Fiscal 2018 Deficit through January

Below is a graph comparing the monthly federal deficit for Fiscal 2018 in comparison to Fiscal 2017.

The deficit for the first four months of the fiscal year was $174 billion. This is $17 billion higher than the deficit for the first four months of 2017. January's surplus is primarily driven by individuals who pay their last installment of 2017 estimated taxes in early January.

Starting January 1, 2018, the U.S. Treasury expects to receive less tax revenue as a result of the tax reform legislation passed in December 2017. To avoid a government shutdown last in early February, Congress also agreed increase defense and discretionary domestic spending. Therefore, you can expect to see a the deficit each month continue to exceed the prior year, for the rest of Fiscal 2018.

Are you concerned with a rising federal deficit?