USASpending.gov
The official U.S. government website that tracks all federal spending — contracts, grants, loans, and other financial assistance — searchable by agency, recipient, and location.
How It Works
USASpending.gov was mandated by the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) of 2006 and the DATA Act of 2014. It provides the most comprehensive public record of federal spending. The site tracks over $6 trillion in annual spending across all federal agencies. Data includes contract awards, grant funding, direct payments, loans, and insurance. TaxDollarData uses USASpending.gov API data to make federal spending searchable and comparable. While the data is comprehensive, there can be reporting delays and inconsistencies as agencies submit and correct their records.
Related Terms
- Obligation — A legally binding commitment by the government to spend money — the point at which funds are formally committed to a contract, grant, or other agreement.
- Government Accountability Office (GAO) — The independent, nonpartisan agency that audits federal spending, investigates how taxpayer dollars are used, and reports findings to Congress.
- SAM.gov (System for Award Management) — The federal government's central registration database for entities doing business with the government — required for receiving contracts, grants, or other awards.
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About This Definition
This definition is part of the TaxDollarData Federal Spending Glossary — 31 terms explaining how the U.S. government spends taxpayer money. All definitions are written in plain language for taxpayers, journalists, contractors, and researchers.