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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Earnings Per Common Share
Earnings Per Common Share. Basic earnings per share attributable to UGI Corporation stockholders reflect the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share attributable to UGI Corporation include the effects of dilutive stock options and common stock awards.
Derivative Instruments
Derivative Instruments. Derivative instruments are reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair values, unless the derivative instruments qualify for the normal purchase and normal sale (“NPNS”) exception under GAAP. The accounting for changes in fair value depends upon the purpose of the derivative instrument and whether it is designated and qualifies for hedge accounting.

Certain of our derivative instruments are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges and from time to time we also enter into net investment hedges. For cash flow hedges, changes in the fair values of the derivative instruments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) or noncontrolling interests, to the extent effective at offsetting changes in the hedged item, until earnings are affected by the hedged item. We discontinue cash flow hedge accounting if occurrence of the forecasted transaction is determined to be no longer probable. Hedge accounting is also discontinued for derivatives that cease to be highly effective. Gains and losses on net investment hedges that relate to our foreign operations are included in AOCI until such foreign net investment is sold or liquidated. Unrealized gains and losses on substantially all of the commodity derivative instruments used by Gas Utility and Electric Utility (for which NPNS has not been elected) are included in regulatory assets or liabilities because it is probable such gains or losses will be recoverable from, or refundable to, customers.

Effective October 1, 2014, UGI International determined on a prospective basis that it would not elect cash flow hedge accounting for its commodity derivative transactions and also de-designated its then-existing commodity derivative instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges. Also effective October 1, 2014, AmeriGas Propane de-designated its remaining commodity derivative instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges. Previously, AmeriGas Propane had discontinued cash flow hedge accounting for all commodity derivative instruments entered into beginning April 1, 2014. Midstream & Marketing has not applied cash flow hedge accounting for its commodity derivative instruments during any of the periods presented. Substantially all realized and unrealized gains and losses on commodity derivative instruments are recorded in cost of sales or revenues, as appropriate, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Cash flows from derivative instruments, other than net investment hedges and certain cross-currency swaps, if any, are included in cash flows from operating activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Cash flows from net investment hedges are included in cash flows from investing activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Cash flows from the interest portion of our cross-currency hedges are included in cash flow from operating activities while cash flows from the currency portion of such hedges are included in cash flow from financing activities.

Consolidated Effective Income Tax Rate
Consolidated Effective Income Tax Rate. UGI’s consolidated effective income tax rate, defined as total income tax (expense) or benefit as a percentage of income (loss) before income taxes, includes amounts associated with noncontrolling interests in the Partnership, which principally comprises AmeriGas Partners and AmeriGas OLP.  AmeriGas Partners and AmeriGas OLP are not directly subject to federal income taxes. As a result, UGI’s consolidated effective income tax rate is affected by the amount of income (loss) before income taxes attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Partnership not subject to income taxes.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and costs. These estimates are based on management’s knowledge of current events, historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Accordingly, actual results may be different from these estimates and assumptions.
Adoption of New Accounting Standard and Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
Adoption of New Accounting Standard

Presentation of Deferred Taxes. During the first quarter of Fiscal 2016, the Company adopted new accounting guidance regarding the classification of deferred taxes. The new guidance amends existing guidance to require that deferred income tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet, and eliminates the prior guidance which required an entity to separate deferred tax liabilities and assets into a current amount and a noncurrent amount in a classified balance sheet. We applied this guidance prospectively and, as a result, the September 30, 2015 and June 30, 2015 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets included herein have not been adjusted.
Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Share-Based Payments. In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting." This ASU simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this ASU are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 (Fiscal 2018). Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact on its financial statements from the adoption of the new guidance.

Leases. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases." This ASU amends existing guidance to require entities that lease assets to recognize the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases on the balance sheet. The new guidance also requires additional disclosures about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows from leases. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 (Fiscal 2020). Early adoption is permitted. Lessees must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact on its financial statements from the adoption of the new guidance but anticipates an increase in the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities.
Debt Issuance Costs. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, "Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs." This ASU amends existing guidance to require the presentation of debt issuance costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of a deferred charge. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 (Fiscal 2017). Early adoption is permitted. Entities will apply the new guidance retrospectively to all periods presented. The Company expects to adopt the new guidance effective September 30, 2016. The adoption of the new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Revenue Recognition. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The guidance provided under this ASU, as amended, supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC No. 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and most industry-specific guidance included in the ASC. The standard requires that an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new guidance is effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (Fiscal 2019) and allows for either full retrospective adoption or modified retrospective adoption. We have not yet selected a transition method and are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on our financial statements.