WES 20-Year Tax Projection

Assumptions for this projection:

• Position: 300 units at $42 per unit ($12,600 total)
• Distribution: $0.93/quarter ($3.72/year), growing at 5.0%
• Growth source: 5yr CAGR inflated by recovery from 50% distribution cut in 2020. Distribution was $2.49/yr pre-COVID.
• ROC: ~85% of distribution (estimated from historical K-1 data)
• Federal tax bracket: 32% (Married Filing Jointly)
• NIIT: 3.8% on investment income above $250,000 threshold
• §199A QBI deduction: active (20% on qualified PTP income)
• K-1 entities: 1
• Operating states: ~5

These are default assumptions based on historical data. For your actual numbers → Enter your position in the Portfolio Simulator

Last computed: 2026-04-03 | Engine: 429 tests passing | v0.1.0

⚠ BROKER UNDERSTATES YOUR TAX BY $3,640

Basis Erosion — WES Over 20 Years

Blue line: base case (5.0% growth). Shaded area: sensitivity range. Yellow marker: basis reaches zero in Year 11.

Cumulative Cash vs. Tax — WES

The growing gap between distributions received and taxes paid is the core value proposition of MLP holding.

WES 20-Year Projection Table

IRS Partner’s Basis Worksheet — Key Years

Partner’s Instructions for Schedule K-1 (Form 1065), Worksheet for Adjusting the Basis of a Partner’s Interest in the Partnership, Lines 1–14.

Sensitivity Analysis

Sell vs. Inherit in Year 20

Tax saved by holding until death: $5,985 — IRC §1014(a)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is my WES basis after 10 years?

After 10 years of holding 300 WES units, your IRS-adjusted basis drops from $12,600 to $667. This is calculated using the IRS Partner’s Basis Worksheet (IRC §705(a)), Lines 1–14, applying 5.0% annual distribution growth and ~85% return of capital.

When does WES basis reach zero?

At base-case assumptions, WES basis reaches zero in Year 11. After that, distributions trigger §731 capital gains — you owe tax on distributions even though your brokerage statement shows no change. This is sometimes called “phantom income.”

How much tax if I sell WES after 20 years?

If you sell 300 WES units after 20 years at an estimated market value of $25,071, total tax on sale is $5,985. This includes ~$12,000 in §751 ordinary income recapture (taxed at up to 37%) and $13,071 in long-term capital gains.

Should I sell WES or hold until death?

Selling in Year 20 triggers $5,985 in taxes. If inherited instead, your heirs receive a §1014 stepped-up basis of $25,071, eliminating all deferred taxes and §751 recapture. The tax difference is $5,985.

What is WES’s distribution yield after tax?

The nominal distribution yield is 8.9%. Due to the high return-of-capital percentage (~85%), most of the distribution is tax-deferred. The 20-year effective tax rate on cash received is 14.0%, making the after-tax yield approximately 7.6%.

Should I hold WES in an IRA?

Holding MLPs in an IRA triggers Unrelated Business Taxable Income (UBTI) under IRC §512. If UBTI exceeds $1,000 in a tax year, the IRA must file Form 990-T and pay tax at trust rates. For WES with 300 units generating ~$167 in annual taxable income, this threshold may or may not be reached depending on the year. Most MLP investors prefer taxable accounts to preserve the §1014 step-up benefit.

What happens to WES when I die?

Under IRC §1014(a), your heirs receive a stepped-up basis equal to the fair market value at date of death. For this projection, that means a basis of $25,071 instead of the eroded basis of $0.00. All accumulated §751 recapture (~$12,000) is eliminated. Tax saved: $5,985.

How complicated is WES’s K-1?

WES issues 1 K-1 form per year. The K-1 includes state allocation schedules for ~5 states, which may require additional state tax filings depending on your home state’s de minimis thresholds.

Related Tools & Guides

• Enter your actual position → Portfolio Simulator
• Read the full WES K-1 tax guide →
• Compare all MLP projections →
• Track your real basis from actual K-1 data → K-1 Basis Tracker