When do I have to pay zakat?

When one lunar year has passed with your wealth at or above the nisab. That date becomes your yearly zakat date. Many Muslims choose to pay in Ramadan for the extra reward, which is fine, but it isn't required. What matters is not delaying once zakat is due.

The zakat year

Zakat isn't due the moment you have money. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, "There is no zakat on wealth until hawl (one year) has passed" (Sunan Ibn Majah 1792). So your zakat year starts on the day your zakatable wealth first reaches the nisab, and zakat becomes due one lunar year (about 354 days) later, if you're still above the nisab then. See Do I have to pay zakat as a new Muslim?

Choose a fixed date

You don't recalculate for every paycheck. Once your zakat date is set, check your total zakatable wealth on that date every year and pay 2.5% of it, including money that came in only a few months ago. This is how most scholars and zakat calculators handle regular income, and it keeps things simple. See How do I calculate my zakat?

Ramadan or not?

Good deeds are multiplied in Ramadan, so many people pay zakat then. If your zakat date is in, say, March, you can move it earlier by paying in advance, which most scholars allow. Moving it later isn't allowed, because that would delay a debt that's already due. See Can I pay zakat early?

وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ ۚ وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا۟ لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ "And establish prayer and give zakah, and whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. Indeed Allah, of what you do, is Seeing." Quran 2:110

Lunar or solar year?

Zakat follows the Islamic (lunar) year, which is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian one. If you prefer to use a fixed Gregorian date, many scholars suggest paying a slightly higher rate, about 2.577%, to make up for the extra days.

Don't delay once it's due

Most scholars say zakat should be paid promptly once it's due, because it belongs to the poor. A short delay for a good reason, like waiting a few days to reach a needy relative, is generally tolerated. Putting it off for months isn't. If you've already missed years, see What if I forgot to pay zakat for years?

Key points

Zakat is due after a lunar year above the nisab.
Use one fixed zakat date every year.
Ramadan is popular but not required.
Pay promptly once it's due.

Tip: Set your zakat date to 1 Ramadan and make your first payment early if needed. From then on, zakat and Ramadan arrive together every year.