Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Net income (loss)	$ 8,494,077	$ 769,584
Net Income (Loss) Allocated to General Partners	511,751	8,703
Net income (loss) allocated to unitholders	8,050,634	861,588
Unallocated loss of Consolidated VIEs	(240,959)	(239,859)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	172,651	139,152
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Net income (loss)	0	0
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities	(2,800,619)	2,847,607
Net Income (Loss) Allocated to General Partners	539,757	37,179
Net income (loss) allocated to unitholders	10,823,247	3,680,719
Unallocated loss of Consolidated VIEs	(240,959)	(239,859)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(172,651)	(139,152)
Comprehensive income - America First Tax Exempt Investors, L.P.	$ 11,294,696	$ 3,617,191