The Annual Survey of State Government Finances (ASFIN) is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau to measure how state governments collect and spend public funds. This section explains the purpose of the survey, who provides the data, the legal authorities under which the survey operates, its annual cycle, how results are released, and the historical development of the program. Together, these topics offer a clear understanding of how ASFIN produces consistent, comparable statistics on state government revenues, expenditures, and debt.

U.S. Census Bureau as authorized by Title 13, United States Code, Section 161 for Census years and 182 for non-Census years.

This recurring survey primarily deals with the finances of the state governments and is also a supplement of the Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances. The survey covers the fifty state governments as well as all dependent state-level governmental entities.

The Annual Survey of State Government Finances (ASFIN) provides detailed, standardized statistics on how state governments collect and spend public funds. The survey produces national‑level summaries as well as data for each individual state. ASFIN tables present information on state government revenues by source, expenditures by function and object, and measures of indebtedness.

To ensure consistency in reporting across states, ASFIN organizes financial data into a uniform, national classification system. Similar financial activities are combined and presented together, regardless of how states structure their internal accounting systems or the number of funds used to administer the activity.

ASFIN data represent only state‑level governments; the survey does not measure financial activity of local governments. Comparisons across states should be made with care, as states differ in the extent to which they directly administer functions that may be performed by local governments elsewhere. As a result, the share of total public‑sector activity represented by the state government varies significantly from one state to another.

The statistics are designed for analytical and comparative purposes and should not be interpreted as audited financial statements. ASFIN data do not measure a government’s fiscal condition, nor can differences between total revenues and total expenditures be interpreted as budget surpluses or deficits.

ASFIN reflects each state’s fiscal year, which for most states ends on June 30. Exceptions include Alabama and Michigan (September 30), New York (March 31), and Texas (August 31).

For detailed information on classification principles and item definitions, consult the Government Finance and Employment Classification Manual.

Data have been collected annually since 1951.

The Annual Survey of State Government Finances produces a summary table for the U.S. and each individual state government. It also produces a lottery table listing the income and apportionment of state-administered lottery funds. A downloadable flat data file providing detailed financial data for each of the 50 state governments is also available.

Data from the Annual Survey of State Government Finances (ASFIN) are used widely by policymakers, government agencies, researchers, and the public to understand the fiscal activities of state governments. These statistics support key national economic measures, inform public policy, and enable meaningful comparisons across states. Major uses include:

Federal Economic Measurement

• Development of the government sector component of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
  ASFIN data help the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) estimate how government spending and investment contribute to the overall economy.
• Development of the National Income and Product Accounts (NIPAs)
  The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) also uses ASFIN data to compile national‑level income and expenditure accounts that track government activity across the United States.

Fiscal and Policy Analysis

• Policy research and evaluation
  Universities, nonprofit organizations, government associations, and research institutions rely on ASFIN data to examine how states raise and spend public funds, assess program costs, and study fiscal trends over time.
• State‑to‑state comparisons
  State and local officials use ASFIN data to benchmark their tax structures, spending patterns, and fiscal responsibilities relative to other states.

Federal Agency Use

• Support for federal statistical and economic programs
  Agencies such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and other federal entities incorporate state government finance data into related analytical and reporting programs.

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