I have a K1 with a distribution (Box 20) but that amount should be counted towards my initial capital contribution, not counted as a long term capital gain. What do I do?

[v54]

As mentioned in the title - I have a K1 with a distribution (Box 20) and a corresponding Net long term capital gain (Box 9a) but that shouldn't that long term gain amount be counted towards my initial capital contribution, not counted as a long term capital gain? I shouldn't have to pay taxes on the amount yet right? Or is that a decision made by the GP to not return capital with that amount?

[Anonymous]

9a reflects your proportionate share of the partnership's long term capital gains taxable to you.    this increases your tax basis (just like a capital contribution).   for a partnership K-1, distributions are shown in box 19 so i don't know what your talking about when you say box 20.  if truly info in box 20 please provide letter and description and post back in this thread, so it can be explained .

distributions reduce your tax basis or another way to look at them is return of your capital contributions and income earned   

the is no requirement in the tax laws for partnerships to make  distributions of their taxable income.   

there may be some provision in the partnership agreement abut distributions.   

what I'm saying is you can get taxed on income you don't receive as cash currently and may not receive for years.  

if this is a publicly traded partnership  (box d checked) go the its website and see if allows access to the agreement.  if not you can always contact their investor relations center 

[v54]

Thanks for responding!

Thanks for the correction. Distribution is listed under letter A in Box 19 (not 20 as in the title).

What you wrote below is my understanding - "distributions reduce your tax basis or another way to look at them is return of your capital contributions and income earned"

However, if the distribution is accounted for as a return of my capital contribution, then why do I have a long term capital gain in Box 9a? 

I thought I don't start paying taxes on gains until 100% of my initial contribution is returned?

It is not a publicly traded company. It's a venture capital fund. Thanks.