WASHINGTON — The federal government’s budget deficit was $86.0 billion in December, up $8 billion or 10% from the $78.1 billion deficit a year ago, the Treasury Department reported Thursday.
The deficit is higher than the median $82.5 billion estimated by economists.
Outlays totaled $325.9 billion, $11 billion or 3.5% more than the $315.0 billion in December 2010.
Receipts were $240.0 billion, $3 billion or 1.3% higher than the $236.9 billion a year ago.