N-CSR 1 d137978dncsr.htm BIF TAX EXEMPT FUND BIF TAX EXEMPT FUND

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number: 811-03111 and 811-21301

Name of Fund: BIF Tax-Exempt Fund and Master Tax-Exempt LLC

Fund Address: 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809

Name and address of agent for service: John M. Perlowski, Chief Executive Officer, BIF Tax-Exempt Fund and

Master Tax-Exempt LLC, 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055

Registrants’ telephone number, including area code: (800) 626-1960

Date of fiscal year end: 03/31/2016

Date of reporting period: 03/31/2016


Item 1 – Report to Stockholders


MARCH 31, 2016

 

 

ANNUAL REPORT

 

      LOGO

 

BIF Tax-Exempt Fund

 

Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • No Bank Guarantee


Table of Contents     

 

     Page  

Shareholder Letter

    3   

Annual Report:

 

Money Market Overview

    4   

Fund Information

    5   

Disclosure of Expenses

    5   
Fund Financial Statements:  

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

    6   

Statement of Operations

    7   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    8   

Fund Financial Highlights

    9   

Fund Notes to Financial Statements

    10   

Fund Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    13   

Master LLC Portfolio Information

    14   
Master LLC Financial Statements:  

Schedule of Investments

    15   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

    24   

Statement of Operations

    24   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    25   

Master LLC Financial Highlights

    25   

Master LLC Notes to Financial Statements

    26   

Master LLC Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    29   

Officers and Directors

    30   

Additional Information

    33   

 

                
2    BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016   


The Markets in Review

 

Dear Shareholder,

Diverging monetary policies and shifting economic outlooks across regions have been the overarching themes driving financial markets over the past couple of years. Investors spent most of 2015 anticipating the end of the Federal Reserve’s (the “Fed”) near-zero interest rate policy as U.S. growth outpaced other developed markets. The Fed ultimately hiked rates in December, whereas the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan took additional steps to stimulate growth, even introducing negative interest rates. The U.S. dollar had strengthened considerably ahead of these developments, causing profit challenges for U.S. companies that generate revenues overseas, and pressuring emerging market currencies and commodities prices.

Global market volatility increased in the latter part of 2015 and spilled over into early 2016. Oil prices were a key factor behind the instability after collapsing in mid-2015 due to excess global supply. China, one of the world’s largest consumers of oil, was another notable source of stress for financial markets. Signs of slowing economic growth, a depreciating yuan and declining confidence in the country’s policymakers stoked investors’ worries about the potential impact of China’s weakness on the global economy.

Fears of a global recession started to fade toward the end of the first quarter of 2016 and volatility abated. Central bank stimulus in Europe and Japan, combined with a more tempered outlook for rate hikes in the United States, helped bolster financial markets. A softening in U.S. dollar strength offered some relief to U.S. exporters and emerging market economies. Oil prices found firmer footing as global supply showed signs of leveling off.

The selloff in risk assets at the turn of the year has resulted in more reasonable valuations and some appealing entry points for investors today. However, investors continue to face the headwinds of uncertainty around China’s growth trajectory and currency management, the potential consequences of negative interest rates and geopolitical risks.

For the 12 months ended March 31, 2016, higher-quality assets such as municipal bonds, U.S. Treasuries and investment grade corporate bonds generated positive returns, while riskier assets such as non-U.S. and small cap equities broadly declined.

At BlackRock, we believe investors need to think globally, extend their scope across a broad array of asset classes and be prepared to adjust accordingly as market conditions change over time. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit blackrock.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC

 

Total Returns as of March 31, 2016  
    6-month     12-month  

U.S. large cap equities
(S&P 500® Index)

    8.49     1.78

U.S. small cap equities
(Russell 2000® Index)

    2.02        (9.76

International equities
(MSCI Europe, Australasia,
Far East Index)

    1.56        (8.27

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging
Markets Index)

    6.41        (12.03

3-month Treasury bills
(BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month
U.S. Treasury Bill Index)

    0.10        0.12   

U.S. Treasury securities
(BofA Merrill Lynch 10-Year
U.S. Treasury Index)

    3.27        3.05   

U.S. investment grade
bonds (Barclays
U.S. Aggregate Bond Index)

    2.44        1.96   

Tax-exempt municipal
bonds (S&P Municipal
Bond Index)

    3.23        3.95   

U.S. high yield bonds
(Barclays U.S.
Corporate High Yield 2%
Issuer Capped Index)

    1.23        (3.66
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.    

 

                
   THIS PAGE NOT PART OF YOUR FUND REPORT       3


Money Market Overview     

 

For the 12-Month Period Ended March 31, 2016

The Federal Open Market Committee (the “Committee”) left rates unchanged at the March 16, 2016 meeting, which was not surprising in our opinion given low expectations for a rate increase on the heels of market turmoil earlier in the year. Indeed, the Committee continued to highlight concern about risks associated with global financial and economic developments, and downshifted its expectations for the pace of normalization. The Committee’s present forecast envisions two rate hikes of 25 basis points (0.25%) each during the balance of 2016, down from a projected four increases as of its December 16, 2015 meeting. A stronger-than-expected February employment report combined with recent upward pressure on the Core Personal Consumption Expenditures Index — the Committee’s preferred measure of inflation — suggest that it may not be overly optimistic to anticipate that conditions will ultimately line up behind at least one rate hike, possibly as soon as June. While not our base case, a number of Committee members even intimated that an increase in rates as soon as April was not out of the question. In our view, the fact that inflation has been running behind the Committee’s target for nearly four years reinforces a gradual approach to policy normalization.

While the Committee’s recent statement was generally perceived as “dovish,” anxiety about the prospect of negative interest rates seems to have diminished somewhat. At the post-meeting press conference, Chairwoman Yellen stated that the Committee is “not actively considering negative rates,” supporting our belief that the odds of such a development are relatively narrow.

The slope of the short-dated London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) curve steepened in March in response to continued uncertainty about the path of interest rates and the possible shift of additional assets from prime to government money market funds later in the year. We would anticipate a continuation of this trend in the months ahead.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

                
4    BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016   


Fund Information as of March 31, 2016     

 

Investment Objective

BIF Tax-Exempt Fund’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is to seek current income exempt from federal income tax, preservation of capital and liquidity.

On May 19, 2016, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a proposal to close the Fund to purchases and thereafter to liquidate the Fund. Accordingly, effective on July 11, 2016, the Fund will no longer accept purchase orders. On or about July 15, 2016, (the “Liquidation Date”), all of the assets of the Fund will be liquidated completely, the shares outstanding on the Liquidation Date will be redeemed at the net asset value per share and the Fund will then be terminated.

 

Current Seven-Day Yields

 

     7-Day
SEC Yield
   

7-Day

Yield

 

BIF Tax-Exempt Fund

    0.00     0.00
 

 

The 7-Day SEC Yield may differ from the 7-Day Yield shown above due to the fact that the 7-Day SEC Yield excludes distributed capital gains. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

 

Disclosure of Expenses

 

Shareholders of the Fund may incur the following charges:

(a) transactional expenses, such as sales charges; and (b) operating expenses, including administration fees, service and distribution fees, including 12b-1 fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, and other Fund expenses. The expense example shown below (which is based on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 invested on October 1, 2015 and held through March 31, 2016) is intended to assist shareholders both in calculating expenses based on an investment in the Fund and in comparing these expenses with similar costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The expense example provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. In order to estimate the expenses a shareholder paid during the period covered by this report, shareholders can divide their account value by $1,000 and then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

The expense example also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. In order to assist shareholders in comparing the ongoing expenses of investing in the Fund and other funds, compare the 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

The expenses shown in the expense example are intended to highlight shareholders’ ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional expenses, such as sales charges, if any. Therefore, the hypothetical example is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only, and will not help shareholders determine the relative total expenses of owning different funds. If these transactional expenses were included, shareholder expenses would have been higher.

 

 

Expense Example

 

    Actual     Hypothetical2        
     Beginning
Account Value
October 1, 2015
    Ending
Account Value
March 31, 2016
    Expenses Paid
During the Period1
    Beginning
Account Value
October 1, 2015
    Ending
Account Value
March 31, 2016
    Expenses Paid
During the Period1
    Annualized
Expense Ratio
 

BIF Tax-Exempt Fund

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,000.00      $ 0.50      $ 1,000.00      $ 1,024.50      $ 0.51        0.10

 

  1   

Expenses are equal to the annualized net expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Because the Fund invests all of its assets in Master Tax-Exempt LLC (the “Master LLC”), the expense example reflects the net expenses of both the Fund and the Master LLC in which it invests.

 

  2   

Hypothetical 5% annual return before expenses is calculated by prorating the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year divided by 366.

 

                
   BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016    5


Statement of Assets and Liabilities    BIF Tax-Exempt Fund

 

March 31, 2016      
 
Assets        

Investments at value — Master Tax-Exempt LLC (the “Master LLC”) (cost — $2,582,790,049)

  $ 2,582,790,049   

Prepaid expenses

    153,524   
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    2,582,943,573   
 

 

 

 
 
Liabilities        
Payables:  

Administration fees

    133,403   

Officer’s fees

    2,371   

Other accrued expenses

    129,418   
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    265,192   
 

 

 

 

Net Assets

  $ 2,582,678,381   
 

 

 

 
 
Net Assets Consist of        

Paid-in capital

  $ 2,582,504,108   

Undistributed net investment income

    2,180   

Accumulated net realized gain allocated from the Master LLC

    172,093   
 

 

 

 

Net Assets, $1.00 net asset value per share, 2,582,200,343 shares outstanding, unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.10 per share

  $ 2,582,678,381   
 

 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.      
                
6    BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016   


Statement of Operations    BIF Tax-Exempt Fund

 

Year Ended March 31, 2016      
 
Investment Income        
Net investment income allocated from the Master LLC:  

Interest

  $ 2,636,272   

Expenses

    (4,413,705

Fees waived

    3,662,771   
 

 

 

 

Total income

    1,885,338   
 

 

 

 
 
Fund Expenses        

Administration

    6,389,205   

Service and distribution

    3,185,825   

Transfer agent

    598,691   

Registration

    240,385   

Professional

    58,610   

Printing

    33,409   

Officer

    1,568   

Miscellaneous

    9,290   
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    10,516,983   
Less:  

Fees waived by the Administrator

    (5,447,604

Service and distribution fees waived

    (3,185,825
 

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived

    1,883,554   
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1,784   
 

 

 

 
 
Realized Gain Allocated from the Master LLC        

Net realized gain from investments

    356,299   
 

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

  $ 358,083   
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.      
                
   BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016    7


Statements of Changes in Net Assets    BIF Tax-Exempt Fund

 

    Year Ended March 31,  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:   2016     2015  
   
Operations                

Net investment income

  $ 1,784      $ 939   

Net realized gain

    356,299        237,967   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    358,083        238,906   
 

 

 

 
   
Distributions to Shareholders1                

From net investment income

    (1,784     (2,002

From net realized gain

    (9,002     (293,679
 

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (10,786     (295,681
 

 

 

 
   
Capital Transactions                

Net proceeds from sale of shares

    10,169,206,511        10,764,885,440   

Reinvestment of distributions

    10,030        294,949   

Costs of shares redeemed

    (10,232,836,385     (10,624,088,268
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital transactions

    (63,619,844     141,092,121   
 

 

 

 
   
Net Assets                

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (63,272,547     141,035,346   

Beginning of year

    2,645,950,928        2,504,915,582   
 

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 2,582,678,381      $ 2,645,950,928   
 

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income, end of year

  $ 2,180      $ 1,484   
 

 

 

 

 

  1   

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations.

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.      
                
8    BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016   


Financial Highlights    BIF Tax-Exempt Fund

 

    Year Ended March 31,  
    2016     2015     2014     2013     2012  
         
Per Share Operating Performance                                        

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00   
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.0000 1      0.0000 1      0.0000 1      0.0000 1      0.0000 1 

Net realized gain

    0.0000 1      0.0001        0.0001        0.0000 1      0.0000 1 
 

 

 

 

Net increase from investment operations

    0.0000        0.0001        0.0001        0.0000        0.0000   
 

 

 

 
Distributions:2          

From net investment income

    (0.0000 )3      (0.0000 )3      (0.0000 )3      (0.0000 )3      (0.0000 )3 

From net realized gain

    (0.0000 )3      (0.0001     (0.0001     (0.0000 )3      (0.0000 )3 
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.0000     (0.0001     (0.0001     (0.0000     (0.0000
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00      $ 1.00   
 

 

 

 
         
Total Return4                                        

Based on net asset value

    0.00%        0.01%        0.01%        0.00%        0.00%   
 

 

 

 
         
Ratios to Average Net Assets5,6                                        

Total expenses

    0.44%        0.47%        0.51%        0.50%        0.56%   
 

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.10%        0.10%        0.15%        0.24%        0.24%   
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.00%        0.00%        0.00%        0.00%        0.00%   
 

 

 

 
         
Supplemental Data                                        

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $  2,582,678      $  2,645,951      $  2,504,916      $  2,706,211      $  3,092,936   
 

 

 

 

 

  1  

Amount is less than $0.00005 per share.

