Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund V (CIGF5) 10-K2019 FY Annual report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

Commission File Number: 333-108057

 

COMMONWEALTH INCOME & GROWTH FUND V

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

(Registrant’s telephone number including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

(Title of Class)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of "accelerated filer, “large accelerated filer" and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

 

 

 

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter: N/A

 

Documents incorporated by reference: None

  

Forward-Looking Statements

 

From time to time, we and our representatives may provide information, whether orally or in writing, including certain statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which are deemed to be “forward-looking.” These forward-looking statements reflect our current beliefs and expectations with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors outside our control that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.

 

The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “should” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected or intended or using other similar expressions. We do not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

 

We are making investors aware that such forward-looking statements, because they relate to future events, are by their very nature subject to many important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, any exhibits to this Form 10-K and other public statements we make. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the outcome of litigation and regulatory proceedings to which we may be a party; actions of competitors; changes and developments affecting our industry; quarterly or cyclical variations in financial results; development of new products and services; interest rates and cost of borrowing; our ability to maintain and improve cost efficiency of operations; changes in foreign currency exchange rates; changes in economic conditions, political conditions, trade protection measures, licensing requirements and tax matters in the foreign countries in which we do business; reliance on third parties for manufacturing of products and provision of services; and other factors that are set forth in the “Legal Proceedings” section, the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section and other sections of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

PART I

 

ITEM 1: BUSINESS

 

GENERAL

 

Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund V (the “Partnership” or “CIGF5”) was formed on May 19, 2003 under the Pennsylvania Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act. The Partnership offered for sale up to 1,250,000 units of the limited partnership at the purchase price of $20 per unit (the “Offering”). The Partnership raised the minimum capital required ($1,150,000) and commenced operations on March 14, 2005. The Partnership terminated its offering of units on February 24, 2006 with 1,249,951 units ($24,957,862, net of transactions costs of $41,158) sold.

 

The Partnership’s General Partner is Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund, Inc. (the “General Partner”), a Pennsylvania corporation which is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Commonwealth Capital Corp. (“CCC”). Approximately ten years after the commencement of operations (the “operational phase”), the Partnership originally intended to sell or otherwise dispose of all of its equipment; make final distributions to partners, and to dissolve. The Partnership was originally scheduled to end its operational phase on February 4, 2017. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the operational phase was officially extended to December 31, 2020 through an investor proxy vote. The Partnership is expected to terminate on December 31, 2022.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, limited partners did not redeem any units of the partnership. 

See “The Glossary” below for the definition of selected terms not otherwise defined in the text of this report.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES

 

The Partnership was formed for the purpose of acquiring various types of equipment, including computer Information Technology and other similar capital equipment. The Partnership utilized the net proceeds of the offering to purchase information technology and other similar capital equipment. The Partnership has utilized retained proceeds and debt financing (not in excess of 30% of the aggregate cost of the equipment owned or subject to conditional sales contracts by the Partnership at the time the debt is incurred) to purchase additional equipment. The Partnership acquires and leases equipment principally to U.S. corporations and other institutions pursuant to operating leases. The Partnership retains the flexibility to enter into full payout net leases and conditional sales contracts, but has not done so.

 

The Partnership’s principal investment objectives are to:

 

(a) acquire, lease and sell equipment to generate revenues from operations sufficient to provide annual cash distributions to Limited Partners;

 

(b) preserve and protect Limited Partners’ capital;

 

(c) use a portion of cash flow and net disposition proceeds derived from the sale, refinancing or other disposition of equipment to purchase additional equipment; and

 

(d) refinance, sell or otherwise dispose of equipment in a manner that will maximize the proceeds to the Partnership.

 

THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT ANY OF THESE OBJECTIVES WILL BE ATTAINED

 

Limited Partners do not have the right to vote on or otherwise approve or disapprove any particular investment to be made by the Partnership.

 

Although the Partnership generally acquires new equipment, the Partnership may purchase used equipment. Generally, equipment is acquired from manufacturers, distributors, leasing companies, agents, owner-users, owner-lessors, and other suppliers upon terms that vary depending upon the equipment and supplier involved. Manufacturers and distributors usually furnish a limited warranty against defects in material and workmanship and some purchase agreements for equipment provide for service and replacement of parts during a limited period. Equipment purchases are also made through lease brokers and on an ad hoc basis to meet the needs of a particular lessee.

 

As of December 31, 2019, all equipment purchased by the Partnership is subject to an operating lease or a finance lease. The Partnership may also engage in sale/leaseback transactions, pursuant to which the Partnership would purchase equipment from companies that would then immediately lease the equipment from the Partnership. The Partnership may also purchase equipment which is leased under full payout net leases or sold under conditional sales contracts at the time of acquisition or the Partnership may enter into a full payout net lease or conditional sales contract with a third party when the Partnership acquires an item of equipment.

 

The Partnership may enter into arrangements with one or more manufacturers pursuant to which the Partnership purchases equipment that has previously been leased directly by the manufacturer to third parties (“vendor leasing agreements”). The Partnership and manufacturers may agree to obtain nonrecourse loans to the Partnership from the manufacturers, to finance the acquisition of equipment. Such loans would be secured only by the specific equipment financed and the receivables due to the manufacturers from users of such equipment. It is expected that the manufacturers of equipment will provide maintenance, remarketing and other services for the equipment subject to such agreements. As of December 31, 2019, the Partnership has not entered into any such agreements.

 

The General Partner has the discretion, consistent with its fiduciary duty, to change the investment objectives of the Partnership if it determines that such a change is in the best interest of the Limited Partners and so long as such a change is consistent with the Partnership Agreement. The General Partner will notify the Limited Partners if it makes such a determination to change the Partnership’s investment objectives.

TYPES OF EQUIPMENT

 

The Partnership invests in various types of equipment subject to leases. Our investment objective is to acquire primarily high technology equipment including, but not limited to: servers, desktops, laptops, workstations, printers, copiers, and storage devices. Our General Partner believes that dealing in high technology equipment is particularly advantageous due to a robust aftermarket. Information technology has developed rapidly in recent years and is expected to continue to do so. Technological advances have permitted reductions in the cost of computer processing capacity, speed, and utility. In the future, the rate and nature of equipment development may cause equipment to become obsolete more rapidly.

 

We also acquire high technology medical, telecommunications, and inventory management equipment. Our General Partner will seek to maintain an appropriate balance and diversity in the types of equipment acquired. The medical equipment we acquire may consist of ventilators, IV infusion pumps, long-term acute care beds, CT scanners, MRIs, flow cytometers, and other medical technology devices. The telecom equipment we acquire may include Cisco switches, routers, blade switches, wireless access points, and video conferencing systems. The market for high technology medical equipment is growing each year. Generally, this type of equipment will have a longer useful life than information technology equipment. This allows for increased re-marketability, if it is returned before its economic or announcement cycle is depleted.

 

 

DIVERSIFICATION

 

Diversification is generally desirable to minimize the effects of changes in specific industries, local economic conditions or similar risks. However, the extent of the Partnership’s diversification, in the aggregate and within each category of equipment, depends in part upon the financing which can be assumed by the Partnership or borrowed from third parties on satisfactory terms. The Partnership’s policy not to borrow on a recourse basis will further limit its financing options. Diversification also depends on the availability of various types of equipment. Through December 31, 2019, the Partnership has acquired a diversified equipment portfolio, which it has leased to different companies located throughout the United States.

The equipment types comprising the portfolio at December 31, 2019 are as follows:

 

 

During the operational stage of the Partnership, the Partnership may not at any one point in time lease (or sell pursuant to a conditional sales contract) more than 25% of the equipment to a single person or affiliated group of persons.

DESCRIPTION OF LEASES

 

Leases are classified as either sales-type, direct finance or operating at the inception of the lease, with classification affecting pattern of revenue recognition in the statements of operations. The Partnership’s direct finance and sales-type leases are accounted for as net investment in finance leases; no significant changes have been made for the accounting of such leases upon the adoption of ASC Topic 842, Leases (“Topic 842”) on January 1, 2019.

The Partnership lease transactions are principally accounted for under Topic 842 on January 1, 2019. Prior to Topic 842, the Partnership accounted for these transactions under Topic 840, Leases (“Topic 840”). Lease revenue includes revenue generated from leasing equipment to customers, including re-rent revenue, and is recognized as either on a straight line basis or using the effective interest method over the length of the lease contract, if such lease is either an operating lease or finance lease, respectively.

The Partnership’s sale of equipment along with certain services provided to customers is recognized under ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, (“Topic 606”), which was adopted on January 1, 2018. Prior to adoption of Topic 606, the Partnership recognized these transactions under ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognized, and (“Topic 605”). The Partnership recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control over a product or service to a customer. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration the Partnership expects to be entitled to in exchange for such products or services.

The Partnership generally purchases only equipment that is subject to a lease or for which a lease or similar agreement will be entered into contemporaneously with the consummation of the Partnership’s acquisition of the equipment. The General Partner leases the equipment purchased by the Partnership to third parties pursuant to operating leases. Types of leases which the General Partner may enter into are operating leases, finance leases, and conditional sales contracts:

 

 

 

In general, the terms of the Partnership’s leases, whether the equipment is leased pursuant to an operating lease or a finance lease, depend upon a variety of factors, including: the desirability of each type of lease from both an investment and a tax point of view; the relative demand among lessees for operating or full payout leases; the type and use of equipment and its anticipated residual value; the business of the lessee and its credit rating; the availability and cost of financing; regulatory considerations; the accounting treatment of the lease sought by the lessee or the Partnership; and competitive factors.

 

An operating lease generally represents a greater risk to the Partnership than a finance lease, because in order to recover the purchase price of the subject equipment and earn a return on such investment, it is necessary to renew or extend the operating lease, lease the equipment to a third party at the end of the original lease term, or sell the equipment. On the other hand, the term of an operating lease is generally much shorter than the term of a finance lease, and the lessor is thus afforded an opportunity under an operating lease to re-lease or sell the subject equipment at an earlier stage of the equipment’s life cycle than under a finance lease. Also, the annual rental payments received under an operating lease are ordinarily higher than those received under a finance lease.

