Tax Year

Tax

The 12-month period used for calculating and reporting taxes, which may or may not align with the calendar year depending on the jurisdiction.

## Tax Year

The tax year (fiscal year for individuals) defines the period for which income and tax are calculated. Not all countries use the calendar year.

### Tax Years by Country

| Country | Tax Year |
|---------|----------|
| US | January 1 – December 31 |
| UK | April 6 – April 5 |
| Australia | July 1 – June 30 |
| India | April 1 – March 31 |
| Japan | January 1 – December 31 |
| Germany | January 1 – December 31 |
| Canada | January 1 – December 31 |

### Why It Matters

The tax year determines when income is recognized and when deductions are claimed. Moving between countries with different tax years can create overlap or gap periods that require careful planning.

### UK Historical Quirk

The UK's April 6 start date traces back to 1752 when Britain adopted the Gregorian calendar and 'lost' 11 days. The tax year was extended to preserve a full year of revenue.