 

  2  

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations.

 

  3  

Amount is greater than $(0.00005) per share.

 

  4  

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

 

  5  

Includes the Fund’s share of the Master LLC’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income.

 

  6  

For the years ended March 31, 2016, March 31, 2015, March 31, 2014, March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012, includes the Fund’s share of the Master LLC’s allocated fees waived of 0.14%, 0.12%, 0.08%, 0.09% and 0.03%, respectively.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.      
                
   BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016    9


Notes to Financial Statements    BIF Tax-Exempt Fund

 

1. Organization:

BIF Tax-Exempt Fund (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund is organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing all of its assets in Master Tax-Exempt LLC (the “Master LLC”), an affiliate of the Fund, which has the same investment objective and strategies as the Fund. The value of the Fund’s investment in the Master LLC reflects the Fund’s proportionate interest in the net assets of the Master LLC. The performance of the Fund is directly affected by the performance of the Master LLC. At March 31, 2016, the percentage of the Master LLC owned by the Fund was 86.4%. The financial statements of the Master LLC, including the Schedule of Investments, are included elsewhere in this report and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements. The Board of Trustees of the Fund and Board of Directors of the Master LLC are referred to throughout this report as the “Board of Directors” or the “Board” and the members are referred to as “Directors.”

The Fund, together with certain other registered investment companies advised by BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Administrator”) or its affiliates, is included in a complex of open-end funds referred to as the Equity-Liquidity Complex.

2. Significant Accounting Policies:

The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:

Investment Transactions and Investment Income: For financial reporting purposes, contributions to and withdrawals from the Master LLC are accounted on a trade date basis. The Fund records its proportionate share of the Master LLC’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains and losses on a daily basis. In addition, the Fund accrues its own expenses.

Distributions: Distributions from net investment income are declared and reinvested daily. Distributions of capital gains are distributed at least annually and are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against the Fund, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.

Other: Expenses directly related to the Fund are charged to the Fund. Other operating expenses shared by several funds, including other funds managed by the Administrator, are prorated among those funds on the basis of relative net assets or other appropriate methods.

The Fund may earn interest on positive cash balances in demand deposit accounts that are maintained by the transfer agent on behalf of the Fund. This amount, if any, is shown as interest income in the Statement of Operations.

3. Investment Valuation and Fair Value Measurements:

Investment Valuation Policies: The Fund’s policy is to fair value its financial instruments at fair value. The Fund records its investment in the Master LLC at fair value based on the Fund’s proportionate interest in the net assets of the Master LLC. Valuation of securities held by the Master LLC is discussed in Note 3 of the Master LLC’s Notes to Financial Statements, which are included elsewhere in this report.

4. Administration Agreement and Other Transactions with Affiliates:

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. is the largest stockholder and an affiliate of BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”) for 1940 Act purposes.

Administration

The Fund entered into an Administration Agreement with the Administrator, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock, to provide administrative services (other than investment advice and related portfolio activities). For such services, the Fund pays the Administrator a monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily value of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund does not pay an investment advisory fee or investment management fee.

 

                
10    BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016   


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)    BIF Tax-Exempt Fund

 

Service and Distribution Fees

The Fund entered into a Distribution Agreement and Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plans with BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of the Administrator. Pursuant to the Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan and in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund pays BRIL ongoing service and distribution fees. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly at the annual rate of 0.125% based upon the average daily net assets of the Fund.

Pursuant to sub-agreements with BRIL, broker-dealers and BRIL provide shareholder servicing and distribution services to the Fund. The ongoing service and/or distribution fee compensates BRIL and each broker-dealer for providing shareholder servicing and/or distribution related services to the shareholders.

Waivers and Reimbursements

The Administrator and BRIL voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of the investment advisory fee and/or reimburse operating expenses to enable the Fund to maintain minimum levels of daily net investment income. These amounts are reported in the Statement of Operations as fees waived by the Administrator or service and distribution fees waived. The Administrator and BRIL may discontinue the waiver and/or reimbursement at any time.

Officers and Directors

Certain officers and/or directors of the Fund are officers and/or directors of BlackRock or its affiliates. The Fund reimburses the Administrator for a portion of the compensation paid to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer, which is included in officer in the Statement of Operations.

5. Income Tax Information:

It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

The Fund files U.S. federal and various state and local tax returns. No income tax returns are currently under examination. The statute of limitations on the Fund’s U.S. federal tax returns remains open for each of the four years ended March 31, 2016. The statutes of limitations on the Fund’s state and local tax returns may remain open for an additional year depending upon the jurisdiction.

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Fund as of March 31, 2016, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Fund’s financial statements.

U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. As of period end, the following permanent differences attributable to non-deductible expenses and the use of equalization were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 183,511   

Undistributed net investment income

  $ 696   

Accumulated net realized gain allocated from the Master LLC

  $ (184,207

The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:

 

     3/31/16      3/31/15  

Tax-exempt income1

  $ 1,784       $ 2,002   

Ordinary income2

    27,739 4       161,557   

Long-term capital gains3

    165,470 4       132,122   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 194,993       $ 295,681   
 

 

 

 

 

  1   

The Fund designates this amount paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 as exempt-interest dividends.

 

  2   

Ordinary income consists primarily of taxable income recognized from net short-term capital gains. Additionally, all ordinary distributions are comprised of qualified short-term capital gain dividends for non-U.S. residents and are eligible for exemption from U.S. withholding tax for nonresident aliens and foreign corporations.

 

  3   

The Fund designates this amount paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 as capital gain dividends.

 

  4   

Distribution amounts may include a portion of the proceeds from redeemed shares.

 

                
   BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016    11


Notes to Financial Statements (concluded)    BIF Tax-Exempt Fund

 

As of period end, the tax components of accumulated net earnings (losses) were as follows:

 

Undistributed tax-exempt income

  $ 2,180   

Undistributed ordinary income

    25,642   

Undistributed long-term capital gains

    146,451   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 174,273   
 

 

 

 

6. Principal Risks:

On July 23, 2014, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission adopted amendments to money market fund regulations, which structurally change the way that certain money market funds will be required to operate. The compliance periods for the amendments range between July 2015 and October 2016. The changes may affect a money market fund’s investment strategies, fees and expenses, portfolio and share liquidity and return potential.

7. Capital Share Transactions:

The number of shares sold, reinvested and redeemed corresponds to the net proceeds from the sale of shares, reinvestment of all distributions and cost of shares redeemed, respectively, since shares are sold and redeemed at $1.00 per share.

8. Subsequent Events:

Management’s evaluation of the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund’s financial statements was completed through the date the financial statements were issued and the following items were noted:

On May 19, 2016, the Board approved a proposal to close the Fund to purchases and thereafter to liquidate the Fund. Accordingly, effective on July 11, 2016, the Fund will no longer accept purchase orders. On or about July 15, 2016, (the “Liquidation Date”), all of the assets of the Fund will be liquidated completely, the shares outstanding on the Liquidation Date will be redeemed at the net asset value per share and the Fund will then be terminated.

 

                
12    BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016   


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm    BIF Tax-Exempt Fund

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of BIF Tax-Exempt Fund:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of BIF Tax-Exempt Fund (the “Fund”) as of March 31, 2016, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights 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 audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund 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 Fund’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 and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of BIF Tax-Exempt Fund as of March 31, 2016, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Fund will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 8 to the financial statements, the Board of the Fund approved a proposal to close the Fund to new investors and thereafter to liquidate the Fund. Management’s plans concerning this matter is also discussed in Note 8 to the financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the liquidation event.

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

May 24, 2016

 

                
   BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016    13


Master LLC Portfolio Information    Master Tax-Exempt LLC

 

As of March 31, 2016      

 

Portfolio Composition   Percent of
Net Assets
 

Variable Rate Demand Notes

    98

Fixed Rate Notes

    3   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets

    (1
 

 

 

 

Total

    100
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

                
14    BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016   


Schedule of Investments March 31, 2016

  

Master Tax-Exempt LLC

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Municipal Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Alabama — 2.2%

  

City of Columbia Alabama IDB, Refunding RB, VRDN, Alabama Power Co. Project, 0.37%, 4/01/16 (a)

   $ 53,950      $ 53,950,000   

City of Mobile Alabama Downtown Redevelopment Authority, RB, VRDN (a)(b):

    

Series A (National Australia Bank Ltd. LOC), 0.40%, 4/07/16

     5,225        5,225,000   

Series B (Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. LOC), 0.40%, 4/07/16

     6,555        6,555,000   
    

 

 

 
               65,730,000   

Arizona — 0.9%

  

Arizona Health Facilities Authority, RB, VRDN, Banner Health, Series C (Bank of America NA LOC), 0.52%, 4/07/16 (a)

     12,800        12,800,000   

City of Phoenix IDA, RB, VRDN, Mayo Clinic, Series B (Wells Fargo Bank NA SBPA), 0.34%, 4/01/16 (a)

     13,200        13,200,000   
    

 

 

 
               26,000,000   

Arkansas — 0.1%

  

Arkansas Development Finance Authority, RB, VRDN, S/F Housing, Mortgage-Backed Securities Program, Series E, AMT (Ginnie Mae & Fannie Mae Guarantors) (State Street Bank & Trust Co. SBPA), 0.48%, 4/07/16 (a)

     3,200        3,200,000   

California — 2.0%

  

Bay Area Toll Authority, P-FLOATS, RB, VRDN, Series C1 (Bank of America NA Liquidity Agreement), 0.42%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     4,910        4,910,000   

California Pollution Control Financing Authority, RB, VRDN, Air Products & Chemicals, Inc., Series B, 0.35%, 4/01/16 (a)

     23,700        23,700,000   

City of Sacramento California, JPMorgan Chase PUTTERS/DRIVERS Trust, RB, VRDN, Series 4375 (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA SBPA), 0.45%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     13,000        13,000,000   

Los Angeles California Department of Water & Power, Refunding RB, VRDN, Remarketing, Sub-Series A-3 (Citibank NA SBPA), 0.30%, 4/01/16 (a)

     13,550        13,550,000   

State of California, GO, Refunding, VRDN, Kindergarten, Series A-2 (State Street Bank & Trust Co. LOC), 0.32%, 4/01/16 (a)

     5,100        5,100,000   
    

 

 

 
               60,260,000   
Municipal Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Colorado — 0.2%

  

Colorado Educational & Cultural Facilities Authority, RB, VRDN, 0.35%, 4/01/16 (a)

   $ 4,800      $ 4,800,000   

Colorado Housing & Finance Authority, Refunding RB, VRDN, S/F Mortgage, Series B (Bank of America NA SBPA), 0.39%, 4/07/16 (a)

     2,360        2,360,000   
    

 

 

 
               7,160,000   

Connecticut — 0.9%

  

Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, RB, VRDN, S/F Housing, Housing Mortgage Finance Program, Sub-Series A-3 (Royal Bank of Canada), 0.41%, 4/07/16 (a)

     5,000        5,000,000   

Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, Refunding RB, VRDN (a):

    

Sub-Series C-3 (Royal Bank of Canada SBPA), 0.41%, 4/07/16

     3,500        3,500,000   

Housing Mortgage Finance Program, Sub-Series A-2 (JPMorgan Chase Bank SBPA), 0.35%, 4/01/16

     14,370        14,370,000   

Sub-Series E-3 (Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd. SBPA), 0.48%, 4/07/16

     3,000        3,000,000   

Connecticut State Development Authority, RB, VRDN, Solid Waste Project, Rand/Whitney, AMT (Bank of Montreal LOC), 0.39%, 4/07/16 (a)

     1,000        1,000,000   
    

 

 

 
               26,870,000   

District of Columbia — 0.2%

  

District of Columbia, RB, VRDN, Community Connections Real Estate, Series A (Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co. LOC), 0.34%, 4/07/16 (a)

     3,500        3,500,000   

District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency, RB, VRDN, Park 7 Apartments at Minnesota Ave & Benning Road (Freddie Mac Liquidity Agreement), 0.39%, 4/07/16 (a)

     4,100        4,100,000   
    

 

 

 
               7,600,000   

Florida — 3.2%

  

County of Brevard Florida Housing Finance Authority, RB, VRDN, M/F, Timber Trace Apartments Project, AMT (Citibank NA LOC), 0.43%, 4/07/16 (a)

     9,635        9,635,000   

County of Collier Florida IDA, RB, VRDN, March Project, AMT (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC), 0.62%, 4/07/16 (a)

     1,190        1,190,000   

County of Escambia Health Facilities Authority, Refunding RB, VRDN (AGC) (TD Bank NA SBPA), Azalea Trace, Inc., 0.41%, 4/01/16 (a)

