Summary of significant accounting policies	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Summary of significant accounting policies	2. Summary of significant accounting policies: Basis of presentation: The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q as mandated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The unaudited interim financial statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of the General Partner, necessary for a fair statement of financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no significant effect on the reported financial position or results from operations. Footnote and tabular amounts are presented in thousands, except as to Units and per Unit data. In preparing the accompanying unaudited financial statements, the General Partner has reviewed events that have occurred after September 30, 2011, up until the issuance of the financial statements. No events were noted which would require disclosure in the footnotes to the financial statements, and adjustments thereto. Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Such estimates primarily relate to the determination of residual values at the end of the lease term and expected future cash flows used for impairment analysis purposes and determination of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Segment reporting: The Partnership is not organized by multiple operating segments for the purpose of making operating decisions or assessing performance. Accordingly, the Partnership operates in one reportable operating segment in the United States. Certain of the Partnership’s lessee customers may have international operations. In these instances, the Partnership is aware that certain equipment, primarily rail and transportation, may periodically exit the country. However, these lessee customers are US-based, and it is impractical for the Partnership to track, on an asset-by-asset, day-by-day basis, where these assets are deployed. The primary geographic regions in which the Partnership sought leasing opportunities were North America and Europe. Currently, 100% of the Partnership’s operating revenues are from customers domiciled in North America. Per Unit data: Net income and distributions per Unit are based upon the weighted average number of Limited Partners’ Units outstanding during the period. Recent accounting pronouncements: In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-02, “A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring.” ASU 2011-02 clarifies guidance on a creditor’s evaluation of whether it has granted a concession to a borrower and a creditor’s evaluation of whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties. The amendments in this update are effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011, and should be applied retrospectively to the beginning of the annual period of adoption. As a result of applying these amendments, an entity may identify receivables that are newly considered impaired. For purposes of measuring impairment of those receivables, an entity should apply the amendments prospectively for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011. In addition, an entity should disclose the information required by Accounting Standards Codification paragraphs 310-10-50-33 through 50-34, which was deferred by ASU 2011-01, for interim and annual periods beginning on or after June 15, 2011. The amendments in this update were adopted by the Partnership on July 1, 2011, and for purposes of measuring impairment, were applied retrospectively to January 1, 2011. The Partnership evaluated the guidance included in 2011-02 and has determined that it does not result in any new troubled debt restructurings that should be reported. In January 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-01, “Deferral of the Effective Date of Disclosures about Troubled Debt Restructurings in Update No. 2010-20.” ASU 2011-01 temporarily delays the effective date of the disclosures about troubled debt restructurings in Update 2010-20 for public entities. The delay is intended to allow the Board time to complete its deliberations on what constitutes a troubled debt restructuring. The effective date of the new disclosures about troubled debt restructurings for public entities and the guidance for determining what constitutes a troubled debt restructuring will then be coordinated. The guidance became effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011, and should be applied retrospectively to the beginning of the annual period of adoption. The adoption of this update did not have a material effect on the Partnership’s financial position or results of operations.

Summary of significant accounting policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Summary of significant accounting policies

2. Summary of significant accounting policies:

Basis of presentation:

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q as mandated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The unaudited interim financial statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of the General Partner, necessary for a fair statement of financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no significant effect on the reported financial position or results from operations.

Footnote and tabular amounts are presented in thousands, except as to Units and per Unit data.

In preparing the accompanying unaudited financial statements, the General Partner has reviewed events that have occurred after September 30, 2011, up until the issuance of the financial statements. No events were noted which would require disclosure in the footnotes to the financial statements, and adjustments thereto.

Use of estimates:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Such estimates primarily relate to the determination of residual values at the end of the lease term and expected future cash flows used for impairment analysis purposes and determination of the allowance for doubtful accounts.

Segment reporting:

The Partnership is not organized by multiple operating segments for the purpose of making operating decisions or assessing performance. Accordingly, the Partnership operates in one reportable operating segment in the United States.

Certain of the Partnership’s lessee customers may have international operations. In these instances, the Partnership is aware that certain equipment, primarily rail and transportation, may periodically exit the country. However, these lessee customers are US-based, and it is impractical for the Partnership to track, on an asset-by-asset, day-by-day basis, where these assets are deployed.

The primary geographic regions in which the Partnership sought leasing opportunities were North America and Europe. Currently, 100% of the Partnership’s operating revenues are from customers domiciled in North America.

Per Unit data:

Net income and distributions per Unit are based upon the weighted average number of Limited Partners’ Units outstanding during the period.

Recent accounting pronouncements:

In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-02, “A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring.” ASU 2011-02 clarifies guidance on a creditor’s evaluation of whether it has granted a concession to a borrower and a creditor’s evaluation of whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties. The amendments in this update are effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011, and should be applied retrospectively to the beginning of the annual period of adoption. As a result of applying these amendments, an entity may identify receivables that are newly considered impaired. For purposes of measuring impairment of those receivables, an entity should apply the amendments prospectively for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011. In addition, an entity should disclose the information required by Accounting Standards Codification paragraphs 310-10-50-33 through 50-34, which was deferred by ASU 2011-01, for interim and annual periods beginning on or after June 15, 2011. The amendments in this update were adopted by the Partnership on July 1, 2011, and for purposes of measuring impairment, were applied retrospectively to January 1, 2011. The Partnership evaluated the guidance included in 2011-02 and has determined that it does not result in any new troubled debt restructurings that should be reported.

In January 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-01, “Deferral of the Effective Date of Disclosures about Troubled Debt Restructurings in Update No. 2010-20.” ASU 2011-01 temporarily delays the effective date of the disclosures about troubled debt restructurings in Update 2010-20 for public entities. The delay is intended to allow the Board time to complete its deliberations on what constitutes a troubled debt restructuring. The effective date of the new disclosures about troubled debt restructurings for public entities and the guidance for determining what constitutes a troubled debt restructuring will then be coordinated. The guidance became effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011, and should be applied retrospectively to the beginning of the annual period of adoption. The adoption of this update did not have a material effect on the Partnership’s financial position or results of operations.

ATEL CASH DISTRIBUTION FUND VI LP 10-Q