Find which fiscal year a date falls in
Frequently Asked Questions
A fiscal year is a 12-month period used for financial reporting and budgeting. Unlike a calendar year, a fiscal year can start on any month and is commonly used by businesses and governments.
Companies choose fiscal years that align with their business cycles. Retail companies often end in January after holiday sales, while government agencies may use October starts (US federal) or April starts (UK).
Fiscal years are typically named by the calendar year in which they end. For example, FY2026 ending in June 2026 started in July 2025. Some use both years like FY2025-26.
The US federal fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30. FY2026 runs from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026.
Yes, but changing fiscal years requires approval from tax authorities in most countries. You may need to file a short-year return for the transition period.
A calendar year always runs January 1 to December 31, while a fiscal year is any 12-month period chosen by an organization for accounting purposes.