fiscal year

American  

noun

1. any yearly period without regard to the calendar year, at the end of which a firm, government, etc., determines its financial condition.

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fiscal year British  

noun

1. any annual period at the end of which a firm's accounts are made up

2. the annual period ending April 5, over which Budget estimates are made by the British Government and which functions as the income-tax year

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fiscal year Cultural  

1. A twelve-month period for which an organization, such as a government or corporation, plans the use of its funds. Commonly, fiscal years run from July 1 to June 30, or, in the case of the U.S. government, from October 1 to September 30.

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Etymology

Origin of fiscal year

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

Thomas Priselac, then-president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, made $8.8 million in fiscal year 2024, according to the organization’s most recent available federal tax filing.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

For the fiscal year, which ends next April, the company expects earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization to increase 8% to 10%.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

That’s approximately $3 billion less compared with the previous fiscal year.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 5, 2026

Homeland Security data from the first quarter of the 2025 fiscal year, the latest available, shows that of some 350,000 new permanent residencies issued, about 190,000—54 percent—were adjustments, which is in keeping with historical trends.

From Slate • Jun. 5, 2026

March, 1856 255,800 9,381 49,490 In this annual report of 31st March, 1856, is the last account of the 12d. stamp, from which it appears that none were issued to postmasters during the fiscal year.

From Canada: Its Postage Stamps and Postal Stationery by Howes, Clifton Armstrong

Related Words

• calendar year
• financial year