AMAZON COM INC, 10-K filed on 2/4/2022
Annual Report
v3.22.0.1
Cover Page - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Jan. 26, 2022
Jun. 30, 2021
Cover [Abstract]      
Document Type 10-K    
Document Annual Report true    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2021    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Document Transition Report false    
Entity File Number 000-22513    
Entity Registrant Name AMAZON.COM, INC.    
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE    
Entity Tax Identification Number 91-1646860    
Entity Address, Address Line One 410 Terry Avenue North    
Entity Address, City or Town Seattle    
Entity Address, State or Province WA    
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 98109-5210    
City Area Code 206    
Local Phone Number 266-1000    
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock, par value $.01 per share    
Trading Symbol AMZN    
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes    
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer    
Entity Small Business false    
Entity Emerging Growth Company false    
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag true    
Entity Shell Company false    
Entity Public Float     $ 1,507,362,696,975
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   508,844,410  
Documents Incorporated by Reference The information required by Part III of this Report, to the extent not set forth herein, is incorporated herein by reference from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 2022, which definitive proxy statement shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this Report relates.    
Amendment Flag false    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2021    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Entity Central Index Key 0001018724    
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Audit Information
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Audit Information [Abstract]  
Auditor Name Ernst & Young LLP
Auditor Firm ID 42
Auditor Location Seattle, Washington
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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]      
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $ 42,377 $ 36,410 $ 32,173
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net income 33,364 21,331 11,588
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment and capitalized content costs, operating lease assets, and other 34,296 25,251 21,789
Stock-based compensation 12,757 9,208 6,864
Other operating expense (income), net 137 (71) 164
Other expense (income), net (14,306) (2,582) (249)
Deferred income taxes (310) (554) 796
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
Inventories (9,487) (2,849) (3,278)
Accounts receivable, net and other (18,163) (8,169) (7,681)
Accounts payable 3,602 17,480 8,193
Accrued expenses and other 2,123 5,754 (1,383)
Unearned revenue 2,314 1,265 1,711
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 46,327 66,064 38,514
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:      
Purchases of property and equipment (61,053) (40,140) (16,861)
Proceeds from property and equipment sales and incentives 5,657 5,096 4,172
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired, and other (1,985) (2,325) (2,461)
Sales and maturities of marketable securities 59,384 50,237 22,681
Purchases of marketable securities (60,157) (72,479) (31,812)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (58,154) (59,611) (24,281)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:      
Proceeds from short-term debt, and other 7,956 6,796 1,402
Repayments of short-term debt, and other (7,753) (6,177) (1,518)
Proceeds from long-term debt 19,003 10,525 871
Repayments of long-term debt (1,590) (1,553) (1,166)
Principal repayments of finance leases (11,163) (10,642) (9,628)
Principal repayments of financing obligations (162) (53) (27)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 6,291 (1,104) (10,066)
Foreign currency effect on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (364) 618 70
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash (5,900) 5,967 4,237
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, END OF PERIOD $ 36,477 $ 42,377 $ 36,410
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Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($)
shares in Millions, $ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Total net sales $ 469,822 $ 386,064 $ 280,522
Operating expenses:      
Cost of sales 272,344 233,307 165,536
Fulfillment 75,111 58,517 40,232
Technology and content 56,052 42,740 35,931
Marketing 32,551 22,008 18,878
General and administrative 8,823 6,668 5,203
Other operating expense (income), net 62 (75) 201
Total operating expenses 444,943 363,165 265,981
Operating income 24,879 22,899 14,541
Interest income 448 555 832
Interest expense (1,809) (1,647) (1,600)
Other income (expense), net 14,633 2,371 203
Total non-operating income (expense) 13,272 1,279 (565)
Income before income taxes 38,151 24,178 13,976
Provision for income taxes (4,791) (2,863) (2,374)
Equity-method investment activity, net of tax 4 16 (14)
Net income $ 33,364 $ 21,331 $ 11,588
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share) $ 65.96 $ 42.64 $ 23.46
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share) $ 64.81 $ 41.83 $ 23.01
Weighted-average shares used in computation of earnings per share:      
Basic (in shares) 506 500 494
Diluted (in shares) 515 510 504
Net product sales      
Total net sales $ 241,787 $ 215,915 $ 160,408
Net service sales      
Total net sales $ 228,035 $ 170,149 $ 120,114
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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]      
Net income $ 33,364 $ 21,331 $ 11,588
Net change in foreign currency translation adjustments:      
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $(5), $(36), and $47 (819) 561 78
Reclassification adjustment for foreign currency translation included in “Other operating expense (income), net,” net of tax of $29, $0, and $0 0 0 (108)
Net foreign currency translation adjustments (819) 561 (30)
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale debt securities:      
Unrealized gains (losses), net of tax of $(12), $(83), and $72 (343) 273 83
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in “Other income (expense), net,” net of tax of $0, $8, and $13 (34) (28) (4)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale debt securities (377) 245 79
Total other comprehensive income (loss) (1,196) 806 49
Comprehensive income $ 32,168 $ 22,137 $ 11,637
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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]      
Foreign currency translation adjustments, tax $ 47 $ (36) $ (5)
Reclassification adjustment for foreign currency translation included in "Other operating expense (income), net," tax 0 0 29
Unrealized gains (losses), tax 72 (83) (12)
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in “Other income (expense), net,” tax $ 13 $ 8 $ 0
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Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 36,220 $ 42,122
Marketable securities 59,829 42,274
Inventories 32,640 23,795
Accounts receivable, net and other 32,891 24,542
Total current assets 161,580 132,733
Property and equipment, net 160,281 113,114
Operating leases 56,082 37,553
Goodwill 15,371 15,017
Other assets 27,235 22,778
Total assets 420,549 321,195
Current liabilities:    
Accounts payable 78,664 72,539
Accrued expenses and other 51,775 44,138
Unearned revenue 11,827 9,708
Total current liabilities 142,266 126,385
Long-term lease liabilities 67,651 52,573
Long-term debt 48,744 31,816
Other long-term liabilities 23,643 17,017
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)
Stockholders’ equity:    
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares - 500; Issued and outstanding shares - none 0 0
Common stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares - 5,000; Issued shares - 527 and 532; Outstanding shares - 503 and 509 5 5
Treasury stock, at cost (1,837) (1,837)
Additional paid-in capital 55,538 42,865
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (1,376) (180)
Retained earnings 85,915 52,551
Total stockholders’ equity 138,245 93,404
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 420,549 $ 321,195
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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]    
Preferred stock, par value (in usd per share) $ 0.01 $ 0.01
Preferred stock, authorized (in shares) 500,000,000 500,000,000
Preferred stock, issued (in shares) 0 0
Preferred stock, outstanding (in shares) 0 0
Common stock, par value (in usd per share) $ 0.01 $ 0.01
Common stock, authorized (in shares) 5,000,000,000 5,000,000,000
Common stock, issued (in shares) 532,000,000 527,000,000
Common stock, outstanding (in shares) 509,000,000 503,000,000
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Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($)
shares in Millions, $ in Millions
Total
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle related to leases
Common Stock
Treasury Stock
Additional Paid-In Capital
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Retained Earnings
Retained Earnings
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle related to leases
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018     491          
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2018 $ 43,549 $ 7 $ 5 $ (1,837) $ 26,791 $ (1,035) $ 19,625 $ 7
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                
Net income 11,588           11,588  
Other comprehensive income (loss) 49         49    
Stock-based compensation and issuance of employee benefit plan stock (in shares)     7          
Stock-based compensation and issuance of employee benefit plan stock 6,867       6,867      
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019     498          
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2019 62,060   $ 5 (1,837) 33,658 (986) 31,220  
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                
Net income 21,331           21,331  
Other comprehensive income (loss) 806         806    
Stock-based compensation and issuance of employee benefit plan stock (in shares)     5          
Stock-based compensation and issuance of employee benefit plan stock 9,207       9,207      
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020     503          
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2020 93,404   $ 5 (1,837) 42,865 (180) 52,551  
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                
Net income 33,364           33,364  
Other comprehensive income (loss) (1,196)         (1,196)    
Stock-based compensation and issuance of employee benefit plan stock (in shares)     6          
Stock-based compensation and issuance of employee benefit plan stock 12,673       12,673      
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2021     509          
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2021 $ 138,245   $ 5 $ (1,837) $ 55,538 $ (1,376) $ 85,915  
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Description of Business, Accounting Policies, and Supplemental Disclosures
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Description of Business, Accounting Policies, and Supplemental Disclosures DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, ACCOUNTING POLICIES, AND SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES
Description of Business
We seek to be Earth’s most customer-centric company. In each of our segments, we serve our primary customer sets, consisting of consumers, sellers, developers, enterprises, content creators, advertisers, and employees. We serve consumers through our online and physical stores and focus on selection, price, and convenience. We offer programs that enable sellers to grow their businesses, sell their products in our stores, and fulfill orders through us, and programs that allow authors, musicians, filmmakers, Twitch streamers, skill and app developers, and others to publish and sell content. We serve developers and enterprises of all sizes through AWS, which offers a broad set of on-demand technology services, including compute, storage, database, analytics, and machine learning, and other services. We also manufacture and sell electronic devices. In addition, we provide advertising services to sellers, vendors, publishers, authors, and others, through programs such as sponsored ads, display, and video advertising.
We have organized our operations into three segments: North America, International, and AWS. See “Note 10 — Segment Information.”
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Amazon.com, Inc. and its consolidated entities (collectively, the “Company”), consisting of its wholly-owned subsidiaries and those entities in which we have a variable interest and of which we are the primary beneficiary, including certain entities in India and certain entities that support our seller lending financing activities. Intercompany balances and transactions between consolidated entities are eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, income taxes, useful lives of equipment, commitments and contingencies, valuation of acquired intangibles and goodwill, stock-based compensation forfeiture rates, vendor funding, inventory valuation, collectability of receivables, and valuation and impairment of investments. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates. For example, in Q4 2021 we completed a useful life study for our servers and networking equipment and are increasing the useful lives from four years to five years for servers and from five years to six years for networking equipment in January 2022, which, based on servers and networking equipment that are included in “Property and equipment, net” as of December 31, 2021, will have an anticipated impact to our 2022 operating income of $3.1 billion. We had previously increased the useful life of our servers from three years to four years in January 2020.
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The following table shows supplemental cash flow information (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
201920202021
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest on debt$875 $916 $1,098 
Cash paid for operating leases$3,361 $4,475 $6,722 
Cash paid for interest on finance leases$647 $612 $521 
Cash paid for interest on financing obligations$39 $102 $153 
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds$881 $1,713 $3,688 
Assets acquired under operating leases$7,870 $16,217 $25,369 
Property and equipment acquired under finance leases$13,723 $11,588 $7,061 
Property and equipment acquired under build-to-suit lease arrangements$1,362 $2,267 $5,616 
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is calculated using our weighted-average outstanding common shares. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using our weighted-average outstanding common shares including the dilutive effect of stock awards as determined under the treasury stock method. In periods when we have a net loss, stock awards are excluded from our calculation of earnings per share as their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect.
The following table shows the calculation of diluted shares (in millions):
  
Year Ended December 31,
 201920202021
Shares used in computation of basic earnings per share494 500 506 
Total dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards10 10 9 
Shares used in computation of diluted earnings per share504 510 515 
Revenue
Revenue is measured based on the amount of consideration that we expect to receive, reduced by estimates for return allowances, promotional discounts, and rebates. Revenue also excludes any amounts collected on behalf of third parties, including sales and indirect taxes. In arrangements where we have multiple performance obligations, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation using the relative stand-alone selling price. We generally determine stand-alone selling prices based on the prices charged to customers or using expected cost plus a margin.
A description of our principal revenue generating activities is as follows:
Retail sales - We offer consumer products through our online and physical stores. Revenue is recognized when control of the goods is transferred to the customer, which generally occurs upon our delivery to a third-party carrier or, in the case of an Amazon delivery, to the customer.
Third-party seller services - We offer programs that enable sellers to sell their products in our stores, and fulfill orders through us. We are not the seller of record in these transactions. The commissions and any related fulfillment and shipping fees we earn from these arrangements are recognized when the services are rendered, which generally occurs upon delivery of the related products to a third-party carrier or, in the case of an Amazon delivery, to the customer.
Subscription services - Our subscription sales include fees associated with Amazon Prime memberships and access to content including digital video, audiobooks, digital music, e-books, and other non-AWS subscription services. Prime memberships provide our customers with access to an evolving suite of benefits that represent a single stand-ready obligation. Subscriptions are paid for at the time of or in advance of delivering the services. Revenue from such arrangements is recognized over the subscription period.
Advertising services - We provide advertising services to sellers, vendors, publishers, authors, and others, through programs such as sponsored ads, display, and video advertising. Revenue is recognized as ads are delivered based on the number of clicks or impressions.
AWS - Our AWS arrangements include global sales of compute, storage, database, and other services. Revenue is allocated to services using stand-alone selling prices and is primarily recognized when the customer uses these services, based on the quantity of services rendered, such as compute or storage capacity delivered on-demand. Certain services, including compute and database, are also offered as a fixed quantity over a specified term, for which revenue is recognized ratably. Sales commissions we pay in connection with contracts that exceed one year are capitalized and amortized over the contract term.
Other - Other revenue includes sales related to various other service offerings, which are recognized as or when those services are performed.
Return Allowances
Return allowances, which reduce revenue and cost of sales, are estimated using historical experience. Liabilities for return allowances are included in “Accrued expenses and other” and were $712 million, $859 million, and $1.0 billion as of December 31, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Additions to the allowance were $2.5 billion, $3.5 billion, and $5.1 billion and deductions from the allowance were $2.5 billion, $3.6 billion, and $4.9 billion in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Included in “Inventories” on our consolidated balance sheets are assets totaling $629 million, $852 million, and $882 million as of December 31, 2019, 2020, and 2021, for the rights to recover products from customers associated with our liabilities for return allowances.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales primarily consists of the purchase price of consumer products, inbound and outbound shipping costs, including costs related to sortation and delivery centers and where we are the transportation service provider, and digital media content costs where we record revenue gross, including video and music. Shipping costs to receive products from our suppliers are included in our inventory, and recognized as cost of sales upon sale of products to our customers. Payment processing and related transaction costs, including those associated with seller transactions, are classified in “Fulfillment” on our consolidated statements of operations.
Vendor Agreements
We have agreements with our vendors to receive consideration primarily for cooperative marketing efforts, promotions, incentives, and volume rebates. We generally consider these amounts received from vendors to be a reduction of the prices we pay for their goods, including property and equipment, or services, and are recorded as a reduction of the cost of inventory, cost of services, or cost of property and equipment. Volume rebates typically depend on reaching minimum purchase thresholds. We evaluate the likelihood of reaching purchase thresholds using past experience and current year forecasts. When volume rebates can be reasonably estimated, we record a portion of the rebate as we make progress towards the purchase threshold.
Fulfillment
Fulfillment costs primarily consist of those costs incurred in operating and staffing our North America and International segments’ fulfillment centers, physical stores, and customer service centers, including facilities and equipment expenses, such as depreciation and amortization, and rent; costs attributable to buying, receiving, inspecting, and warehousing inventories; picking, packaging, and preparing customer orders for shipment; payment processing and related transaction costs, including costs associated with our guarantee for certain seller transactions; responding to inquiries from customers; and supply chain management for our manufactured electronic devices. Fulfillment costs also include amounts paid to third parties that assist us in fulfillment and customer service operations.
Technology and Content
Technology and content costs include payroll and related expenses for employees involved in the research and development of new and existing products and services, development, design, and maintenance of our stores, curation and display of products and services made available in our online stores, and infrastructure costs. Infrastructure costs include servers, networking equipment, and data center related depreciation and amortization, rent, utilities, and other expenses necessary to support AWS and other Amazon businesses. Collectively, these costs reflect the investments we make in order to offer a wide variety of products and services to our customers. Technology and content costs are generally expensed as incurred.
Marketing
Marketing costs primarily consist of advertising and payroll and related expenses for personnel engaged in marketing and selling activities, including sales commissions related to AWS. We pay commissions to third parties when their customer referrals result in sales. We also participate in cooperative advertising arrangements with certain of our vendors, and other third parties.
Advertising and other promotional costs to market our products and services are expensed as incurred and were $11.0 billion, $10.9 billion, and $16.9 billion in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses primarily consist of costs for corporate functions, including payroll and related expenses; facilities and equipment expenses, such as depreciation and amortization expense and rent; and professional fees.
Stock-Based Compensation
Compensation cost for all equity-classified stock awards expected to vest is measured at fair value on the date of grant and recognized over the service period. The fair value of restricted stock units is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of our common stock. Such value is recognized as expense over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures, using the accelerated method. The estimated number of stock awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from our current estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period estimates are revised. We consider many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including historical forfeiture experience and employee level. Additionally, stock-based compensation includes stock
appreciation rights that are expected to settle in cash. These liability-classified awards are remeasured to fair value at the end of each reporting period until settlement or expiration.
Other Operating Expense (Income), Net
Other operating expense (income), net, consists primarily of a benefit from accelerated vesting of warrants to acquire equity of a vendor in Q4 2020, offset by a lease impairment in Q2 2020 and the amortization of intangible assets.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Other income (expense), net, is as follows (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
201920202021
Marketable equity securities valuation gains (losses)$7 $525 $11,526 
Equity warrant valuation gains (losses)11 1,527 1,315 
Upward adjustments relating to equity investments in private companies328 342 1,866 
Foreign currency gains (losses)(20)35 (55)
Other, net(123)(58)(19)
Total other income (expense), net203 2,371 14,633 
Included in other income (expense), net in 2021 is a marketable equity securities valuation gain of $11.8 billion from our equity investment in Rivian Automotive, Inc. (“Rivian”). Our investment in Rivian’s preferred stock was accounted for at cost, with adjustments for observable changes in prices or impairments, prior to Rivian’s initial public offering in November 2021, which resulted in the conversion of our preferred stock to Class A common stock. As of December 31, 2021, we held 158 million shares of Rivian’s Class A common stock, representing an approximate 18% ownership interest, and an approximate 16% voting interest. We determined that we have the ability to exercise significant influence over Rivian through our equity investment, our commercial arrangement for the purchase of electric vehicles, and one of our employees serving on Rivian’s board of directors. We elected the fair value option to account for our equity investment in Rivian, and the 2021 valuation gain is primarily comprised of the gain recognized upon the initial public offering, and also includes subsequent changes in fair value through December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2021, our equity investment in Rivian had a fair value of $15.6 billion, which reflects a discount for lack of marketability until Q1 2022 of approximately $800 million due to regulatory sales restrictions, and is included in “Marketable securities” on our consolidated balance sheets.
Summarized financial information of Rivian as disclosed in its SEC filings is as follows (in millions):
Year Ended
December 31, 2019		Year Ended
December 31, 2020		Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2021
Revenues$— $— $1 
Gross profit— — (82)
Loss from operations(409)(1,021)(1,766)
Net loss(426)(1,018)(2,227)

