Apple’s fiscal calendar is a unique schedule that the company uses for accounting, reporting, and paying its app developers. It is different from the standard calendar year.
Overall, Apple’s fiscal calendar is an important tool for app developers to understand and use to their advantage. By being aware of the payment schedule and seasonal trends, developers can better manage their finances and grow their businesses.
Below we are going to make you conversant with what exactly is Apple’s fiscal year and when you are getting paid.
What is Apple’s Fiscal Calendar
Simply put, Apple’s fiscal calendar is a schedule in which Apple hands out the application’s revenue to each mobile app owner, withholding their cut of App Store fees and sales taxes, where it applies.
Of course, if you are an iOS app developer, you can earn revenue from your products every day, but you will receive the actual earnings only on the chosen dates by Apple on their fiscal calendar. Here’s the 2024 calendar:
How Apple Fiscal Calendars works
It’s important to note that a fiscal year isn’t the same as the typical calendar year. A fiscal year lasts one year, but may not necessarily start at the beginning of a calendar year.
- The Apple fiscal year starts on the last Sunday of September
- Apple’s fiscal calendar is divided into four quarters. Each quarter comprises 13 weeks
- Each period begins and ends on the same day of the week, and most payment dates come 33 days after the end of the previous fiscal month
- Apple uses the North American calendar for its fiscal year: a week starts on a Sunday and ends on a Saturday
When You Are Getting Paid
You are always getting paid on the same day of the week, which happens to be Thursday this fiscal year.
Note, that you will get paid for the revenue generated 2 months prior to the payout date. We have written down the dates for you in the simplest way here:
Revenue Generated During Payout Date
August 4 – September 7, 2023 October 5, 2023
September 8 – October 5, 2023 November 2, 2023
October 6 – November 2, 2023 December 7, 2023
November 3 – December 7, 2023 January 4, 2024
December 8, 2023 – January 4, 2024 February 1, 2024
January 5 – February 1, 2024 March 7, 2024
February 2 – March 7, 2024 April 4, 2024
March 8 – April 4, 2024 May 2, 2024
April 5 – May 2, 2024 June 6, 2024
May 3 – June 6, 2024 July 4, 2024
June 7 – July 4, 2024 August 1, 2024
July 5 – August 1, 2024 September 5, 2024
How to best manage the impact of Apple’s fiscal calendar
Create a budget and financial plan
This will help you to track your income and expenses and make sure that you have enough money to cover your expenses, even during periods when your payments may be delayed.
Save money for taxes
Apple will withhold taxes from your payments, so it is important to set aside money for taxes throughout the year.
Use a payment processor that supports Apple Pay.
This will allow you to receive your payments more quickly.
Track your sales and expenses
This will help you to identify trends and make informed decisions about your business.
Be prepared for seasonal fluctuations in sales
If you know that your sales are typically lower during certain months, you can plan accordingly by reducing your expenses or increasing your marketing efforts during those months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Apple’s payment dates consistent?
Apple usually pays 33 days after the end of the fiscal month, but there have been exceptions on occasions, so it would be best to expect slight variations in the dates.
Why does Apple occasionally include an extra week in its fiscal year?
Approximately every five years Apple adds an extra week to its financial year in order to maintain alignment with the standard calendar year. This way over time Apple’s FY stays up-to-date with the calendar the main part of the population is using.
Are Apple’s fiscal calendar and payment dates the same worldwide?
Yes, but local banks can have a different processing time and the payments might come a bit later.
What requirements must be met to receive payments from Apple?
In order to receive payments for your application, you should have a Paid Applications Agreement in effect. You would also be asked to provide banking information in App Store Connect and exceed the minimum monthly payment threshold for each country or region you are selling your content and services. The last thing you would have to do is complete any monthly invoicing requirements based on your location.
When are the quarters in the Apple fiscal calendar?
- The first quarter starts on the 1st of October and ends on the 31st of December.
- The second quarter starts on the 1st of January and ends on the 31st of March.
- The third quarter starts on the 1st of April and ends on the 30th of June.
- The fourth and last quarter starts on the 1st of July and ends on the 30th of September.
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