10-K 1 wncc_10k.htm ANNUAL REPORT wncc_10k.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

       (Mark One)

þANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015

OR
oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ___________ to _____________

Commission file number: 0-23908

WNC CALIFORNIA HOUSING TAX CREDITS III, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
California
33-0531301
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)
   
17782 Sky Park Circle
92614-6404
Irvine, CA
(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(714) 662-5565
(Telephone number)

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

NONE

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

UNITS OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP INTEREST
(Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act
Yes o           No þ

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes o           Noþ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ         No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes þ           No o                                            

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ

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 “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o     Accelerated filer o     Non-accelerated filer þ    Smaller reporting company  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o           No þ
 
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.
INAPPLICABLE

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

List hereunder the following documents if incorporated by reference and the Part of the Form 10-K (e.g., Part I, Part II, etc.) into which the document is incorporated: (1) Any annual report to security holders; (2) Any proxy or information statement; and (3) Any prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) or (c) under the Securities Act of 1933. The listed documents should be clearly described for identification purposes (e.g., annual report to security holders for fiscal year ended December 24, 1980).

NONE



 
 

 
 

     
Page
 
         
Part I
 
   
Item 1.
Business
    3  
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
    6  
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
    13  
Item 2.
Properties
    13  
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
    18  
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
    19  
   
Part II
 
   
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
    19  
Item 5b.
Use of Proceeds
    19  
Item 5c.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
    19  
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
    20  
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
    21  
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
    26  
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
    26  
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
    44  
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
    44  
Item 9B.
Other Information
    45  
   
Part III
 
   
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
    46  
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
    49  
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
    51  
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
    51  
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
    51  
   
Part IV
 
   
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
    58  
Signatures
    59  

 

 

PART I.

Item 1.  Business

Organization

WNC California Housing Tax Credits III, L.P. (the "Partnership") is a California limited partnership formed under the laws of the State of California on October 5, 1992.  The Partnership was formed to acquire limited partnership interests in other limited partnerships ("Local Limited Partnerships") which own multi-family or senior housing complexes (“Housing Complexes”) that are eligible for Federal low income housing tax credits (“Low Income Housing Tax Credits”).  The local general partners (the “Local General Partners”) of each Local Limited Partnership retain responsibility for maintaining, operating and managing the Housing Complex. Each Local Limited Partnership is governed by its agreement of limited partnership or operating agreement (the “Local Limited Partnership Agreement”).

The general partner of the Partnership is WNC California Tax Credits Partners III, L.P. (the “General Partner”).  WNC & Associates, Inc. (“Associates”) is the general partner of WNC Tax Credit Partners III, L.P.  The chairman and president of Associates owns all of the outstanding stock of Associates.  The business of the Partnership is conducted primarily through Associates, as the Partnership has no employees of its own.

Pursuant to a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), on February 17, 1993, the Partnership commenced a public offering of 30,000 units of limited partnership interest ("Partnership Units") at a price of $1,000 per Partnership Unit.  As of the close of the public offering on July 22, 1994, a total of 17,990 Partnership Units, representing $17,990,000, had been sold. During 1995, an additional 10 Partnership Units, amounting to $10,000, was collected on subscriptions accepted and previously deemed uncollectible. As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, a total of 17,897 and 17,917, respectively, Partnership Units remain outstanding. Holders of Partnership Units are referred to herein as “Limited Partners.”

The Partnership shall continue in full force and effect until December 31, 2050 unless terminated prior to that date pursuant to the Partnership Agreement (as defined below) or law.

Description of Business

The Partnership's principal business objective was to provide its Limited Partners with Low Income Housing Tax Credits.  The Partnership's principal business therefore consisted of investing as a limited partner or non-managing member in Local Limited Partnerships each of which owned and operated a Housing Complex which qualified for the Low Income Housing Tax Credits.  In general, under Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code, an owner of low income housing can receive the Low Income Housing Tax Credits to be used to reduce Federal taxes otherwise due in each year of a ten-year credit period. Each Housing Complex is subject to a 15-year compliance period (the “Compliance Period”), and under state law may have to be maintained as low income housing for 30 or more years.

 
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As a consequence of the provisions of tax law in effect for dispositions of buildings prior to August 2008, in order to avoid recapture of Low Income Housing Tax Credits, the Partnership expected that it would not dispose of its interests in Local Limited Partnerships (“Local Limited Partnership Interests”) or approve the sale by any Local Limited Partnership of its Housing Complex prior to the end of the applicable Compliance Period. That provision of law was amended in 2008 (i) to provide that there would be no recapture on sale of a Low Income Housing Tax Credit building during the Compliance Period if it were reasonable to expect at the time of sale that the building would continue to be operated as qualified low income housing (see “Exit Strategy” below) and (ii) to eliminate the possibility of posting a bond against potential recapture.  The Partnership is seeking to sell its Local Limited Partnership Interests.  Nonetheless, because of (i) the nature of the Housing Complexes and the Local Limited Partnership Interests, (ii) the difficulty of predicting the resale market for low income housing, (iii) the current economy, and (iv) the ability of lenders to disapprove of transfer, it is not possible at this time to predict whether the liquidation of the Partnership's assets and the disposition of the proceeds, if any, in accordance with the Partnership's Agreement of Limited Partnership dated October 5, 1992 (the "Partnership Agreement"), will be accomplished in the near term. Furthermore, the codification of the economic substance doctrine as part of 2010 legislation has created some uncertainty about the deductibility of losses from low income housing that is not generating Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and this could have an adverse effect on the resale market for Housing Complexes and Local Limited Partnership Interests.  If a Local Limited Partnership Interest or the related Housing Complex is not sold, it is anticipated that the Local General Partner would continue to operate such Housing Complex.

The Partnership originally invested in eighteen Local Limited Partnerships, seventeen of which have been sold or otherwise disposed of as of March 31, 2015.  Each of these Local Limited Partnerships owns or owned a Housing Complex all of which were eligible for the Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit and eight which were eligible for the California Low Income Housing Tax Credit.  Certain Local Limited Partnerships may also benefit from additional government programs promoting low- or moderate-income housing.

Exit Strategy

The Compliance Period for a Housing Complex is generally 15 years following construction or rehabilitation completion. Associates was one of the first in the industry to offer syndicated investments in Low Income Housing Tax Credits.  The initial programs have completed their Compliance Periods.

Upon the sale of a Local Limited Partnership Interest or Housing Complex after the end of the Compliance Period, there would be no recapture of Low Income Housing Tax Credits. A sale prior to the end of the Compliance Period could result in recapture if certain conditions are not met. The remaining Local Limited Partnership has completed its Compliance Period as of March 31, 2015.

With that in mind, the General Partner is continuing its review of the Housing Complexes. The review considers many factors, including extended use requirements (such as those due to mortgage restrictions or state compliance agreements), the condition of the Housing Complexes, Partnership cash flow, and the tax consequences to the Limited Partners from the sale of the Housing Complexes.

Upon identifying those Housing Complexes with the highest potential for a successful sale, refinancing or re-syndication, the Partnership expects to proceed with efforts to liquidate them or the applicable Local Limited Partnership Interests. The objective is to wind down the Partnership as Low Income Housing Tax Credits are no longer available. Local Limited Partnership Interests may be disposed of at any time by the General Partner in its discretion. While liquidation of the Housing Complexes or the applicable Local Limited Partnership Interests continues to be evaluated, the dissolution of the Partnership was not imminent as of March 31, 2015.

The proceeds from the disposition of any Housing Complex will be used first to pay debts and other obligations per the applicable Local Limited Partnership Agreement.  Any remaining proceeds will then be paid to the partners of the Local Limited Partnership, including the Partnership, in accordance with the terms of the applicable Local Limited Partnership Agreement.

 
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The sale of a Housing Complex may be subject to other restrictions and obligations.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that a Local Limited Partnership will be able to sell its Housing Complex.  Even if it does so, there can be no assurance that any amounts of cash will be distributed to the Limited Partners, as the proceeds first would be used to pay Partnership obligations and to fund reserves.  Similarly, there can be no assurance that the Partnership will be able to sell its Local Limited Partnership Interests, or that cash therefrom would be available for distribution to the Limited Partners.

As of March 31, 2014, the Partnership sold its Local Limited Partnership Interest in Rosewood Apartments L.P., Venus Retirement Village, Ltd, Winters Investment Group, Parlier Garden Apartments, L.P., Tahoe Pines Apartments, L.P., Candleridge Apartments of Perry L.P. II, Nueva Sierra Vista Associates, L.P., Walnut – Pixley, L.P., Orosi Apartments, Ltd., Memory Lane, L.P., Sun Manor, L.P., Almond Garden Apartment Associates, Buccaneer Villas, Limited, Dallas County Housing, Ltd., Old Fort Limited Partnership, Almond View Apartments, Limited, and La Paloma del Sol, Phase II, L.P.

As of March 31, 2015 the Local Limited Partnership Interest in Colonial Village Roseville was identified to be sold. Colonial Village Roseville was appraised for $2,655,000 and had a mortgage note balance of $1,326,000 as of December 31, 2014. The Partnership’s investment balance is zero. The Compliance Period has been completed therefore there is no risk of recapture and investor approval is not required. The sales price has yet to be determined. The Local General Partner prevented a sale from moving forward and the Partnership filed suit to force the sale. The Court identified three appraisers to appraise the property and Local Limited Partnership interest. In February 2015 the panel of appraisers returned two values. The Local Limited Partnership was valued at $1,607,000 in the case that the Partnership has the right to dissolve the Local Limited Partnership based on the Colonial Village partnership agreement. The second appraisal value was $463,000 in the case that the Partnership does not have the right to dissolve the partnership. Since the panel of appraisers did not provide definite valuation for the Partnerhip’s interest, a hearing was set for early May 2015 to request a judge to make a determination of the value on the legal question of the right to dissolve. On May 14, 2015 the Court heard oral arguments and took matters under advisement. The Court will rule on the Plaintiffs Motion to strike the appraiser’s report in the following 90 days after the oral hearing.  Once the valuation is finalized, the Local General Partner will have the option to acquire the Local Limited Partnership Interest at that price. If they opt to not purchase the interest, then it will go on the open market.

 
5

 
 
Item 1A.  Risk Factors

Set forth below are the risks the Partnership believes are the most significant to the Limited Partners.  The Partnership and the Local Limited Partnerships operate in a continually changing business environment and, therefore, new risks emerge from time to time.  This section contains some forward-looking statements.  For an explanation of the qualifications and limitations on forward-looking statements, see Item 7.
 
a.  
Risks arising from the Internal Revenue Code rules governing Low Income Housing Tax Credits

Sales of Housing Complexes are subject to limitations which may impact a Local Limited Partnership’s ability to sell its Housing Complex.  Each Local Limited Partnership executes an extended low income housing commitment with the state in which the Housing Complex is located.  The extended low income housing commitment states the number of years that the Local Limited Partnership and any subsequent owners must rent the Housing Complex as low income housing.  Under Federal law, the commitment must be for at least 30 years.  The commitment, actually agreed to, may be significantly longer than 30 years.  In prioritizing applicants for Low Income Housing Tax Credits, most states give additional points for commitment periods in excess of 30 years.  On any sale of the Housing Complex during the commitment period, the purchaser would have to agree to continue to rent the Housing Complex as low income housing for the duration of the commitment period.  This requirement reduces the potential market, and possibly the sales price, for the Housing Complexes.  The sale of a Housing Complex may be subject to other restrictions.  For example, Federal lenders or subsidizers may have the right to approve or disapprove a purchase of a Housing Complex.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that a Local Limited Partnership will be able to sell its Housing Complex.  Even if it does so, there can be no assurance that any amount of cash will be distributed to the Limited Partners.  The Partnership would first use sale proceeds to pay obligations of the Partnership.  As a result, a material portion of the Low Income Housing Tax Credits may represent a return of the money originally invested in the Partnership.

As part of the recently enacted health care legislation, Congress has codified the economic substance doctrine. Because of its recent enactment, the full reach of this provision is unclear.  Inasmuch as Housing Complexes might offer no benefit to a purchaser other than tax benefits, it is possible that the economic substance doctrine could be interpreted to limit deduction of tax losses from Housing Complexes, which would be expected to have a significant adverse effect on the sale value of the Housing Complexes and the Local Limited Partnership Interests.

b.  
Risks related to investment in Local Limited Partnerships and Housing Complexes

Because the Partnership has few investments, each investment will have a great impact on the Partnership’s results of operations.  Any single Housing Complex experiencing poor operating performance, or impairment of value will have a significant impact upon the Partnership as a whole.

The failure to pay mortgage debt could result in a forced sale of a Housing Complex. Each Local Limited Partnership leverages the Partnership’s investment therein by incurring mortgage debt.  A Local Limited Partnership’s revenues could be less than its debt payments and taxes and other operating costs.  If so, the Local Limited Partnership would have to use working capital reserves, seek additional funds, or suffer a forced sale of its Housing Complex, which could include a foreclosure.  The same results could occur if government subsidies ceased.  Foreclosure would result in a loss of the Partnership’s capital invested in the Housing Complex.  If the Housing Complex is highly-leveraged, a relatively slight decrease in the rental revenues could adversely affect the Local Limited Partnership’s ability to pay its debt service requirements. Mortgage debt may be repayable in a self-amortizing series of equal installments or with a large balloon final payment.  Balloon payments maturing prior to the end of the anticipated holding period for the Housing Complex create the risk of a forced sale if the debt cannot be refinanced. There can be no assurance that additional funds will be available to any Local Limited Partnership if needed on acceptable terms or at all.

 
6

 

The Partnership does not control the Local Limited Partnerships and must rely on the Local General Partners. The Local General Partners will make all management decisions for the Local Limited Partnerships and the Housing Complexes.  The Partnership has very limited rights with respect to management of the Local Limited Partnerships. The Partnership will not be able to exercise any control with respect to Local Limited Partnership business decisions and operations. Consequently, the success of the Partnership will depend on the abilities of the Local General Partners.