December 31, 2020September 30, 2021
Total current assets$3,016 $5,345 
Total assets4,602 8,488 
Total current liabilities611 1,047 
Total liabilities742 4,201 
Contingently redeemable convertible preferred stock5,244 7,894 
Income Taxes
Income tax expense includes U.S. (federal and state) and foreign income taxes. Certain foreign subsidiary earnings and losses are subject to current U.S. taxation and the subsequent repatriation of those earnings is not subject to tax in the U.S. We intend to invest substantially all of our foreign subsidiary earnings, as well as our capital in our foreign subsidiaries, indefinitely outside of the U.S. in those jurisdictions in which we would incur significant, additional costs upon repatriation of such amounts.
Deferred income tax balances reflect the effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases, as well as net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, and are stated at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when taxes are actually paid or recovered.
Deferred tax assets represent amounts available to reduce income taxes payable in future periods. Deferred tax assets are evaluated for future realization and reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent we believe they will not be realized. We consider many factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization of our deferred tax assets, including our recent cumulative loss experience and expectations of future earnings, capital gains and investment in such jurisdiction, the carry-forward periods available to us for tax reporting purposes, and other relevant factors.
We utilize a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain income tax positions (tax contingencies). The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We consider many factors when evaluating our tax positions and estimating our tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments and which may not accurately forecast actual outcomes. We include interest and penalties related to our tax contingencies in income tax expense.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. To increase the comparability of fair value measures, the following hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation methodologies used to measure fair value:
Level 1 — Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 — Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3 — Valuations based on unobservable inputs reflecting our own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment.
We measure the fair value of money market funds and certain marketable equity securities based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Other marketable securities were valued either based on recent trades of securities in inactive markets or based on quoted market prices of similar instruments and other significant inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data. We did not hold significant amounts of marketable securities categorized as Level 3 assets as of December 31, 2020 and 2021.
We hold equity warrants giving us the right to acquire stock of other companies. As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, these warrants had a fair value of $3.0 billion and $3.4 billion, and are recorded within “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets with gains and losses recognized in “Other income (expense), net” on our consolidated statements of operations. These warrants are primarily classified as Level 2 assets.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We classify all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less as cash equivalents.
Inventories
Inventories, consisting of products available for sale, are primarily accounted for using the first-in, first-out method, and are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. This valuation requires us to make judgments, based on currently available information, about the likely method of disposition, such as through sales to individual customers, returns to product vendors, or liquidations, and expected recoverable values of each disposition category. The inventory valuation allowance, representing a write-down of inventory, was $2.3 billion and $2.6 billion as of December 31, 2020 and 2021.
We provide Fulfillment by Amazon services in connection with certain of our sellers’ programs. Third-party sellers maintain ownership of their inventory, regardless of whether fulfillment is provided by us or the third-party sellers, and therefore these products are not included in our inventories.
We also purchase electronic device components from a variety of suppliers and use several contract manufacturers to provide manufacturing services for our products. During the normal course of business, in order to manage manufacturing lead times and help ensure adequate supply, we enter into agreements with contract manufacturers and suppliers for certain electronic device components. A portion of our reported purchase commitments arising from these agreements consists of firm, non-cancellable commitments. These commitments are based on forecasted customer demand. If we reduce these commitments, we may incur additional costs. We also have firm, non-cancellable commitments for certain products offered in our Whole Foods Market stores.
Accounts Receivable, Net and Other
Included in “Accounts receivable, net and other” on our consolidated balance sheets are amounts primarily related to customers, vendors, and sellers. As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, customer receivables, net, were $14.8 billion and $20.2 billion, vendor receivables, net, were $4.8 billion and $5.3 billion, and seller receivables, net, were $381 million and $1.0 billion. Seller receivables are amounts due from sellers related to our seller lending program, which provides funding to sellers primarily to procure inventory.
We estimate losses on receivables based on expected losses, including our historical experience of actual losses. Receivables are considered impaired and written-off when it is probable that all contractual payments due will not be collected in accordance with the terms of the agreement. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $718 million, $1.1 billion, and $1.1 billion as of December 31, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Additions to the allowance were $1.0 billion, $1.4 billion, and $1.0 billion, and deductions to the allowance were $793 million, $1.0 billion, and $1.1 billion in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Software Development Costs
We incur software development costs related to products to be sold, leased, or marketed to external users, internal-use software, and our websites. Software development costs capitalized were not significant for the years presented. All other costs, including those related to design or maintenance, are expensed as incurred.
Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Incentives that we receive from property and equipment vendors are recorded as a reduction to our costs. Property includes buildings and land that we own, along with property we have acquired under build-to-suit lease arrangements when we have control over the building during the construction period and finance lease arrangements. Equipment includes assets such as servers and networking equipment, heavy equipment, and other fulfillment equipment. Depreciation and amortization is recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets (generally the lesser of 40 years or the remaining life of the underlying building, three years prior to January 1, 2020 and four years subsequent to January 1, 2020 for our servers, five years for networking equipment, ten years for heavy equipment, and three to ten years for other fulfillment equipment). Depreciation and amortization expense is classified within the corresponding operating expense categories on our consolidated statements of operations.
Leases
We categorize leases with contractual terms longer than twelve months as either operating or finance. Finance leases are generally those leases that allow us to substantially utilize or pay for the entire asset over its estimated life. Assets acquired under finance leases are recorded in “Property and equipment, net.” All other leases are categorized as operating leases. Our leases generally have terms that range from one to ten years for equipment and one to twenty years for property.
Certain lease contracts include obligations to pay for other services, such as operations and maintenance. For leases of property, we account for these other services as a component of the lease. For substantially all other leases, the services are accounted for separately and we allocate payments to the lease and other services components based on estimated stand-alone prices.
Lease liabilities are recognized at the present value of the fixed lease payments, reduced by landlord incentives using a discount rate based on similarly secured borrowings available to us. Lease assets are recognized based on the initial present value of the fixed lease payments, reduced by landlord incentives, plus any direct costs from executing the leases or lease prepayments reclassified from “Other assets” upon lease commencement. Leasehold improvements are capitalized at cost and amortized over the lesser of their expected useful life or the lease term.
When we have the option to extend the lease term, terminate the lease before the contractual expiration date, or purchase the leased asset, and it is reasonably certain that we will exercise the option, we consider the option in determining the classification and measurement of the lease. Our leases may include variable payments based on measures that include changes in price indices, market interest rates, or the level of sales at a physical store, which are expensed as incurred.
Costs associated with operating lease assets are recognized on a straight-line basis within operating expenses over the term of the lease. Finance lease assets are amortized within operating expenses on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or, in the instance where title does not transfer at the end of the lease term, the lease term. The interest component of a finance lease is included in interest expense and recognized using the effective interest method over the lease term.
We establish assets and liabilities for the present value of estimated future costs to retire long-lived assets at the termination or expiration of a lease. Such assets are amortized over the lease period into operating expense, and the recorded liabilities are accreted to the future value of the estimated retirement costs.
Financing Obligations
We record assets and liabilities for estimated construction costs under build-to-suit lease arrangements when we have control over the building during the construction period. If we continue to control the building after the construction period, the arrangement is classified as a financing obligation instead of a lease. The building is depreciated over the shorter of its useful life or the term of the obligation.
If we do not control the building after the construction period ends, the assets and liabilities for construction costs are derecognized, and we classify the lease as operating.
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
We evaluate goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually or more frequently when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. We may elect to utilize a qualitative assessment to evaluate whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value and if so, we perform a quantitative test. We compare the carrying value of each reporting unit and indefinite-lived intangible asset to its estimated fair value and if the fair value is determined to be less than the carrying value, we recognize an impairment loss for the difference. We estimate the fair value of the reporting units using discounted cash flows. Forecasts of future cash flows are based on our best estimate of future net sales and operating expenses, based primarily on expected category expansion, pricing, market segment share, and general economic conditions.
We completed the required annual impairment test of goodwill for all reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets as of April 1, 2021, resulting in no impairments. The fair value of our reporting units substantially exceeded their carrying value. There were no events that caused us to update our annual impairment test. See “Note 5 — Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets.”
Other Assets
Included in “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets are amounts primarily related to video and music content, net of accumulated amortization; acquired intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization; equity warrant assets; long-term deferred tax assets; and certain equity investments.
Digital Video and Music Content
We obtain video content, inclusive of episodic television and movies, and music content for customers through licensing agreements that have a wide range of licensing provisions including both fixed and variable payment schedules. When the license fee for a specific video or music title is determinable or reasonably estimable and the content is available to us, we recognize an asset and a corresponding liability for the amounts owed. We reduce the liability as payments are made and we amortize the asset to “Cost of sales” on an accelerated basis, based on estimated usage or viewing patterns, or on a straight-line basis. If the licensing fee is not determinable or reasonably estimable, no asset or liability is recorded and licensing costs are expensed as incurred. We also develop original video content for which the production costs are capitalized and amortized to “Cost of sales” predominantly on an accelerated basis that follows the viewing patterns associated with the content. The weighted average remaining life of our capitalized video content is 2.6 years.
Our produced and licensed video content is primarily monetized together as a unit, referred to as a film group, in each major geography where we offer Amazon Prime memberships. These film groups are evaluated for impairment whenever an event occurs or circumstances change indicating the fair value is less than the carrying value. The total capitalized costs of video, which is primarily released content, and music as of December 31, 2020 and 2021 were $6.8 billion and $10.7 billion.
Total video and music expense was $11.0 billion and $13.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2021. Total video and music expense includes licensing and production costs associated with content offered within Amazon Prime memberships, and costs associated with digital subscriptions and sold or rented content.
Investments
We generally invest our excess cash in AAA-rated money market funds and investment grade short- to intermediate-term fixed income securities. Such investments are included in “Cash and cash equivalents” or “Marketable securities” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Marketable fixed income securities are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).” Each reporting period, we evaluate whether declines in fair value below carrying value are due to expected credit losses, as well as our ability and intent to hold the investment until a forecasted recovery occurs. Expected credit losses are recorded as an allowance through “Other income (expense), net” on our consolidated statements of operations.
Equity investments in private companies for which we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for at cost, with adjustments for observable changes in prices or impairments, and are classified as “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets with adjustments recognized in “Other income (expense), net” on our consolidated statements of operations. Each reporting period, we perform a qualitative assessment to evaluate whether the investment is impaired. Our assessment includes a review of recent operating results and trends, recent sales/acquisitions of the investee securities, and other publicly available data. If the investment is impaired, we write it down to its estimated fair value. As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, these investments had a carrying value of $2.7 billion and $603 million.
Equity investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting, or at fair value if we elect the fair value option, if the investment gives us the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over an investee. Equity-method investments are included within “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. Our share of the earnings or losses as reported by equity-method investees, amortization of basis differences, related gains or losses, and impairments, if any, are recognized in “Equity-method investment activity, net of tax” on our consolidated statements of operations. Each reporting period, we evaluate whether declines in fair value below carrying value are other-than-temporary and if so, we write down the investment to its estimated fair value.
Equity investments that have readily determinable fair values, including investments for which we have elected the fair value option, are included in “Marketable securities” on our consolidated balance sheets and measured at fair value with changes recognized in “Other income (expense), net” on our consolidated statements of operations.
Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable. Conditions that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, a significant change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, or any other significant adverse change that would indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable.
For long-lived assets used in operations, including lease assets, impairment losses are only recorded if the asset’s carrying amount is not recoverable through its undiscounted, probability-weighted future cash flows. We measure the impairment loss based on the difference between the carrying amount and estimated fair value. Long-lived assets are considered held for sale when certain criteria are met, including when management has committed to a plan to sell the asset, the asset is available for sale in its immediate condition, and the sale is probable within one year of the reporting date. Assets held for sale are reported at the lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell. Assets held for sale were not significant as of December 31, 2020 and 2021.
Accrued Expenses and Other
Included in “Accrued expenses and other” on our consolidated balance sheets are liabilities primarily related to leases and asset retirement obligations, tax-related liabilities, payroll and related expenses, unredeemed gift cards, customer liabilities, marketing liabilities, current debt, acquired digital media content, and other operating expenses.
As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, our liabilities for payroll related expenses were $7.6 billion and $9.1 billion and our liabilities for unredeemed gift cards were $4.7 billion and $5.2 billion. We reduce the liability for a gift card when redeemed by a customer. The portion of gift cards that we do not expect to be redeemed is recognized based on customer usage patterns.
Unearned Revenue
Unearned revenue is recorded when payments are received or due in advance of performing our service obligations and is recognized over the service period. Unearned revenue primarily relates to prepayments of AWS services and Amazon Prime memberships. Our total unearned revenue as of December 31, 2020 was $11.6 billion, of which $9.3 billion was recognized as revenue during the year ended December 31, 2021 and our total unearned revenue as of December 31, 2021 was $14.0 billion. Included in “Other long-term liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets was $1.9 billion and $2.2 billion of unearned revenue as of December 31, 2020 and 2021.
Additionally, we have performance obligations, primarily related to AWS, associated with commitments in customer contracts for future services that have not yet been recognized in our financial statements. For contracts with original terms that exceed one year, those commitments not yet recognized were $80.4 billion as of December 31, 2021. The weighted average remaining life of our long-term contracts is 3.8 years. However, the amount and timing of revenue recognition is largely driven by customer usage, which can extend beyond the original contractual term.
Other Long-Term Liabilities
Included in “Other long-term liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets are liabilities primarily related to financing obligations, asset retirement obligations, deferred tax liabilities, unearned revenue, tax contingencies, and digital video and music content.
Foreign Currency
We have internationally-focused stores for which the net sales generated, as well as most of the related expenses directly incurred from those operations, are denominated in local functional currencies. The functional currency of our subsidiaries that either operate or support these stores is generally the same as the local currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated into U.S. Dollars at period-end foreign exchange rates, and revenues and expenses are translated at average rates prevailing throughout the period. Translation adjustments are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss),” a separate component of stockholders’ equity, and in the “Foreign currency effect on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash,” on our consolidated statements of cash flows. Transaction gains and losses including intercompany transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity involved are included in “Other income (expense), net” on our consolidated statements of operations. In connection with the settlement and remeasurement of intercompany balances, we recorded gains (losses) of $(95) million, $(118) million, and $19 million in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
v3.22.0.1
Financial Instruments
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]  
Financial Instruments FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Marketable Securities
As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, our cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and marketable securities primarily consisted of cash, AAA-rated money market funds, U.S. and foreign government and agency securities, other investment grade securities, and marketable equity securities. Cash equivalents and marketable securities are recorded at fair value. The following table summarizes, by major security type, our cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and marketable securities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy (in millions):
 December 31, 2020
  
Cost or
Amortized
Cost		Gross
Unrealized
Gains		Gross
Unrealized
Losses		Total
Estimated
Fair Value
Cash$10,063 $— $— $10,063 
Level 1 securities:
Money market funds27,430 — — 27,430 
Equity securities (1)617 
Level 2 securities:
Foreign government and agency securities5,130 1 — 5,131 
U.S. government and agency securities7,410 30 (1)7,439 
Corporate debt securities29,684 305 (1)29,988 
Asset-backed securities3,206 32 (3)3,235 
Other fixed income securities701 9 — 710 
Equity securities (1)40 
$83,624 $377 $(5)$84,653 
Less: Restricted cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities (2)(257)
Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities$84,396 
 December 31, 2021
  
Cost or
Amortized
Cost		Gross
Unrealized
Gains		Gross
Unrealized
Losses		Total
Estimated
Fair Value
Cash$10,942 $— $— $10,942 
Level 1 securities:
Money market funds20,312 — — 20,312 
Equity securities (1)1,646 
Level 2 securities:
Foreign government and agency securities181 — — 181 
U.S. government and agency securities4,316 9 (25)4,300 
Corporate debt securities35,810 75 (121)35,764 
Asset-backed securities6,763 7 (32)6,738 
Other fixed income securities688 2 (4)686 
Equity securities (1)(3)15,740 
$79,012 $93 $(182)$96,309 
Less: Restricted cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities (2)(260)
Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities$96,049 
___________________
(1)The related unrealized gain (loss) recorded in “Other income (expense), net” was $4 million, $448 million, and $11.6 billion for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
(2)We are required to pledge or otherwise restrict a portion of our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable fixed income securities primarily as collateral for real estate, amounts due to third-party sellers in certain jurisdictions, debt, and standby and trade letters of credit. We classify cash, cash equivalents, and marketable fixed income securities with use restrictions of less than twelve months as “Accounts receivable, net and other” and of twelve months or longer as non-current “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. See “Note 7 — Commitments and Contingencies.”
(3)Our equity investment in Rivian of $15.6 billion reflects a discount for lack of marketability until Q1 2022 due to regulatory sales restrictions. In addition, we are subject to contractual sales restrictions until Q2 2022.
The following table summarizes gross gains and gross losses realized on sales of marketable fixed income securities (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
201920202021
Realized gains$11 $92 $85 
Realized losses7 56 38 
The following table summarizes the remaining contractual maturities of our cash equivalents and marketable fixed income securities as of December 31, 2021 (in millions):
Amortized
Cost		Estimated
Fair Value
Due within one year$39,070 $39,075 
Due after one year through five years22,790 22,712 
Due after five years through ten years2,124 2,121 
Due after ten years4,086 4,073 
Total$68,070 $67,981 
Actual maturities may differ from the contractual maturities because borrowers may have certain prepayment conditions.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Reconciliation
The following table provides a reconciliation of the amount of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets to the total of the same such amounts shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows (in millions):
December 31, 2020December 31, 2021
Cash and cash equivalents$42,122 $36,220 
Restricted cash included in accounts receivable, net and other233 242 
Restricted cash included in other assets22 15 
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows$42,377 $36,477 
v3.22.0.1
Property and Equipment
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]  
Property and Equipment PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment, at cost, consisted of the following (in millions): 
 December 31,
 20202021
Gross property and equipment (1):
Land and buildings$57,324 $81,104 
Equipment97,224 128,683 
Other assets3,772 4,118 
Construction in progress15,228 24,895 
Gross property and equipment173,548 238,800 
Total accumulated depreciation and amortization (1)60,434 78,519 
Total property and equipment, net$113,114 $160,281 
__________________
(1)Includes the original cost and accumulated depreciation of fully-depreciated assets.
Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment was $15.1 billion, $16.2 billion, and $22.9 billion which includes amortization of property and equipment acquired under finance leases of $10.1 billion, $8.5 billion, and $9.9 billion for 2019, 2020, and 2021.
v3.22.0.1
Leases
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Leases [Abstract]  
Leases LEASESWe have entered into non-cancellable operating and finance leases for fulfillment, delivery, office, physical store, data center, and sortation facilities as well as server and networking equipment, vehicles, and aircraft. Gross assets acquired under finance leases, inclusive of those where title transfers at the end of the lease, are recorded in “Property and equipment, net” and were $68.1 billion and $72.2 billion as of December 31, 2020 and 2021. Accumulated amortization associated with finance leases was $36.5 billion and $43.4 billion as of December 31, 2020 and 2021.
Lease cost recognized in our consolidated statements of operations is summarized as follows (in millions):
 Year Ended December 31,
201920202021
Operating lease cost$3,669 $5,019 $7,199 
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of lease assets10,094 8,452 9,857 
Interest on lease liabilities695 617 473 
Finance lease cost10,789 9,069 10,330 
Variable lease cost966 1,238 1,556 
Total lease cost$15,424 $15,326 $19,085 
Other information about lease amounts recognized in our consolidated financial statements is as follows:
 December 31, 2020December 31, 2021
 
Weighted-average remaining lease term – operating leases10.7 years11.3 years
Weighted-average remaining lease term – finance leases6.2 years8.1 years
Weighted-average discount rate – operating leases2.5 %2.2 %
Weighted-average discount rate – finance leases2.1 %2.0 %
Our lease liabilities were as follows (in millions):
December 31, 2020
 Operating LeasesFinance LeasesTotal
Gross lease liabilities$44,833 $30,437 $75,270 
Less: imputed interest(5,734)(2,003)(7,737)
Present value of lease liabilities39,099 28,434 67,533 
Less: current portion of lease liabilities(4,586)(10,374)(14,960)
Total long-term lease liabilities$34,513 $18,060 $52,573 
December 31, 2021
 Operating LeasesFinance LeasesTotal
Gross lease liabilities$66,269 $25,866 $92,135 
Less: imputed interest(7,939)(2,113)(10,052)
Present value of lease liabilities58,330 23,753 82,083 
Less: current portion of lease liabilities(6,349)(8,083)(14,432)
Total long-term lease liabilities$51,981 $15,670 $67,651 
Leases LEASESWe have entered into non-cancellable operating and finance leases for fulfillment, delivery, office, physical store, data center, and sortation facilities as well as server and networking equipment, vehicles, and aircraft. Gross assets acquired under finance leases, inclusive of those where title transfers at the end of the lease, are recorded in “Property and equipment, net” and were $68.1 billion and $72.2 billion as of December 31, 2020 and 2021. Accumulated amortization associated with finance leases was $36.5 billion and $43.4 billion as of December 31, 2020 and 2021.
Lease cost recognized in our consolidated statements of operations is summarized as follows (in millions):
 Year Ended December 31,
201920202021
Operating lease cost$3,669 $5,019 $7,199 
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of lease assets10,094 8,452 9,857 
Interest on lease liabilities695 617 473 
Finance lease cost10,789 9,069 10,330 
Variable lease cost966 1,238 1,556 
Total lease cost$15,424 $15,326 $19,085 
Other information about lease amounts recognized in our consolidated financial statements is as follows:
 December 31, 2020December 31, 2021
 
