<PAGE>
                                 UNITED STATES

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

    Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 10-K

    (Mark One)

    [XX] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

    For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997    December 31, 1997
                                               ------------------------------
                                       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     0-19134
                           --------------------------------------------------

              American Income Partners V-C Limited Partnership
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 Massachusetts                               04-3077437
--------------------------------------      ---------------------------------
 (State or other jurisdiction of            (IRS Employer
 incorporation or organization)             Identification No.)

 88 Broad St., 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:

          930,443 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  XX        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.




                  DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
   Portions of the Registrant's Annual Report to security holders for
            the year ended December 31, 1997 (Part I and II)

<PAGE>
                AMERICAN INCOME PARTNERS V-C LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

                                   FORM 10-K

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PAGE
                                                                    ----------------
<S>           <C>                                                   <C>
                                  PART I

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..............................         7

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

Item 8.       Financial Statements and Supplementary Data..........         7

Item 9.       Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
              Accounting and Financial Disclosure..................         7

                                  PART III

Item 10.      Directors and Executive Officers of the Partnership..         8

Item 11.      Executive Compensation...............................        10

Item 12.      Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
              Management...........................................        10

Item 13.      Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.......        11

                                  PART IV

Item 14.      Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports
              on Form 8-K..........................................     13-15
</TABLE>

                                       2

<PAGE>

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
-----------------

    (a) General Development of Business

    American Income Partners V-C Limited Partnership (the "Partnership") was
organized as a limited partnership under the Massachusetts Uniform Limited
Partnership Act (the "Uniform Act") on December 27, 1989 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 IV Incorporated) and $100 from the Initial
Limited Partner (AFG Assignor Corporation). On May 21, 1990, the Partnership
issued 930,443 units, representing assignments of limited partnership interests
(the "Units"), to 1,550 investors. Unitholders and Limited Partners (other than
the Initial Limited Partner) are collectively referred to as Recognized Owners.
The Partnership has one General Partner, AFG Leasing IV Incorporated, a
Massachusetts corporation and an affiliate of Equis Financial Group Limited
Partnership (formerly American Finance Group), a Massachusetts limited
partnership ("EFG"). 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 noncancellable rents exceed the Purchase Price of the leased
equipment. Operating leases are those in which the aggregate noncancellable
rental payments are less than the Purchase Price 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 are to acquire and lease
equipment which will:

        1.  Generate quarterly cash distributions;

        2.  Preserve and protect invested 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 May 21,
1990. The initial purchase of equipment and the associated lease commitments
occurred on May 22, 1990. The acquisition of the equipment and its associated
leases is described in Note 3 to the financial statements included in Item 14,
herein. The Partnership is expected to terminate no later than December 31,
2000; however, the Partnership is a Nominal Defendant in a Class Action Lawsuit.
The outcome of the Class Action Lawsuit could alter the nature of the
Partnership's organization and its future business operations. See Note 6 to the
accompanying financial statements.

    The Partnership has no employees; however, it is managed pursuant to a
Management Agreement with EFG or one of its affiliates (the "Manager"). 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 described in the
Restated Agreement, as amended, Item 13 herein, and in Note 4 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


                                       3
<PAGE>

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. Consequently, the success of the Partnership is largely
dependent upon the ability of the General Partner and its Affiliates to
forecast technological advances, the ability of the lessees to fulfill their
lease obligations and the quality and marketability of the equipment at the
time of sale.

    In addition, the leasing industry is very competitive. Although all funds
available for acquisitions have been invested in equipment, subject to
noncancellable lease agreements, the Partnership will encounter considerable
competition when equipment is re-leased or sold at the expiration of primary
lease terms. The Partnership will compete with lease programs offered directly
by manufacturers and other equipment leasing companies, including limited
partnerships and trusts 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.

    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 a material portion of anticipated revenues.

    Generally, the Partnership is prohibited from reinvesting the proceeds
generated by refinancing or selling equipment. Accordingly, it is anticipated
that the Partnership will begin to liquidate its portfolio of equipment at the
expiration of the initial and renewal lease terms and to distribute the net
liquidation proceeds. As an alternative to sale, the Partnership may enter
re-lease agreements when considered advantageous by the General Partner and the
Manager.

