outstanding voting securities of such specified person, or (iv) if such person is an officer, director or partner, any entity for which such person acts in such capacity.
“Capital Account” means the separate account established for each Partner pursuant to Section 4.1 of the Partnership Agreement.
“Capital Contributions” means in the case of the General Partner, the total amount of money contributed to the Partnership by the General Partner, and in the case of Limited Partners, $20 for each unit, or where the context requires, the total capital contributions of all the Partners.
“Cash Available for Distribution” means cash flow plus net disposition proceeds plus cash funds available for distribution from Partnership reserves, less such amounts as the General Partner, in accordance with the Partnership Agreement, causes the Partnership to reinvest in equipment or interests therein, and less such amounts as the General Partner, in its sole discretion, determines should be set aside for the restoration or enhancement of Partnership reserves.
“Cash Flow” for any fiscal period means the sum of (i) cash receipts from operations, including, but not limited to, rents or revenues arising from the leasing or operation of the equipment and interest, if any, earned on funds on deposit for the Partnership, but not including net disposition proceeds, minus (ii) all cash expenses and costs incurred and paid in connection with the ownership, lease, management, use and/or operation of the equipment, including, but not limited to, fees for handling and storage; all interest expenses paid and all repayments of principal regarding borrowed funds; maintenance; repair costs; insurance premiums; accounting and legal fees and expenses; debt collection expenses; charges, assessments or levies imposed upon or against the equipment; ad valorem, gross receipts and other property taxes levied against the equipment; and all costs of repurchasing Units in accordance with the Partnership Agreement; but not including depreciation or amortization of fees or capital expenditures, or provisions for future expenditures, including, without limitation, organizational and offering expenses.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and as may be amended from time to time by future federal tax statutes.
“Competitive Equipment Sale Commission” means that brokerage fee paid for services rendered in connection with the purchase or sale of equipment, which is reasonable, customary, and competitive in light of the size, type, and location of the equipment.
“Conditional Sales Contract” means an agreement to sell equipment to a buyer in which the seller reserves title to, and retains a security interest in, the equipment until the purchase price of the equipment is paid.
“Equipment” means each item of and all of the technology equipment and other similar capital equipment (medical technology equipment, telecommunications technology equipment, inventory management equipment) purchased, owned, operated, and/or leased by the Partnership or in which the Partnership has acquired a direct or indirect interest, as more fully described in the Partnership Agreement, together with all appliances, parts, instruments, accessories, furnishings, or other equipment included therein and all substitutions, renewals, or replacements of, and all additions, improvements, and accessions to, any and all thereof.
“Full Payout Net Lease” means an initial net lease of the equipment under which the non-cancelable rental payments due (and which can be calculated at the commencement of the net lease) during the initial noncancelable fixed term (not including any renewal or extension period) of the lease or other contract for the use of the equipment are at least sufficient to recover the purchase price of the equipment.
“General Partner” means Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund, Inc. and any additional, substitute or successor general partner of the Partnership.
“Gross Lease Revenues” means Partnership gross receipts from leasing or other operation of the equipment, except that, to the extent the Partnership has leased the equipment from an unaffiliated party, it shall mean such receipts less any lease expense.
“IRS” means the Internal Revenue Service.
“Limited Partner” means a person who acquires units and who is admitted to the Partnership as a limited partner in accordance with the terms of the Partnership Agreement.
“Net Dispositions Proceeds” means the net proceeds realized by the Partnership from the refinancing, sale or other disposition of equipment, including insurance proceeds or lessee indemnity payments arising from the loss or destruction of equipment, less such amounts as are used to satisfy Partnership liabilities.
“Net Lease” means a lease or other contract under which the owner provides equipment to a lessee or other operator in return for a payment, and the lessee assumes all obligations and pays for the operation, repair, maintenance and insuring of the equipment.