Weighted-average remaining lease term – operating leases10.7 years11.3 years
Weighted-average remaining lease term – finance leases6.2 years8.1 years
Weighted-average discount rate – operating leases2.5 %2.2 %
Weighted-average discount rate – finance leases2.1 %2.0 %
Our lease liabilities were as follows (in millions):
December 31, 2020
 Operating LeasesFinance LeasesTotal
Gross lease liabilities$44,833 $30,437 $75,270 
Less: imputed interest(5,734)(2,003)(7,737)
Present value of lease liabilities39,099 28,434 67,533 
Less: current portion of lease liabilities(4,586)(10,374)(14,960)
Total long-term lease liabilities$34,513 $18,060 $52,573 
December 31, 2021
 Operating LeasesFinance LeasesTotal
Gross lease liabilities$66,269 $25,866 $92,135 
Less: imputed interest(7,939)(2,113)(10,052)
Present value of lease liabilities58,330 23,753 82,083 
Less: current portion of lease liabilities(6,349)(8,083)(14,432)
Total long-term lease liabilities$51,981 $15,670 $67,651 
v3.22.0.1
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Business Combinations [Abstract]  
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets ACQUISITIONS, GOODWILL, AND ACQUIRED INTANGIBLE ASSETS
2019 Acquisition Activity
During 2019, we acquired certain companies for an aggregate purchase price of $315 million, net of cash acquired.
2020 Acquisition Activity
During 2020, we acquired certain companies for an aggregate purchase price of $1.2 billion, net of cash acquired, of which $1.1 billion was capitalized to in-process research and development intangible assets (“IPR&D”).
2021 Acquisition Activity
During 2021, we acquired certain companies for an aggregate purchase price of $496 million, net of cash acquired.
The primary reason for all acquisitions was to acquire technologies and know-how to enable Amazon to serve customers more effectively. Acquisition-related costs were expensed as incurred.
Pro forma results of operations have not been presented because the effects of 2021 acquisitions, individually and in the aggregate, were not material to our consolidated results of operations.
Goodwill
The goodwill of the acquired companies is primarily related to expected improvements in technology performance and functionality, as well as sales growth from future product and service offerings and new customers, together with certain intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition. The goodwill of the acquired companies is generally not deductible for tax purposes. The following summarizes our goodwill activity in 2020 and 2021 by segment (in millions):
North
America		InternationalAWSConsolidated
Goodwill - January 1, 2020$12,264 $1,300 $1,190 $14,754 
New acquisitions 204 6 2 212 
Other adjustments (1)59 (18)10 51 
Goodwill - December 31, 202012,527 1,288 1,202 15,017 
New acquisitions230 60 76 366 
Other adjustments (1)1 (21)8 (12)
Goodwill - December 31, 2021$12,758 $1,327 $1,286 $15,371 
 ___________________
(1)Primarily includes changes in foreign exchange rates.
Intangible Assets
Acquired identifiable intangible assets are valued primarily by using discounted cash flows. These assets are included within “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets and consist of the following (in millions):
 
 December 31,
 20202021
  
Acquired
Intangibles,
Gross (1)		Accumulated
Amortization (1)		Acquired
Intangibles,
Net		Acquired
Intangibles,
Gross (1)		Accumulated
Amortization (1)		Acquired
Intangibles,
Net		Weighted
Average Life
Remaining
Finite-lived intangible assets (2):
Marketing-related$2,289 $(445)$1,844 $2,286 $(548)$1,738 19.3
Contract-based1,917 (418)1,499 2,327 (565)1,762 8.9
Technology- and content-based948 (555)393 976 (610)366 3.1
Customer-related179 (77)102 197 (103)94 2.9
Total finite-lived intangible assets$5,333 $(1,495)$3,838 $5,786 $(1,826)$3,960 12.8
IPR&D and other (3)$1,143 $1,143 $1,147 $1,147 
Total acquired intangibles $6,476 $(1,495)$4,981 $6,933 $(1,826)$5,107 
 ___________________
(1)Excludes the original cost and accumulated amortization of fully-amortized intangibles.
(2)Finite-lived intangible assets have estimated useful lives of between one and twenty-five years, and are being amortized to operating expenses on a straight-line basis.
(3)Intangible assets acquired in a business combination that are in-process and used in research and development activities are considered indefinite-lived until the completion or abandonment of the research and development efforts. Once the research and development efforts are completed, we determine the useful life and begin amortizing the assets.
Amortization expense for acquired finite-lived intangibles was $565 million, $509 million, and $512 million in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Expected future amortization expense of acquired finite-lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2021 is as follows (in millions):
 
Year Ended December 31,
2022$528 
2023452 
2024378 
2025318 
2026290 
Thereafter1,994 
$3,960 
v3.22.0.1
Debt
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Debt DEBT
As of December 31, 2021, we had $49.7 billion of unsecured senior notes outstanding (the “Notes”). We issued $18.5 billion of Notes in May 2021, of which $1.0 billion was issued for green or social projects, such as projects related to clean transportation, renewable energy, sustainable buildings, affordable housing, or socioeconomic advancement and empowerment, and the remainder for general corporate purposes. We also had other long-term debt and borrowings under our credit facility of $924 million and $803 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2021. Our total long-term debt obligations are as follows (in millions):
Maturities (1)Stated Interest RatesEffective Interest RatesDecember 31, 2020December 31, 2021
2012 Notes issuance of $3.0 billion
20222.50%2.66%1,250 1,250 
2014 Notes issuance of $6.0 billion
2024 - 2044
3.80% - 4.95%
3.90% - 5.11%
5,000 4,000 
2017 Notes issuance of $17.0 billion
2023 - 2057
2.40% - 5.20%
2.56% - 4.33%
16,000 16,000 
2020 Notes issuance of $10.0 billion
2023 - 2060
0.40% - 2.70%
0.56% - 2.77%
10,000 10,000 
2021 Notes issuance of $18.5 billion
2023 - 2061
0.25% - 3.25%
0.35% - 3.31%
— 18,500 
Credit Facility338 803 
Other long-term debt586 — 
Total face value of long-term debt33,174 50,553 
Unamortized discount and issuance costs, net(203)(318)
Less current portion of long-term debt(1,155)(1,491)
Long-term debt$31,816 $48,744 
___________________
(1)The weighted-average remaining lives of the 2012, 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2021 Notes were 0.9, 13.6, 15.2, 17.7 and 14.3 years as of December 31, 2021. The combined weighted-average remaining life of the Notes was 14.9 years as of December 31, 2021.
Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears. We may redeem the Notes at any time in whole, or from time to time, in part at specified redemption prices. We are not subject to any financial covenants under the Notes. The estimated fair value of the Notes was approximately $37.7 billion and $53.3 billion as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, which is based on quoted prices for our debt as of those dates.
We have a $1.0 billion secured revolving credit facility with a lender that is secured by certain seller receivables, which we increased from $740 million in November 2021 and may from time to time increase in the future subject to lender approval (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility is available until October 2022, bears interest at the London interbank offered rate (“LIBOR”) plus 1.40%, and has a commitment fee of 0.50% on the undrawn portion. There were $338 million and $803 million of borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, which had a weighted-average interest rate of 3.0% and 2.7%, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, we have pledged $398 million and $918 million of our cash and seller receivables as collateral for debt related to our Credit Facility. The estimated fair value of the Credit Facility, which is based on Level 2 inputs, approximated its carrying value as of December 31, 2020 and 2021.
As of December 31, 2021, future principal payments for our total long-term debt were as follows (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
2022$1,493 
20233,560 
20245,750 
20252,250 
20262,750 
Thereafter34,750 
$50,553 
We have U.S. Dollar and Euro commercial paper programs (the “Commercial Paper Programs”) under which we may from time to time issue unsecured commercial paper up to a total of $10.0 billion (including up to €3.0 billion) at the date of issue, with individual maturities that may vary but will not exceed 397 days from the date of issue. There were $725 million of borrowings outstanding under the Commercial Paper Programs as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, which were included in “Accrued expenses and other” on our consolidated balance sheets and had a weighted-average effective interest rate, including
issuance costs, of 0.11% and 0.08%, respectively. We use the net proceeds from the issuance of commercial paper for general corporate purposes.
We also have a $7.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of lenders with a term that extends to June 2023, which was amended in November 2021 to replace LIBOR as the applicable benchmark rate for loans denominated in certain foreign currencies (the “Credit Agreement”). It may be extended for up to three additional one-year terms if approved by the lenders. The interest rate applicable to outstanding balances under the Credit Agreement is the applicable benchmark rate specified in the Credit Agreement plus 0.50%, with a commitment fee of 0.04% on the undrawn portion of the credit facility. There were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2020 and 2021.
We also utilize other short-term credit facilities for working capital purposes. These amounts are included in “Accrued expenses and other” on our consolidated balance sheets. In addition, we had $7.2 billion of unused letters of credit as of December 31, 2021.
v3.22.0.1
Commitments and Contingencies
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Commitments
The following summarizes our principal contractual commitments, excluding open orders for purchases that support normal operations and are generally cancellable, as of December 31, 2021 (in millions):
 Year Ended December 31,  
 20222023202420252026ThereafterTotal
Long-term debt principal and interest$2,841 $4,852 $7,014 $3,400 $3,829 $52,784 $74,720 
Operating lease liabilities7,838 7,178 6,649 6,128 5,574 32,902 66,269 
Finance lease liabilities, including interest8,278 4,772 2,278 1,355 1,220 7,963 25,866 
Financing obligations, including interest (1)423 422 419 410 417 6,404 8,495 
Leases not yet commenced1,206 1,902 2,094 2,145 2,237 21,571 31,155 
Unconditional purchase obligations (2)5,969 5,910 5,158 4,213 4,159 9,493 34,902 
Other commitments (3)(4)2,905 1,620 1,290 1,006 1,137 11,325 19,283 
Total commitments$29,460 $26,656 $24,902 $18,657 $18,573 $142,442 $260,690 
___________________
(1)Includes non-cancellable financing obligations for fulfillment, sortation, and data center facilities. Excluding interest, current financing obligations of $111 million and $196 million are recorded within “Accrued expenses and other” and $3.4 billion and $6.2 billion are recorded within “Other long-term liabilities” as of December 31, 2020 and 2021. The weighted-average remaining term of the financing obligations was 19.0 and 18.8 years and the weighted-average imputed interest rate was 3.8% and 3.2% as of December 31, 2020 and 2021.
(2)Includes unconditional purchase obligations related to long-term agreements to acquire and license digital media content that are not reflected on the consolidated balance sheets and certain products offered in our Whole Foods Market stores. For those digital media content agreements with variable terms, we do not estimate the total obligation beyond any minimum quantities and/or pricing as of the reporting date. Purchase obligations associated with renewal provisions solely at the option of the content provider are included to the extent such commitments are fixed or a minimum amount is specified.
(3)Includes the estimated timing and amounts of payments for rent and tenant improvements associated with build-to-suit lease arrangements that are under construction, asset retirement obligations, and liabilities associated with digital media content agreements with initial terms greater than one year.
(4)Excludes approximately $3.2 billion of accrued tax contingencies for which we cannot make a reasonably reliable estimate of the amount and period of payment, if any.
In addition, in May 2021, we entered into an agreement to acquire MGM Holdings Inc. (“MGM”) for approximately $8.5 billion, including MGM’s debt, subject to customary closing conditions. We expect to fund this acquisition with cash on hand.
Suppliers
During 2021, no vendor accounted for 10% or more of our purchases. We generally do not have long-term contracts or arrangements with our vendors to guarantee the availability of merchandise, particular payment terms, or the extension of credit limits.
Other ContingenciesWe are disputing claims and denials of refunds or credits related to various non-income taxes (such as sales, value added, consumption, service, and similar taxes), including in jurisdictions in which we already collect and remit these taxes. These non-income tax contr
Legal Proceedings
The Company is involved from time to time in claims, proceedings, and litigation, including the following:
In November 2015, Eolas Technologies, Inc. filed a complaint against Amazon.com, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the use of “interactive features” on www.amazon.com, including “search suggestions and search results,” infringes U.S. Patent No. 9,195,507, entitled “Distributed Hypermedia Method and System for Automatically Invoking External Application Providing Interaction and Display of Embedded Objects Within A Hypermedia Document.” The complaint sought a judgment of infringement together with costs and attorneys’ fees. In February 2016, Eolas filed an amended complaint seeking, among other things, an unspecified amount of damages. In February 2017, Eolas alleged in its damages report that in the event of a finding of liability Amazon could be subject to $130-$250 million in damages. In April 2017, the case was transferred to the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter.
In May 2018, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and CF Dynamic Advances LLC filed a complaint against Amazon.com, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. The complaint alleges, among other things, that “Alexa Voice Software and Alexa enabled devices” infringe U.S. Patent No. 7,177,798, entitled “Natural Language Interface Using Constrained Intermediate Dictionary of Results.” The complaint seeks an injunction, an unspecified amount of damages, enhanced damages, an ongoing royalty, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorneys’ fees, and costs. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter.
In December 2018, Kove IO, Inc. filed a complaint against Amazon Web Services, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The complaint alleges, among other things, that Amazon S3 and DynamoDB infringe U.S. Patent Nos. 7,814,170 and 7,103,640, both entitled “Network Distributed Tracking Wire Transfer Protocol,” and 7,233,978, entitled “Method And Apparatus For Managing Location Information In A Network Separate From The Data To Which The Location Information Pertains.” The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages, enhanced damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, interest, and injunctive relief. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter.
Beginning in March 2020, with Frame-Wilson v. Amazon.com, Inc. filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, a number of cases have been filed in the U.S. and Canada alleging, among other things, price fixing arrangements between Amazon.com, Inc. and third-party sellers in Amazon’s stores, monopolization and attempted monopolization, and consumer protection and unjust enrichment claims. Some of the cases include allegations of several distinct purported classes, including consumers who purchased a product through Amazon’s stores and consumers who purchased a product offered by Amazon through another e-commerce retailer. The complaints seek billions of dollars of alleged actual damages, treble damages, punitive damages, and injunctive relief. Individuals have also initiated arbitrations based on substantially similar allegations. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in these matters.
In November 2020, the European Commission issued a Statement of Objections alleging that Amazon uses data relating to our marketplace sellers in a manner that infringes EU competition rules. The Statement of Objections seeks to impose unspecified fines and remedial actions. We disagree with the preliminary assertions of the European Commission and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter.
In July 2021, the Luxembourg National Commission for Data Protection (the “CNPD”) issued a decision against Amazon Europe Core S.à r.l. claiming that Amazon’s processing of personal data did not comply with the EU General Data Protection Regulation. The decision imposes a fine of €746 million and corresponding practice revisions. We believe the CNPD’s decision to be without merit and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter.
In November 2021, Jawbone Innovations, LLC filed a complaint against Amazon.com, Inc. and Amazon.com Services, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The complaint alleges, among other things, that Amazon Echo smart speakers and displays, Fire TV Cube, and Echo Buds infringe U.S. Patent Nos. 7,246,058, entitled “Detecting Voiced and Unvoiced Speech Using Both Acoustic and Nonacoustic Sensors”; 8,019,091, entitled “Voice Activity
Detector (VAD)-Based Multiple-Microphone Acoustic Noise Suppression”; 8,280,072, entitled “Microphone Array with Rear Venting”; 8,321,213 and 8,326,611, both entitled “Acoustic Voice Activity Detection (AVAD) for Electronic Systems”; 8,467,543, entitled “Microphone and Voice Activity Detection (VAD) Configurations for Use with Communications Systems”; 10,779,080, entitled “Dual Omnidirectional Microphone Array (DOMA)”; and 11,122,357, entitled “Forming Virtual Microphone Arrays Using Dual Omnidirectional Microphone Array (DOMA).” The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages, enhanced damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, interest, and injunctive relief. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter.
In December 2021, the Italian Competition Authority (the “ICA”) issued a decision against Amazon Services Europe S.à r.l., Amazon Europe Core S.à r.l., Amazon EU S.à r.l., Amazon Italia Services S.r.l., and Amazon Italia Logistica S.r.l. claiming that certain of our marketplace and logistics practices in Italy infringed EU competition rules. The decision imposes a fine of €1.13 billion and remedial actions. We believe the ICA’s decision to be without merit and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter.
