To invest in Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE: EPD), buy its publicly traded units through a brokerage account. The partnership says it does not offer a direct unit purchase program. Because EPD is treated as a partnership for U.S. tax purposes, unitholders generally receive a Schedule K-1 tax package—not the corporate dividend reporting many stock investors expect on Form 1099.
How to buy EPD units
Search for ticker EPD in your brokerage account and use your broker’s order-entry process and account disclosures. Enterprise says its common units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and can be purchased through a brokerage firm, much like publicly listed corporate stock. It also states, “We do not offer a direct unit purchase program for investors at this time.” See the company’s investor FAQ.
Enterprise identifies EQ Shareowner Services as its transfer agent, but that is a different role from the brokerage route for buying units. The transfer agent is not a direct purchase portal.
Why EPD unitholders receive a Schedule K-1
Enterprise Products Partners is a publicly traded partnership treated as a partnership for U.S. tax purposes. In general, a partnership files an information return and passes its tax items through to its partners rather than paying federal income tax on operating income as a corporation generally does. Partners report their allocated items on their own tax returns. The IRS explains this framework in its overview of partnership taxation.
#1 Best Overall
That pass-through structure is why EPD unitholders receive a Schedule K-1 tax package rather than ordinary corporate Form 1099 reporting. A K-1 reports your share of partnership tax items; it is not simply a statement of cash distributions. Enterprise explains its U.S. tax treatment and provides K-1 information on its K-1 Tax Information page.
| What you are comparing | Partnership units such as EPD | Corporate shares |
|---|---|---|
| Tax reporting described by Enterprise | Schedule K-1 reports the unitholder’s share of partnership tax items. | Form 1099 reports items such as dividends and interest to shareholders. |
| Cash paid versus tax reporting | Cash distributions and taxable items allocated to a partner are distinct; they need not match. | A dividend is a corporate distribution reported to the shareholder; it is not partnership pass-through reporting. |
Where to find the K-1 package and its availability date
Enterprise announced on February 27, 2026, that its 2025 tax-year Schedule K-1 packages would be available online through its Tax Package Support site beginning March 3, 2026, with mailing expected to begin that same day. The announcement listed support number 800-599-9985. See the issuer’s 2025 K-1 availability announcement.
Rank #2
- Ideal for Gifting
- Ideal for a bookworm
- Compact for travelling
Those dates apply to 2025 tax packages; they are not a standing schedule for later tax years. For another year, start at Enterprise’s current K-1 Tax Information page and follow its current package and support information rather than assuming the same date.
How distributions, taxable income, and basis differ
A K-1 reports partnership tax items allocated to you, while a cash distribution is money paid to you. The two amounts do not necessarily correspond. Therefore, neither the distribution amount alone nor a simple dividend-style record tells you the taxable result.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Your tax basis in partnership units can also change over time. IRS Publication 541 describes increases that can include contributions and allocated income, and decreases that can include cash or property distributions, allocated losses, and certain nondeductible expenses. Basis is not necessarily your original purchase cost, and it cannot be worked out from distributions alone. Review the applicable year’s Publication 541 alongside your own records.
What to consider if you sell EPD units
A sale calculation generally depends on the amount realized and your adjusted basis—not merely the sale proceeds minus the original purchase price. Partnership-specific rules can also affect the character of the gain: some gain associated with unrealized receivables or inventory may be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gain. Your share of partnership liabilities and the sale information reported with your K-1 may matter as well. The IRS discusses these rules in Publication 541 and the 2025 Partner’s Instructions for Schedule K-1.
Rank #4
The exact reporting depends on the tax year and your facts. Keep records of purchases, distributions, K-1s, and any sale, and use the instructions for the applicable tax year. If you have a complex K-1 or sell units, a qualified tax professional familiar with publicly traded partnerships can help determine how the rules apply to your situation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Foreign unitholders: separate withholding guidance
Enterprise’s K-1 tax information page describes withholding guidance for non-U.S. investors, including withholding that may apply to distributions and a sale. It is foreign-holder guidance, not a general rule for U.S. unitholders. Foreign investors should check the issuer’s current notices and obtain advice based on their circumstances.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Quick Recap
Best Value
- It can be a gift option
- Comes with secure packaging
- Helpful in various ways
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