“Net Profits” or “Net Losses” shall be computed in accordance with Section 703(a) of the Code (including all items of income, gain, loss or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Section 703(a) (1) of the Code) for each taxable year of the Partnership or shorter period prior to an interim closing of the Partnership’s books with the following adjustments: (I) any income of the Partnership that is exempt from federal income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing net profits and net loss pursuant to this definition shall be added to such taxable income or shall reduce such taxable loss; (ii) any expenditure of the Partnership described in Code Section 705(a) (2) (B) or treated as Code Section 705(a) (2) (B) expenditures pursuant to Treasury Regulations section 1.704-1(b) (2) (iv) (i) and not otherwise taken into account in computing net profits and net losses pursuant to this definition shall be subtracted from such taxable income or loss; (iii) items of income, gain, loss and deduction specially allocated pursuant to Section 7.3 of the Partnership Agreement shall not be included in the computation of net profits or net loss; and if property is reflected on the books of the Partnership at a book value that differs from the adjusted tax basis of the property in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b) (2) (iv) (d) or (f), depreciation, amortization, and gain or loss with respect to such property shall be determined by reference to such book value in a manner consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b) (2) (iv) (g). The terms “net profit” or “net losses” shall include the Partnership’s distributive share of the profit or loss of any partnership or joint venture in which it is a partner or joint venturer.
“Offering” means the initial public offering of units in the Partnership.
“Operating Distributions” means the quarterly distributions made to the Partners pursuant to Article 8 of the Partnership Agreement.
“Operating Lease” means a lease or other contractual arrangement under which an unaffiliated party agrees to pay the Partnership, directly or indirectly, for the use of the equipment, and which is not a full payout net lease.
“Organizational and Offering Expenses” means the expenses incurred in connection with the organization of the Partnership and in preparation of the offering, including underwriting commissions, listing fees and advertising expenses specifically incurred in connection with the distribution of the units.
“Partner (s)” means any one or more of the General Partner and the Limited Partners.
“Partnership” means Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund IV, a Pennsylvania limited partnership.
“Partnership Agreement” means that Limited Partnership agreement of Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund IV by and among the General Partner and the Limited Partners, pursuant to which the Partnership is governed.
“Person” means an individual, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, corporation, trust, estate or other entity.
“Proceeds” means proceeds from the sale of the units.
“Program” means a limited or general partnership, joint venture, unincorporated association or similar organization, other than a corporation formed and operated for the primary purpose of investment in and the operation of or gain from an interest in equipment.
“Purchase Price” means, with respect to any equipment, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the invoice cost of such equipment or any other such amount paid to the seller, (ii) any closing, delivery and installation charges associated therewith not included in such invoice cost and paid by or on behalf of the Partnership, (iii) the cost of any capitalized modifications or upgrades paid by on or behalf of the Partnership in connection with its purchase of the equipment, and (iv) solely for purposes of the definition of full payout net lease, the amount of the equipment acquisition fee and any other acquisition fees.
“Retained Proceeds” means cash available for distribution, which instead of being distributed to the Partners is retained by the Partnership for the purpose of acquiring or investing in equipment.
“Term Debt” means debt of the Partnership with a term in excess of twelve months, incurred with respect to acquiring or investing in equipment, or refinancing non-term debt, but not debt incurred with respect to refinancing existing Partnership term debt.
“Unit” means a Limited Partnership interest in the Partnership.
ITEM 14:
ITEM 14: PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
AUDIT FEES
The aggregate fees billed and expected to be billed for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 for professional services rendered by the Partnership’s independent registered public accounting firm for the review of the financial statements included in our Form 10-Q or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for that fiscal year, was approximately $38,000 and $26,000, respectively.
AUDIT-RELATED FEES
There were no aggregate fees billed in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 for assurance and related services by the Partnership’s independent registered public accounting firm that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the registrant's financial statements and are not reported under the paragraph captioned "Audit Fees."
TAX FEES
There were no fees billed in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 for professional services rendered by the Partnership’s independent registered public accounting firm for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
ALL OTHER FEES
There were no aggregate fees billed in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 for products and services provided by the Partnership’s independent registered public accounting firm, other than the services reported above under other captions of this Item 14.
