US Budget Swings to Deficit in September

2026-10-16 20:36 By Isabela Couto 1 min. read

The US government recorded a $27 billion budget deficit in September 2026, reversing a $198 billion surplus a year earlier but coming in narrower than forecasts of a $29 billion shortfall.

Government outlays rose to $585 billion from $346 billion, with Social Security ($141 billion), health ($100 billion), Medicare ($93 billion), and national defense ($89 billion) accounting for the largest expenditures.

Meanwhile, government receipts increased to $558 billion from $544 billion.

Individual income taxes ($298 billion), social insurance and retirement contributions ($149 billion), and corporate income taxes ($87 billion) were the largest sources of revenue.

The cumulative deficit for fiscal year 2026 reached $1.992 trillion.



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US Budget Swings to Deficit in September
The US government recorded a $27 billion budget deficit in September 2026, reversing a $198 billion surplus a year earlier but coming in narrower than forecasts of a $29 billion shortfall. Government outlays rose to $585 billion from $346 billion, with Social Security ($141 billion), health ($100 billion), Medicare ($93 billion), and national defense ($89 billion) accounting for the largest expenditures. Meanwhile, government receipts increased to $558 billion from $544 billion. Individual income taxes ($298 billion), social insurance and retirement contributions ($149 billion), and corporate income taxes ($87 billion) were the largest sources of revenue. The cumulative deficit for fiscal year 2026 reached $1.992 trillion.
2026-10-16
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.
2026-09-11
US Budget Deficit Widens in July
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.
2026-08-12