     10,455        10,455,000   
 

 

Portfolio Abbreviations

 

AGC    Assured Guarantee Corp.      GO    General Obligation Bonds    P-FLOATS    Puttable Floating Rate Securities
AGM    Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.      HDA    Housing Development Authority    PUTTERS    Puttable Tax-Exempt Receipts
AMT    Alternative Minimum Tax (subject to)      HFA    Housing Finance Agency    RB    Revenue Bonds
BAN    Bond Anticipation Notes      HRB    Housing Revenue Bonds    ROCS    Reset Option Certificates
BHAC    Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corp.      IDA    Industrial Development Authority    SBPA    Stand-by Bond Purchase Agreements
COP    Certificates of Participation      IDB    Industrial Development Board    S/F    Single-Family
DRIVERS    Derivative Inverse Tax-Exempt Receipts      ISD    Independent School District    TAN    Tax Anticipation Notes
EDC    Economic Development Corp.      LOC    Letter of Credit    VRDN    Variable Rate Demand Notes
FLOATS    Floating Rate Securities      M/F    Multi-Family      

 

                
   BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016    15

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

Master Tax-Exempt LLC

 

Municipal Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Florida (continued)

  

County of Hillsborough Florida Housing Finance Authority, HRB, VRDN, M/F, Claymore Crossings Apartments, AMT (Citibank NA LOC), 0.42%, 4/07/16 (a)

   $ 1,900      $ 1,900,000   

County of Manatee Florida Housing Finance Authority, HRB, VRDN, M/F, Village at Cortez Apartments, Series A, AMT (Fannie Mae Guarantor, Fannie Mae Liquidity Agreement), 0.46%, 4/07/16 (a)

     10,200        10,200,000   

County of Miami-Dade Florida Transit System Sales Surtax Revenue, RB, VRDN, Eagle Tax-Exempt Trust, Class A (AGM) (Citibank NA Liquidity Agreement),
0.45%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)

     7,450        7,450,000   

County of Miami-Dade Florida Water & Sewer System Revenue, RB, VRDN, ROCS, Series RR-II-R-11834 (AGM) (Citibank NA Liquidity Agreement), 0.45%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     23,750        23,750,000   

County of Orange Florida, RBC Muni Products, Inc. Trust, Refunding RB, FLOATS, VRDN, Series O-43 (Royal Bank of Canada SBPA), 0.45%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     5,115        5,115,000   

County of Orlando & Orange Florida Expressway Authority, RB, VRDN, Eagle Tax-Exempt Trust, Series 0145, Class A (BHAC) (Citibank NA Liquidity Agreement), 0.44%, 4/07/16 (a)(c)

     11,300        11,300,000   

Florida Housing Finance Corp., RB, VRDN, M/F, Savannah Springs Apartments, Series N, AMT (Citibank NA LOC), 0.46%, 4/07/16 (a)

     6,500        6,500,000   

Orlando Florida Utilities Commission, Refunding RB, Series B, VRDN (TD Bank NA SBPA), 0.38%, 4/07/16 (a)

     7,855        7,855,000   
    

 

 

 
               95,350,000   

Georgia — 0.5%

  

County of Gainesville & Hall Georgia Development Authority, RB, VRDN (TD Bank NA SBPA), Acts Retirement-Life Communities, Inc., Lanier Village, Series B, 0.41%, 4/01/16 (a)

     15,135        15,135,000   

Illinois — 4.1%

  

Illinois Finance Authority, RB, VRDN (a):

    

AMT, INX International Ink Co. (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC), 0.55%, 4/07/16

     3,280        3,280,000   

ROCS, Children’s Memorial Hospital, Series RR-11624 (AGC) (Citibank NA SBPA), 0.60%, 4/07/16 (b)(c)

     16,100        16,100,000   

Illinois Finance Authority, Refunding RB, VRDN (a):

    

Evanston Hospital Corporation, 0.41%, 4/07/16

     16,100        16,100,000   

Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Wells Fargo Bank NA SBPA), 0.35%, 4/01/16

     20,285        20,285,000   

Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Series A-2 (Wells Fargo Bank NA SBPA), 0.41%, 4/07/16

     12,300        12,300,000   

Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Series A-3 (JPMorgan Chase Bank SBPA), 0.52%, 4/07/16

     30,190        30,190,000   
Municipal Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Illinois (continued)

  

State of Illinois, GO, VRDN, Series B-4 (State Street Bank & Trust Co. LOC), 0.50%, 4/07/16 (a)

   $ 6,200      $ 6,200,000   

University of Illinois, Refunding RB, VRDN, UIC South Campus Development (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC), 0.52%, 4/07/16 (a)

     17,810        17,810,000   
    

 

 

 
               122,265,000   

Indiana — 3.1%

  

City of Indianapolis Indiana Local Public Improvement Bond Bank, Refunding RB, ROCS, VRDN, Series II-R-11779 (AGC) (Citibank NA SBPA),
0.60%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     47,870        47,870,000   

City of Michigan Indiana, RB, M/F, VRDN, Palatek Project, AMT (Comerica Bank NA LOC), 0.55%, 4/07/16 (a)

     3,200        3,200,000   

Indiana Finance Authority, Refunding RB, VRDN (a):

    

Series B (BMO Harris Bank NA LOC) 0.50%, 4/07/16

     4,050        4,050,000   

Series A-2 (BMO Harris Bank NA SBPA), 0.48%, 4/07/16

     37,365        37,365,000   
    

 

 

 
               92,485,000   

Iowa — 4.0%

  

Iowa Finance Authority, RB, VRDN, CJ BIO America, Inc. Project (Korea Development Bank LOC), 0.45%, 4/07/16 (a)

     118,060        118,060,000   

Iowa Higher Education Loan Authority, Refunding RB, VRDN, Des Moines University Project (BMO Harris Bank NA LOC), 0.40%, 4/01/16 (a)

     2,550        2,550,000   
    

 

 

 
               120,610,000   

Kansas — 0.3%

  

City of Burlington Kansas, Refunding RB, VRDN, Environment Improvement Revenue, City Power & Light (Mizuho Corporate Bank LOC), 0.45%, 4/07/16 (a)

     7,100        7,100,000   

Counties of Sedgwick & Shawnee Kansas, JPMorgan Chase PUTTERS/DRIVERS Trust, Refunding RB, VRDN, Series 3206, AMT (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA SBPA), 0.50%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     1,040        1,040,000   
    

 

 

 
               8,140,000   

Louisiana — 5.9%

  

Consolidated Government of the City of Baton Rouge & Parish of East Baton Rouge Louisiana, Refunding RB, VRDN, 0.30%, 4/01/16 (a)

     10,000        10,000,000   

Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority, RB, VRDN, Honeywell International, Inc. Project, 0.53%, 4/07/16 (a)

     6,000        6,000,000   

Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities & Community Development Authority, Refunding RB, VRDN, BASF Corp. Project, Series B, 0.48%, 4/07/16 (a)

     7,500        7,500,000   
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

                
16    BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016   


Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

Master Tax-Exempt LLC

 

Municipal Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Louisiana (continued)

  

Louisiana Offshore Terminal Authority, Refunding RB, VRDN, Loop LLC Project, Series B (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC), 0.52%, 4/07/16 (a)

   $ 15,050      $ 15,050,000   

Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, RB, VRDN, Air Products and Chemicals Project (a):

    

0.42%, 4/07/16

     40,000        40,000,000   

Series B, 0.42%, 4/07/16

     28,000        28,000,000   

Series C, 0.35%, 4/01/16

     14,600        14,600,000   

Series C, 0.35%, 4/01/16

     12,400        12,400,000   

Parish of Ascension Louisiana, RB, VRDN, AMT, BASF Corp. Project (a):

    

0.43%, 4/07/16

     11,800        11,800,000   

0.43%, 4/07/16

     2,400        2,400,000   

State of Louisiana Gasoline & Fuels Tax Revenue, Refunding RB, VRDN (Citibank NA Liquidity Agreement), 0.45%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)

     30,000        30,000,000   
    

 

 

 
               177,750,000   

Maryland —1.6%

  

City of Washington Maryland Suburban Sanitary Commission, GO, Series A, VRDN, BAN (TD Bank NA SBPA), 0.39%, 4/07/16 (a)

     7,000        7,000,000   

County of Baltimore Maryland, RB, VRDN, M/F, Paths at Loveton (Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co. LOC), 0.34%, 4/07/16 (a)

     2,735        2,735,000   

Maryland EDC, RB, VRDN, Linemark Printing Project, AMT (Manufacturers & Traders LOC), 0.49%, 4/07/16 (a)

     2,925        2,925,000   

Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority, Refunding RB, VRDN (a):

    

ROCS, Series 11415 (AGC) (Citibank NA Liquidity Agreement), 0.60%, 4/07/16 (b)(c)

     6,350        6,350,000   

ROCS, Series 11594 (AGC) (Citibank NA Liquidity Agreement), 0.60%, 4/07/16 (b)(c)

     8,635        8,635,000   

University of Maryland Medical System (TD Bank NA LOC), 0.35%, 4/01/16

     19,530        19,530,000   
    

 

 

 
               47,175,000   

Massachusetts — 5.6%

  

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, HRB, M/F Housing, Avalon Acton Apartment, AMT (Fannie Mae Guarantor, Fannie Mae Liquidity Agreement), 0.46%, 4/07/16 (a)

     3,000        3,000,000   

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, RB, VRDN (a):

    

Boston University, Series U-3 (Northern Trust Company LOC), 0.38%, 4/07/16

     2,500        2,500,000   

Holy Cross College, FLOATS, Series 1336 (Credit Suisse AG SBPA), 0.43%, 4/07/16 (b)(c)

     1,500        1,500,000   

Woodbriar Senior Living Facility, FLOATS, RBC Municipal Product, Inc. Trust, Series E-38 (Royal Bank of Canada LOC, Royal Bank of Canada SBPA), 0.33%, 4/01/16 (b)(c)

     7,385        7,385,000   
Municipal Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Massachusetts (continued)

  

Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority, RB, VRDN (a):

    

Baystate Medical Center, Series K (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC), 0.35%, 4/01/16

   $ 1,500      $ 1,500,000   

Partners Healthcare System, Series P2 (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA SBPA), 0.38%, 4/07/16

     14,300        14,300,000   

Tufts University, Series G (Wells Fargo NA SBPA), 0.35%, 4/01/16

     5,120        5,120,000   

Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Refunding RB, VRDN (a):

    

Great Brook Valley Health Center, Series A (TD Bank NA LOC), 0.39%, 4/07/16

     1,165        1,165,000   

Tufts University, Series N-1 (U.S. Bank NA SBPA), 0.38%, 4/01/16

     14,000        14,000,000   

Tufts University, Series N-2 (Wells Fargo Bank NA SBPA), 0.35%, 4/01/16

     3,700        3,700,000   

Massachusetts School Building Authority, RB, Sales Tax Revenue, VRDN, Eagle Tax-Exempt Trust, Class A (Citibank NA SBPA), 0.44%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     3,100        3,100,000   

Massachusetts State Department of Transportation, Refunding RB, VRDN, Contract Assistance, Series A-2 (Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd. SBPA), 0.38%, 4/07/16 (a)

     47,000        47,000,000   

State of Massachusetts, Clipper Tax-Exempt Certificate Trust, RB, VRDN (State Street Bank & Trust Co. Liquidity
Agreement)(a)(c):

    

0.33%, 4/07/16

     7,000        7,000,000   

0.33%, 4/07/16

     50,000        50,000,000   

Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts/Certificates, Refunding RB, FLOATS, VRDN (a)(b)(c):

    

(JP Morgan Chase Bank NA Liquidity Agreement) 0.32%, 4/07/16

     3,165        3,165,000   

(Citibank NA Liquity Agreement) 0.32%, 4/07/16

     2,000        2,000,000   
    

 

 

 
               166,435,000   

Michigan — 3.6%

  

Michigan Finance Authority, RB, VRDN, Higher Education Facilities (Comerica Bank NA LOC), 0.48%, 4/07/16 (a)

     6,755        6,755,000   

Michigan Higher Education Facilities Authority, Refunding RB, VRDN, Limited Obligation, University of Detroit Mercy Project (Comerica Bank NA LOC), 0.43%, 4/01/16 (a)

     5,265        5,265,000   

Michigan State Building Authority, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts/Certificates, Refunding RB, VRDN (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA Liquidity Agreement), 0.02%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     3,335        3,335,000   

Michigan State HDA, M/F Housing, Berrien Woods III, Series C (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA SBPA), 0.52%, 4/07/16 (a)

     19,365        19,365,000   

Michigan State HDA, Refunding, HRB, VRDN, AMT (a):

    

M/F, Series A (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA SBPA), 0.43%, 4/01/16

