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1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Organization

WNC Housing Tax Credit Fund VI, L.P., Series 9 (the “Partnership”) is a California Limited Partnership formed under the laws of the State of California on July 17, 2001, and commenced operations on August 3, 2001. The Partnership was formed to acquire limited partnership interests in other limited partnerships ("Local Limited Partnerships") which own multi-family housing complexes (“Housing Complexes”) that are eligible for Federal low income housing tax credits (“Low Income Housing Tax Credits”). The local general partners (the “Local General Partners”) of each Local Limited Partnership retain responsibility for maintaining, operating and managing the Housing Complex. Each Local Limited Partnership is governed by its agreement of limited partnership (the “Local Limited Partnership Agreement”).

 

The general partner of the Partnership is WNC & Associates, Inc. (“Associates” or the “General Partner”). The chairman and the president of Associates own all of the outstanding stock of Associates. The business of the Partnership is conducted primarily through the General Partner, as the Partnership has no employees of its own.

 

The Partnership shall continue in full force and effect until December 31, 2062 unless terminated prior to that date pursuant to the partnership agreement or law.

 

The financial statements include only activity relating to the business of the Partnership, and do not give effect to any assets that the partners may have outside of their interests in the Partnership, or to any obligations, including income taxes, of the partners.

 

The partnership agreement authorized the sale of up to 25,000 units of limited partnership interest (“Partnership Units”) at $1,000 per Partnership Unit. The offering of Partnership Units has concluded, with 15,325 Partnership Units representing subscriptions in the amount of $15,316,125, net of dealer discounts of $7,350 and volume discounts of $1,525, being accepted. As of March 31, 2016 and 2015, 15,302 Partnership Units remain outstanding. The General Partner has a 0.1% interest in operating profits and losses, taxable income and losses, cash available for distribution from the Partnership and Low Income Housing Tax Credits of the Partnership. The investors (the “Limited Partners”) in the Partnership will be allocated the remaining 99.9% of these items in proportion to their respective investments.

 

The proceeds from the disposition of any of the Housing Complexes will be used first to pay debts and other obligations per the respective Local Limited Partnership Agreement. Any remaining proceeds will then be paid to the partners of the Local Limited Partnership, including the Partnership, in accordance with the terms of the particular Local Limited Partnership Agreement. The sale of a Housing Complex may be subject to other restrictions and obligations. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that a Local Limited Partnership will be able to sell its Housing Complex. Even if it does so, there can be no assurance that any significant amounts of cash will be distributed to the Partnership. Should such distributions occur, the Limited Partners will be entitled to receive distributions from the proceeds remaining after payment of Partnership obligations and funding reserves, equal to their capital contributions and their return on investment (as defined in the Partnership Agreement). The General Partner would then be entitled to receive proceeds equal to its capital contributions from the remainder. Any additional sale or refinancing proceeds will be distributed 90% to the Limited Partners (in proportion to their respective investments) and 10% to the General Partner.

Risks and Uncertainties

An investment in the Partnership and the Partnership’s investments in Local Limited Partnerships and their Housing Complexes are subject to risks. These risks may impact the tax benefits of an investment in the Partnership, and the amount of proceeds available for distribution to the Limited Partners, if any, on liquidation of the Partnership’s investments. Some of those risks include the following:

 

The Low Income Housing Tax Credits rules are extremely complicated. Noncompliance with these rules results in the loss of future Low Income Housing Tax Credits and the fractional recapture of Low Income Housing Tax Credits already taken. In most cases the annual amount of Low Income Housing Tax Credits that an individual can use is limited to the tax liability due on the person’s last $25,000 of taxable income. The Local Limited Partnerships may be unable to sell the Housing Complexes at a price which would result in the Partnership realizing cash distributions or proceeds from the transaction. Accordingly, the Partnership may be unable to distribute any cash to its Limited Partners. Low Income Housing Tax Credits may be the only benefit from an investment in the Partnership.

 