In January 2022, VideoLabs, Inc. and VL Collective IP LLC filed a complaint against Amazon.com, Inc. and Amazon Web Services, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. The complaint alleges, among other things, that Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Glow, Amazon Echo Show, Fire TV, Fire TV Cube, Fire TV Stick, Fire Tablets, AWS Elemental MediaConvert, AWS Elemental Live, AWS Elemental Server, AWS Elemental MediaPackage, AWS Elemental MediaLive, and Amazon Elastic Transcoder infringe U.S. Patent Nos. 7,769,238 and 8,139,878, both entitled “Picture Coding Method and Picture Decoding Method”; and 7,970,059, entitled “Variable Length Coding Method and Variable Length Decoding Method”; that Amazon Prime Video, AWS Elemental MediaConvert, AWS Elemental Live, AWS Elemental Server, AWS Elemental MediaPackage, AWS Elemental MediaLive, Amazon Elastic Transcoder, and Amazon Kinesis Video Streams infringe U.S. Patent No. 8,605,794, entitled “Method for Synchronizing Content-Dependent Data Segments of Files”; that Amazon Echo Show, Amazon Echo Spot, Amazon Connect, Amazon Chime, and Amazon Kinesis Video Streams infringe U.S. Patent No. 7,266,682, entitled “Method and System for Transmitting Data from a Transmitter to a Receiver and Transmitter and Receiver Therefore”; that AWS Auto Scaling and Amazon EC2 Auto Scaling infringe U.S. Patent No. 6,880,156, entitled “Demand Responsive Method and Apparatus to Automatically Activate Spare Servers”; and that Amazon Prime Video infringes U.S. Patent No. 7,440,559, entitled “System and Associated Terminal, Method and Computer Program Product for Controlling the Flow of Content.” The complaint seeks an unspecified amount of damages, enhanced damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, interest, and injunctive relief. We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing and intend to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter.
In addition, we are regularly subject to claims, litigation, and other proceedings, including potential regulatory proceedings, involving patent and other intellectual property matters, taxes, labor and employment, competition and antitrust, privacy and data protection, consumer protection, commercial disputes, goods and services offered by us and by third parties, and other matters.
The outcomes of our legal proceedings and other contingencies are inherently unpredictable, subject to significant uncertainties, and could be material to our operating results and cash flows for a particular period. We evaluate, on a regular basis, developments in our legal proceedings and other contingencies that could affect the amount of liability, including amounts in excess of any previous accruals and reasonably possible losses disclosed, and make adjustments and changes to our accruals and disclosures as appropriate. For the matters we disclose that do not include an estimate of the amount of loss or range of losses, such an estimate is not possible or is immaterial, and we may be unable to estimate the possible loss or range of losses that could potentially result from the application of non-monetary remedies. Until the final resolution of such matters, if any of our estimates and assumptions change or prove to have been incorrect, we may experience losses in excess of the amounts recorded, which could have a material effect on our business, consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
See also “Note 9 — Income Taxes.”
v3.22.0.1
Stockholders' Equity
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
Stockholders' Equity STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Preferred Stock
We have authorized 500 million shares of $0.01 par value preferred stock. No preferred stock was outstanding for any year presented.
Common Stock
Common shares outstanding plus shares underlying outstanding stock awards totaled 512 million, 518 million, and 523 million, as of December 31, 2019, 2020, and 2021. These totals include all vested and unvested stock awards outstanding, including those awards we estimate will be forfeited.
Stock Repurchase Activity
In February 2016, the Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $5.0 billion of our common stock, with no fixed expiration. There were no repurchases of common stock in 2019, 2020, or 2021. During the period from January 1, 2022 through February 2, 2022, we repurchased 0.5 million shares of our common stock for $1.3 billion.
Stock Award Plans
Employees vest in restricted stock unit awards over the corresponding service term, generally between two and five years.
Stock Award Activity
Stock-based compensation expense is as follows (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
201920202021
Cost of sales$149 $283 $540 
Fulfillment1,182 1,357 1,946 
Technology and content3,725 5,061 6,645 
Marketing1,135 1,710 2,530 
General and administrative673 797 1,096 
Total stock-based compensation expense (1)$6,864 $9,208 $12,757 
___________________
(1)The related tax benefits were $1.4 billion, $1.9 billion, and $2.7 billion for 2019, 2020, and 2021.
The following table summarizes our restricted stock unit activity (in millions):
Number of UnitsWeighted Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
Outstanding as of January 1, 201915.9 $1,024 
Units granted6.7 1,808 
Units vested(6.6)827 
Units forfeited(1.7)1,223 
Outstanding as of December 31, 201914.3 1,458 
Units granted8.0 2,373 
Units vested(5.8)1,239 
Units forfeited(1.3)1,642 
Outstanding as of December 31, 202015.2 2,004 
Units granted6.3 3,348 
Units vested(5.4)1,704 
Units forfeited(2.1)2,314 
Outstanding as of December 31, 202114.0 2,684 
Scheduled vesting for outstanding restricted stock units as of December 31, 2021, is as follows (in millions):
 Year Ended    
 20222023202420252026ThereafterTotal
Scheduled vesting — restricted stock units5.4 5.2 2.2 0.9 0.1 0.2 14.0 
As of December 31, 2021, there was $16.6 billion of net unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock-based compensation arrangements. This compensation is recognized on an accelerated basis with approximately half of the compensation expected to be expensed in the next twelve months, and has a remaining weighted-average recognition period of 1.1 years. The estimated forfeiture rate as of December 31, 2019, 2020, and 2021 was 27%. Changes in our estimates and assumptions relating to forfeitures may cause us to realize material changes in stock-based compensation expense in the future.
During 2019, 2020, and 2021, the fair value of restricted stock units that vested was $11.7 billion, $15.5 billion, and $18.2 billion.
Common Stock Available for Future Issuance
As of December 31, 2021, common stock available for future issuance to employees is 97 million shares.
v3.22.0.1
Income Taxes
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes INCOME TAXES
In 2019, 2020, and 2021, we recorded net tax provisions of $2.4 billion, $2.9 billion, and $4.8 billion. Tax benefits relating to excess stock-based compensation deductions and accelerated depreciation deductions are reducing our U.S. taxable income. Cash taxes paid, net of refunds, were $881 million, $1.7 billion, and $3.7 billion for 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Certain foreign subsidiary earnings and losses are subject to current U.S. taxation and the subsequent repatriation of those earnings is not subject to tax in the U.S. The U.S. tax rules also provide for enhanced accelerated depreciation deductions by allowing the election of full expensing of qualified property, primarily equipment, through 2022. Our federal tax provision included the election of full expensing of qualified property for 2019 and a partial election for 2020 and 2021.
The components of the provision for income taxes, net are as follows (in millions):
 Year Ended December 31,
201920202021
U.S. Federal:
Current$162 $1,835 $2,129 
Deferred914 (151)155 
Total1,076 1,684 2,284 
U.S. State:
Current276 626 763 
Deferred8 (190)(178)
Total284 436 585 
International:
Current1,140 956 2,209 
Deferred(126)(213)(287)
Total1,014 743 1,922 
Provision for income taxes, net$2,374 $2,863 $4,791 
U.S. and international components of income before income taxes are as follows (in millions):
 Year Ended December 31,
 201920202021
U.S.$13,285 $20,219 $35,879 
International691 3,959 2,272 
Income before income taxes$13,976 $24,178 $38,151 
The items accounting for differences between income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate and the provision recorded for income taxes are as follows (in millions):
 Year Ended December 31,
 201920202021
Income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate$2,935 $5,078 $8,012 
Effect of:
Tax impact of foreign earnings and losses453 (538)(1,349)
State taxes, net of federal benefits221 343 465 
Tax credits(466)(639)(1,136)
Stock-based compensation (1)(850)(1,107)(1,094)
Foreign income deduction (2)(72)(372)(301)
Other, net153 98 194 
Total$2,374 $2,863 $4,791 
___________________
(1)Includes non-deductible stock-based compensation and excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation. Our tax provision includes $1.4 billion, $1.8 billion, and $1.9 billion of excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation for 2019, 2020, and 2021.
(2)U.S. companies are eligible for a deduction that lowers the effective tax rate on certain foreign income. This regime is referred to as the Foreign-Derived Intangible Income deduction (“FDII”).
Our provision for income taxes in 2020 was higher than in 2019 primarily due to an increase in pretax income. This was partially offset by the impact of developments in our ongoing global tax controversies on taxes related to our foreign earnings and losses, an increase in excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation, and an increase in our foreign income deduction under FDII. In addition, our Luxembourg operations generated earnings in 2020 and utilized deferred tax assets previously subject to valuation allowances.
Our provision for income taxes in 2021 was higher than in 2020 primarily due to an increase in pretax income. This was partially offset by an increase in U.S. federal research and development credits and the impact of the distribution of certain intangible assets from Luxembourg to the U.S. in Q4 2021, resulting in the utilization of $2.6 billion of Luxembourg deferred tax assets previously subject to a valuation allowance.
We intend to invest substantially all of our foreign subsidiary earnings, as well as our capital in our foreign subsidiaries, indefinitely outside of the U.S. in those jurisdictions in which we would incur significant, additional costs upon repatriation of such amounts.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in millions):
 December 31,
 20202021
Deferred tax assets (1):
Loss carryforwards U.S. - Federal/States245 228 
Loss carryforwards - Foreign3,876 2,417 
Accrued liabilities, reserves, and other expenses2,457 2,821 
Stock-based compensation2,033 2,738 
Depreciation and amortization1,886 941 
Operating lease liabilities10,183 15,399 
Other items559 603 
Tax credits207 626 
Total gross deferred tax assets21,446 25,773 
Less valuation allowances (2)(5,803)(3,596)
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances15,643 22,177 
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization(5,508)(3,562)
Operating lease assets(9,539)(14,422)
Assets held for investment(569)(4,019)
Other items(893)(668)
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities), net of valuation allowances$(866)$(494)
 ___________________
(1)Deferred tax assets are presented after tax effects and net of tax contingencies.
(2)Relates primarily to deferred tax assets that would only be realizable upon the generation of net income in certain foreign taxing jurisdictions.
Our valuation allowances primarily relate to foreign deferred tax assets, including substantially all of our foreign net operating loss carryforwards as of December 31, 2021. Our foreign net operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes as of December 31, 2021 were approximately $9.2 billion before tax effects and certain of these amounts are subject to annual limitations under applicable tax law. If not utilized, a portion of these losses will begin to expire in 2022.
Tax Contingencies
We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. (federal and state) and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in evaluating our tax positions and determining our provision for income taxes. During the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. We establish reserves for tax-related uncertainties based on estimates of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. These reserves are established when we believe that certain positions might be challenged despite our belief that our tax return positions are fully supportable. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the outcome of tax audits. The provision for income taxes includes the impact of reserve provisions and changes to reserves that are considered appropriate.
The reconciliation of our tax contingencies is as follows (in millions):
 December 31,
 201920202021
Gross tax contingencies – January 1$3,414 $3,923 $2,820 
Gross increases to tax positions in prior periods216 88 403 
Gross decreases to tax positions in prior periods(181)(465)(354)
Gross increases to current period tax positions707 507 507 
Settlements with tax authorities(207)(1,207)(60)
Lapse of statute of limitations(26)(26)(74)
Gross tax contingencies – December 31 (1)$3,923 $2,820 $3,242 
 ___________________
(1)As of December 31, 2021, we had approximately $3.2 billion of accrued tax contingencies of which $1.6 billion, if fully recognized, would decrease our effective tax rate.
As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, we had accrued interest and penalties, net of federal income tax benefit, related to tax contingencies of $83 million and $110 million. Interest and penalties, net of federal income tax benefit, recognized for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020, and 2021 was $4 million, $(48) million, and $28 million.
We are under examination, or may be subject to examination, by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for the calendar year 2016 and thereafter. These examinations may lead to ordinary course adjustments or proposed adjustments to our taxes or our net operating losses with respect to years under examination as well as subsequent periods. We resolved the audits of tax years 2007 through 2015 with the IRS for amounts that were materially consistent with our accrual.
In October 2014, the European Commission opened a formal investigation to examine whether decisions by the tax authorities in Luxembourg with regard to the corporate income tax paid by certain of our subsidiaries comply with European Union rules on state aid. On October 4, 2017, the European Commission announced its decision that determinations by the tax authorities in Luxembourg did not comply with European Union rules on state aid. Based on that decision the European Commission announced an estimated recovery amount of approximately €250 million, plus interest, for the period May 2006 through June 2014, and ordered Luxembourg tax authorities to calculate the actual amount of additional taxes subject to recovery. Luxembourg computed an initial recovery amount, consistent with the European Commission’s decision, which we deposited into escrow in March 2018, subject to adjustment pending conclusion of all appeals. In December 2017, Luxembourg appealed the European Commission’s decision. In May 2018, we appealed. On May 12, 2021, the European Union General Court annulled the European Commission’s state aid decision. In July 2021, the European Commission appealed the decision to the European Court of Justice. We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously in this matter. We are also subject to taxation in various states and other foreign jurisdictions including China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom. We are under, or may be subject to, audit or examination and additional assessments by the relevant authorities in respect of these particular jurisdictions primarily for 2009 and thereafter.
Changes in tax laws, regulations, administrative practices, principles, and interpretations may impact our tax contingencies. The timing of the resolution of income tax controversies is highly uncertain, and the amounts ultimately paid, if any, upon resolution of the issues raised by the taxing authorities may differ from the amounts accrued. It is reasonably possible that within the next twelve months we will receive additional assessments by various tax authorities or possibly reach resolution of income tax controversies in one or more jurisdictions. These assessments or settlements could result in changes to our contingencies related to positions on prior years’ tax filings. The actual amount of any change could vary significantly depending on the ultimate timing and nature of any settlements. We cannot currently provide an estimate of the range of possible outcomes.
v3.22.0.1
Segment Information
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Segment Information SEGMENT INFORMATION
We have organized our operations into three segments: North America, International, and AWS. We allocate to segment results the operating expenses “Fulfillment,” “Technology and content,” “Marketing,” and “General and administrative” based on usage, which is generally reflected in the segment in which the costs are incurred. The majority of technology infrastructure costs are allocated to the AWS segment based on usage. The majority of the remaining non-infrastructure technology costs are incurred in the U.S. and are allocated to our North America segment. There are no internal revenue transactions between our reportable segments. These segments reflect the way our chief operating decision maker evaluates the Company’s business performance and manages its operations.
North America
The North America segment primarily consists of amounts earned from retail sales of consumer products (including from sellers) and subscriptions through North America-focused online and physical stores. This segment includes export sales from these online stores.
International
The International segment primarily consists of amounts earned from retail sales of consumer products (including from sellers) and subscriptions through internationally-focused online stores. This segment includes export sales from these internationally-focused online stores (including export sales from these online stores to customers in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada), but excludes export sales from our North America-focused online stores.
AWS
The AWS segment consists of amounts earned from global sales of compute, storage, database, and other services for start-ups, enterprises, government agencies, and academic institutions.
Information on reportable segments and reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss) is as follows (in millions):
  
