What this calculator does
Governments and many businesses keep their books on a fiscal year that doesn't start on January 1. That makes it easy to get the year or quarter wrong. Enter a date and choose a preset or your own start date, and the calculator shows the fiscal year, quarter, fiscal month and day of the year, plus the dates of all four quarters.
How it's worked out
Otherwise: it started last year
Fiscal year ends the day before the next start date
Quarter = which 3-month block, counted from the start date, the date falls in
The name depends on the convention. The US federal government names the year after the calendar year it ends in. Some companies use the year it starts in, and the UK writes both years, like 2026–27.
Worked example: October 27, 2026, US federal government
The federal fiscal year starts October 1. October 27, 2026 is after October 1, 2026, so the fiscal year runs from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. It ends in 2027, so it's FY 2027. October to December is the first quarter, so it's Q1, and October 27 is day 27 of 365.
Common fiscal years
| Who | Runs | Named for | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| US federal government | Oct 1 – Sep 30 | End year | FY 2027 = Oct 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2027 |
| 46 US states | Jul 1 – Jun 30 | End year | FY 2026 = Jul 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2026 |
| New York State | Apr 1 – Mar 31 | End year | FY 2026 = Apr 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026 |
| Texas | Sep 1 – Aug 31 | End year | FY 2026 = Sep 1, 2025 – Aug 31, 2026 |
| Alabama and Michigan | Oct 1 – Sep 30 | End year | Same as the federal year |
| UK personal tax year | Apr 6 – Apr 5 | Both years | 2025–26 = Apr 6, 2025 – Apr 5, 2026 |
The federal year is set by law (31 U.S.C. § 1102). The state dates are from the National Conference of State Legislatures, which reports that 46 states start their fiscal year on July 1.
Companies and the IRS
For US taxes, the IRS defines a fiscal year as 12 months in a row ending on the last day of any month except December. A business can also use a 52–53-week year that always ends on the same weekday. This calculator handles fiscal years that start on a fixed date; 52–53-week years aren't covered.
Limitations
- Company fiscal years and their names vary. Check how your organization labels its years; some name them for the start year.
- Quarters are 3 calendar months from the start date. Retail 4-4-5 calendars use weeks instead.
- Start days are limited to the 1st through 28th so every year has that date.
Sources
- 31 U.S. Code § 1102 (the federal fiscal year)
- National Conference of State Legislatures: FY 2026 state budget status (state fiscal year start dates)
- IRS Publication 538: Accounting Periods and Methods
- GOV.UK: Self Assessment deadlines (tax year 6 April to 5 April)