diff --git a/api/routers/notifications.py b/api/routers/notifications.py
index adb20ede..192f4afb 100644
--- a/api/routers/notifications.py
+++ b/api/routers/notifications.py
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
     NotificationResponse,
     NotificationStatsResponse,
 )
+from api.timeutils import utcnow
 
 router = APIRouter(tags=["notifications"])
 
@@ -147,8 +148,6 @@ async def mark_notification_read(
     Sets ``opened_at`` to now (idempotent — does nothing if already set).
     The mobile Inbox calls this when the user taps a row.
     """
-    from api.timeutils import utcnow
-
     notification = db.query(Notification).filter(Notification.id == notification_id).first()
     if not notification:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Notification not found")
@@ -282,9 +281,9 @@ async def get_organization_notification_stats(
     # Verify admin belongs to organization
     verify_org_member(admin, org_id)
 
-    from datetime import datetime, timedelta
+    from datetime import timedelta
 
-    cutoff_date = datetime.utcnow() - timedelta(days=days)
+    cutoff_date = utcnow() - timedelta(days=days)
 
     # Total notifications by status
     status_counts = (
diff --git a/api/routers/recurring_events.py b/api/routers/recurring_events.py
index aff2e7e0..243b3262 100644
--- a/api/routers/recurring_events.py
+++ b/api/routers/recurring_events.py
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
     generate_occurrences,
     validate_series_duration,
 )
+from api.timeutils import utcnow
 
 router = APIRouter(tags=["recurring-events"])
 
@@ -454,7 +455,7 @@ def update_series_template(
     if role_requirements is not None:
         series.role_requirements = role_requirements
 
-    series.updated_at = datetime.utcnow()
+    series.updated_at = utcnow()
 
     db.commit()
     db.refresh(series)
diff --git a/api/routers/sms.py b/api/routers/sms.py
index 68edf1a0..f51da0db 100644
--- a/api/routers/sms.py
+++ b/api/routers/sms.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
     send_broadcast_message,
     send_event_reminder,
 )
+from api.timeutils import utcnow
 
 router = APIRouter(prefix="/api/sms", tags=["sms"])
 
@@ -166,9 +167,9 @@ def send_verification_code(
             db=db, person_id=request.person_id, phone_number=request.phone_number
         )
 
-        from datetime import datetime, timedelta
+        from datetime import timedelta
 
-        expires_at = (datetime.utcnow() + timedelta(minutes=10)).isoformat()
+        expires_at = (utcnow() + timedelta(minutes=10)).isoformat()
 
         return VerificationCodeResponse(
             message="Verification code sent via SMS",
@@ -308,7 +309,6 @@ def get_sms_usage_stats(
 
     Returns current month usage with budget tracking.
     """
-    from datetime import datetime
 
     from api.models import SmsUsage
 
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ def get_sms_usage_stats(
         raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="Access denied: wrong organization")
 
     # Get current month usage
-    current_month = datetime.utcnow().strftime("%Y-%m")
+    current_month = utcnow().strftime("%Y-%m")
 
     usage = (
         db.query(SmsUsage)
@@ -548,7 +548,6 @@ async def twilio_delivery_status_webhook(request: Request, db: Session = Depends
             raise HTTPException(status_code=422, detail="Missing required fields")
 
         # Update message status in database
-        from datetime import datetime
 
         from api.models import SmsMessage
 
@@ -560,9 +559,9 @@ async def twilio_delivery_status_webhook(request: Request, db: Session = Depends
             sms_message.status = message_status
 
             if message_status == "delivered":
-                sms_message.delivered_at = datetime.utcnow()
+                sms_message.delivered_at = utcnow()
             elif message_status in ["failed", "undelivered"]:
-                sms_message.failed_at = datetime.utcnow()
+                sms_message.failed_at = utcnow()
                 sms_message.error_message = form_data.get("ErrorMessage", "Unknown error")
 
             db.commit()
diff --git a/api/routers/solutions.py b/api/routers/solutions.py
index f5849194..d8b00022 100644
--- a/api/routers/solutions.py
+++ b/api/routers/solutions.py
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 """Solutions router - view and export generated solutions."""
 
