Fact Check: "The U.S. government operates on a fiscal year that runs from October 1 to September 30."
What We Know
The fiscal year for the U.S. federal government indeed runs from October 1 to September 30 of the following year. This means that, for example, fiscal year 2024 began on October 1, 2023, and will end on September 30, 2024. This structure is established by law and is consistent across various federal budget documents and resources (source-1, source-2, source-5).
Analysis
The claim that the U.S. government operates on a fiscal year from October 1 to September 30 is supported by multiple credible sources. The U.S. Treasury outlines the fiscal year structure, confirming that it begins on October 1 and concludes on September 30 of the following year. Additionally, the federal budget process explicitly states this timeline, indicating that the budget planning occurs annually, with Congress beginning work on the budget for the next fiscal year well in advance.
The information is corroborated by the Wikipedia entry on fiscal years, which provides a clear definition and context for the U.S. fiscal year, confirming the October 1 to September 30 timeline. Furthermore, academic and governmental resources, such as the University of California, Berkeley, also affirm this structure.
All cited sources are reliable, with the U.S. government and educational institutions being authoritative on this topic. There is no evidence to contradict this claim, and the consistency across various reputable sources reinforces its accuracy.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that the U.S. government operates on a fiscal year running from October 1 to September 30 is accurate. This timeline is established by law and confirmed by multiple authoritative sources, including government websites and educational institutions.