Housing Complexes subsidized by other government programs are subject to additional rules which may make it difficult to operate and sell Housing Complexes.  Some or all of the Housing Complexes receive or may receive government financing or operating subsidies in addition to Low Income Housing Tax Credits.  The following are risks associated with some such subsidy programs:

Obtaining tenants for the Housing Complexes.  Government regulations limit the types of people who can rent subsidized housing. These regulations may make it more difficult to rent the residential units in the Housing Complexes.
Obtaining rent increases.  In many cases rents can only be increased with the prior approval of the subsidizing agency.
Limitations on cash distributions.  The amount of cash that may be distributed to owners of subsidized Housing Complexes is less than the amount that could be earned by the owners of non-subsidized Housing Complexes.
Limitations on sale or refinancing of the Housing Complexes.  A Local Limited Partnership may be unable to sell its Housing Complex or to refinance its mortgage loan without the prior approval of the lender or state allocating agency. The lender or state allocating agency may withhold such approval in the discretion of the lender or state allocating agency. Approval may be subject to conditions, including the condition that the purchaser continues to operate the property as affordable housing for terms which could be as long as 30 years or more. In addition, any prepayment of a mortgage may result in the assessment of a prepayment penalty.
Limitations on transfers of interests in Local Limited Partnerships.  The Partnership may be unable to sell its interest in a Local Limited Partnership without the prior approval of the lender or state allocating agency.  The lender or state allocating agency may withhold such approval in the discretion of the lender or state allocating agency.  Approval may be subject to conditions.
Limitations on removal and admission of Local General Partners.  The Partnership may be unable to remove a Local General Partner from a Local Limited Partnership except for cause, such as the violation of the rules of the lender or state allocating authority.  Regulations may prohibit the removal of a Local General Partner or permit removal only with the prior approval of the lender.  Regulations may also require approval of the admission of a successor Local General Partner even upon the death or other disability of a Local General Partner.
Limitations on subsidy payments. Subsidy payments may be fixed in amount and subject to annual legislative appropriations. The rental revenues of a Housing Complex, when combined with the maximum committed subsidy, may be insufficient to meet obligations. Congress or the state legislature, as the case may be, may fail to appropriate or increase the necessary subsidy.  In those events, the mortgage lender could foreclose on the Housing Complex unless a workout arrangement could be negotiated.
Possible changes in applicable regulations.  Legislation may be enacted which adversely revises provisions of outstanding mortgage loans.  Such legislation has been enacted in the past.
Limited Partners may not receive distributions if Housing Complexes are sold.  There is no assurance that Limited Partners will receive any cash distributions from the sale or refinancing of a Housing Complex.  The price at which a Housing Complex is sold may not be high enough to pay the mortgage and other expenses at the Local Limited Partnership and Partnerships levels which must be paid at such time.  If that happens, a Limited Partner’s return would be derived only from the Low Income Housing Tax Credits and tax losses. Similar risks apply to sales of Local Limited Partnership Interests.

 
7

 

Uninsured casualties could result in losses and recapture. There are casualties which are either uninsurable or not economically insurable.  These include earthquakes, floods, wars and losses relating to hazardous materials or environmental matters.  If a Housing Complex experienced an uninsured casualty, the Partnership could lose both its invested capital and anticipated profits in such property.  Even if the casualty were an insured loss, the Local Limited Partnership might be unable to rebuild the destroyed property.  A portion of prior Low Income Housing Tax Credits could be recaptured and future Low Income Housing Tax Credits could be lost if the Housing Complex were not restored within a reasonable period of time.  Any liability judgments against the Local Limited Partnership could exceed available insurance proceeds or otherwise materially and adversely affect the Local Limited Partnership. The cost of liability and casualty insurance has increased in recent years.  Casualty insurance has become more difficult to obtain and may require large deductible amounts.

Housing Complexes without financing or operating subsidies may be unable to pay operating expenses. If a Local Limited Partnership were unable to pay operating expenses, one result could be a forced sale of its Housing Complex.  If a forced sale occurs during the Compliance Period of a Housing Complex, a partial recapture of Low Income Housing Tax Credits could occur. In this regard, some of the Local Limited Partnerships may own Housing Complexes which have no subsidies other than Low Income Housing Tax Credits.  Those Housing Complexes do not have the benefit of below-market-interest-rate financing or operating subsidies which often are important to the feasibility of low income housing.  Those Housing Complexes rely solely on rents to pay expenses. However, in order for any Housing Complex to be eligible for Low Income Housing Tax Credits, it must restrict the rent which may be charged to tenants.  Over time, the expenses of a Housing Complex will increase. If a Local Limited Partnership cannot increase its rents, it may be unable to pay increased operating expenses.

The Partnership’s investment protection policies will be worthless if the net worth of the Local General Partners is not sufficient to satisfy their obligations.  There is a risk that the Local General Partners will be unable to perform their financial obligations to the Partnership.  The General Partner has not established a minimum net worth requirement for the Local General Partners.  Rather, at the time of the Partnership’s investment, each Local General Partner demonstrated a net worth which the General Partner believed was appropriate under the circumstances. The assets of the Local General Partners are likely to consist primarily of real estate holdings and similar assets. The fair market value of these types of assets is difficult to estimate. These types of assets cannot be readily liquidated to satisfy the financial guarantees and commitments which the Local General Partners make to the Partnership.  Moreover, other creditors may have claims on these assets. No escrow accounts or other security arrangements will be established to ensure performance of a Local General Partner’s obligations. The cost to enforce a Local General Partner’s obligations may be high. If a Local General Partner does not satisfy its obligations the Partnership may have no remedy, or the remedy may be limited to removing the Local General Partner as general partner of the Local Limited Partnership.

Fluctuating economic conditions can reduce the value of real estate. The Partnership’s principal business objective is providing its Limited Partners with Low Income Housing Tax Credits, not the generation of gains from the appreciation of real estate held by the Local Limited Partnerships. In its financial statements, the Partnership has carried its investments in Local Limited Partnerships at values equal to or less than the sum of the total amount of the remaining future Low Income Housing Tax Credits estimated to be allocated to the Partnership and the estimated residual value to the Partnership of its interests in the Local Limited Partnerships.

Any investment in real estate is subject to risks from fluctuating economic conditions. These conditions can adversely affect the ability to realize a profit or even to recover invested capital. Among these conditions are:

the general and local job market,
the availability and cost of mortgage financing,
monetary inflation,
tax, environmental, land use and zoning policies,
the supply of and demand for similar properties,
neighborhood conditions,
the availability and cost of utilities and water.

 
8

 

c.  Tax risks other than those relating to tax credits

In addition to the risks pertaining specifically to Low Income Housing Tax Credits, there are other Federal income tax risks.  Additional Federal income tax risks associated with the ownership of Partnership Units and the operations of the Partnership and the Local Limited Partnerships include, but are not limited to, the following:

No opinion of counsel as to certain matters.  No legal opinion is obtained regarding matters:

the determination of which depends on future factual circumstances,
which are peculiar to individual Limited Partners, or
which are not customarily the subject of an opinion.

The more significant of these matters include:

allocating purchase price among components of a property, particularly as between buildings and fixtures, the cost of which is depreciable, and the underlying land, the cost of which is not depreciable,
characterizing expenses and payments made to or by the Partnership or a Local Limited Partnership,
identifying the portion of the costs of any Housing Complex which qualify for historic and other tax credits, and
applying to any specific Limited Partner the limitation on the use of tax credits and tax losses.  Limited Partners must determine for themselves the extent to which they can use tax credits and tax losses, and
the application of the alternative minimum tax to any specific Limited Partner, or the calculation of the alternative minimum tax by any Limited Partner.  The alternative minimum tax could reduce the tax benefits from an investment in the Partnership

There can be no assurance, therefore, that the IRS will not challenge some of the tax positions adopted by the Partnership.  The courts could sustain an IRS challenge.  An IRS challenge, if successful, could have a detrimental effect on the Partnership’s ability to realize its investment objectives.

Passive activity rules will limit deduction of the Partnership’s losses and impose tax on interest income.   The Internal Revenue Code imposes limits on the ability of most investors to claim losses from investments in real estate.  An individual may claim these so-called passive losses only as an offset to income from investments in real estate or rental activities.  An individual may not claim passive losses as an offset against other types of income, such as salaries, wages, dividends and interest.  These passive activity rules will restrict the ability of most Limited Partners to use losses from the Partnership as an offset of non-passive income.

The Partnership may earn interest income on its reserves and loans.  The passive activity rules generally will categorize interest as portfolio income, and not passive income. Passive losses cannot be used as an offset to portfolio income.  Consequently, a Limited Partner could pay tax liability on portfolio income from the Partnership.

At risk rules might limit deduction of the Partnership’s losses.  If a significant portion of the financing used to purchase Housing Complexes does not consist of qualified nonrecourse financing, the “at risk” rules will limit a Limited Partner’s ability to claim Partnership losses to the amount the Limited Partner invests in the Partnership.  The “at risk” rules of the Internal Revenue Code generally limit a Limited Partner’s ability to deduct Partnership losses to the sum of:

the amount of cash the Limited Partner invests in the Partnership, and
the Limited Partner’s share of Partnership qualified nonrecourse financing.

Qualified nonrecourse financing is non-convertible, nonrecourse debt which is borrowed from a government, or with exceptions, any person actively and regularly engaged in the business of lending money.
 
 

 
9

 

Tax liability on sale of Housing Complex or Local Limited Partnership Interest may exceed the cash available from the sale.  When a Local Limited Partnership sells a Housing Complex it will recognize gain. Such gain is equal to the difference between:

the sales proceeds plus the amount of indebtedness secured by the Housing Complex, and
the adjusted basis for the Housing Complex. The adjusted basis for a Housing Complex is its original cost, plus capital expenditures, minus depreciation.

Similarly, when the Partnership sells an interest in a Local Limited Partnership the Partnership will recognize gain. Such gain is equal to the difference between:

the sales proceeds plus the Partnership’s share of the amount of indebtedness secured by the Housing Complex, and
the adjusted basis for the interest.  The adjusted basis for an interest in a Local Limited Partnership is the amount paid for the interest, plus income allocations and cash distributions, less loss allocations.

Accordingly, gain will be increased by the depreciation deductions taken during the holding period for the Housing Complex.  In some cases, a Limited Partner could have a tax liability from a sale greater than the cash distributed to the Limited Partner from the sale.

IRS could audit the returns of the Partnership, the Local Limited Partnerships or the Limited Partners. The IRS can audit the Partnership or a Local Limited Partnership at the entity level with regard to issues affecting the entity.  The IRS does not have to audit each Limited Partner in order to challenge a position taken by the Partnership or a Local Limited Partnership.  Similarly, only one judicial proceeding can be filed to contest an IRS determination.  A contest by the Partnership of any IRS determination might result in high legal fees.

An audit of the Partnership or a Local Limited Partnership also could result in an audit of a Limited Partner.  An audit of a Limited Partner’s tax returns could result in adjustments both to items that are related to the Partnership and to unrelated items.  The Limited Partner could then be required to file amended tax returns and pay additional tax plus interest and penalties.

A successful IRS challenge to tax allocations of the Partnership or a Local Limited Partnership would reduce the tax benefits of an investment in the Partnership.  Under the Internal Revenue Code, a partnership’s allocation of income, gains, deductions, losses and tax credits must have substantial economic effect.  Substantial economic effect is a highly-technical concept.  The fundamental principle is two-fold.  If a partner will benefit economically from an item of partnership income or gain, that item must be allocated to him so that he bears the correlative tax burden.  Conversely, if a partner will suffer economically from an item of partnership deduction or loss, that item must be allocated to him so that he bears the correlative tax benefit.  If a partnership’s allocations do not have substantial economic effect, then the partnership’s tax items are allocated in accordance with each partner’s interest in the partnership. The IRS might challenge the allocations made by the Partnership:

between the Limited Partners and the General Partner,
among the Limited Partners, or
between the Partnership and a Local General Partner.

If any allocations were successfully challenged, a greater share of the income or gain or a lesser share of the losses or tax credits might be allocated to the Limited Partners.  This would increase the tax liability or reduce the tax benefits to the Limited Partners.

 
10

 

Tax liabilities could arise in later years of the Partnership.  After a period of years following commencement of operations by a Local Limited Partnership, the Local Limited Partnership may generate profits rather than losses.  A Limited Partner would have tax liability on his share of such profits unless he could offset the income with:

unused passive losses from the Partnership or other investments, or
current passive losses from other investments.

In such circumstances, the Limited Partner would not receive a cash distribution from the Partnership with which to pay any tax liability.

IRS challenge to tax treatment of expenditures could reduce losses. The IRS may contend that fees and payments of the Partnership or a Local Limited Partnership:

should be deductible over a longer period of time or in a later year,
are excessive and may not be capitalized or deducted in full,
should be capitalized and not deducted, or
may not be included as part of the basis for computing tax credits.

Any such contention by the IRS could adversely impact, among other things:

the eligible basis of a Housing Complex used to compute Low Income Housing Tax Credits,
the adjusted basis of a Housing Complex used to compute depreciation,
the correct deduction of fees,
the amortization of organization and offering expenses and start-up expenditures.

If the IRS were successful in any such contention, the anticipated Low Income Housing Tax Credits and losses of the Partnership would be reduced, perhaps substantially.

Changes in tax law might reduce the value of Low Income Housing Tax Credits. Although all Low Income Housing Tax Credits are allocated to a Housing Complex at commencement of the 10-year credit period, there can be no assurance that future legislation may not adversely affect an investment in the Partnership. For example, legislation could reduce or eliminate the value of Low Income Housing Tax Credits.  In this regard, before 1986, the principal tax benefit of an investment in low income housing was tax losses.  These tax losses generally were used to reduce an investor’s income from all sources on a dollar-for-dollar basis.  Investments in low income housing were made in reliance on the availability of such tax benefits.  However, tax legislation enacted in 1986 severely curtailed deduction of such losses.

New administrative or judicial interpretations of the law might reduce the value of Low Income Housing Tax Credits.  Many of the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code related to low income housing and real estate investments have not been interpreted by the IRS in regulations, rulings or public announcements, or by the courts.  In the future, these provisions may be interpreted or clarified by the IRS or the courts in a manner adverse to the Partnership or the Local Limited Partnerships.  The IRS constantly reviews the Federal tax rules, and can revise its interpretations of established concepts.  Any such revisions could reduce or eliminate tax benefits associated with an investment in the Partnership.

State income tax laws may adversely affect the Limited Partners.  A Limited Partner may be required to file income tax returns and be subject to tax and withholding in each state or local taxing jurisdiction in which: a Housing Complex is located, the Partnership or a Local Limited Partnership engages in business activities, or the Limited Partner is a resident.  Corporate Limited Partners may be required to pay state franchise taxes.

The tax treatment of particular items under state or local income tax laws may vary materially from the Federal income tax treatment of such items.  Nonetheless, many of the Federal income tax risks associated with an investment in the Partnership may also apply under state or local income tax law.  The Partnership may be required to withhold state taxes from distributions or income allocations to Limited Partners in some instances.
 
 
11

 
 
 
d.  
Risks related to the Partnership and the Partnership Agreement

The Partnership may be unable to timely provide financial reports to the Limited Partners which would adversely affect their ability to monitor Partnership operations. Historically, the Partnership has been unable to timely file and provide investors with all of its required periodic reports.  In some instances, the delay has been substantial.  Each Local General Partner is required to retain independent public accountants and to report financial information to the Partnership in a timely manner.  There cannot be any assurance that the Local General Partners will satisfy these obligations.  If not, the Partnership would be unable to provide to the Limited Partners in a timely manner its financial statements and other reports.  That would impact the Limited Partners’ ability to monitor Partnership operations.  The Partnership’s failure to meet its filing requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 could reduce the liquidity for the Partnership Units due to the unavailability of public information concerning the Partnership.  The failure to file could also result in sanctions imposed by the SEC.  Any defense mounted by the Partnership in the face of such sanctions could entail legal and other fees, which would diminish cash reserves.