Year Ended December 31,
 201920202021
North America
Net sales$170,773 $236,282 $279,833 
Operating expenses163,740 227,631 272,562 
Operating income$7,033 $8,651 $7,271 
International
Net sales$74,723 $104,412 $127,787 
Operating expenses76,416 103,695 128,711 
Operating income (loss)$(1,693)$717 $(924)
AWS
Net sales$35,026 $45,370 $62,202 
Operating expenses25,825 31,839 43,670 
Operating income$9,201 $13,531 $18,532 
Consolidated
Net sales$280,522 $386,064 $469,822 
Operating expenses265,981 363,165 444,943 
Operating income14,541 22,899 24,879 
Total non-operating income (expense)(565)1,279 13,272 
Provision for income taxes(2,374)(2,863)(4,791)
Equity-method investment activity, net of tax(14)16 4 
Net income$11,588 $21,331 $33,364 
Net sales by groups of similar products and services, which also have similar economic characteristics, is as follows (in millions):
  
Year Ended December 31,
 201920202021
Net Sales:
Online stores (1)$141,247 $197,346 $222,075 
Physical stores (2)17,192 16,227 17,075 
Third-party seller services (3)53,762 80,461 103,366 
Subscription services (4)19,210 25,207 31,768 
Advertising services (5)12,625 19,773 31,160 
AWS35,026 45,370 62,202 
Other (6)1,460 1,680 2,176 
Consolidated$280,522 $386,064 $469,822 
___________________
(1)Includes product sales and digital media content where we record revenue gross. We leverage our retail infrastructure to offer a wide selection of consumable and durable goods that includes media products available in both a physical and digital format, such as books, videos, games, music, and software. These product sales include digital products sold on a transactional basis. Digital product subscriptions that provide unlimited viewing or usage rights are included in “Subscription services.”
(2)Includes product sales where our customers physically select items in a store. Sales to customers who order goods online for delivery or pickup at our physical stores are included in “Online stores.”
(3)Includes commissions and any related fulfillment and shipping fees, and other third-party seller services.
(4)Includes annual and monthly fees associated with Amazon Prime memberships, as well as digital video, audiobook, digital music, e-book, and other non-AWS subscription services.
(5)Includes sales of advertising services to sellers, vendors, publishers, authors, and others, through programs such as sponsored ads, display, and video advertising.
(6)Includes sales related to various other service offerings.
Net sales are attributed to countries primarily based on country-focused online and physical stores or, for AWS purposes, the selling entity. Net sales attributed to countries that represent a significant portion of consolidated net sales are as follows (in millions):
 Year Ended December 31,
 201920202021
United States$193,636 $263,520 $314,006 
Germany22,232 29,565 37,326 
United Kingdom17,527 26,483 31,914 
Japan16,002 20,461 23,071 
Rest of world31,125 46,035 63,505 
Consolidated$280,522 $386,064 $469,822 
Total segment assets exclude corporate assets, such as cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, other long-term investments, corporate facilities, goodwill and other acquired intangible assets, and tax assets. Technology infrastructure assets are allocated among the segments based on usage, with the majority allocated to the AWS segment. Total segment assets reconciled to consolidated amounts are as follows (in millions):
 December 31,
 201920202021
North America (1)$72,277 $108,405 $161,255 
International (1)30,709 42,212 57,983 
AWS (2)36,500 47,574 63,835 
Corporate85,762 123,004 137,476 
Consolidated$225,248 $321,195 $420,549 
___________________
(1)North America and International segment assets primarily consist of property and equipment, operating leases, inventory, and accounts receivable.
(2)AWS segment assets primarily consist of property and equipment and accounts receivable.
Property and equipment, net by segment is as follows (in millions):
 December 31,
 201920202021
North America$31,719 $54,912 $83,640 
International9,566 15,375 21,718 
AWS23,481 32,151 43,245 
Corporate7,939 10,676 11,678 
Consolidated$72,705 $113,114 $160,281 
Total net additions to property and equipment by segment are as follows (in millions):
 Year Ended December 31,
 201920202021
North America (1)$11,752 $29,889 $37,397 
International (1)3,298 8,072 10,259 
AWS (2)13,058 16,530 22,047 
Corporate1,910 3,485 2,622 
Consolidated$30,018 $57,976 $72,325 
___________________
(1)Includes property and equipment added under finance leases of $3.8 billion, $5.6 billion, and $3.6 billion in 2019, 2020, and 2021, and under build-to-suit lease arrangements of $1.3 billion, $2.7 billion, and $5.6 billion in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
(2)Includes property and equipment added under finance leases of $10.6 billion, $7.7 billion, and $3.5 billion in 2019, 2020, and 2021, and under build-to-suit lease arrangements of $0 million, $130 million, and $51 million in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
U.S. property and equipment, net and operating leases were $69.8 billion, $109.5 billion, and $155.0 billion, in 2019, 2020, and 2021, and non-U.S. property and equipment, net and operating leases were $28.0 billion, $41.2 billion, and $61.3 billion in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Except for the U.S., property and equipment, net and operating leases in any single country were less than 10% of consolidated property and equipment, net and operating leases.
Depreciation and amortization expense on property and equipment, including corporate property and equipment, are allocated to all segments based on usage. Total depreciation and amortization expense, by segment, is as follows (in millions):
 Year Ended December 31,
 201920202021
North America$5,106 $6,421 $9,234 
International1,886 2,215 3,022 
AWS8,158 7,603 10,653 
Consolidated$15,150 $16,239 $22,909 
v3.22.0.1
Description of Business, Accounting Policies, and Supplemental Disclosures (Policies)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Segment Information We have organized our operations into three segments: North America, International, and AWS.
Principles of Consolidation
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Amazon.com, Inc. and its consolidated entities (collectively, the “Company”), consisting of its wholly-owned subsidiaries and those entities in which we have a variable interest and of which we are the primary beneficiary, including certain entities in India and certain entities that support our seller lending financing activities. Intercompany balances and transactions between consolidated entities are eliminated.
Use of Estimates Use of EstimatesThe preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, income taxes, useful lives of equipment, commitments and contingencies, valuation of acquired intangibles and goodwill, stock-based compensation forfeiture rates, vendor funding, inventory valuation, collectability of receivables, and valuation and impairment of investments. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
Earnings per Share Basic earnings per share is calculated using our weighted-average outstanding common shares. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using our weighted-average outstanding common shares including the dilutive effect of stock awards as determined under the treasury stock method. In periods when we have a net loss, stock awards are excluded from our calculation of earnings per share as their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect.
Revenue, Return Allowances, Cost of Sales, and Vendor Agreements
Revenue
Revenue is measured based on the amount of consideration that we expect to receive, reduced by estimates for return allowances, promotional discounts, and rebates. Revenue also excludes any amounts collected on behalf of third parties, including sales and indirect taxes. In arrangements where we have multiple performance obligations, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation using the relative stand-alone selling price. We generally determine stand-alone selling prices based on the prices charged to customers or using expected cost plus a margin.
A description of our principal revenue generating activities is as follows:
Retail sales - We offer consumer products through our online and physical stores. Revenue is recognized when control of the goods is transferred to the customer, which generally occurs upon our delivery to a third-party carrier or, in the case of an Amazon delivery, to the customer.
Third-party seller services - We offer programs that enable sellers to sell their products in our stores, and fulfill orders through us. We are not the seller of record in these transactions. The commissions and any related fulfillment and shipping fees we earn from these arrangements are recognized when the services are rendered, which generally occurs upon delivery of the related products to a third-party carrier or, in the case of an Amazon delivery, to the customer.
Subscription services - Our subscription sales include fees associated with Amazon Prime memberships and access to content including digital video, audiobooks, digital music, e-books, and other non-AWS subscription services. Prime memberships provide our customers with access to an evolving suite of benefits that represent a single stand-ready obligation. Subscriptions are paid for at the time of or in advance of delivering the services. Revenue from such arrangements is recognized over the subscription period.
Advertising services - We provide advertising services to sellers, vendors, publishers, authors, and others, through programs such as sponsored ads, display, and video advertising. Revenue is recognized as ads are delivered based on the number of clicks or impressions.
AWS - Our AWS arrangements include global sales of compute, storage, database, and other services. Revenue is allocated to services using stand-alone selling prices and is primarily recognized when the customer uses these services, based on the quantity of services rendered, such as compute or storage capacity delivered on-demand. Certain services, including compute and database, are also offered as a fixed quantity over a specified term, for which revenue is recognized ratably. Sales commissions we pay in connection with contracts that exceed one year are capitalized and amortized over the contract term.
Other - Other revenue includes sales related to various other service offerings, which are recognized as or when those services are performed.
Return Allowances
Return allowances, which reduce revenue and cost of sales, are estimated using historical experience. Liabilities for return allowances are included in “Accrued expenses and other” and were $712 million, $859 million, and $1.0 billion as of December 31, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Additions to the allowance were $2.5 billion, $3.5 billion, and $5.1 billion and deductions from the allowance were $2.5 billion, $3.6 billion, and $4.9 billion in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Included in “Inventories” on our consolidated balance sheets are assets totaling $629 million, $852 million, and $882 million as of December 31, 2019, 2020, and 2021, for the rights to recover products from customers associated with our liabilities for return allowances.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales primarily consists of the purchase price of consumer products, inbound and outbound shipping costs, including costs related to sortation and delivery centers and where we are the transportation service provider, and digital media content costs where we record revenue gross, including video and music. Shipping costs to receive products from our suppliers are included in our inventory, and recognized as cost of sales upon sale of products to our customers. Payment processing and related transaction costs, including those associated with seller transactions, are classified in “Fulfillment” on our consolidated statements of operations.
Vendor Agreements
We have agreements with our vendors to receive consideration primarily for cooperative marketing efforts, promotions, incentives, and volume rebates. We generally consider these amounts received from vendors to be a reduction of the prices we pay for their goods, including property and equipment, or services, and are recorded as a reduction of the cost of inventory, cost of services, or cost of property and equipment. Volume rebates typically depend on reaching minimum purchase thresholds. We evaluate the likelihood of reaching purchase thresholds using past experience and current year forecasts. When volume rebates can be reasonably estimated, we record a portion of the rebate as we make progress towards the purchase threshold.
Fulfillment
Fulfillment
Fulfillment costs primarily consist of those costs incurred in operating and staffing our North America and International segments’ fulfillment centers, physical stores, and customer service centers, including facilities and equipment expenses, such as depreciation and amortization, and rent; costs attributable to buying, receiving, inspecting, and warehousing inventories; picking, packaging, and preparing customer orders for shipment; payment processing and related transaction costs, including costs associated with our guarantee for certain seller transactions; responding to inquiries from customers; and supply chain management for our manufactured electronic devices. Fulfillment costs also include amounts paid to third parties that assist us in fulfillment and customer service operations.
Technology and Content
Technology and Content
Technology and content costs include payroll and related expenses for employees involved in the research and development of new and existing products and services, development, design, and maintenance of our stores, curation and display of products and services made available in our online stores, and infrastructure costs. Infrastructure costs include servers, networking equipment, and data center related depreciation and amortization, rent, utilities, and other expenses necessary to support AWS and other Amazon businesses. Collectively, these costs reflect the investments we make in order to offer a wide variety of products and services to our customers. Technology and content costs are generally expensed as incurred.
Marketing
Marketing
Marketing costs primarily consist of advertising and payroll and related expenses for personnel engaged in marketing and selling activities, including sales commissions related to AWS. We pay commissions to third parties when their customer referrals result in sales. We also participate in cooperative advertising arrangements with certain of our vendors, and other third parties.
Advertising and other promotional costs to market our products and services are expensed as incurred and were $11.0 billion, $10.9 billion, and $16.9 billion in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
General and Administrative
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses primarily consist of costs for corporate functions, including payroll and related expenses; facilities and equipment expenses, such as depreciation and amortization expense and rent; and professional fees.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-Based Compensation
Compensation cost for all equity-classified stock awards expected to vest is measured at fair value on the date of grant and recognized over the service period. The fair value of restricted stock units is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of our common stock. Such value is recognized as expense over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures, using the accelerated method. The estimated number of stock awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from our current estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period estimates are revised. We consider many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including historical forfeiture experience and employee level. Additionally, stock-based compensation includes stock
appreciation rights that are expected to settle in cash. These liability-classified awards are remeasured to fair value at the end of each reporting period until settlement or expiration.
Other Operating Expense (Income), Net Other Operating Expense (Income), NetOther operating expense (income), net, consists primarily of a benefit from accelerated vesting of warrants to acquire equity of a vendor in Q4 2020, offset by a lease impairment in Q2 2020 and the amortization of intangible assets.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
Income tax expense includes U.S. (federal and state) and foreign income taxes. Certain foreign subsidiary earnings and losses are subject to current U.S. taxation and the subsequent repatriation of those earnings is not subject to tax in the U.S. We intend to invest substantially all of our foreign subsidiary earnings, as well as our capital in our foreign subsidiaries, indefinitely outside of the U.S. in those jurisdictions in which we would incur significant, additional costs upon repatriation of such amounts.
Deferred income tax balances reflect the effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases, as well as net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, and are stated at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when taxes are actually paid or recovered.
Deferred tax assets represent amounts available to reduce income taxes payable in future periods. Deferred tax assets are evaluated for future realization and reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent we believe they will not be realized. We consider many factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization of our deferred tax assets, including our recent cumulative loss experience and expectations of future earnings, capital gains and investment in such jurisdiction, the carry-forward periods available to us for tax reporting purposes, and other relevant factors.
We utilize a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain income tax positions (tax contingencies). The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We consider many factors when evaluating our tax positions and estimating our tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments and which may not accurately forecast actual outcomes. We include interest and penalties related to our tax contingencies in income tax expense.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. To increase the comparability of fair value measures, the following hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation methodologies used to measure fair value:
Level 1 — Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 — Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3 — Valuations based on unobservable inputs reflecting our own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment.
We measure the fair value of money market funds and certain marketable equity securities based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Other marketable securities were valued either based on recent trades of securities in inactive markets or based on quoted market prices of similar instruments and other significant inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data. We did not hold significant amounts of marketable securities categorized as Level 3 assets as of December 31, 2020 and 2021.
We hold equity warrants giving us the right to acquire stock of other companies. As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, these warrants had a fair value of $3.0 billion and $3.4 billion, and are recorded within “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets with gains and losses recognized in “Other income (expense), net” on our consolidated statements of operations. These warrants are primarily classified as Level 2 assets.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We classify all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less as cash equivalents.
Inventories
Inventories
Inventories, consisting of products available for sale, are primarily accounted for using the first-in, first-out method, and are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. This valuation requires us to make judgments, based on currently available information, about the likely method of disposition, such as through sales to individual customers, returns to product vendors, or liquidations, and expected recoverable values of each disposition category. The inventory valuation allowance, representing a write-down of inventory, was $2.3 billion and $2.6 billion as of December 31, 2020 and 2021.
We provide Fulfillment by Amazon services in connection with certain of our sellers’ programs. Third-party sellers maintain ownership of their inventory, regardless of whether fulfillment is provided by us or the third-party sellers, and therefore these products are not included in our inventories.We also purchase electronic device components from a variety of suppliers and use several contract manufacturers to provide manufacturing services for our products. During the normal course of business, in order to manage manufacturing lead times and help ensure adequate supply, we enter into agreements with contract manufacturers and suppliers for certain electronic device components. A portion of our reported purchase commitments arising from these agreements consists of firm, non-cancellable commitments. These commitments are based on forecasted customer demand. If we reduce these commitments, we may incur additional costs. We also have firm, non-cancellable commitments for certain products offered in our Whole Foods Market stores.
Accounts Receivable, Net and Other
Accounts Receivable, Net and Other
Included in “Accounts receivable, net and other” on our consolidated balance sheets are amounts primarily related to customers, vendors, and sellers. As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, customer receivables, net, were $14.8 billion and $20.2 billion, vendor receivables, net, were $4.8 billion and $5.3 billion, and seller receivables, net, were $381 million and $1.0 billion. Seller receivables are amounts due from sellers related to our seller lending program, which provides funding to sellers primarily to procure inventory.
We estimate losses on receivables based on expected losses, including our historical experience of actual losses. Receivables are considered impaired and written-off when it is probable that all contractual payments due will not be collected in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
Software Development Costs Software Development CostsWe incur software development costs related to products to be sold, leased, or marketed to external users, internal-use software, and our websites. Software development costs capitalized were not significant for the years presented. All other costs, including those related to design or maintenance, are expensed as incurred.
Property and Equipment, Net Property and Equipment, NetProperty and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Incentives that we receive from property and equipment vendors are recorded as a reduction to our costs. Property includes buildings and land that we own, along with property we have acquired under build-to-suit lease arrangements when we have control over the building during the construction period and finance lease arrangements. Equipment includes assets such as servers and networking equipment, heavy equipment, and other fulfillment equipment. Depreciation and amortization is recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets (generally the lesser of 40 years or the remaining life of the underlying building, three years prior to January 1, 2020 and four years subsequent to January 1, 2020 for our servers, five years for networking equipment, ten years for heavy equipment, and three to ten years for other fulfillment equipment). Depreciation and amortization expense is classified within the corresponding operating expense categories on our consolidated statements of operations.
Leases
Leases
We categorize leases with contractual terms longer than twelve months as either operating or finance. Finance leases are generally those leases that allow us to substantially utilize or pay for the entire asset over its estimated life. Assets acquired under finance leases are recorded in “Property and equipment, net.” All other leases are categorized as operating leases. Our leases generally have terms that range from one to ten years for equipment and one to twenty years for property.
Certain lease contracts include obligations to pay for other services, such as operations and maintenance. For leases of property, we account for these other services as a component of the lease. For substantially all other leases, the services are accounted for separately and we allocate payments to the lease and other services components based on estimated stand-alone prices.
Lease liabilities are recognized at the present value of the fixed lease payments, reduced by landlord incentives using a discount rate based on similarly secured borrowings available to us. Lease assets are recognized based on the initial present value of the fixed lease payments, reduced by landlord incentives, plus any direct costs from executing the leases or lease prepayments reclassified from “Other assets” upon lease commencement. Leasehold improvements are capitalized at cost and amortized over the lesser of their expected useful life or the lease term.
When we have the option to extend the lease term, terminate the lease before the contractual expiration date, or purchase the leased asset, and it is reasonably certain that we will exercise the option, we consider the option in determining the classification and measurement of the lease. Our leases may include variable payments based on measures that include changes in price indices, market interest rates, or the level of sales at a physical store, which are expensed as incurred.
Costs associated with operating lease assets are recognized on a straight-line basis within operating expenses over the term of the lease. Finance lease assets are amortized within operating expenses on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or, in the instance where title does not transfer at the end of the lease term, the lease term. The interest component of a finance lease is included in interest expense and recognized using the effective interest method over the lease term.
We establish assets and liabilities for the present value of estimated future costs to retire long-lived assets at the termination or expiration of a lease. Such assets are amortized over the lease period into operating expense, and the recorded liabilities are accreted to the future value of the estimated retirement costs.
Financing Obligations
Financing Obligations
We record assets and liabilities for estimated construction costs under build-to-suit lease arrangements when we have control over the building during the construction period. If we continue to control the building after the construction period, the arrangement is classified as a financing obligation instead of a lease. The building is depreciated over the shorter of its useful life or the term of the obligation.
If we do not control the building after the construction period ends, the assets and liabilities for construction costs are derecognized, and we classify the lease as operating.
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
We evaluate goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually or more frequently when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. We may elect to utilize a qualitative assessment to evaluate whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value and if so, we perform a quantitative test. We compare the carrying value of each reporting unit and indefinite-lived intangible asset to its estimated fair value and if the fair value is determined to be less than the carrying value, we recognize an impairment loss for the difference. We estimate the fair value of the reporting units using discounted cash flows. Forecasts of future cash flows are based on our best estimate of future net sales and operating expenses, based primarily on expected category expansion, pricing, market segment share, and general economic conditions.
We completed the required annual impairment test of goodwill for all reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets as of April 1, 2021, resulting in no impairments. The fair value of our reporting units substantially exceeded their carrying value. There were no events that caused us to update our annual impairment test.
Other Assets
Other Assets
Included in “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets are amounts primarily related to video and music content, net of accumulated amortization; acquired intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization; equity warrant assets; long-term deferred tax assets; and certain equity investments.
Digital Video and Music Content
Digital Video and Music Content
We obtain video content, inclusive of episodic television and movies, and music content for customers through licensing agreements that have a wide range of licensing provisions including both fixed and variable payment schedules. When the license fee for a specific video or music title is determinable or reasonably estimable and the content is available to us, we recognize an asset and a corresponding liability for the amounts owed. We reduce the liability as payments are made and we amortize the asset to “Cost of sales” on an accelerated basis, based on estimated usage or viewing patterns, or on a straight-line basis. If the licensing fee is not determinable or reasonably estimable, no asset or liability is recorded and licensing costs are expensed as incurred. We also develop original video content for which the production costs are capitalized and amortized to “Cost of sales” predominantly on an accelerated basis that follows the viewing patterns associated with the content. The weighted average remaining life of our capitalized video content is 2.6 years.
Our produced and licensed video content is primarily monetized together as a unit, referred to as a film group, in each major geography where we offer Amazon Prime memberships. These film groups are evaluated for impairment whenever an event occurs or circumstances change indicating the fair value is less than the carrying value. The total capitalized costs of video, which is primarily released content, and music as of December 31, 2020 and 2021 were $6.8 billion and $10.7 billion.
Total video and music expense was $11.0 billion and $13.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2021. Total video and music expense includes licensing and production costs associated with content offered within Amazon Prime memberships, and costs associated with digital subscriptions and sold or rented content.
Investments
Investments
We generally invest our excess cash in AAA-rated money market funds and investment grade short- to intermediate-term fixed income securities. Such investments are included in “Cash and cash equivalents” or “Marketable securities” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Marketable fixed income securities are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).” Each reporting period, we evaluate whether declines in fair value below carrying value are due to expected credit losses, as well as our ability and intent to hold the investment until a forecasted recovery occurs. Expected credit losses are recorded as an allowance through “Other income (expense), net” on our consolidated statements of operations.
Equity investments in private companies for which we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for at cost, with adjustments for observable changes in prices or impairments, and are classified as “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets with adjustments recognized in “Other income (expense), net” on our consolidated statements of operations. Each reporting period, we perform a qualitative assessment to evaluate whether the investment is impaired. Our assessment includes a review of recent operating results and trends, recent sales/acquisitions of the investee securities, and other publicly available data. If the investment is impaired, we write it down to its estimated fair value. As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, these investments had a carrying value of $2.7 billion and $603 million.
Equity investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting, or at fair value if we elect the fair value option, if the investment gives us the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over an investee. Equity-method investments are included within “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. Our share of the earnings or losses as reported by equity-method investees, amortization of basis differences, related gains or losses, and impairments, if any, are recognized in “Equity-method investment activity, net of tax” on our consolidated statements of operations. Each reporting period, we evaluate whether declines in fair value below carrying value are other-than-temporary and if so, we write down the investment to its estimated fair value.
Equity investments that have readily determinable fair values, including investments for which we have elected the fair value option, are included in “Marketable securities” on our consolidated balance sheets and measured at fair value with changes recognized in “Other income (expense), net” on our consolidated statements of operations.
Long-Lived Assets
Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable. Conditions that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, a significant change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, or any other significant adverse change that would indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable.
For long-lived assets used in operations, including lease assets, impairment losses are only recorded if the asset’s carrying amount is not recoverable through its undiscounted, probability-weighted future cash flows. We measure the impairment loss based on the difference between the carrying amount and estimated fair value. Long-lived assets are considered held for sale when certain criteria are met, including when management has committed to a plan to sell the asset, the asset is available for sale in its immediate condition, and the sale is probable within one year of the reporting date. Assets held for sale are reported at the lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell.
Accrued Expenses and Other
Accrued Expenses and Other
Included in “Accrued expenses and other” on our consolidated balance sheets are liabilities primarily related to leases and asset retirement obligations, tax-related liabilities, payroll and related expenses, unredeemed gift cards, customer liabilities, marketing liabilities, current debt, acquired digital media content, and other operating expenses.
As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, our liabilities for payroll related expenses were $7.6 billion and $9.1 billion and our liabilities for unredeemed gift cards were $4.7 billion and $5.2 billion. We reduce the liability for a gift card when redeemed by a customer. The portion of gift cards that we do not expect to be redeemed is recognized based on customer usage patterns.
Unearned Revenue
Unearned Revenue
Unearned revenue is recorded when payments are received or due in advance of performing our service obligations and is recognized over the service period. Unearned revenue primarily relates to prepayments of AWS services and Amazon Prime memberships. Our total unearned revenue as of December 31, 2020 was $11.6 billion, of which $9.3 billion was recognized as revenue during the year ended December 31, 2021 and our total unearned revenue as of December 31, 2021 was $14.0 billion. Included in “Other long-term liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets was $1.9 billion and $2.2 billion of unearned revenue as of December 31, 2020 and 2021.
Additionally, we have performance obligations, primarily related to AWS, associated with commitments in customer contracts for future services that have not yet been recognized in our financial statements. For contracts with original terms that exceed one year, those commitments not yet recognized were $80.4 billion as of December 31, 2021. The weighted average remaining life of our long-term contracts is 3.8 years. However, the amount and timing of revenue recognition is largely driven by customer usage, which can extend beyond the original contractual term.
Other Long-Term Liabilities
Other Long-Term Liabilities
Included in “Other long-term liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets are liabilities primarily related to financing obligations, asset retirement obligations, deferred tax liabilities, unearned revenue, tax contingencies, and digital video and music content.
Foreign Currency Foreign CurrencyWe have internationally-focused stores for which the net sales generated, as well as most of the related expenses directly incurred from those operations, are denominated in local functional currencies. The functional currency of our subsidiaries that either operate or support these stores is generally the same as the local currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated into U.S. Dollars at period-end foreign exchange rates, and revenues and expenses are translated at average rates prevailing throughout the period. Translation adjustments are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss),” a separate component of stockholders’ equity, and in the “Foreign currency effect on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash,” on our consolidated statements of cash flows. Transaction gains and losses including intercompany transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity involved are included in “Other income (expense), net” on our consolidated statements of operations.
v3.22.0.1
Description of Business, Accounting Policies, and Supplemental Disclosures (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The following table shows supplemental cash flow information (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
201920202021
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid for interest on debt$875 $916 $1,098 
Cash paid for operating leases$3,361 $4,475 $6,722 
Cash paid for interest on finance leases$647 $612 $521 
Cash paid for interest on financing obligations$39 $102 $153 
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds$881 $1,713 $3,688 
Assets acquired under operating leases$7,870 $16,217 $25,369 
Property and equipment acquired under finance leases$13,723 $11,588 $7,061 
Property and equipment acquired under build-to-suit lease arrangements$1,362 $2,267 $5,616 
Schedule of Calculation of Diluted Shares
The following table shows the calculation of diluted shares (in millions):
  
Year Ended December 31,
 201920202021
Shares used in computation of basic earnings per share494 500 506 
Total dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards10 10 9 
Shares used in computation of diluted earnings per share504 510 515 
Schedule of Other Income (Expense)
Other income (expense), net, is as follows (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
201920202021
Marketable equity securities valuation gains (losses)$7 $525 $11,526 
Equity warrant valuation gains (losses)11 1,527 1,315 
Upward adjustments relating to equity investments in private companies328 342 1,866 
Foreign currency gains (losses)(20)35 (55)
Other, net(123)(58)(19)
Total other income (expense), net203 2,371 14,633 
Summarized Financial Information of Equity Investment
Summarized financial information of Rivian as disclosed in its SEC filings is as follows (in millions):
Year Ended
December 31, 2019		Year Ended
December 31, 2020		Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2021
Revenues$— $— $1 
Gross profit— — (82)
Loss from operations(409)(1,021)(1,766)
Net loss(426)(1,018)(2,227)