PRE-APPROVAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
All audit related services, tax planning and other services were pre-approved by the Board of Directors of the General Partner, which concluded that the provision of such services by the Partnership’s independent registered public accounting firm was compatible with the maintenance of that firm's independence in the conduct of its auditing functions. The policy of the General Partner provides for pre-approval of these services and all audit related, tax or other services not prohibited under Section 10A(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended to be performed for us by our independent auditors, subject to the de minimus exception described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act on an annual basis and on individual engagements if minimum thresholds are exceeded.
There were no other fees approved by the Board of Directors of the General Partner or paid by the Partnership, during 2014 other than fees related to audit or tax compliance services.
PART IV
ITEM 15:
ITEM 15: EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 10-K
Schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, not required, or because the required information is included in the financial statements and notes thereto.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf April 15, 2015 by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
COMMONWEALTH INCOME & GROWTH FUND V, LP
By: COMMONWEALTH INCOME & GROWTH FUND, INC., General Partner
By: /s/ Kimberly A. Springsteen-Abbott
Kimberly A. Springsteen-Abbott
Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on April 15, 2015:
SIGNATURE
CAPACITY
/s/ Kimberly A. Springsteen-Abbott
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer,
Kimberly A. Springsteen-Abbott
Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund, Inc.
/s/ Henry J. Abbott
Director, President,
Henry J. Abbott
Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund, Inc.
Commonwealth Income &
Growth Fund V
Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Partners
Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund V
Clearwater, Florida
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund V (“Partnership”) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and the related statements of operations, Partners’ capital, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2014. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Partnership is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund V at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ BDO USA, LLP
Philadelphia, PA
April 15, 2015
Commonwealth Income &
Growth Fund V
Balance Sheets
Commonwealth Income &
Growth Fund V
Statements of Operations
Commonwealth Income &
Growth Fund V
Statements of Partners' Capital
Commonwealth Income &
Growth Fund V
Statements of Cash Flows
Commonwealth Income &
Growth Fund V
Notes to Financial Statements
1. Business
Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund V (the “Partnership”) is a limited partnership organized in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in May 2003. The Partnership offered for sale up to 1,250,000 units of limited partnership interest at the purchase price of $20 per unit (the “offering”). The Partnership reached the minimum amount in escrow and commenced operations on March 14, 2005. As of February 24, 2006, the Partnership was fully subscribed.
There were no redemptions of partnership interests during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
The Partnership used the proceeds of the offering to acquire, own and lease various types of information technology, medical technology, telecommunications technology, inventory management equipment and other similar capital equipment, which is leased primarily to U.S. corporations and institutions. Commonwealth Capital Corp. (“CCC”), on behalf of the Partnership and other affiliated partnerships, acquires equipment subject to associated debt obligations and lease agreements and allocates a participation in the cost, debt and lease revenue to the various partnerships based on certain risk factors.
The Partnership’s investment objective is to acquire primarily high technology equipment. Information technology has developed rapidly in recent years and is expected to continue to do so. Technological advances have permitted reductions in the cost of information technology processing capacity, speed, and utility. In the future, the rate and nature of equipment development may cause equipment to become obsolete more rapidly. The Partnership also acquires high technology medical, telecommunications and inventory management equipment. The Partnership’s general partner will seek to maintain an appropriate balance and diversity in the types of equipment acquired. The market for high technology medical equipment is growing each year. Generally, this type of equipment will have a longer useful life than other types of technology equipment. This allows for increased re-marketability, if it is returned before its economic or announcement cycle is depleted.
The Partnership’s general partner is Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund, Inc. (the “General Partner”), a Pennsylvania corporation which is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of CCC. CCC is a member of the Investment Program Association (IPA), REISA, Financial Planning Association (FPA), and the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA). Approximately ten years after the commencement of operations, the Partnership intends to sell or otherwise dispose of all of its equipment, make final distributions to partners, and to dissolve. Unless sooner terminated or extended pursuant to the terms of the Agreement the Partnership will continue until February 4, 2017.
In an effort to increase cash flow for the Partnership, during the year ended December 31, 2014, CCC forgave approximately $35,000 of payables owed to it by the Partnership.
Allocations of income and distributions of cash are based on the Agreement. The various allocations under the Agreement prevent any limited partner’s capital account from being reduced below zero and ensure the capital accounts reflect the anticipated sharing ratios of cash distributions, as defined in the Agreement. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, no cash distributions were made to limited partners.