Lack of liquidity of investment.  There is no public market for the purchase and sale of  Partnership Units, and it is unlikely that one will develop.  Accordingly, Limited Partners may not be able to sell their Partnership Units promptly or at a reasonable price.  Partnership Units should be considered as a long-term investment because the Partnership is unlikely to sell any Local Limited Partnership Interests for at least 15 years.  Partnership Units cannot be transferred to tax-exempt or foreign entities, or through a secondary market.  The General Partner can deny effectiveness of a transfer if necessary to avoid adverse tax consequences from the transfer.  The General Partner does not anticipate that any Partnership Units will be redeemed by the Partnership.

The Limited Partners will not control the Partnership and must rely totally on the General Partner.  The General Partner will make all management decisions for the Partnership.  Management decisions include exercising powers granted to the Partnership by a Local Limited Partnership.  Limited Partners have no right or power to take part in Partnership management.

Individual Limited Partners will have no recourse if they disagree with actions authorized by a vote of the majority.  The Partnership Agreement grants to Limited Partners owning more than 50% of the Partnership Units the right to:

remove the General Partner and elect a replacement general partner,
amend the Partnership Agreement,
terminate the Partnership.

Accordingly, a majority-in-interest of the Limited Partners could cause any such events to occur, even if Limited Partners owning 49% of the Partnership Units opposed such action.

Limitations on liability of the General Partner to the Partnership.  The ability of Limited Partners to sue the General Partner and its affiliates is subject to limitations.  The Partnership Agreement limits the liability of the General Partner and its affiliates to the Limited Partners.  The General Partner and its affiliates will not be liable to the Limited Partners for acts and omissions: performed or omitted in good faith, and performed or omitted in a manner which the General Partner reasonably believed to be within the scope of its authority and in the best interest of the Limited Partners, provided such conduct did not constitute negligence or misconduct.

Therefore, Limited Partners may be less able to sue the General Partner and it affiliates than would be the case if such provisions were not included in the Partnership Agreement.

Associates and its affiliates are serving as the general partners of many other partnerships.  Depending on their corporate area of responsibility, the officers of Associates initially devote approximately 5% to 50% of their time to the Partnership.  These individuals spend significantly less time devoted to the Partnership after the investment of the Partnership’s capital in Local Limited Partnerships.

 
12

 

The interests of Limited Partners may conflict with the interests of the General Partner and its affiliates.  The General Partner and its affiliates are committed to the management of more than 100 other limited partnerships that have investments similar to those of the Partnership.  The General Partner and its affiliates receive substantial compensation from the Partnership.  The General Partner decides how the Partnership’s investments in Housing Complexes are managed, and when the investments will be sold. The General Partner may face a conflict in these circumstances because the General Partner’s share of fees and cash distributions from the transaction may be more or less than their expected share of fees if a Housing Complex was not sold. The Partnership has not developed any formal process for resolving conflicts of interest. However, the General Partner is subject to a fiduciary duty to exercise good faith and integrity in handling the affairs of the Partnership, and that duty will govern its actions in all such matters. Furthermore, the manner in which the Partnership can operate and sell investments is subject to substantial restrictions as outlined in the Partnership Agreement.
 
Anticipated future and existing cash resources of the Partnership are not sufficient to pay existing liabilities of the Partnership.   However, substantially all of the existing liabilities of the Partnership are payable to the General Partner and/or its affiliates.

The Partnership’s accrued payables consist primarily of the asset management fees payable to the General Partner.  These asset management fees payable increased (decreased) by approximately $25,000, $19,000 and $(87,000), for the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The Partnership’s future contractual cash obligations consist solely of its obligations to pay future annual asset management fees.  These will equal approximately $25,000 per year through the termination of the Partnership, which must occur no later than December 31, 2050.  Though the amounts payable to the General Partner and/or its affiliates are contractually  currently payable,  the Partnership  anticipates that the General Partner and/or its affiliates will not require the payment of these contractual  obligations until capital reserves are in excess of the aggregate of the existing  contractual  obligations  and anticipated future foreseeable  obligations of the Partnership.  The Partnership would be adversely affected should the General Partner and/or its affiliates demand current payment of the existing contractual obligations and or suspend services for this or any other reason.

Associates has agreed to continue providing advances sufficient enough to fund the operations and working capital requirements of the Partnership through June 30, 2016.

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments

Not Applicable

Item 2. Properties

Through its investments in Local Limited Partnerships, the Partnership holds indirect ownership interests in the Housing Complexes.  The following table reflects the status of the remaining Housing Complex for which the Partnership had ownership during the year, as of the dates or for the periods indicated:


 
13

 

WNC California Housing Tax Credits III, L.P.
             
           
As of March 31, 2015
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
Local Limited
Partnership Name
 
Location
 
General Partner Name
 
Partnership’s Total Investment in Local Limited Partnerships
 
Amount of Investment Paid to Date
 
Number of Units
 
Estimated
Aggregate
Low Income Housing Tax Credits
   
Mortgage Balances of Local Limited Partnerships
 
                                 
Colonial Village Roseville (1)
 
Roseville, California
 
S.P. Thomas Company of Northern California Inc. and Project Go, Inc.
  $ 2,811,000   $ 2,811,000     56   $ 5,872,000     $ 1,326,000  
                                           
            $ 2,811,000   $ 2,811,000     56   $ 5,872,000     $ 1,326,000  
 
(1)  
The Local Limited Partnership interest has been identified for sale as of March 31, 2015.

 
14

 
 
WNC California Housing Tax Credits III, L.P.
 
   
   
For the year ended December 31, 2014
 
Local Limited
Partnership Name
 
Rental Income
   
Net Loss
   
Low Income
Housing Tax Credits
Allocated to
Partnership
 
                   
Colonial Village Roseville (1)
  $ 583,000     $ (41,000 )     N/A  
                         
    $ 583,000     $ (41,000 )        

N/A – All of the Low Income Housing Tax Credits have been allocated to the Partnership and there are no future Low Income Housing Tax Credits expected to be received.

(1)  
The Local Limited Partnership interest has been identified for sale as of March 31, 2015.

 
15

 

WNC California Housing Tax Credits III, L.P.
   Occupancy Rates  
March 31, 2015
         
As of December 31,
 
Local Limited
Partnership Name
 
 
Location
 
 
General Partner Name
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
                                   
Almond Garden Apartment Associates
 
Delhi, California
 
Anthony Donovan
  N/A   N/A   N/A     97 %   97 %
                                   
Almond View Apartments, Ltd.
 
Stockton, California
 
Daniel C. Logue and Cyrus Youssefi
  N/A   N/A   96 %   90 %   88 %
                                   
Buccaneer Associates, Limited
 
Fernandia Beach, Florida
 
Clifford E. Olsen
  N/A   N/A   N/A     98 %   92 %
                                   
Candleridge Apartments of Perry L.P. II
 
Perry, Iowa
 
Eric A. Sheldahl
  N/A   N/A   N/A     N/A     N/A  
                                   
Colonial Village Roseville
 
Roseville, California
 
S.P. Thomas Company of Northern California Inc. and Project Go, Inc.
  98 % 93 % 93 %   98 %   100 %
                                   
Dallas County Housing, Ltd.
 
Orrville, Alabama
 
Thomas H. Cooksey and Apartment Developers, Inc.
  N/A   N/A   N/A     84 %   84 %
                                   
La Paloma del Sol Limited Partnership
 
Deming, New Mexico
 
Dean Greenwalt
  N/A   N/A   92 %   100 %   97 %
                                   
Memory Lane Limited Partnership
 
Yankton, South Dakota
 
Skogen - Peterson, Inc.
  N/A   N/A   N/A     N/A     100 %
                                   
Nueva Sierra Vista Associates
 
Richgrove, California
 
Self-Help Enterprises, Inc. and Nueva Sierra Vista Corporation
  N/A   N/A   N/A     N/A     N/A  

 
16

 
 
WNC California Housing Tax Credits III, L.P.
             
March 31, 2015
         
Occupancy Rates
 
           
As of December 31,
 
Local Limited
Partnership Name
 
Location
 
General Partner Name
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
   
2010
 
                                 
Old Fort Limited Partnership
 
Hidalgo, Texas
 
Alan Deke Noftsker and ABO Corporation
  N/A   N/A   N/A   100 %   93 %
                                 
Orosi Apartments, Ltd.
 
Orosi, California
 
Douglas W. Young
  N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A     93 %
                                 
Parlier Garden Apts.
 
Parlier, California
 
David J. Micheal and Professional Apartment Management, Inc.
  N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A     N/A  
                                 
Rosewood Apartments Limited Partnership
 
Superior, Wisconsin
 
Duffy Development Company, Inc.
  N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A     N/A  
                                 
Sun Manor, L.P.
 
Itta Bena, Mississippi
 
Glenn D. Miller
  N/A   N/A   N/A   100 %   100 %
                                 
Tahoe Pines Apartments
 
South Lake Tahoe, California
 
David J. Michael, Bucky Fong, Dean Pearson, Coy Elvis and Dr. Patricia Hatton
  N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A     N/A  
                                 
Venus Retirement Village, Ltd.
 
Venus, Texas
 
W. Joseph Chamy
  N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A     N/A  
                                 
Walnut - Pixley, L.P.
 
Orange, California
 
Walnut - Pixley, Inc.
  N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A     91 %
                                 
Winters Investment Group
 
Winters, California
 
John P. Casper
  N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A     N/A  
Weighted Average
  98 % 93 % 94 % 96 %   94 %

N/A - The Partnership sold its interest in the Local Limited Partnership prior to the respective year end.

 
17

 

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

The Partnership is a limited partner in Colonial Village Roseville, a California limited partnership (“Colonial Roseville”). Colonial Roseville owns and operates an apartment complex. Project GO, Incorporated (“Project GO”) is the general partner of Colonial Roseville.

Notwithstanding its prior indications to the contrary, Project GO refused to accept an offer to buy its general partner interest in Colonial Roseville, and in Colonial Village Auburn, a California limited partnership (“Colonial Auburn”), the limited partnership interest in which is owned by another investment fund sponsored by Associates. Rather, Project GO engaged counsel to issue threatening letters to the Partnership. Consequently, the Partnership and the WNC investment fund that owns the limited partner interest in Colonial Auburn have commenced litigation against Project GO.

On September 3, 2013, Associates, the Partnership and the other investment fund sponsored by Associates filed with the Superior Court of California, County of Placer, a Verified Complaint naming as defendants Project GO, Colonial Roseville, and Colonial Auburn. The following as causes of action were included therein: breach of contract for failure to sell Project GO’s general partner interests and for failure to dissolve Colonial Roseville and Colonial Auburn, dissolution of Colonial Roseville and Colonial Auburn, breach of fiduciary duty, accounting, and appointment of receiver, and intentional interference. On October 24, 2013, Project GO filed a motion to purchase the Colonial Roseville LP interest pursuant to California Corporations Code Section 15908.02. Under this provision of California law, when one partner sues for dissolution, the other may seek a court order enabling the defendant to purchase the interest of the plaintiff at fair market value as determined by three appraisers. Project GO’s motion to pursue this remedy was approved by court order. In accordance with the court order, each of Project GO and the Partnership submitted for the court’s consideration the names of three appraisers. Project GO also posted a bond with the court. The court has selected one appraiser from each of the two lists and has identified a third appraiser. The three appraisers have been charged by the court with determining a fair market value for the Colonia Roseville and the Colonial Auburn LP interests.

The provisions of California Corporations Code Section 15908.02(d), (e) and (f) provide as follows:

(d) The court shall appoint three disinterested appraisers to appraise the fair market value of the partnership interests owned by the moving parties, and shall make an order referring the matter to the appraisers so appointed for the purpose of ascertaining that value. The order shall prescribe the time and manner of producing evidence, if evidence is required. The award of the appraisers or a majority of them, when confirmed by the court, shall be final and conclusive upon all parties. The court shall enter a decree that shall provide in the alternative for winding up and dissolution of the limited partnership unless payment is made for the partnership interests within the time specified by the decree. If the purchasing parties do not make payment for the partnership interests within the time specified, judgment shall be entered against them and the surety or sureties on the bond for the amount of the expenses, including attorneys' fees, of the moving parties. Any member aggrieved by the action of the court may appeal therefrom.

(e) If the purchasing parties desire to prevent the winding up and dissolution of the limited partnership, they shall pay to the moving parties the value of their partnership interests ascertained and decreed within the time specified pursuant to this section, or, in the case of an appeal, as fixed on appeal. On receiving that payment or the tender thereof, the moving parties shall transfer their partnership interests to the purchasing parties.

(f) For the purposes of this section, the valuation date shall be the date upon which the action for judicial dissolution was commenced. However, the court may, upon the hearing of a motion by any party, and for good cause shown, designate some other date as the valuation date.

In light of the foregoing statute, the following alternative courses of action could result. The Partnership has been informed by counsel that these are the most likely alternatives.  The actual result will depend on the court and on actions taken by Project GO and the Partnership as the court action progresses.
 
 
18

 

Following the appraisal process, Project GO purchases the Partnership’s Colonial Roseville LP Interest for its appraised value established by court order.
Following the appraisal process, Project GO does not purchase the interest of the Partnership. Funds from the bond are paid to the Partnership to cover all or part of its legal costs. The court enters an order requiring the dissolution of Colonial Roseville. Colonial Roseville winds up its affairs under California law by selling its apartment complex.
The court action is resolved by settlement.

Accordingly, the ultimate resolution is at present uncertain, and the resolution may be some time in coming. No estimate of a timetable can be provided at this time.

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

NOT APPLICABLE
 
PART II.

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Item 5a.

(a)  
The Partnership Units are not traded on a public exchange but were sold through a public offering.  It is not anticipated that any public market will develop for the purchase and sale of any Partnership Units and none exists. Partnership Units can be assigned or otherwise transferred only if certain requirements in the Partnership Agreement are satisfied.

(b)  
At March 31, 2015, there were 901 Limited Partners and 0 assignees of Partnership Units who were not admitted as Limited Partners.

(c)  
The Partnership was not designed to provide operating cash distributions to Limited Partners.  It is possible that the Partnership could make distributions from sale proceeds, if the Partnership is able to sell its Local Limited Partnership Interests or Housing Complexes for more than the related closing costs and any then accrued obligations of the Partnership.  There can be no assurance in this regard.  Any distributions would be made in accordance with the terms of the Partnership Agreement.  During the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 the Partnership did not make any cash distributions to the Limited Partners.

(d)  
No securities are authorized for issuance by the Partnership under equity compensation plans.

(e)  
The Partnership does not issue common stock.

(f)  
No unregistered securities were sold by the Partnership during the year ended March 31, 2015.

