Budget Forms for the Upcoming Fiscal Year

Budget forms for the upcoming fiscal year are typically published shortly after the State budget passes to incorporate any changes in State law. Since the FY 2026 State budget has not yet passed, School Finance and the Auditor General's Office are planning to publish preliminary budget forms to allow districts and charters to plan budget preparation processes and governing board meetings.

The Auditor General's Office expects to publish preliminary budget forms for use in budget proposal and adoption by Thursday, May 22nd if the State budget has not passed and does not appear likely to pass the following week. Please note that preliminary budget forms will not account for routine annual changes, such as inflation, and will not anticipate any other changes to State law. Therefore, any district or charter that proposes its budget using the preliminary budget forms must also adopt the preliminary forms, then revise its budget in early FY 2026 using the final budget forms to incorporate any changes in State law. Districts in which the qualifying levy is greater than the equalization base (non-State-aid districts), in particular, should be aware of the impact of preliminary forms on the budget and discuss property tax rate considerations with counties if preliminary budget forms are used with revisions expected. We will provide a timeframe for final budget form issuance once final changes in State law are known.

If the State budget passes before May 22nd, or appears likely to pass the following week, the Auditor General’s Office will not publish preliminary forms and will instead publish the final budget forms as soon as possible after the budget passes. The final forms will account for all changes in State law, and it may not be necessary to revise the budget in early FY 2026.

School Finance will continue to provide updates via Hot Topic when more information is available.

Thank you!