December 31, 2020September 30, 2021
Total current assets$3,016 $5,345 
Total assets4,602 8,488 
Total current liabilities611 1,047 
Total liabilities742 4,201 
Contingently redeemable convertible preferred stock5,244 7,894 
v3.22.0.1
Financial Instruments (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]  
Summary of Fair Value by Major Security Type The following table summarizes, by major security type, our cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and marketable securities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy (in millions):
 December 31, 2020
  
Cost or
Amortized
Cost		Gross
Unrealized
Gains		Gross
Unrealized
Losses		Total
Estimated
Fair Value
Cash$10,063 $— $— $10,063 
Level 1 securities:
Money market funds27,430 — — 27,430 
Equity securities (1)617 
Level 2 securities:
Foreign government and agency securities5,130 1 — 5,131 
U.S. government and agency securities7,410 30 (1)7,439 
Corporate debt securities29,684 305 (1)29,988 
Asset-backed securities3,206 32 (3)3,235 
Other fixed income securities701 9 — 710 
Equity securities (1)40 
$83,624 $377 $(5)$84,653 
Less: Restricted cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities (2)(257)
Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities$84,396 
 December 31, 2021
  
Cost or
Amortized
Cost		Gross
Unrealized
Gains		Gross
Unrealized
Losses		Total
Estimated
Fair Value
Cash$10,942 $— $— $10,942 
Level 1 securities:
Money market funds20,312 — — 20,312 
Equity securities (1)1,646 
Level 2 securities:
Foreign government and agency securities181 — — 181 
U.S. government and agency securities4,316 9 (25)4,300 
Corporate debt securities35,810 75 (121)35,764 
Asset-backed securities6,763 7 (32)6,738 
Other fixed income securities688 2 (4)686 
Equity securities (1)(3)15,740 
$79,012 $93 $(182)$96,309 
Less: Restricted cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities (2)(260)
Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities$96,049 
___________________
(1)The related unrealized gain (loss) recorded in “Other income (expense), net” was $4 million, $448 million, and $11.6 billion for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
(2)We are required to pledge or otherwise restrict a portion of our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable fixed income securities primarily as collateral for real estate, amounts due to third-party sellers in certain jurisdictions, debt, and standby and trade letters of credit. We classify cash, cash equivalents, and marketable fixed income securities with use restrictions of less than twelve months as “Accounts receivable, net and other” and of twelve months or longer as non-current “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets. See “Note 7 — Commitments and Contingencies.”
(3)Our equity investment in Rivian of $15.6 billion reflects a discount for lack of marketability until Q1 2022 due to regulatory sales restrictions. In addition, we are subject to contractual sales restrictions until Q2 2022.
Summary of Gross Realized Gains (Losses) on Investments
The following table summarizes gross gains and gross losses realized on sales of marketable fixed income securities (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
201920202021
Realized gains$11 $92 $85 
Realized losses7 56 38 
Summary of Contractual Maturities of Investments
The following table summarizes the remaining contractual maturities of our cash equivalents and marketable fixed income securities as of December 31, 2021 (in millions):
Amortized
Cost		Estimated
Fair Value
Due within one year$39,070 $39,075 
Due after one year through five years22,790 22,712 
Due after five years through ten years2,124 2,121 
Due after ten years4,086 4,073 
Total$68,070 $67,981 
Actual maturities may differ from the contractual maturities because borrowers may have certain prepayment conditions.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow Reconciliation - Cash and Cash Equivalents
The following table provides a reconciliation of the amount of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets to the total of the same such amounts shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows (in millions):
December 31, 2020December 31, 2021
Cash and cash equivalents$42,122 $36,220 
Restricted cash included in accounts receivable, net and other233 242 
Restricted cash included in other assets22 15 
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows$42,377 $36,477 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow Reconciliation - Restricted Cash
The following table provides a reconciliation of the amount of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets to the total of the same such amounts shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows (in millions):
December 31, 2020December 31, 2021
Cash and cash equivalents$42,122 $36,220 
Restricted cash included in accounts receivable, net and other233 242 
Restricted cash included in other assets22 15 
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows$42,377 $36,477 
v3.22.0.1
Property and Equipment (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]  
Property and Equipment, at Cost
Property and equipment, at cost, consisted of the following (in millions): 
 December 31,
 20202021
Gross property and equipment (1):
Land and buildings$57,324 $81,104 
Equipment97,224 128,683 
Other assets3,772 4,118 
Construction in progress15,228 24,895 
Gross property and equipment173,548 238,800 
Total accumulated depreciation and amortization (1)60,434 78,519 
Total property and equipment, net$113,114 $160,281 
__________________
(1)Includes the original cost and accumulated depreciation of fully-depreciated assets.
v3.22.0.1
Leases (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Leases [Abstract]  
Lease, Cost
Lease cost recognized in our consolidated statements of operations is summarized as follows (in millions):
 Year Ended December 31,
201920202021
Operating lease cost$3,669 $5,019 $7,199 
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of lease assets10,094 8,452 9,857 
Interest on lease liabilities695 617 473 
Finance lease cost10,789 9,069 10,330 
Variable lease cost966 1,238 1,556 
Total lease cost$15,424 $15,326 $19,085 
Other Operating and Finance Lease Information
Other information about lease amounts recognized in our consolidated financial statements is as follows:
 December 31, 2020December 31, 2021
 
Weighted-average remaining lease term – operating leases10.7 years11.3 years
Weighted-average remaining lease term – finance leases6.2 years8.1 years
Weighted-average discount rate – operating leases2.5 %2.2 %
Weighted-average discount rate – finance leases2.1 %2.0 %
Operating and Finance Lease Liability Reconciliation
Our lease liabilities were as follows (in millions):
December 31, 2020
 Operating LeasesFinance LeasesTotal
Gross lease liabilities$44,833 $30,437 $75,270 
Less: imputed interest(5,734)(2,003)(7,737)
Present value of lease liabilities39,099 28,434 67,533 
Less: current portion of lease liabilities(4,586)(10,374)(14,960)
Total long-term lease liabilities$34,513 $18,060 $52,573 
December 31, 2021
 Operating LeasesFinance LeasesTotal
Gross lease liabilities$66,269 $25,866 $92,135 
Less: imputed interest(7,939)(2,113)(10,052)
Present value of lease liabilities58,330 23,753 82,083 
Less: current portion of lease liabilities(6,349)(8,083)(14,432)
Total long-term lease liabilities$51,981 $15,670 $67,651 
v3.22.0.1
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Business Combinations [Abstract]  
Summary of Goodwill Activity The following summarizes our goodwill activity in 2020 and 2021 by segment (in millions):
North
America		InternationalAWSConsolidated
Goodwill - January 1, 2020$12,264 $1,300 $1,190 $14,754 
New acquisitions 204 6 2 212 
Other adjustments (1)59 (18)10 51 
Goodwill - December 31, 202012,527 1,288 1,202 15,017 
New acquisitions230 60 76 366 
Other adjustments (1)1 (21)8 (12)
Goodwill - December 31, 2021$12,758 $1,327 $1,286 $15,371 
 ___________________
(1)Primarily includes changes in foreign exchange rates.
Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class
Acquired identifiable intangible assets are valued primarily by using discounted cash flows. These assets are included within “Other assets” on our consolidated balance sheets and consist of the following (in millions):
 
 December 31,
 20202021
  
Acquired
Intangibles,
Gross (1)		Accumulated
Amortization (1)		Acquired
Intangibles,
Net		Acquired
Intangibles,
Gross (1)		Accumulated
Amortization (1)		Acquired
Intangibles,
Net		Weighted
Average Life
Remaining
Finite-lived intangible assets (2):
Marketing-related$2,289 $(445)$1,844 $2,286 $(548)$1,738 19.3
Contract-based1,917 (418)1,499 2,327 (565)1,762 8.9
Technology- and content-based948 (555)393 976 (610)366 3.1
Customer-related179 (77)102 197 (103)94 2.9
Total finite-lived intangible assets$5,333 $(1,495)$3,838 $5,786 $(1,826)$3,960 12.8
IPR&D and other (3)$1,143 $1,143 $1,147 $1,147 
Total acquired intangibles $6,476 $(1,495)$4,981 $6,933 $(1,826)$5,107 
 ___________________
(1)Excludes the original cost and accumulated amortization of fully-amortized intangibles.
(2)Finite-lived intangible assets have estimated useful lives of between one and twenty-five years, and are being amortized to operating expenses on a straight-line basis.
(3)Intangible assets acquired in a business combination that are in-process and used in research and development activities are considered indefinite-lived until the completion or abandonment of the research and development efforts. Once the research and development efforts are completed, we determine the useful life and begin amortizing the assets.
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense Expected future amortization expense of acquired finite-lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2021 is as follows (in millions):
 
Year Ended December 31,
2022$528 
2023452 
2024378 
2025318 
2026290 
Thereafter1,994 
$3,960 
v3.22.0.1
Debt (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Long-term Debt Obligations Our total long-term debt obligations are as follows (in millions):
Maturities (1)Stated Interest RatesEffective Interest RatesDecember 31, 2020December 31, 2021
2012 Notes issuance of $3.0 billion
20222.50%2.66%1,250 1,250 
2014 Notes issuance of $6.0 billion
2024 - 2044
3.80% - 4.95%
3.90% - 5.11%
5,000 4,000 
2017 Notes issuance of $17.0 billion
2023 - 2057
2.40% - 5.20%
2.56% - 4.33%
16,000 16,000 
2020 Notes issuance of $10.0 billion
2023 - 2060
0.40% - 2.70%
0.56% - 2.77%
10,000 10,000 
2021 Notes issuance of $18.5 billion
2023 - 2061
0.25% - 3.25%
0.35% - 3.31%
— 18,500 
Credit Facility338 803 
Other long-term debt586 — 
Total face value of long-term debt33,174 50,553 
Unamortized discount and issuance costs, net(203)(318)
Less current portion of long-term debt(1,155)(1,491)
Long-term debt$31,816 $48,744 
___________________
(1)The weighted-average remaining lives of the 2012, 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2021 Notes were 0.9, 13.6, 15.2, 17.7 and 14.3 years as of December 31, 2021. The combined weighted-average remaining life of the Notes was 14.9 years as of December 31, 2021.
Future Principal Payments for Debt
As of December 31, 2021, future principal payments for our total long-term debt were as follows (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
2022$1,493 
20233,560 
20245,750 
20252,250 
20262,750 
Thereafter34,750 
$50,553 
v3.22.0.1
Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Principal Contractual Commitments, Excluding Open Orders for Purchases
The following summarizes our principal contractual commitments, excluding open orders for purchases that support normal operations and are generally cancellable, as of December 31, 2021 (in millions):
 Year Ended December 31,  
 20222023202420252026ThereafterTotal
Long-term debt principal and interest$2,841 $4,852 $7,014 $3,400 $3,829 $52,784 $74,720 
Operating lease liabilities7,838 7,178 6,649 6,128 5,574 32,902 66,269 
Finance lease liabilities, including interest8,278 4,772 2,278 1,355 1,220 7,963 25,866 
Financing obligations, including interest (1)423 422 419 410 417 6,404 8,495 
Leases not yet commenced1,206 1,902 2,094 2,145 2,237 21,571 31,155 
Unconditional purchase obligations (2)5,969 5,910 5,158 4,213 4,159 9,493 34,902 
Other commitments (3)(4)2,905 1,620 1,290 1,006 1,137 11,325 19,283 
Total commitments$29,460 $26,656 $24,902 $18,657 $18,573 $142,442 $260,690 
___________________
(1)Includes non-cancellable financing obligations for fulfillment, sortation, and data center facilities. Excluding interest, current financing obligations of $111 million and $196 million are recorded within “Accrued expenses and other” and $3.4 billion and $6.2 billion are recorded within “Other long-term liabilities” as of December 31, 2020 and 2021. The weighted-average remaining term of the financing obligations was 19.0 and 18.8 years and the weighted-average imputed interest rate was 3.8% and 3.2% as of December 31, 2020 and 2021.
(2)Includes unconditional purchase obligations related to long-term agreements to acquire and license digital media content that are not reflected on the consolidated balance sheets and certain products offered in our Whole Foods Market stores. For those digital media content agreements with variable terms, we do not estimate the total obligation beyond any minimum quantities and/or pricing as of the reporting date. Purchase obligations associated with renewal provisions solely at the option of the content provider are included to the extent such commitments are fixed or a minimum amount is specified.
(3)Includes the estimated timing and amounts of payments for rent and tenant improvements associated with build-to-suit lease arrangements that are under construction, asset retirement obligations, and liabilities associated with digital media content agreements with initial terms greater than one year.
(4)Excludes approximately $3.2 billion of accrued tax contingencies for which we cannot make a reasonably reliable estimate of the amount and period of payment, if any.
v3.22.0.1
Stockholders' Equity (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
Stock-based compensation expense is as follows (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
201920202021
Cost of sales$149 $283 $540 
Fulfillment1,182 1,357 1,946 
Technology and content3,725 5,061 6,645 
Marketing1,135 1,710 2,530 
General and administrative673 797 1,096 
Total stock-based compensation expense (1)$6,864 $9,208 $12,757 
___________________
(1)The related tax benefits were $1.4 billion, $1.9 billion, and $2.7 billion for 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Activity
The following table summarizes our restricted stock unit activity (in millions):
Number of UnitsWeighted Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
Outstanding as of January 1, 201915.9 $1,024 
Units granted6.7 1,808 
Units vested(6.6)827 
Units forfeited(1.7)1,223 
Outstanding as of December 31, 201914.3 1,458 
Units granted8.0 2,373 
Units vested(5.8)1,239 
Units forfeited(1.3)1,642 
Outstanding as of December 31, 202015.2 2,004 
Units granted6.3 3,348 
Units vested(5.4)1,704 
Units forfeited(2.1)2,314 
Outstanding as of December 31, 202114.0 2,684 
Scheduled Vesting of Outstanding Restricted Stock Units
Scheduled vesting for outstanding restricted stock units as of December 31, 2021, is as follows (in millions):
 Year Ended    
 20222023202420252026ThereafterTotal
Scheduled vesting — restricted stock units5.4 5.2 2.2 0.9 0.1 0.2 14.0 
v3.22.0.1
Income Taxes (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Components of Provision for Income Taxes, Net
The components of the provision for income taxes, net are as follows (in millions):
 Year Ended December 31,
201920202021
U.S. Federal:
Current$162 $1,835 $2,129 
Deferred914 (151)155 
Total1,076 1,684 2,284 
U.S. State:
Current276 626 763 
Deferred8 (190)(178)
Total284 436 585 
International:
Current1,140 956 2,209 
Deferred(126)(213)(287)
Total1,014 743 1,922 
Provision for income taxes, net$2,374 $2,863 $4,791 
Components of Income Before Income Taxes, Domestic and Foreign
U.S. and international components of income before income taxes are as follows (in millions):
 Year Ended December 31,
 201920202021
U.S.$13,285 $20,219 $35,879 
International691 3,959 2,272 
Income before income taxes$13,976 $24,178 $38,151 
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation
The items accounting for differences between income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate and the provision recorded for income taxes are as follows (in millions):
 Year Ended December 31,
 201920202021
Income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate$2,935 $5,078 $8,012 
Effect of:
Tax impact of foreign earnings and losses453 (538)(1,349)
State taxes, net of federal benefits221 343 465 
Tax credits(466)(639)(1,136)
Stock-based compensation (1)(850)(1,107)(1,094)
Foreign income deduction (2)(72)(372)(301)
Other, net153 98 194 
Total$2,374 $2,863 $4,791 
___________________
(1)Includes non-deductible stock-based compensation and excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation. Our tax provision includes $1.4 billion, $1.8 billion, and $1.9 billion of excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation for 2019, 2020, and 2021.
(2)U.S. companies are eligible for a deduction that lowers the effective tax rate on certain foreign income. This regime is referred to as the Foreign-Derived Intangible Income deduction (“FDII”).
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in millions):
 December 31,
 20202021
Deferred tax assets (1):
Loss carryforwards U.S. - Federal/States245 228 
Loss carryforwards - Foreign3,876 2,417 
Accrued liabilities, reserves, and other expenses2,457 2,821 
Stock-based compensation2,033 2,738 
Depreciation and amortization1,886 941 
Operating lease liabilities10,183 15,399 
Other items559 603 
Tax credits207 626 
Total gross deferred tax assets21,446 25,773 
Less valuation allowances (2)(5,803)(3,596)
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances15,643 22,177 
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization(5,508)(3,562)
Operating lease assets(9,539)(14,422)
Assets held for investment(569)(4,019)
Other items(893)(668)
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities), net of valuation allowances$(866)$(494)
 ___________________
(1)Deferred tax assets are presented after tax effects and net of tax contingencies.
(2)Relates primarily to deferred tax assets that would only be realizable upon the generation of net income in certain foreign taxing jurisdictions.
Reconciliation of Tax Contingencies
The reconciliation of our tax contingencies is as follows (in millions):
 December 31,
 201920202021
Gross tax contingencies – January 1$3,414 $3,923 $2,820 
Gross increases to tax positions in prior periods216 88 403 
Gross decreases to tax positions in prior periods(181)(465)(354)
Gross increases to current period tax positions707 507 507 
Settlements with tax authorities(207)(1,207)(60)
Lapse of statute of limitations(26)(26)(74)
Gross tax contingencies – December 31 (1)$3,923 $2,820 $3,242 
 ___________________
(1)As of December 31, 2021, we had approximately $3.2 billion of accrued tax contingencies of which $1.6 billion, if fully recognized, would decrease our effective tax rate.
v3.22.0.1
Segment Information (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Information on Reportable Segments and Reconciliation to Consolidated Net Income (Loss)
Information on reportable segments and reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss) is as follows (in millions):
  
Year Ended December 31,
 201920202021
North America
Net sales$170,773 $236,282 $279,833 
Operating expenses163,740 227,631 272,562 
Operating income$7,033 $8,651 $7,271 
International
Net sales$74,723 $104,412 $127,787 
Operating expenses76,416 103,695 128,711 
Operating income (loss)$(1,693)$717 $(924)
AWS
Net sales$35,026 $45,370 $62,202 
Operating expenses25,825 31,839 43,670 
Operating income$9,201 $13,531 $18,532 
Consolidated
Net sales$280,522 $386,064 $469,822 
Operating expenses265,981 363,165 444,943 
Operating income14,541 22,899 24,879 
Total non-operating income (expense)(565)1,279 13,272 
Provision for income taxes(2,374)(2,863)(4,791)
Equity-method investment activity, net of tax(14)16 4 
Net income$11,588 $21,331 $33,364 
Disaggregation of Revenue
Net sales by groups of similar products and services, which also have similar economic characteristics, is as follows (in millions):
  
