<PAGE>

                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K
(Mark One)

|X| ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
     ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended           December 31, 1999
                         -------------------------------------------------------

                                       OR

|_| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
    ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]

For the transition period from                      to
                              ---------------------     ------------------------

Commission file number                  0-20029
                      ----------------------------------------------------------

          American Income Fund I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 Massachusetts                                   04-3127244
------------------------------------            --------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                 (IRS Employer
 incorporation or organization)                 Identification No.)

 88 Broad Street, Sixth Floor, Boston, MA       02110
-----------------------------------------       --------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)        (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code  (617) 854-5800
                                                  ------------------------------

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act      NONE
                                                          ----------------------

     Title of each class              Name of each exchange on which registered

-----------------------------------   -----------------------------------------

-----------------------------------   -----------------------------------------

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

           883,829.31 Units Representing Limited Partnership Interest
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Title of class)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Title of class)

      Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes  |X|    No  |_|

      State the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates
of the registrant. Not applicable. Securities are nonvoting for this purpose.
Refer to Item 12 for further information.

<PAGE>

                            AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E,
                       a Massachusetts Limited Partnership

                                    FORM 10-K

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          Page
                                                                                                          ----

                                          PART I

<S>         <C>                                                                                            <C>
Item 1.     Business                                                                                        3

Item 2.     Properties                                                                                      5

Item 3.     Legal Proceedings                                                                               5

Item 4.     Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders                                             5

                                         PART II

Item 5.     Market for the Partnership's Securities and Related Security Holder Matters                     6

Item 6.     Selected Financial Data                                                                         8

Item 7.     Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations           8

Item 8.     Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                                                     8

Item 9.     Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure            8

                                         PART III

Item 10.    Directors and Executive Officers of the Partnership                                             9

Item 11.    Executive Compensation                                                                         11

Item 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management                                 11

Item 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions                                                 12

                                         PART IV

Item 14.    Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K                             14-17
</TABLE>


                                       2
<PAGE>

PART I

Item 1. Business.

      (a) General Development of Business

      AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership (the
"Partnership"), was organized as a limited partnership under the Massachusetts
Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the "Uniform Act") on August 29, 1991, for the
purpose of acquiring and leasing to third parties a diversified portfolio of
capital equipment. Partners' capital initially consisted of contributions of
$1,000 from the General Partner (AFG Leasing VI Incorporated) and $100 from the
Initial Limited Partner (AFG Assignor Corporation). On December 4, 1991 the
Partnership concluded an Interim Closing and issued 587,079.96 units of limited
partnership interest (the "Units") to 654 investors for a purchase price of
$14,569,875. Included in the 587,079.96 units are 4,284.96 bonus units. On
January 31, 1992 the Partnership concluded its Final Closing. An additional
296,749.35 units (including 626.35 bonus units) were purchased for an additional
purchase price of $7,403,075 and an additional 735 investors became Limited
Partners of the Partnership. As of January 31, 1992, an aggregate total of
883,829.31 units (including 4,911.31 bonus units) had been purchased for an
aggregate total purchase price of $21,972,950 and an aggregate of 1,089
investors had become Limited Partners of the Partnership. The Partnership has
one General Partner, AFG Leasing VI Incorporated, a Massachusetts corporation
formed in 1990 and an affiliate of Equis Financial Group Limited Partnership
(formerly known as American Finance Group), a Massachusetts limited partnership
("EFG" or the "Manager"). The General Partner is not required to make any other
capital contributions except as may be required under the Uniform Act and
Section 6.1(b) of the Amended and Restated Agreement and Certificate of Limited
Partnership (the "Restated Agreement, as amended").

      (b) Financial Information About Industry Segments

      The Partnership is engaged in only one industry segment: the business of
acquiring capital equipment and leasing the equipment to creditworthy lessees on
a full payout or operating lease basis. Full payout leases are those in which
aggregate undiscounted, noncancellable rents equal or exceed the acquisition
cost of the leased equipment. Operating leases are those in which the aggregate
undiscounted, noncancellable rental payments are less than the acquisition cost
of the leased equipment. Industry segment data is not applicable.

      (c) Narrative Description of Business

      The Partnership was organized to acquire a diversified portfolio of
capital equipment subject to various full payout and operating leases and to
lease the equipment to third parties as income-producing investments. More
specifically, the Partnership's primary investment objectives were to acquire
and lease equipment that would:

      1. Generate quarterly cash distributions;

      2. Preserve and protect Partnership capital; and

      3. Maintain substantial residual value for ultimate sale.

      The Partnership has the additional objective of providing certain federal
income tax benefits.

