Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues [Abstract]
Property revenues									$ 12,654,530	$ 10,976,250	$ 9,106,667
Investment income									11,078,467	9,497,281	6,881,314
Gain on sale and retirement of bonds									680,444	445,257	0
Other interest income									150,882	485,679	455,622
Other income									555,328	294,328	0
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt									0	0	435,395
Total Revenues	7,579,754	6,312,905	5,855,843	5,371,149	5,771,883	5,660,808	5,377,202	4,888,902	25,119,651	21,698,795	16,878,998
Expenses [Abstract]
Real estate operating (exclusive of items shown below)									7,877,931	6,758,707	6,060,676
Provision for loss on receivables									452,700	952,700	0
Provision for loan loss									0	4,242,571	562,385
Asset impairment charge - Weatherford									0	0	2,528,852
Depreciation and amortization									4,982,030	3,963,502	3,590,151
Interest									5,530,995	5,441,700	1,887,823
General and administrative									3,512,233	2,764,970	2,383,784
Total Expenses									22,355,889	24,124,150	17,013,671
Loss from continuing operations	1,230,959	821,702	176,664	534,437	(3,311,955)	97,207	(307,483)	1,096,876	2,763,762	(2,425,355)	(134,673)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	218,563	1,526,964	251,601	235,148	110,948	180,214	186,671	274,359	2,232,276	752,192	(469,518)
Net (loss) income									4,996,038	(1,673,163)	(604,191)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest									549,194	570,759	(203,831)
Net (loss) income - America First Tax Exempt Investors, L.P.	1,298,797	2,211,567	306,048	630,432	(3,321,900)	132,052	(243,248)	1,189,174	4,446,844	(2,243,922)	(400,360)
Net income (loss) allocated to:
General Partner									691,312	152,359	28,532
Limited Partners - Unitholders									5,278,378	(1,106,742)	2,037,368
Unallocated gain (loss) of Consolidated Property VIEs									(1,522,846)	(1,289,539)	(2,466,260)
Noncontrolling interest									$ 549,194	$ 570,759	$ (203,831)
Unitholders' interest in net (loss) income per unit (basic and diluted):
(Loss) income from continuing operations	$ 0.04	$ 0.03	$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ (0.10)	$ 0.01	$ (0.01)	$ 0.04	$ 0.09	$ (0.06)	$ 0.09
Income from discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.03	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.05	$ 0.02	$ (0.02)
Net (loss) income, basic and diluted, per unit	$ 0.04	$ 0.06	$ 0.01	$ 0.03	$ (0.10)	$ 0.01	$ 0	$ 0.05	$ 0.14	$ (0.04)	$ 0.07
Weighted average number of units outstanding, basic and diluted									37,367,600	30,122,928	27,493,449