"Debt Default Looms: Experts Warn Weak Tax Collections Could Trigger Crisis Sooner Than Expected"

"Debt Default Looms: Experts Warn Weak Tax Collections Could Trigger Crisis Sooner Than Expected"

 


According to recent projections by

analysts, the US federal government

could default on its debt earlier than

anticipated, possibly in the first half of

June, due to weaker than expected

capital gains revenue collected by the

Internal Revenue Service. Debt ceiling

observers have been closely monitoring

tax season to understand how the

ongoing debt ceiling crisis could unfold

in the coming weeks and months.

Without a deal in Congress, the

government could be unable to pay its

bills, which could have cascading effects,

leading to market turbulence and even a

recession. The experts are expecting

more clarity by early May, and the odds

are increasing that Congress will need to

reach a deal within weeks.


The Wrightson ICAP estimates that the

Treasury's remaining fiscal resources

would run below $100 billion from June

6 to June 13, leading to a June default if

the tax revenue collected during this

time is weaker than expected. The

Treasury Department's ability to stay

afloat through June would depend on

the remainder of the April tax receipts,

especially in capital gains.


Experts have been focused on June as

the first significant debt ceiling deadline.

Earlier this year, Treasury Secretary

Janet Yellen projected that "it is unlikely

that cash and extraordinary measures

will be exhausted before early June."

Talks in Congress have stalled, with

Republicans blaming the White House

for the stalemate, while Biden officials

have called for a simple increase in the

debt ceiling, which Republicans are

unable to agree on.


This highlights the need for a deal in

Congress to avoid a possible default,

which could lead to significant economic

consequences. It emphasizes the need

for close monitoring of tax season and

the importance of capital gains revenue

to the government's ability to pay its

bills. It also mentions the impact of a

default on the financial markets and the

broader economy, which could be

severe.