The U.S. government achieved a budget surplus of $284.4 billion in October 2025, a significant turnaround from the $257.5 billion deficit recorded in the same month the previous year. Total receipts experienced a 23.8% increase year-over-year, reaching $404.4 billion. This boost was primarily attributed to individual income taxes, which accounted for $216.95 billion, followed by social insurance and retirement receipts totaling $123.85 billion, and customs duties contributing $31.35 billion. The uptick was influenced by seasonal factors and adjustments in collection timing that enhanced tax and customs revenue during the month.
On the expenditure side, outlays rose by 17.9%, amounting to $688.7 billion. The primary categories of spending were Medicare with $150.56 billion, Social Security at $134.14 billion, and national defense with $99.94 billion. It's noteworthy that several payments, such as those for Medicare and veterans' benefits, were expedited into October since the scheduled November payment dates coincided with a non-business day. Cumulatively, the budget deficit for the fiscal year-to-date through October was $284.35 billion, as opposed to a $257.45 billion deficit in the corresponding period of the preceding year.