Item 5b. Use of Proceeds

NOT APPLICABLE

Item 5c. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

NONE

 
19

 
 
Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

Selected balance sheet information for the Partnership is as follows:

   
March 31,
 
                               
   
2015
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
 
ASSETS
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 10,041     $ 5,698     $ 17,070     $ 107,982     $ 173,114  
Other assets
    123,156       60,756       890       18,550       -  
Investments in Local Limited Partnerships, net
    -       -       -       -       -  
                                         
       Total Assets
  $ 133,197     $ 66,454     $ 17,960     $ 126,532     $ 173,114  
                                         
LIABILITIES
                                       
Accrued fees and expenses
                                       
  due to General Partner and affiliates
  $ 1,885,149     $ 1,717,344     $ 1,602,638     $ 1,728,917     $ 2,029,485  
                                         
PARTNERS' DEFICIT
    (1,751,952 )     (1,650,890 )     (1,584,678 )     (1,602,385 )     (1,856,371 )
                                         
       Total Liabilities and Partners’
            Deficit
  $ 133,197     $ 66,454     $ 17,960     $ 126,532     $ 173,114  

Selected results of operations, cash flows and other information for the Partnership are as follows:
 
     
2015
     
2014
     
2013
     
2012
     
2011
 
                                         
Loss from operations
  $ (101,063 )   $ (74,622 )   $ (104,062 )   $ (128,034 )   $ (86,012 )
Gain on sale of Local Limited Partnerships
    -       8,409       121,751       381,961       57,600  
Interest income
    1       1       18       59       229  
Net income (loss)
  $ (101,062 )   $ (66,212 )   $ 17,707     $ 253,986     $ (28,183 )
                                         
Net income (loss) allocated to:
                                       
General Partner
  $ (1,011 )   $ (662 )   $ 177     $ 2,540     $ (282 )
                                         
Limited Partners
  $ (100,051 )   $ (65,550 )   $ 17,530     $ 251,446     $ (27,901 )
                                         
Net income (loss) per Partnership Unit
  $ 5.59     $ (3.66 )   $ .98     $ 13.97     $ (1.55 )
Outstanding weighted Partnership Units
    17,897       17,917       17,957       18,000       18,000  


 
20

 

 
     
For the Years Ended March 31,
 
     
2015
     
2014
     
2013
     
2012
     
2011
 
Net cash provided by                                        
   (used in):
                                       
Operating activities
  $ 4,343     $ (19,781 )   $ (168,213 )   $ (447,093 )   $ (64,807 )
Investing activities
    -       8,409       77,301       381,961       57,600  
                                         
Net change in cash and  cash equivalents
    4,343       (11,372 )     (90,912 )     (65,132 )     (7,207 )
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
    5,698       17,070       107,982       173,114       180,321  
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
  $ 10,041     $ 5,698     $ 17,070     $ 107,982     $ 173,114  

Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward Looking Statements

With the exception of the discussion regarding historical information, this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and other discussions elsewhere in this Form 10-K contain forward looking statements.  Such statements are based on current expectations subject to uncertainties and other factors which may involve known and unknown risks that could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those projected or implied.  Further, certain forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions about future events which may not prove to be accurate.

Risks and uncertainties inherent in forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, the Partnership’s future cash flows and ability to obtain sufficient financing, level of operating expenses, conditions in the Low Income Housing Tax Credits property market and the economy in general, changes in law rules and regulations, and legal proceedings.  Historical results are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for any future period.

Subsequent written and oral forward looking statements attributable to the Partnership or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by cautionary statements in this Form 10-K and in other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements and the Notes thereto included elsewhere in this filing.

Critical Accounting Policies and Certain Risks and Uncertainties

The Partnership believes that the following discussion addresses the Partnership’s most significant accounting policies, which are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating the Partnership’s reported financial results, and certain of the Partnership’s risks and uncertainties.

 
21

 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 materially differ from those estimates.

Method of Accounting for Investments in Local Limited Partnerships

The Partnership accounts for its investments in Local Limited Partnerships using the equity method of accounting, whereby the Partnership adjusts its investment balance for its share of the Local Limited Partnerships’ results of operations and for any contributions made and distributions received. The Partnership reviews the carrying amount of an individual investment in a Local Limited Partnership for possible impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such investment may not be recoverable.  Recoverability of such investment is measured by the estimated value derived by management, generally consisting of the product of the remaining future Low Income Housing Tax Credits estimated to be allocable to the Partnership and the estimated residual value to the Partnership.  If an investment is considered to be impaired, the Partnership reduces the carrying value of its investment in any such Local Limited Partnership. The accounting policies of the Local Limited Partnerships, generally, are expected to be consistent with those of the Partnership. Costs incurred by the Partnership in acquiring the investments are capitalized as part of the investment account and were being amortized over 27.5 years. (See Note 3 to the financial statements)

"Equity in losses of Local Limited Partnerships" for each year ended March 31 has been recorded by the Partnership based on the twelve months of reported results provided by the Local Limited Partnerships for each year ended December 31. Equity in losses from the Local Limited Partnerships allocated to the Partnership is not recognized to the extent that the investment balance would be adjusted below zero.  If the Local Limited Partnerships report net income in future years, the Partnership will resume applying the equity method only after its share of such net income equals the share of net losses not recognized during the period(s) the equity method was suspended.

Distributions received from the Local Limited Partnerships are accounted for as a reduction of the investment balance.  Distributions received after the investment has reached zero are recognized as distribution income.

In accordance with the accounting guidance for the consolidation of variable interest entities, the Partnership determines when it should include the assets, liabilities, and activities of a variable interest entity (VIE) in its financial statements, and when it should disclose information about its relationship with a VIE. The analysis that must be performed to determine which entity should consolidate a VIE focuses on control and economic factors. A VIE is a legal structure used to conduct activities or hold assets, which must be consolidated by a company if it is the primary beneficiary because it has (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. If multiple unrelated parties share such power, as defined, no party will be required to consolidate the VIE. Further, the guidance requires continual reconsideration of the primary beneficiary of a VIE.

Based on this guidance, the Local Limited Partnerships in which the Partnership invests meet the definition of a VIE because the owners of the equity at risk in these entities do not have the power to direct their operations. However, management does not consolidate the Partnership's interests in these VIEs, as it is not considered to be the primary beneficiary since it does not have the power to direct the activities that are considered most significant to the economic performance of these entities. The Partnership currently records the amount of its investment in these Local Limited Partnerships as an asset on its balance sheets, recognizes its share of partnership income or losses in the statements of operations, and discloses how it accounts for material types of these investments in its financial statements. The Partnership's balance in investment in Local Limited Partnerships, plus the risk of recapture of tax credits previously recognized on these investments, represents its maximum exposure to loss. The Partnership's exposure to loss on these Local Limited Partnerships is mitigated by the condition and financial performance of the underlying Housing Complexes as well as the strength of the Local General Partners and their guarantee against credit recapture to the investors in the Partnership.

 
22

 

Income Taxes

The Partnership has elected to be treated as a pass-through entity for income tax purposes and, as such, is not subject to income taxes. Rather, all items of taxable income, deductions and tax credits are passed through to and are reported by its owners on their respective income tax returns.  The Partnership’s federal tax status as a pass-through entity is based on its legal status as a partnership. Accordingly, the Partnership is not required to take any tax positions in order to qualify as a pass-through entity. The Partnership is required to file and does file tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service and other taxing authorities. Accordingly, these financial statements do not reflect a provision for income taxes and the Partnership has no other tax positions which must be considered for disclosure. Income tax returns filed by the Partnership are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years. While no income tax returns are currently being examined by the Internal Revenue Service, tax years since 2011 remain open.

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2014, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting and disclosure requirements for investments in qualified affordable housing projects. The amendments provide guidance on accounting for investments by a reporting entity in flow-through limited liability entities that manage or invest in affordable housing projects that qualify for the low-income housing tax credit. The amendments permit reporting entities to make an accounting policy election to account for their investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. Under the proportional amortization method, an entity amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received, and recognizes the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense (benefit). The amendments are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. Early adoption is permitted. The Partnership is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this guidance on its financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis”. This will improve certain areas of consolidation guidance for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether to consolidate certain legal entities such as limited partnerships, limited liability corporations and securitization structures. ASU 2015-02 simplifies and improves GAAP by: eliminating the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, eliminating the indefinite deferral of FASB Statement No. 167, thereby reducing the number of Variable Interest Entity (VIE) consolidation models from four to two (including the limited partnership consolidation model) and clarifying when fees paid to a decision maker should be a factor to include in the consolidation of VIEs. ASU 2015-02 will be effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Partnership is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this guidance on its financial statements.

Certain Risks and Uncertainties

See Item 1A for a discussion of risks regarding the Partnership.

All of the Low Income Tax Housing Tax Credits anticipated to be realized from the Local Limited Partnerships have been realized. The Partnership does not anticipate being allocated a significant amount of Low Income Housing Tax Credits from the Local Limited Partnerships in the future.  Until all Local Limited Partnerships have completed the Compliance Period, risks exist for potential recapture of prior Low Income Housing Tax Credits.

To date, certain Local Limited Partnerships have incurred significant operating losses and have working capital deficiencies.  In the event these Local Limited Partnerships continue to incur significant operating losses, additional capital contributions by the Partnership and/or the Local General Partners may be required to sustain the operations of such Local Limited Partnerships.

Anticipated future and existing cash resources of the Partnership are not sufficient to pay existing liabilities of the Partnership.  However, substantially all of the existing liabilities of the Partnership are payable to the General Partner and/or its affiliates.  Though the amounts payable to the General Partner and/or its affiliates are contractually currently payable, the Partnership anticipates that the General Partner and/or its affiliates will not require the payment of these contractual obligations until capital reserves are in excess of the aggregate of then existing contractual obligations and then anticipated future foreseeable obligations of the Partnership.  The Partnership would be adversely affected should the General Partner and/or its affiliates demand current payment of the existing contractual obligations and or suspend services for this or any other reason.
 
 
23

 

Financial Condition

The Partnership’s assets at March 31, 2015 consisted of $10,000 in cash and $123,000 in other assets. Liabilities at March 31, 2015 consisted of $1,885,000 in accrued fees and expenses due to the General Partner and affiliates. (See “Future Contractual Cash Obligations” below).

Results of Operations

Year Ended March 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended March 31, 2014  The Partnership’s net loss for the year ended March 31, 2015 was $101,000, reflecting an increase of $35,000 from the $66,000 net loss for the year ended March 31, 2014. The increase in net loss was primarily due to an increase of $61,000 in write off of other assets during the year ended March 31, 2015. Capitalized costs from potential disposition of Local Limited Partnerships were expensed due to the length of the time it has taken to dispose of the properties. There was a $9,000 decrease in asset management fees for the year ended March 31, 2015. These fees are calculated based on the invested assets, which decreased due to the disposition of the Local Limited Partnerships in the prior year. There was a $15,000 decrease in legal and accounting due to timing of the accounting work performed. In addition, gain on sale of Local Limited Partnerships decreased by $8,000 during the year ended March 31, 2015. The gains recorded vary from period to period depending on the sales prices and values of the Local Limited Partnerships. Distribution income increased by $1,000 for the year ended March 31, 2015. Local Limited Partnerships pay distributions to the Partnership when the Local Limited Partnerships’ cash flows will allow for the payment.  Other expenses decreased by $10,000 during the year ended March 31, 2015. The decrease was due to the timing of the consulting work performed.

Year Ended March 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended March 31, 2013 The Partnership’s net loss for the year ended March 31, 2014 was $66,000, reflecting a decrease of $84,000 from the net income of $18,000 for the year ended March 31, 2013. During the year ended March 31, 2014 the Partnership recognized an $8,000 gain on sale of Local Limited Partnerships compared to a gain of $122,000 recorded during the year ended March 31, 2013.  The gain recorded by the Partnership can vary depending on the sales prices and values of the Housing Complexes that are sold.   The reporting fees decreased by $1,000 and the distribution income increased by $13,000 from the year ended March 31, 2013. Local Limited Partnerships pay the reporting fees and distributions to the Partnership when the Local Limited Partnerships’ cash flows will allow for the payment.  The accounting and legal fees increased by $4,000 for the year ended March 31, 2014 due to the timing of the accounting work performed.  The asset management fees decreased by $24,000 for the year ended March 31, 2014 due to the fact that the fees are calculated based on the value of the invested assets, which decreased as a result of the sales of Local Limited Partnerships.  The outsourcing expenses increased by $1,000 for the year ended March 31, 2014 due to the fact that the Partnership outsourced a portion of the data entry management to increase efficiency.  The mailing expenses decreased by $2,000 for the year ended March 31, 2014 due to the decrease in proxy mailings related to the dispositions as compared to the prior year. Write off of other assets decreased by $7,000 during the year ended March 31, 2014. Capitalized costs from the potential disposition of Local Limited Partnerships were expensed due to the amount of time taken to sell the property. Other expenses increased by $10,000 primarily due to proxy and other SEC filing related printing expenses.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Year Ended March 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended March 31, 2014 The net increase in cash during the year ended March 31, 2015 was $4,000 compared to a net decrease in cash for the year ended March 31, 2014 of $11,000. There was a decrease of $8,000 in net proceeds from sale of Local Limited Partnerships during the year ended March 31, 2014. The sales proceeds received from the sales of the Local Limited Partnerships will vary depending on the value of the underlying Housing Complex compared to the outstanding debt owed on the Housing Complex. During the year ended March 31, 2014, distribution income increased by $1,000, as described above. The Partnership reimbursed the General Partner or an affiliate $10,000 of operating expenses that were paid on the Partnership’s behalf compared to $22,000 reimbursed during the year ended March 31, 2014. The Partnership made no payment for accrued asset management fees during the year ended March 31, 2015 compared to $15,000 reimbursed during the year ended March 31, 2014. The reimbursement of operating expenses and accrued asset management fees are paid after management reviews the cash position of the Partnership.
 
 
24

 
 
Year Ended March 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended March 31, 2013 The net decrease in cash during the year ended March 31, 2014 was $11,000 compared to a net decrease in cash for the year ended March 31, 2013 of $91,000.  There was a decrease of $69,000 in net proceeds from sale of Local Limited Partnerships during the year ended March 31, 2014. The sales proceeds received from the sales of the Local Limited Partnerships will vary depending on the value of the underlying Housing Complex compared to the outstanding debt owed on the Housing Complex. During the year ended March 31, 2014, distribution income increased by $13,000 and reporting fees decreased by $1,000, as described above. The Partnership reimbursed the General Partner or an affiliate $22,000 of operating expenses that were paid on the Partnership’s behalf compared to $57,000 reimbursed during the year ended March 31, 2013. The Partnership paid $15,000 during the year ended March 31, 2014 in accrued asset management fees compared to $145,000 reimbursed during the year ended March 31, 2013. The reimbursement of operating expenses and accrued asset management fees are paid after management reviews the cash position of the Partnership.
 
Accrued payables, which consist primarily of related party management fees due to the General Partner, increased (decreased) by approximately $168,000, $115,000 and $(101,000) for the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The General Partner does not anticipate that these accrued fees will be paid until such time as capital reserves are in excess of future foreseeable working capital requirements of the Partnership.
 
