File talk:Reported Deficits vs. Debt Increases - 2007.png

This chart shows how the reported budget deficit often quoted in the press is increasingly not reflective of government spending in excess of tax receipts, which is indicated by debt increases. There are two primary categories of differences:


 * "Off-budget" amounts: There are certain categories of receipts and disbursements which are included in the budget process, but are (counter-intuitively) called "off-budget."  The primary item is Social Security.  During 2007, the "Off-budget" surplus was $182 billion, which lowered the "On-budget" deficit of $344 billion to the "Total Deficit" of $162 billion.  This total deficit figure is the amount often reported in the press; such amounts are illustrated by the blue bars in the chart.


 * Supplemental appropriations: These amounts are authorized for payment via legislation outside the annual budget process. Examples are the costs of the Iraq & Afghanistan Wars (about $750 billion since 2001), the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 (about $170 billion), and earmarks (about $50 billion per year).

Debt increases averaging $550 billion over the past five years mean the U.S. government spends about $1.20 for each $1.00 of tax revenue collected.