The General Partner continues to suspend distributions, as part of an aggressive work out plan of reinvestment and recovery for lost equity experienced during the litigation process with Mobile Pro/City of Tempe. The General Partner will reassess the funding of limited partner distributions on a quarterly basis, throughout 2015. The General Partner and CCC will also determine if related party payables owed to them by the Partnership may continue to be
deferred (if deemed necessary) in an effort to increase the Partnership’s cash flow.
The General Partner and CCC have committed to fund, either through cash contributions and/or forgiveness of Indebtedness, any necessary operational cash shortfalls of the Partnership through December 31, 2015. The General Partner will continue to reassess the funding of limited partner distributions throughout 2015 and will continue to waive certain fees if the General Partner determines it is in the best interest of the Partnership to do so. If available cash flow or net disposition proceeds are insufficient to cover the Partnership expenses and liabilities on a short and long term basis, the Partnership may attempt to obtain additional funds by disposing of or refinancing equipment, or by borrowing within its permissible limits. Additionally, the Partnership will seek to enhance portfolio returns and maximize cash flow through the use of leveraged lease transactions: the acquisition of lease equipment through debt financing. This strategy allows the General Partner to acquire additional revenue generating leases without the use of investor funds thus maximizing overall return. Through December 31, 2014, the Partnership has acquired approximately $400,000 in equipment, of which approximately $314,000 is leveraged.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements is in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and these differences could be material. Such estimates relate primarily to the determination of residual values at the end of the lease term, the expected future cash flows, and fair value used for impairment analysis purposes and determination of the allowance for doubtful accounts.
Disclosure of Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Estimated fair value was determined by management using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However, judgment was necessary to interpret market data and develop estimated fair value. Cash, receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other liabilities are carried at amounts which reasonably approximate their fair values as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 due to the immediate or short-term nature of these financial instruments.
The Partnership’s long-term debt consists of notes payable, which are secured by specific computer equipment and are nonrecourse liabilities of the Partnership. The estimated fair value of this debt at December 31, 2014 and 2013 approximates the carrying value of these instruments, due to the interest rates on this debt approximating current market values.
The Partnership classifies the fair value of its notes payable within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy based on the observable inputs used to estimate fair value.
Revenue Recognition
Through December 31, 2014, the Partnership’s lease portfolio consisted of operating and finance leases. For operating leases, lease revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis in accordance with the terms of the lease agreements.
Finance lease interest income is recorded over the term of the lease using the effective interest method. For finance leases, we record, at lease inception, unearned finance lease income which is calculated as follows: total lease payments, plus any residual values and initial direct costs, less the cost of the leased equipment.
Upon the end of the lease term, if the lessee has not met the return conditions as set out in the lease, the Partnership is entitled, in certain cases, to additional compensation from the lessee. The Partnership’s accounting policy for recording such payments is to treat them as revenue.
Gain or losses from sales of leased and off lease equipment are recorded on a net basis in the Fund’s condensed Statement of Operations.
Our leases do not contain any step-rent provisions or escalation clauses nor are lease revenues adjusted based on any index.
Other Assets
Equipment acquisition costs and deferred expenses are amortized on a straight-line basis over two-to-four year lives based on the original term of the lease and the loan, respectively. Unamortized acquisition costs and deferred expenses are charged to amortization expense when the associated leased equipment is sold.
Long-Lived Assets
Depreciation on equipment for financial statement purposes is based on the straight-line method estimated generally over useful lives of two to five years. Once an asset comes off lease or is released, the Partnership reassesses the useful life of an asset.
Residual values are determined by management and are calculated using information from both internal and external sources, as well as other economic indicators.
The Partnership evaluates its long-lived assets when events or circumstances indicate that the value of the asset may not be recoverable. The Partnership determines whether impairment exists by estimating the undiscounted cash flows to be generated by each asset. If the estimated undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset then impairment exists. The amount of the impairment is determined based on the difference between the carrying value and the fair value. Fair value is determined based on estimated discounted cash flows to be generated by the asset, third party appraisals or comparable sales of similar assets, as applicable, based on asset type.