Year Ended December 31,
 201920202021
Net Sales:
Online stores (1)$141,247 $197,346 $222,075 
Physical stores (2)17,192 16,227 17,075 
Third-party seller services (3)53,762 80,461 103,366 
Subscription services (4)19,210 25,207 31,768 
Advertising services (5)12,625 19,773 31,160 
AWS35,026 45,370 62,202 
Other (6)1,460 1,680 2,176 
Consolidated$280,522 $386,064 $469,822 
___________________
(1)Includes product sales and digital media content where we record revenue gross. We leverage our retail infrastructure to offer a wide selection of consumable and durable goods that includes media products available in both a physical and digital format, such as books, videos, games, music, and software. These product sales include digital products sold on a transactional basis. Digital product subscriptions that provide unlimited viewing or usage rights are included in “Subscription services.”
(2)Includes product sales where our customers physically select items in a store. Sales to customers who order goods online for delivery or pickup at our physical stores are included in “Online stores.”
(3)Includes commissions and any related fulfillment and shipping fees, and other third-party seller services.
(4)Includes annual and monthly fees associated with Amazon Prime memberships, as well as digital video, audiobook, digital music, e-book, and other non-AWS subscription services.
(5)Includes sales of advertising services to sellers, vendors, publishers, authors, and others, through programs such as sponsored ads, display, and video advertising.
(6)Includes sales related to various other service offerings.
Net Sales Attributed to Countries that Represent a Significant Portion of Consolidated Net Sales Net sales attributed to countries that represent a significant portion of consolidated net sales are as follows (in millions):
 Year Ended December 31,
 201920202021
United States$193,636 $263,520 $314,006 
Germany22,232 29,565 37,326 
United Kingdom17,527 26,483 31,914 
Japan16,002 20,461 23,071 
Rest of world31,125 46,035 63,505 
Consolidated$280,522 $386,064 $469,822 
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated Total segment assets reconciled to consolidated amounts are as follows (in millions):
 December 31,
 201920202021
North America (1)$72,277 $108,405 $161,255 
International (1)30,709 42,212 57,983 
AWS (2)36,500 47,574 63,835 
Corporate85,762 123,004 137,476 
Consolidated$225,248 $321,195 $420,549 
___________________
(1)North America and International segment assets primarily consist of property and equipment, operating leases, inventory, and accounts receivable.
(2)AWS segment assets primarily consist of property and equipment and accounts receivable.
Reconciliation of Property and Equipment from Segments to Consolidated
Property and equipment, net by segment is as follows (in millions):
 December 31,
 201920202021
North America$31,719 $54,912 $83,640 
International9,566 15,375 21,718 
AWS23,481 32,151 43,245 
Corporate7,939 10,676 11,678 
Consolidated$72,705 $113,114 $160,281 
Reconciliation of Property and Equipment Additions and Depreciation from Segments to Consolidated
Total net additions to property and equipment by segment are as follows (in millions):
 Year Ended December 31,
 201920202021
North America (1)$11,752 $29,889 $37,397 
International (1)3,298 8,072 10,259 
AWS (2)13,058 16,530 22,047 
Corporate1,910 3,485 2,622 
Consolidated$30,018 $57,976 $72,325 
___________________
(1)Includes property and equipment added under finance leases of $3.8 billion, $5.6 billion, and $3.6 billion in 2019, 2020, and 2021, and under build-to-suit lease arrangements of $1.3 billion, $2.7 billion, and $5.6 billion in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
(2)Includes property and equipment added under finance leases of $10.6 billion, $7.7 billion, and $3.5 billion in 2019, 2020, and 2021, and under build-to-suit lease arrangements of $0 million, $130 million, and $51 million in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Total depreciation and amortization expense, by segment, is as follows (in millions):
 Year Ended December 31,
 201920202021
North America$5,106 $6,421 $9,234 
International1,886 2,215 3,022 
AWS8,158 7,603 10,653 
Consolidated$15,150 $16,239 $22,909 
v3.22.0.1
Description of Business, Accounting Policies, and Supplemental Disclosures - Description of Business (Details)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
segment
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Number of operating segments 3
v3.22.0.1
Description of Business, Accounting Policies, and Supplemental Disclosures - Use of Estimates (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 01, 2022
Jan. 01, 2020
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]            
Operating income       $ 24,879 $ 22,899 $ 14,541
Change in useful lives of servers and networking equipment | Forecast            
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]            
Operating income     $ 3,100      
Servers            
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]            
Estimated useful lives of assets       4 years   3 years
Servers | Change in useful lives of servers and networking equipment            
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]            
Estimated useful lives of assets   4 years        
Servers | Change in useful lives of servers and networking equipment | Subsequent event            
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]            
Estimated useful lives of assets 5 years          
Networking equipment            
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]            
Estimated useful lives of assets       5 years    
Networking equipment | Change in useful lives of servers and networking equipment | Subsequent event            
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]            
Estimated useful lives of assets 6 years          
v3.22.0.1
Description of Business, Accounting Policies, and Supplemental Disclosures - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]      
Cash paid for interest on debt $ 1,098 $ 916 $ 875
Cash paid for operating leases 6,722 4,475 3,361
Cash paid for interest on finance leases 521 612 647
Cash paid for interest on financing obligations 153 102 39
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds 3,688 1,713 881
Assets acquired under operating leases 25,369 16,217 7,870
Property and equipment acquired under finance leases 7,061 11,588 13,723
Property and equipment acquired under build-to-suit lease arrangements $ 5,616 $ 2,267 $ 1,362
v3.22.0.1
Description of Business, Accounting Policies, and Supplemental Disclosures - Calculation of Diluted Shares (Details) - shares
shares in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]      
Shares used in computation of basic earnings per share 506 500 494
Total dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards 9 10 10
Shares used in computation of diluted earnings per share 515 510 504
v3.22.0.1
Description of Business, Accounting Policies, and Supplemental Disclosures - Revenue (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]      
Liability for return allowance $ 1,000 $ 859 $ 712
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]      
Rights to recover products from customers 882 852 629
Sales Returns and Allowances      
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]      
Additions to allowance for returns 5,100 3,500 2,500
Deductions to allowance for returns $ 4,900 $ 3,600 $ 2,500
v3.22.0.1
Description of Business, Accounting Policies, and Supplemental Disclosures - Marketing (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Billions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]      
Advertising and other promotional costs $ 16.9 $ 10.9 $ 11.0
v3.22.0.1
Description of Business, Accounting Policies, and Supplemental Disclosures - Other Income (Expense), Net (Details) - USD ($)
shares in Millions, $ in Millions
 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]        
Marketable equity securities valuation gains (losses)   $ 11,526 $ 525 $ 7
Equity warrant valuation gains (losses)   1,315 1,527 11
Upward adjustments relating to equity investments in private companies   1,866 342 328
Foreign currency gains (losses)   (55) 35 (20)
Other, net   (19) (58) (123)
Total other income (expense), net   14,633 2,371 203
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]        
Marketable equity securities valuation gains (losses)   11,526 525 7
Equity investment, discount due to lack of marketability   800    
Loss from operations   24,879 22,899 14,541
Net income (loss)   33,364 21,331 11,588
Total current assets   161,580 132,733  
Total assets   420,549 321,195 225,248
Current liabilities   142,266 126,385  
Rivian        
Accounting Policies [Abstract]        
Marketable equity securities valuation gains (losses)   11,800    
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]        
Marketable equity securities valuation gains (losses)   $ 11,800    
Equity investment, shares held (in shares)   158    
Equity investment, ownership interest   18.00%    
Equity investment, voting interest   16.00%    
Equity investment, fair value   $ 15,600    
Revenue $ 1   0 0
Gross profit (82)   0 0
Loss from operations (1,766)   (1,021) (409)
Net income (loss) (2,227)   (1,018) $ (426)
Total current assets 5,345   3,016  
Total assets 8,488   4,602  
Current liabilities 1,047   611  
Total liabilities 4,201   742  
Contingently redeemable convertible preferred stock $ 7,894   $ 5,244  
v3.22.0.1
Description of Business, Accounting Policies, and Supplemental Disclosures - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Billions
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Equity Warrant    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Fair value of warrants $ 3.4 $ 3.0
v3.22.0.1
Description of Business, Accounting Policies, and Supplemental Disclosures - Inventories (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Billions
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]    
Inventory valuation allowance $ 2.6 $ 2.3
v3.22.0.1
Description of Business, Accounting Policies, and Supplemental Disclosures - Accounts Receivable, Net and Other (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]      
Accounts receivable, net and other $ 32,891 $ 24,542  
Allowance for doubtful accounts 1,100 1,100 $ 718
Additions to allowance for doubtful accounts 1,000 1,400 1,000
Deductions to allowance for doubtful accounts 1,100 1,000 $ 793
Customer receivables      
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]      
Accounts receivable, net and other 20,200 14,800  
Vendor receivables      
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]      
Accounts receivable, net and other 5,300 4,800  
Seller receivables      
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]      
Accounts receivable, net and other $ 1,000 $ 381  
v3.22.0.1
Description of Business, Accounting Policies, and Supplemental Disclosures - Property and Equipment, Net (Details)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2019
Building    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Estimated useful lives of assets 40 years  
Servers    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Estimated useful lives of assets 4 years 3 years
Networking equipment    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Estimated useful lives of assets 5 years  
Heavy equipment    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Estimated useful lives of assets 10 years  
Minimum | Other fulfillment equipment    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Estimated useful lives of assets 3 years  
Maximum | Other fulfillment equipment    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Estimated useful lives of assets 10 years  
v3.22.0.1
Description of Business, Accounting Policies, and Supplemental Disclosures - Leases (Details)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Equipment | Minimum  
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]  
Lessee, operating and finance lease, term of contract 1 year
Equipment | Maximum  
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]  
Lessee, operating and finance lease, term of contract 10 years
Property | Minimum  
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]  
Lessee, operating and finance lease, term of contract 1 year
Property | Maximum  
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]  
Lessee, operating and finance lease, term of contract 20 years
v3.22.0.1
Description of Business, Accounting Policies, and Supplemental Disclosures - Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Details)
$ in Millions
Apr. 01, 2021
USD ($)
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment $ 0
v3.22.0.1
Description of Business, Accounting Policies, and Supplemental Disclosures - Digital Video and Music Content (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Billions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]    
Weighted average remaining life, capitalized video content 2 years 7 months 6 days  
Video and music content, capitalized costs $ 10.7 $ 6.8
Video and music content, expense $ 13.0 $ 11.0
v3.22.0.1
Description of Business, Accounting Policies, and Supplemental Disclosures - Investments (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]    
Equity investments in private companies $ 603 $ 2,700
v3.22.0.1
Description of Business, Accounting Policies, and Supplemental Disclosures - Accrued Expenses and Other (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Billions
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]    
Payroll-related liabilities $ 9.1 $ 7.6
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Customer liability 14.0 11.6
Gift card    
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]    
Customer liability $ 5.2 $ 4.7
v3.22.0.1
Description of Business, Accounting Policies, and Supplemental Disclosures - Unearned Revenue (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Billions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]    
Customer liability $ 14.0 $ 11.6
Unearned revenue, revenue recognized 9.3  
Unearned revenue, long-term 2.2 $ 1.9
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-01-01    
Accounting Policies [Abstract]    
Remaining performance obligation, contracts exceeding one year $ 80.4  
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]    
Remaining performance obligation, weighted average remaining life 3 years 9 months 18 days  
v3.22.0.1
Description of Business, Accounting Policies, and Supplemental Disclosures - Foreign Currency (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]      
Transaction gain (loss) arising from intercompany foreign currency transactions $ 19 $ (118) $ (95)
v3.22.0.1
Financial Instruments - Fair Values on Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Equity Securities, FV-NI, Gain (Loss)      
Equity securities, unrealized gain (loss) $ 11,600 $ 448 $ 4
Rivian      
Equity Securities, FV-NI, Gain (Loss)      
Equity investment, fair value 15,600    
Recurring      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]      
Cash 10,942 10,063  
Cost or Amortized Cost      
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments 79,012 83,624  
Gross Unrealized Gains      
Cash equivalents and marketable securities 93 377  
Gross Unrealized Losses      
Cash equivalents and marketable securities (182) (5)  
Total Estimated Fair Value      
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments 96,309 84,653  
Less: Restricted cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities (260) (257)  
Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities 96,049 84,396  
Recurring | Level 1 securities      
Total Estimated Fair Value      
Equity securities 1,646 617  
Recurring | Level 1 securities | Money market funds      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]      
Money market funds 20,312 27,430  
Recurring | Level 1 securities | Money market funds | Money market funds      
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]      
Money market funds 20,312    
Recurring | Level 2 securities      
Total Estimated Fair Value      
Equity securities 15,740 40  
Recurring | Level 2 securities | Foreign government and agency securities      
Cost or Amortized Cost      
Cash equivalents and marketable securities 181 5,130  
Gross Unrealized Gains      
Cash equivalents and marketable securities 0 1  
Gross Unrealized Losses      
Cash equivalents and marketable securities 0 0  
Total Estimated Fair Value      
Cash equivalents and marketable securities 181 5,131  
Recurring | Level 2 securities | U.S. government and agency securities      
Cost or Amortized Cost      
Cash equivalents and marketable securities 4,316 7,410  
Gross Unrealized Gains      
Cash equivalents and marketable securities 9 30  
Gross Unrealized Losses      
Cash equivalents and marketable securities (25) (1)  
Total Estimated Fair Value      
Cash equivalents and marketable securities 4,300 7,439  
Recurring | Level 2 securities | Corporate debt securities      
Cost or Amortized Cost      
Cash equivalents and marketable securities 35,810 29,684  
Gross Unrealized Gains      
Cash equivalents and marketable securities 75 305  
Gross Unrealized Losses      
Cash equivalents and marketable securities (121) (1)  
Total Estimated Fair Value      
Cash equivalents and marketable securities 35,764 29,988  
Recurring | Level 2 securities | Asset-backed securities      
Cost or Amortized Cost      
Cash equivalents and marketable securities 6,763 3,206  
Gross Unrealized Gains      
Cash equivalents and marketable securities 7 32  
Gross Unrealized Losses      
Cash equivalents and marketable securities (32) (3)  
Total Estimated Fair Value      
Cash equivalents and marketable securities 6,738 3,235  
Recurring | Level 2 securities | Other fixed income securities      
Cost or Amortized Cost      
Cash equivalents and marketable securities 688 701  
Gross Unrealized Gains      
Cash equivalents and marketable securities 2 9  
Gross Unrealized Losses      
Cash equivalents and marketable securities (4) 0  
Total Estimated Fair Value      
Cash equivalents and marketable securities $ 686 $ 710  
v3.22.0.1
Financial Instruments - Gross Gains and Gross Losses Realized on Sales of Available-For-Sale Marketable Securities (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Realized Gain (Loss) [Abstract]      
Realized gains $ 85 $ 92 $ 11
Realized losses $ 38 $ 56 $ 7
v3.22.0.1
Financial Instruments - Contractual Maturities (Details)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2021
USD ($)
Amortized Cost  
Due within one year $ 39,070
Due after one year through five years 22,790
Due after five years through ten years 2,124
Due after ten years 4,086
Total 68,070
Estimated Fair Value  
Due within one year 39,075
Due after one year through five years 22,712
Due after five years through ten years 2,121
Due after ten years 4,073
Total $ 67,981
v3.22.0.1
Financial Instruments - Reconciliation to Cash Flow (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Reconciliation to Cash Flow [Abstract]        
Cash and cash equivalents $ 36,220 $ 42,122    
Restricted cash included in accounts receivable, net and other 242 233    
Restricted cash included in other assets 15 22    
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows $ 36,477 $ 42,377 $ 36,410 $ 32,173
v3.22.0.1
Property and Equipment - Components (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Gross property and equipment $ 238,800 $ 173,548  
Total accumulated depreciation and amortization 78,519 60,434  
Total property and equipment, net 160,281 113,114 $ 72,705
Land and buildings      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Gross property and equipment 81,104 57,324  
Equipment      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Gross property and equipment 128,683 97,224  
Other assets      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Gross property and equipment 4,118 3,772  
Construction in progress      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Gross property and equipment $ 24,895 $ 15,228  
v3.22.0.1
Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]      
Depreciation and amortization expense $ 22,909 $ 16,239 $ 15,150
Amortization of lease assets $ 9,857 $ 8,452 $ 10,094
v3.22.0.1
Leases - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Billions
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]    
Finance lease asset location Property and equipment, net Property and equipment, net
Finance lease asset $ 72.2 $ 68.1
Accumulated amortization associated with finance leases $ 43.4 $ 36.5
v3.22.0.1
Leases - Lease Costs (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Lease, Cost [Abstract]      
Operating lease cost $ 7,199 $ 5,019 $ 3,669
Finance lease cost:      
Amortization of lease assets 9,857 8,452 10,094
Interest on lease liabilities 473 617 695
Finance lease cost 10,330 9,069 10,789
Variable lease cost 1,556 1,238 966
Total lease cost $ 19,085 $ 15,326 $ 15,424
v3.22.0.1
Leases - Other Operating and Finance Lease Information (Details)
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]    
Weighted-average remaining lease term – operating leases 11 years 3 months 18 days 10 years 8 months 12 days
Weighted-average remaining lease term – finance leases 8 years 1 month 6 days 6 years 2 months 12 days
Weighted-average discount rate – operating leases 2.20% 2.50%
Weighted-average discount rate – finance leases 2.00% 2.10%
v3.22.0.1
Leases - Operating and Finance Lease Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]    
Operating leases, gross lease liabilities $ 66,269 $ 44,833
Finance leases, gross lease liabilities 25,866 30,437
Gross lease liabilities 92,135 75,270
Imputed interest - operating leases (7,939) (5,734)
Imputed interest - finance leases (2,113) (2,003)
Imputed interest (10,052) (7,737)
Present value of operating leases 58,330 39,099
Present value of finance leases 23,753 28,434
Present value of lease liabilities 82,083 67,533
Current portion of operating leases (6,349) (4,586)
Current portion of finance leases (8,083) (10,374)
Current portion of lease liabilities (14,432) (14,960)
Total long-term operating lease liabilities 51,981 34,513
Total long-term finance lease liabilities 15,670 18,060
Long-term lease liabilities $ 67,651 $ 52,573
Operating Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List] Accrued expenses and other Accrued expenses and other
Finance Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List] Accrued expenses and other Accrued expenses and other
Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List] Long-term lease liabilities Long-term lease liabilities
Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List] Long-term lease liabilities Long-term lease liabilities
v3.22.0.1
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Business Acquisition [Line Items]      
Amortization expense for acquired intangibles $ 512 $ 509 $ 565
Other Acquisitions      
Business Acquisition [Line Items]      
Aggregate purchase price $ 496 1,200 $ 315
Amount capitalized to in-process research and development intangible assets   $ 1,100  
v3.22.0.1
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets - Summary of Goodwill Activity by Segment (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Goodwill, balance at beginning of period $ 15,017 $ 14,754
New acquisitions 366 212
Other adjustments (12) 51
Goodwill, balance at end of period 15,371 15,017
North America    
Goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Goodwill, balance at beginning of period 12,527 12,264
New acquisitions 230 204
Other adjustments 1 59
Goodwill, balance at end of period 12,758 12,527
International    
Goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Goodwill, balance at beginning of period 1,288 1,300
New acquisitions 60 6
Other adjustments (21) (18)
Goodwill, balance at end of period 1,327 1,288
AWS    
Goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Goodwill, balance at beginning of period 1,202 1,190
New acquisitions 76 2
Other adjustments 8 10
Goodwill, balance at end of period $ 1,286 $ 1,202
v3.22.0.1
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets - Acquired Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, gross $ 5,786 $ 5,333
Accumulated amortization (1,826) (1,495)
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, net 3,960 3,838
Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets - IPR&D and other 1,147 1,143
Acquired Intangibles, Gross 6,933 6,476
Acquired Intangibles, Net $ 5,107 4,981
Weighted Average Life Remaining 12 years 9 months 18 days  
Minimum    
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Intangible assets, estimated useful life 1 year  
Maximum    
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Intangible assets, estimated useful life 25 years  
Marketing-related    
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, gross $ 2,286 2,289
Accumulated amortization (548) (445)
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, net $ 1,738 1,844
Weighted Average Life Remaining 19 years 3 months 18 days  
Contract-based    
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, gross $ 2,327 1,917
Accumulated amortization (565) (418)
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, net $ 1,762 1,499
Weighted Average Life Remaining 8 years 10 months 24 days  
Technology- and content-based    
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, gross $ 976 948
Accumulated amortization (610) (555)
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, net $ 366 393