The Partnership currently has insufficient working capital to fund its operations. Associates has agreed to continue providing advances sufficient enough to fund the operations and working capital requirements of the Partnership through June 30, 2016.
 
Future Contractual Cash Obligations

The following table summarizes the Partnership’s future contractual cash obligations as of March 31, 2015:
 
     
2016
     
2017
     
2018
     
2019
     
2020
     
Thereafter
     
Total
 
Asset management fees (1)
  $ 1,910,237     $ 25,088     $ 25,088     $ 25,088     $ 25,088     $ 752,640     $ 2,763,229  
Total contractual cash obligations
  $ 1,910,237     $ 25,088     $ 25,088     $ 25,088     $ 25,088     $ 752,640     $ 2,763,229  

(1)  
Asset management fees are payable annually until termination of the Partnership, which is to occur no later than 2050. The estimate of the fees payable included herein assumes the retention of the Partnership’s interest in all Housing Complexes owned at March 31, 2015. Amounts due to the General Partner as of March 31, 2015 have been included in the 2016 column. The General Partner does not anticipate that these fees will be paid until such time as capital reserves are in excess of the aggregate of the existing contractual obligations and the anticipated future foreseeable obligations of the Partnership.

For additional information regarding asset management fees, see Note 3 to the financial statements included elsewhere herein.

 
25

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Partnerships has no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Exit Strategy

See Item 1 for information in this regard.

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
See footnote 1 to the financial statements.

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

NOT APPLICABLE

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 
 
26

 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
To the Partners
WNC California Housing Tax Credits III, L.P.

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of WNC California Housing Tax Credits III, L.P. (the "Partnership") as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related statements of operations, partners’ deficit and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2015. The Partnership’s management is responsible for these financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Partnership is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of WNC California Housing Tax Credits III, L.P. as of March 31, 2015 and 2014 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2015 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The schedule listed under Item 15(a)(2) in the index related to each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2015 is presented for the purpose of complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and is not part of the basic financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied to the audits of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, fairly states in all material respects the financial statement data required to be set forth therein in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
 


/s/ CohnReznick LLP
Bethesda, Maryland
June 19, 2015
 
 
27

 
 
WNC CALIFORNIA HOUSING TAX CREDITS III, L.P.
(A California Limited Partnership)

BALANCE SHEETS
March 31, 2015 and 2014
   
March 31
 
             
   
2015
   
2014
 
ASSETS
           
             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 10,041     $ 5,698  
Investments in Local Limited Partnerships, net
    -       -  
Other assets
    123,156       60,756  
                 
                Total Assets
  $ 133,197     $ 66,454  
                 
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ DEFICIT
               
                 
Liabilities:
               
Accrued fees and expenses due to General Partner
and affiliates (Note 3)
  $ 1,885,149     $ 1,717,344  
 
          Total Liabilities
    1,885,149       1,717,344  
                 
Partners’ deficit:
               
General Partner
    (187,652 )     (186,641 )
Limited Partners (30,000 Partnership Units authorized; 17,897 and 17,917, respectively, Partnership Units issued and outstanding)
    (1,564,300 )     (1,464,249 )
                 
               Total Partners’ Deficit
    (1,751,952 )     (1,650,890 )
                 
               Total Liabilities and Partners’ Deficit
  $ 133,197     $ 66,454  
 
See accompanying notes to financial statements
 
28

 
 
WNC CALIFORNIA HOUSING TAX CREDITS III, L.P.
(A California Limited Partnership)

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
 
   
For the Years Ended
March 31
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
2013
 
                   
                   
Income
                 
   Reporting fees
  $ -     $ -     $ 1,200  
   Distribution income
    14,342       13,130       -  
                         
Total income
    14,342       13,130       1,200  
                         
Operating expenses:
                       
Asset management fees (Note 3)
    25,088       34,405       58,046  
    Accounting and legal fees
    19,350       34,359       30,178  
    Outsourcing expenses
    5,998       5,700       5,048  
    Mailing expense
    1,147       108       1,977  
    Write off of other assets
    60,756       -       6,838  
Other
    3,066       13,180       3,175  
                         
Total operating expenses
    115,405       87,752       105,262  
                         
Loss from operations
    (101,063 )     (74,622 )     (104,062 )
                         
Gain on sale of Local Limited Partnerships
    -       8,409       121,751  
                         
Interest income
    1       1       18  
                         
Net income (loss)
  $ (101,062 )   $ (66,212 )   $ 17,707  
                         
Net income (loss) allocated to:
                       
General Partner
  $ (1,011 )   $ (662 )   $ 177  
                         
Limited Partners
  $ (100,051 )   $ (65,550 )   $ 17,530  
                         
Net income (loss) per Partnership Unit
  $ (5.59 )   $ (3.66 )   $ .98  
                         
Outstanding weighted Partnership Units
    17,897       17,917       17,957  
 
See accompanying notes to financial statements
 
 
29

 
 
WNC CALIFORNIA HOUSING TAX CREDITS III, L.P.
(A California Limited Partnership)

STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ DEFICIT
For the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
 
   
General Partner
   
Limited Partners
   
Total
 
                   
Partners’ deficit at March 31, 2012
  $ (186,156 )   $ (1,416,229 )   $ (1,602,385 )
                         
Net income
    177       17,530       17,707  
                         
Partners’ deficit at March 31, 2013
    (185,979 )     (1,398,699 )     (1,584,678 )
                         
Net loss
    (662 )     (65,550 )     (66,212 )
                         
Partners’ deficit at March 31, 2014
    (186,641 )     (1,464,249 )     (1,650,890 )
                         
Net loss
    (1,011 )     (100,051 )     (101,062 )
                         
Partner’s deficit at March 31, 2015
  $ (187,652 )   $ (1,564,300 )   $ (1,751,952 )
 
See accompanying notes to financial statements
 
 
30

 
 
WNC CALIFORNIA HOUSING TAX CREDITS III, L.P.
(A California Limited Partnership)

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Years Ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
   
For the Years Ended
March 31
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
2013
 
                   
                   
Cash flows from operating activities:
                 
Net income (loss)
  $ (101,062 )   $ (66,212 )   $ 17,707  
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
  cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
                       
Gain on sale of Local Limited Partnerships
    -       (8,409 )     (121,751 )
(Increase) decrease in other assets
    (62,400 )     (59,866 )     17,660  
Increase (decrease) in accrued fees andexpenses due to General Partner and affiliates
    167,805       114,706       (81,829 )
                         
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    4,343       (19,781 )     (168,213 )
                         
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
   Net proceeds from sale of Local Limited Partnerships
    -       8,409       77,301  
                         
Net cash provided by investing activities
    -       8,409       77,301  
                         
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    4,343       (11,372 )     (90,912 )
                         
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
    5,698       17,070       107,982  
                         
Cash and cash  equivalents, end of year
  $ 10,041     $ 5,698     $ 17,070  
                         
NON-CASH  INVESTING  AND  FINANCING  ACTIVITIES
                       
Gain on sale of Local Limited Partnerships was        increased and accrued fees and expenses due to the General Partner and affiliates was decreased for sales proceeds paid directly to Associates.
  $ -     $ -     $ 19,450  
                         
 
See accompanying notes to financial statements
 
 
31

 

WNC CALIFORNIA HOUSING TAX CREDITS III, L.P.
(A California Limited Partnership)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
 
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Organization

WNC California Housing Tax Credits III, L.P. (the "Partnership") is a California limited partnership formed under the laws of the State of California on October 5, 1992.  The Partnership was formed to acquire limited partnership interests in other limited partnerships ("Local Limited Partnerships") which own multi-family or senior housing complexes (“Housing Complexes”) that are eligible for Federal low income housing tax credits (“Low Income Housing Tax Credits”).  The local general partners (the “Local General Partners”) of each Local Limited Partnership retain responsibility for maintaining, operating and managing the Housing Complex. Each Local Limited Partnership is governed by its agreement of limited partnership or operating agreement (the “Local Limited Partnership Agreement”).

The general partner of the Partnership is WNC California Housing Tax Credits Partners III, L.P. (the “General Partner”).  WNC & Associates, Inc. (“Associates”) is the general partner of WNC Tax Credit Partners III, L.P.  The chairman and president of Associates owns all of the outstanding stock of Associates.  The business of the Partnership is conducted primarily through Associates, as the Partnership has no employees of its own.

The Partnership shall continue to be in full force and effect until December 31, 2050 unless terminated prior to that date pursuant to the partnership agreement or law.

The financial statements include only activity relating to the business of the Partnership, and do not give effect to any assets that the partners may have outside of their interests in the Partnership, or to any obligations, including income taxes, of the partners.

Pursuant to a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, on February 17, 1993, the Partnership commenced a public offering of 30,000 units of limited partnership interest ("Partnership Units") at a price of $1,000 per Partnership Unit.  As of the close of the public offering on July 22, 1994, a total of 17,990 Partnership Units, representing $17,990,000, had been sold.  During 1995, an additional 10 Partnership Units, amounting to $10,000, was collected on subscriptions accepted and previously deemed uncollectible.  As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, a total of 17,897 and 17,917, respectively, Partnership Units remain outstanding. The General Partner has a 1% interest in operating profits and losses, taxable income and losses, cash available for distribution from the Partnership and Low Income Housing Tax Credits of the Partnership.  The investors in the Partnership (“Limited Partners”) will be allocated the remaining 99% of these items in proportion to their respective investments.

The proceeds from the disposition of any of the Local Limited Partnership properties will be used first to pay debts and other obligations per the respective Local Limited Partnership Agreement.  Any remaining proceeds will then be paid to the Partnership. The sale of a Housing Complex may be subject to other restrictions and obligations.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that a Local Limited Partnership will be able to sell its Housing Complex.  Even if it does so, there can be no assurance that any significant amounts of cash will be distributed to the Partnership.  Should such distributions occur, the Limited Partners will be entitled to receive distributions equal to their capital contributions and their return on investment (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) and the General Partner would then be entitled to receive proceeds equal to their capital contributions from the remainder.  Any additional sale or refinancing proceeds will be distributed 90% to the Limited Partners (in proportion to their respective investments) and 10% to the General Partner.

 
32

 
 
WNC CALIFORNIA HOUSING TAX CREDITS III, L.P.
(A California Limited Partnership)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

For the Years Ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
 
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued
Risks and Uncertainties

An investment in the Partnership and the Partnership’s investments in Local Limited Partnerships and their Housing Complexes are subject to risks.  These risks may impact the tax benefits of an investment in the Partnership, and the amount of proceeds available for distribution to the Limited Partners, if any, on liquidation of the Partnership’s investments.  Some of those risks include the following:

The Low Income Housing Tax Credit rules are extremely complicated. Noncompliance with these rules results in the loss of future Low Income Housing Tax Credits and the fractional recapture of Low Income Housing Tax Credits already taken. In most cases the annual amount of Low Income Housing Tax Credits that an individual can use is limited to the tax liability due on the person’s last $25,000 of taxable income. The Local Limited Partnerships may be unable to sell the Housing Complexes at a price which would result in the Partnership realizing cash distributions or proceeds from the transaction.  Accordingly, the Partnership may be unable to distribute any cash to its Limited Partners.  Low Income Housing Tax Credits may be the only benefit from an investment in the Partnership.

The Partnership has invested in a limited number of Local Limited Partnerships. Such limited diversity means that the results of operation of each single Housing Complex will have a greater impact on the Partnership. With limited diversity, poor performance of one Housing Complex could impair the Partnership’s ability to satisfy its investment objectives.  Each Housing Complex is subject to mortgage indebtedness. If a Local Limited Partnership failed to pay its mortgage, it could lose its Housing Complex in foreclosure. If foreclosure were to occur during the first 15 years (the “ Compliance Period”), the loss of any remaining future Low Income Housing Tax Credits, a fractional recapture of prior Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and a loss of the Partnership’s investment in the Housing Complex would occur. The Partnership is a limited partner or non-managing member of each Local Limited Partnership. Accordingly, the Partnership will have very limited rights with respect to management of the Local Limited Partnerships. The Partnership will rely totally on the Local General Partners. Neither the Partnership’s investments in Local Limited Partnerships, nor the Local Limited Partnerships’ investments in Housing Complexes, are readily marketable. To the extent the Housing Complexes receive government financing or operating subsidies, they may be subject to one or more of the following risks: difficulties in obtaining tenants for the Housing Complexes; difficulties in obtaining rent increases; limitations on cash distributions; limitations on sales or refinancing of Housing Complexes; limitations on transfers of interests in Local Limited Partnerships; limitations on removal of Local General Partners; limitations on subsidy programs; and possible changes in applicable regulations.  Uninsured casualties could result in loss of property and Low Income Housing Tax Credits and recapture of Low Income Housing Tax Credits previously taken. The value of real estate is subject to risks from fluctuating economic conditions, including employment rates, inflation, tax, environmental, land use and zoning policies, supply and demand of similar properties, and neighborhood conditions, among others.

The ability of Limited Partners to claim tax losses from the Partnership is limited. The IRS may audit the Partnership or a Local Limited Partnership and challenge the tax treatment of tax items. The amount of Low Income Housing Tax Credits and tax losses allocable to the Limited Partners could be reduced if the IRS were successful in such a challenge.  The alternative minimum tax could reduce tax benefits from an investment in the Partnership.  Changes in tax laws could also impact the tax benefits from an investment in the Partnership and/or the value of the Housing Complexes.

All of the Low Income Housing Tax Credits anticipated to be realized from the Local Limited Partnerships have been realized. The Partnership does not anticipate being allocated any Low Income Housing Tax Credits from the Local Limited Partnerships in the future.
 
 
33

 
 
WNC CALIFORNIA HOUSING TAX CREDITS III, L.P.
(A California Limited Partnership)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

For the Years Ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013


NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued

Anticipated future and existing cash resources of the Partnership are not sufficient to pay existing liabilities of the Partnership.  However, substantially all of the existing liabilities of the Partnership are payable to the General Partner and/or their affiliates. Though the amounts payable to the General Partner and/or its affiliates are contractually currently payable, the Partnership anticipates that the General Partner and/or its affiliates will not require the payment of these contractual obligations until capital reserves are in excess of the aggregate of then existing contractual obligations and then anticipated future foreseeable obligations of the Partnership. The Partnership would be adversely affected should the General Partner and/or its affiliates demand current payment of the existing contractual obligations and or suspend services for this or any other reason.

The Partnership currently has insufficient working capital to fund its operations. Associates has agreed to continue providing advances sufficient enough to fund the operations and working capital requirements of the Partnership through June 30, 2016.
 
No trading market for the Partnership Units exists or is expected to develop. Limited Partners may be unable to sell their Partnership Units except at a discount and should consider their Partnership Units to be a long-term investment. Individual Limited Partners will have no recourse if they disagree with actions authorized by a vote of the majority of Limited Partners.