      The Closing Date of the Offering of Units of the Partnership was December
4, 1991. Significant operations commenced with the initial purchase of equipment
and the associated lease commitments on December 4, 1991. The Partnership
concluded its Final Closing on January 31, 1992. The acquisition of the
equipment and its associated leases is described in Note 3 to the financial
statements included in Item 14, herein. The Restated Agreement, as amended,
provides that the Partnership will terminate no later than December 31, 2002.
However, the Partnership is a Nominal Defendant in a Class Action Lawsuit, the
outcome of which could significantly alter the nature of the Partnership's
organization and its future business operations. See Note 8 to the financial
statements in the 1999 Annual Report.


                                       3
<PAGE>

      The Partnership has no employees; however, it is managed pursuant to a
Management Agreement with EFG or one of its affiliates. The Manager's role,
among other things, is to (i) evaluate, select, negotiate, and consummate the
acquisition of equipment, (ii) manage the leasing, re-leasing, financing, and
refinancing of equipment, and (iii) arrange the resale of equipment. The Manager
is compensated for such services as provided for in the Restated Agreement, as
amended, described in Item 13 herein, and in Note 5 to the financial statements
included in Item 14, herein.

      The Partnership's investment in equipment is, and will continue to be,
subject to various risks, including physical deterioration, technological
obsolescence and defaults by lessees. A principal business risk of owning and
leasing equipment is the possibility that aggregate lease revenues and equipment
sale proceeds will be insufficient to provide an acceptable rate of return on
invested capital after payment of all debt service costs and operating expenses.
In addition, the leasing industry is very competitive. The Partnership is
subject to considerable competition when equipment is re-leased or sold at the
expiration of primary lease terms. The Partnership must compete with lease
programs offered directly by manufacturers and other equipment leasing
companies, including limited partnerships organized and managed similarly to the
Partnership, and including other EFG-sponsored partnerships and trusts, which
may seek to re-lease or sell equipment within their own portfolios to the same
customers as the Partnership. Many competitors have greater financial resources
and more experience than the Partnership, the General Partner and the Manager.
In addition, default by a lessee under a lease may cause equipment to be
returned to the Partnership at a time when the General Partner or the Manager is
unable to arrange for the re-lease or sale of such equipment. This could result
in the loss of anticipated revenues.

      Revenue from individual lessees which accounted for 10% or more of lease
revenue during the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 is incorporated
herein by reference to Note 2 to the financial statements in the 1999 Annual
Report. Refer to Item 14(a)(3) for lease agreements filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.

      EFG is a Massachusetts limited partnership formerly known as American
Finance Group ("AFG"). AFG was established in 1988 as a Massachusetts general
partnership and succeeded American Finance Group, Inc., a Massachusetts
corporation organized in 1980. EFG and its subsidiaries (collectively, the
"Company") are engaged in various aspects of the equipment leasing business,
including EFG's role as Manager or Advisor to the Partnership and several other
direct-participation equipment leasing programs sponsored or co-sponsored by EFG
(the "Other Investment Programs"). The Company arranges to broker or originate
equipment leases, acts as remarketing agent and asset manager, and provides
leasing support services, such as billing, collecting, and asset tracking.

      The general partner of EFG, with a 1% controlling interest, is Equis
Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation owned and controlled entirely by Gary
D. Engle, its President, Chief Executive Officer and sole Director. Equis
Corporation also owns a controlling 1% general partner interest in EFG's 99%
limited partner, GDE Acquisition Limited Partnership ("GDE LP"). Mr. Engle
established Equis Corporation and GDE LP in December 1994 for the sole purpose
of acquiring the business of AFG.

      In January 1996, the Company sold certain assets of AFG relating primarily
to the business of originating new leases, and the name "American Finance
Group," and its acronym, to a third party. AFG changed its name to Equis
Financial Group Limited Partnership after the sale was concluded. Pursuant to
terms of the sale agreements, EFG specifically reserved the rights to continue
using the name American Finance Group and its acronym in connection with the
Partnership and the Other Investment Programs and to continue managing all
assets owned by the Partnership and the Other Investment Programs.

      (d) Financial Information About Foreign and Domestic Operations and Export
Sales

      Not applicable.


                                       4
<PAGE>

Item 2. Properties.

      Incorporated herein by reference to Note 3 to the financial statements in
the 1999 Annual Report.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

      Incorporated herein by reference to Note 8 to the financial statements in
the 1999 Annual Report.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

   None.


                                       5
<PAGE>

PART II

Item 5. Market for the Partnership's Securities and Related Security Holder
Matters.

      (a) Market Information

      There is no public market for the resale of the Units and it is not
anticipated that a public market for resale of the Units will develop.

      (b) Approximate Number of Security Holders

      At December 31, 1999, there were 1,027 record holders in the Partnership.

      (c) Dividend History and Restrictions

      Historically, the amount of cash distributions to be paid to the Partners
has been determined on a quarterly basis. Each quarter's distribution may have
varied in amount and was made 95% to the Limited Partners and 5% to the General
Partner. Generally, cash distributions have been paid within 15 days after the
completion of each calendar quarter.

