Organization and History of the Company and Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CVR and its direct and indirect subsidiaries including the Nitrogen Fertilizer Partnership, the Refining Partnership and their respective subsidiaries, as discussed further below. The ownership interests of noncontrolling investors in CVR's subsidiaries are recorded as a noncontrolling interest included as a separate component of equity for all periods presented. All intercompany account balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain information and footnotes required for complete financial statements under GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to SEC rules and regulations. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 2015 audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in CVR's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which was filed with the SEC on February 19, 2016 (the "2015 Form 10-K").

The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-02, "Consolidations (Topic 810) - Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis" (“ASU 2015-02”), which amended previous consolidation guidance, including introducing a separate consolidation analysis specific to limited partnerships and other similar entities. Under this analysis, limited partnerships and other similar entities are considered a variable interest entity (“VIE”) unless the limited partners hold substantive kick-out rights or participating rights. Management has determined that the Refining Partnership and the Nitrogen Fertilizer Partnership are VIEs because the limited partners of CVR Refining and CVR Partners lack both substantive kick-out rights and participating rights. As such, management evaluated the qualitative criteria under FASB ASC Topic 810 - Consolidation in conjunction with ASU 2015-02 to make a determination whether the Refining Partnership and the Nitrogen Fertilizer Partnership should be consolidated on the Company's financial statements. ASC Topic 810-10 requires the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity's activities to consolidate the VIE. The primary beneficiary is identified as the enterprise that has a) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance and b) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The standard requires an ongoing analysis to determine whether the variable interest gives rise to a controlling financial interest in the VIE. Based upon the general partner’s roles and rights as afforded by the partnership agreements and its exposure to losses and benefits of each of the partnerships through its significant limited partner interests, intercompany credit facilities, and services agreements, CVR determined that it is the primary beneficiary of both the Refining Partnership and the Nitrogen Fertilizer Partnership. Based upon that evaluation, the consolidated financial statements of CVR continue to consolidate both the Refining and Nitrogen Fertilizer Partnerships.

In the opinion of the Company's management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary to fairly present the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the results of operations and comprehensive income for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, changes in equity for the nine month period ended September 30, 2016 and cash flows of the Company for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that will be realized for the year ending December 31, 2016 or any other interim or annual period.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers", which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The standard was originally effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. Early adoption is not permitted. On July 9, 2015, the FASB approved a one-year deferral of the effective date making the standard effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The FASB will continue to permit entities to adopt the standard on the original effective date if they choose. The Company will adopt this standard as of January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective application method. Given the complexity of the new guidance, the Company is continuing to evaluate the impact of the standard on its consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, "Consolidations (Topic 810) - Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis" ("ASU 2015-02"), which amended previous consolidation guidance, including introducing a separate consolidation analysis specific to limited partnerships and other similar entities. Under this analysis, limited partnerships and other similar entities will be considered a VIE unless the limited partners hold substantive kick-out rights or participating rights. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company adopted ASU 2015-02 as of January 1, 2016. Refer to Note 1 ("Organization and History of the Company and Basis of Presentation") for more information.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, "Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs" ("ASU 2015-03"). The new standard required that all costs incurred to issue debt be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the debt. The standard was effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and is required to be applied on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2015-03 as of January 1, 2016 and applied the standard retrospectively to the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Refer to Note 10 ("Long-Term Debt") for further details.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases” (“ASU 2016-02”). The new standard revises accounting for operating leases by a lessee, among other changes, and requires a lessee to recognize a liability to make lease payments and an asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term in the balance sheet. The standard is effective for the first interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. At adoption, ASU 2016-02 will be applied using a modified retrospective application method. The Company is currently evaluating the standard and the impact on its consolidated financial statements and footnotes disclosures.