USAC: Sell vs Hold vs Inherit

400 units of USA Compression Partners — breakeven price, tax comparison, §1014 step-up analysis.

This tool provides projections based on assumptions. It does not constitute tax, legal, or investment advice. Consult a qualified CPA or financial advisor before making decisions based on this output.

Position: 400 units of USA Compression Partners at $28/unit

Tax assumptions: 32% bracket, MFJ, NIIT, §199A QBI deduction. Unit appreciation: 3.5%/year.

Should You Sell USAC or Hold?

We computed three exit strategies for each holding period: sell now, hold and collect distributions, and hold until death (§1014 step-up). Every number comes from the IRS Partner's Basis Worksheet.

5-Year Horizon

Sell Now

Proceeds: $11,592

Tax: -$293

Net: $11,299

Hold 5 Years, Then Sell

Distributions: $3,360

Dist. tax: -$148

Terminal FMV: $13,302

Exit tax: -$NaN

Net: $NaN

Hold Until Death

Heir receives: $13,302

Tax eliminated: $1,490

Total: $16,514

Breakeven Price

$45/unit

Selling only makes sense above this price over a 5-year horizon.

10-Year Horizon

Sell Now

Proceeds: $11,592

Tax: -$293

Net: $11,299

Hold 10 Years, Then Sell

Distributions: $7,560

Dist. tax: -$333

Terminal FMV: $15,799

Exit tax: -$NaN

Net: $NaN

Hold Until Death

Heir receives: $15,799

Tax eliminated: $3,055

Total: $23,026

Breakeven Price

$65/unit

Selling only makes sense above this price over a 10-year horizon.

15-Year Horizon

Sell Now

Proceeds: $11,592

Tax: -$293

Net: $11,299

Hold 15 Years, Then Sell

Distributions: $11,760

Dist. tax: -$518

Terminal FMV: $18,764

Exit tax: -$NaN

Net: $NaN

Hold Until Death

Heir receives: $18,764

Tax eliminated: $4,708

Total: $30,006

Breakeven Price

$87/unit

Selling only makes sense above this price over a 15-year horizon.

20-Year Horizon

Sell Now

Proceeds: $11,592

Tax: -$293

Net: $11,299

Hold 20 Years, Then Sell

Distributions: $15,960

Dist. tax: -$1,281

Terminal FMV: $22,286

Exit tax: -$NaN

Net: $NaN

Hold Until Death

Heir receives: $22,286

Tax eliminated: $5,886

Total: $36,965

Breakeven Price

$108/unit

Selling only makes sense above this price over a 20-year horizon.

Bottom Line

Holding 19 more years and letting heirs inherit produces $25,666 more than selling today. Your heirs receive $22,286 with a fresh stepped-up basis, eliminating $5,886 in deferred taxes and ~$16,000 in §751 recapture. Selling would only make sense above $108/unit.

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Computed by lucasandersen.ai MLP Tax Simulator v0.1.0. 2026-04-03. Not tax advice.