Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of BNSF and all subsidiaries in which BNSF holds a controlling financial interest, including its principal operating subsidiary, BNSF Railway. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Investments in companies that are not majority-owned are carried at cost or are accounted for under the equity method if the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence but does not have a controlling financial interest. The Company also evaluates its less than majority-owned investments pursuant to accounting guidance related to the consolidation of variable interest entities. We currently have no investments that require consolidation under this guidance.

The Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2018 reflects reclassifications to conform to 2019 presentation. Specifically, amounts for intangible assets and liabilities, which were previously presented separately, are now presented as part of other assets and other liabilities.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. These estimates and assumptions are periodically reviewed by management. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s primary source of revenue is freight rail transportation services. The primary performance obligation for the Company is to move freight from a point of origin to a point of destination for its customers. The performance obligations are represented by bills of lading which create a series of distinct services that have a similar pattern of transfer to the customer. The revenues for each performance obligation are based on various factors including the product being shipped, the origin and destination pair, and contract incentives which are outlined in various private rate agreements, common carrier public tariffs, interline foreign road agreements, and pricing quotes. The transaction price is generally a per car amount to transport cars from a certain origin to a certain destination.

The associated freight revenues are recognized over time as the service is performed because the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the service. The Company recognizes revenue based on the proportion of the service completed as of the balance sheet date. Bills for freight transportation services are generally issued to customers and paid within thirty days or less. As a result, no significant contract assets exist and there are no significant financing components in the Company’s revenue arrangements.

Customer incentives, which are primarily provided for shipping a specified cumulative volume or shipping to/from specific locations, are recorded as a reduction to revenue on a pro-rata basis based on actual or projected future customer shipments. A small portion of customer incentive agreements have a component where a different discount amount is provided for different levels of volumes, resulting in variable consideration. To determine the transaction price in these cases, the Company estimates the amount of variable consideration at each reporting period utilizing the most likely amount based on historical trends as well as economic and other indicators. These incentives are ratably applied to all units using an estimate of how much volume the customer will ship under the customer incentive agreement. Both the variable consideration and the associated contract liabilities resulting from these types of customer incentives are immaterial.

Other revenues are primarily generated from a wholly-owned, non-rail logistics subsidiary which provides logistics and transportation services and from accessorial services provided to railroad customers which are primarily storage and demurrage. The vast majority of revenues generated by the non-rail logistics subsidiary are recognized over time as the services are performed, and accessorial revenues are recognized when the service is performed.

Accounts Receivable, Net

Accounts receivable, net includes accounts receivable reduced by an allowance for bill adjustments and uncollectible accounts. The allowance for bill adjustments and uncollectible accounts is based on historical experience as well as any known trends or uncertainties related to customer billing and account collectibility. Receivables are written off against allowances after all reasonable collection efforts are exhausted.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

All short-term investments with maturities of 90 days or less from the date of purchase are considered cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates market value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Materials and Supplies

Materials and supplies, which consist mainly of rail, ties and other items for construction and maintenance of property and equipment, as well as diesel fuel, are valued at the lower of average cost or market.

Goodwill

Goodwill is the excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the net of the amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The impairment test involves a two-step process. The first step is to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit using valuation models such as discounting projected future net cash flows and/or a multiple of earnings. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds the estimated fair value, a second step is performed. Under the second step, the identifiable assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, including identifiable intangible assets and liabilities, are estimated at fair value as of the current testing date. The excess of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit over the estimated fair value of net assets establishes the implied value of goodwill. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied value of goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information related to goodwill.

Property and Equipment, Net

BNSF’s railroad operations are highly capital intensive and its large base of homogeneous, network-type assets turns over on a continuous basis. BNSF self-constructs portions of its track structure and rebuilds certain classes of rolling stock. Each year, BNSF develops a capital program intended to enable BNSF to increase capacity, enhance the safety or efficiency of operations, extend the useful life or increase the value of its assets, gain strategic benefit, or provide new service offerings to customers. Costs are capitalized if they meet these criteria as well as the applicable minimum units of property, including costs for assets purchased or constructed throughout the year, along with all costs necessary to make the assets ready for their intended use. Indirect costs that clearly relate to capital projects are also capitalized. Normal repairs and maintenance are charged to operating expense as incurred.

Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives using the group method of depreciation in which all items with similar characteristics, use, and expected lives are grouped together in asset classes and depreciated using composite depreciation rates. The Company conducts depreciation studies, generally every three years for equipment and every six years for track structure and other roadway property, and implements study results prospectively.

These detailed studies form the basis for the Company’s composite depreciation rates and take into account the following factors:


•	Statistical analysis of historical patterns of use and retirements of each of BNSF’s asset classes;


•	Evaluation of any expected changes in current operations and the outlook for continued use of the assets;


•	Evaluation of technological advances and changes to maintenance practices; and


•	Expected salvage to be received upon retirement.

