Related Party Transactions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

The companies identified as affiliates of BNSF include Berkshire and its subsidiaries. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company declared and paid cash distributions of $2.625 billion and $1.750 billion, respectively, to its parent company. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company received tax refunds of $21 million and $227 million, respectively, from Berkshire, and made tax payments of $1,047 million and $451 million, respectively, to Berkshire. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company has a payable to Berkshire of $188 million and $109 million, respectively. Uncertain tax positions will affect the tax payable to Berkshire if and when settled. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company has $59 million and $90 million payable to Berkshire related to prior year tax audit settlements.

BNSF engages in various transactions with related parties in the ordinary course of business. The following table summarizes revenues earned by BNSF for services provided to related parties and expenditures to related parties (in millions):



	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016
Revenues	$	32	$	35
Expenditures	$	82	$	73



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016
Revenues	$	100	$	108
Expenditures	$	243	$	210