The Ethiopian fiscal year and calendar for business accounts

5 min read · Last checked 2026-10-25 · by OLY Technologies, Addis Ababa

Ethiopian companies keep their books by the Ethiopian fiscal year, which runs from Hamle 1 to Sene 30. In Gregorian dates that is 8 July to 7 July of the next year.

Current and next fiscal year

The Ethiopian calendar in short

• 12 months of 30 days, plus Pagume, a 13th month of 5 days (6 days in a leap year).
• The year starts on Meskerem 1: 11 September, or 12 September when the Pagume just before it had 6 days (Meskerem 1, 2020 is 12 September 2027).
• The Ethiopian year number is 7 or 8 years behind the Gregorian one: 25 October 2026 is Tikimt 15, 2019.

Month by month (Ethiopian year 2019)

What it means for your accounts

• Year-end closing is on Sene 30 (7 July): stock count, accruals, depreciation and the profit and loss for the year.
• VAT is filed per month; Nehase and Pagume count as one month for VAT (VAT Proclamation No. 1341/2024, Article 2).
• Reports that compare "this year" with "last year" must use Hamle–Sene years, not January–December, or the numbers will not match your tax filings.

Sources

• Value Added Tax Proclamation No. 1341/2024, Article 2 (accounting period)

General information, not legal or tax advice. Laws and rates change; check with the Ministry of Revenues or your accountant before you file.

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