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Lori-RA
Level 2

Accounting for an LLC as member of another LLC

I have an LLC, let's call it LLC-A, which is a member of another LLC, let's call that one LLC-B.  Both are multi-member LLCs.  LLC-A receives a K-1 from LLC-B.
LLC-A periodically receives share income from LLC-B (which is booked against retained earnings in LLC-B).  I'm clear on how LLC-B accounts for these payments, but what I'm not so clear on is how LLC-A characterizes these payments.  In the past I have put them into an income account in LLC-A.

This has worked out well enough.  My concern is that LLC-A has not been tracking the retained earnings in LLC-B, basically the capital account of LLC-A in LLC-B does not appear on the books of LLC-A.

How should I track LLC-A's capital account at LLC-B within LLC-A's book?   An asset account?  If so, which type?  And how is the additional asset resolved on the balance sheet?

I am using QB Desktop Pro Plus.

Thanks in advance,

Lori

Solved
Best answer 3 weeks ago

Best Answers
Rainflurry
Level 15

Accounting for an LLC as member of another LLC

@Lori-RA 

 

LLC-A should have an Other Asset account called 'Investment in LLC-B'.  Income received by LLC-A from LLC-B should be booked to an Other Income account called 'Investment in LLC-B Revenue'.  LLC-A should not have the R/E of LLC-B on its books.         

View solution in original post

8 Comments 8
Lori-RA
Level 2

Accounting for an LLC as member of another LLC

Anyone?  Bueller?  Bueller?

Candice C
QuickBooks Team

Accounting for an LLC as member of another LLC

Good afternoon, @Lori-RA

 

We appreciate you coming to the Community with your questions. 

 

With the details and particular questions you asked, we recommend consulting with an accountant to be sure of the answers for your business. They'll be able to give you the best advice based on how you run your business. 

 

If you don't have an accountant, check out this link to find one near you. 

 

If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to reach back out. Have a great day! 

Rainflurry
Level 15

Accounting for an LLC as member of another LLC

@Lori-RA 

 

LLC-A should have an Other Asset account called 'Investment in LLC-B'.  Income received by LLC-A from LLC-B should be booked to an Other Income account called 'Investment in LLC-B Revenue'.  LLC-A should not have the R/E of LLC-B on its books.         

Lori-RA
Level 2

Accounting for an LLC as member of another LLC

Thank You!

How do I get/track amounts into the LLC-A/Investment in LLC-B other asset account?  I'm thinking that this is the value in the R/E account of LLC-A, yes?

Rainflurry
Level 15

Accounting for an LLC as member of another LLC

@Lori-RA 

 

The 'Investment in LLC-B' other asset account reflects the investment made by LLC-A in LLC-B.  LLC-A had to invest something in LLC-B for this account to exist.  For example, if LLC-A made an initial cash investment of $50K in LLC-B, then the Investment in LLC-B should have started with a balance of $50K.  That $50K is the basis of your investment in LLC-B.  Nothing increases that balance unless LLC-A invests more into LLC-B, or if LLC-B doesn't distribute its profits to LLC-A.  In both cases, the balance will increase in Investment in LLC-B with the offset to Investment in LLC-B Revenue.  Investment in LLC-B other asset will decrease if you sell a portion of your interest in LLC-B or if LLC-B has a loss. 

 

If LLC-A didn't contribute anything to LLC-B, then the Investment in LLC-B other asset account shouldn't exist.     

 

When LLC-A receives its share of income from LLC-B, that is booked as cash, with the offset being the Investment in LLC-B revenue account.  That has no impact on the Investment in LLC-B other asset account.

 

R/E is indirectly related to the Investment in LLC-B other asset account.  R/E of LLC-B decreases as a result of the payment made to LLC-A, and Revenue from Investment in LLC-B increases R/E of LLC-A, but only because those payments decrease/increase net income for the respective LLC, which QB automatically closes to R/E at year-end. 

 

 

 

Rainflurry
Level 15

Accounting for an LLC as member of another LLC

@Lori-RA 

 

"Nothing increases that balance unless LLC-A invests more into LLC-B, or if LLC-B doesn't distribute its profits to LLC-A. In both cases, the balance will increase in Investment in LLC-B with the offset to Investment in LLC-B Revenue."

 

CORRECTION: The offset is to Investment in LLC-B Revenue only if the profits aren't distributed.  If LLC-A invests more in LLC-B, then the offset is the Investment in LLC-B other asset account, thereby increasing the balance.  Sorry about that.  

 

Lori-RA
Level 2

Accounting for an LLC as member of another LLC

OK, so if LLC-B holds R/E for LLC-A (because not all revenue share due to LLC-A has been distributed) it will be reflected only as a balance on LLC-B's accounts and not in any account of LLC-A, correct?
If so, then frankly that seems a bit odd to me.  Let's say that LLC-A's rev. share from -B was 50k for a given year but only paid out 30k leaving 20k.  That 20k would not appear anywhere on -A's balance sheet and someone reviewing that would not get a full picture of the value of LLC-A as a whole entity.


Thanks for your help!

Rainflurry
Level 15

Accounting for an LLC as member of another LLC

@Lori-RA 

 

"Let's say that LLC-A's rev. share from -B was 50k for a given year but only paid out 30k leaving 20k. That 20k would not appear anywhere on -A's balance sheet and someone reviewing that would not get a full picture of the value of LLC-A as a whole entity."

 

I did mention in a previous post that "Nothing increases that balance unless LLC-A invests more into LLC-B, or if LLC-B doesn't distribute its profits to LLC-A. In both cases, the balance will increase in Investment in LLC-B with the offset to Investment in LLC-B Revenue."

 

So, if A's share of B's profits is $50K, but only $30K is paid in cash, the remaining $20K increases the 'Investment in LLC-B' other asset account.  The journal entry looks like this:

 

 DrCr
Cash30,000 
Investment in LLC-B (other asset)20,000 
   Investment in LLC-B Revenue 50,000

  

Hope that helps.

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