Gov't Ran $75 Billion Surplus in September

WASHINGTON — The federal government ran a $75 billion budget surplus in September after posting an unrevised $190.5 billion deficit the previous month, the Treasury Department reported Friday, resulting in a final fiscal year 2012 deficit of $1.1 trillion.

The September surplus represents a nearly $138 billion switch from the $62.8 billion gap in September 2011, and was the second surplus of the fiscal year. April saw a $59.1 billion surplus.

September outlays totaled $186.5 billion, a 38% decrease from the $302.9 billion in September 2011. Receipts were $261.6 billion, an 8.9% bump from $240.2 billion a year ago.

The final fiscal year deficit was 16% below the $1.3 trillion 2011 deficit, though Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner issued a statement calling for the adoption of the $4 trillion deficit reduction plan proposed in the White House budget in February to reduce future deficits.

"It is time for Congress to act on these necessary steps that will help create sustainable economic growth for years to come," Geithner said.

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