-from datetime import datetime
 
 from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends, HTTPException, Query, Request, Response, status
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
@@ -167,7 +166,7 @@ def create_manual_solution(
         soft_score=solution_data.get("soft_score", 0.0),
         health_score=solution_data.get("health_score", 0.0),
         metrics=solution_data.get("metrics", {}),
-        created_at=datetime.utcnow(),
+        created_at=utcnow(),
     )
 
     db.add(new_solution)
diff --git a/api/services/billing_service.py b/api/services/billing_service.py
index 22fc1943..e7fdb9ab 100644
--- a/api/services/billing_service.py
+++ b/api/services/billing_service.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
     SubscriptionEvent,
     UsageMetrics,
 )
+from api.timeutils import utcnow
 from api.utils.stripe_client import StripeClient
 
 
@@ -213,7 +214,7 @@ def update_volunteer_count(self, org_id: str) -> UsageMetrics | None:
                 metric.current_value = volunteer_count
                 metric.plan_limit = plan_limit
                 metric.percentage_used = percentage_used
-                metric.last_updated = datetime.utcnow()
+                metric.last_updated = utcnow()
             else:
                 metric = UsageMetrics(
                     org_id=org_id,
@@ -524,13 +525,13 @@ def start_trial(
             previous_plan = subscription.plan_tier
 
             # Calculate trial end date
-            trial_end = datetime.utcnow() + timedelta(days=trial_days)
+            trial_end = utcnow() + timedelta(days=trial_days)
 
             # Update subscription to trial status
             subscription.plan_tier = plan_tier
             subscription.status = "trialing"
             subscription.trial_end_date = trial_end
-            subscription.current_period_start = datetime.utcnow()
+            subscription.current_period_start = utcnow()
             subscription.current_period_end = trial_end
 
             self.db.commit()
@@ -594,7 +595,7 @@ def auto_downgrade_expired_trials(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
             # Called daily by Celery task
         """
         try:
-            now = datetime.utcnow()
+            now = utcnow()
 
             # Find all expired trials
             expired_trials = (
@@ -893,7 +894,7 @@ def _calculate_prorated_amount(self, subscription: Subscription, new_billing_cyc
                 - Positive: Charge (monthly → annual)
                 - Negative: Credit (annual → monthly)
         """
-        now = datetime.utcnow()
+        now = utcnow()
         current_cycle = subscription.billing_cycle
         plan_tier = subscription.plan_tier
 
@@ -1003,7 +1004,7 @@ def downgrade_subscription(
                 }
 
             # Calculate effective date (end of current period)
-            effective_date = subscription.current_period_end or datetime.utcnow()
+            effective_date = subscription.current_period_end or utcnow()
 
             # Calculate credit for unused time
             credit_amount = self._calculate_downgrade_credit(
@@ -1016,7 +1017,7 @@ def downgrade_subscription(
                 "effective_date": effective_date.isoformat(),
                 "credit_amount_cents": credit_amount,
                 "reason": reason,
-                "scheduled_at": datetime.utcnow().isoformat(),
+                "scheduled_at": utcnow().isoformat(),
             }
 
             self.db.commit()
@@ -1062,7 +1063,7 @@ def _calculate_downgrade_credit(self, subscription: Subscription, new_plan_tier:
         Returns:
             int: Credit amount in cents
         """
-        now = datetime.utcnow()
+        now = utcnow()
         current_plan = subscription.plan_tier
         billing_cycle = subscription.billing_cycle
 
@@ -1119,7 +1120,7 @@ def apply_pending_downgrades(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
             }
         """
         try:
-            now = datetime.utcnow()
+            now = utcnow()
             applied_downgrades = []
 
             # Find all subscriptions with pending downgrades
@@ -1395,7 +1396,7 @@ def reactivate_subscription(self, org_id: str, admin_id: str | None = None) -> d
                     "message": "Subscription was not cancelled or retention period has expired",
                 }
 
-            now = datetime.utcnow()
+            now = utcnow()
 
             if now > org.data_retention_until:
                 return {
diff --git a/api/services/email_service.py b/api/services/email_service.py
index 3a4224b6..e5a8df3a 100644
--- a/api/services/email_service.py
+++ b/api/services/email_service.py
@@ -401,7 +401,6 @@ def _update_notification_status(
             sendgrid_message_id: Optional SendGrid message ID
             error_message: Optional error message
         """
-        from datetime import datetime
 
         notification.status = status
 
@@ -412,7 +411,7 @@ def _update_notification_status(
             notification.error_message = error_message
 
         if status == "sent":
-            notification.sent_at = datetime.utcnow()
+            notification.sent_at = utcnow()
 
         db.commit()
 
diff --git a/api/services/notification_service.py b/api/services/notification_service.py
index 37b0a94d..9dd98146 100644
--- a/api/services/notification_service.py
+++ b/api/services/notification_service.py
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@
 import logging
 import os
 import secrets
-from datetime import datetime
 from typing import Any
 