     30,135        30,135,000   

S/F, Series B (Federal Home Loan Bank SBPA), 0.43%, 4/07/16

     1,700        1,700,000   
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

                
   BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016    17


Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

Master Tax-Exempt LLC

 

Municipal Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Michigan (continued)

  

Michigan Strategic Fund, RB, VRDN (a):

    

CS Facilities LLC Project (MUFG Union Bank LOC), 0.41%, 4/07/16

   $ 11,045      $ 11,045,000   

MANS LLC Project, AMT (Comerica Bank NA LOC), 0.55%, 4/07/16

     5,300        5,300,000   

Riverwalk Properties LLC Project, AMT (Comerica Bank NA LOC), 0.55%, 4/07/16

     600        600,000   

Southfield Michigan Economic Development Corp., RB, VRDN (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA LOC), Lawrence Technological University Project, 0.55%, 4/07/16 (a)

     3,615        3,615,000   

University of Michigan, Refunding RB, VRDN, General, Series D-1, 0.34%, 4/01/16 (a)

     20,000        20,000,000   
    

 

 

 
               107,115,000   

Minnesota — 0.4%

  

Minneapolis Minnesota Health Care System, RB, VRDN, FLOATS, Fairview Health Services, Series E-19 (Royal Bank of Canada LOC, Royal Bank of Canada SBPA), 0.44%, 3/31/16 (a)(b)(c)

     4,200        4,200,000   

Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, RB, AMT, M/F Housing, VRDN (Royal Bank of Canada SBPA), 0.42%, 4/07/16 (a)

     4,000        4,000,000   

Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, Refunding RB, AMT, S/F Housing, Series D (Fannie Mae) (Royal Bank of Canada SBPA), VRDN, 0.46%, 4/07/16 (a)

     5,075        5,075,000   
    

 

 

 
               13,275,000   

Mississippi — 1.9%

  

Mississippi Business Finance Corp., RB, VRDN, Chevron USA, Inc. Project (Chevron Corp. Guarantor) (a):

    

Series A, 0.34%, 4/01/16

     4,000        4,000,000   

Series B, 0.38%, 4/01/16

     8,700        8,700,000   

Series C, 0.34%, 4/01/16

     9,225        9,225,000   

Series G, 0.34%, 4/01/16

     7,845        7,845,000   

Series G, 0.34%, 4/01/16

     2,000        2,000,000   

Series I, 0.34%, 4/01/16

     12,650        12,650,000   

State of Mississippi, Clipper Tax-Exempt Certificate Trust, RB, VRDN, Series 84 (State Street Bank & Trust Co. SBPA), 0.43%, 4/07/16 (a)(c)

     11,900        11,900,000   
    

 

 

 
               56,320,000   

Missouri — 0.5%

  

City of Kansas City Missouri, Refunding RB, VRDN, Hospital Roe Bartle, Series E (Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Ltd. LOC), 0.39%, 4/07/16 (a)

     15,000        15,000,000   

Nebraska — 0.6%

  

City of Lincoln Nebraska, RB, FLOATS, VRDN, Series 2900 (Credit Suisse Liquidity Agreement), 0.38%, 4/07/16 (a)(c)

     16,000        16,000,000   

University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts/Certificates (Citibank NA Liquidity Agreement), 0.43%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     900        900,000   
    

 

 

 
               16,900,000   
Municipal Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

New Jersey — 1.2%

  

Borough of Dumont New Jersey, GO, Refunding, 1.50%, 6/23/16

   $ 6,179      $ 6,192,388   

Borough of Mendham New Jersey, GO, 1.75%, 7/08/16

     2,250        2,256,807   

Borough of Oradell New Jersey, GO, BAN, 1.00%, 4/08/16

     3,310        3,310,403   

County of Atlantic New Jersey, GO, BAN, Refunding, 2.00%, 6/29/16

     15,806        15,862,434   

New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust, Refunding RB, P-FLOATS, VRDN, Series A-R (Bank of America NA SBPA), 0.40%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     515        515,000   

New Jersey State Education Facilities Authority, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts/Certificates, Refunding RB, Princeton University, VRDN (Bank of America NA Liquidity Agreement), 0.40%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     665        665,000   

New Jersey State Higher Education Assistance Authority, RBC Municipal Product, Inc. Trust, RB, FLOATS, VRDN, AMT (Royal Bank of Canada LOC) (a)(b)(c):

    

Series L-35, 0.48%, 4/07/16

     6,000        6,000,000   

Series L-36, 0.48%, 4/07/16

     700        700,000   
    

 

 

 
               35,502,032   

New Mexico — 0.3%

  

New Mexico Finance Authority, Refunding RB, VRDN, Sub-Lien, Sub-Series A-1 (State Street Bank & Trust Co. LOC), 0.38%, 4/07/16 (a)

     8,350        8,350,000   

New York — 16.7%

  

Center Moriches Union Free School District, GO, 1.50%, 6/24/16

     6,300        6,312,651   

Churchville-Chili Central School District, GO, 1.50%, 6/28/16

     4,300        4,310,224   

City of Elmont New York, Sewanhaka Central High School District, GO, TAN, 1.50%, 6/24/16

     6,400        6,415,420   

City of New York New York, GO, VRDN:

    

Sub-Series A-3 (Morgan Stanley Bank LOC), 0.44%, 4/07/16 (a)

     18,260        18,260,000   

Sub-Series D-3 (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA SBPA), 0.36%, 4/01/16 (a)

     40,800        40,800,000   

Sub-Series D-4 (TD Bank NA LOC), 0.35%, 4/01/16 (a)

     19,000        19,000,000   

Sub-Series F-7 (Royal Bank of Canada LOC), 0.37%, 4/01/16 (a)

     1,700        1,700,000   

Sub-Series G-7 (Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd. LOC), 0.35%, 4/01/16 (a)

     3,145        3,145,000   

Sub-Series I-2 (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA Liquidity Agreement), 0.36%, 4/01/16 (a)

     5,800        5,800,000   

City of New York New York, GO, VRDN, Refunding (a)

    

Sub-Series D-3B (Royal Bank of Canada LOC, Royal Bank of Canada SBPA), 0.37%, 4/01/16

     4,000        4,000,000   

Sub-Series J-8, (Sumitamo Mitsui Banking LOC), 0.45%, 3/31/16

     10,200        10,200,000   
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

                
18    BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016   


Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

Master Tax-Exempt LLC

 

Municipal Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

New York (continued)

  

City of New York New York Industrial Development Agency, RB, VRDN, Korean Air Lines Co. Ltd. Project, AMT (Kookmin Bank LOC) (a):

    

Series A, 0.45%, 4/07/16

   $ 21,800      $ 21,800,000   

Series C, 0.45%, 4/07/16

     4,000        4,000,000   

County of Dutchess New York IDA, RB, VRDN, Marist College, Series A (TD Bank NA LOC), 0.43%, 4/07/16 (a)

     8,645        8,645,000   

East Williston Union Free School District, GO, 1.50%, 6/28/16

     3,500        3,508,318   

Manhasset Union Free School District, GO, 1.50%, 6/21/16

     6,750        6,764,616   

Metropolitan Transportation Authority, RB, VRDN, Sub-Series B-1 (Bank of Tokyo- Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd. LOC) 0.40%, 4/07/16 (a)

     12,500        12,500,000   

Nassau County Industrial Development Agency, RB, VRDN (Manufacturers & Traders Co. LOC) 0.65%, 4/07/16 (a)

     6,415        6,415,000   

New York City Housing Development Corp., RB, VRDN, M/F Housing, Series K-2 (Wells Fargo Bank NA SBPA), 0.42%, 4/01/16 (a)

     8,400        8,400,000   

New York City Transitional Finance Authority, Future Tax Secured Revenue, RB, VRDN (a)

    

Sub-Series E-3 (JP Morgan Chase NA SBPA), 0.36%, 4/01/16

     4,000        4,000,000   

Sub-Series E-4 (JP Morgan Chase Bank NA SBPA) 0.36%, 4/01/16

     19,000        19,000,000   

Subordinate, Sub-Series C-5 (Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. LOC), 0.40%, 4/07/16

     4,800        4,800,000   

New York City Transitional Finance Authority, Future Tax Secured Revenue, Refunding RB, VRDN, Sub-Series A-4 (TD Bank NA SBPA), 0.35%, 4/01/16 (a)

     20,175        20,175,000   

New York City Water & Sewer System, Refunding RB, VRDN, 2nd General Resolution (a):

    

Series AA (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA SBPA), 0.36%, 4/01/16

     2,700        2,700,000   

Series AA (TD Bank NA SBPA), 0.35%, 4/01/16

     11,600        11,600,000   

Municipal Water Finance Authority, Fiscal 2011, Series AA (Royal Bank of Canada SBPA), 0.37%, 4/01/16

     5,000        5,000,000   

Municipal Water Finance Authority, Fiscal 2011, Series DD-1 (TD Bank NA SBPA), 0.35%, 4/01/16

     32,100        32,100,000   

New York Local Government Assistance Corp., Refunding RB, VRDN, Sub Lien, Series 4 (Bank of America NA SBPA), 0.51%, 4/07/16 (a)

     2,000        2,000,000   

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Refunding RB, VRDN, Series A-1 (Royal Bank of Canada LOC), 0.37%, 4/01/16 (a)

     10,180        10,180,000   

New York State Energy Research & Development Authority, Refunding RB, VRDN, Sub-Series A-1 (Mizuho Corporate Bank LOC) 0.39%, 4/07/16 (a)

     15,000        15,000,000   
Municipal Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

New York (continued)

  

New York State HFA, HRB, VRDN (a):

    

East 39th Street Housing, Series A, AMT (Fannie Mae Liquidity Facility, Fannie Mae Guarantor), 0.51%, 4/07/16

   $ 10,000      $ 10,000,000   

M/F Housing, 175 West 60th Street Housing, Series A-1 (Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co. LOC), 0.43%, 4/07/16

     7,900        7,900,000   

M/F Housing, 175 West 60th Street Housing, Series A-1 (Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co. LOC), 0.43%, 4/07/16

     26,100        26,100,000   

M/F Housing, 33 Bond St. Housing (Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co. LOC), 0.42%, 4/06/16

     4,000        4,000,000   

M/F Housing, 625 West 57th Street, Series A-1 (Bank of New York Mellon Trust LOC), 0.38%, 4/07/16

     10,000        10,000,000   

M/F Housing, Clinton Park, Series A (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Guarantor, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Liquidity Agreement), 0.39%, 4/07/16

     6,810        6,810,000   

M/F Housing, Northend (Fannie Maw Guarantor, Fannie Mae Liquidity Agreement), 0.49%, 4/07/16

     7,200        7,200,000   

New York State HFA, HRB, VRDN, M/F Housing, 8 East 102nd Street Housing (TD Bank NA LOC) 0.38%, 4/07/16 (a)

     12,950        12,950,000   

New York State HFA, Refunding RB, VRDN, Sub-Series C, Economic Development (JP Morgan Chase Bank NA SBPA) 0.55%, 4/07/16 (a)

     25,000        25,000,000   

New York State Urban Development Corp., Refunding RB, VRDN, Series A3-D (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA SBPA), 0.45%, 4/07/16 (a)

     22,025        22,025,000   

Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency, RB, AMT, VRDN (Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co. LOC), 0.59%, 4/07/16 (a)

     1,915        1,915,000   

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts/Certificates, Refunding RB, FLOATS, VRDN (Bank of America NA Liquidity Agreement), 0.47%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     3,730        3,730,000   

Rocky Point Union Free School District, GO, 1.50%, 6/27/16

     5,000        5,011,995   

Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority, Refunding RB, Sub-Series B-2, VRDN (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC), 0.34%, 4/01/16 (a)

     11,655        11,655,000   

West Hempstead Union Free School District, GO, TAN, 1.50%, 6/24/16

     3,400        3,408,025   

West Islip Union Free School District, GO, 1.50%, 6/24/16

     24,500        24,555,510   
    

 

 

 
               500,791,759   

North Carolina — 2.5%

  

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority, Refunding RB, VRDN, Series H (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC), 0.35%, 4/01/16 (a)

     3,075        3,075,000   

City of Charlotte North Carolina, COP, Refunding, VRDN, 2003 Governmental Facilities Project (Wells Fargo Bank NA Liquidity Agreement), 0.40%, 4/07/16 (a)

     30,050        30,050,000   
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

                
   BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016    19


Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

Master Tax-Exempt LLC

 

Municipal Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

North Carolina (continued)

  

City of Greensboro North Carolina Combined Water & Sewer System, Refunding RB, VRDN, Series A (Bank of America NA SBPA), 0.41%, 4/07/16 (a)

   $ 8,400      $ 8,400,000   

City of Raleigh Durham North Carolina Airport Authority, Refunding RB, VRDN, Series C (Royal Bank of Canada LOC), 0.40%, 4/07/16 (a)

