Monthly Treasury Statement Receipts and Outlays Ending August 31, 2026

The US Treasury Monthly Statement Released Today shows a deficit so far this year. The idea of sustainability and the need to adjust operations and processes to improve performance is needed. 

Monthly Treasury Statement of Receipts and Outlays of the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2026 Through August 31, 2026

• August historically operates at a deficit, recording a shortfall in 71 out of the last 72 fiscal years due to a lack of major tax due dates during the month.

• Calendar timing shifts led to the acceleration of active duty, military retirement, veterans benefits, Supplemental Security Income, and Medicare payments into July 2026, while additional veterans benefit payments shifted from September 1 into August 2026.

• Total receipts for August 2026 reached $360 billion, driven primarily by individual income taxes ($179 billion) and social insurance/retirement receipts ($141 billion).

• Total outlays for August 2026 reached $527 billion, with Social Security ($141 billion), net interest ($86 billion), and health ($81 billion) accounting for the largest share of spending.

• For fiscal year 2026 through August 31, the cumulative federal budget deficit reached $1,966 billion, resulting from $4,845 billion in total receipts against $6,811 billion in total outlays.

Bureau of the Fiscal Service. (2026). Monthly Treasury statement: Receipts and outlays of the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 through August 31, 2026, and other periods. U.S. Department of the Treasury. https://fiscaldata.treasury.gov/datasets/monthly-treasury-statement/summary-of-receipts-outlays-and-the-deficit-surplus-of-the-u-s-government