The Partnership’s policy is to generally enter into “triple net leases” which typically provide that the lessee or some other party bear the risk of physical loss of the equipment; pay taxes relating to the lease or use of the equipment; maintain the equipment; indemnify the Partnership-lessor against any liability suffered by the Partnership as the result of any act or omission of the lessee or its agents; maintain casualty insurance in an amount equal to the greater of the full value of the equipment and a specified amount set forth in the lease; and maintain liability insurance naming the Partnership as an additional insured with a minimum coverage which the General Partner deems appropriate. In addition, the Partnership may purchase “umbrella” insurance policies to cover excess liability and casualty losses, to the extent deemed practicable and advisable by the General Partner. As of December 31, 2019, all leases that have been entered into are “triple net leases”.

 

The terms and conditions of the Partnership’s leases are each determined by negotiation and may impose substantial obligations upon the Partnership. Where the Partnership assumes maintenance or service obligations, the General Partner generally causes the Partnership to enter into separate maintenance or service agreements with manufacturers or certified maintenance organizations to provide such services. Such agreements generally require annual or more frequent adjustment of service fees. As of December 31, 2019, the Partnership has not entered into any such agreements.

Investment Criteria

 

When evaluating potential lease transactions in which we will invest, the general partner and CCC’s management team performs a detailed credit and risk analysis of both the lessee and the lease transaction itself. The risk of doing business with the potential lessee and the economics of each particular transaction must both be acceptable to our portfolio management team and to the CEO of the General Partner, who specifically approves each and every lease transaction. Some of the criteria we evaluate are described below:

 

 

The management team will perform a credit analysis (including a review of the financial statements, credit history and public debt record) of all potential lessees to determine the lessee’s ability to make payments under the lease. We focus our investments in investment grade to middle market credits meeting our minimum acceptable fundamental analysis criteria. These criteria involve an overall fundamental assessment of the lessee, and application of our own proprietary “rating” model that is tailored to specific economic criteria that are important to us. In addition to preparing a detailed credit-write up at the time of initiation of a transaction, we also re-evaluate a lessee’s credit risk on a monthly basis, and may review interim and annual lessee financial statements.

 

Generally, we seek lessees that have annual revenue of at least $10 million, have positive cash flow, and are not start-up entities, i.e., have been in business for at least five years. We will also apply a proprietary debt rating analysis when a Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s rating is not available. This allows us to create an equivalent, internal rating system without reliance solely on third-party models and analysis.

 

 

As described above under “Description of Leases,” we prefer our lease investments to have a term of 12 to 36 months, and will not invest in a lease greater than 48 months. We engage in “Fair Market Value” lease transactions, which permit the lessee to purchase the equipment at the end of term for no less than the then fair market value of the equipment. We seek to limit or avoid leases that allow for early buyouts or terminations, as these arrangements reduce the predictability of our returns.

 

Our focus is on Tier 1 (Tier 1 is defined as a large and well-known vendor, often enjoying national or international recognition and acceptance. Tier 1 vendors may be both manufacturers and value-added resellers) information technology, telecommunications, and medical technology equipment, leased in transactions generally ranging in size from $50,000 to $1,000,000. We will consider larger transactions, but for diversification purposes will require such transactions to be divided among multiple lease schedules, and the general partner may even assign a portion of such larger transactions to other affiliated funds to further spread the risk involved in larger transactions. Also, where the equipment type and economic analytics are advantageous, we may engage in lease transactions involving other types of equipment, so long as we feel it is business-essential equipment for the lessee. Also, we conduct a detailed analysis, using a third-party consultant, to assess the residual value of the proposed equipment at the end of the original lease term. This includes an analysis of the equipment’s useful life and depreciation schedule, as well as the expected resale market of that equipment type and availability of remarketing channels.  

 

 

BORROWING POLICIES

 

The General Partner, at its discretion, may cause the Partnership to incur debt in the maximum aggregate amount of 30% of the aggregate cost of the equipment owned, or subject to conditional sales contracts, by the Partnership at the time the debt is incurred, with monies received that are not considered “original proceeds” of the Partnership’s public offering. The Partnership incurs only non-recourse debt, which is secured by equipment and lease income therefrom. Such leveraging permits the Partnership to increase the aggregate amount of its depreciable assets, and, as a result, potentially increases both its lease revenues and its federal income tax deductions above those levels that would be achieved without leveraging. There is no limit on the amount of debt that may be incurred in connection with the acquisition of any single item of equipment. Any debt incurred is fully amortized over the term of the initial lease or conditional sales contract to which the equipment securing the debt is subject. The precise amount borrowed by the Partnership depends on a number of factors, including the types of equipment acquired by the Partnership; the creditworthiness of the lessee; the availability of suitable financing; and prevailing interest rates. The Partnership is flexible in the degree of leverage it employs, within the permissible limit. There can be no assurance that credit will be available to the Partnership in the amount or at the time desired or on terms considered reasonable by the General Partner. As of December 31, 2019, the Partnership’s aggregate nonrecourse outstanding debt of approximately $87,000 was approximately 1.9% of the aggregate cost of the equipment owned, with a carrying value of approximately $239,000 and is nonrecourse liabilities of the Partnership.

The Partnership may purchase some items of equipment without leverage. If the Partnership purchases an item of equipment without leverage and thereafter suitable financing becomes available, it may then obtain the financing, secure the financing with the purchased equipment and invest any proceeds from such financing in additional items of equipment. Any such financing will be on terms consistent with the terms applicable to borrowings in general.

 

The General Partner may cause the Partnership to borrow funds, to the fullest extent practical, at interest rates fixed at the time of borrowing. However, the Partnership may borrow funds at rates that vary with the “prime” or “base” rate. If lease revenues were fixed, a rise in the “prime” or “base” rate would increase borrowing costs and reduce the amount of the Partnership’s income and cash available for distribution. Therefore, the General Partner is permitted to borrow funds to purchase equipment at fluctuating rates only if the lease for such equipment provides for fluctuating rental payments calculated on a similar basis.

 

Any additional debt incurred by the Partnership must be nonrecourse. Nonrecourse debt means that the lender providing the funds can look for security only to the equipment pledged as security and the proceeds derived from leasing or selling such equipment. Neither the Partnership nor any Partner (including the General Partner) would be liable for repayment of any nonrecourse debt.

 

Loan agreements may also require that the Partnership maintain certain reserves or compensating balances and may impose other obligations upon the Partnership. Moreover, since a significant portion of the Partnership’s revenues from the leasing of equipment will be reserved for repayment of debt, the use of financing reduces the cash, which might otherwise be available for distributions until the debt has been repaid and may reduce the Partnership’s cash flow over a substantial portion of the Partnership’s operating life. As of December 31, 2019, the Partnership had not entered into any such agreements.

 

The General Partner and any of its affiliates may, but are not required to, make loans to the Partnership on a short-term basis. If the General Partner or any of its affiliates makes such a short-term loan to the Partnership, the General Partner or affiliate may not charge interest at a rate greater than the interest rate charged by unrelated lenders on comparable loans for the same purpose in the same locality. In no event is the Partnership required to pay interest on any such loan at an annual rate greater than three percent over the “prime rate” from time to time announced by PNC Bank, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. All payments of principal and interest on any financing provided by the General Partner or any of its affiliates are due and payable by the Partnership within 12 months after the date of the loan.

REFINANCING POLICIES

 

Subject to the limitations set forth in “Borrowing Policies” above, the Partnership may refinance its debt from time to time. With respect to a particular item of equipment, the General Partner will take into consideration such factors as the amount of appreciation in value, if any, to be realized, the possible risks of continued ownership, and the anticipated advantages to be obtained for the Partnership, as compared to selling such equipment. As of December 31, 2019, the Partnership has not entered into any debt refinancing transactions.

 

Refinancing, if achievable, may permit the Partnership to retain an item of equipment and at the same time to generate additional funds for reinvestment in additional equipment or for distribution to the Limited Partners.

 

LIQUIDATION POLICIES

 

The General Partner originally intended the Partnership to begin the liquidation phase approximately 10 years after commencement of operations. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the operational phase was officially extended to December 31, 2020 through an investor proxy vote. The Partnership was originally scheduled to end its operational phase on February 4, 2017. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the operational phase was officially extended to December 31, 2020 through an investor proxy vote. The Partnership is expected to terminate on December 31, 2022. Notwithstanding the Partnership’s objective to sell all of its assets and dissolve by December 31, 2022, the General Partner may cause the Partnership to dispose of all its equipment and dissolve the Partnership sooner, if warranted by economic conditions.

 

Particular items of equipment may be sold at any time if, in the judgment of the General Partner, it is in the best interest of the Partnership to do so. The determination of whether particular items of Partnership equipment should be sold or otherwise disposed of is made by the General Partner after consideration of all relevant factors (including prevailing general economic conditions, lessee demand, the General Partner’s views of current and future market conditions, the cash requirements of the Partnership, potential capital appreciation, cash flow and federal income tax considerations), with a view toward achieving the principal investment objectives of the Partnership. As partial payment for equipment sold, the Partnership may receive purchase money obligations secured by liens on such equipment.

MANAGEMENT OF EQUIPMENT

 

Equipment management services for the Partnership’s equipment are provided by the General Partner and its affiliates and by persons employed by the General Partner. Such services will consist of collection of income from the equipment, negotiation and review of leases, conditional sales contracts and sales agreements, releasing and leasing-related services, payment of operating expenses, periodic physical inspections and market surveys, servicing indebtedness secured by equipment, general supervision of lessees to assure that they are properly utilizing and operating equipment, providing related services with respect to equipment, supervising, monitoring and reviewing services performed by others in respect to equipment and preparing monthly equipment operating statements and related reports.

 

COMPETITION

 

The equipment leasing industry is highly competitive. The Partnership competes with leasing companies, equipment manufacturers and their affiliated financing companies, distributors and entities similar to the Partnership (including other programs sponsored by the General Partner), some of which have greater financial resources than the Partnership and more experience in the equipment leasing business than the General Partner. Other leasing companies and equipment manufacturers, their affiliated financing companies and distributors may be in a position to offer equipment to prospective lessees on financial terms, which are more favorable, than those which the Partnership can offer. They may also be in a position to offer trade-in privileges, software, maintenance contracts and other services, which the Partnership may not be able to offer. Equipment manufacturers and distributors may offer to sell equipment on terms (such as liberal financing terms and exchange privileges or service contracts), which will afford benefits to the purchaser similar to those obtained through leases. Other competitive factors include pricing, technological innovation and methods of financing. Certain manufacturer-lessors maintain advantages through patent protection, where applicable, and through a policy that combines service and hardware with payment accomplished through a single periodic charge. As a result of the advantages, which certain of its competitors may have, the Partnership may find it necessary to lease its equipment on a less favorable basis than certain of its competitors.

