<P> A number of major corporations that were once government - owned, such as BT Group and the National Grid, continue to use the government's financial year, which ends on the last day of March, as they have found no reason to change since privatisation . </P> <P> The 5 April year end for personal tax and benefits reflects the old ecclesiastical calendar, with New Year falling on 25 March (Lady Day), the difference being accounted for by the eleven days "missed out" when Great Britain converted from the Julian Calendar to the Gregorian Calendar in September 1752 (the British tax authorities, and landlords were unwilling to lose 11 days of tax and rent revenue, so under provision 6 (Times of Payment of Rents, Annuities, &c .) of the Calendar (New Style) Act 1750, the 1752--3 tax year was extended by 11 days). From 1753 until 1799, the tax year in Great Britain began on 5 April, which was the "old style" new year of 25 March . A 12th skipped Julian leap day in 1800 changed its start to 6 April . It was not changed when a 13th Julian leap day was skipped in 1900, so the start of the personal tax year in the United Kingdom is still 6 April . </P> <P> The United States federal government's fiscal year is the 12 - month period ending on 30 September of that year, having begun on 1 October of the previous calendar year . In particular, the identification of a fiscal year is the calendar year in which it ends; thus, the current fiscal year is 2018, often written as "FY2018" or "FY18", which began on 1 October 2017 and which will end on 30 September 2018 . </P> <P> Prior to 1976, the fiscal year began on 1 July and ended on 30 June . The Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 made the change to allow Congress more time to arrive at a budget each year, and provided for what is known as the "transitional quarter" from 1 July 1976 to 30 September 1976 . An earlier shift in the federal government's fiscal year was made in 1843, shifting the fiscal year from a calendar year to one starting on 1 July . </P>

What are the dates for fiscal year 2018