Reimbursable Expenses
Reimbursable expenses are comprised of both ongoing operational expenses and fees associated with the allocation of salaries and benefits, referred to as other LP expenses. Reimbursable expenses, which are charged to the Partnership by CCC in connection with the administration and operation of the Partnership, are allocated to the Partnership based upon several factors including, but not limited to, the number of investors, compliance issues, and the number of existing leases. For example, if a partnership has more investors than another program sponsored by CCC, then higher amounts of expenses related to investor services, including mailing and printing costs will be allocated to that partnership. Also, while a partnership is in its offering stage, higher compliance costs are allocated to it than to a program not in its offering stage, as compliance resources are utilized to review incoming investor suitability and proper documentation. Finally, lease related expenses, such as due diligence, correspondence, collection efforts and analysis and staff costs, increase as programs purchase more leases, and decrease as leases terminate and equipment is sold. All of these factors contribute to CCC’s determination as to the amount of expenses to allocate to the Partnership or to other sponsored programs. CCC is not reimbursed for salary and benefit costs of control persons. For the Partnership, all reimbursable items are expensed as they are incurred.
Forgiveness of Related Party Payables
In accordance with ASC Topic 470-50 Debt Modifications and Extinguishments, the Partnership accounts for forgiveness of related party payables as Partners’ capital transactions.
Lease Income Receivable
Lease income receivable includes current lease income receivable net of allowances for uncollectible accounts, if any. The Partnership monitors lease income receivable to ensure timely and accurate payment by lessees. Its Lease Relations department is responsible for monitoring lease income receivable and, as necessary, resolving outstanding invoices. Lease revenue is recognized on a monthly straight-line basis which is in accordance with the terms of the lease agreement.
The Partnership reviews a customer’s credit history before extending credit. When the analysis indicates that the probability of full collection is unlikely, the Partnership may establish an allowance for uncollectible lease income receivable based upon the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends and other information. The Partnership writes off its lease income receivable when it determines that it is uncollectible and all economically sensible means of recovery have been exhausted.
Cash and cash equivalents
At December 31, 2014, cash was held in two bank accounts maintained at one financial institution with an aggregate balance of approximately $122,000. Bank accounts are federally insured up to $250,000 by the FDIC. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the total cash bank balance was as follows:
The Partnership’s bank balances are fully insured by the FDIC. The Partnership deposits its funds with a Moody's Aaa-Rated banking institution which is one of only three Aaa-Rated banks listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The Partnership has not experienced any losses in such accounts, and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk. The amount in such accounts will fluctuate throughout 2015 due to many factors, including cash receipts, interest rates and equipment acquisitions.
Income Taxes
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 701 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Partnership is not subject to federal income taxes. All income and losses of the Partnership are the liability of the individual partners and are allocated to the partners for inclusion in their individual tax returns. The Partnership does not have any entity-level uncertain tax positions. In addition, the Partnership believes its tax status as a pass-through entity would be sustained under U.S. Federal, state or local tax examination. The Partnership files U.S. federal and various state income tax returns and is generally subject to examination by federal, state and local income tax authorities for three years from the filing of a tax return.
Taxable income differs from financial statement net income as a result of reporting certain income and expense items for tax purposes in periods other than those used for financial statement purposes, principally relating to depreciation, amortization, and lease revenue.
Net Loss Per Equivalent Limited Partnership Unit
The net loss per equivalent limited partnership unit is computed based upon net loss allocated to the limited partners and the weighted average number of equivalent units outstanding during the period.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, requires management to determine whether substantial doubt exists regarding the entity’s going concern presumption. If substantial doubt exists but is not alleviated by management’s plans, the footnotes must specifically state that “there is substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the financial statements are issued.” In addition, if substantial doubt exists, regardless of whether such doubt was alleviated, entities must disclose (a) principal conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern (before consideration of management’s plans, if any); (b) management’s evaluation of the significance of those conditions or events in relation to the entity’s ability to meet its obligations; and (c) management’s plans that are intended to mitigate the conditions or events that raise substantial doubt, or that did alleviate substantial doubt, about the entity’s ability to continue as a going
concern. If substantial doubt has not been alleviated, these disclosures should become more extensive in subsequent reporting periods as additional information becomes available. In the period that substantial doubt no longer exists (before or after considering management’s plans), management should disclose how the principal conditions and events that originally gave rise to substantial doubt have been resolved. The ASU applies prospectively to all entities for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and to annual and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The Partnership is currently evaluating the effect that this ASU will have on its financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2014-09), which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing U.S. GAAP. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods therein, using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients, or (ii) a retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of adoption (which includes additional footnote disclosures). The Partnership is currently evaluating the effect that this ASU will have on its financial statements.
