Property loan receivable, gross - Amount before allowance of loans held in portfolio. Includes principal only.

No definition available.

Name:	atax_PropertyLoanReceivableGross
Namespace Prefix:	atax_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Long-Term advances receivable from a party that is affiliated with the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership. This does not include advances to clients.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 946

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.6-04.2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6488278&loc=d3e603758-122996

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6812-107765

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 2

-Article 6

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AdvancesToAffiliate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The increase (decrease) during the reporting period of the sum of amounts due within one year (or one business cycle) from customers for the credit sale of goods and services; and from note holders for outstanding loans.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsAndNotesReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount after allowance and deduction of deferred interest and fees, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts, of loans and leases held in portfolio, including but not limited to, commercial and consumer loans. Includes loans held for sale. Excludes loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph a

-Article 9

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansReceivableNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of units in a real estate property owned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfUnitsInRealEstateProperty
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the sale of debt and equity securities classified as available-for-sale securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 11

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6871852&loc=d3e26853-111562

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-Subparagraph (a),(b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of expense related to loss from loan transactions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 11

-Article 9

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.11)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLossesExpensed
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	dei_EntityByLocationAxis=atax_AshleySquareMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_EntityByLocationAxis=atax_AvistarPortfolioMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_EntityByLocationAxis=atax_AvistarPortolio2Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_EntityByLocationAxis=atax_CrossCreekMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_EntityByLocationAxis=atax_FoundationforAffordableHousingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_EntityByLocationAxis=atax_OhioPropertiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_EntityByLocationAxis=atax_VantageatHarlingenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Other Assets Narrative Tagging (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Other Assets Narrative Tagging (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Provision for Loan Losses Expensed	$ 0us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLossesExpensed		$ 75,000us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLossesExpensed
Loans Payable	16,125,051us-gaap_LoansReceivableNet		15,990,439us-gaap_LoansReceivableNet
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities	0	18,744,294
Property loans receivable	22,230,852atax_PropertyLoanReceivableGross		22,191,515atax_PropertyLoanReceivableGross
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts and Notes Receivable	(39,337)	0
Foundation for Affordable Housing [Member]
Loans Payable	1,542,391		1,562,288
Property loans receivable	1,542,391		1,560,553	1,603,083
Number of Units in Real Estate Property	96
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts and Notes Receivable	18,000
Vantage at Harlingen [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.00%
Avistar Portolio-2 [Member]
Loans Payable	274,721		266,719
Property loans receivable	251,622		251,622
Avistar Portfolio [Member]
Loans Payable	299,695		290,966
Property loans receivable	274,496		274,496
Cross Creek [Member]
Provision for Loan Losses Expensed			75,000
Loans Payable	3,586,115		3,528,615
Property loans receivable	7,033,587		6,976,087
Advances to Affiliate	57,500	42,000
Ohio Properties [Member]
Loans Payable	3,026,509		2,976,659
Property loans receivable	2,390,446		2,390,447
Advances to Affiliate		29,000
Ashley Square [Member]
Loans Payable	1,482,000		1,482,000
Property loans receivable	$ 5,078,342		$ 5,078,342