The U.S. unexpectedly recorded a $27 billion budget surplus in June, reversing last year’s deficit. This improvement reflects stronger customs collections and significant cuts in education spending amid ongoing fiscal challenges.

The U.S. federal government posted a $27 billion budget surplus in June, the Treasury Department reported, thanks largely to a surge in customs revenues and reduced education expenditures.

For the first nine months of fiscal year 2025, running from October 2024 to June 2025, government revenues rose 13% to $526 billion, while expenditures dropped 7% to $499 billion. This contrasts with market expectations of a $41.5 billion deficit and a $71 billion deficit in June last year.

Customs duty revenues, aligned with President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, jumped 301% year-on-year in June, reaching $27 billion and surpassing $100 billion for the fiscal year to date at $113 billion.

Education spending fell by 91% in June compared to the same month last year.

Despite the June surplus, the overall fiscal deficit for the first nine months grew by 5% to $1.34 trillion, compared to $1.3 trillion last year. Revenues for this period increased 7% to $4 trillion, while expenditures rose 6% to $5.35 trillion.

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