Weighted Average Life Remaining 3 years 1 month 6 days  
Customer-related    
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]    
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, gross $ 197 179
Accumulated amortization (103) (77)
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, net $ 94 $ 102
Weighted Average Life Remaining 2 years 10 months 24 days  
v3.22.0.1
Acquisitions, Goodwill, and Acquired Intangible Assets - Expected Future Amortization Expense of Acquired Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Year Ended December 31,    
2022 $ 528  
2023 452  
2024 378  
2025 318  
2026 290  
Thereafter 1,994  
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, net $ 3,960 $ 3,838
v3.22.0.1
Debt - Additional Information (Details)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
USD ($)
extension
Dec. 31, 2021
EUR (€)
Oct. 31, 2021
USD ($)
May 31, 2021
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Total face value of long-term debt $ 50,553,000,000       $ 33,174,000,000
Commercial Paper          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Commercial paper, maximum borrowing capacity $ 10,000,000,000 € 3,000,000,000      
Credit term 397 days        
Commercial paper $ 725,000,000        
Weighted average effective interest rate 0.08% 0.08%     0.11%
Line of Credit and Other Long-term Debt          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Total face value of long-term debt $ 803,000,000       $ 924,000,000
Senior Notes          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Total face value of long-term debt 49,700,000,000        
Estimated fair value of notes 53,300,000,000       37,700,000,000
Senior Notes | 2021 Notes          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Total face value of long-term debt 18,500,000,000       0
Issuance amount 18,500,000,000     $ 18,500,000,000  
Senior Notes | 2021 Notes | Green Or Social Projects          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Issuance amount       $ 1,000,000,000  
Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Total face value of long-term debt 803,000,000       338,000,000
Credit Facility | October 2016 Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Maximum borrowing capacity $ 1,000,000,000   $ 740,000,000    
Commitment fee percentage 0.50%        
Borrowings outstanding $ 803,000,000       $ 338,000,000
Weighted average interest rate 2.70% 2.70%     3.00%
Collateral amount $ 918,000,000       $ 398,000,000
Credit Facility | October 2016 Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility | LIBOR          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Basis spread on variable rate 1.40%        
Credit Facility | April 2018 Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Maximum borrowing capacity $ 7,000,000,000        
Commitment fee percentage 0.04%        
Borrowings outstanding $ 0       $ 0
Credit Agreement, number of extensions | extension 3        
Credit Agreement, additional term 1 year        
Credit Facility | April 2018 Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility | LIBOR          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Basis spread on variable rate 0.50%        
Credit Facility | April 2018 Revolving Credit Facility | Letter of credit          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Unused capacity $ 7,200,000,000        
v3.22.0.1
Debt - Long-Term Debt Obligations (Details) - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
May 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Total face value of long-term debt $ 50,553,000,000   $ 33,174,000,000
Less current portion of long-term debt (1,491,000,000)   (1,155,000,000)
Long-term debt 48,744,000,000   31,816,000,000
Senior Notes      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Total face value of long-term debt 49,700,000,000    
Unamortized discount and issuance costs, net $ (318,000,000)   (203,000,000)
Weighted average remaining lives term 14 years 10 months 24 days    
Senior Notes | 2012 Notes issuance of $3.0 billion      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Issuance amount $ 3,000,000,000    
Stated Interest Rates 2.50%    
Effective Interest Rates 2.66%    
Total face value of long-term debt $ 1,250,000,000   1,250,000,000
Weighted average remaining lives term 10 months 24 days    
Senior Notes | 2014 Notes issuance of $6.0 billion      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Issuance amount $ 6,000,000,000    
Total face value of long-term debt $ 4,000,000,000   5,000,000,000
Weighted average remaining lives term 13 years 7 months 6 days    
Senior Notes | 2014 Notes issuance of $6.0 billion | Minimum      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Stated Interest Rates 3.80%    
Effective Interest Rates 3.90%    
Senior Notes | 2014 Notes issuance of $6.0 billion | Maximum      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Stated Interest Rates 4.95%    
Effective Interest Rates 5.11%    
Senior Notes | 2017 Notes issuance of $17.0 billion      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Issuance amount $ 17,000,000,000    
Total face value of long-term debt $ 16,000,000,000   16,000,000,000
Weighted average remaining lives term 15 years 2 months 12 days    
Senior Notes | 2017 Notes issuance of $17.0 billion | Minimum      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Stated Interest Rates 2.40%    
Effective Interest Rates 2.56%    
Senior Notes | 2017 Notes issuance of $17.0 billion | Maximum      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Stated Interest Rates 5.20%    
Effective Interest Rates 4.33%    
Senior Notes | 2020 Notes issuance of $10.0 billion      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Issuance amount $ 10,000,000,000    
Total face value of long-term debt $ 10,000,000,000   10,000,000,000
Weighted average remaining lives term 17 years 8 months 12 days    
Senior Notes | 2020 Notes issuance of $10.0 billion | Minimum      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Stated Interest Rates 0.40%    
Effective Interest Rates 0.56%    
Senior Notes | 2020 Notes issuance of $10.0 billion | Maximum      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Stated Interest Rates 2.70%    
Effective Interest Rates 2.77%    
Senior Notes | 2021 Notes issuance of $18.5 billion      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Issuance amount $ 18,500,000,000 $ 18,500,000,000  
Total face value of long-term debt $ 18,500,000,000   0
Weighted average remaining lives term 14 years 3 months 18 days    
Senior Notes | 2021 Notes issuance of $18.5 billion | Minimum      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Stated Interest Rates 0.25%    
Effective Interest Rates 0.35%    
Senior Notes | 2021 Notes issuance of $18.5 billion | Maximum      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Stated Interest Rates 3.25%    
Effective Interest Rates 3.31%    
Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Total face value of long-term debt $ 803,000,000   338,000,000
Other long-term debt      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Total face value of long-term debt $ 0   $ 586,000,000
v3.22.0.1
Debt - Future Principal Payment for Debt (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Year Ended December 31,    
2022 $ 1,493  
2023 3,560  
2024 5,750  
2025 2,250  
2026 2,750  
Thereafter 34,750  
Long-term debt, total $ 50,553 $ 33,174
v3.22.0.1
Commitments and Contingencies - Principal Contractual Commitments Excluding Open Orders (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Long-term debt principal and interest        
2022 $ 2,841      
2023 4,852      
2024 7,014      
2025 3,400      
2026 3,829      
Thereafter 52,784      
Long-term debt principal and interest 74,720      
Operating lease liabilities        
2022 7,838      
2023 7,178      
2024 6,649      
2025 6,128      
2026 5,574      
Thereafter 32,902      
Operating leases, gross lease liabilities 66,269 $ 44,833    
Finance lease liabilities, including interest        
2022 8,278      
2023 4,772      
2024 2,278      
2025 1,355      
2026 1,220      
Thereafter 7,963      
Finance leases, gross lease liabilities 25,866 30,437    
Financing obligations, including interest        
2022 423      
2023 422      
2024 419      
2025 410      
2026 417      
Thereafter 6,404      
Financing obligations, including interest 8,495      
Leases not yet commenced        
2022 1,206      
2023 1,902      
2024 2,094      
2025 2,145      
2026 2,237      
Thereafter 21,571      
Total 31,155      
Unconditional purchase obligations        
2022 5,969      
2023 5,910      
2024 5,158      
2025 4,213      
2026 4,159      
Thereafter 9,493      
Unconditional purchase obligations 34,902      
Other commitments        
2022 2,905      
2023 1,620      
2024 1,290      
2025 1,006      
2026 1,137      
Thereafter 11,325      
Other commitments 19,283      
Total commitments        
2022 29,460      
2023 26,656      
2024 24,902      
2025 18,657      
2026 18,573      
Thereafter 142,442      
Total 260,690      
Current financing obligations 196 111    
Noncurrent financing obligations $ 6,200 $ 3,400    
Weighted-average remaining term of financing obligations 18 years 9 months 18 days 19 years    
Weighted-average imputed interest rate of financing obligations 3.20% 3.80%    
Accrued tax contingencies $ 3,242 $ 2,820 $ 3,923 $ 3,414
v3.22.0.1
Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details)
$ in Billions
 1 Months Ended
May 31, 2021
USD ($)
MGM Holdings Inc  
Business Acquisition [Line Items]  
Aggregate purchase price $ 8.5
v3.22.0.1
Commitments and Contingencies - Legal Proceedings (Details) - Pending Litigation
€ in Millions, $ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2021
EUR (€)
Jul. 31, 2021
EUR (€)
Feb. 28, 2017
USD ($)
Legal Proceedings with Eolas Technologies, Inc. | Minimum      
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]      
Estimate of possible loss | $     $ 130
Legal Proceedings with Eolas Technologies, Inc. | Maximum      
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]      
Estimate of possible loss | $     $ 250
Luxembourg National Commission Matter      
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]      
Estimate of possible loss | €   € 746  
Italian Competition Authority Matter      
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]      
Estimate of possible loss | € € 1,130    
v3.22.0.1
Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)
 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Feb. 02, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Feb. 29, 2016
Class of Stock [Line Items]          
Preferred stock, authorized (in shares)   500,000,000 500,000,000    
Preferred stock, par value (in usd per share)   $ 0.01 $ 0.01    
Preferred stock, outstanding (in shares)   0 0    
Common shares outstanding plus underlying outstanding stock awards   523,000,000 518,000,000 512,000,000  
Net unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock-based compensation arrangements   $ 16,600,000,000      
Compensation cost expected to be expensed in next twelve months, percentage   50.00%      
Net unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock-based compensation arrangements, weighted average recognition period (in years)   1 year 1 month 6 days      
Estimated forfeiture rate   27.00% 27.00% 27.00%  
Common stock available for future issuance to employees (in shares)   97,000,000      
Restricted Stock Units          
Class of Stock [Line Items]          
Fair value of units vested   $ 18,200,000,000 $ 15,500,000,000 $ 11,700,000,000  
Minimum          
Class of Stock [Line Items]          
Award vesting period   2 years      
Maximum          
Class of Stock [Line Items]          
Award vesting period   5 years      
February 2016 Program          
Class of Stock [Line Items]          
Stock repurchase, authorized amount         $ 5,000,000,000
Repurchases of common stock   $ 0 $ 0 $ 0  
February 2016 Program | Subsequent event          
Class of Stock [Line Items]          
Repurchases of common stock $ 1,300,000,000        
Repurchases of common stock (in shares) 500,000        
v3.22.0.1
Stockholders' Equity - Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Line Items]      
Total stock-based compensation expense $ 12,757 $ 9,208 $ 6,864
Tax benefits from stock-based compensation expense 2,700 1,900 1,400
Cost of sales      
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Line Items]      
Total stock-based compensation expense 540 283 149
Fulfillment      
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Line Items]      
Total stock-based compensation expense 1,946 1,357 1,182
Technology and content      
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Line Items]      
Total stock-based compensation expense 6,645 5,061 3,725
Marketing      
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Line Items]      
Total stock-based compensation expense 2,530 1,710 1,135
General and administrative      
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Expensed and Capitalized, Amount [Line Items]      
Total stock-based compensation expense $ 1,096 $ 797 $ 673
v3.22.0.1
Stockholders' Equity - Restricted Stock Unit Activity (Details) - Restricted Stock Units - $ / shares
shares in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Number of Units      
Beginning balance (in shares) 15.2 14.3 15.9
Units granted (in shares) 6.3 8.0 6.7
Units vested (in shares) (5.4) (5.8) (6.6)
Units forfeited (in shares) (2.1) (1.3) (1.7)
Ending balance (in shares) 14.0 15.2 14.3
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value      
Beginning Balance (in dollars per share) $ 2,004 $ 1,458 $ 1,024
Units granted (in dollars per share) 3,348 2,373 1,808
Units vested (in dollars per share) 1,704 1,239 827
Units forfeited (in dollars per share) 2,314 1,642 1,223
Ending Balance (in dollars per share) $ 2,684 $ 2,004 $ 1,458
v3.22.0.1
Stockholders' Equity - Scheduled Vesting for Outstanding Restricted Stock Units (Details) - Restricted Stock Units - shares
shares in Millions
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Scheduled vesting — restricted stock units        
2022 (in shares) 5.4      
2023 (in shares) 5.2      
2024 (in shares) 2.2      
2025 (in shares) 0.9      
2026 (in shares) 0.1      
Thereafter (in shares) 0.2      
Total (in shares) 14.0 15.2 14.3 15.9
v3.22.0.1
Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details)
€ in Millions, $ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Oct. 04, 2017
EUR (€)
Dec. 31, 2021
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2019
USD ($)
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]        
Provision for income taxes, net   $ 4,791 $ 2,863 $ 2,374
Cash taxes paid, net of refunds   3,688 1,713 881
Utilization of deferred tax assets previously subject to valuation allowance   2,600    
Income Taxes [Line Items]        
Accrued interest and penalties, net of federal income tax benefit, related to tax contingencies   110 83  
Interest and penalties, net of federal income tax benefit   28 (48) 4
International        
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]        
Provision for income taxes, net   1,922 $ 743 $ 1,014
Income Taxes [Line Items]        
Net operating loss carryforwards   $ 9,200    
International | Luxembourg Tax Administration        
Income Taxes [Line Items]        
Tax examination, estimate of additional tax expense | € € 250      
v3.22.0.1
Income Taxes - Components of Provision for Income Taxes, Net (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
International:      
Provision for income taxes, net $ 4,791 $ 2,863 $ 2,374
U.S. Federal      
U.S. Federal:      
Current 2,129 1,835 162
Deferred 155 (151) 914
International:      
Provision for income taxes, net 2,284 1,684 1,076
U.S. State      
U.S. State:      
Current 763 626 276
Deferred (178) (190) 8
International:      
Provision for income taxes, net 585 436 284
International      
International:      
Current 2,209 956 1,140
Deferred (287) (213) (126)
Provision for income taxes, net $ 1,922 $ 743 $ 1,014
v3.22.0.1
Income Taxes - U.S. and International Components of Income Before Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]      
U.S. $ 35,879 $ 20,219 $ 13,285
International 2,272 3,959 691
Income before income taxes $ 38,151 $ 24,178 $ 13,976
v3.22.0.1
Income Taxes - Items Accounting for Differences Between Income Taxes Computed at Federal Statutory Rate and Provision Recorded for Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]      
Income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate $ 8,012,000,000 $ 5,078,000,000 $ 2,935,000,000
Effect of:      
Tax impact of foreign earnings and losses (1,349,000,000) (538,000,000) 453,000,000
State taxes, net of federal benefits 465,000,000 343,000,000 221,000,000
Tax credits (1,136,000,000) (639,000,000) (466,000,000)
Stock-based compensation (1,094,000,000) (1,107,000,000) (850,000,000)
Foreign income deduction (2) (301,000,000) (372,000,000) (72,000,000)
Other, net 194,000,000 98,000,000 153,000,000
Provision for income taxes, net 4,791,000,000 2,863,000,000 2,374,000,000
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation $ 1,900,000,000 $ 1,800,000,000 $ 1,400,000,000
v3.22.0.1
Income Taxes - Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Deferred tax assets:    
Loss carryforwards U.S. - Federal/States $ 228 $ 245
Loss carryforwards - Foreign 2,417 3,876
Accrued liabilities, reserves, and other expenses 2,821 2,457
Stock-based compensation 2,738 2,033
Depreciation and amortization 941 1,886
Operating lease liabilities 15,399 10,183
Other items 603 559
Tax credits 626 207
Total gross deferred tax assets 25,773 21,446
Less valuation allowance (3,596) (5,803)
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances 22,177 15,643
Deferred tax liabilities:    
Depreciation and amortization (3,562) (5,508)
Operating lease assets (14,422) (9,539)
Assets held for investment (4,019) (569)
Other items (668) (893)
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities), net of valuation allowances $ (494) $ (866)
v3.22.0.1
Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Tax Contingencies (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]      
Gross tax contingencies – beginning of period $ 2,820 $ 3,923 $ 3,414
Gross increases to tax positions in prior periods 403 88 216
Gross decreases to tax positions in prior periods (354) (465) (181)
Gross increases to current period tax positions 507 507 707
Settlements with tax authorities (60) (1,207) (207)
Lapse of statute of limitations (74) (26) (26)
Gross tax contingencies - end of period 3,242 $ 2,820 $ 3,923
Tax contingencies, that if fully recognized, would decrease our effective tax rate $ 1,600    
v3.22.0.1
Segment Information - Additional Information (Details)
$ in Billions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
USD ($)
segment
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2019
USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]      
Number of operating segments | segment 3    
United States      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Property and equipment, net and operating leases $ 155.0 $ 109.5 $ 69.8
Rest of world      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Property and equipment, net and operating leases $ 61.3 $ 41.2 $ 28.0
v3.22.0.1
Segment Information - Reportable Segments and Reconciliation to Consolidated Net Income (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Net sales $ 469,822 $ 386,064 $ 280,522
Operating expenses 444,943 363,165 265,981
Operating income 24,879 22,899 14,541
Total non-operating income (expense) 13,272 1,279 (565)
Provision for income taxes (4,791) (2,863) (2,374)
Equity-method investment activity, net of tax 4 16 (14)
Net income 33,364 21,331 11,588
North America      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Net sales 279,833 236,282 170,773
Operating expenses 272,562 227,631 163,740
Operating income 7,271 8,651 7,033
International      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Net sales 127,787 104,412 74,723
Operating expenses 128,711 103,695 76,416
Operating income (924) 717 (1,693)
AWS      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Net sales 62,202 45,370 35,026
Operating expenses 43,670 31,839 25,825
Operating income $ 18,532 $ 13,531 $ 9,201
v3.22.0.1
Segment Information - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Net sales $ 469,822 $ 386,064 $ 280,522
Online stores      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Net sales 222,075 197,346 141,247
Physical stores      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Net sales 17,075 16,227 17,192
Third-party seller services      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Net sales 103,366 80,461 53,762
Subscription services      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Net sales 31,768 25,207 19,210
Advertising services      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Net sales 31,160 19,773 12,625
AWS      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Net sales 62,202 45,370 35,026
Other      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Net sales $ 2,176 $ 1,680 $ 1,460
v3.22.0.1
Segment Information - Net Sales Attributed to Countries Representing Portion of Consolidated Net Sales (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item      
Net sales $ 469,822 $ 386,064 $ 280,522
United States      
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item      
Net sales 314,006 263,520 193,636
Germany      
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item      
Net sales 37,326 29,565 22,232
United Kingdom      
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item      
Net sales 31,914 26,483 17,527
Japan      
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item      
Net sales 23,071 20,461 16,002
Rest of world      
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item      
Net sales $ 63,505 $ 46,035 $ 31,125
v3.22.0.1
Segment Information - Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]      
Total assets $ 420,549 $ 321,195 $ 225,248
Operating Segments | North America      
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]      
Total assets 161,255 108,405 72,277
Operating Segments | International      
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]      
Total assets 57,983 42,212 30,709
Operating Segments | AWS      
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]      
Total assets 63,835 47,574 36,500
Corporate      
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]      
Total assets $ 137,476 $ 123,004 $ 85,762
v3.22.0.1
Segment Information - Reconciliation of Property and Equipment from Segments to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]      
Property and equipment, net $ 160,281 $ 113,114 $ 72,705
Operating Segments | North America      
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]      
Property and equipment, net 83,640 54,912 31,719
Operating Segments | International      
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]      
Property and equipment, net 21,718 15,375 9,566
Operating Segments | AWS      
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]      
Property and equipment, net 43,245 32,151 23,481
Corporate      
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]      
Property and equipment, net $ 11,678 $ 10,676 $ 7,939
v3.22.0.1
Segment Information - Reconciliation of Property and Equipment Additions from Segments to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Property and equipment additions $ 72,325 $ 57,976 $ 30,018
Operating Segments | North America      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Property and equipment additions 37,397 29,889 11,752
Operating Segments | International      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Property and equipment additions 10,259 8,072 3,298
Operating Segments | AWS      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Property and equipment additions 22,047 16,530 13,058
Operating Segments | AWS | Assets held under finance leases      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Property and equipment additions 3,500 7,700 10,600
Operating Segments | AWS | Assets under financing obligations      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Property and equipment additions 51 130 0
Operating Segments | North America and International | Assets held under finance leases      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Property and equipment additions 3,600 5,600 3,800
Operating Segments | North America and International | Assets under financing obligations      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Property and equipment additions 5,600 2,700 1,300
Corporate      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Property and equipment additions $ 2,622 $ 3,485 $ 1,910
v3.22.0.1
Segment Information - Depreciation and Amortization Expense, by Segment (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Depreciation and amortization expense $ 22,909 $ 16,239 $ 15,150
North America      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Depreciation and amortization expense 9,234 6,421 5,106
International      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Depreciation and amortization expense 3,022 2,215 1,886
AWS      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Depreciation and amortization expense $ 10,653 $ 7,603 $ 8,158
v3.22.0.1
Label Element Value
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible Enumeration] us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member]