(2) Basis of Presentation

The accompanying Partnership condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CVR Partners and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. 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"). 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 Partners’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which was filed with the SEC on February 18, 2016 (the "2015 Form 10-K").

The condensed consolidated financial statements include certain selling, general and administrative expenses and direct operating expenses that CVR Energy and its subsidiaries incurred on behalf of the Partnership. These related party transactions are governed by the services agreement. See Note 15 ("Related Party Transactions") for additional discussion of the services agreement and billing and allocation of certain costs.

In the opinion of the Partnership’s management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary to fairly present the financial position of the Partnership as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the results of operations and comprehensive income (loss) of the Partnership for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the cash flows of the Partnership for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 and the changes in partners’ capital for the Partnership for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

The preparation of 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, 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.

Planned Major Maintenance Costs

The direct-expense method of accounting is used for maintenance activities, including planned major maintenance activities and other less extensive shutdowns. Maintenance costs are recognized as expense when maintenance services are performed. Planned major maintenance activities generally occur every two to three years.

During the second quarter of 2016, the East Dubuque Facility completed a major scheduled turnaround. Overall results were negatively impacted due to the lost production during the downtime that resulted in reduced sales and certain reduced variable expenses included in cost of product sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) and direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). Costs of approximately $6.6 million associated with the 2016 East Dubuque Facility turnaround are included in direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

During the third quarter of 2015, the Coffeyville Facility completed a major scheduled turnaround. Overall results were negatively impacted due to the lost production during the downtime that resulted in reduced sales and certain reduced variable expenses included in cost of product sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) and direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization). Costs of approximately $6.6 million and $7.0 million, respectively, associated with the 2015 Coffeyville Facility turnaround are included in direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Cost Classifications

Cost of product sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) consist primarily of freight and distribution expenses, feedstock expenses, purchased ammonia and purchased hydrogen.

Direct operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) consist primarily of energy and other utility costs, direct costs of labor, property taxes, plant-related maintenance services and environmental and safety compliance costs as well as catalyst and chemical costs. Direct operating expenses also include allocated share-based compensation from CVR Energy and its subsidiaries, as discussed in Note 5 ("Share‑Based Compensation").

Selling, general and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) consist primarily of direct and allocated legal expenses, treasury, accounting, marketing, human resources, information technology and maintaining the corporate offices. Selling, general and administrative expenses also include allocated share-based compensation from CVR Energy and its subsidiaries, as discussed in Note 5 ("Share‑Based Compensation").

Cost of product sold, direct operating expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses are presented exclusive of depreciation and amortization on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Depreciation and amortization consisted of the following:



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015

	(in millions)
Depreciation and amortization excluded from direct operating expenses	$	16.1	$	7.3	$	40.3	$	20.8
Depreciation and amortization excluded from cost of product sold	0.2		0.1		0.5		0.4
Depreciation and amortization excluded from selling, general and administrative expenses	0.1		—		0.2		—
	$	16.4	$	7.4	$	41.0	$	21.2

Income Taxes

CVR Partners is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The income tax liability of the common unitholders is not reflected in the consolidated financial statements of the Partnership. Generally, each common unitholder is required to take into account its respective share of CVR Partners' income, gains, loss and deductions. The Partnership is not subject to income taxes, except for a franchise tax in the State of Texas and a replacement tax in the State of Illinois.

CVR Nitrogen Holdings, LLC, a corporate entity wholly owned by CVR Partners, generates income or loss based on its own activities. As a limited liability company electing tax treatment as a corporation, the entity is subject to federal and state income taxes.

Under the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification Topic ("ASC") 740, Income Taxes, both the Partnership (for taxes based on income such as the Texas franchise tax and the Illinois replacement tax) and the corporate entity account for income taxes using the asset and liability method under which deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities using the enacted statutory tax rates in effect at the end of the period. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is recorded when it is more likely than not that the benefit from the deferred tax asset will not be realized. When applicable, penalties and interest related to uncertain tax positions are recorded as income tax expense.