The U.S. budget deficit was $95 billion at the end of July, down 3 percent from the same period last year, according to data released by the Treasury Department on Tuesday.
Analysts polled by Reuters had expected a $96 billion deficit for last month. The deficit was $98 billion in July of 2013.
The fiscal year-to-date deficit at the end of July was $460 billion, the lowest level since the same period in fiscal year 2008, compared with a deficit of $607 billion for the same period in fiscal year 2013, according to Treasury's monthly budget statement.
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Last month's budget results were affected by differences in the calendar. If adjusted for timing-related transactions, the budget deficit in July would have been $86 billion.
Receipts last month totaled $211 billion, up 5 percent from the year-ago period, bringing the fiscal year-to-date total receipts to $2.47 trillion.
Outlays last month totaled $305 billion, up 3 percent from July 2013, for a fiscal year-to-date total of $2.93 trillion.
—By Reuters.