What is the tax year?
When filing taxes, understanding the tax season and year is crucial for staying compliant and avoiding penalties. A tax year is the 12-month period in which your income, deductions and credits are recorded for tax purposes.
This period is essential because it defines the timeframe for calculating all your earnings and tax liabilities. In many countries, the tax year aligns with the calendar year, which runs from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, but this is not always the case. Some countries and businesses may follow a fiscal year, starting and ending on different dates.
The tax year runs from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 in the United States. Any income you earn within that period is reported in the following year’s tax return. For instance, if you earned income between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024, you would report