      The Partnership is a Nominal Defendant in a Class Action Lawsuit described
in Note 8 to the financial statements in the 1999 Annual Report. The proposed
settlement to that lawsuit, if effected, will materially change the future
organizational structure and business interests of the Partnership, as well as
its cash distribution policies. In addition, commencing with the first quarter
of 2000, the General Partner believes that it will be in the Partnership's best
interests to suspend the payment of quarterly cash distributions pending final
resolution of the Class Action Lawsuit. Accordingly, future cash distributions
are not expected to be paid until the Class Action Lawsuit is adjudicated.

      Distributions in 1999 and 1998 were as follows:

                                                        General         Limited
                                         Total          Partner        Partners
                                     -----------     -----------     -----------
   Total 1999 distributions          $   941,996     $    47,100     $   894,896

   Total 1998 distributions              941,996          47,100         894,896
                                     -----------     -----------     -----------
             Total                   $ 1,883,992     $    94,200     $ 1,789,792
                                     ===========     ===========     ===========

      Distributions payable were $235,495 at both December 31, 1999 and 1998.

      There are no formal restrictions under the Restated Agreement, as amended,
that materially limit the Partnership's ability to pay cash distributions,
except that the General Partner may suspend or limit cash distributions to
ensure that the Partnership maintains sufficient working capital reserves to
cover, among other things, operating costs and potential expenditures, such as
refurbishment costs to remarket equipment upon lease expiration. Liquidity is
especially important as the Partnership matures and sells equipment, because the
remaining equipment base consists of fewer revenue-producing assets that are
available to cover prospective cash disbursements. Insufficient liquidity could
inhibit the Partnership's ability to sustain its operations or maximize the
realization of proceeds from remarketing its remaining assets.

      In particular, the Partnership must contemplate the potential liquidity
risks associated with its investment in commercial jet aircraft. The management
and remarketing of aircraft can involve, among other things, significant costs
and lengthy remarketing initiatives. Although the Partnership's lessees are
required to maintain the aircraft during the period of lease contract, repair,
maintenance, and/or refurbishment costs at lease expiration can be substantial.
For example, an aircraft that is returned to the Partnership meeting minimum
airworthiness standards,


                                       6
<PAGE>

such as flight hours or engine cycles, nonetheless may require heavy maintenance
in order to bring its engines, airframe and other hardware up to standards that
will permit its prospective use in commercial air transportation. At December
31, 1999, the Partnership had ownership interests in six commercial jet
aircraft. Three of the aircraft are Boeing 737 aircraft formerly leased to
Southwest Airlines, Inc. The lease agreements for each of these aircraft expired
on December 31, 1999 and Southwest elected to return the aircraft. The aircraft
are Stage 2 aircraft, meaning that they are prohibited from operating in the
United States after December 31, 1999 unless they are retro-fitted with
hush-kits to meet Stage 3 noise regulations promulgated by the Federal Aviation
Administration. The cost to hush-kit an aircraft, such as the Partnership's
Boeing 737s, can approach $2 million. At this time, the General Partner is
attempting to remarket these assets without further capital investment by either
re-leasing the aircraft to a user outside of the United States or selling the
aircraft as they are without retro-fitting the aircraft to conform to Stage 3
standards. The remaining three aircraft in the Partnership's portfolio already
are Stage 3 compliant. One of these aircraft had a lease term that expired in
January 2000 and is being held in storage pending the outcome of ongoing
remarketing efforts. The final two aircraft in the Partnership's portfolio have
lease terms expiring in April 2001 and January 2003.

      Cash distributions consist of Distributable Cash From Operations and
Distributable Cash From Sales or Refinancings.

      "Distributable Cash From Operations" means the net cash provided by the
Partnership's normal operations after general expenses and current liabilities
of the Partnership are paid, reduced by any reserves for working capital and
contingent liabilities to be funded from such cash, to the extent deemed
reasonable by the General Partner, and increased by any portion of such reserves
deemed by the General Partner not to be required for Partnership operations and
reduced by all accrued and unpaid Equipment Management Fees and, after Payout,
further reduced by all accrued and unpaid Subordinated Remarketing Fees.
Distributable Cash From Operations does not include any Distributable Cash From
Sales or Refinancings.

      "Distributable Cash From Sales or Refinancings" means Cash From Sales or
Refinancings as reduced by (i)(a) amounts realized from any loss or destruction
of equipment which the General Partner determines shall be reinvested in similar
equipment for the remainder of the original lease term of the lost or destroyed
equipment, or in isolated instances, in other equipment, if the General Partner
determines that investment of such proceeds will significantly improve the
diversity of the Partnership's equipment portfolio, and subject in either case
to satisfaction of all existing indebtedness secured by such equipment to the
extent deemed necessary or appropriate by the General Partner, or (b) the
proceeds from the sale of an interest in equipment pursuant to any agreement
governing a joint venture which the General Partner determines will be invested
in additional equipment or interests in equipment and which ultimately are so
reinvested and (ii) any accrued and unpaid Equipment Management Fees and, after
Payout, any accrued and unpaid Subordinated Remarketing Fees.