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
@@ -24,6 +23,7 @@
     Person,
 )
 from api.tasks.notifications import send_email_task
+from api.timeutils import utcnow
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 _TRUTHY_VALUES = {"1", "true", "yes", "on"}
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ def create_assignment_notifications(
                 "assignment_id": assignment.id,
                 "role": assignment.role if hasattr(assignment, "role") else None,
             },
-            created_at=datetime.utcnow(),
+            created_at=utcnow(),
         )
         db.add(notification)
         db.flush()  # Flush to get notification ID
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ def create_notification(
         status=NotificationStatus.PENDING,
         event_id=event_id,
         template_data=template_data or {},
-        created_at=datetime.utcnow(),
+        created_at=utcnow(),
     )
     db.add(notification)
     db.flush()
diff --git a/api/services/sms_service.py b/api/services/sms_service.py
index 9cebdc9c..bd1d3839 100644
--- a/api/services/sms_service.py
+++ b/api/services/sms_service.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 import os
 import random
 import re
-from datetime import datetime, timedelta
+from datetime import timedelta
 from typing import Any
 
 from jinja2 import Template
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@
     SmsTemplate,
     SmsVerificationCode,
 )
+from api.timeutils import utcnow
 from api.utils.cost_tracker import CostTracker
 from api.utils.quiet_hours import QuietHours
 from api.utils.sms_rate_limiter import SmsRateLimiter
@@ -130,7 +131,7 @@ def send_sms(
                 twilio_message_sid=twilio_message.sid,
                 cost_cents=cost_cents,
                 is_urgent=is_urgent,
-                sent_at=datetime.utcnow(),
+                sent_at=utcnow(),
             )
             db.add(sms_message)
 
@@ -165,7 +166,7 @@ def send_sms(
                 error_message=str(e),
                 cost_cents=0,
                 is_urgent=is_urgent,
-                failed_at=datetime.utcnow(),
+                failed_at=utcnow(),
             )
             db.add(sms_message)
             db.commit()
@@ -350,7 +351,7 @@ def generate_verification_code(self, db: Session, person_id: int, phone_number:
         """
         # 1. Generate random 6-digit code
         code = random.randint(100000, 999999)
-        expires_at = datetime.utcnow() + timedelta(minutes=10)
+        expires_at = utcnow() + timedelta(minutes=10)
 
         # 2. Delete any existing verification codes for this person
         db.query(SmsVerificationCode).filter(SmsVerificationCode.person_id == person_id).delete()
@@ -413,7 +414,7 @@ def verify_code(self, db: Session, person_id: int, code: int) -> dict[str, Any]:
             raise ValueError("No verification code found. Please request a new code.")
 
         # 2. Check expiration (10 minutes)
-        if datetime.utcnow() > verification.expires_at:
+        if utcnow() > verification.expires_at:
             db.delete(verification)
             db.commit()
             raise ValueError("Verification code expired. Please request a new code.")
@@ -443,7 +444,7 @@ def verify_code(self, db: Session, person_id: int, code: int) -> dict[str, Any]:
                 phone_number=verification.phone_number,
                 verified=True,
                 notification_types=["assignment", "reminder", "change", "cancellation"],
-                opt_in_date=datetime.utcnow(),
+                opt_in_date=utcnow(),
                 language="en",
                 timezone="UTC",
             )
@@ -451,7 +452,7 @@ def verify_code(self, db: Session, person_id: int, code: int) -> dict[str, Any]:
         else:
             sms_pref.verified = True
             sms_pref.phone_number = verification.phone_number
-            sms_pref.opt_in_date = datetime.utcnow()
+            sms_pref.opt_in_date = utcnow()
 
         # 6. Delete verification code record
         db.delete(verification)
@@ -545,7 +546,7 @@ def process_incoming_reply(
             event_id=None,
             action_taken=action,
             twilio_message_sid=twilio_message_sid,
-            processed_at=datetime.utcnow(),
+            processed_at=utcnow(),
         )
         db.add(sms_reply)
         db.commit()
@@ -578,7 +579,7 @@ def process_yes_reply(
             .join(Event)
             .filter(
                 Assignment.person_id == person_id,
-                Event.datetime >= datetime.utcnow(),
+                Event.datetime >= utcnow(),
             )
             .order_by(Event.datetime.asc())
             .first()
@@ -624,7 +625,7 @@ def process_no_reply(self, db: Session, person_id: int, original_message_id: int
             .join(Event)
             .filter(
                 Assignment.person_id == person_id,
-                Event.datetime >= datetime.utcnow(),
+                Event.datetime >= utcnow(),
             )
             .order_by(Event.datetime.asc())
             .first()
@@ -672,7 +673,7 @@ def process_stop_reply(self, db: Session, person_id: int) -> str:
             return "You are not subscribed to SMS notifications."
 