In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08 (“ASU Updated 2014-08”), Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This ASU provides guidance on the change in criteria established to enhance the presentation of reporting discontinued operations. The guidance is effective for annual financial statements beginning on or after December 15, 2014 that report discontinued operations or disposals of components of an entity. The Partnership is currently evaluating the effect that this ASU will have on its financial statements.
In March 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-06 (“ASU Updated 2014-06”), Technical Corrections and Improvements Related to Glossary Terms. This ASU provides updates to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification established in September 2009 as the source of authoritative U.S. GAAP recognized by the FASB. The update is effectively immediately upon issuance. The Partnership adopted this ASU during the first quarter of 2014 and there was no material impact on its financial statements.
3. Information Technology, Medical Technology, Telecommunications Technology, Inventory Management Equipment and other Business-Essential Capital Equipment (“Equipment”)
The Partnership is the lessor of equipment under leases with periods that generally will range from 12 to 36 months. In general, associated costs such as repairs and maintenance, insurance and property taxes are paid by the lessee.
Remarketing fees are paid to the leasing companies from which the Partnership purchases leases. These are fees that are earned by the leasing companies when the initial terms of the lease have been met. The General Partner believes that this strategy adds value since it entices the leasing company to remain actively involved with the lessee and encourages potential extensions, remarketing or sale of equipment. This strategy is designed to minimize any conflicts the leasing company may have with a new lessee and may assist in maximizing overall portfolio performance. The remarketing fee is tied into lease performance thresholds and is a factor in the negotiation of the fee. Remarketing fees incurred in connection with lease extensions are accounted for as operating costs. Remarketing fees incurred in connection with the sale of equipment are included in the gain or loss calculations. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Partnership incurred remarketing fees of approximately $0 and $3,000, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, approximately $0 and $19,000 of remarketing fees were paid with cash or netted against receivables due from such parties, respectively.
CCC, on behalf of the Partnership and on behalf of other affiliated partnerships, acquires equipment subject to associated debt obligations and lease agreements and allocates a participation in the cost, debt and lease revenue to the various partnerships based on certain risk factors.
The Partnership’s share of the cost of the equipment in which it participates with other partnerships at December 31, 2014 was approximately $4,808,000 and is included in the Partnership’s equipment on its balance sheet. The total cost of the equipment shared by the Partnership with other partnerships at December 31, 2014 was approximately $12,129,000. The Partnership’s share of the outstanding debt associated with this equipment at December 31, 2014 was approximately $494,000 and is included in the Partnership’s notes payable on its balance sheet. The total outstanding debt related to the equipment shared by the Partnership at December 31, 2014 was approximately $1,433,000.
The Partnership’s share of the cost of the equipment in which it participates with other partnerships at December 31, 2013 was approximately $5,290,000 and is included in the Partnership’s equipment on its balance sheet. The total cost of the equipment shared by the Partnership with other partnerships at December 31, 2013 was approximately $13,546,000. The Partnership’s share of the outstanding debt associated with this equipment at December 31, 2013 was approximately $688,000 and is included in the Partnership’s notes payable on its balance sheet. The total outstanding debt related to the equipment shared by the Partnership at December 31, 2013 was approximately $1,814,000.
As the Partnership and the other programs managed by the General Partner continue to acquire new equipment for the portfolio, opportunities for shared participation are expected to continue. Sharing in the acquisition of a lease portfolio gives the fund an opportunity to acquire additional assets and revenue streams, while allowing the fund to remain diversified and reducing its overall risk with respect to one portfolio.