      "Cash From Sales or Refinancings" means cash received by the Partnership
from sale or refinancing transactions, as reduced by (i)(a) all debts and
liabilities of the Partnership required to be paid as a result of sale or
refinancing transactions, whether or not then due and payable (including any
liabilities on an item of equipment sold which are not assumed by the buyer and
any remarketing fees required to be paid to persons not affiliated with the
General Partner, but not including any Subordinated Remarketing Fees whether or
not then due and payable) and (b) general excess and current liabilities of the
Partnership (other than any portion of the Equipment Management Fee which is
required to be accrued and the Subordinated Remarketing Fee) and (c) any
reserves for working capital and contingent liabilities funded from such cash to
the extent deemed reasonable by the General Partner and (ii) increased by any
portion of such reserves deemed by the General Partner not to be required for
Partnership operations. In the event the Partnership accepts a note in
connection with any sale or refinancing transaction, all payments subsequently
received in cash by the Partnership with respect to such note shall be included
in Cash From Sales or Refinancings, regardless of the treatment of such payments
by the Partnership for tax or accounting purposes. If the Partnership receives
purchase money obligations in payment for equipment sold, which are secured by
liens on such equipment, the amount of such obligations shall not be included in
Cash From Sales or Refinancings until the obligations are fully satisfied.

      "Payout" is defined as the first time when the aggregate amount of all
distributions to the Limited Partners of Distributable Cash From Operations and
Distributable Cash From Sales or Refinancings equals the aggregate


                                       7
<PAGE>

amount of the Limited Partners' original capital contributions plus a cumulative
annual distribution of 11% (compounded quarterly and calculated beginning with
the last day of the month of the Partnership's Closing Date) on their aggregate
unreturned capital contributions. For purposes of this definition, capital
contributions shall be deemed to have been returned only to the extent that
distributions of cash to the Limited Partners exceed the amount required to
satisfy the cumulative annual distribution of 11% (compounded quarterly) on the
Limited Partners' aggregate unreturned capital contributions, such calculation
to be based on the aggregate unreturned capital contributions outstanding on the
first day of each fiscal quarter.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

   Incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled "Selected Financial
Data" in the 1999 Annual Report.

Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations.

      Incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the
1999 Annual Report.

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

      Incorporated herein by reference to the financial statements and
supplementary data included in the 1999 Annual Report.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure.

      None.


                                       8
<PAGE>

PART III

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Partnership.

      (a-b) Identification of Directors and Executive Officers

      The Partnership has no Directors or Officers. As indicated in Item 1 of
this report, AFG Leasing VI Incorporated is the sole General Partner of the
Partnership. Under the Restated Agreement, as amended, the General Partner is
solely responsible for the operation of the Partnership's properties. The
Limited Partners have no right to participate in the control of the
Partnership's general operations, but they do have certain voting rights, as
described in Item 12 herein. The names, titles and ages of the Directors and
Executive Officers of the General Partner as of March 15, 2000 are as follows:

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF
THE GENERAL PARTNER (See Item 13)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          Name                             Title                   Age          Term
---------------------------  ---------------------------------    ------     ----------
<S>                          <C>                                    <C>      <C>
Geoffrey A. MacDonald        Chairman and a member of the                     Until a
                             Executive Committee of EFG                      successor
                             and President and a Director                     is duly
                             of the General Partner                 51        elected
                                                                                and
                                                                              qualified
Gary D. Engle                President and Chief Executive
                             Officer and member of the
                             Executive Committee of EFG             51

Gary M. Romano               Executive Vice President and Chief
                             Operating Officer of EFG and
                             Clerk of the General Partner           40

James A. Coyne               Executive Vice President of EFG        39

Michael J. Butterfield       Senior Vice President, Finance and
                             Treasurer of EFG and Treasurer of the
                             General Partner                        40

Sandra L. Simonsen           Senior Vice President, Information
                             Systems of EFG                         49

Gail D. Ofgant               Senior Vice President, Lease
                             Operations of EFG                      34
</TABLE>

      (c) Identification of Certain Significant Persons

      None.

      (d) Family Relationship

      No family relationship exists among any of the foregoing Partners,
Directors or Executive Officers.


                                       9
<PAGE>

      (e) Business Experience

      Mr. MacDonald, age 51, is a co-founder, Chairman and a member of the
Executive Committee of EFG and President and a Director of the General Partner.
Mr. MacDonald was also a co-founder, Director, and Senior Vice President of
EFG's predecessor corporation from 1980 to 1988. Mr. MacDonald is President of
American Finance Group Securities Corp. and a limited partner in Atlantic
Acquisition Limited Partnership ("AALP") and Old North Capital Limited
Partnership ("ONC"). Prior to co-founding EFG's predecessors, Mr. MacDonald held
various executive and management positions in the leasing and pharmaceutical
industries. Mr. MacDonald holds a M.B.A. from Boston College and a B.A. degree
from the University of Massachusetts (Amherst).