 

INVESTMENTS

 

The Partnership, through CCC, participates in the purchase of equipment subject to associated debt obligations and lease agreements. The purchase price, list price and monthly rentals presented below represent the Partnership’s share of the total amounts, based on CCC’s allocation of the equipment to the Partnership, and in some instances, other affiliated partnerships.

 

For the period of January 1, 2019 through April 15, 2020, the Partnership has not purchased, or has made the commitment to purchase, any equipment.

RESERVES

 

Because the Partnership’s leases are on a “triple-net” basis, no permanent reserve for maintenance and repairs has been established from the offering proceeds. However, the General Partner, in its sole discretion, may retain a portion of the cash flow and net disposition proceeds available to the Partnership for maintenance, repairs and working capital. There are no limitations on the amount of cash flow and net disposition proceeds that may be retained as reserves. Since no reserve will be established, if available cash flow of the Partnership is insufficient to cover the Partnership’s operating expenses and liabilities, it may be necessary for the Partnership to obtain additional funds by refinancing its equipment or borrowing additional funds.

 

GENERAL RESTRICTIONS

 

Under the Partnership Agreement, the Partnership is not permitted, among other things, to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The General Partner has also agreed in the Partnership Agreement to use its best efforts to assure that the Partnership shall not be deemed an “investment company” as such term is detained in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

The General Partner and its affiliates may engage in other activities, whether or not competitive with the Partnership. The Partnership Agreement provides, however, that neither the General Partner nor any of its affiliates may receive any rebate or “give up” in connection with the Partnership’s activities or participate in reciprocal business arrangements that circumvent the restrictions in the Partnership Agreement against dealings with affiliates.

 

EMPLOYEES

 

The Partnership had no employees during 2019 and received administrative and other services from a related party, CCC, which had 35 employees as of December 31, 2019.

 

PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS

On March 1, 2020, the General Partner (“GP”) relocated the Partnership’s principal place of business to 4532 US Highway 19, Suite 200, New Port Richey, Florida, 34652.  The GP’s telephone and fax numbers remains the same, (877) 654-1500, Fax: (727)450-5360.

ITEM 1A: RISK FACTORS

 

Subsequent to December 31, 2019, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency. The Fund’s operations is located in Florida, which has restricted gatherings of people due to the coronavirus outbreak. At present, the Fund’s operations have not been adversely affected and continues to function effectively. Due to the dynamic nature of these unprecedented circumstances and possible business disruption, the Fund will continue to monitor the situation closely, but given the uncertainty about the situation, an estimate of the future impact, if any, cannot be made at this time.

 

ITEM 1B: UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

NONE

 

ITEM 2: PROPERTIES

 

NONE

ITEM 3: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

 

ITEM 4: MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

NOT APPLICABLE

 

PART II

 

ITEM 5: MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

There is no public market for the units nor is it anticipated that one will develop. As of December 31, 2019, there were 912 unit holders. The units are not listed on any exchange or permitted to trade on any over-the-counter market. In addition, there are substantial restrictions on the transferability of units.

 

GENERAL LIMITATIONS

 

Units cannot be transferred without the consent of the General Partner, which may be withheld in its discretion according to the Partnership Agreement. The General Partner monitors transfers of units in an effort to ensure that all transfers are within certain safe harbors promulgated by the IRS to furnish guidance regarding publicly traded partnerships. These safe harbors limit the number of transfers that can occur in any one year. The General Partner intends to cause the Partnership to comply with the safe harbor that permits nonexempt transfers and redemptions of units of up to five percent of the total outstanding interest in the Partnership’s capital or profits in any one year.

 

REDEMPTION PROVISION

 

The Partnership may, at the sole discretion of the General Partner, repurchase a number of the outstanding units pursuant to its limited redemption plan. On a semi-annual basis, the General Partner, at its discretion, may establish an amount for redemption, generally not to exceed two percent of the outstanding units per year, subject to the General Partner’s good faith determination that such redemptions will not (a) cause the Partnership to be taxed as a corporation under Section 7704 of the Code or (b) impair the capital or operations of the Partnership. (The Partnership may redeem units in excess of the two percent limitation if, in the good faith judgment of the General Partner, the conditions imposed in the preceding sentence would remain satisfied.) The redemption price for units will be 105% of the selling Limited Partner’s adjusted capital contributions attributable to the units for sale. Following the determination of the annual redemption amount, redemptions will occur on a semi-annual basis and all requests for redemption, which must be made in writing, must be on file as of the record date in which the redemption is to occur. The General Partner will maintain a master list of requests for redemption with priority being given to units owned by estates, followed by IRAs and Qualified Plans. All other requests will be considered in the order received. Redemption requests made by or on behalf of Limited Partners who are not affiliated with the General Partner or its affiliates will be given priority over those made by Limited Partners who are affiliated with the General Partner or its affiliates. All redemption requests will remain in effect until and unless canceled, in writing, by the requesting Limited Partner(s).

 

The Partnership began to accept redemption requests beginning 30 months following the termination of the public offering of its units. There will be no limitations on the period of time that a redemption request may be pending prior to its being granted. Limited Partners will not be required to hold their interest in the Partnership for any specified period prior to their making a redemption request.

 

In order to make a redemption request, Limited Partners will be required to advise the General Partner in writing of such request. Upon receipt of such notification, the Partnership will provide detailed forms and instructions to complete the request. Since the Partnership began to accept redemptions, through December 31, 2019, the General Partner had granted redemption requests to redeem 14,317 units. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, limited partners did not redeem any units of the partnership.

EXEMPT TRANSFERS

 

The following seven categories of transfers are exempt transfers for purposes of calculating the volume limitations imposed by the IRS and will generally be permitted by the General Partner:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER

 

Limited Partners who wish to transfer their units to a new beneficial owner are required to pay the Partnership up to $50 for each transfer to cover the Partnership’s cost of processing the transfer application and take such other actions and execute such other documents as may be reasonably requested by the General Partner. There is no charge for re-registration of a certificate in the event of a marriage, divorce, death, or transfer to a trust so long as the transfer is not a result of a sale of the units.

 

In addition, the following restrictions apply to each transfer: (i) no transfer may be made if it would cause 25% or more of the outstanding units to be owned by benefit plans; and (ii) no transfer is permitted unless the transferee obtains such governmental approvals as may reasonably be required by the General Partner, including without limitation, the written consents of the Pennsylvania Securities Commissioner and of any other state securities agency or commission having jurisdiction over the transfer.

ALLOCATION AND DISTRIBUTION BETWEEN THE GENERAL PARTNER AND THE LIMITED PARTNERS

 

Cash distributions, if any, are made quarterly on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 of each year. Distributions are made 99% to the Limited Partners and 1% to the General Partner until the Limited Partners have received an amount equal to their capital contributions plus the priority return of 10% per annum; thereafter, cash distributions will be made 90% to Limited Partners and 10% to the General Partner. Distributions made in connection with the liquidation of the Partnership or a Partner’s units will be made in accordance with the Partner’s positive capital account balance as determined under the Partnership Agreement and Treasury Regulations.

 

The priority return is calculated on the Limited Partners’ adjusted capital contributions for their units. The adjusted capital contributions will initially be equal to the amount paid by the Limited Partners for their units. If distributions at any time exceed the priority return, the excess will reduce the adjusted capital contributions, decreasing the base on which the priority return is calculated. If the proceeds resulting from the sale of any equipment are reinvested in equipment, sufficient cash will be distributed to the Partners to pay the additional federal income tax resulting from such sale for a Partner in a 35% federal income tax bracket or, if lower, the maximum federal income tax rate in effect for individuals for such taxable year.

 

Generally, the General Partner is allocated net profits equal to its cash distributions (but not less than one percent of net profits) and the balance is allocated to the Limited Partners. Net profits arising from transactions in connection with the termination or liquidation of the Partnership are allocated in the following order: (1) First, to each Partner in an amount equal to the negative amount, if any, of his capital account; (2) Second, an amount equal to the excess of the proceeds which would be distributed to the Partners based on the operating distributions to the Partners over the aggregate capital accounts of all the Partners, to the Partners in proportion to their respective shares of such excess, and (3) Third, with respect to any remaining net profits, to the Partners in the same proportions as if the distributions were operating distributions. Net losses, if any, are in all cases allocated 99% to the Limited Partners and 1% to the General Partner.

 

Net profits and net losses are computed without taking into account, in each taxable year of the Partnership, any items of income, gain, loss or deduction required to be specially allocated pursuant to Section 704(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulation promulgated thereunder. No Limited Partner is required to contribute cash to the capital of the Partnership in order to restore a closing capital account deficit, and the General Partner has only a limited deficit restoration obligation under the Partnership Agreement.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the General Partner elected to forgo distributions and allocations of net income owed to it, and suspended limited partner distributions. The General Partner will continue to reassess the funding of limited partner distributions throughout 2020.

 

ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS AMONG THE LIMITED PARTNERS

 

Cash available for distribution that is allocable to the Limited Partners is apportioned among and distributed to them solely with reference to the number of units owned by each as of the record date for each such distribution.

 

Net profits, net losses and cash available for distribution allocable to the Limited Partners is apportioned among them in accordance with the number of units owned by each.

 

In addition, where a Limited Partner transfers units during a taxable year, the Limited Partner may be allocated net profits for a period for which such Limited Partner does not receive a corresponding cash distribution.

 

ITEM 6: SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

NOT APPLICABLE

 

ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following is a discussion of our current financial position and results of operations. This discussion should be read together with the Partnership’s financial statements contained under Item 8 of this Annual report on Form 10-K. This discussion should also be read in conjunction with the disclosures above regarding “Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

INTRODUCTION

 

We were formed on May 19, 2003 for the purpose of acquiring various types of business-essential technology equipment, including computer information technology, telecommunications, medical technology, inventory management and other similar capital equipment. We offered for sale up to 1,250,000 units of the limited partnership at the purchase price of $20 per unit (the “offering”). We reached the minimum offering amount, broke escrow and commenced operations on March 14, 2005. The offering terminated on February 24, 2006 with 1,249,951 units ($24,957,862 net of transaction costs of $41,158) sold.

Our management team consists of the officers of our corporate General Partner, Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund, Inc. We have utilized the net proceeds of our public offering to purchase equipment that is subject to leases with businesses throughout the United States. We have also utilized debt financing (not in excess of 30% of the aggregate cost of the equipment owned or subject to conditional sales contracts at the time the debt is incurred) to purchase additional equipment. We acquire and lease equipment principally to U.S. corporations and other institutions pursuant to operating leases. We retain the flexibility to enter into full payout net leases and conditional sales contracts, but have not done so.

