noun

fiscal year

FISS-kuhl YEER

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Fiscal year (noun) means a twelve-month period that an organisation or government uses for accounting, budgeting and tax reporting, which need not begin in January. Example: “Our fiscal year runs from 1 October to 30 September.”

noun

A twelve-month period that an organisation or government uses for accounting, budgeting and tax reporting, which need not begin in January.

"Our fiscal year runs from 1 October to 30 September."

"The company reported record profits for fiscal year 2025."

How to use fiscal year

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe twelve months a business or government counts its money by.

When to use it

Neutral business and government vocabulary. Fiscal year is the usual American term; financial year is more common in British and Australian use.

Memory tip

A fiscal year is normally named after the calendar year it ends in, so a year running from July 2025 to June 2026 is FY2026.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

calendar year financial year tax year

Common pairings

fiscal year end current fiscal year fiscal year 2026 FY25

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “fiscal year” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Our _____ runs from 1 October to 30 September.

Etymology

Fiscal comes from Latin fiscalis 'of the state treasury', from fiscus, originally a basket or purse and later the public purse.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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financial year accounting year tax year FY

Related words

year

Rhymes for fiscal year

ear year dear hear tear bear wear near fear pear gear rear

See all rhymes for fiscal year →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a fiscal year and a calendar year?

A calendar year always runs from 1 January to 31 December. A fiscal year is any twelve-month accounting period, and organisations often choose one that ends after their busiest season so the books close at a quiet time.

When does the fiscal year start?

It depends on the organisation and country. The US federal government's fiscal year begins on 1 October, the UK government's on 1 April, and companies may pick almost any start date that suits their trading cycle.

Is a fiscal year the same as a tax year?

They overlap but are not identical. A tax year is the period the tax authority uses to assess liability, which for individuals is usually fixed by law, while a business's fiscal year is the reporting period it has chosen.

What is the meaning of fiscal year?

"fiscal year" (noun) means a twelve-month period that an organisation or government uses for accounting, budgeting and tax reporting, which need not begin in January.

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