Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues [Abstract]
Property revenues									$ 16,110,740	$ 12,654,530	$ 10,976,250
Investment income									22,651,622	11,078,467	9,187,291
Contingent Interest Income									6,497,160	0	309,990
Interest Income, Operating									1,772,338	150,882	485,679
Gain on sale and retirement of bonds									0	680,444	445,257
Other income									250,000	555,328	294,328
Total Revenues	9,432,691	9,764,177	15,140,583	12,944,409	7,579,754	6,312,905	5,855,843	5,371,149	47,281,860	25,119,651	21,698,795
Expenses [Abstract]
Real estate operating (exclusive of items shown below)									9,574,822	7,877,931	6,758,707
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve, Amt									4,557,741	0	0
Provision for loan loss									168,000	0	4,242,571
Provision for Loan and Lease Losses									241,698	452,700	952,700
Depreciation and amortization									6,732,580	4,982,030	3,963,502
Interest expense									7,235,336	5,530,995	5,441,700
General and administrative									4,237,245	3,512,233	2,764,970
Total Expenses									32,747,422	22,355,889	24,124,150
Loss from continuing operations	2,025,413	2,008,848	3,939,119	6,561,058	1,230,959	821,702	176,664	534,437	14,534,438	2,763,762	(2,425,355)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	0	1,342,498	166,887	1,933,019	218,563	1,526,964	251,601	235,148	3,442,404	2,232,276	752,192
Net (loss) income									17,976,842	4,996,038	(1,673,163)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest									261,923	549,194	570,759
Net (loss) income - America First Tax Exempt Investors, L.P.	2,027,074	3,411,259	3,955,160	8,321,426	1,298,797	2,211,567	306,048	630,432	17,714,919	4,446,844	(2,243,922)
Net income (loss) allocated to:
General Partner									1,416,296	691,312	152,359
Limited Partners - Unitholders									17,414,885	5,278,378	(1,106,742)
Unallocated gain (loss) of Consolidated Property VIEs									(1,116,262)	(1,522,846)	(1,289,539)
Noncontrolling interest									$ 261,923	$ 549,194	$ 570,759
Unitholders' interest in net (loss) income per unit (basic and diluted):
(Loss) income from continuing operations	$ 0.04	$ 0.05	$ 0.08	$ 0.15	$ 0.04	$ 0.03	$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ 0.32	$ 0.09	$ (0.06)
Income from discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.03	$ 0.01	$ 0.04	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.08	$ 0.05	$ 0.02
Net (loss) income, basic and diluted, per unit	$ 0.04	$ 0.08	$ 0.09	$ 0.19	$ 0.04	$ 0.06	$ 0	$ 0.03	$ 0.40	$ 0.14	$ (0.04)
Weighted average number of units outstanding, basic and diluted									43,453,476	37,367,600	30,122,928