Under group depreciation, the historical cost net of salvage of depreciable property that is retired or replaced in the ordinary course of business is charged to accumulated depreciation, and no gain or loss is recognized. This historical cost of certain assets is estimated as it is impracticable to track individual, homogeneous, network-type assets. Historical costs are estimated by deflating current costs using the Producer Price Index (PPI) or a unit cost method. These methods closely correlate with the major costs of the items comprising the asset classes. Because of the number of estimates inherent in the depreciation and retirement processes and because it is impossible to precisely estimate each of these variables until a group of property is completely retired, BNSF monitors the estimated service lives of its assets and the accumulated depreciation associated with each asset class to ensure its depreciation rates are appropriate.

For retirements of depreciable asset classes that do not occur in the normal course of business, a gain or loss may be recognized in operating expense if the retirement: (i) is unusual, (ii) is significant in amount, and (iii) varies significantly from the retirement profile identified through BNSF’s depreciation studies. Gains or losses from disposals of land and non-rail property are recognized at the time of their occurrence. During the three fiscal years presented, no material gains or losses were recognized due to the retirement of depreciable assets.

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If impairment indicators are present and the estimated future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the long-lived assets, the carrying value is reduced to the estimated fair value as measured by the discounted cash flows.

Leases

On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), using a modified retrospective approach for leases existing at or entered into after the effective date. The Company elected practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which allow entities to not reassess whether existing contracts are or contain leases, the classification of existing leases, initial direct costs for existing leases, or the existing accounting treatment for land easements. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

The Company has substantial lease commitments for locomotives, freight cars, office buildings, operating facilities, and other property. Many of the Company’s leases provide the option to purchase the leased item at fair market value or a fixed purchase price at the end of the lease, and some leases include early buyout options at a fixed purchase price. Also, many of the Company’s leases include both fixed rate and fair market value renewal options.

As the implicit interest rate is not readily available for most operating leases, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on information available at commencement date, including lease term, to determine the present value of lease payments. The Company has operating lease agreements that contain both lease and non-lease components, but only freight cars are accounted for as a single lease component. BNSF has applied the short-term lease exemption to all asset classes, and as a result, short-term leases are not recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Variable lease costs, sublease income, and lessor transactions are not significant.

Assets held under finance leases are recorded at the net present value of the minimum lease payments at the inception of the lease. Amortization expense for finance leases, as well as leasehold improvements, is computed using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the period of the related lease.

Planned Major Maintenance Activities

BNSF utilizes the deferral method of accounting for leased locomotive overhauls, which includes the complete refurbishment of the engine and related components to extend the useful life of the locomotive. Accordingly, BNSF has established an asset in property and equipment, net in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for overhauls that is amortized to expense using the straight-line method until the next overhaul is performed.

Environmental Liabilities

Liabilities for environmental cleanup costs are initially recorded when BNSF’s liability for environmental cleanup is both probable and reasonably estimable. Subsequent adjustments to initial estimates are recorded as necessary based upon additional information developed in subsequent periods. Estimates for these liabilities are undiscounted.

Personal Injury Claims

Liabilities for personal injury claims are initially recorded when the expected loss is both probable and reasonably estimable. Subsequent adjustments to initial estimates are recorded as necessary based upon additional information developed in subsequent periods. Liabilities recorded for unasserted personal injury claims, including those related to asbestos, are based on information currently available. Estimates of liabilities for personal injury claims are undiscounted.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates that apply to taxable income in the period in which the deferred tax asset or liability is expected to be realized or paid. Changes in the Company’s estimates regarding the statutory tax rate to be applied to the reversal of deferred tax assets and liabilities could materially affect the effective tax rate. Valuation allowances are established to reduce deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. BNSF has not recorded a valuation allowance, as it believes that the deferred tax assets will be fully realized in the future. Investment tax credits are accounted for using the flow-through method.

The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

BNSF is included in the U.S. consolidated federal income tax return of Berkshire. In addition, BNSF files income tax returns in state, local, and foreign jurisdictions, as applicable. BNSF’s tax expense and liabilities have been computed on a stand alone basis, and all of its current federal income taxes payable is remitted to Berkshire.

Employment Benefit Plans

The Company estimates liabilities and expenses for pension and retiree health and welfare plans. Estimated amounts are based on historical information, current information, and estimates regarding future events and circumstances. Significant assumptions used in the valuation of pension and/or retiree health and welfare liabilities include the expected return on plan assets, discount rate, rate of increase in compensation levels, and the health care cost trend rate.

Fair Value Measurements

As defined under authoritative accounting guidance, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability between market participants in the principal market or in the most advantageous market when no principal market exists. Adjustments to transaction prices or quoted market prices may be required in illiquid or disorderly markets in order to estimate fair value. Different valuation techniques may be appropriate under the circumstances to determine the value that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction. Market participants are assumed to be independent, knowledgeable, able, and willing to transact an exchange and not under duress. Nonperformance or credit risk is considered in determining the fair value of liabilities. Considerable judgment may be required in interpreting market data used to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, estimates of fair value presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in a current or future market exchange.

The authoritative accounting guidance specifies a three-level hierarchy of valuation inputs which was established to increase consistency, clarity and comparability in fair value measurements and related disclosures.


•	Level 1–Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.


•	Level 2–Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable market data.


•	Level 3–Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable.