{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/fiscal-year","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/fiscal-year","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"fiscal-year","term":"Fiscal Year","aka":"FY","group":"Reading the business","definition":"This is a 12-month accounting period for a business, which doesn't always align with the calendar year. It's how a company structures its financial reporting.","what_it_means":"When you're reviewing a target business's financials, always note its fiscal year (FY) end date. All financial statements, like P&Ls and Balance Sheets, will be based on this period. Make sure you're comparing apples to apples when looking at historical performance.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/fiscal-year","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"profit-and-loss-statement","term":"Profit and Loss Statement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/profit-and-loss-statement"},{"slug":"balance-sheet","term":"Balance Sheet","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/balance-sheet"},{"slug":"ebitda","term":"EBITDA","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/ebitda"},{"slug":"sde","term":"SDE","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sde"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What are the current fiscal year 2026 upfront guaranty fee rates for 7(a) loans?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-the-current-fiscal-year-2026-upfront-guaranty-fee-rates-for-7-a-loans"},{"question":"What if my business is seasonal, and revenue fluctuates throughout the year?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-if-my-business-is-seasonal-and-revenue-fluctuates-throughout-the-year"},{"question":"Are there peak times of the year when SBA 7(a) loan applications take longer to process?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/are-there-peak-times-of-the-year-when-sba-7-a-loan-applications-take-longer-to-process"},{"question":"Can a seller note with a 5-year full standby period be considered part of the equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-a-seller-note-with-a-5-year-full-standby-period-be-considered-part-of-the-equity-injec"},{"question":"Is it true that getting an SBA 7(a) loan takes a very long time, like a year?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/is-it-true-that-getting-an-sba-7-a-loan-takes-a-very-long-time-like-a-year"},{"question":"If the business real estate is leased, can the acquisition loan still be for a 25-year term?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/if-the-business-real-estate-is-leased-can-the-acquisition-loan-still-be-for-a-25-year-term"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Fiscal Year","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/fiscal-year","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}