    Revenue from major individual lessees which accounted for 10% or more of
lease revenue during the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 is
incorporated herein by reference to Note 2 to the financial statements in the
1997 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 and Chief Executive Officer. Equis Corporation also owns
a controlling 1% general partner interest in EFG's 99% limited partner, GDE
Acquisition Limited Partnership ("GDE LP"). Equis Corporation and GDE LP were
established in December 1994 by Mr. Engle 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 1997 Annual Report.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

    Incorporated herein by reference to Note 6 to the financial statements in
the 1997 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, 1997, there were 1,421 record holders of Units in the
Partnership.

    (c) Dividend History and Restrictions

    Pursuant to Article VI of the Restated Agreement, as amended, the
Partnership's Distributable Cash From Operations and Distributable Cash From
Sales or Refinancings are determined and distributed to the Partners quarterly.
Each quarter's distribution may vary in amount. Distributions may be made to the
General Partner prior to the end of the fiscal quarter; however, the amount of
such distribution reflects only amounts to which the General Partner is entitled
at the time such distribution is made. Currently, there are no restrictions that
materially limit the Partnership's ability to distribute Distributable Cash From
Operations and Distributable Cash From Sales or Refinancings or that the
Partnership believes are likely to materially limit the future distribution of
Distributable Cash From Operations and Distributable Cash From Sales or
Refinancings. The Partnership expects to continue to distribute all
Distributable Cash From Operations and Distributable Cash From Sales or
Refinancings on a quarterly basis.

    Distributions in 1997 and 1996 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                GENERAL     RECOGNIZED
                                    TOTAL       PARTNER       OWNERS
                                 ------------  ----------  ------------
<S>                              <C>           <C>         <C>

Total 1997 distributions.......  $    413,195  $   20,660  $    392,535

Total 1996 distributions.......     4,870,134     243,507     4,626,627
                                  ------------  ----------  ------------

  Total.........................  $  5,283,329  $  264,167  $  5,019,162
                                  ------------  ----------  ------------
                                  ------------  ----------  ------------
</TABLE>

    Distributions payable at December 31, 1997 and 1996 were $82,643 and
$110,184, respectively.

    "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.

                                       6
<PAGE>

    "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) 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.

    Each distribution of Distributable Cash From Operations and Distributable
Cash From Sales or Refinancings of the Partnership shall be made 95% to the
Recognized Owners and 5% to the General Partner.

    "Payout" is defined as the first time when the aggregate amount of all
distributions to the Recognized Owners of Distributable Cash From Operations and
Distributable Cash From Sales or Refinancings equals the aggregate amount of the
Recognized Owners' original capital contributions plus a cumulative annual
return 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 Recognized Owners exceed the amount required to satisfy the
cumulative annual return of 11% (compounded quarterly) on the Recognized Owners'
aggregate unreturned capital contributions, such calculation to be based on the
aggregate unreturned capital contributions outstanding on the first day of each
fiscal quarter.

    Distributable Cash From Operations and Distributable Cash From Sales or
Refinancings ("Distributions") are distributed within 45 days after the
completion of each quarter, beginning with the first full fiscal quarter
following the Partnership's Closing Date. Each Distribution is described in a
statement sent to the Recognized Owners.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

    Incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled "Selected Financial
Data" in the 1997 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
1997 Annual Report.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

    Incorporated herein by reference to the financial statements and
supplementary data included in the 1997 Annual Report.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
  ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

    None.

                                       7
<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 IV 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 and the
Recognized Owners have no right to participate in the control of such
operations. The names, titles and ages of the Directors and Executive Officers
of the General Partner as of March 15, 1998 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 successor is duly elected
                                    Executive Committee of EFG and                   and qualified
                                    President and a Director of the
                                    General Partner                             49

Gary D. Engle                       President and Chief Executive
                                    Officer and member of the
                                    Executive Committee of EFG and a
                                    Director of the General Partner             49

Gary M. Romano                      Executive Vice President and Chief
                                    Operating Officer of EFG and Clerk
                                    of the General Partner                      38

James A. Coyne                      Executive Vice President of EFG             37

Michael J. Butterfield              Vice President, Finance and
                                    Treasurer of EFG and Treasurer of
                                    the General Partner                         38

James F. Livesey                    Vice President, Aircraft and
                                    Vessels of EFG                              48

Sandra L. Simonsen                  Senior Vice President, Information
                                    Systems of EFG                              47

Gail D. Ofgant                      Vice President, Lease Operations
                                    of EFG                                      32
</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.

    (e) Business Experience

                                       8
<PAGE>

    Mr. MacDonald, age 49, 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 an M.B.A. from Boston College and a B.A. degree
from the University of Massachusetts (Amherst).

