Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Net income (loss)	$ 2,540,277	$ 3,304,680	$ 13,285,447	$ 13,009,489
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities			3,231,214	52,089,784
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax			2,444,487	(7,821,118)
Net Income (Loss) Allocated to General Partners	310,217	34,731	1,238,647	1,024,350
Net income (loss) allocated to unitholders	2,204,121	3,438,330	12,099,653	12,408,450
Unallocated loss of Consolidated VIEs	26,311	(165,232)	(51,901)	(419,685)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	372	3,149	952	3,626
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Net income (loss)			0	0
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities			3,231,214	52,089,784
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss)	0	0	0	(2,153,764)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax			2,444,487	(7,821,118)
Net Income (Loss) Allocated to General Partners	543,380	222,869	1,240,205	1,601,921
Net income (loss) allocated to unitholders	25,287,287	22,064,015	12,253,903	69,588,017
Unallocated loss of Consolidated VIEs	26,311	(165,232)	(51,901)	(419,685)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(372)	(3,149)	(952)	(3,626)
Comprehensive income - America First Tax Exempt Investors, L.P.	25,856,606	22,118,503	13,441,255	70,766,627
Mortgage revenue bonds [Member] | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities	(20,864,402)	16,179,249	(2,600,295)	52,089,784
Commitments [Member] | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax	$ (2,451,927)	$ (2,634,574)	$ 2,444,487	$ (7,821,118)