Exit Strategy

The Compliance Period for a Housing Complex is generally 15 years following construction or rehabilitation completion. Associates was one of the first in the industry to offer syndicated investments in Low Income Housing Tax Credits.  The initial programs have completed their Compliance Periods.

Upon the sale of a Local Limited Partnership Interest or Housing Complex after the end of the Compliance Period, there would be no recapture of Low Income Housing Tax Credits.  All Local Limited Partnerships have completed their 15-year Compliance Period.

With that in mind, the General Partner is continuing its review of the Housing Complexes.  The review considers many factors, including extended use requirements (such as those due to mortgage restrictions or state compliance agreements), the condition of the Housing Complexes, and the tax consequences to the Limited Partners from the sale of the Housing Complexes.

Upon identifying those Housing Complexes with the highest potential for a successful sale, refinancing or re-syndication, the Partnership expects to proceed with efforts to liquidate them. The objective is to wind down the Partnership as Low Income Housing Tax Credits are no longer available.  Local Limited Partnership Interests may be disposed of any time by the General Partner in its discretion. While liquidation of the Housing Complexes continues to be evaluated, the dissolution of the Partnership was not imminent as of March 31, 2015.

The proceeds from the disposition of any of the Housing Complexes will be used first to pay debts and other obligations per the respective Local Limited Partnership Agreement.  Any remaining proceeds will then be paid to the partners of the Local Limited Partnership, including the Partnership, in accordance with the terms of the particular Local Limited Partnership Agreement. The sale of a Housing Complex may be subject to other restrictions and obligations.  Accordingly, there can be no assurance that a Local Limited Partnership will be able to sell its Housing Complex.  Even if it does so, there can be no assurance that any significant amounts of cash will be distributed to the Partnership, as the proceeds first would be used to pay Partnership obligations and funding of reserves.

 
34

 
 
WNC CALIFORNIA HOUSING TAX CREDITS III, L.P.
(A California Limited Partnership)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

For the Years Ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued

As of March 31, 2014, the Partnership sold its Local Limited Partnership Interest in Rosewood Apartments L.P., Venus Retirement Village, Ltd, Winters Investment Group, Parlier Garden Apartments, L.P., Tahoe Pines Apartments, L.P., Candleridge Apartments of Perry L.P. II, Nueva Sierra Vista Associates, L.P., Walnut – Pixley, L.P., Orosi Apartments, Ltd., Memory Lane, L.P., Sun Manor, L.P., Almond Garden Apartment Associates, Buccaneer Villas, Limited, Dallas County Housing, Ltd., Old Fort Limited Partnership, Almond View Apartments, Limited, and La Paloma del Sol, Phase II, L.P.

As of March 31, 2015 the Local Limited Partnership Interest in Colonial Village Roseville was identified to be sold. Colonial Village Roseville was appraised for $2,655,000 and had a mortgage note balance of $1,326,000 as of December 31, 2014. The Partnership’s investment balance is zero. The Compliance Period has been completed therefore there is no risk of recapture and investor approval is not required. The sales price has yet to be determined. The Local General Partner prevented a sale from moving forward and the Partnership filed suit to force the sale. The Court identified three appraisers to appraise the property and Local Limited Partnership interest. In February 2015 the panel of appraisers returned two values. The Local Limited Partnership was valued at $1,607,000 in the case that the Partnership has the right to dissolve the Local Limited Partnership based on the Colonial Village partnership agreement. The second appraisal value was $463,000 in the case that the Partnership does not have the right to dissolve the partnership. Since the panel of appraisers did not provide definite valuation for the Partnerhip’s interest, a hearing was set for early May 2015 to request a judge to make a determination of the value on the legal question of the right to dissolve. On May 14, 2015 the Court heard oral arguments and took matters under advisement. The Court will rule on the Plaintiffs Motion to strike the appraiser’s report in the following 90 days after the oral hearing.  Once the valuation is finalized, the Local General Partner will have the option to acquire the Local Limited Partnership Interest at that price. If they opt to not purchase the interest, then it will go on the open market.
 
 
35

 

WNC CALIFORNIA HOUSING TAX CREDITS III, L.P.
(A California Limited Partnership)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

For the Years Ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued

Method of Accounting For Investments in Local Limited Partnerships

The Partnership accounts for its investments in Local Limited Partnerships using the equity method of accounting, whereby the Partnership adjusts its investment balance for its share of the Local Limited Partnerships’ results of operations and for any contributions made and distributions received. The Partnership reviews the carrying amount of an individual investment in a Local Limited Partnership for possible impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such investment may not be recoverable.  Recoverability of such investment is measured by the estimated value derived by management, generally consisting of the sum of the remaining future Low Income Housing Tax Credits estimated to be allocated to the Partnership and the estimated residual value to the Partnership.  If an investment is considered to be impaired, the Partnership reduces the carrying value of its investment in any such Local Limited Partnership.  The accounting policies of the Local Limited Partnerships, generally, are expected to be consistent with those of the Partnership.  Costs incurred by the Partnership in acquiring the investments are capitalized as part of the investment and were being amortized over 27.5 years. (See Note 3)

"Equity in losses of Local Limited Partnerships" for each year ended March 31 has been recorded by the Partnership based on the twelve months of reported results provided by the Local Limited Partnerships for each year ended December 31. Equity in losses from the Local Limited Partnerships allocated to the Partnership is not recognized to the extent that the investment balance would be adjusted below zero.  If the Local Limited Partnerships report net income in future years, the Partnership will resume applying the equity method only after its share of such net income equals the share of net losses not recognized during the period(s) the equity method was suspended.

In accordance with the accounting guidance for the consolidation of variable interest entities, the Partnership determines when it should include the assets, liabilities, and activities of a variable interest entity (VIE) in its financial statements, and when it should disclose information about its relationship with a VIE. The analysis that must be performed to determine which entity should consolidate a VIE focuses on control and economic factors. A VIE is a legal structure used to conduct activities or hold assets, which must be consolidated by a company if it is the primary beneficiary because it has (1) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. If multiple unrelated parties share such power, as defined, no party will be required to consolidate the VIE. Further, the guidance requires continual reconsideration of the primary beneficiary of a VIE.

Based on this guidance, the Local Limited Partnerships in which the Partnership invests meet the definition of a VIE because the owners of the equity at risk in these entities do not have the power to direct their operations. However, management does not consolidate the Partnership's interests in these VIEs, as it is not considered to be the primary beneficiary since it does not have the power to direct the activities that are considered most significant to the economic performance of these entities. The Partnership currently records the amount of its investment in these Local Limited Partnerships as an asset on its balance sheets, recognizes its share of partnership income or losses in the statements of operations, and discloses how it accounts for material types of these investments in its financial statements. The Partnership's balance in investment in Local Limited Partnerships, plus the risk of recapture of tax credits previously recognized on these investments, represents its maximum exposure to loss. The Partnership's exposure to loss on these Local Limited Partnerships is mitigated by the condition and financial performance of the underlying Housing Complexes as well as the strength of the Local General Partners and their guarantee against credit recapture to the investors in the Partnership.

Distributions received from the Local Limited Partnerships are accounted for as a reduction of the investment balance.  Distributions received after the investment has reached zero are recognized as distribution income.
 
 
36

 
 
WNC CALIFORNIA HOUSING TAX CREDITS III, L.P.
(A California Limited Partnership)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

For the Years Ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 materially differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Partnership considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.  As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Partnership had cash equivalents of $10,040 and $5,698, respectively.

Reporting Comprehensive Income

The Partnership had no items of other comprehensive income for the periods presented.

Net Income (Loss) Per Partnership Unit

Net income (loss) per Partnership Unit includes no dilution and is computed by dividing loss available to Limited Partners by the weighted average number of Partnership Units outstanding during the period.  Calculation of diluted net loss per Partnership Unit is not required.

Income Taxes

The Partnership has elected to be treated as a pass-through entity for income tax purposes and, as such, is not subject to income taxes. Rather, all items of taxable income, deductions and tax credits are passed through to and are reported by its owners on their respective income tax returns.  The Partnership’s federal tax status as a pass-through entity is based on its legal status as a partnership. Accordingly, the Partnership is not required to take any tax positions in order to qualify as a pass-through entity. The Partnership is required to file and does file tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service and other taxing authorities. Accordingly, these financial statements do not reflect a provision for income taxes and the Partnership has no other tax positions which must be considered for disclosure. Income tax returns filed by the Partnership are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years. While no income tax returns are currently being examined by the Internal Revenue Service, tax years since 2011 remain open.

Revenue Recognition

The Partnership is entitled to receive reporting fees from the Local Limited Partnerships.  The intent of the reporting fees is to offset (in part) administrative costs incurred by the Partnership in corresponding with the Local Limited Partnerships.  Due to the uncertainty of the collection of these fees, the Partnership recognizes reporting fees as collections are made.
 
 
37

 
 
WNC CALIFORNIA HOUSING TAX CREDITS III, L.P.
(A California Limited Partnership)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

For the Years Ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, continued

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2014, the FASB issued an amendment to the accounting and disclosure requirements for investments in qualified affordable housing projects. The amendments provide guidance on accounting for investments by a reporting entity in flow-through limited liability entities that manage or invest in affordable housing projects that qualify for the low-income housing tax credit. The amendments permit reporting entities to make an accounting policy election to account for their investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. Under the proportional amortization method, an entity amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received, and recognizes the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense (benefit). The amendments are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. Early adoption is permitted. The Partnership is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this guidance on its financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis”. This will improve certain areas of consolidation guidance for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether to consolidate certain legal entities such as limited partnerships, limited liability corporations and securitization structures. ASU 2015-02 simplifies and improves GAAP by: eliminating the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, eliminating the indefinite deferral of FASB Statement No. 167, thereby reducing the number of Variable Interest Entity (VIE) consolidation models from four to two (including the limited partnership consolidation model) and clarifying when fees paid to a decision maker should be a factor to include in the consolidation of VIEs. ASU 2015-02 will be effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Partnership is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this guidance on its financial statements

NOTE 2 - INVESTMENTS IN LOCAL LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS

As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Partnership owns a Local Limited Partnership interest in one Limited Partnership which owns one Housing Complex consisting of an aggregate of 56 apartment units. The Local General Partner of the Local Limited Partnership manages the day to day operations of the entity. Significant Local Limited Partnership business decisions require approval from the Partnership. The Partnership, as a Limited Partner, is generally entitled to 99%, as specified in the Local Limited Partnership governing agreement, of the operating profits and losses, taxable income and loss and Low Income Housing Tax Credits of the Local Limited  Partnership.

The Partnership's investments in Local Limited Partnerships as shown in the balance sheets at March 31, 2015 and  2014, are approximately $(1,011,000) and $(1,066,000), respectively, less than the Partnership's equity at the preceding December  31  as  shown  in  the Local  Limited  Partnerships’ combined  financial  statements  presented  below.  This difference is primarily due to unrecorded losses as discussed below, and acquisition, selection and other costs related to the acquisition of the investments which have been capitalized in the Partnership's investment account along with impairment losses recorded in the Partnership’s investment account.

At March 31, 2015 and 2014, the investment accounts in all Local Limited Partnerships have reached a zero balance. Consequently, the Partnership’s entire estimated share of losses for the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, amounting to approximately $41,000, $89,000 and $288,000, respectively, have not been recognized.  As of March 31, 2015, the aggregate share of net losses not recognized by the Partnership amounted to $382,000.
 
 
38

 

WNC CALIFORNIA HOUSING TAX CREDITS III, L.P.
(A California Limited Partnership)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

For the Years Ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

NOTE 2 - INVESTMENTS IN LOCAL LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS, continued

The financial information from the individual financial statements of the Local Limited Partnerships includes rental and interest subsidies. Rental subsidies are included in total revenues and interest subsidies are generally netted against interest expense. Approximate combined condensed financial information from the individual financial statements of the Local Limited Partnerships as of December 31 and for the years then ended is as follows:

COMBINED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
 
             
   
2014
   
2013
 
ASSETS
           
             
Buildings and improvements, net of accumulated depreciation as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 of $3,724,000 and $3,544,000, respectively.
  $ 1,402,000     $ 1,583,000  
Land
    316,000       316,000  
Other assets
    250,000       235,000  
                 
  Total Assets
  $ 1,968,000     $ 2,134,000  
                 
LIABILITIES
               
                 
Mortgage loans payable
  $ 1,326,000     $ 1,408,000  
Due to related parties
    6,000       15,000  
Other liabilities
    49,000       35,000  
                 
    Total Liabilities
    1,381,000       1,458,000  
                 
PARTNERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
               
                 
WNC California Housing Tax Credits III, L.P.
    1,011,000       1,066,000  
Other partners
    (424,000 )     (390,000 )
                 
    Total Partners’ Equity (Deficit)
    587,000       676,000  
                 
       Total Liabilities and Partners’ Equity (Deficit)
  $ 1,968,000     $ 2,134,000  
 
 
39

 
 
WNC CALIFORNIA HOUSING TAX CREDITS III, L.P.
(A California Limited Partnership)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

For the Years Ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

NOTE 2 - INVESTMENTS IN LOCAL LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS, continued

COMBINED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
 
                   
Revenues
  $ 599,000     $ 601,000     $ 1,124,000  
                         
Expenses:
                       
Operating expenses
    360,000       405,000       798,000  
Interest expense
    94,000       100,000       248,000  
Depreciation and amortization
    186,000       186,000       369,000  
                         
Total expenses
    640,000       691,000       1,415,000  
                         
Net loss
  $ (41,000 )   $ (90,000 )   $ (291,000 )
                         
Net loss allocable to the Partnership
  $ (41,000 )   $ (89,000 )   $ (288,000 )
                         
Net loss recorded by the Partnership
  $ -     $ -     $ -  

Certain Local Limited Partnerships have incurred significant operating losses and/or have working capital deficiencies. In the event these Local Limited Partnerships continue to incur significant operating losses, additional capital contributions by the Partnership and/or the Local General Partners may be required to sustain operations of such Local Limited Partnerships.

NOTE 3 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Under the terms of the Partnership Agreement, the Partnership has paid or is obligated to the General Partners or its affiliates for the following items:

 
Acquisition fees equal to 9% of the gross proceeds from the sale of Partnership Units as compensation for services rendered in connection with the acquisition of Local Limited Partnerships.  At the end of all periods presented, the Partnership had incurred acquisition fees of $1,620,000.  As of all periods presented, the capitalized costs were fully amortized.

 
Reimbursement of costs incurred by the General Partners or an affiliate in connection with the acquisition of the Local Limited Partnerships.  These reimbursements have not exceeded 1.5% of the gross proceeds. As of the end of all periods presented, the Partnership had incurred acquisition costs of $194,019 which have been included in investments in Local Limited Partnerships.  As of all periods presented, the acquisition costs were fully amortized.
 