    Mr. Engle, age 49, is President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of
the Executive Committee of EFG and President of AFG Realty Corporation. Mr.
Engle is Vice President and a Director of certain of EFG's affiliates. On
December 16, 1994, Mr. Engle acquired control of EFG, the General Partner and
each of EFG's subsidiaries. Mr. Engle controls the general partner of AALP and
is a limited partner in AALP. Mr. Engle is also a limited partner in 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 an M.B.A. from Harvard University and a B.S. degree
from the University of Massachusetts (Amherst).

    Mr. Romano, age 38, is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
of EFG and certain of its affiliates and Clerk of the General Partner. Mr.
Romano is Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Semele. Mr. Romano
joined EFG in November 1989 and was appointed Executive Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer in April 1996. Prior to joining EFG, Mr. Romano was
Assistant Controller for a privately-held real estate company which he joined
in 1987. Mr. Romano held audit staff and manager positions at Ernst & Whinney
(now Ernst & Young LLP) from 1982 to 1986. Mr. Romano is a C.P.A. and holds a
B.S. degree from Boston College.

    Mr. Coyne, age 37, is Executive Vice President 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. Mr. Coyne was appointed Executive Vice President of EFG in
September 1997. Mr. Coyne is a limited partner in AALP and ONC. From May 1993
through November 1994, he was with 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 38, joined EFG in June 1992 and became Vice President,
Finance and Treasurer of EFG and certain of its affiliates in April 1996 and is
Treasurer of the General Partner and Semele. 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 (U.K.) 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
C.P.A. requirements in the United States. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce
degree from the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

    Mr. Livesey, age 48, is Vice President, Aircraft and Vessels, of EFG. Mr.
Livesey joined EFG in October, 1989, and was promoted to Vice President in
January 1992. Prior to joining EFG, Mr. Livesey held sales and marketing
positions with two privately-held equipment leasing firms. Mr. Livesey holds an
M.B.A. from Boston College and B.A. degree from Stonehill College.

    Ms. Simonsen, age 47, 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 for a subsidiary of American International Group and authored a
software program published by IBM. Ms. Simonsen holds a B.A. degree from Wilson
College.

    Ms. Ofgant, age 32, is Vice President, Lease Operations of EFG and certain
of its affiliates. Ms. Ofgant joined EFG in June 1989, and was promoted to
Manager, Lease Operations in April 1994. In April 1996, Ms. Ofgant was appointed
Vice President, Lease Operations. Prior to joining EFG, Ms. Ofgant was employed
by Security Pacific National Trust Company. Ms. Ofgant holds a B.S. degree in
Finance from Providence College.

                                       9
<PAGE>

    (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 10.4 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 Note 4 to 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
no outstanding securities possessing traditional voting rights. However, as
provided in Section 11.2(a) of the Restated Agreement, as amended (subject to
Sections 11.2(b) and 11.3), a majority interest of the Recognized Owners have
voting rights with respect to:

        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).


                                       10
<PAGE>

    As of March 1, 1998, the following person or group owns beneficially more
than 5% of the Partnership's 930,443 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 Limited Partnership        Atlantic Acquisition Limited  Partnership    59,877 Units          6.44%
Interests                                     88 Broad Street
                                              Boston, MA 02110
</TABLE>

    Messrs. Engle, MacDonald and Coyne have ownership interests in AALP. In
December 1996, EFG purchased a Class D interest in AALP. See Items 10 and 13 of
this report.

    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 IV 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,
1997, 1996 and 1995, which were paid or accrued by the Partnership to EFG or its
Affiliates, are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               1997        1996        1995
                                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                                         <C>         <C>         <C>

Equipment management fees.................................  $   48,207  $  144,187  $  153,107

Administrative charges....................................      52,926      32,746      21,000

Reimbursable operating expenses due to third parties......     141,921     142,220     129,691
                                                            ----------  ----------  ----------

  Total...................................................  $  243,054  $  319,153  $  303,798
                                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
</TABLE>

    As provided under the terms of the Management Agreement, EFG is compensated
for its services to the Partnership. Such services include all aspects of
acquisition, management and sale of equipment. For acquisition services, EFG is
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
the lesser of (i) 5% of gross operating lease rental revenue and 2% of gross
full payout lease rental revenue received by the Partnership or (ii) fees which
the General Partner reasonably believes to be competitive for similar services
for similar equipment. Both of these fees are subject to certain limitations
defined in the Management Agreement. Compensation to EFG for services connected
to the sale of equipment is calculated as the lesser of (i) 3% of gross sale
proceeds or (ii) one-half of reasonable brokerage fees otherwise payable under
arm's length circumstances. Payment of the remarketing fee is subordinated to
Payout and is subject to certain limitations defined in the Management
Agreement.

