Here's a statement of the obvious: The opinions expressed here are those of the participants, not those of the Mutual Fund Observer. We cannot vouch for the accuracy or appropriateness of any of it, though we do encourage civility and good humor.
Don't buy MLP ETF. They are not even ETF technically. They are C-corp's which returns get taxed at 35% corporate level first (even if holding is in your IRA) and taxed again when you sell at personal level. For IRA holdings this second taxing occurs when you sell IRA assets.
Pretty lame deal for investors. In this case buying individual MLP stocks or buying ETN makes more sense although they too have issues (K-1 forms, taxation even inside IRA if income too high, diversification problems), or for the ETN the credit risk of the issuer.
I have been looking at this open end fund that invest in a MLP Index. It claims that no K-1 form is sent for tax reporting but you will receive a 1099. I have not moved on it but I do have it under review as it recently paid out a distribution of $0.162742 per share. Its fact sheet is linked below for those that might be interested and its A share ticker symbol is ALERX.
There are the corporations, as well. KMR (Kinder Morgan Management) is entirely an investment in Kinder Morgan Partners (KMP). Linnco Management (LNCO) is an investment in Linn (LINE) and Enbridge Energy Management (EEQ) is an investment in Enbridge Energy Partners (EEP).
The Management co's do not generate a K-1. The only issue is that the dividends are in shares, not in cash (although for some that may not be an issue at all.)
Comments
Pretty lame deal for investors. In this case buying individual MLP stocks or buying ETN makes more sense although they too have issues (K-1 forms, taxation even inside IRA if income too high, diversification problems), or for the ETN the credit risk of the issuer.
I have been looking at this open end fund that invest in a MLP Index. It claims that no K-1 form is sent for tax reporting but you will receive a 1099. I have not moved on it but I do have it under review as it recently paid out a distribution of $0.162742 per share. Its fact sheet is linked below for those that might be interested and its A share ticker symbol is ALERX.
http://www.alpsalerianmlp.com/fundfacts.php?cusip=317612828
Skeeter
The Management co's do not generate a K-1. The only issue is that the dividends are in shares, not in cash (although for some that may not be an issue at all.)
http://investwithanedge.com/ymli-adds-layer-of-taxation-to-mlp-ownership
Apparently, there is no hard rule what qualifies of ETF: A C-Corp like YMLI can call itself an ETF.
http://investwithanedge.com/open-letter-to-etf-regulators
Here is some more information from my July 2011 discussion:
http://www.mutualfundobserver.com/discuss/index.php?p=/discussion/863/master-limited-partnerships