The following is a schedule of future minimum rentals on non-cancelable leases at December 31, 2014:
Finance Leases
The following lists the components of the net investment in direct financing leases at December 31:
Our finance lease customers operate in various industries, and we have no significant customer concentration in any one industry. We assess credit risk for all of our customers, including those that lease under finance leases. This credit risk is assessed using an internally developed model which incorporates credits scores from third party providers and our own customer risk ratings and is periodically reviewed. Our internal ratings are weighted based on the industry that the customer operates in. Factors taken into consideration when assessing risk includes both general and industry specific qualitative and quantitative metrics. We separately take in to consideration payment history, open lawsuits, liens and judgments. Typically, we will not extend credit to a company that has been in business for less than 5 years or that has filed for bankruptcy within the same period. Our internally based model may classify a company as high risk based on our analysis of their audited financial statements. Additional considerations of high risk may include history of late payments, open lawsuits and liens or judgments. In an effort to mitigate risk, we typically require deposits from those in this category. The following table presents the credit risk profile, by creditworthiness category, of our direct finance lease receivables at December 31, 2014:
As of December 31, 2014 we determined that we did not have a need for an allowance for uncollectible accounts associated with any of our finance leases, as the customer payment histories with us, associated with these leases, has been positive, with no late payments.
The following is a schedule of future minimum rentals on non-cancellable finance leases at December 31, 2014:
The Partnership is scheduled to terminate on February 4, 2017. If the Partnership terminates on February 4, 2017, CCC will assume the rights to the remaining active leases and their related remaining revenue stream through their termination.
During June 2013, CCC, on behalf of the Partnership, negotiated a settlement with a significant lessee related to the buy-out of several operating leases. The Partnership received consideration of approximately $68,000 as a result of the settlement. Through the settlement, the Partnership reduced its lease income receivable by approximately $56,000 including a bad debt recovery of approximately $18,000 during the year ended December 31, 2013. The consideration for the buyout of equipment under operating leases was approximately $12,000 which resulted in a net gain on the sale of equipment that was subject to operating leases of approximately $6,000 during the year ended December 31, 2013.
4. Significant Customers
Lessees equal to or exceeding 10% of lease revenue for the year ended December 31:
Lessees equal to or exceeding 10% of lease income receivable at December 31:
5.
Related Party Transactions
Receivables/Payables
During the year ended December 31, 2014, CCC forgave $35,000 of payables owed to it by the Partnership.
As of December 31, 2014 the Partnership’s related party receivables and payables are short term, unsecured, and non-interest bearing.
During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Partnership recorded a receivable from CCC of approximately $47,000 related to the SEC settlement as disclosed in Note 8. As of December 31, 2014, the receivable was completely satisfied.
6. Notes Payable
Notes payable consisted of the following amounts:
The notes are secured by specific technology equipment with a carrying value of approximately $1,072,000 and are nonrecourse liabilities of the Partnership. As such, the notes do not contain any financial debt covenants with which we must comply on either an annual or quarterly basis. Aggregate payments of notes payable for each of the periods subsequent to December 31, 2014 are as follows:
The Partnership is scheduled to terminate on February 4, 2017. If the Partnership terminates on February 4, 2017, CCC will assume the obligation related to the remaining notes payable through their original term.
7. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Noncash investing and financing activities include the following:
During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Partnership wrote-off fully amortized acquisition and finance fees of approximately $39,000 and $26,000, respectively.
During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Partnership wrote-off fully reserved lease income receivable of approximately $200 and $138,000, respectively.
During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Partnership wrote-off fully depreciated equipment of approximately $78,000 and $1,051,000, respectively.
8. Commitments and Contingencies
Allied Health Care Services
As previously disclosed in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, management wrote off the fully reserved accounts receivable and fully impaired assets related to the lease to Allied Health Care Services, Inc. (“Allied”), due to the bankruptcy of Allied and the criminal conviction of its founder for fraud. There have been no material changes in the status of Allied’s bankruptcy or in the likelihood of recovering available assets since the date of the Partnership’s annual report. The deadline for the bankruptcy trustee to pursue adversary claims against certain creditors has expired, including extensions. The bankruptcy trustee cannot seek to claim the Partnership's payments received from Allied, therefore the Partnership has no exposure to such potential claims. Commonwealth continues to pursue all of our rights against both Allied and Mr. Schwartz to recover any available assets to the greatest extent possible.