     2,365        2,365,000   

City of Raleigh North Carolina Combined Enterprise System Revenue, RB, Series B, VRDN (Wells Fargo Bank NA SBPA), 0.39%, 4/07/16 (a)

     3,380        3,380,000   

County of Lee North Carolina Industrial Facilities & Pollution Control Financing Authority, RB, VRDN, Arden Corp. Project, AMT (Comerica Bank NA LOC), 0.55%, 4/07/16 (a)

     2,550        2,550,000   

North Carolina Agricultural Finance Authority, Refunding RB, VRDN, Harvey Fertilizer & Gas Project, AMT (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC), 0.62%, 4/01/16 (a)

     310        310,000   

North Carolina Capital Facilities Finance Agency, RB, VRDN, Aquarium Society Project (Bank of America NA LOC), 0.46%, 4/07/16 (a)

     17,035        17,035,000   

North Carolina Capital Facilities Finance Agency, Refunding RB, VRDN, Eagle Tax-Exempt Trust Receipts, Duke University (Citibank NA Liquidity Agreement),
0.33%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     2,850        2,850,000   

North Carolina Medical Care Community, RBC Municipal Products, Inc. Trust, RB, VRDN, Duke University Health System (Royal Bank of Canada Liquidity Agreement), 0.45%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     1,400        1,400,000   

State of North Carolina, Refunding RB, VRDN (Citibank NA Liquidity Agreement), 0.43%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     1,800        1,800,000   

State of North Carolina, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts/Certificates, GO, VRDN, (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA Liquidity Agreement), 0.45%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     1,000        1,000,000   

State of North Carolina, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts/Certificates, Refunding RB, VRDN, Duke University (Citibank NA Liquidity Agreement),
0.32%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     1,600        1,600,000   
    

 

 

 
               75,815,000   

North Dakota — 0.0%

  

City of West Fargo North Dakota, GO, Series A, 2.00%, 5/02/16

     830        831,050   

Ohio — 0.7%

  

City of Columbus Ohio, GO, VRDN, Sanitary Sewer, 0.46%, 4/07/16 (a)

     4,095        4,095,000   

County of Franklin Ohio Nationwide Children’s Hospital, RB, VRDN, Series B (a):

    

0.43%, 4/07/16

     14,600        14,600,000   

0.46%, 4/07/16

     1,700        1,700,000   
    

 

 

 
               20,395,000   
Municipal Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Oklahoma — 0.5%

  

Muskogee City-County Trust Port Authority, RB, VRDN, AMT (Bank of America NA LOC), 0.56%, 4/07/16 (a)

   $ 5,250      $ 5,250,000   

Oklahoma State Turnpike Authority, RBC Municipal Products, Inc. Trust, Refunding RB, VRDN, FLOATS, Series E-37 (Royal Bank Canada LOC),
0.44%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     9,575        9,575,000   
    

 

 

 
               14,825,000   

Oregon — 0.2%

  

Port of Portland Oregon, Refunding RB, VRDN, Portland International Airport, Series 18-A, AMT (U.S. Bank NA LOC), 0.53%, 4/07/16 (a)

     5,775        5,775,000   

Pennsylvania — 3.7%

  

Central Bradford Progress Authority, RBC Municipal Products, Inc. Trust, RB, VRDN, FLOATS, Series C-14 (Royal Bank of Canada LOC, Royal Bank of Canada SBPA), 0.44%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     3,840        3,840,000   

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Clipper Tax-Exempt Certificate Trust, RB, VRDN, Series 2009-58 (State Street Bank & Trust Co. Liquidity Agreement), 0.43%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     14,500        14,500,000   

County of Blair Pennsylvania IDA, RB, VRDN, Homewood at Martinsburg Project (Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co. LOC), 0.34%, 4/07/16 (a)

     1,800        1,800,000   

County of Lancaster Pennsylvania Hospital Authority, Refunding RB, VRDN, Luthercare Project (Manufacturers & Trust Co. LOC), 0.45%, 4/07/16 (a)

     28,530        28,530,000   

County of Montgomery Industrial Development Authority, RB, VRDN, Acts Retirement-Life Communities, Inc. (TD Bank NA SBPA), 0.41%, 4/01/16 (a)

     5,415        5,415,000   

Geisinger Authority, RB, VRDN, Geisinger Health System, Series A (Wells Fargo Bank NA SBPA), 0.34%, 4/01/16 (a)

     10,550        10,550,000   

Hospitals & Higher Education Facilities Authority of Philadelphia, Refunding RB, VRDN, Children’s Hospital Project (Wells Fargo Bank NA SBPA), 0.35%, 4/01/16 (a)

     22,100        22,100,000   

Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority, RB, VRDN, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point Project, AMT (Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co. LOC), 0.48%, 4/07/16 (a)

     6,700        6,700,000   

School District of Philadelphia, GO, VRDN, Refunding, Series H (Royal Bank of Canada LOC), 0.42%, 4/07/16 (a)

     5,790        5,790,000   

Southcentral General Authority, RB, VRDN, Homewood Hanover Project (Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co. LOC), 0.34%, 4/07/16 (a)

     9,635        9,635,000   

York County IDA, RB, AMT, VRDN (Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co. LOC), 0.54%, 4/07/16 (a)

     730        730,000   
    

 

 

 
               109,590,000   
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

                
20    BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016   


Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

Master Tax-Exempt LLC

 

Municipal Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Rhode Island — 0.2%

  

Town of Cumberland Rhode Island, GO, TAN, Series 1, 1.50%, 6/09/16

   $ 7,200      $ 7,214,378   

South Carolina — 0.4%

  

Charleston South Carolina Waterworks & Sewer Revenue, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts/Certificates, RB, FLOATS, Series 2015-XF2204 (Citibank NA Liquidity Agreement), 0.43%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     3,000        3,000,000   

South Carolina State Public Service Authority, JPMorgan Chase PUTTERS/DRIVERS Trust, Refunding RB, VRDN, Series 4379 (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA Liquidity Agreement), 0.52%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     8,940        8,940,000   
    

 

 

 
               11,940,000   

Tennessee — 0.8%

  

City of Clarksville Tennessee Public Building Authority, RB, VRDN (Bank of America NA LOC), 0.42%, 4/07/16 (a)

     12,755        12,755,000   

County of Montgomery Tennessee Public Building Authority, RB, VRDN, Tennessee County Loan Pool (Bank of America NA LOC), 0.43%, 4/07/16 (a)

     535        535,000   

Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County Health & Educational Facilities Board, Refunding RB, VRDN, FLOATS, Series 3013 (Morgan Stanley Bank Liquidity Agreement), 0.35%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     10,000        10,000,000   
    

 

 

 
               23,290,000   

Texas — 18.7%

  

Brazos Harbor Industrial Development Corp., RB, VRDN, BASF Corp. Project, AMT (a):

    

0.48%, 4/07/16

     50,000        50,000,000   

0.48%, 4/07/16

     25,000        25,000,000   

Brazos River Harbor Navigation District, RB, VRDN, BASF Corp. Project, AMT (a):

    

0.43%, 4/07/16

     18,400        18,400,000   

Brazoria County, Multi-Mode, 0.43%, 4/07/16

     15,800        15,800,000   

City of Austin Texas Electric Utility System Revenue, Refunding RB, FLOATS, VRDN (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA Liquidity Agreement), 0.50%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     12,645        12,645,000   

City of Austin Texas Water & Wastewater System, Refunding RB, VRDN (Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd. LOC, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. LOC), 0.42%, 4/07/16 (a)

     16,440        16,440,000   

City of Denton Texas ISD, GO, VRDN, School Building (a):

    

Series 2005-A (Bank of America NA SBPA), 0.42%, 4/07/16

     2,600        2,600,000   

Series B (Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi SBPA), 0.50%, 4/07/16

     7,400        7,400,000   

County of Harris Texas, GO, VRDN, Clipper Tax-Exempt Certificate Trust, Series 2009-73 (State Street Bank & Trust Co. SBPA), 0.44%, 4/07/16 (a)(c)

     10,000        10,000,000   
Municipal Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Texas (continued)

  

County of Harris Texas Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Refunding RB, VRDN, Methodist Hospital (a):

    

Sub-Series C-1, 0.34%, 4/01/16

   $ 97,000      $ 97,000,000   

Sub-Series C-2, 0.34%, 4/01/16

     10,000        10,000,000   

County of Harris Texas Health Facilities Development Corp., Refunding RB, VRDN, Methodist Hospital System (a):

    

Series A-1, 0.34%, 4/01/16

     14,070        14,070,000   

Series A-2, 0.34%, 4/01/16

     19,205        19,205,000   

County of Tarrant Texas Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Refunding RB, VRDN, Christus Health, Series C-4 (Bank of Montreal LOC), 0.49%, 4/07/16 (a)

     12,420        12,420,000   

County of Tarrant Texas Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Austin Trust, Refunding RB, VRDN, Certificates of Bank of America, Series 1201 (Bank of America NA Liquidity Agreement), 0.42%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)

     5,790        5,790,000   

Lower Neches Valley Authority Industrial Development Corp., RB, VRDN, Exxon Mobil Project, 0.30%, 4/01/16 (a)

     10,400        10,400,000   

Lower Neches Valley Authority Industrial Development Corp., Refunding RB, VRDN, Exxon Mobil Project, 0.30%, 4/01/16 (a)

     15,000        15,000,000   

Port of Corpus Christi Authority of Nueces County, RB, VRDN, Flint Hills Resources LP Project, 0.51%, 4/07/16 (a)

     21,500        21,500,000   

Port of Corpus Christi Authority of Nueces County, Refunding RB, VRDN, Flint Hills Resource, Series A, AMT, 0.55%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)

     70,000        70,000,000   

Port of Port Arthur Texas Navigation District, RB, VRDN, Project (a):

    

Multi-Mode, Atofina Series B, AMT, 0.48%, 4/07/16

     10,000        10,000,000   

Texas Industrial Development Corp., Total Petrochemicals & Refining USA, Inc., 0.48%, 4/07/16

     20,700        20,700,000   

Total Petrochemicals & Refining USA, Inc., AMT, 0.48%, 4/07/16

     50,000        50,000,000   

San Jacinto Texas Community College District, GO, VRDN, FLOATS, Series 2976 (Morgan Stanley Bank Liquidity Agreement), 0.35%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     4,500        4,500,000   

State of Texas, GO, VRDN (a):

    

Series B (Mizuho Bank Ltd. SBPA), 0.50%, 4/07/16

     18,000        18,000,000   

Series D (State Street Bank & Trust Co. SBPA), 0.50%, 4/07/16

     8,345        8,345,000   

State of Texas Water Development Board, Tender Option Bond Trust Receipts/Certificates (Citibank NA Liquidity Agreement), 0.43%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     2,800        2,800,000   

Waco Educational Finance Corp., Refunding RB, Baylor University, Series A, VRDN (Bank of New York Mellon Trust LOC), 0.50%, 4/07/16 (a)

     10,545        10,545,000   
    

 

 

 
               558,560,000   
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

                
   BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016    21


Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

Master Tax-Exempt LLC

 

Municipal Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Utah — 5.2%

  

City of Murray Utah, RB, VRDN, IHC Health Services, Inc. (a):

    

Series C, 0.32%, 4/01/16

   $ 38,020      $ 38,020,000   

Series C (Northern Trust Co. SBPA), 0.35%, 4/01/16

     32,465        32,465,000   

Series D, 0.32%, 4/01/16

     30,900        30,900,000   

County of Weber Utah, RB, VRDN, IHC Health Service, Inc., Series C (Bank of New York SBPA), 0.35%, 4/01/16 (a)

     45,050        45,050,000   

State of Utah, GO, FLOATS, VRDN, Series 2987 (Morgan Stanley Liquidity Agreement), 0.35%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     8,200        8,200,000   
    

 

 

 
               154,635,000   

Virginia — 3.1%

  

City of Alexandria Virginia IDA, RB, VRDN, Young Men’s Christian Association (Manufacturers & Traders LOC), 0.34%, 4/07/16 (a)

     764        764,000   

County of Albemarle Industrial Development Authority, RB, VRDN, Jefferson Scholars Foundation Project (SunTrust Bank LOC), 0.45%, 4/07/16 (a)

     8,400        8,400,000   

Hampton Roads Sanitation District, Refunding RB, VRDN, Sub-Series B, 0.45%, 4/07/16 (a)

     14,100        14,100,000   

Stafford County & Staunton Industrial Development Authority, RB, VRDN, VMIL/VACO Commonwealth (US Bank NA LOC), 0.41%, 4/07/16 (a)

     180        180,000   

State of Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board, RB, VRDN, Clipper Tax-Exempt Certificate Trust, Series A (State Street Bank & Trust Co. Liquidity Agreement), 0.43%, 4/07/16 (a)

     12,960        12,960,000   

University of Virginia, RB, VRDN, Eagle Tax-Exempt Receipts, Class A (Citibank NA Liquidity Agreement), 0.44%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     5,565        5,565,000   

