Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Minimum ownership interest in CVR Energy for eligibility to file as member of AEPC consolidated federal income tax group	80.00%
Receivable from the IRS and state jurisdictions	$ 12,000,000
Valuation allowance	0	$ 0
Unrecognized tax benefits which, if recognized, would impact the company's effective tax rate	18,000,000	23,000,000	$ 29,000,000
Reductions related to expirations of statute of limitations	6,000,000	15,000,000	5,000,000
Unrecognized tax benefits reasonably possible to be recognized in next fiscal year	3,000,000
Unrecognized tax benefits netted with deferred tax asset carryforwards	22,000,000	26,000,000
Interest on income recognized on uncertain tax positions	1,000,000	7,000,000	1,000,000
Accrued interest	0	1,000,000	$ 8,000,000
Penalties recognized on uncertain tax positions	0	0
State
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax credit carry-forwards	35,000,000
AEP
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Due from parent	$ 4,000,000	$ 5,000,000
AEP \| Majority Shareholder
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Minimum ownership interest in CVR Energy for eligibility to file as member of AEPC consolidated federal income tax group	80.00%

Income Taxes [Line Items]

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Represents the percentage of ownership interest in CVR Energy by Mr. Icahn's affiliates.

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Unrecognized Tax Benefits, State Tax Credits

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Amount of deferred tax assets for which it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized.

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The aggregate amount of receivables to be collected from related parties where one party can exercise control or significant influence over another party; including affiliates, owners or officers and their immediate families, pension trusts, and so forth, at the financial statement date. which are usually due within one year (or one business cycle).

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The amount of estimated interest accrued as of the balance sheet date arising from income tax examinations.

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Carrying amount due within one year of the balance sheet date (or one operating cycle, if longer) from tax authorities as of the balance sheet date representing refunds of overpayments or recoveries based on agreed-upon resolutions of disputes.

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The amount of the unrecognized tax benefit of a position taken for which it is reasonably possible that the total amount thereof will significantly increase or decrease within twelve months of the balance sheet date.

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The amount of the tax credit carryforward, before tax effects, available to reduce future taxable income under enacted tax laws.

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Amount of expense for penalties related to a tax position claimed or expected to be claimed in the tax return.

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Amount of interest expense for an underpayment of income taxes.

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Amount of decrease in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from lapses of applicable statutes of limitations.

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The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.

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