Financial quarters divide the year into four 3-month periods: Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4. Which quarter a date falls into depends on whether you're using calendar quarters or a fiscal year.
Calendar Year Quarters
For standard calendar year quarters:
- Q1: January 1 – March 31
- Q2: April 1 – June 30
- Q3: July 1 – September 30
- Q4: October 1 – December 31
Use our Quarter Checker to instantly identify which quarter any date falls in.
UK Government Financial Quarters
The UK government fiscal year starts April 1, so quarters are:
- Q1: April 1 – June 30
- Q2: July 1 – September 30
- Q3: October 1 – December 31
- Q4: January 1 – March 31
US Federal Government Quarters
The US federal fiscal year starts October 1:
- Q1: October 1 – December 31
- Q2: January 1 – March 31
- Q3: April 1 – June 30
- Q4: July 1 – September 30
Why Quarters Matter
Quarterly periods are used for:
- Financial reporting: Companies report earnings quarterly
- Tax payments: Estimated taxes are often due quarterly
- VAT/GST returns: Many businesses file quarterly
- Performance reviews: Goals and bonuses tied to quarters
- Budget planning: Spending tracked by quarter
Quarter End Dates Are Critical
Many business deadlines fall on quarter ends:
- Financial statements must be filed within X days of quarter end
- Sales targets reset at the start of each quarter
- Bonuses are calculated based on quarterly performance
Missing a quarter-end deadline can have significant consequences.