A limited partnership (LP) is a type of business entity with two types of partners: general and limited. Limited partners are those who contribute capital to the partnership, but are not part of the day-to-day business. On the other hand, general partners are responsible for managing the business and making executive decisions on behalf of all the partners.

In terms of liability, general partners are those who are responsible for the entire company, this includes obligations and debts incurred by the business. Limited partners, in contrast, are not liable for any debts or obligations beyond the amount of capital they poured into the partnership.

If you are a limited partner looking to get a valuation or eventually sell, here are 5 questions to ask your LP investor experts.

5 Questions to Ask your LP Investor Advisors:

Question 1: I’m not ready to sell my limited partnership interest. Should I still get a valuation? If yes, what are the benefits of seeing a valuation?

Even if you’re not ready to sell your interests, understanding how a limited partnership valuation can give you a current look at the stakes in your business. Whether you’ve got an old valuation or are collecting valuations from various providers, here are some potential benefits of getting a valuation for your LP interests:

Understanding Value

Getting a valuation provides you with a better understanding of the value of your LP interest. This can be useful in making informed investment decisions and in any plans you have for your investment in the future.

Estate Planning

If you’ve been considering settling the details of your estate planning, getting a valuation of your LP interest is one of the things you need to do. Knowing the current value of your LP interest will help you determine the distribution of your assets and ensure that they are to your will.

Negotiation Power

If you are considering selling your LP interest in the near future, getting an accurate valuation gives you negotiation power. You will have a better understanding of the value of your LP interest and can use this information to negotiate a better price.

Benchmarking

A valuation also provides you with a benchmark against which to measure the performance of your LP interest. This can be useful in evaluating your investment performance and making decisions about future investments.

Overall, getting a valuation of your LP interest from a reputable LP investor company is beneficial, even if you’re not ready to sell at this time. It will provide you with a better understanding of your investment.

Question 2: If I decide to sell, what are the benefits of selling my limited partnership?

Selling your limited partnership (LP) can have several potential benefits, including

  • Liquidity: Selling your LP interest can provide you with liquidity, which is useful if you want to diversify your investment. Limited partnership interests are often difficult to sell, however, with the right partner, you should be able to liquidate your LP interests reasonably.
  • Realize Gains: If your LP has performed well, selling your interest provides you with an opportunity to realize any gains on your investment.
  • Exit Strategy: If you’re looking for an effective exit strategy, selling your LP interest is one option. This is particularly useful if you have reached the end of your investment targets, or if you no longer want to be involved in the partnership.

It’s important to note that as there are benefits, there are also potential drawbacks. This leads us to the third question…

Question 3: What are the risks of selling my limited partnership interest?

Here are the potential drawbacks that you should be aware of before deciding to sell your LP equity:

Limited Liquidity

Limited partnerships are considered to be illiquid investments, which means that they are not easily sold. As a result, selling an LP interest may take longer and you may not be able to find a buyer at your desired price. The best course of action to take is to speak with a qualified LP investor advisor who can help you sell your LP interests.

Market Risk

The value of your LP interest could be affected by market conditions, such as changes in interest rates, economic conditions, or market sentiment. If you sell your LP interest during a downturn in the market, there is always the possibility that you may receive less than you expect.

Tax Consequences

Selling your LP interest may have tax consequences, such as capital gains taxes. Carefully consider the tax implications of selling your LP interest with a reliable consultant before making a decision.

It’s a must to speak with an LP investor expert or financial advisor, such as LP Equity, to help you understand the potential risks and benefits of selling your LP interest.

Question 4: How are limited partnerships taxed when sold?

In the previous question, one of the drawbacks was tax consequences. Overall, the tax treatment of a limited partnership (LP) interest sale depends on multiple factors, such as the holding period, the sale price, and your tax status.

Here are some general guidelines regarding the taxation of LP interest sales:

Capital Gains

The sale of an LP interest is considered a capital gain or loss for tax purposes. If the LP interest is held for more than one year, it is considered a long-term capital gain or loss, which is generally taxed at a lower rate than short-term gains or ordinary income. The capital gains tax rate can vary depending on your tax bracket and the amount of gain that you have realized throughout your partnership.

Basis Adjustment

When an LP interest is sold, your tax basis in the investment is adjusted based on the sale price and any income, or losses, that were gained to you during the holding period.

Section 1031 Exchange

In some cases, you might be able to defer the capital gains tax on the sale of an LP interest through a section 1031 exchange, which allows you to reinvest the proceeds in a similar investment without recognizing the gain.

Question 4: What should I look for in a company that can help me sell my LP equity?

If you’ve made the decision to sell your limited partnership (LP) equity, there are several factors to consider when selecting a company to help you with the process. Here are some key things to look for:

Experience and Expertise

Look for a company that has experience in selling LP interests. They should be able to provide you with a range of options and strategies for selling your LP interest to ensure that you are maximizing returns.

Transparency and Communication

Work with a company that is transparent and communicates clearly with you throughout the entire process. You should be able to receive regular updates on the progress of your sale and have those who are responsive to your questions and concerns.

Access to Buyers

We recently mentioned that LP interests are considered illiquid investments and aren’t the easiest to sell. Because of this, you need a good LP sales company with a wide network of potential buyers that includes institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals. This will ensure the sale of your LP interests.

Confidentiality

Naturally, you need a company that practices (and not just preaches) confidentiality. Selling your LP interest may involve sensitive information about the partnership or the business, so it is important to protect your privacy and the interests of the partnership, even if you will be selling your stakes.

About LP Equity LLC

In the past 14 years, LP Equity has been a forerunner in creating secondary markets for otherwise illiquid limited partnership interests. All from direct partnership buyouts to acquiring minority interests, we have been successful in our mission. The principals at LP Equity have over 25 years of industry experience and are experts in complex tax, government, and partnership issues.

If you have a question about selling your LP interests, you can read our partner resources here or contact one of our experts at 910-509-7202 today.