Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Revenues [Abstract]
Property revenues	$ 3,732,807	$ 2,960,400
Investment income	7,716,617	2,371,404
Interest Income, Operating	1,244,985	39,345
Other income	250,000	0
Total Revenues	12,944,409	5,371,149
Expenses [Abstract]
Real estate operating (exclusive of items shown below)	2,057,036	1,615,376
Provision for loss on receivables	238,175	238,175
Depreciation and amortization	1,581,376	1,063,767
Interest	1,536,273	1,268,816
General and administrative	970,491	650,579
Total Expenses	6,383,351	4,836,713
Income (loss) from continuing operations	6,561,058	534,436
Income from discontinued operations	1,933,019	235,148
Net income (loss)	8,494,077	769,584
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	172,651	139,152
Net income (loss) - America First Tax Exempt Investors, L.P.	8,321,426	630,432
Net income (loss) allocated to:
General Partner	511,751	8,703
Limited Partners - Unitholders	8,050,634	861,588
Unallocated loss of Consolidated VIEs	(240,959)	(239,859)
Noncontrolling interest	172,651	139,152
Net income (loss)	$ 8,494,077	$ 769,584
Unitholders' interest in net income per unit (basic and diluted):
Income from continuing operations	$ 0.15	$ 0.03
Income from discontinued operations	$ 0.04	$ 0.00
Net income (loss), basic and diluted, per unit	$ 0.19	$ 0.03
Weighted average number of units outstanding, basic and diluted	42,772,928	30,122,928