The Partnership has invested in a limited number of Local Limited Partnerships. Such limited diversity means that the results of operation of each single Housing Complex will have a greater impact on the Partnership. With limited diversity, poor performance of one Housing Complex could impair the Partnership’s ability to satisfy its investment objectives. Each Housing Complex is subject to mortgage indebtedness. If a Local Limited Partnership failed to pay its mortgage, it could lose its Housing Complex in foreclosure. If foreclosure were to occur during the first 15 years (the “Compliance Period”), the loss of any remaining future Low Income Housing Tax Credits, a fractional recapture of prior Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and a loss of the Partnership’s investment in the Housing Complex would occur. The Partnership is a limited partner or non-managing member of each Local Limited Partnership. Accordingly, the Partnership will have very limited rights with respect to management of the Local Limited Partnerships. The Partnership will rely totally on the Local General Partners. Neither the Partnership’s investments in Local Limited Partnerships, nor the Local Limited Partnerships’ investments in Housing Complexes, are readily marketable. To the extent the Housing Complexes receive government financing or operating subsidies, they may be subject to one or more of the following risks: difficulties in obtaining tenants for the Housing Complexes; difficulties in obtaining rent increases; limitations on cash distributions; limitations on sales or refinancing of Housing Complexes; limitations on transfers of interests in Local Limited Partnerships; limitations on removal of Local General Partners; limitations on subsidy programs; and possible changes in applicable regulations. Uninsured casualties could result in loss of property and Low Income Housing Tax Credits and recapture of Low Income Housing Tax Credits previously taken. The value of real estate is subject to risks from fluctuating economic conditions, including employment rates, inflation, tax, environmental, land use and zoning policies, supply and demand of similar properties, and neighborhood conditions, among others.

 

The ability of Limited Partners to claim tax losses from the Partnership is limited. The IRS may audit the Partnership or a Local Limited Partnership and challenge the tax treatment of tax items. The amount of Low Income Housing Tax Credits and tax losses allocable to the Limited Partners could be reduced if the IRS were successful in such a challenge. The alternative minimum tax could reduce tax benefits from an investment in the Partnership. Changes in tax laws could also impact the tax benefits from an investment in the Partnership and/or the value of the Housing Complexes.

 

The Partnership currently has insufficient working capital to fund its operations. Associates has agreed to continue providing advances sufficient enough to fund the operations and working capital requirements of the Partnership through June 30, 2017.

 

No trading market for the Partnership Units exists or is expected to develop. Limited Partners may be unable to sell their Partnership Units except at a discount and should consider their Partnership Units to be a long-term investment. Individual Limited Partners will have no recourse if they disagree with actions authorized by a vote of the majority of Limited Partners.

Exit Strategy

The Compliance Period for a Housing Complex is generally 15 years following construction or rehabilitation completion. Associates was one of the first in the industry to offer syndicated investments in Low Income Housing Tax Credits. The initial programs have completed their Compliance Periods.

 

Upon the sale of a Local Limited Partnership Interest or Housing Complex after the end of the Compliance Period, there would be no recapture of Low Income Housing Tax Credits. A sale prior to the end of the Compliance Period could result in recapture if certain conditions are not met. None of the remaining Housing Complexes has completed its Compliance Period as of March 31, 2016.

 

With that in mind, the General Partner is continuing its review of the Housing Complexes. The review considers many factors, including extended use requirements (such as those due to mortgage restrictions or state compliance agreements), the condition of the Housing Complexes, Partnership cash flow, and the tax consequences to the Limited Partners from the sale of the Housing Complexes.

 

Upon identifying those Housing Complexes with the highest potential for a successful sale, refinancing or re-syndication, the Partnership expects to proceed with efforts to liquidate them or the applicable Local Limited Partnership Interests. The objective is to wind down the Partnership after Low Income Housing Tax Credits are no longer available. Local Limited Partnership Interests may be disposed of at any time by the General Partner in its discretion. While liquidation of the Housing Complexes continues to be evaluated, the dissolution of the Partnership was not imminent as of March 31, 2016.

 

The proceeds from the disposition of any Housing Complex will be used first to pay debts and other obligations per the applicable Local Limited Partnership Agreement. Any remaining proceeds will then be paid to the partners of the Local Limited Partnership, including the Partnership, in accordance with the terms of the applicable Local Limited Partnership Agreement. The sale of a Housing Complex may be subject to other restrictions and obligations. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that a Local Limited Partnership will be able to sell its Housing Complex. Even if it does so, there can be no assurance that any amounts of cash will be distributed to the Limited Partners, as the proceeds first would be used to pay Partnership obligations and to fund of reserves. Similarly, there can be no assurance that the Partnership will be able to sell its Local Limited Partnership Interests, or that cash therefrom would be available for distribution to the Limited Partners.

 

During the year ended March 31, 2016, the Partnership sold its Local Limited Partnership interest in Mendota I, L.P. (“Mendota”) an Illinois Limited Partnership, which includes three Housing Complexes. The three Housing Complexes were appraised for a total of $2,140,000. The mortgage note balance was $2,493,059 as of December 31, 2014. The Partnership received $60,000 in cash proceeds, of which $12,000 was used to reimburse the General Partner or affiliates for expenses paid on its behalf and $48,000 was placed in the Partnership’s reserves for future operating expenses. The Partnership incurred $9,950 in sales related expenses which were netted against the sale proceeds to calculate the gain on sale. The Partnership’s investment balance is zero; therefore a gain of $50,050 was recorded during the period. The Compliance Period for Mendota expires December 31, 2016. The purchaser has guaranteed that the Local Limited Partnership will stay in compliance with the Low Income Housing Tax Credits code; therefore there is no risk of recapture to the investors of the Partnership.