SEC Settlement
In August 2012, the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission raised a question with Commonwealth Capital Corp. (“Commonwealth”), the sponsor of our funds, regarding the interpretation and application of the term “control person.” The term affected the scope of the reimbursement to Commonwealth of certain expenses incurred for the funds. The staff was concerned that some investors may not have understood the meaning and methodology used by the funds. Commonwealth worked with the staff to assure that our disclosure was clarified. Commonwealth Income and Growth Fund, Inc., the General Partner of the funds, entered into a settlement with the SEC in September 2013 of approximately $200,000 that is being allocated to several of the Funds. The Partnership’s portion of the settlement is approximately $47,000, which was recorded as a reduction in expenses in the condensed statement of operations during the year ended December 31, 2013 in accordance with the accounting guidance in FASB ASC 605-50. As of September 30, 2014, the receivable was completely satisfied. On October 17, 2014, Commonwealth Capital Corp. received a letter from the Miami Regional Office of the SEC confirming that Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund, Inc. and Kimberly Springsteen-Abbott had satisfied in full the monetary provisions of the Settlement Order entered on September 27, 2013.
FINRA Review
On May 3, 2013, the FINRA Department of Enforcement filed a complaint naming Commonwealth Capital Securities Corp. (“CCSC”) and the owner of the firm, Kimberly Springsteen-Abbott, as respondents; however on October 22, 2013, FINRA filed an amended complaint that dropped the allegations against CCSC and reduced the scope of the allegations against Ms. Springsteen-Abbott. The sole remaining charge was that Ms. Springsteen-Abbott had approved the misallocation of some expenses to certain Funds. Management believes that the expenses at issue include amounts that were proper and that were properly allocated to Funds, and also identified a smaller number of expenses that had been allocated in error, but were adjusted and repaid to the affected Funds when they were identified in 2012. During the period in question, Commonwealth Capital Corp. and Ms. Springsteen-Abbott provided important financial support to the Funds, voluntarily absorbed expenses and voluntarily waived fees in amounts aggregating in excess of any questioned allocations. That Panel ruled on March 30, 2015, that Ms. Springsteen-Abbott should be barred from the securities industry because the Panel concluded that she allegedly misallocated $208,000 of expenses involving certain Funds over the course of three years. Ms. Springsteen-Abbott intends to vigorously challenge the Panel’s decision on appeal. Decisions issued by FINRA's Office of Hearing Officers may be appealed to FINRA's National Adjudicatory Council (NAC) pursuant to FINRA Rule 931. Under NASD Rule 1015, an applicant may file a written request for review of the membership decision with the NAC within 25 days after service of the decision. While a
panel decision is on appeal, the sanction is not enforced against the individual. No adjustments were made to the 2014 financial statements with respect to the Fund’s share of the allegedly misallocated expenses, pending the appeal. Management believes that resolution of the charge will not result in any material adverse financial impact on the Funds, but no assurance can be provided until the FINRA matter is resolved. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Partnership recorded a gain of approximately $50,000 for an insurance recovery under the Partnership’s Officers’ and Directors’ insurance policy related to legal fees incurred in connection with the FINRA matter.
9.
Reconciliation of Amounts Reported for Financial Reporting Purposes to Amounts on the Federal Partnership Return (Unaudited)
The tax bases of the Partnership’s net assets and liabilities vary from the amounts presented in these financial statements at December 31, 2014 and 2013 as follows:
The primary differences between the tax bases of net assets and the amounts recorded in the financial statements are the result of differences in accounting for impairment losses, syndication costs and differences between the depreciation methods used in the financial statements and the Partnership’s tax returns (unaudited).
The “Adjustments - Other” includes financial statement adjustments that will be reflected on the tax return in the subsequent year.
Adjustment or loss on sale of equipment is due to longer useful lives for tax reporting purposes.