Quarterly report pursuant to sections 13 or 15(d)

Investment in Magnolia

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Investment in Magnolia
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Investment in Magnolia [Abstract]  
Investment in Magnolia

Note 3. Investment in Magnolia

In May 2010, Alico invested $12,150,000 to obtain a 39% limited partner equity interest in Magnolia TC 2, LLC ("Magnolia"), a Florida limited liability company whose primary business activity is acquiring tax certificates issued by various counties in the State of Florida on properties which have property tax delinquencies. In Florida, such certificates are sold at general auction based on a bid interest rate. If the property owner does not redeem such certificate within two years, which requires the payment of delinquent taxes plus the bid interest, a tax deed can be obtained by the winning bidder who can then force an auctioned sale of the property. Tax certificates hold a first priority lien position. Magnolia will commence the tax deed application process in July 2012 as the two year redemption period on certain tax certificates has been reached. The tax deed application requires all other outstanding liens to be redeemed as well.

Revenue is recognized by Magnolia when the interest obligation under the tax certificates it holds becomes a fixed amount. In order to redeem a tax certificate in Florida, a minimum of 5% of the face amount of the certificate (delinquent taxes) must be paid to the certificate holder regardless of the amount of time the certificate has been outstanding. Magnolia has recognized the minimum 5% earnings on its tax certificate portfolio. Expenses of the fund include an acquisition fee of 1%, interest expense, a monthly management fee and other administrative costs. At the time a tax deed is obtained, the investment will earn an 18% annual rate of interest.

The investment in Magnolia is accounted for in accordance with the equity method of accounting, whereby the Company records its 39% interest in the reported income or loss of the fund each quarter. Based on the May 31, 2012, unaudited internal financial statements of Magnolia, Alico recorded a net investment loss of $8,000 and net investment income of $2,000 for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2012, as compared with net investment income of $23,000 and net investment loss of $31,000 for the three and nine months and ended June 30, 2011. Magnolia made certain distributions to the Company during the nine months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 of approximately $4,735,000 and $1,966,000, respectively.