 

During the year ended March 31, 2016, the Partnership sold its Local Limited Partnership interest in Villas of Palm L.P. (“Villas of Palm”). Villas of Palm was appraised for $1,335,000. The mortgage note balance was $520,185 as of December 31, 2014. The Partnership received $120,000 in cash proceeds, of which $47,908 was used to reimburse the General Partner or affiliates for expenses paid on its behalf and $72,092 was placed in the Partnership’s reserves for future operating expenses. The Partnership incurred $1,350 in sales related expenses, which were netted against the sale proceeds to calculate the gain on sale. The Partnership’s investment balance is zero; therefore a gain of $118,650 was recorded during the period. The Compliance Period has been completed therefore there is no risk of recapture.

 

During the year ended March 31, 2016, the Partnership sold its Local Limited Partnership interest in Preservation Partners III Limited Partnership (“Preservation Partners III”). Preservation Partners III was appraised for $230,000. The mortgage note balance was $688,548 as of December 31, 2014. The Partnership received $5,000 in cash proceeds, which was placed in the Partnership’s reserves for future operating expenses. The Partnership incurred $2,225 in sales related expenses, which were netted against the sale proceeds to calculate the gain on sale. The Partnership’s investment balance is zero; therefore a gain of $2,775 was recorded during the period. The Compliance Period for Preservation Partners III expires in 2016. The respective purchasers have guaranteed that the Local Limited Partnership will stay in compliance with the Low Income Housing Tax Credit code; therefore there is no risk of recapture to the investors of the Partnership.

 

During the year ended March 31, 2016, the Partnership sold its Local Limited Partnership interest in Calico Terrace Limited Partnership (“Calico Terrace”). Calico Terrace was appraised for $420,000. The mortgage note balance was $1,315,046 as of December 31, 2014. The Partnership received $21,970 in cash proceeds. The Partnership will use the cash proceeds to reimburse the General Partner or an affiliate for expenses paid on its behalf or pay accrued asset management fees. Any remaining proceeds will be placed in the Partnership’s reserves for future operating expenses. No distributions will be made to the Limited Partners. The Partnership incurred $4,600 in sales related expenses, which were netted against the sale proceeds to calculate the gain on sale. The Partnership’s investment balance is zero; therefore a gain of $17,370 was recorded during the period. The Compliance Period for Calico Terrace expires in 2017. The respective purchasers have guaranteed that the Local Limited Partnership will stay in compliance with the Low Income Housing Tax Credit code; therefore there is no risk of recapture to the investors of the Partnership.

Method of Accounting for Investments in Local Limited Partnerships

The Partnership accounts for its investments in Local Limited Partnerships using the equity method of accounting, whereby the Partnership adjusts its investment balance for its share of the Local Limited Partnerships’ results of operations and for any contributions made and distributions received. The Partnership reviews the carrying amount of an individual investment in a Local Limited Partnership for possible impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such investment may not be recoverable. Recoverability of such investment is measured by the estimated value derived by management, generally consisting of the sum of the remaining future Low Income Housing Tax Credits estimated to be allocable to the Partnership and the estimated residual value to the Partnership. If an investment is considered to be impaired, the Partnership reduces the carrying value of its investment in any such Local Limited Partnership. The accounting policies of the Local Limited Partnerships, generally, are expected to be consistent with those of the Partnership. Costs incurred by the Partnership in acquiring the investments are capitalized as part of the investment account and were being amortized over 30 years (See Notes 2 and 3).

 

“Equity in losses of Local Limited Partnerships” for each year ended March 31 has been recorded by the Partnership based on the twelve months of reported results provided by the Local Limited Partnerships for each year ended December 31. Equity in losses from the Local Limited Partnerships allocated to the Partnership is not recognized to the extent that the investment balance would be adjusted below zero. If the Local Limited Partnerships report net income in future years, the Partnership will resume applying the equity method only after its share of such net income equals the share of net losses not recognized during the period(s) the equity method was suspended.

 

Distributions received from the Local General Partners are accounted for as a reduction of the investment balance. Distributions received after the investment has reached zero are recognized as distribution income. As of March 31, 2016 and 2015, all of the investment balances in Local Limited Partnerships had reached zero.

 

In accordance with the accounting guidance for the consolidation of variable interest entities, the Partnership determines when it should include the assets, liabilities, and activities of a variable interest entity (VIE) in its financial statements, and when it should disclose information about its relationship with a VIE. The analysis that must be performed to determine which entity should consolidate a VIE focuses on control and economic factors. A VIE is a legal structure used to conduct activities or hold assets, which must be consolidated by a company if it is the primary beneficiary because it has (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. If multiple unrelated parties share such power, as defined, no party will be required to consolidate the VIE. Further, the guidance requires continual reconsideration of the primary beneficiary of a VIE.