      Mr. Engle, age 51, is President and Chief Executive Officer of EFG and
sole shareholder and Director of its general partner, Equis Corporation and a
member of the Executive Committee of EFG and President of AFG Realty
Corporation. Mr. Engle joined EFG in 1990 as Executive Vice President and
acquired control of EFG and its subsidiaries in December 1994. Mr. Engle is Vice
President and a Director of certain of EFG's subsidiaries and affiliates, a
limited partner in AALP and ONC and controls the general partners of AALP and
ONC. Mr. Engle is also Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the
Board of Directors of Semele Group, Inc. ("Semele"). From 1987 to 1990, Mr.
Engle was a principal and co-founder of Cobb Partners Development, Inc., a real
estate and mortgage banking company. From 1980 to 1987, Mr. Engle was Senior
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Arvida Disney Company, a
large-scale community development company owned by Walt Disney Company. Prior to
1980, Mr. Engle served in various management consulting and institutional
brokerage capacities. Mr. Engle has a MBA from Harvard University and a BS
degree from the University of Massachusetts (Amherst).

      Mr. Romano, age 40, became Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer of EFG, and Secretary of Equis Corporation in 1996 and is Secretary or
Clerk of several of EFG's subsidiaries and affiliates. Mr. Romano joined EFG in
November 1989, became Vice President and Controller in April 1993 and Chief
Financial Officer in April 1995. Mr. Romano assumed his current position in
April 1996. Mr. Romano is also Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Semele. Prior to joining EFG, Mr. Romano was Assistant Controller for a
privately held real estate development and mortgage origination company that he
joined in 1987. Previously, Mr. Romano was an Audit Manager at Ernst & Whinney
(now Ernst & Young LLP), where he was employed from 1982 to 1986. Mr. Romano is
a Certified Public Accountant and holds a B.S. degree from Boston College.

      Mr. Coyne, age 39, is Executive Vice President, Capital Markets of EFG and
President, Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of
Semele. Mr. Coyne joined EFG in 1989, remained until May 1993, and rejoined EFG
in November 1994. In September 1997, Mr. Coyne was appointed Executive Vice
President of EFG. Mr. Coyne is a limited partner in AALP and ONC. From May 1993
through November 1994, he was employed by the Raymond Company, a private
investment firm, where he was responsible for financing corporate and real
estate acquisitions. From 1985 through 1989, Mr. Coyne was affiliated with a
real estate investment company and an equipment leasing company. Prior to 1985,
he was with the accounting firm of Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young LLP). He
has a BS in Business Administration from John Carroll University, a Masters
Degree in Accounting from Case Western Reserve University and is a Certified
Public Accountant.

      Mr. Butterfield, age 40, is Senior Vice President, Finance and Treasurer
of EFG and certain of its affiliates and is Treasurer of the General Partner and
Semele. Mr. Butterfield joined EFG in June 1992, became Vice President, Finance
and Treasurer of EFG and certain of it's affiliates in April 1996 and in July
1998, was promoted to Senior Vice President, Finance and Treasurer of EFG and
certain of its affiliates. Prior to joining EFG, Mr. Butterfield was an Audit
Manager with Ernst & Young LLP, which he joined in 1987. Mr. Butterfield was
employed in public accounting and industry positions in New Zealand and London
(UK) prior to coming to the United States in 1987. Mr. Butterfield attained his
Associate Chartered Accountant (A.C.A.) professional qualification in New
Zealand and has completed his CPA requirements in the United States. He holds a
Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

      Ms. Simonsen, age 49, joined EFG in February 1990 and was promoted to
Senior Vice President, Information Systems of EFG in April 1996. Prior to
joining EFG, Ms. Simonsen was Vice President, Information Systems with Investors
Mortgage Insurance Company, which she joined in 1973. Ms. Simonsen provided
systems consulting


                                       10
<PAGE>

for a subsidiary of American International Group and authored a software program
published by IBM. Ms. Simonsen holds a BA degree from Wilson College.

      Ms. Ofgant, age 34, is Senior Vice President, Lease Operations of EFG and
certain of its affiliates. Ms. Ofgant joined EFG in July 1989, was promoted to
Manager Lease Operations in April 1994, and became Vice President of Lease
Operations in April 1996. In July 1998, Ms. Ofgant was promoted to Senior Vice
President of Lease Operations. Prior to joining EFG, Ms. Ofgant was employed by
Security Pacific National Trust Company. Ms. Ofgant holds a BS degree in Finance
from Providence College.

      (f) Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

      None.

      (g) Promoters and Control Persons

      See Item 10 (a-b) above.