Virginia College Building Authority, RB, VRDN, 21st Century College (a):

    

Series B (Wells Fargo Bank NA SBPA), 0.35%, 4/01/16

     32,425        32,425,000   

Series C (Wells Fargo Bank NA SBPA), 0.35%, 4/01/16

     16,390        16,390,000   

Virginia College Building Authority, Refunding RB, VRDN, University of Richmond Project (Wells Fargo Bank NA SBPA), 0.35%, 4/01/16 (a)

     1,050        1,050,000   
    

 

 

 
               91,834,000   

Washington — 2.6%

  

County of King Washington Sewer Revenue, RB, VRDN, AGM (Citibank NA Liquidity Agreement), 0.44%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)

     9,410        9,410,000   

County of King Washington Sewer Revenue, Refunding RB, Austin Trust, VRDN, Series 1200 (AGM) (Bank of America NA Liquidity Agreement), 0.42%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)

     10,000        10,000,000   

State of Washington Healthcare Facility Authority, RB, VRDN, FLOATS, Series 2015-XF0153 (Bank of America NA LOC), 0.42%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     8,155        8,155,000   
Municipal Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Washington (continued)

  

State of Washington, JPMorgan Chase PUTTERS/DRIVERS Trust, GO, Refunding, VRDN, Series 4292 (JPMorgan Chase Bank NA Liquidity Agreement),
0.45%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

   $ 3,745      $ 3,745,000   

Washington State Housing Finance Commission, RB, VRDN (a):

    

Heatherwood, Inc., LLC, Series A, AMT (Freddie Mac Liquidity Agreement), 0.46%, 4/07/16

     11,125        11,125,000   

Kingsgate LLC, Series A, AMT (Freddie Mac Liquidity Agreement), 0.46%, 4/07/16

     11,050        11,050,000   

Living Care Centers Project, Housing, Series C42, AMT (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC), 0.40%, 4/07/16

     10,530        10,530,000   

Traditions at South Hill Apartments Project (Freddie Mac Liquidity Agreement), 0.38%, 4/07/16

     12,630        12,630,000   
    

 

 

 
               76,645,000   

West Virginia — 1.2%

  

County of Jackson West Virginia, RB, VRDN, Armstrong World Industries, Inc. Project (Bank of Nova Scotia LOC), 0.45%, 4/07/16 (a)

     35,000        35,000,000   

Wisconsin — 0.4%

  

City of West Bend Housing Authority, RB, VRDN, River Shores Regency, AMT (U.S. Bank NA LOC), 0.45%, 4/07/16 (a)

     5,040        5,040,000   

Village of Kohler Wisconsin, RB, VRDN, Kohler Co. Project, AMT (Wells Fargo Bank NA LOC), 0.50%, 4/07/16 (a)

     4,000        4,000,000   

Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority, RB, ROCS, VRDN, Ascension Health, Series II R-14065 (Citibank NA Liquidity Agreement), 0.43%, 4/07/16 (a)(b)(c)

     3,000        3,000,000   
    

 

 

 
               12,040,000   

Wyoming — 0.6%

  

City of Green River Wyoming, RB, VRDN, OCI Wyoming LP Project, AMT (Comerica Bank NA LOC), 0.55%, 4/07/16 (a)

     4,000        4,000,000   

County of Converse Wyoming, Refunding RB, VRDN, PacifiCorp Projects (Bank of Nova Scotia LOC), 0.49%, 4/07/16 (a)

     6,485        6,485,000   

County of Sweetwater Wyoming, Refunding RB, VRDN, PacifiCorp Project (Bank of Nova Scotia LOC), 0.39%, 4/07/16 (a)

     5,310        5,310,000   

County of Uinta Wyoming, Refunding RB, VRDN, Pollution Control Revenue, Chevron USA, Inc. Project, 0.34%, 4/01/16 (a)

     3,945        3,945,000   
    

 

 

 
               19,740,000   
Total Investments (Cost — $3,013,548,219*) — 100.8%      $ 3,013,548,219   
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (0.8)%        (24,116,894
    

 

 

 
Net Assets 100.0%      $ 2,989,431,325   
    

 

 

 
 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

                
22    BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016   


Schedule of Investments (concluded)

  

Master Tax-Exempt LLC

 

 

Notes to Schedule of Investments

 

*   Cost for federal income tax purposes

 

(a)   Variable rate security. Rate as of period end and maturity is the date the principal owed can be recovered through demand.

 

(b)   Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

 

(c)   These securities are short-term floating rate certificates issued by tender option bond trusts and are secured by the underlying municipal bond securities.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments. For information about the Master LLC’s policy regarding valuation of investments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the Master LLC’s investments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:

 

     Level 1      Level 2        Level 3      Total  

Assets:

                
Investments:                 

Municipal Bonds 1

       $ 3,013,548,219              $ 3,013,548,219   

1    See above Schedule of Investments for values in each state or political subdivision.

       

The Master LLC may hold assets and/or liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes. As of period end, cash of $221,150 is categorized as Level 1 within the disclosure hierarchy.

During the year ended March 31, 2016, there were no transfers between levels.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

                
   BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016    23


Statement of Assets and Liabilities     

 

March 31, 2016   Master Tax-Exempt LLC
 
Assets        

Investments at value — unaffiliated (cost — $3,013,548,219)

  $ 3,013,548,219   

Cash

    221,150   
Receivables:  

Interest

    1,339,991   

Investments sold

    649,000   

Contributions from investors

    741,071   

Prepaid expenses

    7,458   
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    3,016,506,889   
 

 

 

 
 
Liabilities        
Payables:  

Investments purchased

    26,702,841   

Investment advisory fees

    127,358   

Directors’ fees

    18,318   

Other affiliates

    8,028   

Other accrued expenses

    219,019   
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    27,075,564   
 

 

 

 

Net Assets

  $ 2,989,431,325   
 

 

 

 
 
Net Assets Consist of        

Investors’ capital

  $ 2,989,431,325   
 

 

 

 

 

Statement of Operations

 

    
Year Ended March 31, 2016   Master Tax-Exempt LLC
 
Investment Income        

Income

  $ 3,035,165   
 

 

 

 
 
Expenses        

Investment advisory

    4,552,300   

Accounting services

    185,456   

Custodian

    87,060   

Directors

    76,842   

Professional

    76,564   

Printing

    3,203   

Miscellaneous

    98,981   
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    5,080,406   
Less:  

Fees waived by the Manager

    (4,203,318

Fees paid indirectly

    (12,144
 

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly

    864,944   
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2,170,221   
 

 

 

 
 
Realized Gain        

Net realized gain from investments

    410,632   
 

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

  $ 2,580,853   
 

 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.      
                
24    BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016   


Statements of Changes in Net Assets    Master Tax-Exempt LLC

 

    Year Ended March 31,  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:   2016     2015  
   
Operations                

Net investment income

  $ 2,170,221      $ 1,514,873   

Net realized gain

    410,632        272,436   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    2,580,853        1,787,309   
 

 

 

 
   
Capital Transactions                

Proceeds from contributions

    13,221,531,510        13,552,450,815   

Value of withdrawals

    (13,269,240,993     (13,346,430,521
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital transactions

    (47,709,483     206,020,294   
 

 

 

 
   
Net Assets                

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (45,128,630     207,807,603   

Beginning of year

    3,034,559,955        2,826,752,352   
 

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 2,989,431,325      $ 3,034,559,955   
 

 

 

 

 

Financial Highlights    Master Tax-Exempt LLC

 

    Year Ended March 31,  
    2016     2015     2014     2013     2012  
         
Total Return                                        

Total return

    0.07%        0.06%        0.07%        0.15%        0.10%   
 

 

 

 
         
Ratios to Average Net Assets                                        

Total expenses

    0.17%        0.17%        0.17%        0.17%        0.17%   
 

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly

    0.03%        0.05%        0.08%        0.08%        0.14%   
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.07%        0.05%        0.06%        0.15%        0.12%   
 

 

 

 
 
Supplemental Data                                        

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 2,989,431      $ 3,034,560      $ 2,826,752      $ 3,073,102      $ 3,629,077   
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.      
                
   BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016    25


Notes to Financial Statements    Master Tax-Exempt LLC

 

1. Organization:

Master Tax-Exempt LLC (the “Master LLC”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and is organized as a Delaware limited liability company. The Master LLC’s Limited Liability Company Agreement permits the Board of Directors of the Master LLC (the “Board”) to issue non-transferable interests in the Master LLC, subject to certain limitations.

The Master LLC, together with certain other registered investment companies advised by BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”) or its affiliates, is included in a complex of open-end funds referred to as the Equity-Liquidity Complex.

2. Significant Accounting Policies:

The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Master LLC is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:

Investment Transactions and Investment Income: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are entered into (the trade dates). Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined on the identified cost basis. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, is recognized on the accrual basis.

Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, the Master LLC enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. The Master LLC’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against the Master LLC, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.

Other: Expenses directly related to the Master LLC are charged to the Master LLC. Other operating expenses shared by several funds, including other funds managed by the Manager, are prorated among those funds on the basis of relative net assets or other appropriate methods.

The Master LLC has an arrangement with its custodian whereby fees may be reduced by credits earned on uninvested cash balances, which, if applicable, are shown as fees paid indirectly in the Statement of Operations. The custodian imposes fees on overdrawn cash balances, which can be offset by accumulated credits earned or may result in additional custody charges. Effective October 2015, the custodian is imposing fees on certain uninvested cash balances.

3. Investment Valuation and Fair Value Measurements:

Investment Valuation Policies: U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price the Master LLC would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Master LLC’s investments are valued under the amortized cost method which approximates current market value in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. Under this method, investments are valued at cost when purchased and, thereafter, a constant proportionate accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums are recorded until the maturity of the security. The Master LLC seeks to maintain its net asset value per share at $1.00, although there is no assurance that it will be able to do so on a continuing basis.

Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial statement purposes as follows:

 

 

Level 1 — unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that the Master LLC has the ability to access

 

 

Level 2 — other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market–corroborated inputs)

 

 

Level 3 — unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available (including the Master LLC’s own assumptions used in determining the fair value of investments)

 

                
26    BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016   


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)    Master Tax-Exempt LLC

 

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The fair value hierarchy for the Master LLC’s investments has been included in the Schedule of Investments.

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the hierarchy. In accordance with the Master LLC’s policy, transfers between different levels of the fair value hierarchy are deemed to have occurred as of the beginning of the reporting period. The categorization of a value determined for investments is based on the pricing transparency of the investments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.

4. Investment Advisory Agreement and Other Transactions with Affiliates:

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. is the largest stockholder and an affiliate of BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”) for 1940 Act purposes.

Investment Advisory

The Master LLC entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Manager, the Master LLC’s investment advisor, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock, to provide investment advisory and administration services. The Manager is responsible for the management of the Master LLC’s portfolio and provides the personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary to the operations of the Master LLC. For such services, the Master LLC pays the Manager a monthly fee based on a percentage of the Master LLC’s average daily net assets at the following annual rates:

 

Average Daily Net Assets   Investment Advisory Fee  

First $500 Million

    0.250%   

$500 Million — $1 Billion

    0.175%   

Greater than $1 Billion

    0.125%   

Waivers and Reimbursements

The Manager voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of the investment advisory fee and/or reimburse operating expenses to enable the feeder funds that invest in the Master LLC to maintain minimum levels of daily net investment income. These amounts are reported in the Statement of Operations as fees waived by the Manager. The Manager may discontinue the waiver and/or reimbursement at any time.

For the year ended March 31, 2016, the Master LLC reimbursed the Manager $31,416 for certain accounting services, which is included in accounting services in the Statement of Operations.

Officers and Directors

Certain officers and/or directors of the Master LLC are officers and/or directors of BlackRock or its affiliates.

Other Transactions

The Master LLC may purchase securities from, or sell securities to, an affiliated fund provided the affiliation is due solely to having a common investment advisor, common officers, or common directors. For the year ended March 31, 2016, the purchase and sale transactions with an affiliated fund in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were $681,001,283 and $456,630,124, respectively.

5. Income Tax Information:

The Master LLC is classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. As such, each investor in the Master LLC is treated as the owner of its proportionate share of net assets, income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains and losses of the Master LLC. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. It is intended that the Master LLC’s assets will be managed so an investor in the Master LLC can satisfy the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

The Master LLC files U.S. federal and various state and local tax returns. No income tax returns are currently under examination. The statute of limitations on the Master LLC’s U.S. federal tax returns remains open for each of the four years ended March 31, 2016. The statutes of limitations on the Master LLC’s state and local tax returns may remain open for an additional year depending upon the jurisdiction.

 

                
   BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016    27


Notes to Financial Statements (concluded)    Master Tax-Exempt LLC

 

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Master LLC as of March 31, 2016, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Master LLC’s financial statements.

