In the Federal budget, actual expenditures of Federal funds, including checks issued, interest accrued on the public debt, or other payments (minus refunds and reimbursements). Total budget outlays consist of the sum of the outlays from appropriations and other funds included in the budget universe, less offsetting receipts. Off-budget Federal agencies are not included in the budget universe and their outlays are excluded from total budget outlays. While budget authority is usually obligated in the fiscal year for which it is appropriated, it may be outlaid, once obligated, over several years.