 
40

 
 
WNC CALIFORNIA HOUSING TAX CREDITS III, L.P.
(A California Limited Partnership)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

For the Years Ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

NOTE 3 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS, continued

 
An annual asset management fee equal to 0.5% of the Invested Assets of the Partnership, as defined. “Invested Assets” means the sum of the Partnership’s investment in Local Limited Partnership interests and the Partnership’s allocable share of mortgage loans on and other debts related to the Housing Complexes owned by such Local Limited Partnerships. Asset management fees of $25,088, $34,405 and $58,046 were incurred during the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, of which $0, $15,000 and $144,903, was paid during the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 
The Partnership reimbursed the General Partner or its affiliates for operating expenses incurred by the Partnership and paid for by the General Partner or its affiliates on behalf of the Partnership.  Operating expense reimbursements paid were approximately $10,000, $22,000 and $57,000 during the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The unpaid operating expenses reimbursable to the General Partner or its affiliates were $238,018, $95,301 and $0 for the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The accrued fees and expenses due to the General Partner and affiliates consist of the following at:

   
March 31,
 
             
   
2015
   
2014
 
             
Expenses paid by the General Partner
or an affiliate on behalf of the Partnership
  $ 238,018     $ 95,301  
                 
Asset management fee payable
    1,647,131       1,622,043  
                 
Total
  $ 1,885,149     $ 1,717,344  

The General Partner and/or its affiliates do not anticipate that these accrued fees will be paid until such time as capital reserves are in excess of the future foreseeable working capital requirements of the Partnership.  The Partnership currently has insufficient working capital to fund its operations. Associates has agreed to continue providing advances sufficient enough to fund the operations and working capital requirements of the Partnership through June 30, 2016.
 
 
41

 
 
WNC CALIFORNIA HOUSING TAX CREDITS III, L.P.
(A California Limited Partnership)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

For the Years Ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
 
NOTE 4 – QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

The following is a summary of the quarterly operations for the years ended March 31 (rounded):
 
2015
   
June 30
     
September 30
     
December 31
     
March 31
 
Income
  $ 14,000     $ -     $ -     $ -  
                                 
Operating expenses
    (13,000 )     (27,000 )     (50,000 )     (25,000 )
                                 
Income (loss) from operations
    1,000       (27,000 )     (50,000 )     (25,000 )
                                 
Net income (loss)
    1,000       (27,000 )     (50,000 )     (25,000 )
                                 
Net income (loss) available to Limited Partners
    1,000       (27,000 )     (49,000 )     (25,000 )
                                 
Net income (loss) per Partnership Unit
    -       (1 )     (3 )     (2 )
                                 
 
 
2014
   
June 30
     
September 30
     
December 31
     
March 31
 
Income
  $ 1,000     $ 12,000     $ -     $ -  
                                 
Operating expenses
    21,000       28,000       15,000       24,000  
                                 
Loss from operations
    (20,000 )     (16,000 )     (15,000 )     (24,000 )
                                 
Gain on sale of Local Limited
       Partnerships
    -       8,000       -       -  
                                 
Net loss
    (20,000 )     (8,000 )     (15,000 )     (24,000 )
                                 
Net loss available to Limited Partners
    (20,000 )     (7,000 )     (15,000 )     (24,000 )
                                 
Net loss per Partnership Unit
    (1 )     (1 )     (1 )     (1 )
                                 
 
 
42

 
 
WNC CALIFORNIA HOUSING TAX CREDITS III, L.P.
(A California Limited Partnership)

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

For the Years Ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
 
2013
   
June 30
     
September 30
     
December 31
     
March 31
 
Income
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 1,000  
                                 
Operating expenses
    39,000       27,000       18,000       21,000  
                                 
Loss from operations
    (39,000 )     (27,000 )     (18,000 )     (20,000 )
                                 
Gain on sale of Local Limited Partnerships
    81,000       41,000       -       -  
                                 
Net income (loss)
    42,000       14,000       (18,000 )     (20,000 )
                                 
Net income (loss) available to Limited Partners
    41,000       14,000       (18,000 )     (19,000 )
                                 
Net income (loss) per Partnership Unit
    2       1       (1 )     (1 )
                                 
 
 
43

 
 
Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

NONE

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

(a)           Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

As of the end of the periods covered by this report, the Partnership’s General Partner, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Associates, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Partnership’s “disclosure controls and procedures” as defined in Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to ensure that material information required to be disclosed in the Partnership’s periodic report filings with SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified by the SEC’s rules and forms, consistent with the definition of “disclosure controls and procedures” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

The Partnership must rely on the Local Limited Partnerships to provide the Partnership with certain information necessary to the timely filing of the Partnership’s periodic reports. Factors in the accounting at the Local Limited Partnerships have caused delays in the provision of such information during past reporting periods, and resulted in the Partnership’s inability to file its periodic reports in a timely manner.

Once the Partnership has received the necessary information from the Local Limited Partnerships, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Associates believe that the material information required to be disclosed in the Partnership’s periodic report filings with SEC is effectively recorded, processed, summarized and reported, albeit not in a timely manner. Going forward, the Partnership will use the means reasonably within its power to impose procedures designed to obtain from the Local Limited Partnerships the information necessary to the timely filing of the Partnership’s periodic reports.

(b)           Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting

The management of Associates is responsible for establishing and maintaining for the Partnership adequate internal control over financial reporting as that term is defined in Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f), and for performing an assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2015. The internal control process of Associates, as it is applicable to the Partnership, was designed to provide reasonable assurance to Associates regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements, and includes those policies and procedures that:

(1)  
Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Partnership;
(2)  
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, and that the Partnership’s receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorization of the management of Associates; and
(3)  
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Partnership’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

All internal control processes, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those processes determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to the reliability of financial statement preparation and presentation. Further, 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.

 
44

 
 
Management of Associates assessed the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting, as it is applicable to the Partnership, as of the end of the Partnership’s most recent fiscal year. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on its assessment, management of Associates concluded that, for the reasons set forth above under “Disclosure controls and procedures,” the internal control over financial reporting, as it is applicable to the Partnership, was not effective as of March 31, 2015.

For purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the term “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in a reporting company’s internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company's annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.  For the reasons discussed above in this Item 9A, sub-section (a) under the caption “Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures,” the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting has not been effective in permitting timely reporting of the Partnership’s financial information.  Accordingly, the management of Associates believes that this inability to generate timely reports constitutes a material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting.

(c)           Changes in internal controls

There were no changes in the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2015 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.

 
Item 9B. Other Information

 
NONE

 
 
45

 

PART III.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

(a)
Identification of Directors, (b) Identification of Executive Officers, (c) Identification of Certain Significant Employees, (d) Family Relationships, and (e) Business Experience

The Partnership has no directors, executives officers or employees of its own.  The business of the Partnership is conducted primarily through Associates.  Associates is a California corporation which was organized in 1971.  The following biographical information is presented for the officers and employees of Associates with principal responsibility for the Partnership’s affairs.
   
Wilfred N. Cooper, Sr.
Chairman
Wilfred N. Cooper, Jr.
President, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary
Michael J. Gaber
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
David N. Shafer, Esq.
Executive Vice President
Melanie R. Wenk, CPA
Senior Vice President – Chief Financial Officer
Darrick Metz
Senior Vice President – Originations
Christine A. Cormier
Senior Vice President – Investor Relations
Anand Kannan
Senior Vice President – Development
Gregory S. Hand
Senior Vice President – Underwriting
Anil Advani
Senior Vice President – Private Label Funds
   
In addition to Wilfred N. Cooper, Sr., the directors of WNC & Associates, Inc. are Wilfred N. Cooper, Jr., Kay L. Cooper and Jennifer E. Cooper.

Wilfred N. Cooper, Sr. is the founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of WNC & Associates, Inc., a Director of WNC Capital Corporation, and a general partner in some of the partnerships previously sponsored by WNC & Associates, Inc. Mr. Cooper has been actively involved in the affordable housing industry since 1968. Previously, during 1970 and 1971, he was founder and a principal of Creative Equity Development Corporation, a predecessor of WNC & Associates, Inc., and of Creative Equity Corporation, a real estate investment firm. For 12 years before that, Mr. Cooper was employed by Rockwell International Corporation, last serving as its manager of housing and urban developments where he had responsibility for factory-built housing evaluation and project management in urban planning and development. He has testified before committees of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives on matters pertaining to the affordable housing industry. Mr. Cooper is a Life Director of the National Association of Home Builders (“NAHB”), a National Trustee for NAHB’s Political Action Committee, and a past Chairman of NAHB’s Multifamily Council. He is a Life Trustee of the National Housing Conference, and a co-founder and Director Emeritus of the California Housing Consortium. He is the husband of Kay Cooper and the father of Wilfred N. Cooper, Jr. Mr. Cooper graduated from Pomona College in 1956 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Wilfred N. Cooper, Jr. is President, Chief Executive Officer, Secretary, a Director, and a member of the Investment Committee, of WNC & Associates, Inc. He is President and a Director of, and a registered principal with, WNC Capital Corporation. He has been involved in real estate investment and acquisition activities since 1988 when he joined WNC & Associates, Inc. Previously, he served as a Government Affairs Assistant with Honda North America in Washington, D.C. Mr. Cooper serves on the Orange County Advisory Board of U.S. Bank, the Board of Trustees of NHC, the Editorial Advisory Board of Tax Credit Advisor, and the Tax Policy Council of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute and of Vistage International, a global network of business leaders and chief executives. He is the son of Wilfred Cooper, Sr. and Kay Cooper. Mr. Cooper graduated from The American University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.


 
46

 

Michael J. Gaber is an Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, chair of the Investment Committee, and oversees the Property Acquisition and Investment Management groups, of WNC & Associates, Inc. Mr. Gaber has been involved in real estate acquisition, valuation and investment activities since 1989 and has been associated with WNC & Associates, Inc. since 1997. Prior to joining WNC & Associates, Inc., he was involved in the valuation and classification of major assets, restructuring of debt and analysis of real estate taxes with a large financial institution. Mr. Gaber is a member of the Housing Credit Group of NAHB and of National Housing and Rehabilitation Association (“NH&RA”). Mr. Gaber graduated from the California State University, Fullerton in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration – finance.

David N. Shafer is an Executive Vice President, a member of the Investment Committee, and oversees the New Markets Tax Credit group, of WNC & Associates, Inc. He is a registered representative with WNC Capital Corporation. Mr. Shafer has been active in the real estate industry since 1984. Before joining WNC & Associates, Inc. in 1990, he was engaged as an attorney in the private practice of law with a specialty in real estate and taxation. Mr. Shafer is a Director and past President of the California Council of Affordable Housing, a Director of the Council for Affordable and Rural Housing and a member of the State Bar of California. Mr. Shafer graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, from the New England School of Law in 1983 with a Juris Doctor degree (cum laude) and from the University of San Diego in 1986 with a Master of Laws degree in taxation.

Melanie R. Wenk is Senior Vice President – Chief Financial Officer of WNC & Associates, Inc. She oversees WNC’s corporate and partnership accounting group, which is responsible for SEC reporting and New Markets Tax Credit compliance. Prior to joining WNC in 2003, Ms. Wenk was associated as a public accountant with BDO Seidman, LLP. She graduated from the California Polytechnic State University, Pomona in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.

Darrick Metz is Senior Vice President – Originations of WNC & Associates, Inc. He has been involved in multifamily property underwriting, acquisition and investment activities since 1991. Prior to joining WNC in 1999, he was employed by a Minnesota development company specializing in tax credit and market rate multifamily projects. Mr. Metz also worked with the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (“MHFA”), where he held the position of Senior Housing Development Officer. While at MHFA, he was responsible for the allocation of tax credits, HOME funds and state loan products. Mr. Metz is active in the Qualified Allocation Plan Tax Credit Advisory Committee for the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, a member of MHFA’s Multifamily Technical Assistance and a board member of NH&RA. He graduated from St. Cloud State University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance/economics.

Christine A. Cormier is Senior Vice President – Investor Relations of WNC & Associates, Inc. and oversees multi-investor fund equity raising and closings as well as the marketing group. She is a registered representative with WNC Capital Corporation. Ms. Cormier has been active in the real estate industry since 1985. Prior to joining WNC in 2008, Ms. Cormier was with another major tax credit syndicator for over 12 years where she was the Managing Director of investor relations. Ms. Cormier graduated from Bentley University in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree (summa cum laude) in accounting and computer science.


 
47

 

Anand Kannan is Senior Vice President – Development of WNC & Associates, Inc. and leads the preservation and development teams for Community Preservation Partners, LLC. Prior to joining WNC in 2011, Mr. Kannan served as Associate Director at Vitus Group (previously Pacific Housing Advisors, Inc.), where he developed or consulted on affordable housing projects across the country. His expertise is in the acquisition and rehabilitation of existing low-income housing projects that are or will be financed by tax-exempt bonds, tax credits, and other government subsidies. Prior to his tenure at Vitus Group, Mr. Kannan was associated with Novogradac & Company LLP. Mr. Kannan graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics with an emphasis in accounting.

Gregory S. Hand is Senior Vice President – Underwriting of WNC & Associates, Inc. and oversees the property underwriting activities. Mr. Hand has been involved in real estate analysis, development and management since 1987. Prior to joining WNC in 1998, he was a portfolio asset manager with a national tax credit sponsor with responsibility for the management of $200 million in assets. Prior to that, he was a finance manager with The Koll Company and a financial analyst with The Irvine Company. Mr. Hand graduated from Iowa State University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance.

Anil Advani is Senior Vice President – Private Label Funds of WNC & Associates, Inc. He oversees all activities pertaining to private label funds, including structuring, originations, underwriting and acquisitions. Mr. Advani has 16 years of experience in affordable housing. Prior to joining WNC in 2011 and rejoining WNC in 2013, he worked for major tax credit syndicators where he was involved in the originations, structuring, and placement to institutional investors of local limited partnership investments. Prior to that, he was associated with a major accounting firm performing due diligence reviews of tax credit investments on behalf of institutional investors. Mr. Advani graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and from The American University – Washington College of Law in 1996 with a Juris Doctor degree.

 (f)
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

 
None.

(g)
Promoters and Control Persons

Inapplicable.

(h)
Audit Committee Financial Expert, and (i) Identification of the Audit Committee

Neither the Partnership nor the General Partner, has an audit committee.

(j)   Changes to Nominating Procedures

Inapplicable.

(k)  Compliance With Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act

       None.

 (l)  Code of Ethics

Associates has adopted a Code of Ethics which applies to the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Associates.  The Code of Ethics will be provided without charge to any person who requests it.  Such requests should be directed to:  Investor Relations at (714)-662-5565 extension 187.

 
48

 

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

The General Partner and its affiliates are not permitted under Section 5.6 of the Partnership Agreement to receive any salary, fees, profits, distributions or allocations from the Partnership or any Local Limited Partnership in which the Partnership invests except as expressly allowed by the Agreement.  The compensation and other economic benefits to the General Partner and its Affiliates provided for in the Agreement and paid during the periods covered by this report or that could be paid in future periods are summarized below.

