If my company uses a fiscal year that starts on July 1, do I still file personal taxes on the calendar year?

Yes. In most countries, individuals file personal income taxes based on the tax year set by the government, not their employer's fiscal year. For example, in Australia, individuals file taxes for the financial year ending June 30, even if their company uses a different fiscal year.

How do I find the fiscal year dates for my state government?

Most US states use the same fiscal year as the federal government (October 1 to September 30), but some states use July 1 to June 30. Check your state's department of finance or budget website for the exact dates.

Can a fiscal year be shorter or longer than 12 months?

A fiscal year is always 12 months long. However, the first or last fiscal year of a new organization may be shorter or longer to align with a chosen start date. After that, it is exactly 12 months each year.

Fiscal Year vs Calendar Year: What's the Difference?

Q: What is the FY2027 start date for the US federal government?

The US government fiscal year 2027 (FY2027) starts on October 1, 2026 and ends on September 30, 2027.

A calendar year runs January 1 to December 31. Always. A fiscal year is any 12-month stretch an organization uses for accounting, budgeting, and reporting. It can start on any date and is named for the year it ends. The US federal fiscal year 2027 (FY2027) starts on October 1, 2026 and ends on September 30, 2027. Know which fiscal year applies to you and you can plan taxes, budgets, and deadlines without the panic. Here are the common fiscal year dates and how to mark them on a printed calendar.

What is a Fiscal Year?

A fiscal year is a 12-month period organizations use for accounting and budgeting. It does not have to align with the calendar year. The entity chooses the dates and sticks to them year after year. National authorities, corporations, and nonprofits each adopt a fiscal year that suits their operational cycle. Many companies simply use the calendar year, meaning their fiscal year runs January 1 to December 31. Others pick a different start date to match their business cycle, tax reporting, or statutory requirements.

Common Fiscal Year Dates Around the World

Countries and organizations set their fiscal year start dates for historical, administrative, or legislative reasons. Below are the dates you will encounter most.

United States Federal Government

The US federal fiscal year 2027 starts on October 1, 2026 and ends on September 30, 2027. The fiscal year is named for the calendar year in which it ends. So FY2027 runs from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. This schedule governs the federal budget, appropriations, and many public contracts.

United Kingdom

The UK runs two fiscal years. The personal tax year runs from April 6 to April 5. The UK state budgeting year runs from April 1 to March 31. Both are used for different purposes. Confirm which one applies to your tax or reporting obligations before you file.

Australia

Australia's financial year runs from July 1 to June 30. The national government, most businesses, and individual tax returns all use it. The fiscal year is named for the year it ends: the year ending June 30, 2027 is called the 2026-27 financial year.

India

India's financial year runs from April 1 to March 31. This applies to corporate and individual income tax. The year from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027 is the 2026-27 financial year.

Retail 52/53 Week Fiscal Years

Many retailers use a 52/53 week fiscal year that always ends on the same weekday. A chain might close its fiscal year on the last Saturday of January. A year is 52 weeks plus one day, or two in a leap year, so every few years the fiscal year adds a 53rd week to keep the ending weekday consistent. This is standard in retail because it matches weekly sales cycles and inventory counts.

How to Mark Fiscal Year Dates on a Printed Calendar

Use a printable calendar to track deadlines, budgets, or tax due dates. Mark the start and end of a fiscal year directly on the pages. Here is how.

Get a printable calendar for the span you need. Tracking the US federal fiscal year 2027 means a calendar covering October 2026 through September 2027.
Find the start date. For the US federal fiscal year, that is October 1. Circle it and label it "FY2027 Start."
Find the end date. For the US federal fiscal year, that is September 30. Circle it and label it "FY2027 End."
For a 52/53 week fiscal year, mark the last day based on the chosen weekday. If the fiscal year ends on the last Saturday of January, find that Saturday and mark it.
Use different colors for different fiscal years. Try a blue highlighter for the federal fiscal year and a green one for your state or company fiscal year.
Add reminders two weeks before the fiscal year end for budgeting or tax preparation. Write them on the appropriate dates.

Why the Difference Between Fiscal Year and Calendar Year Matters

Whether you work to a calendar year or a fiscal year affects tax filing, budget planning, and reporting. If your company uses a fiscal year ending June 30, your annual statements fall due on a different date than a company using a calendar year. If you pay tax as an individual in the UK, your personal tax year runs from April 6 to April 5, not January 1. Miss these dates and you invite late-filing penalties and misaligned budgets. Know the fiscal year dates for your country or organization and you plan ahead without the errors.

How to Remember Fiscal Year Start Dates

Keep this quick-reference list of the most common fiscal year start dates.

US federal government: October 1 (ends September 30)
UK personal tax: April 6 (ends April 5)
UK state budgeting: April 1 (ends March 31)
Australia: July 1 (ends June 30)
India: April 1 (ends March 31)
Retail 52/53 week: varies, always ends on same weekday
Many companies: January 1 (ends December 31, same as calendar year)

Print this list and keep it with your printable calendar.