US Budget Deficit Narrows in August

The US government posted a $167 billion budget deficit in August 2026, narrowing from a $345 billion shortfall a year earlier and well below forecasts for a $404 billion gap. Government outlays fell to $527 billion from $689 billion. Social Security ($141 billion), net interest ($86 billion), health ($81 billion) and national defense ($72 billion) accounted for the largest expenditures. Meanwhile, government receipts rose to $360 billion from $344 billion, led by individual income taxes ($179 billion) and social insurance and retirement receipts ($141 billion). The cumulative deficit for fiscal year 2026 reached $1.966 trillion through August.

The US government posted a $432 billion budget deficit in July 2026, widening from a $291 billion shortfall a year earlier and exceeding forecasts for a $346 billion gap. Government outlays rose to $766 billion from $630 billion in July 2025, led by Medicare spending of $174 billion. Social Security costs reached $141 billion, while net interest accounted for $104 billion and national defense for $91 billion. Meanwhile, government receipts fell to $334 billion from $338 billion a year earlier, with individual income taxes contributing $173 billion and social insurance and retirement receipts totaling $139 billion.

The US government recorded a $293 billion budget deficit in May 2026, compared with a $316 billion gap a year earlier, but wider than forecasts of a $275 billion shortfall. Government outlays declined to $628 billion from $687 billion. The largest spending categories were Social Security ($140 billion), net interest payments ($107 billion), Medicare ($87 billion), and health programs ($82 billion). Meanwhile, receipts fell to $335 billion from $371 billion. The main sources of revenue were social insurance and retirement contributions ($157 billion), individual income taxes ($152 billion), and corporate income taxes ($11 billion). In the first eight months of fiscal year 2026, the federal budget deficit totaled $1.25 trillion.