Final answer:
The U.S. deficit increased by a CBO-forecasted $2.289 trillion over a decade as a result of the TCJA. It's difficult to determine the exact deficit amount solely due to the TCJA, as other economic factors also affect the budget deficit.
Step-by-step explanation:
The size of the U.S. deficit has experienced notable changes following the implementation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) under President Trump. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) originally forecasted that the 2017 Tax Act would increase the sum of budget deficits by $2.289 trillion over the 2018-2027 decade, or $1.891 trillion after considering macro-economic feedback.
Deficits increase when government spending exceeds taxes. The TCJA aimed to adjust this dynamic by reducing tax rates, which the CBO reported would lead to a decrease in deficits by impacting net federal revenue and spending. However, additional factors such as economic performance, employment rates, and changes in federal spending also play crucial roles in defining the actual deficit compared to the projected numbers.
In practice, it's challenging to pinpoint the exact increase of the U.S. deficit solely attributable to the TCJA, as the budget deficit is influenced by a myriad of economic factors beyond tax legislation, including automatic stabilizers and changes in potential GDP. Nevertheless, it's evident that the TCJA has contributed to an increase in deficit figures compared to prior forecasts.