6. Principal Risks:

In the normal course of business, the Master LLC invests in securities and enters into transactions where risks exist due to fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of the issuer to meet all its obligations, including the ability to pay principal and interest when due (issuer credit risk). The value of securities held by the Master LLC may decline in response to certain events, including those directly involving the issuers of securities owned by the Master LLC. Changes arising from the general economy, the overall market and local, regional or global political and/or social instability, as well as currency, interest rate and price fluctuations, may also affect the securities’ value.

Certain obligations held by the the Master LLC have a credit enhancement or liquidity feature that may, under certain circumstances, provide for repayment of principal and interest on the obligation when due. These enhancements, which may include letters of credit, stand-by bond purchase agreements and/or third party insurance, are issued by financial institutions. The value of the obligations may be affected by changes in creditworthiness of the entities that provide the credit enhancements or liquidity features. The Master LLC monitors its exposure by reviewing the creditworthiness of the issuers, as well as the financial institutions issuing the credit enhancements and by limiting the amount of holdings with credit enhancements from one financial institution.

On July 23, 2014, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission adopted amendments to money market fund regulations, which structurally change the way that certain money market funds will be required to operate. The compliance periods for the amendments range between July 2015 and October 2016. The changes may affect a money market fund’s investment strategies, fees and expenses, portfolio and share liquidity and return potential.

Counterparty Credit Risk: Similar to issuer credit risk, the Master LLC may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions. The Master LLC manages counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that the Manager believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Master LLC to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Master LLC’s exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Master LLC.

7. Subsequent Events:

Management’s evaluation of the impact of all subsequent events on the Master LLC’s financial statements was completed through the date the financial statements were issued and the following items were noted:

On May 19, 2016, the Board approved a proposal to liquidate the Master LLC. Accordingly, on or about July 15, 2016, (the “Liquidation Date”), all of the assets of the Master LLC will be liquidated completely, the interests of any interestholders on the Liquidation Date will be redeemed and the Master LLC will then be terminated.

 

                
28    BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016   


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm    Master Tax-Exempt LLC

 

To the Investors and Board of Directors of Master Tax-Exempt LLC:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Master Tax-Exempt LLC (the “Master LLC”), including the schedule of investments, as of March 31, 2016, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Master LLC’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights 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 audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Master LLC 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 Master LLC’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. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of March 31, 2016, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Master Tax-Exempt LLC as of March 31, 2016, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Master LLC will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 7 to the financial statements, the Board of the Master LLC approved a proposal to close the Master LLC to new investors and thereafter to liquidate the Master LLC Management’s plans concerning this matter is also discussed in Note 7 to the financial statements. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the liquidation event.

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

May 24, 2016

 

                
   BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016    29


Officers and Directors     

 

Name, Address1
and Year of Birth
  Position(s)
Held with
the Fund/
Master LLC
  Length
of Time
Served as
a Director3
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years   Number of BlackRock-
Advised Registered
Investment Companies
(“RICs”) Consisting of
Investment Portfolios
(“Portfolios”) Overseen
 

Public Company and
Investment Company
Directorships During
Past Five Years

Independent Directors2

Rodney D. Johnson

 

1941

  Chair of the Board and Director   Since 2007   President, Fairmount Capital Advisors, Inc. from 1987 to 2013; Member of the Archdiocesan Investment Committee of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia from 2004 to 2012; Director, The Committee of Seventy (civic) from 2006 to 2012; Director, Fox Chase Cancer Center from 2004 to 2011.   33 RICs consisting of
156 Portfolios
  None

David O. Beim

 

1940

  Director   Since 2007   Professor of Professional Practice at the Columbia University Graduate School of Business since 1991; Trustee, Phillips Exeter Academy from 2002 to 2012; Chairman, Wave Hill, Inc. (public garden and cultural center) from 1990 to 2006.   33 RICs consisting of
156 Portfolios
  None

Susan J. Carter

 

1956

  Director   Since 2016   Director, Pacific Pension Institute since 2014; Advisory Board Member, Center for Private Equity and Entrepreneurship at Tuck School of Business since 1997; Senior Advisor, Commonfund Capital, Inc. (“CCI”) (investment adviser) in 2015; Chief Executive Officer, CCI from 2013 to 2014; President & Chief Executive Officer, CCI from 1997 to 2013; Advisory Board Member, Girls Who Invest since 2015; Advisory Board Member, Bridges Ventures since 2016.   33 RICs consisting of
156 Portfolios
  None

Collette Chilton

 

1958

  Director   Since 2015   Chief Investment Officer, Williams College since 2006; Chief Investment Officer, Lucent Asset Management Corporation from 1998 to 2006.   33 RICs consisting of
156 Portfolios
  None

Neil A. Cotty

 

1954

  Director   Since 2016   Bank of America Corporation from 1996 to 2015, serving in various senior finance leadership roles, including Chief Accounting Officer, from 2009 to 2015, Chief Financial Officer of Global Banking, Markets and Wealth Management from 2008 to 2009, Chief Accounting Officer from 2004 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Consumer Bank from 2003 to 2004, Chief Financial Officer of Global Corporate Investment Bank from 1999 to 2002.   33 RICs consisting of
156 Portfolios
  None

Dr. Matina S. Horner

 

1939

  Director   Since 2007   Executive Vice President, Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association and College Retirement Equities Fund from 1989 to 2003.   33 RICs consisting of
156 Portfolios
  NSTAR (electric and gas utility)

Cynthia A. Montgomery

 

1952

  Director   Since 2007   Professor, Harvard Business School since 1989; Director, McLean Hospital from 2005 to 2012; Director, Harvard Business School Publishing from 2005 to 2010.   33 RICs consisting of
156 Portfolios
  Newell Rubbermaid, Inc. (manufacturing)

Joseph P. Platt

 

1947

  Director   Since 2007   Director, Jones and Brown (Canadian insurance broker) since 1998; General Partner, Thorn Partners, LP (private investments) since 1998; Director, WQED Multi-Media (public broadcasting not-for-profit) since 2001; Director, The West Penn Allegheny Health System (a not-for-profit health system) from 2008 to 2013; Partner, Amarna Corporation, LLC (private investment company) from 2002 to 2008.   33 RICs consisting of
156 Portfolios
  Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. (reinsurance company)

Robert C. Robb, Jr.

 

1945

  Director   Since 2007   Partner, Lewis, Eckert, Robb and Company (management and financial consulting firm) since 1981 and Principal since 2010.   33 RICs consisting of
156 Portfolios
  None

Mark Stalnecker

 

1951

  Director   Since 2015   Chief Investment Officer, University of Delaware from 1999 to 2013; Trustee, Winterthur Museum and Country Estate since 2001; Member of the Investment Committee, Delaware Public Employees’ Retirement System since 2002; Member of the Investment Committee, Christiana Care Health System since 2009; Member of the Investment Committee, Delaware Community Foundation from 2013 to 2014.   33 RICs consisting of
156 Portfolios
  None

 

                
30    BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016   


Officers and Directors (continued)     

 

Name, Address1
and Year of Birth
  Position(s)
Held with
the Fund/
Master LLC
  Length
of Time
Served as
a Director3
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years   Number of BlackRock-
Advised Registered
Investment Companies
(“RICs”) Consisting of
Investment Portfolios
(“Portfolios”) Overseen
 

Public Company and
Investment Company
Directorships During
Past Five Years

Independent Directors2 (concluded)

Kenneth L. Urish

 

1951

 

Director

  Since 2007   Managing Partner, Urish Popeck & Co., LLC (certified public accountants and consultants) since 1976; Immediate past- Chairman of the Professional Ethics Committee of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Committee Member thereof since 2007; Member of External Advisory Board, The Pennsylvania State University Accounting Department since 2001; Principal, UP Strategic Wealth Investment Advisors, LLC since 2013; Trustee, The Holy Family Institute from 2001 to 2010; President and Trustee, Pittsburgh Catholic Publishing Associates from 2003 to 2008; Director, Inter-Tel from 2006 to 2007.   33 RICs consisting of
156 Portfolios
  None

Claire A. Walton

 

1957

  Director   Since 2016   Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Liberty Square Asset Management, LP from 1998 to 2015; General Partner of Neon Liberty Capital Management, LLC since 2003; Director, Boston Hedge Fund Group since 2009; Director, Woodstock Ski Runners since 2013; Director, Massachusetts Council on Economic Education from 2013 to 2015.   33 RICs consisting of
156 Portfolios
  None

Frederick W. Winter

 

1945

 

Director

  Since 2007   Director, Alkon Corporation (pneumatics) since 1992; Dean Emeritus of the Joseph M. Katz School of Business, University of Pittsburgh, Dean and Professor from 1997 to 2005, Professor until 2013.   33 RICs consisting of
156 Portfolios
  None
 

1    The address of each Director is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055.

 

2    Independent Directors serve until their resignation, retirement, removal or death, or until December 31 of the year in which they turn 75. The Board has determined to extend the terms of Independent Directors on a case-by-case basis, as appropriate. The Board has unanimously approved extending the mandatory retirement age for David O. Beim and Dr. Matina S. Horner until December 31, 2016, which the Board believes is in the best interests of shareholders of the Fund/Master LLC.

 

3    Date shown is the earliest date a person has served for the Fund/Master LLC. Following the combination of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. (“MLIM”) and BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”) in September 2006, the various legacy MLIM and legacy BlackRock fund boards were realigned and consolidated into three new fund boards in 2007. As a result, although the chart shows certain Independent Directors as joining the Fund’s/Master LLC’s board in 2007, those Independent Directors first became members of the boards of other legacy MLIM or legacy BlackRock funds as follows: Dr. Matina S. Horner, 2004; Rodney D. Johnson, 1995; Cynthia A. Montgomery, 1994; Joseph P. Platt, 1999; Robert C. Robb, Jr., 1999; Kenneth L. Urish, 1999; and Frederick W. Winter, 1999.

Interested Directors4                    

Barbara G. Novick

 

1960

  Director   Since 2015   Vice Chairman of BlackRock since 2006; Chair of BlackRock’s Government Relations Steering Committee since 2009; Head of the Global Client Group of BlackRock from 1988 to 2008.   108 RICs consisting of
231 Portfolios
  None

John M. Perlowski

 

1964

  Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer  

Since 2015 (Director);

Since 2010 (President and Chief Executive Officer)

  Managing Director of BlackRock since 2009; Head of BlackRock Global Fund Services since 2009; Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Global Product Group at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. from 2003 to 2009; Treasurer of Goldman Sachs Mutual Funds from 2003 to 2009 and Senior Vice President thereof from 2007 to 2009; Director of Goldman Sachs Offshore Funds from 2002 to 2009; Director of Family Resource Network (charitable foundation) since 2009.   136 RICs consisting of
329 Portfolios
  None
 

4    Mr. Perlowski and Ms. Novick are both “interested persons,” as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Fund/Master LLC based on their positions with BlackRock and its affiliates.

 

                
   BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016    31


Officers and Directors (concluded)     

 

Name, Address1
and Year of Birth
  Position(s)
Held with
the Fund/
Master LLC
  Length of
Time Served
as an Officer
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
Officers2

John M. Perlowski

 

1964

  Director, President and Chief Executive Officer  

Since 2015 (Director);

Since 2010 (President and Chief Executive Officer)

 

See Principal Occupations During Past Five Years for details.

Richard Hoerner, CFA

 

1958

  Vice President   Since 2009   Managing Director of BlackRock since 2000; Head of the Global Cash Group since 2013; Co-head of the Global Cash and Securities Lending Group from 2010 to 2013; Member of the Cash Management Group Executive Committee since 2005.

Jennifer McGovern

 

1977

  Vice President   Since 2014   Managing Director of BlackRock since 2016; Director of BlackRock from 2011 to 2015; Head of Product Structure and Oversight for BlackRock’s U.S. Wealth Advisory Group since 2013; Vice President of BlackRock from 2008 to 2010.

Neal J. Andrews

 

1966

  Chief Financial Officer   Since 2007   Managing Director of BlackRock since 2006; Senior Vice President and Line of Business Head of Fund Accounting and Administration at PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. from 1992 to 2006.

Jay M. Fife

1970

  Treasurer   Since 2007   Managing Director of BlackRock since 2007; Director of BlackRock in 2006; Assistant Treasurer of the MLIM and Fund Asset Management, L.P. advised funds from 2005 to 2006; Director of MLIM Fund Services Group from 2001 to 2006.

Charles Park

 

1967

  Chief Compliance Officer   Since 2014   Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for the BlackRock-advised Funds in the Equity-Bond Complex, the Equity-Liquidity Complex and the Closed-End Complex from 2014 to 2015; Chief Compliance Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and the BlackRock-advised Funds in the Equity-Bond Complex, the Equity-Liquidity Complex and the Closed-End Complex since 2014; Principal of and Chief Compliance Officer for iShares® Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC since 2012 and BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”) since 2006; Chief Compliance Officer for the BFA-advised iShares exchange traded funds since 2006; Chief Compliance Officer for BlackRock Asset Management International Inc. since 2012.