 

COMPETITIVE OUTLOOK

 

As discussed in “Competition” in Item 1 above, the commercial leasing and financing industry is highly competitive and is characterized by competitive factors that vary based upon product and geographic region. We compete primarily on the basis of pricing, terms and structure, particularly on structuring flexible, responsive, and customized financing solutions for our customers. Our investments are often made directly rather than through competition in the open market. This approach limits the competition for our typical investment, which is intended to enhance returns. We believe our investment model will represent the best way for individual investors to participate in investing in business-essential equipment. Nevertheless, to the extent that our competitors compete aggressively on any combination of the foregoing factors, our results could be adversely impacted.

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES

 

Our principal investment objectives are to:

 

 

 

 

 

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

 

We invest in various types of domestic information technology equipment leases located solely within the United States. Our investment objective is to acquire primarily high technology equipment. We believe that dealing in high technology equipment is particularly advantageous due to a robust aftermarket. Information technology has developed rapidly in recent years and is expected to continue to do so. Technological advances have permitted reductions in the cost of computer processing capacity, speed, and utility. In the future, the rate and nature of equipment development may cause equipment to become obsolete more rapidly. In an effort to mitigate this risk our portfolio manager attempts to diversify our fund through the acquisition of different types of equipment, staggered lease maturities, various lessees, and businesses located throughout the U.S., and industries served.

We also acquire high technology medical, telecommunications and inventory management equipment. Our General Partner seeks to maintain an appropriate balance and diversity in the types of equipment acquired. The market for high technology medical equipment is growing each year. Generally, this type of equipment has a longer useful life. This allows for increased re-marketability, if it is returned before its economic or announcement cycle is depleted.

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s (ELFA) Monthly Leasing and Finance Index (MLFI-25), which reports economic activity from 25 companies representing a cross section of the $900 billion equipment finance sector, showed their overall new business volume for December was $12.9 billion, up 2% year-over-year from new business volume in December 2018. Volume was up 65% month-to-month from $7.8 billion in November in a typical end-of-year spike. Cumulative new business volume for 2019 was up 5% from 2018.

Receivables over 30 days were 2.20%, up from 1.80% the previous month and up from 1.70% the same period in 2018. Charge-offs were 0.51%, up from 0.43% the previous month, and down from 0.55% in the year-earlier period.

Credit approvals totaled 77.1%, up from 75.7% in November. Total headcount for equipment finance companies was down 3.3% year-over-year.

Separately, the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation’s Monthly Confidence Index (MCI-EFI) in January is 59.9, an increase from the December index of 56.2.

ELFA President and CEO Ralph Petta said, “Equipment finance companies ended the year with steady 5% cumulative new business growth. However, some ELFA member organizations are seeing slightly elevated levels of stress in their portfolios, corroborating evidence that soft patches can be found in some sectors of the U.S. economy. Whether recent relaxation of nagging trade tensions between the U.S. and several of its trading partners improves conditions in the industrial and AG sectors of the U.S. economy remains to be seen as we move deeper into the new year.”

Our business is directly impacted by factors such as economic, political, and market conditions, broad trends in industry and finance, legislative and regulatory changes, changes in government monetary and fiscal policies, and inflation, all of which are beyond our control. Given these circumstances, we believe companies overall, will continue to increasingly turn to leasing, as a financing solution. It is our belief that companies lease business-essential equipment because leasing can provide many benefits to a company. The number one benefit of leasing that we see is that there is no large outlay of cash required. Therefore, companies can preserve their working capital, lease equipment, which is an expense item, have the flexibility to upgrade the equipment when needed, and have no risk of obsolescence. Because we expect leasing to remain an attractive financing solution for American businesses during the next 12 months, we feel that our ability to increase our portfolio size and leasing revenues during that period will remain strong.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND USE OF ESTIMATES

 

Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Management’s estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.  We believe that our critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

 

The Partnership is principally engaged in business of leasing equipment. Ancillary to the Partnership’s principal equipment leasing business, the Partnership also sells certain equipment and may offer certain services to support its customers.

The Partnership’s lease transactions are principally accounted for under Topic 842 on January 1, 2019. Prior to Topic 842, the Partnership accounted for these transactions under Topic 840, Leases (“Topic 840”). Lease revenue includes revenue generated from leasing equipment to customers, including re-rent revenue, and is recognized as either on a straight line basis or using the effective interest method over the length of the lease contract, if such lease is either an operating lease or finance lease, respectively.

The Partnership’s sale of equipment along with certain services provided to customers is recognized under ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, (“Topic 606”), which was adopted on January 1, 2018. Prior to adoption of Topic 606, the Partnership recognized these transactions under ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognized, and (“Topic 605”). The Partnership recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control over a product or service to a customer. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration the Partnership expects to be entitled to in exchange for such products or services.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Partnership’s lease portfolio consisted of operating leases and finance leases. For operating leases, lease revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis in accordance with the terms of the lease agreement. Finance lease interest income is recorded over the term of the lease using the effective interest method.

 

Upon the end of the lease term, if the lessee has not met the return conditions as set out in the lease, the Partnership is entitled in certain cases to additional compensation from the lessee. The Partnership’s accounting policy for recording such payments is to treat them as revenue.

 

Gains or losses from sales of leased and off-lease equipment are recorded on a net basis in the Partnership’s Statement of Operations.  Gains from the termination of leases are recognized when the lease is modified and terminated concurrently. Our leases do not contain any step-rent provisions or escalation clauses nor are lease revenues adjusted based on any index.

Partnership’s accounting policy for sales and property taxes collected from the lessees are presented in the current period as gross revenues and expenses.

 

Long Lived Assets

 

Depreciation on equipment for financial statement purposes is based on the straight-line method estimated generally over useful lives of two to four years. Once an asset comes off lease or is re-leased, the Partnership reassesses the useful life of an asset.

 

The Partnership evaluates its long-lived assets when events or circumstances indicate that the value of the asset may not be recoverable. The Partnership determines whether impairment exists by estimating the undiscounted cash flows to be generated by each asset. If the estimated undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset then impairment exists. The amount of the impairment is determined based on the difference between the carrying value and the fair value. Fair value is determined based on estimated discounted cash flows to be generated by the asset, third party appraisals or comparable sales of similar assets, as applicable, based on asset type.

 

Residual values are determined by management and are calculated using information from both internal and external sources, as well as other economic indicators.

Reimbursable Expenses

 

Reimbursable expenses are comprised of both ongoing operational expenses and fees associated with the allocation of salaries and benefits, referred to as other LP (“other LP”) expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the General Partner waived certain reimbursable expenses charged to the Partnership by CCC in connection with the administration and operation of the Partnership. CCC is not reimbursed for salary and benefit costs of control persons. Reimbursable expenses, which are charged to us by CCC in connection with our administration and operation, are allocated to us based upon several factors including, but not limited to, the number of investors, leasing volume and stage of the program. For example, if one partnership has more investors than another program sponsored by CCC, then higher amounts of expenses related to investor services, mailing and printing costs will be allocated to that partnership. Also, while a partnership is in its offering stage, higher compliance costs are allocated to it than to a program not in its offering stage, as compliance resources are utilized to review incoming investor suitability and proper documentation. Finally, lease related expenses, such as due diligence, correspondence, collection efforts and analysis staff costs, increase as programs purchase more leases, and decrease as leases terminate and equipment is sold. All of these factors contribute to CCC’s determination as to the amount of expenses to allocate to us or to other sponsored programs. CCC is not reimbursed for salary and benefit costs of control persons.  For the Partnership, all reimbursable items are expensed as they are incurred.

Forgiveness of Related Party Payables

 

In accordance with ASC Topic 470-50 Debt Modifications and Extinguishments, the Partnership accounts for forgiveness of related party payables as Partners’ capital transactions.

Lease Income Receivable

 

Lease income receivable includes current lease income receivable net of allowances for uncollectible accounts, if any. The Partnership monitors lease income receivable to ensure timely and accurate payment by lessees. Its Lease Relations department is responsible for monitoring lease income receivable and, as necessary, resolving outstanding invoices. Lease revenue is recognized on a monthly straight-line basis which is in accordance with the terms of the lease agreement.

 

The Partnership reviews a customer’s credit history before extending credit. When the analysis indicates that the probability of full collection is unlikely, the Partnership may establish an allowance for uncollectible lease income receivable based upon the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends and other information. The Partnership writes off its lease income receivable when it determines that it is uncollectible and all economically sensible means of recovery have been exhausted.

 

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

Information regarding recent accounting pronouncements is included in Note 2 to the financial statements, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, as set forth in Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Our primary source of cash for the year ended December 31, 2019 was provided by proceeds from the sale of equipment of approximately $16,000. Our primary sources of cash for the year ended December 31, 2018 were cash provided by payments from finance leases of approximately $27,000 and proceeds from the sale of equipment of approximately $26,000.

Our primary use of cash for the year ended December 31, 2019 was cash used in operating activities of approximately $31,000. Our primary uses of cash for the year ended December 31, 2018 were cash used in operating activities of approximately $16,000 and capital expenditures for new equipment of approximately $30,000.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019, cash was used in operating activities of approximately $31,000, which included net income of approximately $62,000, depreciation expense of approximately $278,000 and bad debt expense of $82,000. Other non-cash activities included in the determination of net income include direct payments of lease income by lessees to banks of approximately $216,000. For the year ended December 31, 2018, cash was used by operating activities of approximately $16,000, which included net income of approximately $57,000 and depreciation and amortization expenses of approximately $380,000. Other non-cash activities included in the determination of net loss include direct payments of lease income by lessees to banks of approximately $298,000.

 

At December 31, 2019, cash was held in a bank account maintained at one financial institution with a balance of approximately $7,000. Bank accounts are federally insured up to $250,000 by the FDIC. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the total cash bank balance was approximately as follows:

 

The Partnership’s bank balances are fully insured by the FDIC. The Partnership deposits its funds with a Moody's AAA-Rated banking institution which is one of only three AAA-Rated banks listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The Partnership has not experienced any losses in such accounts, and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk. The amount in such accounts will fluctuate throughout 2020 due to many factors, including cash receipts, equipment acquisitions, interest rates, and distribution to limited partners.

