Timing guide
Cutoff time next business day: why it matters
A cutoff time next business day rule sets the last moment when today can still count. After hours, the effective start moves to the next business day before the calculator excludes weekends and holidays. This protects support, shipping, and finance teams from same-day promises when the clock has passed. Use the business day calculator to set cutoff time, weekend pattern, and holidays before you share timelines.
Published: January 7, 2026 · Updated: January 7, 2026 · By FinToolSuite Editorial
Disclaimer
- Educational purposes only; not legal, tax, or financial advice.
- Examples are illustrative and simplified.
- Results depend on your inputs and assumptions and are not guaranteed.
- Holiday presets can be static and may not cover regional observances.
- See the Privacy Policy; do not share personal data.
Quick answer: cutoff time next business day
- Before cutoff: today can count in inclusive mode.
- After cutoff: the effective start moves to the next business day before calculation.
- Weekend and holiday settings decide which date becomes the next business day.
What is a cutoff time?
A cutoff time is the daily point after which “next business day” promises begin from tomorrow. It prevents late requests from being treated as same-day. When you enable it, the calculator shifts the effective start date to the next business day before excluding weekends and holidays. This is essential for ops, support, and shipping teams that need predictable after hours handling.
Where cutoff rules show up
- Support SLAs that promise a next business day response after hours.
- Operations handoffs where tasks start on the next working day after the cutoff.
- Shipping dispatch that closes pickups at a set time.
- Finance processing that posts payments on the next working day after a cutoff.
Worked examples (illustrative)
Example A: Before cutoff
Inputs: Start Tuesday 3:00 PM, cutoff 5:00 PM, weekend Sat–Sun, no holidays, inclusive mode.
Result: Tuesday can be the next or same business day. Illustrative only.
Example B: After cutoff
Inputs: Start Tuesday 7:00 PM, cutoff 5:00 PM, weekend Sat–Sun, no holidays, exclusive mode.
Result: Effective start moves to Wednesday, so the next business day becomes Wednesday. Illustrative only.
Example C: After cutoff on Friday
Inputs: Start Friday 6:00 PM, cutoff 5:00 PM, weekend Sat–Sun, no holidays, exclusive mode.
Result: Effective start is Monday, so the next business day becomes Monday; holidays could push it further. Illustrative only.
How to set cutoff in the tool
Use the finder- Open the next business day finder.
- Enable cutoff time and set the exact time and timezone.
- Choose inclusive or exclusive mode based on your wording.
- Set weekend pattern and exclude holidays as needed.
- Run the calculation and share the effective start date with the result.
FAQ
Why did my effective start move?
Because the action happened after the cutoff time, so the next business day is calculated from the following day.
Does cutoff time apply to received or processed?
Define it. Many teams apply cutoff to received time; others to processed time. Document your choice.
How do holidays interact with cutoff?
If the effective start lands on a holiday you exclude, the next business day moves forward again.
Do I need to exclude weekends and holidays?
Yes when policies say business day. Set weekend pattern and holiday list before using cutoff time.
Is this advice?
No. It is educational. Confirm with your own policies.
Set cutoff time and see the next business day
Control effective start, exclude weekends and holidays, and share a clear result.