Item 11. Executive Compensation.

      (a) Cash Compensation

      Currently, the Partnership has no employees. However, under the terms of
the Restated Agreement, as amended, the Partnership is obligated to pay all
costs of personnel employed full or part-time by the Partnership, including
officers or employees of the General Partner or its Affiliates. There is no plan
at the present time to make any officers or employees of the General Partner or
its Affiliates employees of the Partnership. The Partnership has not paid and
does not propose to pay any options, warrants or rights to the officers or
employees of the General Partner or its Affiliates.

      (b) Compensation Pursuant to Plans

      None.

      (c) Other Compensation

      Although the Partnership has no employees, as discussed in Item 11(a),
pursuant to Section 9.4(c) of the Restated Agreement, as amended, the
Partnership incurs a monthly charge for personnel costs of the Manager for
persons engaged in providing administrative services to the Partnership. A
description of the remuneration paid by the Partnership to the Manager for such
services is included in Item 13, herein and in Note 5 of the financial
statements included in Item 14, herein.

      (d) Compensation of Directors

      None.

      (e) Termination of Employment and Change of Control Arrangement

      There exists no remuneration plan or arrangement with the General Partner
or its Affiliates which results or may result from their resignation, retirement
or any other termination.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

      By virtue of its organization as a limited partnership, the Partnership
has outstanding no securities possessing traditional voting rights. However, as
provided in Section 10.2(a) of the Restated Agreement, as amended (subject to
Sections 10.2(b) and 10.3), a majority interest of the Limited Partners has
voting rights with respect to:


                                       11
<PAGE>

      1. Amendment of the Restated Agreement;

      2. Termination of the Partnership;

      3. Removal of the General Partner; and

      4.  Approval or disapproval of the sale of all, or substantially all, of
          the assets of the Partnership (except in the orderly liquidation of
          the Partnership upon its termination and dissolution).

      As of March 1, 2000, the following person or group owns beneficially more
than 5% of the Partnership's 883,829.31 outstanding Units:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      Name and                                Amount                  Percent
         Title                       Address of                            of Beneficial                 of
       of Class                    Beneficial Owner                          Ownership                 Class
----------------------   -------------------------------------           ----------------          -------------
  <S>                    <C>                                              <C>                          <C>
  Units Representing     Old North Capital Limited Partnership
  Limited Partnership                 88 Broad Street                     87,118.15 Units              9.86%
      Interests                      Boston, MA 02110
</TABLE>

The general partner of ONC is controlled by Gary D. Engle. In addition, the
limited partnership interests of ONC are owned by Semele. Gary D. Engle is
Chairman and CEO of Semele.

      The ownership and organization of EFG is described in Item 1 of this
report.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

      The General Partner of the Partnership is AFG Leasing VI Incorporated, an
affiliate of EFG.

      (a) Transactions with Management and Others

      All operating expenses incurred by the Partnership are paid by EFG on
behalf of the Partnership and EFG is reimbursed at its actual cost for such
expenditures. Fees and other costs incurred during the years ended December 31,
1999, 1998 and 1997, which were paid or accrued by the Partnership to EFG or its
Affiliates, are as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>              <C>              <C>
                                            1999             1998             1997
                                        -----------      -----------      --------
<S>                                     <C>              <C>              <C>
Equipment management fees               $   99,353       $  110,415       $   183,112
Administrative charges                     115,923           66,924            63,126
Reimbursable operating expenses
   due to third parties                    362,549          474,818           135,893
                                        ----------       ----------       -----------
                    Total               $  577,825       $  652,157       $   382,131
                                        ==========       ==========       ===========
</TABLE>

      As provided under the terms of the Management Agreement, EFG is
compensated for its services to the Partnership. Such services include
acquisition and management of equipment. For acquisition services, EFG was
compensated by an amount equal to 2.23% of Equipment Base Price paid by the
Partnership. For management services, EFG is compensated by an amount equal to
5% of gross operating lease rental revenues and 2% of gross full payout lease
rental revenue received by the Partnership. Both acquisition and management fees
are subject to certain limitations defined in the Management Agreement.

      Administrative charges represent amounts owed to EFG, pursuant to Section
9.4(c) of the Restated Agreement, as amended, for persons employed by EFG who
are engaged in providing administrative services to


                                       12
<PAGE>

the Partnership. Reimbursable operating expenses due to third parties represent
costs paid by EFG on behalf of the Partnership which are reimbursed to EFG at
actual cost.

      All equipment was purchased from EFG, one of its affiliates or from
third-party sellers. The Partnership's acquisition cost was determined by the
method described in Note 2 to the financial statements included in Item 14,
herein.

      During 1997, the Partnership and certain affiliated investment programs
sponsored by EFG exchanged their ownership interests in certain vessels for
aggregate consideration of $11,565,375. The Partnership's share of such
consideration was $2,456,528 consisting of common stock in Semele valued at
$638,615, a note receivable from Semele of $938,718 and cash of $879,195. For
further discussion, see Note 4, "Investment Securities - Affiliate / Note
Receivable Affiliate" to the financial statements included in Item 14 herein and
Item 10.