 

 

The balance of our non-recourse debt at December 31, 2019 was approximately $87,000 with interest rates ranging from 4.70% to 6.28% which will be payable through February 2021 (see financial statements note 6 – notes payable). We did not assume new debt during 2019. Non-recourse debt leases will not generate current cash flow because the rental payments received from these leases are used to service the indebtedness associated with acquiring or financing the lease. For these leases, we anticipate that the equipment will generate income to the investor either through an extension of the lease term or from the sale of the equipment at the end of the lease term.

 

CCC, on our behalf and on behalf of affiliated partnerships, acquires computer equipment subject to associated debt obligations and lease agreements and allocates a participation in the cost, debt and lease revenue to the various partnerships based on certain risk factors. The Partnership’s share of the cost of the equipment in which it participates with other partnerships at December 31, 2019 was approximately $2,213,000 and is included in the Partnership’s equipment on its balance sheet. The total cost of the equipment shared by the Partnership with other partnerships at December 31, 2019 was approximately $8,873,000. The Partnership’s share of the outstanding debt associated with this equipment at December 31, 2019 was approximately $51,000 and is included in the Partnership’s notes payable on its balance sheet. The total outstanding debt related to the equipment shared by the Partnership at December 31, 2019 was approximately $798,000.

 

The Partnership was originally scheduled to end its operational phase on February 4, 2017.  During the year ended December 31, 2015, the operational phase was officially extended to December 31, 2020 through an investor proxy vote. The Partnership is expected to terminate on December 31, 2022. As such, the Partnership will continue to report its financial statements on a going concern basis until a formal plan of liquidation is approved by the General Partner.

As the Partnership and the other programs managed by the General Partner increase their overall portfolio size, opportunities for shared participation are expected to continue. Sharing in the acquisition of a lease portfolio gives the fund an opportunity to acquire additional assets and revenue streams, while allowing the fund to remain diversified and reducing its overall risk with respect to one portfolio.

 

 

The General Partner will continue to reassess the funding of limited partner distributions throughout 2020 and will continue to waive certain fees. If available cash flow or net disposition proceeds are insufficient to cover the Partnership expenses and liabilities on a short and long term basis, the Partnership may attempt to obtain additional funds by disposing of or refinancing equipment, or by borrowing within its permissible limits. Additionally, the Partnership will seek to enhance portfolio returns and maximize cash flow through the use of leveraged lease transactions: the acquisition of lease equipment through debt financing. This strategy allows the General Partner to acquire additional revenue generating leases without the use of investor funds thus maximizing overall return. Effective April 2, 2020, CCC agreed to convert approximately $169,000 of payables from due on demand to long term. Such payables won't be due until sometime after April 15, 2021. The purpose of this was to help the Partnership with preserving liquidity.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Partnership recognized revenue of approximately $551,000, expenses of approximately $489,000, which resulted in a net income of approximately $62,000. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Partnership recognized revenue of approximately $594,000, expenses of approximately $537,000, which resulted in a net income of approximately $57,000. The increase was primarily due to a reduction in depreciation and interest expense of approximately $114,000 and a decrease in operating expenses of approximately $37,000, offset by an increase in bad debt expense of approximately $74,000 and a reduction of revenue of approximately $43,000.

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, operating expenses, excluding depreciation, consisted of accounting, legal, outside service fees, reimbursement of expenses to CCC and other LP charges from CCC for administration and operations as discussed in Note 5 of the financial statements. Operating expenses were approximately $89,000 and $126,000 in 2019 and 2018, respectively. This decline is primarily due to a slow-down of lease activity, which included decreases in legal and accounting fees of approximately $47,000 and an adjustment to remarketing fees resulting from a write off of a past liability of approximately $20,000, which was partially offset by an increase in “Other LP” expenses charged by CCC for the administration of the Partnership of approximately $30,000.

 

 

Depreciation expenses consist of depreciation of various types of leased equipment. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, these expenses were approximately $278,000 and $380,000, respectively. This decline is primarily due to equipment and acquisition costs that are fully depreciated or amortized. 

For the year ended December 31, 2019, bad debt expense increased to approximately $82,000 from approximately $8,000 for the year ended December 31, 2018. This increase is primarily due to the application of allowance for bad debt against certain customer’s accounts that may have aged and considered to be uncollectible in the future periods. If those customer accounts are indeed collected in the future periods, the Partnership will reverse the bad debt expense and recognize those accounts as bad debt recoverable in the statement of operations. If those accounts prove to be uncollectable, the customer accounts will then be written-off against allowance for bad debt in the Partnership’s balance sheets.

 

 

 

 

Our financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the report thereon of the independent registered public accounting firm is included in this annual report.

 

ITEM 9: CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

NONE

ITEM 9A: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of the General Partner’s chief executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures related to our reporting and disclosure obligations as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on such evaluation, the chief executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2019, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information relating to us, which is required to be disclosed in our periodic reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (a) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and (b) accumulated and communicated to management, including the chief executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting at December 31, 2019. Management based this assessment on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in “Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO)”. Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design of the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting and testing of the operational effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting. Management reviewed the results of its assessment with the board of directors.

 

Based on our assessment, management determined that, at December 31, 2019, the Partnership maintained effective internal control over financial reporting. This annual report does not include an attestation report of the company's independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by the Partnership’s independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to final rule of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Partnership to provide only management's report in this annual report.

Changes in Internal Controls

 

There were no changes in the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 9B: OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

Background to Fund Valuation

 

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), updated rules for the presentation of pricing of Alternative Investment shares in customer account statements. Under NTM 15-02, the SEC approved amendments to Rule 2340, Customer Account Statements and FINRA Rule 2310, which address a FINRA member firm’s participation in a public offering of an Alternative Investment. The amendments require a FINRA member firm to include a per share value of each Alternative Fund. The effective date of the Notice was April 11, 2016. This per share value must be prepared by, or with the material assistance or confirmation of, a third-party valuation expert or service. The results of this valuation must be disclosed in the issuer’s reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This valuation must be performed and published, at a minimum, annually.

Methodologies

 

Broker dealers are required to provide a per share estimated value on the customer account statements for each non-listed Alternative fund held by their customers. These methods must be reasonably designed to provide a reliable value. The two methods acceptable are as follows:

 

 

 

For Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund V, it’s estimated per share value includes the General Partner’s estimate of the current market value of the fund. This value may not accurately reflect the value of the Fund Units to the Unit holders if held over time to Fund maturity. Additionally, there is no public market for the Units and as a result, there is no currently ascertainable fair market value for the Units. The estimate does not take into account any future distributions or returns to Unit holders over the full course of the Fund life cycle.

Valuation Components & Calculations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Procedure for December 31, 2019 Fund Valuation

 

The Fund valuation for December 31, 2019 for Commonwealth Capital Corp. was accomplished by using spreadsheet and lease contract data provided by Commonwealth for the Funds with the following additional data and updates added to each Fund spreadsheet:

 

Columns added to each Fund spreadsheet (with formula calculation):

 

Commonwealth Income and Growth Fund V, Unit Valuation

 

The General Partner’s estimated per unit value at December 31, 2019 as determined and derived under the guidelines of the Appraised Value Methodology, and pursuant to the above specific enumerated component valuation methodologies and calculations is $1.35.

 

Disclaimer

 

The foregoing Fund valuation has been performed solely for the purpose of providing an estimated value per Unit in accordance with a regulatory mandate, in order to provide the broker dealer and custodian community with a valuation on a reasonable basis for use in assigning an estimation of Unit holder’s account value. Any statement of such valuations is to be accompanied by statements that the value so calculated does not represent an estimate of the amount a Unit holder would receive if the Unit holder were to seek to sell the Units, and that the Fund intends to liquidate its assets in the ordinary course of its business and over the Fund’s term. Further, each Fund’s valuations is to be accompanied by a disclosure that there can be no assurance as to (1) when the Fund will be fully liquidated, (2) the amount the Fund may actually receive if and when the Fund seeks to liquidate its assets, (3) the amount of lease or loan payments the Fund will actually receive over the remaining term, (4) the amount of asset disposition proceeds the Fund will actually receive over the remaining term, and (5) the amounts that may actually be received in distributions by Unit holders over the course of the remaining term.

ITEM 10: DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

The Partnership does not have any Directors or executive officers.  Rather, it is managed by the Manager. The directors and officers of the Manager are required to spend only such time on Partnership affairs as is necessary for the proper conduct of Partnership business. Under certain circumstances, such directors and officers are entitled to indemnification from the Partnership.  The Manager reserves the right to determine now and in the future which personnel are deemed control persons and, therefore would not seek reimbursement for personnel costs related to such persons. It is not intended that every person who carries a title such as director, vice president, executive vice president, senior vice president, manager, secretary, controller or treasurer or who holds a 5% equity interest be considered a Controlling Person.

 

The Board of Directors of the Sponsor has established an Executive Committee, and the operations of the Manager are effectively controlled by the Executive Committee of the Sponsor. The Executive Committee has functional control over all day-to-day activities of the Sponsor and effectively the Manager. Currently, Kimberly A. Springsteen-Abbott and Henry J. Abbott are the members of the Executive Committee. Kimberly A. Springsteen-Abbott is the sole shareholder of Commonwealth Capital Corp., and thus retains ultimate control of all Commonwealth entities through her ability to elect, remove and replace directors. Prior to mid-2011, only Ms. Springsteen-Abbott was considered a controlling person of the Commonwealth-sponsored equipment funds and Mr. Abbott is currently a controlling person with respect to the equipment funds as well, with the goal being that Executive Committee membership will be indicative of control over the income funds as well as the Sponsor. For purposes of our financial operations, we do not currently consider any other employees to be control persons, and do not expect to do so in the foreseeable future.

 

The General Partner, a wholly owned subsidiary of Commonwealth of Delaware, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which is in turn a wholly-owned subsidiary of CCC, a Pennsylvania corporation, was incorporated in Pennsylvania on August 26, 1993. The General Partner also acts as the General Partner Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund VI and Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund VII and is the manager of several private entities. The principal business office of the General Partner is 4532 US Highway 19, Suite 200, New Port Richey, FL 34652 and its telephone number is (877) 654-1500. The General Partner manages and controls the affairs of the Partnership and has sole responsibility for all aspects of the Partnership’s operations. The officers of the General Partner devote such time to the affairs of the Partnership as in the opinion of the General Partner is necessary to enable it to perform its function as General Partner. The officers of the General Partner are not required to spend their full time in meeting their obligations to the Partnership.

