WASHINGTON, Jan 14 (Reuters) - The U.S. government

posted an $87 billion budget deficit in December, reduced partly

by a shift of benefit payments into November but capping a

record $711 billion deficit for the first three months of the

2025 fiscal year, the U.S. Treasury Department said on Tuesday.

The Treasury, releasing its final budget report before

President-elect Donald Trump takes office next week, said that

the $711 billion October-December deficit was $201 billion, or

39% higher, than the $510 billion deficit in the same period a

year earlier as outlays grew sharply and revenues declined

slightly.

For December, the $87 billion deficit was reduced by $51

billion by the calendar benefit shift, and compared to a $129

billion deficit in December 2023. Receipts for the month were up

6% to $454 billion, while outlays as reported were down 3% to

$541 billion.