§015a. (CB) Antideficiency Act

Cyclopedia of Congressional Budget Law

Antideficiency Act

Summary

The Antideficiency Act is a law that prohibits federal employees from obligating funds if (1) the amount exceeds that provided by Congress, or (2) if an obligation is made for a purpose not authorized by Congress. This includes the use of voluntary services, or spending or otherwise obligating amounts not specified in law.

GAO Glossary of Terms and Definition (September 2005)

Antideficiency Act

Federal law that

prohibits the making of expenditures or the incurring of obligations in advance of an appropriation;
prohibits the incurring of obligations or the making of expenditures in excess of amounts available in appropriation or fund accounts unless specifically authorized by law (31 S.C. § 1341(a));
prohibits the acceptance of voluntary or personal services unless authorized by law (31 S.C. § 1342);
requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), via delegation from the President, to apportion appropriated funds and other budgetary resources for all executive branch agencies (31 S.C. § 1512);
requires a system of administrative controls within each agency (see 31 U.S.C. § 1514 for the administrative divisions established);
prohibits incurring any obligation or making any expenditure in excess of an apportionment or reapportionment or in excess of other subdivisions established pursuant to sections 1513 and 1514 of title 31 of the United States Code (31 S.C. § 1517); and
specifies penalties for deficiencies (see Antideficiency Act Violation).