      All rents and proceeds from the sale of equipment are paid directly to
either EFG or to a lender. EFG temporarily deposits collected funds in a
separate interest-bearing escrow account prior to remittance to the Partnership.
At December 31, 1999, the Partnership was owed $555,112 by EFG for such funds
and the interest thereon. These funds were remitted to the Partnership in
January 2000.

      Certain affiliates of the General Partner own Units in the Partnership as
follows:

      ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Number of      Percent of Total
                 Affiliate                Units Owned    Outstanding Units
      ----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Atlantic Acquisition Limited
      Partnership                           23,472             2.66%
      ----------------------------------------------------------------------
      Old North Capital Limited
      Partnership                           87,118             9.86%
      ----------------------------------------------------------------------

      Atlantic Acquisition Limited Partnership ("AALP") and Old North Capital
Limited Partnership ("ONC") are both Massachusetts limited partnerships formed
in 1995. The general partners of AALP and ONC are controlled by Gary D. Engle.
In addition, the limited partnership interests of ONC are owned by Semele. Gary
D. Engle is Chairman and CEO of Semele.

      (b) Certain Business Relationships

      None.

      (c) Indebtedness of Management to the Partnership

      None.

      (d) Transactions with Promoters

      See Item 13(a) above.


                                       13
<PAGE>

PART IV

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K.

   (a)  Documents filed as part of this report:

       (1)       Financial Statements:

                 Report of Independent Auditors................................*

                 Statement of Financial Position
                 at December 31, 1999 and 1998.................................*

                 Statement of Operations
                 for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997..........*

                 Statement of Changes in Partners' Capital
                 for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997..........*

                 Statement of Cash Flows
                 for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997..........*

                 Notes to the Financial Statements.............................*

       (2)       Financial Statement Schedules:

                 None required.

       (3)       Exhibits:

                 Except as set forth below, all Exhibits to Form 10-K, as set
                 forth in Item 601 of Regulation S-K, are not applicable.

                 A list of exhibits filed or incorporated by reference is as
                 follows:

     Exhibit
     Number
     ------

       2.1       Plaintiffs' and Defendants' Joint Motion to Modify Order
                 Preliminarily Approving Settlement, Conditionally Certifying
                 Settlement Class and Providing for Notice of, and Hearing on,
                 the Proposed Settlement was filed in the Registrant's Annual
                 Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 1998 as
                 Exhibit 2.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

       2.2       Plaintiffs' and Defendants' Joint Memorandum in Support of
                 Joint Motion to Modify Order Preliminarily Approving
                 Settlement, Conditionally Certifying Settlement Class and
                 Providing for Notice of, and Hearing on, the Proposed
                 Settlement was filed in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
                 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 1998 as Exhibit 2.2 and
                 is incorporated herein by reference.

* Incorporated herein by reference to the appropriate portion of the 1999 Annual
  Report to security holders for the year ended December 31, 1999 (see Part II).


                                       14
<PAGE>

     Exhibit
     Number
     ------

       2.3       Order Preliminarily Approving Settlement, Conditionally
                 Certifying Settlement Class and Providing for Notice of, and
                 Hearing on, the Proposed Settlement (August 20, 1998) was filed
                 in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year
                 ended December 31, 1998 as Exhibit 2.3 and is incorporated
                 herein by reference.

       2.4       Modified Order Preliminarily Approving Settlement,
                 Conditionally Certifying Settlement Class and Providing for
                 Notice of, and Hearing on, the Proposed Settlement (March 22,
                 1999) was filed in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
                 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 1998 as Exhibit 2.4 and
                 is incorporated herein by reference.

       2.5       Plaintiffs' and Defendants' Joint Memorandum in Support of
                 Joint Motion to Further Modify Order Preliminarily Approving
                 Settlement, Conditionally Certifying Settlement Class and
                 Providing for Notice of, and Hearing on, the Proposed
                 Settlement is filed in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
                 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 as Exhibit 2.5 and is
                 included herein.

       2.6       Second Modified Order Preliminarily Approving Settlement,
                 Conditionally Certifying Settlement Class and Providing for
                 Notice of, and Hearing on, the Proposed Settlement (March 5,
                 2000) is filed in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
                 for the year ended December 31, 1999 as Exhibit 2.6 and is
                 included herein.

       4         Amended and Restated Agreement and Certificate of Limited
                 Partnership included as Exhibit A to the Prospectus, which is
                 included in Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 33-35148).

       10.1      Promissory Note in the principal amount of $4,790,000 dated
                 March 8, 2000 between the Registrant, as lender, and Echelon
                 Residential Holdings LLC, as borrower, is filed in the
                 Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                 December 31, 1999 as Exhibit 10.1 and is included herein.