Fernanda Piedra

 

1969

  Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer   Since 2015   Director of BlackRock since 2014; Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer and Regional Head of Financial Crime for the Americas at BlackRock since 2014; Head of Regulatory Changes and Remediation for the Asset Wealth Management Division of Deutsche Bank from 2010 to 2014; Vice President of Goldman Sachs (Anti-Money Laundering/Suspicious Activities Group) from 2004 to 2010.

Benjamin Archibald

 

1975

  Secretary   Since 2012   Managing Director of BlackRock since 2014; Director of BlackRock from 2010 to 2013; Secretary of the iShares exchange traded funds since 2015; Secretary of the BlackRock-advised mutual funds since 2012.
 

1    The address of each Officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055.

   

2    Officers of the Fund/Master LLC serve at the pleasure of the Board.

  Further information about the Fund’s/Master LLC’s Officers and Directors is available in the Fund’s/Master LLC’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained without charge by calling (800) 441-7762

 

Effective December 31, 2015, Herbert I. London and Toby Rosenblatt retired as Directors of the Fund/Master LLC.

Effective February 5, 2016, Frank J. Fabozzi resigned as a Director of the Fund/Master LLC.

Effective February 8, 2016, Susan J. Carter, Neil A. Cotty and Claire A. Walton were elected to serve as Directors of the Fund/Master LLC.

 

         

Investment Advisor
and Administrator

BlackRock Advisors, LLC

Wilmington, DE 19809

 


Accounting Agent and Custodian

State Street Bank and

Trust Company

Boston, MA 02110

 

Distributor

BlackRock Investments, LLC

New York, NY 10022

 

Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, MA 02116

 

Address of the Fund/Master LLC

100 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

 

Transfer Agent

Financial Data Services, Inc.

Jacksonville, FL 32246

   

Legal Counsel

Sidley Austin LLP

New York, NY 10019

 
       

 

                
32    BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016   


Additional Information     

 

Proxy Results

A Special Meeting of Shareholders was held on February 8, 2016 for shareholders of record on December 11, 2015, to elect a Board of Trustees of the Fund.

 

             Votes For        Votes Withheld  
Approved the Trustees as follows:   David O. Beim        2,542,988,966           23,632,326   
  Susan J. Carter        2,543,541,458           23,079,834   
  Collette Chilton        2,543,436,774           23,184,518   
  Neil A. Cotty        2,543,446,895           23,174,397   
  Matina S. Horner        2,543,628,140           22,993,152   
  Rodney D. Johnson        2,543,884,287           22,737,005   
  Cynthia A. Montgomery        2,544,190,790           22,430,502   
  Joseph P. Platt        2,544,396,928           22,224,364   
  Robert C. Robb, Jr.        2,544,794,948           21,826,344   
  Mark Stalnecker        2,544,217,583           22,403,709   
  Kenneth L. Urish        2,545,129,964           21,491,328   
  Claire A. Walton        2,543,120,393           23,500,899   
  Frederick W. Winter        2,544,677,607           21,943,685   
  Barbara G. Novick        2,544,120,916           22,500,376   
    John M. Perlowski        2,544,782,608           21,838,684   

 

General Information

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications of quarterly statements, annual and semi-annual shareholder reports and prospectuses by enrolling in the electronic delivery program. Electronic copies of shareholder reports and prospectuses are available on BlackRock’s website.

To enroll in electronic delivery:

Shareholders Who Hold Accounts with Investment Advisors, Banks or Brokerages:

Please contact your financial advisor. Please note that not all investment advisors, banks or brokerages may offer this service.

Householding

The Fund will mail only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, annual and semi-annual reports and proxy statements, to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is commonly called “householding” and is intended to reduce expenses and eliminate duplicate mailings of shareholder documents. Mailings of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please call the Transfer Agent at (800) 221-7210.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Fund/Master LLC file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s/Master LLC’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on how to access documents on the SEC’s website without charge may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330. The Fund’s/Master LLC’s Forms N-Q may also be obtained upon request and without charge by calling (800) 626-1960.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund/Master LLC use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available upon request and without charge (1) by calling (800) 626-1960; (2) at http://www.blackrock.com; and (3) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

                
   BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016    33


Additional Information (concluded)     

 

General Information (concluded)

Availability of Proxy Voting Record

Information about how the Fund/Master LLC voted proxies relating to securities held in the Fund’s/Master LLC’s portfolio during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available upon request and without charge (1) at http://www.blackrock.com or by calling (800) 626-1960 and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

BlackRock Privacy Principles

BlackRock is committed to maintaining the privacy of its current and former fund investors and individual clients (collectively, “Clients”) and to safeguarding their non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information BlackRock collects, how we protect that information and why in certain cases we share such information with select parties.

If you are located in a jurisdiction where specific laws, rules or regulations require BlackRock to provide you with additional or different privacy-related rights beyond what is set forth below, then BlackRock will comply with those specific laws, rules or regulations.

BlackRock obtains or verifies personal non-public information from and about you from different sources, including the following: (i) information we receive from you or, if applicable, your financial intermediary, on applications, forms or other documents; (ii) information about your transactions with us, our affiliates, or others; (iii) information we receive from a consumer reporting agency; and (iv) from visits to our websites.

BlackRock does not sell or disclose to non-affiliated third parties any non-public personal information about its Clients, except as permitted by law or as is necessary to respond to regulatory requests or to service Client accounts. These non-affiliated third parties are required to protect the confidentiality and security of this information and to use it only for its intended purpose.

We may share information with our affiliates to service your account or to provide you with information about other BlackRock products or services that may be of interest to you. In addition, BlackRock restricts access to non-public personal information about its Clients to those BlackRock employees with a legitimate business need for the information. BlackRock maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that are designed to protect the non-public personal information of its Clients, including procedures relating to the proper storage and disposal of such information.

 

                
34    BIF TAX-EXEMPT FUND    MARCH 31, 2016   


This report is intended for current holders. It is not authorized for use as an offer of sale or a solicitation of an offer to buy shares of the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by the Fund’s current prospectus. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Total return information assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted. For current month-end performance information, call (800) 626-1960. The Fund’s current 7-day yield more closely reflects the current earnings of the Fund than the total returns quoted. Statements and other information herein are as dated and are subject to change.

 

BIFTE-3/16-AR  
  LOGO


Item 2 –   Code of Ethics – Each registrant (or “Fund”) has adopted a code of ethics, as of the end of the period covered by this report, applicable to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. During the period covered by this report, the code of ethics was amended to update certain information and to make other non-material changes. During the period covered by this report, there have been no waivers granted under the code of ethics. Each registrant undertakes to provide a copy of the code of ethics to any person upon request, without charge, by calling 1-800-441-7762.
Item 3 –   Audit Committee Financial Expert – Each registrant’s board of directors (the “board of directors”), has determined that (i) the registrant has the following audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee and (ii) each audit committee financial expert is independent:
  Kenneth L. Urish
  Under applicable securities laws, a person determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an “expert” for any purpose, including without limitation for the purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities greater than the duties, obligations, and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and board of directors in the absence of such designation or identification.
Item 4 –   Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The following table presents fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP (“D&T”) in each of the last two fiscal years for the services rendered to the Funds:

 

      (a) Audit Fees    (b) Audit-Related Fees1   

 

(c) Tax Fees2

   (d) All Other Fees3

Entity Name

   Current
Fiscal Year  
End
   Previous
Fiscal Year  
End
   Current
Fiscal Year  
End
   Previous
Fiscal Year  
End
   Current
Fiscal Year  
End
   Previous
Fiscal Year  
End
   Current
Fiscal Year
  
End
   Previous
Fiscal Year  
End

BIF Tax-Exempt Fund

  

 

$7,363

 

  

 

$7,363

 

   $0

 

   $0

 

   $10,812

 

   $10,812

 

   $0

 

   $0

 

Master Tax-Exempt LLC

  

 

$26,363

 

   $26,363

 

   $0

 

   $0

 

   $13,260

 

   $13,260

 

   $0

 

   $0

 

The following table presents fees billed by D&T that were required to be approved by each registrant’s audit committee (each a “Committee”) for services that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the Fund and that are rendered on behalf of BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“Investment Adviser” or “BlackRock”) and entities controlling, controlled by, or under common control with BlackRock (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser) that provide ongoing services to the Fund (“Fund Service Providers”):

 

     Current Fiscal Year End   Previous Fiscal Year End

(b) Audit-Related Fees1

  $0   $0

(c) Tax Fees2

  $0   $0

(d) All Other Fees3

  $2,129,000   $2,391,000

1 The nature of the services includes assurance and related services reasonably related to the performance of the audit of financial statements not included in Audit Fees.

2 The nature of the services includes tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

3 Aggregate fees borne by BlackRock in connection with the review of compliance procedures and attestation thereto performed by D&T with respect to all of the registered closed-end funds and some of the registered open-end funds advised by BlackRock.

(e)(1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures:

Each Committee has adopted policies and procedures with regard to the pre-approval of services. Audit, audit-related and tax compliance services provided to the registrant on an annual basis require specific pre-approval

 

2


by the registrant’s Committee. The Committee also must approve other non-audit services provided to the registrant and those non-audit services provided to the Investment Adviser and Fund Service Providers that relate directly to the operations and the financial reporting of the registrant. Certain of these non-audit services that the Committee believes are (a) consistent with the SEC’s auditor independence rules and (b) routine and recurring services that will not impair the independence of the independent accountants may be approved by the Committee without consideration on a specific case-by-case basis (“general pre-approval”). The term of any general pre-approval is 12 months from the date of the pre-approval, unless the Committee provides for a different period. Tax or other non-audit services provided to the registrants which have a direct impact on the operations or financial reporting of the registrant will only be deemed pre-approved provided that any individual project does not exceed $10,000 attributable to the registrant or $50,000 per project. For this purpose, multiple projects will be aggregated to determine if they exceed the previously mentioned cost levels.

Any proposed services exceeding the pre-approved cost levels will require specific pre-approval by the registrant’s Committee, as will any other services not subject to general pre-approval (e.g., unanticipated but permissible services). The Committee is informed of each service approved subject to general pre-approval at the next regularly scheduled in-person board meeting. At this meeting, an analysis of such services is presented to the Committee for ratification. The Committee may delegate to the Committee Chairman the authority to approve the provision of and fees for any specific engagement of permitted non-audit services, including services exceeding pre-approved cost levels.

(e)(2) None of the services described in each of Items 4(b) through (d) were approved by either Committee pursuant to the de minimus exception in paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

(f) Not Applicable

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees paid to the accountant for services rendered by the accountant to the registrant, the Investment Adviser and the Fund Service Providers were:

 

Entity Name   

Current Fiscal Year    

End

  

Previous Fiscal Year    

End

         

BIF Tax-Exempt Fund

   $10,812    $10,812      

Master Tax-Exempt LLC

   $13,260    $13,260      

Additionally, SSAE 16 Review (Formerly, SAS No. 70) fees for the current and previous fiscal years of $2,129,000 and $2,391,000, respectively, were billed by D&T to the Investment Adviser.

(h) Each Committee has considered and determined that the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the Investment Adviser and the Fund Service Providers that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

 

Item 5 –    Audit Committee of Listed Registrants – Not Applicable
Item 6 –    Investments
   (a) The registrants’ Schedules of Investments are included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.
   (b) Not Applicable due to no such divestments during the semi-annual period covered since the previous Form N-CSR filing.
Item 7 –    Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies – Not Applicable
Item 8 –    Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies – Not Applicable

 

3


Item 9 –    Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers – Not Applicable
Item 10 –    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders – There have been no material changes to these procedures.
Item 11 –    Controls and Procedures
   (a) – The registrants’ principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrants’ disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 15(d)-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
   (b) – There were no changes in the registrants’ internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants’ internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12 –    Exhibits attached hereto
   (a)(1) – Code of Ethics – See Item 2
   (a)(2) – Certifications – Attached hereto
   (a)(3) – Not Applicable
   (b) –    Certifications – Attached hereto

 

4


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, each registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

BIF Tax-Exempt Fund and Master Tax-Exempt LLC

 

By:      

/s/ John M. Perlowski

                  
  John M. Perlowski  
  Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of
  BIF Tax-Exempt Fund and Master Tax-Exempt LLC

Date: June 2, 2016

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of each registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:      

/s/ John M. Perlowski

 

                

  John M. Perlowski  
  Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of
  BIF Tax-Exempt Fund and Master Tax-Exempt LLC
Date: June 2, 2016
By:      

/s/ Neal J. Andrews

 

                

  Neal J. Andrews  
  Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of
  BIF Tax-Exempt Fund and Master Tax-Exempt LLC

Date: June 2, 2016

 

5