    Administrative charges represent amounts owed to EFG, pursuant to Section
10.4 of the Restated Agreement, as amended, for persons employed by EFG who are
engaged in providing administrative services to the Partnership. Reimbursable
operating expenses due to third parties represent costs paid by EFG on behalf of
the Partnership which are reimbursed to EFG.

    All equipment was acquired from EFG, one of its affiliates, including other
equipment leasing programs sponsored by EFG, or from third-party sellers. The
Partnership's Purchase Price was determined by the method described in Note 2,
to the financial statements, included in Item 14, herein.

    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



                                       11
<PAGE>

Partnership. At December 31, 1997, the Partnership was owed $146,113 by EFG
for such funds and the interest thereon. These funds were remitted to the
Partnership in January 1998.

    Atlantic Acquisition Limited Partnership ("AALP") and Old North Capital
Limited Partnership ("ONC"), both Massachusetts limited partnerships formed in
1995 owned and controlled by certain principals of EFG, own 59,877 Units or
6.44% and 7,850 Units or 0.84% of the total outstanding units of the
Partnership, respectively. EFG owns a Class D interest in AALP and a 49% limited
partnership interest in ONC, both of which it acquired in December 1996.

    On September 30, 1996, the Partnership sold a 36% ownership interest,
representing its entire ownership interest, in a cargo vessel leased by Gearbulk
Shipowning Ltd. ("Gearbulk"), formerly Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Skipsrederi A/S
(the "Vessel"), having an original cost to the Partnership of $2,782,137 and a
net book value at September 30, 1996 of $1,230,287. The Partnership received net
sale proceeds of $944,213, a portion of which was used to repay the outstanding
principal balance of notes payable associated with the Vessel of $102,818. The
Partnership sold its interest in the Vessel prior to the expiration of the
related lease term. This sale was effected in connection with a joint
remarketing effort involving 15 individual equipment leasing programs sponsored
by EFG, consisting of the Partnership and 14 affiliates.

    (b) Certain Business Relationships

    None.

    (c) Indebtedness of Management to the Partnership

    None.

    (d) Transactions with Promoters

    See Item 13(a) above.

                                       12
<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, 1997 and 1996........ *

        Statement of Operations for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
        and 1995............................................................. *

        Statement of Changes in Partners' Capital for the years ended
        December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995..................................... *

        Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
        and 1995............................................................. *

        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.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT
  NUMBER
-----------
<C>          <S>

   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. 33-27828).

  13         The 1997 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.

  99(a)      Lease agreement with Northwest Airlines, Inc. was filed in the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
             for the year ended December 31, 1990 as Exhibit 28 (a) and is incorporated herein by reference.
</TABLE>

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

*   Incorporated herein by reference to the appropriate portion of the 1997
    Annual Report to security holders for the year ended December 31, 1997 (see
    Part II).

                                       13
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<C>        <S>
  99 (b) Lease agreement with Gearbulk Shipowning Ltd. was filed in the Registrant's Annual
         Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995 as Exhibit 99 (b) and is
         incorporated herein by reference.

  99 (c) Lease agreement with Shell Oil Company was filed in the Registrant's Annual Report on
         Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996 as Exhibit 99 (c) and is incorporated
         herein by reference.

  99 (d) Lease agreement with Ford Motor Company is filed in the Registrant's Annual Report on
         Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 and is included herein.

  99 (e) Lease agreement with Transnet Limited is filed in the Registrant's Annual Report on
         Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 and is included herein.

  99 (f) Lease agreement with Westinghouse Electric Company is filed in the Registrant's
         Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 and is included
         herein.
</TABLE>

  (b) Reports on Form 8-K

    None.
                                        14
<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 PARTNERS V-C LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

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

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


Date: March 31, 1998                Date: March 31, 1998
      --------------------------          ------------------------------------


By: /s/ Gary M. Romano              By: /s/ Michael J. Butterfield
    ----------------------------        --------------------------------------
Gary M. Romano                       Michael J. Butterfield
Executive Vice President and         Chief 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 31, 1998                Date:   March 31, 1998
     ---------------------------           -----------------------------------









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