The Difference Between the Debt and the Deficit

In this age of stimulus spending and bailouts, “debt” and “deficit” are often used to describe the federal government’s financial situation. Many people use these words interchangeably, yet they have significantly different meanings. This explanation may help you understand the conversation.

Budget deficit. When the federal government spends more money in a fiscal year than it collects in tax revenue, it creates a budget deficit. In the rare instances when government expenditures are less than tax revenues, the result is a budget surplus. Budget deficits have been the norm in recent decades. For example, in the past 28 fiscal years (1982 to 2010), there were only four years in which the federal government ran budget surpluses.¹

National debt. How can the government spend more than it collects? By borrowing money. The total amount owed by the federal government is called the national debt. Because the federal government guarantees the timely payment of principal and interest, many individuals, corporations, state and local governments, foreign governments, and others are willing to lend their money. Although Treasury securities pay relatively low interest rates, they tend to appeal to investors seeking lower risk.

There’s also quite a bit of borrowing between federal agencies. For example, Congress has long been in the habit of borrowing excess Social Security revenues. As a result, the national debt is divided into two categories: debt held by the public and intragovernmental holdings.

As you can imagine, there’s considerable debate over how long the government can keep borrowing to finance spending. Regardless of how you feel about government spending, you might benefit from understanding the terminology.

1) Haver Analytics, 2010

The information in this article is not intended as tax or legal advice, and it may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek tax or legal advice from an independent professional advisor. The content is derived from sources believed to be accurate. Neither the information presented nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. This material was written and prepared by Emerald. © 2011 Emerald Connect, Inc.

Mitlin Financial, Inc. ("Mitlin Financial") is an investment advisor located in New York. Mitlin Financial and it's representatives are in compliance with the current registration requirements of those states in which Mitlin Financial maintains clients. Mitlin Financial may only transact business in those states in which it is registered, or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration requirements. Mitlin Financial's website is limited to the dissemination of general information pertaining to its investment advisory services. Accordingly, the publication of the Mitlin Financial website on the internet should not be construed by any consumer and/or prospective client as Mitlin Financial's solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, over the internet. Any subsequent, direct communication by Mitlin Fiancial with a prospective client shall be conducted by a representative that is either registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration in the state where the prospective client resides. A copy of Mitlin Financial's current written disclosure statement discussing Mitlin Financial's business operations, services, and fees is available from Mitlin Financial upon request. Mitlin Financial does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to Mitlin Financial's website or incorporated herein, and takes no responsibility thereof. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly.

Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Therefore, no current or prospective client should assume that future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended by Mitlin Financial) or product made reference to direcly or indirectly by Mitlin Financial in its website, or indirectly via a link to an unaffiliated third party website, will be profitable or equal the corresponding indicated performance level(s). Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that any specific investment will either be suitable or profitable for a client or prospective client's investment portfolio. Historical performance results for investment indices and/or custodial charges, the deduction of an investment management fee, nor the impact of taxes, the incurrence of which would have the effect of decreasing historical performance results.

Certain portions of Mitlin Financial's website (i.e., newsletters, articles, commentaries, etc.) may contain a discussion of, and/or provide access to, Mitlin Financial's (and those of other investment and non-investment professionals) positions and/or recommendations as of a specific prior date. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions, such discussion may no longer be reflective of current position(s) and/or recommendations(s). Moreover, no client or prospective client should assume that any such discussion serves as the receipt of, or a substitute for, personalized advice from Mitlin Financial, or from any other investment professional. Mitlin Financial is neither an attorney nor accountant, and no portion of the website content should be interpreted as legal, accounting or tax advice. Correspondingly, each client and prospective client agrees, as a condition precedent to his/her/its access to Mitlin Financial's website, to release and hold harmless Mitlin Financial, its officers, directors, employees and agents from any and all adverse consequences resulting from any of his/her/its actions and/or omissions which are independent of his/her/its receipt of personalized individual advice from Mitlin Financial.

To the extent that any client or prospective client utilizes any economic calculator or similar device contained within or linked to Mitlin Financial's website, the client and/or prospective client is advised that the information resulting from the use of any such calculator/device, is not, and should not be construed, in any manner whatsoever, as the receipt of, or a substitute for, personalized individual advice from Mitlin Financial, or from any other investment professional.