       10.2      Pledge Agreement dated March 8, 2000 between Echelon
                 Residential Holdings LLC (Pledgor) and American Income Partners
                 V-A Limited Partnership, as Agent for itself and the
                 Registrant, is filed in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
                 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 as Exhibit 10.2 and
                 is included herein.

       13        The 1999 Annual Report to security holders, a copy of which is
                 furnished for the information of the Securities and Exchange
                 Commission. Such Report, except for those portions thereof
                 which are incorporated herein by reference, is not deemed
                 "filed" with the Commission.

       23        Consent of Independent Auditors.


                                       15
<PAGE>

     Exhibit
     Number
     ------

       99(a)     Lease agreement with General Motors Corporation was filed in
                 the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period
                 ended December 31, 1991 as Exhibit 28 (b) and is incorporated
                 herein by reference.

       99(b)     Lease agreement with Gearbulk Shipowning Ltd (formerly Kristian
                 Gerhard Jebsen Skipsrederi A/S) was filed in the Registrant's
                 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992
                 as Exhibit 28 (f) and is incorporated herein by reference.

       99(c)     Lease agreement with National Steel Corporation was filed in
                 the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                 December 31, 1993 as Exhibit 28 (h) and is incorporated herein
                 by reference.

       99(d)     Lease agreement with Reno Air Inc. was filed in the
                 Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                 December 31, 1998 as Exhibit 99 (d) and is incorporated herein
                 by reference.

       99(e)     Lease agreement with Finnair OY was filed in the Registrant's
                 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998
                 as Exhibit 99 (e) and is incorporated herein by reference.

       99(f)     Lease agreement with Finnair OY was filed in the Registrant's
                 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998
                 as Exhibit 99 (f) and is incorporated herein by reference.

       99(g)     Lease agreement with Southwest Airlines was filed in the
                 Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                 December 31, 1998 as Exhibit 99 (g) and is incorporated herein
                 by reference.

       99(h)     Lease agreement with Southwest Airlines was filed in the
                 Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                 December 31, 1998 as Exhibit 99 (h) and is incorporated herein
                 by reference.

       99(i)     Lease agreement with Southwest Airlines was filed in the
                 Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                 December 31, 1998 as Exhibit 99 (i) and is incorporated herein
                 by reference.

       99(j)     Lease agreement with Trans Ocean Corporation, Inc. was filed in
                 the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                 December 31, 1998 as Exhibit 99 (j) and is incorporated herein
                 by reference.

      (b) Reports on Form 8-K

          None.


                                       16
<PAGE>

                                        SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below on behalf of the registrant and in the capacity and
on the date indicated.

          AMERICAN INCOME FUND I-E, a Massachusetts Limited Partnership

                       By: AFG Leasing VI Incorporated,
                       a Massachusetts corporation and the
                       General Partner of the Registrant.


By: /s/ Geoffrey A. MacDonald             By: /s/ Gary D. Engle
   -----------------------------             ------------------------------
Geoffrey A. MacDonald                     Gary D. Engle
Chairman and a member of the              President and Chief Executive
Executive Committee of EFG and            Officer and a member of the
President and a Director of the           Executive Committee of EFG
General Partner                           (Principal Executive Officer)

Date:  March 30, 2000                     Date:  March 30, 2000
       -------------------------                 --------------------------


By: /s/ Gary M. Romano                    By: /s/ Michael J. Butterfield
   -----------------------------             ------------------------------
Gary M. Romano                            Michael J. Butterfield
Executive Vice President and Chief        Senior Vice President, Finance and
Operating Officer of EFG and Clerk        Treasurer of EFG and Treasurer
of the General Partner                    of the General Partner
(Principal Financial Officer)             (Principal Accounting Officer)

Date:  March 30, 2000                     Date:  March 30, 2000
       -------------------------                 --------------------------


                                       17
<PAGE>

                          EXHIBIT INDEX
                          1999 Form 10-K

Exhibit
-------

2.5     Plaintiffs' and Defendants' Joint Memorandum in Support
        of Joint - Motion to Further Modify Order Preliminarily
        Approving Settlement, Conditionally Certifying Settlement
        Class and Providing for Notice of, and 2.5 Hearing on,
        the Proposed Settlement.

2.6     Second Modified Order Preliminarily Approving Settlement,
        Conditionally Certifying Settlement Class and Providing
        for Notice of, and Hearing on, the Proposed Settlement
        (March 5, 2000).

10.1    Promissory Note in the principal amount of $4,790,000
        dated March 8, 2000 between the Registrant, as lender,
        and Echelon Residential Holdings LLC, as borrower.

10.2    Pledge Agreement dated March 8, 2000 between Echelon
        Residential Holdings LLC (Pledgor) and American Income
        Partners V-A Limited Partnership, as Agent for itself and
        the Registrant.

                               18