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FEES PAID BY THE FUND AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
FEES PAID BY THE FUND AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS  
FEES PAID BY THE FUND AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

NOTE 3 — FEES PAID BY THE FUND AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

USCF Management Fee

Under the LP Agreement, USCF is responsible for investing the assets of UNG in accordance with the objectives and policies of UNG. In addition, USCF has arranged for one or more third parties to provide administrative, custody, accounting, transfer agency and other necessary services to UNG. For these services, UNG is contractually obligated to pay USCF a fee, which is paid monthly, equal to 0.60% per annum of average daily total net assets of $1,000,000,000 or less and 0.50% per annum of average daily total net assets that are greater than $1,000,000,000.

Ongoing Registration Fees and Other Offering Expenses

UNG pays all costs and expenses associated with the ongoing registration of its shares subsequent to the initial offering. These costs include registration or other fees paid to regulatory agencies in connection with the offer and sale of shares, and all legal, accounting, printing and other expenses associated with such offer and sale. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, UNG incurred $144,440,  $83,258 and $204,998 respectively, in registration fees and other offering expenses.

Independent Directors’ and Officers’ Expenses

UNG is responsible for paying its portion of the directors’ and officers’ liability insurance for UNG and the Related Public Funds and the fees and expenses of the independent directors who also serve as audit committee members of UNG and the Related Public Funds. UNG shares the fees and expenses on a pro rata basis with each Related Public Fund, as described above, based on the relative assets of each Related Public Fund computed on a daily basis. These fees and expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019 were $556,951 for UNG and the Related Public Funds. UNG’s portion of such fees and expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $70,739. For the year ended December 31, 2018, these fees and expenses were $521,689 for UNG and the Related Public Funds. UNG’s portion of such fees and expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $69,624. For the year ended December 31, 2017, these fees and expenses were $536,375 for UNG and the Related Public Funds. UNG’s portion of such fees and expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $64,982.

Licensing Fees

As discussed in Note 4 below, UNG entered into a licensing agreement with the NYMEX on April 10, 2006, as amended on October 20, 2011. Pursuant to the agreement, UNG and the Related Public Funds, other than BNO, USCI and CPER, pay a licensing fee that is equal to 0.015% on all net assets. During the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, UNG incurred $45,507,  $56,477 and $74,309, respectively, under this arrangement.

Investor Tax Reporting Cost

The fees and expenses associated with UNG’s audit expenses and tax accounting and reporting requirements are paid by UNG. These costs were approximately $802,400 for the year ended December 31, 2019, approximately $928,800 for the year ended December 31, 2018 and approximately $1,000,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017. Tax reporting costs fluctuate between years due to the number of shareholders during any given year.

Other Expenses and Fees

In addition to the fees described above, UNG pays all brokerage fees and other expenses in connection with the operation of UNG, excluding costs and expenses paid by USCF as outlined in Note 4 – Contracts and Agreements below.