 

Based on this guidance, the Local Limited Partnerships in which the Partnership invests meet the definition of a VIE because the owners of the equity at risk in these entities do not have the power to direct their operations. However, management does not consolidate the Partnership's interests in these VIEs, as it is not considered to be the primary beneficiary since it does not have the power to direct the activities that are considered most significant to the economic performance of these entities. The Partnership currently records the amount of its investment in these Local Limited Partnerships as an asset on its balance sheets, recognizes its share of partnership income or losses in the statements of operations, and discloses how it accounts for material types of these investments in its financial statements. The Partnership's balance in investment in Local Limited Partnerships, plus the risk of recapture of tax credits previously recognized on these investments, represents its maximum exposure to loss. The Partnership's exposure to loss on these Local Limited Partnerships is mitigated by the condition and financial performance of the underlying Housing Complexes as well as the strength of the Local General Partners and their guarantee against credit recapture to the investors in the Partnership.

 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Partnership considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. As of March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, the Partnership had $160,310 and $28,458 in cash and cash equivalents.

 

Reporting Comprehensive Income

The Partnership had no items of other comprehensive income for all periods presented.

Net Income (Loss) Per Partnership Unit

Net income (loss) per Partnership Unit includes no dilution and is computed by dividing income (loss) allocated to Limited Partners by the weighted average Partnership Units outstanding during the period. Calculation of diluted net income (loss) per Partnership Unit is not required.

Income Taxes

The Partnership has elected to be treated as a pass-through entity for income tax purposes and, as such, is not subject to income taxes. Rather, all items of taxable income, deductions and tax credits are passed through to and are reported by its owners on their respective income tax returns. The Partnership’s federal tax status as a pass-through entity is based on its legal status as a partnership. Accordingly, the Partnership is not required to take any tax positions in order to qualify as a pass-through entity. The Partnership is required to file and does file tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service and other taxing authorities. Accordingly, these financial statements do not reflect a provision for income taxes and the Partnership has no other tax positions which must be considered for disclosure. Income tax returns filed by the Partnership are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years. While no income tax returns are currently being examined by the Internal Revenue Service, tax years since 2012 remain open.

Revenue Recognition

The Partnership is entitled to receive reporting fees from the Local Limited Partnerships. The intent of the reporting fees is to offset (in part) administrative costs incurred by the Partnership in corresponding with the Local Limited Partnerships. Due to the uncertainty of the collection of these fees, the Partnership recognizes reporting fees as collections are made.

Amortization

Acquisition fees and costs were being amortized over 30 years using the straight-line method. As of March 31, 2014, the acquisition fees and costs have been fully amortized or impaired.

Impairment

The Partnership reviews its investments in Local Limited Partnerships for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such investments may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the investment to the sum of the total amount of the remaining Low Income Housing Tax Credits allocated to the Partnership and any estimated residual value of the investment. For the years ended March 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, impairment loss related to investments in Local Limited Partnerships was $0, $0 and $146,238, respectively.

Correction of immaterial error

In connection with the preparation of the financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2016, the Partnership identified an immaterial error related to the allocation of losses between the general partner and limited partners. The accounting error resulted in March 31, 2015 ending equity for the general partner being understated and ending equity for the limited partners being overstated by $41,543. The Partnership reviewed the accounting error and determined the impact of the error to be immaterial to the prior year presentation. The accompanying 2015 financial statements reflect the correction for the aforementioned immaterial error.

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an amendment to the accounting and disclosure requirements for investments in qualified affordable housing projects. The amendments provide guidance on accounting for investments by a reporting entity in flow-through limited liability entities that manage or invest in affordable housing projects that qualify for the low-income housing tax credit. The amendments permit reporting entities to make an accounting policy election to account for their investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. Under the proportional amortization method, an entity amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received, and recognizes the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense (benefit). The amendments are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this update did not materially affect the Partnership's financial statements.

 

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis”. This will improve certain areas of consolidation guidance for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether to consolidate certain legal entities such as limited partnerships, limited liability corporations and securitization structures. ASU 2015-02 simplifies and improves GAAP by: eliminating the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, eliminating the indefinite deferral of FASB Statement No. 167, thereby reducing the number of Variable Interest Entity (VIE) consolidation models from four to two (including the limited partnership consolidation model) and clarifying when fees paid to a decision maker should be a factor to include in the consolidation of VIEs. ASU 2015-02 will be effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Partnership is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this guidance on its financial statements.