The directors and officers of the General Partner and key employees of CCC and its subsidiary Commonwealth Capital Securities Corp. ("CCSC"), are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The directors and officers of the General Partner are required to spend only such time on the Partnership’s affairs as is necessary in the sole discretion of the directors of the General Partner for the proper conduct of the Partnership’s business. A substantial amount of time of such directors and officers is expected to be spent on matters unrelated to the Partnership, particularly after the Partnership’s investments have been selected. Under certain circumstances, such directors and officers are entitled to indemnification from the Partnership.

 

The Partnership has no audit committee financial expert, as defined in Item 401 of Regulation S-K (17 CFR § 229.401) under the Exchange Act, serving on its audit committee. An audit committee is not required because the Partnership’s units are not listed securities (as defined by 17 CFR § 240.10A-3); therefore, no audit committee financial expert is required.

 

In view of the fiduciary obligation that the General Partner has to the Partnership, the General Partner believes an adoption of a formal code of ethics is unnecessary and would not benefit the Partnership, particularly, in light of Partnership's limited business activities.

ITEM 11: EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The Partnership does not have any Directors or executive officers.

 

ITEM 12: SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

NONE

 

ITEM 13: CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

The following table summarizes the types, amounts and recipients of compensation to be paid by the Partnership directly or indirectly to the General Partner and its affiliates. Some of these fees are paid regardless of the success or profitability of the Partnership’s operations and investments. While such compensation and fees were established by the General Partner and are not based on arm’s-length negotiations, the General Partner believes that such compensation and fees are comparable to those that would be charged by an unaffiliated entity or entities for similar services. The Partnership Agreement limits the liability of the General Partner and its affiliates to the Partnership and the Limited Partners and provides indemnification to the General Partner and its affiliates under certain circumstances.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

 

The Partnership is subject to various conflicts of interest arising out of its relationships with the General Partner and its affiliates. These conflicts include the following:

 

COMPETITIONS WITH GENERAL PARTNER AND AFFILIATES: COMPETITION FOR MANAGEMENT’S TIME

 

The General Partner and its affiliates sponsor other investor programs, which are in potential competition with the Partnership in connection with the purchase of equipment as well as opportunities to lease and sell such equipment. Competition for equipment has occurred and is likely to occur in the future. The General Partner and its affiliates may also form additional investor programs, which may be competitive with the Partnership.

 

If one or more investor programs and the Partnership are in a position to acquire the same equipment, the General Partner will determine which program will purchase the equipment based upon the objectives of each and the suitability of the acquisition in light of those objectives. The General Partner will generally afford priority to the program or entity that has had funds available to purchase equipment for the longest period of time. If one or more investor programs and the Partnership are in a position to enter into a lease with the same lessee or sell equipment to the same purchaser, the General Partner will generally afford priority to the equipment which has been available for lease or sale for the longest period of time.

 

Certain senior executives of the General Partner and its affiliates also serve as officers and directors of the other programs and are required to apportion their time among these entities. The Partnership is, therefore, in competition with the other programs for the attention and management time of the General Partner and affiliates. The officers and directors of the General Partner are not required to devote all or substantially all of their time to the affairs of the Partnership.

 

ACQUISITIONS

 

CCC and the General Partner or other affiliates of the General Partner may acquire equipment for the Partnership provided that (i) the Partnership has insufficient funds at the time the equipment is acquired, (ii) the acquisition is in the best interest of the partnership and (iii) no benefit to the General Partner or its affiliates arises from the acquisition except for compensation paid to CCC, the General Partner or such other affiliate as disclosed in this report. CCC, the General Partner or their affiliates will not hold equipment for more than 60 days prior to transfer to the Partnership. If sufficient funds become available to the Partnership within such 60 day period, such equipment may be resold to the Partnership for a price not in excess of the sum of the cost of the equipment to such entity and any accountable acquisition expenses payable to third parties which are incurred by such entity and interest on the purchase price from the date of purchase to the date of transfer to the Partnership. CCC, the General Partner or such other affiliate will retain any rent or other payments received for the equipment, and bear all expenses and liabilities, other than acquisition expenses payable to third parties with respect to such equipment, for all periods prior to the acquisition of the equipment by the Partnership. Except as described above, there will be no sales of equipment to or from any affiliate of CCC.

In certain instances, the Partnership may find it necessary, in connection with the ordering and acquisition of equipment, to make advances to manufacturers or vendors with funds borrowed from the General Partner for such purpose. The Partnership does not borrow money from the General Partner or any of its affiliates with a term in excess of twelve months. Interest is paid on loans or advances (in the form of deposits with manufacturers or vendors of equipment or otherwise) from the General Partner of its affiliates from their own funds at a rate equal to that which would be charged by third party financing institutions on comparable loans from the same purpose in the same geographic area, but in no event in excess of the General Partner’s or affiliate’s own cost of funds. In addition, if the General Partner or its affiliates borrow money and loan or advance it on a short-term basis to or on behalf of the Partnership, the General Partner or such affiliates shall receive no greater interest rate and financing charges from the Partnership than that which unrelated lenders charge on comparable loans. The Partnership will not borrow money from the General Partner or any of its affiliates for a term in excess of twelve months.

 

If the General Partner or any of its affiliates purchases equipment in its own name and with its own funds in order to facilitate ultimate purchase by the Partnership, the purchaser is entitled to receive interest on the funds expended for such purchase on behalf of the Partnership. Simple interest on any such temporary purchases is charged on a floating rate basis not in excess of three percent over the “prime rate” from time to time announced by PNC Bank, from the date of initial acquisition to the date of repayment by the Partnership/ownership transfer.

The Partnership does not invest in equipment limited partnerships, general partnerships or joint ventures, except that (a) the Partnership may invest in general partnerships or joint ventures with persons other than equipment programs formed by the General Partner or its affiliates, which partnerships or joint ventures own specific equipment; provided that (i) the Partnership has or acquires a controlling interest in such ventures or partnerships, (ii) the non-controlling interest is owned by a non-affiliate, and (iii) there are no duplicate fees; and (b) the Partnership may invest in joint venture arrangements with other equipment programs formed by the General Partner or its affiliates if such action is in the best interest of all programs and if all the following conditions are met: (i) all the programs have substantially identical investment objectives; (ii) there are no duplicate fees; (iii) the sponsor compensation is substantially identical in each program; (iv) the Partnership has a right of first refusal to buy another program’s interest in a joint venture if the other program wishes to sell equipment held in the joint venture; (v) the investment of each program is on substantially the same terms and conditions; and (vi) the joint venture is formed either for the purpose of effecting appropriate diversification for the programs or for the purpose of relieving the General Partner or its affiliates from a commitment entered into pursuant to certain provisions of the Partnership Agreement.

 

GLOSSARY

 

The following terms used in this report shall (unless otherwise expressly provided herein or unless the context otherwise requires) have the meanings set forth below.

 

“Acquisition Expenses” means expenses relating to the prospective selection and acquisition of or investment in equipment by the Partnership, whether or not actually acquired, including, but not limited to, legal fees and expenses, travel and communication expenses, costs of appraisal, accounting fees and expenses and other related expenses.

 

“Acquisition Fees” means the total of all fees and commissions paid by any party in connection with the initial purchase of equipment acquired by the Partnership. Included in the computation of such fees or commissions shall be the equipment acquisition fee and any commission, selection fee, construction supervision fee, financing fee, non-recurring management fee or any fee of a similar nature, however designated.

 

“Adjusted Capital Contributions” means capital contributions of the Limited Partners reduced by any cash distribution received by the Limited Partners pursuant to Sections 4.1 or 8.1 of the Partnership Agreement, to the extent such distributions exceed any unpaid priority return as of the date such distributions were made.

 

“Affiliate” means, when used with reference to a specified person, (i) any person, that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls or is controlled by or is under common control with the specified person, (ii) any person that is a director or an executive officer of, partner in, or serves in a similar capacity to, the specified person, or any person of which the specified person is an executive officer or partner or with respect to which the specified person serves in a similar capacity, (iii) any person owning or controlling 10% or more of the outstanding voting securities of such specified person, or (iv) if such person is an officer, director or partner, any entity for which such person acts in such capacity.

 

“Capital Account” means the separate account established for each Partner pursuant to Section 4.1 of the Partnership Agreement.

 

“Capital Contributions” means in the case of the General Partner, the total amount of money contributed to the Partnership by the General Partner, and in the case of Limited Partners, $20 for each unit, or where the context requires, the total capital contributions of all the Partners.

 

“Cash Available for Distribution” means cash flow plus net disposition proceeds plus cash funds available for distribution from Partnership reserves, less such amounts as the General Partner, in accordance with the Partnership Agreement, causes the Partnership to reinvest in equipment or interests therein, and less such amounts as the General Partner, in its sole discretion, determines should be set aside for the restoration or enhancement of Partnership reserves.

“Cash Flow” for any fiscal period means the sum of (i) cash receipts from operations, including, but not limited to, rents or revenues arising from the leasing or operation of the equipment and interest, if any, earned on funds on deposit for the Partnership, but not including net disposition proceeds, minus (ii) all cash expenses and costs incurred and paid in connection with the ownership, lease, management, use and/or operation of the equipment, including, but not limited to, fees for handling and storage; all interest expenses paid and all repayments of principal regarding borrowed funds; maintenance; repair costs; insurance premiums; accounting and legal fees and expenses; debt collection expenses; charges, assessments or levies imposed upon or against the equipment; ad valorem, gross receipts and other property taxes levied against the equipment; and all costs of repurchasing Units in accordance with the Partnership Agreement; but not including depreciation or amortization of fees or capital expenditures, or provisions for future expenditures, including, without limitation, organizational and offering expenses.

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and as may be amended from time to time by future federal tax statutes.

 

“Competitive Equipment Sale Commission” means that brokerage fee paid for services rendered in connection with the purchase or sale of equipment, which is reasonable, customary, and competitive in light of the size, type, and location of the equipment.

 

“Conditional Sales Contract” means an agreement to sell equipment to a buyer in which the seller reserves title to, and retains a security interest in, the equipment until the purchase price of the equipment is paid.

 

“Equipment” means each item of and all of the technology equipment and other similar capital equipment (medical technology equipment, telecommunications technology equipment, inventory management equipment) purchased, owned, operated, and/or leased by the Partnership or in which the Partnership has acquired a direct or indirect interest, as more fully described in the Partnership Agreement, together with all appliances, parts, instruments, accessories, furnishings, or other equipment included therein and all substitutions, renewals, or replacements of, and all additions, improvements, and accessions to, any and all thereof.