 (a)  Compensation for Services

For services rendered by the General Partner or an Affiliate of the General Partner in connection with the administration of the affairs of the Partnership, the General Partner or any such Affiliate may receive an annual asset management fee in an amount equal to 0.5% of the Partnership’s invested assets in Local Limited Partnerships which are subsidized under one or more Federal, state or local housing assistance programs. The asset management fee is payable with respect to the previous calendar quarter on the first day of each calendar quarter during the year. Accrued but unpaid asset management fees for any year are deferred without interest and are payable in subsequent years from any funds available to the Partnership after payment of all other costs and expenses of the Partnership, including any capital reserves then determined by the General Partner to no longer be necessary to be retained by the Partnership, or from the proceeds of a sale or refinancing of Partnership assets. Asset management fees of approximately $25,000, $34,000 and $58,000, were incurred during the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Partnership paid the General Partner and or its affiliates approximately $0, $15,000 and $145,000, of those fees during the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Subject to a number of terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement, the General Partner and its Affiliates may be entitled to compensation for services actually rendered or to be rendered in connection with (i) selecting, evaluating, structuring, negotiating and closing the Partnership's investments in Local Limited Partnership Interests, (ii) the acquisition or development of Properties for the Local Limited Partnerships, or (iii) property management services actually rendered by the General Partners or their Affiliates respecting the Properties owned by Local Limited Partnerships.  The Partnership has completed its investment stage, so no compensation for the services in (i) or (ii) has been paid during the period covered by this report and none will be paid in the future.  None of the services described in (iii) were rendered and no such compensation was payable for such services during the periods covered by this report.

 (b)  Operating Expenses

Reimbursement to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates of Operating Cash Expenses is subject to specific restrictions in Section 5.3.4 of the Partnership Agreement of Limited.  The Agreement defines “Operating Cash Expenses” as

“ . . . the amount of cash disbursed by the Partnership . . . in the ordinary course of business for the payment of its operating expenses, such as expenses for advertising and promotion, management, utilities, repair and maintenance, insurance, investor communications, legal, accounting, statistical and bookkeeping services, use of computing or accounting equipment, travel and telephone expenses, salaries and direct expenses of Partnership employees while engaged in Partnership business, and any other operational and administrative expenses necessary for the prudent operation of the Partnership. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Operating Cash Expenses shall include fees paid by the Partnership to any General Partner or any Affiliate of a General Partner permitted by this Agreement and the actual cost of goods, materials and administrative services used for or by the Partnership, whether incurred by a General Partner, an Affiliate of a General Partner or a non-Affiliated Person in performing the foregoing functions. As used in the preceding sentence, actual cost of goods and materials means the actual cost of goods and materials used for or by the Partnership and obtained from entities not Affiliated with a General Partner, and actual cost of administrative services means the pro rata cost of personnel (as if such persons were employees of the Partnership) associated therewith, but in no event to exceed the Competitive amount.”
 
 
49

 
 
 The Agreement provides that no such reimbursement shall be permitted for services for which a General Partner or any of its Affiliates is entitled to compensation by way of a separate fee.  Furthermore, no such reimbursement is to be made for (a) rent or depreciation, utilities, capital equipment or other such administrative items, and (b) salaries, fringe benefits, travel expenses and other administrative items incurred or allocated to any "controlling person" of a General Partner or any Affiliate of a General Partner. For the purposes of Section 5.3.4, "controlling person" includes, but is not limited to, any person, however titled, who performs functions for a General Partner or any Affiliate of a General Partner similar to those of: (1) chairman or member of the board of directors; (2) executive management, such as president, vice president or senior vice president, corporate secretary or treasurer; (3) senior management, such as the vice president of an operating division who reports directly to executive management; or (4) those holding 5% or more equity interest in such General Partner or any such Affiliate of a General Partner or a person having the power to direct or cause the direction of such General Partner or any such Affiliate of a General Partner, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

The unpaid operating expenses reimbursable to the General Partner or its affiliates were approximately $238,000, $95,000 and $0 for the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Partnership reimbursed the General Partner or its affiliates for operating expenses of approximately $10,000, $22,000 and $57,000, during the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 (c)  Interest in Partnership

The General Partner receives 1% of the Partnership’s allocated Low Income Housing Tax Credits, which were $0 for Associates and $0 for the General Partner in the aggregate for the tax years (calendar years) ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. The General Partner is also entitled to receive 1% of the Partnership’s operating income or losses, gain or loss from the sale of property and operating cash distributions. There were no distributions of operating cash to the General Partner during the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.   The General Partner has an interest in sale or refinancing proceeds as follows: after the Limited Partners have received a return of their capital, General Partner may receive an amount equal to its capital contribution, less any prior distribution of such proceeds, then the General Partner may receive 1% and the Limited Partners 99% of any remaining proceeds.  There were no such distributions to the General Partner during the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 or 2013.

(d)   Subordinated Disposition Fee

The General Partner may receive a subordinated disposition fee in an amount equal to 1% of the sale price of real estate sold by the Local Limited Partnerships.  Payment of this fee is subordinated to the Limited Partners receiving distributions equal to their capital contributions and their return on investment (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) and is payable only if services are rendered in the sales effort.  No such fee was incurred for all periods presented.

(e)  Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

The Partnership has no compensation committee.

(f)  Compensation Committee Report

The Partnership has no compensation committee.


 
50

 

Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

(a)
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

 
The Partnership has no compensation plans under which interests in the Partnership are authorized for issuance.

(b)
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

 
No person is known to own beneficially in excess of 5% of the outstanding Partnership Units.

(c)   Security Ownership of Management

Neither the General Partner, Associates, its affiliates, nor any of the officers or directors of the General Partner, Associates or its affiliates own directly or beneficially any Partnership Units.

(d)
Changes in Control

The management and control of the General Partner and of Associates and their affiliates may be changed at any time in accordance with their respective organizational documents, without the consent or approval of the Limited Partners.  In addition, the Partnership Agreement provides for the admission of one or more additional and successor General Partners in certain circumstances.

First, with the consent of any other General Partners and a majority-in-interest of the Limited Partners, any General Partners may designate one or more persons to be successor or additional General Partners. In addition, any General Partner may, without the consent of any other General Partner or the Limited Partners, (i) substitute in its stead as General Partner any entity which has, by merger, consolidation or otherwise, acquired substantially all of its assets, stock or other evidence of equity interest and continued its business, or (ii) cause to be admitted to the Partnership an additional General Partner or Partners if it deems such admission to be necessary or desirable so that the Partnership will be classified a partnership for Federal income tax purposes.  Finally, a majority-in-interest of the Limited Partners may at any time remove the General Partners of the Partnership and elect a successor General Partner.

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The General Partner manages all of the Partnership’s affairs.  The transactions with the General Partner are primarily in the form of fees paid by the Partnership for services rendered to the Partnership, reimbursement of expenses, and the General Partner’s interests in the Partnership, as discussed in Item 11 and in the notes to the Partnership’s financial statements.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The following is a summary of fees paid to the Partnership’s principal independent registered public accounting firm for the years ended March 31:

   
2015
   
2014
 
             
Audit Fees
  $ 19,350     $ 22,050  
Audit-related Fees
    -       -  
Tax Fees
    -       -  
All Other Fees
    -       -  
TOTAL
  $ 19,350     $ 22,050  
                 
 
The Partnership has no Audit Committee. All audit services and any permitted non-audit services performed by the Partnership’s independent auditors are pre-approved by the General Partner.
 
 
51

 
 
PART IV.

Item 15.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a)(1)           List of Financial statements included in Part II hereof:
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
Balance Sheets, March 31, 2015 and 2014
 
Statements of Operations for the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
 
Statements of Partners’ Deficit for the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
 
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
 
Notes to Financial Statements

(a)(2)       List of Financial statement schedules included in Part IV hereof:

Schedule III - Real Estate Owned by Local Limited Partnerships

(a)(3)       Exhibits.

3.1
Agreement of Limited Partnership dated October 5, 1992 was filed as Exhibit 28.1 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 is hereby incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 3.1.

31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 or 15d-14.  (filed herewith)

31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14 or 15d-14.  (filed herewith)

32.1
Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer.  (filed herewith)

32.2
Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer.  (filed herewith)

 
101.       Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the Balance Sheets at March 31, 2015 and 2014, (ii) the Statements of Operations for the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, (iii) the Statements of Partners’ Deficit for the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, (iv) the Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, and (v) the Notes to Financial Statements

Exhibits 32.1, 32.2 and 101 shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that Section. Such exhibits shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 
52

 
 
WNC California Housing Tax Credits III, L.P.
               
Schedule III
               
Real Estate Owned by Local Limited Partnerships
               
March 31, 2015
                 
 
         
As of March 31, 2015
   
As of December 31, 2014
 
Local Limited Partnership Name
 
Location
   
Total Investment in Local Limited Partnerships
     
Amount of Investment Paid to Date
   
Mortgage Balances of Local Limited Partnerships
   
Land
   
Buildings and Equipment
   
Accumulated Depreciation
   
Net Book Value
 
Colonial Village Roseville (1)
 
Roseville, California
  $ 2,811,000     $ 2,811,000   $ 1,326,000   $ 316,000   $ 5,126,000   $ (3,724,000 ) $ 1,718,000  
                                                   
    $ 2,811,000     $ 2,811,000   $ 1,326,000   $ 316,000   $ 5,126,000   $ (3,724,000 ) $ 1,899,000  

(1) The Local Limited Partnership interest has been identified for sale as of March 31, 2015.

 
53

 

 
WNC California Housing Tax Credits III, L.P.
       
 
Schedule III
       
 
Real Estate Owned by Local Limited Partnerships
       
 
March 31, 2015
       
 
     
For the year ended December 31, 2014
 
Local Limited Partnership Name
   
Rental Income
   
Net Loss
 
Year Investment Acquired
 
Status
 
Estimated Useful Life (Years)
 
Colonial Village Roseville (1)
  $ 583,000   $ (41,000 ) 1993  
Completed
  27.5  
                           
    $ 583,000   $ (41,000 )            
 
(1) The Local Limited Partnership interest has been identified for sale as of March 31, 2015.

 
54

 

WNC California Housing Tax Credits III, L.P.
               
Schedule III
               
Real Estate Owned by Local Limited Partnerships
               
March 31, 2014
                 
 
         
As of March 31, 2014
   
As of December 31, 2013
 
Local Limited Partnership Name  
Location
   
Total Investment in Local Limited Partnerships
   
Amount of Investment Paid to Date
   
Mortgage Balances of Local Limited Partnerships
   
Land
   
Buildings and Equipment
   
Accumulated Depreciation
   
Net Book Value
 
Colonial Village Roseville (1)
 
Roseville, California
  $ 2,811,000   $ 2,811,000   $ 1,408,000   $ 316,000   $ 5,127,000   $ (3,544,000 ) $ 1,899,000  
                                                 
    $ 2,811,000   $ 2,811,000   $ 1,408,000   $ 316,000   $ 5,127,000   $ (3,544,000 ) $ 1,899,000  

(1) The Local Limited Partnership interest has been identified for sale as of March 31, 2014.

 
55

 

           
 
WNC California Housing Tax Credits III, L.P.
       
 
Schedule III
       
 
Real Estate Owned by Local Limited Partnerships
       
 
March 31, 2014
       
 
     
For the year ended December 31, 2013
 
Local Limited Partnership Name
   
Rental Income
   
Net Loss
 
Year Investment Acquired
 
Status
 
Estimated Useful Life (Years)
 
Colonial Village Roseville (1)
  $ 584,000   $ (90,000 ) 1993  
Completed
  27.5  
                           
    $ 584,000   $ (90,000 )            
 
(1) The Local Limited Partnership interest has been identified for sale as of March 31, 2014.

 
56

 

WNC California Housing Tax Credits III, L.P.
               
Schedule III
               
Real Estate Owned by Local Limited Partnerships
               
March 31, 2013
                 
 
         
As of March 31, 2013
   
As of December 31, 2012
 
Local Limited Partnership Name
 
Location
   
Total Investment in Local Limited Partnerships
   
Amount of Investment Paid to Date
   
Mortgage Balances of Local Limited Partnerships
   
Land
   
Buildings and Equipment
   
Accumulated Depreciation
   
Net Book Value
 
Almond View Apartments, Ltd.(1)
 
Stockton, California
  $ 1,639,000   $ 1,639,000   $ 1,617,000   $ 110,000   $ 3,424,000   $ (2,273,000 ) $ 1,261,000  
                                                 
Colonial Village Roseville
 
Roseville, California
    2,811,000     2,811,000     1,485,000     316,000     5,127,000     (3,359,000 )   2,084,000  
                                                 
La Paloma del Sol Limited Partnership
 
Deming, New Mexico
    254,000     254,000     1,336,000     101,000     1,876,000     (893,000 )   1,084,000  
                                                 
    $ 4,704,000   $ 4,704,000   $ 4,438,000   $ 527,000   $ 10,427,000   $ (6,525,000 ) $ 4,429,000  

(1) The Local Limited Partnership has been identified for sale as of March 31, 2013.

 
57

 

 
WNC California Housing Tax Credits III, L.P.
       
 
Schedule III
       
 
Real Estate Owned by Local Limited Partnerships
       
 
March 31, 2013
       
 
     
For the year ended December 31, 2012
 
Local Limited Partnership Name
   
Rental Income
   
Net Loss
   
Year Investment Acquired
 
Status
   
Estimated Useful Life (Years)
 
Almond View Apartments, Ltd.(1)
  $ 296,000   $ (222,000 )   1994  
Completed
    27.5  
                               
Colonial Village Roseville
    578,000     (66,000 )   1993  
Completed
    27.5  
                               
La Paloma del Sol Limited Partnership
    217,000     (3,000 )   1993  
Completed
    40  
    $
1,091,000
  $
(291,000
)                
 
(1)  
The Local Limited Partnership has been identified for sale as of March 31, 2013.

 
58

 

SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

WNC CALIFORNIA HOUSING TAX CREDITS III, L.P.

By:          WNC California Tax Credit Partners III, L.P.
General Partner

By:         /s/ Wilfred N. Cooper, Jr.
              Wilfred N. Cooper, Jr.,
              President of WNC & Associates, Inc.

Date: June 19, 2015

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 and on the dates indicated.


By:           /s/ Wilfred N. Cooper, Jr.
Wilfred N. Cooper, Jr.,
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director of WNC & Associates, Inc. (principal executive officer)

Date: June 19, 2015


By:           /s/ Melanie R. Wenk
Melanie R. Wenk
Senior Vice-President - Chief Financial Officer of WNC & Associates, Inc. (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)

Date: June 19, 2015


By:           /s/ Wilfred N. Cooper, Sr.
Wilfred N. Cooper, Sr.,
Chairman of the Board of WNC & Associates, Inc.

Date: June 19, 2015

By:           /s/ Kay L. Cooper
Kay L. Cooper
Director of WNC & Associates, Inc.

Date:  June 19, 2015

59