 

“Finance Lease” generally means a full-payout, non-cancellable agreement in which the customer is responsible for maintenance, taxes and insurance. The term also refers in Article 2A of the Uniform Commercial Code to a special type of lease in which the lessor, lessee and the manufacturer have contractual relationships and the lessor at all times, with the lessee’s acknowledgement, remains a passive investor where the lessee makes most equipment decisions directly with the manufacturer.

 

“Full Payout Net Lease” means an initial net lease of the equipment under which the non-cancelable rental payments due (and which can be calculated at the commencement of the net lease) during the initial noncancelable fixed term (not including any renewal or extension period) of the lease or other contract for the use of the equipment are at least sufficient to recover the purchase price of the equipment.

 

“General Partner” means Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund, Inc. and any additional, substitute or successor general partner of the Partnership.

 

“Gross Lease Revenues” means Partnership gross receipts from leasing or other operation of the equipment, except that, to the extent the Partnership has leased the equipment from an unaffiliated party, it shall mean such receipts less any lease expense.

 

“IRS” means the Internal Revenue Service.

 

“Limited Partner” means a person who acquires units and who is admitted to the Partnership as a limited partner in accordance with the terms of the Partnership Agreement.

 

“Net Dispositions Proceeds” means the net proceeds realized by the Partnership from the refinancing, sale or other disposition of equipment, including insurance proceeds or lessee indemnity payments arising from the loss or destruction of equipment, less such amounts as are used to satisfy Partnership liabilities.

“Net Lease” means a lease or other contract under which the owner provides equipment to a lessee or other operator in return for a payment, and the lessee assumes all obligations and pays for the operation, repair, maintenance and insuring of the equipment.

 

“Net Profits” or “Net Losses” shall be computed in accordance with Section 703(a) of the Code (including all items of income, gain, loss or deduction required to be stated separately pursuant to Section 703(a) (1) of the Code) for each taxable year of the Partnership or shorter period prior to an interim closing of the Partnership’s books with the following adjustments: (I) any income of the Partnership that is exempt from federal income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing net profits and net loss pursuant to this definition shall be added to such taxable income or shall reduce such taxable loss; (ii) any expenditure of the Partnership described in Code Section 705(a) (2) (B) or treated as Code Section 705(a) (2) (B) expenditures pursuant to Treasury Regulations section 1.704-1(b) (2) (iv) (i) and not otherwise taken into account in computing net profits and net losses pursuant to this definition shall be subtracted from such taxable income or loss; (iii) items of income, gain, loss and deduction specially allocated pursuant to Section 7.3 of the Partnership Agreement shall not be included in the computation of net profits or net loss; and if property is reflected on the books of the Partnership at a book value that differs from the adjusted tax basis of the property in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b) (2) (iv) (d) or (f), depreciation, amortization, and gain or loss with respect to such property shall be determined by reference to such book value in a manner consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b) (2) (iv) (g). The terms “net profit” or “net losses” shall include the Partnership’s distributive share of the profit or loss of any partnership or joint venture in which it is a partner or joint venture.

 

“Offering” means the initial public offering of units in the Partnership.

 

“Operating Distributions” means the quarterly distributions made to the Partners pursuant to Article 8 of the Partnership Agreement.

 

“Operating Lease” means a lease or other contractual arrangement under which an unaffiliated party agrees to pay the Partnership, directly or indirectly, for the use of the equipment, and which is not a full payout net lease.

 

“Organizational and Offering Expenses” means the expenses incurred in connection with the organization of the Partnership and in preparation of the offering, including underwriting commissions, listing fees and advertising expenses specifically incurred in connection with the distribution of the units.

 

“Partner (s)” means any one or more of the General Partner and the Limited Partners.

 

“Partnership” means Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund V, a Pennsylvania limited partnership.

 

“Partnership Agreement” means that Limited Partnership agreement of Commonwealth Income & Growth Fund V by and among the General Partner and the Limited Partners, pursuant to which the Partnership is governed.

 

“Person” means an individual, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, corporation, trust, estate or other entity.

 

“Proceeds” means proceeds from the sale of the units.

 

“Program” means a limited or general partnership, joint venture, unincorporated association or similar organization, other than a corporation formed and operated for the primary purpose of investment in and the operation of or gain from an interest in equipment.

 

“Purchase Price” means, with respect to any equipment, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the invoice cost of such equipment or any other such amount paid to the seller, (ii) any closing, delivery and installation charges associated therewith not included in such invoice cost and paid by or on behalf of the Partnership, (iii) the cost of any capitalized modifications or upgrades paid by on or behalf of the Partnership in connection with its purchase of the equipment, and (iv) solely for purposes of the definition of full payout net lease, the amount of the equipment acquisition fee and any other acquisition fees.

“Retained Proceeds” means cash available for distribution, which instead of being distributed to the Partners is retained by the Partnership for the purpose of acquiring or investing in equipment.

 

“Term Debt” means debt of the Partnership with a term in excess of twelve months, incurred with respect to acquiring or investing in equipment, or refinancing non-term debt, but not debt incurred with respect to refinancing existing Partnership term debt.

 

“Unit” means a Limited Partnership interest in the Partnership.

 

ITEM 14: PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

AUDIT FEES

 

The aggregate fees billed and expected to be billed for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 for professional services rendered by the Partnership’s independent registered public accounting firm for the review of the financial statements included in our Form 10-Q or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for that fiscal year, was approximately $23,000 and $22,000, respectively.

 

AUDIT-RELATED FEES

 

There were no aggregate fees billed in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 for assurance and related services by the Partnership’s independent registered public accounting firm that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the registrant's financial statements and are not reported under the paragraph captioned "Audit Fees."

 

TAX FEES

 

There were no fees billed in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 for professional services rendered by the Partnership’s independent registered public accounting firm for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

 

ALL OTHER FEES

 

There were no aggregate fees billed in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 for products and services provided by the Partnership’s independent registered public accounting firm, other than the services reported above under other captions of this Item 14.

 

PRE-APPROVAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

All audit related services, tax planning and other services were pre-approved by the Board of Directors of the General Partner, which concluded that the provision of such services by the Partnership’s independent registered public accounting firm was compatible with the maintenance of that firm's independence in the conduct of its auditing functions. The policy of the General Partner provides for pre-approval of these services and all audit related, tax or other services not prohibited under Section 10A(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended to be performed for us by our independent auditors, subject to the de minimus exception described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act on an annual basis and on individual engagements if minimum thresholds are exceeded.

 

There were no other fees approved by the Board of Directors of the General Partner or paid by the Partnership, during 2019 and 2018 other than fees related to audit or tax compliance services.

PART IV

 

ITEM 15: EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 10-K

 

 

Schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, not required, or because the required information is included in the financial statements and notes thereto.

 

 

ITEM 16: FORM 10K SUMMARY 

 

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf April 15, 2020 by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on April 15, 2020:

 

 

Commonwealth Income &

Growth Fund V

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commonwealth Income &

Growth Fund V

 

Commonwealth Income &

Growth Fund V

  

Commonwealth Income &

Growth Fund V

 

Commonwealth Income &

Growth Fund V

 

 

Commonwealth Income &

Growth Fund V

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

1. Business

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, limited partners did not redeem any units of the partnership in accordance with the terms of the limited partnership agreement. 

 

 

 

 

Liquidity

 

For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the General Partner elected to forgo distributions and allocations of net income owed to it, and suspended limited partner distributions. The General Partner will continue to reassess the funding of limited partner distributions throughout 2020 and will continue to waive certain fees. The General Partner and CCC will also defer certain related party payables owed to the Partnership in an effort to further increase the Partnership’s cash flow (see Note 10 – Subsequent Events). If available cash flow or net disposition proceeds are insufficient to cover the Partnership expenses and liabilities on a short and long term basis, the Partnership may attempt to obtain additional funds by disposing of or refinancing equipment, or by borrowing within its permissible limits.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements is in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which 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 differ from those estimates and these differences could be material. Such estimates relate primarily to the determination of residual values at the end of the lease term, the expected future cash flows, and fair value used for impairment analysis purposes and determination of the allowance for doubtful accounts.

 

Disclosure of Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

 

The Partnership applies the provisions included in the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic to all financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. This Topic emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. It clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Topic requires the use of valuation techniques to measure fair value that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize use of unobservable inputs. These inputs are prioritized as follows:

 

 

 

There were no assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2019 and 2018. There were no assets or liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

 

Estimated fair value was determined by management using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However, judgment was necessary to interpret market data and develop estimated fair value. Cash, other receivables, accounts payable and other accrued expenses are carried at amounts which reasonably approximate their fair values as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 due to the immediate or short-term nature of these financial instruments.

 

The Partnership’s long-term debt consists of notes payable, which are secured by specific equipment and are nonrecourse liabilities of the Partnership. The estimated fair value of this debt at December 31, 2019 and 2018 approximates the carrying value of these instruments, due to the interest rates on this debt approximating current market interest rates. The Partnership classifies the fair value of its notes payable within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy based on the observable inputs used to estimate fair value.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Partnership is principally engaged in business of leasing equipment. Ancillary to the Partnership’s principal equipment leasing business, the Partnership also sells certain equipment and may offer certain services to support its customers.

The Partnership’s lease transactions are principally accounted for under Topic 842 on January 1, 2019. Prior to Topic 842, the Partnership accounted for these transactions under Topic 840, Leases (“Topic 840”). Lease revenue includes revenue generated from leasing equipment to customers, including re-rent revenue, and is recognized as either on a straight line basis or using the effective interest method over the length of the lease contract, if such lease is either an operating lease or finance lease, respectively.

The Partnership’s sale of equipment along with certain services provided to customers is recognized under ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, (“Topic 606”), which was adopted on January 1, 2018. Prior to adoption of Topic 606, the Partnership recognized these transactions under ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognized, and (“Topic 605”). The Partnership recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control over a product or service to a customer. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration the Partnership expects to be entitled to in exchange for such products or services.

For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Partnership’s lease portfolio consisted of operating leases and finance leases. For operating leases, lease revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis in accordance with the terms of the lease agreement. Finance lease interest income is recorded over the term of the lease using the effective interest method.

 

Upon the end of the lease term, if the lessee has not met the return conditions as set out in the lease, the Partnership is entitled in certain cases to additional compensation from the lessee. The Partnership’s accounting policy for recording such payments is to treat them as revenue.

 

Gains or losses from sales of leased and off-lease equipment are recorded on a net basis in the Partnership’s Statement of Operations.  Gains from the termination of leases are recognized when the lease is modified and terminated concurrently. Our leases do not contain any step-rent provisions or escalation clauses nor are lease revenues adjusted based on any index.

Partnership’s accounting policy for sales and property taxes collected from the lessees are recorded in the current period as gross revenues and expenses.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

We adopted Topic 842 at the required adoption date of January 1, 2019. The Partnership concluded that the sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from the lessees are recorded in the current period in the Condensed Statement of Operations as gross revenues and expenses. As permitted by the guidance, we elected the practical expedient that allows us not to restate comparative periods in the financial statements. Upon adoption of this update, there was no significant change to the Partnership accounting.

Other Assets

 

Equipment acquisition costs and deferred expenses are amortized on a straight-line basis over two-to-four year lives based on the original term of the lease and the loan, respectively. Unamortized acquisition costs and deferred expenses are charged to amortization expense when the associated leased equipment is sold.

 

Long-Lived Assets

 

Depreciation on equipment for financial statement purposes is based on the straight-line method estimated generally over useful lives of two to five years. Once an asset comes off lease or is released, the Partnership reassesses the useful life of an asset.

 

The Partnership evaluates its long-lived assets when events or circumstances indicate that the value of the asset may not be recoverable. The Partnership determines whether impairment exists by estimating the undiscounted cash flows to be generated by each asset. If the estimated undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset then impairment exists. The amount of the impairment is determined based on the difference between the carrying value and the fair value. Fair value is determined based on estimated discounted cash flows to be generated by the asset, third party appraisals or comparable sales of similar assets, as applicable, based on asset type.

 

Residual values are determined by management and are calculated using information from both internal and external sources, as well as other economic indicators.

 

Reimbursable Expenses

 

Reimbursable expenses are comprised of both ongoing operational expenses and fees associated with the allocation of salaries and benefits, referred to as other LP (“other LP”) expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the General Partner waived certain reimbursable expenses charged to the Partnership by CCC in connection with the administration and operation of the Partnership. CCC is not reimbursed for salary and benefit costs of control persons. Reimbursable expenses, which are charged to us by CCC in connection with our administration and operation, are allocated to us based upon several factors including, but not limited to, the number of investors, leasing volume and stage of the program. For example, if one partnership has more investors than another program sponsored by CCC, then higher amounts of expenses related to investor services, mailing and printing costs will be allocated to that partnership. Also, while a partnership is in its offering stage, higher compliance costs are allocated to it than to a program not in its offering stage, as compliance resources are utilized to review incoming investor suitability and proper documentation. Finally, lease related expenses, such as due diligence, correspondence, collection efforts and analysis staff costs, increase as programs purchase more leases, and decrease as leases terminate and equipment is sold. All of these factors contribute to CCC’s determination as to the amount of expenses to allocate to us or to other sponsored programs. CCC is not reimbursed for salary and benefit costs of control persons.  For the Partnership, all reimbursable items are expensed as they are incurred.

 

Forgiveness of Related Party Payables

 

 

Lease Income Receivable

 

Lease income receivable includes current lease income receivable net of allowances for uncollectible accounts, if any. The Partnership monitors lease income receivable to ensure timely and accurate payment by lessees. Its Lease Relations department is responsible for monitoring lease income receivable and, as necessary, resolving outstanding invoices. Lease revenue is recognized on a monthly straight-line basis which is in accordance with the terms of the lease agreement.

 

The Partnership reviews a customer’s credit history before extending credit. When the analysis indicates that the probability of full collection is unlikely, the Partnership may establish an allowance for uncollectible lease income receivable based upon the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends and other information. The Partnership writes off its lease income receivable when it determines that it is uncollectible and all economically sensible means of recovery have been exhausted.

Cash and cash equivalents

 

We consider cash and cash equivalents to be cash on hand and highly liquid investments with the original maturity dates of 90 days or less.

At December 31, 2019, cash was held in a bank account maintained at one financial institution with a balance of approximately $7,000. Bank accounts are federally insured up to $250,000 by the FDIC. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the total cash bank balance was approximately as follows:

 

 

The Partnership’s bank balances are fully insured by the FDIC. The Partnership deposits its funds with a Moody's AAA-Rated banking institution which is one of only three AAA-Rated banks listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The Partnership has not experienced any losses in such accounts, and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk. The amount in such accounts will fluctuate throughout 2020 due to many factors, including cash receipts, equipment acquisitions, interest rates, and distribution to limited partners.

Income Taxes

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 701 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Partnership is not subject to federal or state income taxes. All income and losses of the Partnership are the liability of the individual partners and are allocated to the partners for inclusion in their individual tax returns. The Partnership does not have any entity-level uncertain tax positions. In addition, the Partnership believes its tax status as a pass-through entity would be sustained under U.S. Federal, state or local tax examination. The Partnership files U.S. federal and various state income tax returns and is generally subject to examination by federal, state and local income tax authorities for three years from the filing of a tax return.

 

Taxable income differs from financial statement net income as a result of reporting certain income and expense items for tax purposes in periods other than those used for financial statement purposes, principally relating to depreciation, amortization, and lease revenue.

 

Net Income Per Equivalent Limited Partnership Unit

 

The net income per equivalent limited partnership unit is computed based upon net income allocated to the limited partners and the weighted average number of equivalent units outstanding during the period.

3. Information Technology, Medical Technology, Telecommunications Technology, Inventory Management Equipment and other Business-Essential Capital Equipment (“Equipment”)

 

The Partnership is the lessor of equipment under operating leases with periods that generally will range from 12 to 48 months. In general, associated costs such as repairs and maintenance, insurance and property taxes are paid by the lessee.

 

 

 

The Partnership’s share of the cost of the equipment in which it participates with other partnerships at December 31, 2019 was approximately $2,213,000 and is included in the Partnership’s equipment on its balance sheet. The total cost of the equipment shared by the Partnership with other partnerships at December 31, 2019 was approximately $8,873,000. The Partnership’s share of the outstanding debt associated with this equipment at December 31, 2019 was approximately $51,000 and is included in the Partnership’s notes payable on its balance sheet. The total outstanding debt related to the equipment shared by the Partnership at December 31, 2019 was approximately $798,000.

 

The Partnership’s share of the cost of the equipment in which it participates with other partnerships at December 31, 2018 was approximately $3,567,000 and is included in the Partnership’s equipment on its balance sheet. The total cost of the equipment shared by the Partnership with other partnerships at December 31, 2018 was approximately $12,260,000. The Partnership’s share of the outstanding debt associated with this equipment at December 31, 2018 was approximately $218,000 and is included in the Partnership’s notes payable on its balance sheet. The total outstanding debt related to the equipment shared by the Partnership at December 31, 2018 was approximately $1,696,000.

 

As the Partnership and the other programs managed by the General Partner continue to acquire new equipment for the portfolio, opportunities for shared participation are expected to continue. Sharing in the acquisition of a lease portfolio gives the fund an opportunity to acquire additional assets and revenue streams, while allowing the fund to remain diversified and reducing its overall risk with respect to one portfolio.

The following is a schedule of approximate future minimum rentals on non-cancelable operating leases:

 

 

Finance Leases

 

 

 

We assess credit risk for all of our customers, including those that lease under finance leases. This credit risk is assessed using an internally developed model which incorporates credit scores from third party providers and our own customer risk ratings and is periodically reviewed. Our internal ratings are weighted based on the industry that the customer operates in. Factors taken into consideration when assessing risk includes both general and industry specific qualitative and quantitative metrics. We separately take in to consideration payment history, open lawsuits, liens and judgments. Typically, we will not extend credit to a company that has been in business for less than 5 years or that has filed for bankruptcy within the same period. Our internally based model may classify a company as high risk based on our analysis of their audited financial statements. Additional considerations of high risk may include history of late payments, open lawsuits and liens or judgments. In an effort to mitigate risk, we typically require deposits from those in this category.

 

A reserve for credit losses is deemed necessary when payment has not been received for one or more months of receivables due on the equipment held under finance leases. At the end of each period, management evaluates the open receivables due on this equipment and determines the need for a reserve based on payment history and any current factors that would have an impact on payments.

The following table presents the credit risk profile, by creditworthiness category, of our finance lease receivables at December 31, 2019:

 

As of the year ended December 31, 2019 we determined that we did not have a need for an allowance for uncollectible accounts associated with any of our finance leases, as the customer payment histories with us, associated with these leases, has been positive.

 

The following is a schedule of approximate future minimum rentals on non-cancelable finance leases:

 

 

4. Significant Customers

 

Lessees equal to or exceeding 10% of lease revenue:

 

 

Lessees equal to or exceeding 10% of net lease income receivable:

5. Related Party Transactions

Receivables/Payables

 

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company’s related party receivables and payables are short term, unsecured and non-interest bearing.

6. Notes Payable

 

 

The notes are secured by specific technology equipment with a carrying value of approximately $239,000 and are nonrecourse liabilities of the Partnership. As such, the notes do not contain any financial debt covenants with which we must comply on either an annual or quarterly basis. Aggregate approximate payments of notes payable for each of the periods subsequent to December 31, 2019 are as follows:

 

 

7. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

No interest or principal on notes payable was paid by the Partnership during 2019 and 2018 because direct payment was made by lessee to the bank in lieu of collection of lease income and payment of interest and principal by the Partnership.

8. Commitments and Contingencies

 

 

 

The tax basis of the Partnership’s net assets and liabilities vary from the amounts presented in these financial statements at December 31, 2019 and 2018 as follows:

 

The primary differences between the tax basis of net assets and the amounts recorded in the financial statements are the result of differences in accounting for impairment losses, syndication costs and differences between the depreciation methods used in the financial statements and the Partnership’s tax returns (unaudited).

 

 *Other- includes financial statement adjustments that will be reflected on the tax return in the subsequent year.

 

Adjustment or loss on sale of equipment is due to longer useful lives for tax reporting purposes.

Leased Equipment

Subsequent to December 31, 2019, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency. The Fund’s operations is located in Florida, which has restricted gatherings of people due to the coronavirus outbreak. At present, the Fund’s operations have not been adversely affected and continues to function effectively. Due to the dynamic nature of these unprecedented circumstances and possible business disruption, the Fund will continue to monitor the situation closely, but given the uncertainty about the situation, an estimate of the future impact, if any, cannot be made at this time.