         # 2. Update opt_out_date (TCPA compliance)
-        sms_pref.opt_out_date = datetime.utcnow()
+        sms_pref.opt_out_date = utcnow()
         db.commit()
 
         # 3. Return opt-out confirmation
@@ -704,7 +705,7 @@ def process_start_reply(self, db: Session, person_id: int) -> str:
 
         # 3. Clear opt_out_date to re-enable
         sms_pref.opt_out_date = None
-        sms_pref.opt_in_date = datetime.utcnow()  # Update opt-in date
+        sms_pref.opt_in_date = utcnow()  # Update opt-in date
         db.commit()
 
         # 4. Return re-enablement confirmation
diff --git a/api/services/usage_service.py b/api/services/usage_service.py
index 4d922048..f35f00a6 100644
--- a/api/services/usage_service.py
+++ b/api/services/usage_service.py
@@ -17,13 +17,13 @@
 """
 
 import os
-from datetime import datetime
 from typing import Any
 
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session, joinedload
 
 from api.logging_config import logger
 from api.models import Organization, Subscription, UsageMetrics
+from api.timeutils import utcnow
 
 
 class UsageService:
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ def _update_volunteer_count(self, org_id: str) -> UsageMetrics | None:
                 metric.current_value = volunteer_count
                 metric.plan_limit = plan_limit
                 metric.percentage_used = percentage_used
-                metric.last_updated = datetime.utcnow()
+                metric.last_updated = utcnow()
             else:
                 metric = UsageMetrics(
                     org_id=org_id,
diff --git a/api/tasks/billing_tasks.py b/api/tasks/billing_tasks.py
index 4c8fbf77..d7891a3e 100644
--- a/api/tasks/billing_tasks.py
+++ b/api/tasks/billing_tasks.py
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 
 # Use the same Celery app instance
 from api.tasks.sms_tasks import celery_app
+from api.timeutils import utcnow
 
 
 @celery_app.task(bind=True, max_retries=3)
@@ -257,11 +258,11 @@ def process_cancelled_subscriptions(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
     db = SessionLocal()
 
     try:
-        from datetime import datetime, timedelta
+        from datetime import timedelta
 
         from api.models import Organization, Subscription, SubscriptionEvent
 
-        now = datetime.utcnow()
+        now = utcnow()
         cancelled_orgs = []
 
         # Find all subscriptions marked for cancellation at period end
@@ -368,11 +369,9 @@ def mark_organizations_for_deletion(self) -> dict[str, Any]:
     db = SessionLocal()
 
     try:
-        from datetime import datetime
-
         from api.models import Organization
 
-        now = datetime.utcnow()
+        now = utcnow()
         marked_orgs = []
 
         # Find organizations past retention period
diff --git a/api/tasks/notifications.py b/api/tasks/notifications.py
index 4632b181..cc8a2c61 100644
--- a/api/tasks/notifications.py
+++ b/api/tasks/notifications.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 """
 
 import logging
-from datetime import datetime, timedelta
+from datetime import timedelta
 from typing import Any
 
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
     Person,
 )
 from api.services.email_service import email_service
+from api.timeutils import utcnow
 
 logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -209,7 +210,7 @@ def _send_reminder_notification(
         return None
 
     # Calculate hours remaining
-    now = datetime.utcnow()
+    now = utcnow()
     hours_remaining = int((event.start_time - now).total_seconds() / 3600)
 
     # Format event datetime
@@ -377,7 +378,7 @@ def send_reminder_emails() -> dict[str, Any]:
 
     try:
         # Find events happening in 23-25 hours (24-hour window with 1-hour buffer)
-        now = datetime.utcnow()
+        now = utcnow()
         reminder_start = now + timedelta(hours=23)
         reminder_end = now + timedelta(hours=25)
 
@@ -437,7 +438,7 @@ def send_reminder_emails() -> dict[str, Any]:
                         "role": assignment.role if hasattr(assignment, "role") else None,
                         "hours_remaining": int((event.start_time - now).total_seconds() / 3600),
                     },
-                    created_at=datetime.utcnow(),
+                    created_at=utcnow(),
                 )
                 db.add(notification)
                 db.flush()
diff --git a/api/utils/calendar_utils.py b/api/utils/calendar_utils.py
index 843e49e1..e9292654 100644
--- a/api/utils/calendar_utils.py
+++ b/api/utils/calendar_utils.py
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@
 from icalendar import Calendar, vDatetime
 from icalendar import Event as ICalEvent
 
+from api.timeutils import utcnow
+
 
 def generate_ics_from_assignments(
     assignments: list[dict[str, Any]],
@@ -45,7 +47,7 @@ def generate_ics_from_assignments(
         # Required fields
         event_data = assignment.get("event", {})
         event.add("uid", f"rostio-assignment-{assignment.get('id')}@rostio.app")
-        event.add("dtstamp", datetime.utcnow().replace(tzinfo=ZoneInfo("UTC")))
+        event.add("dtstamp", utcnow().replace(tzinfo=ZoneInfo("UTC")))
 
         # Event times
         start_time = event_data.get("start_time")
@@ -133,7 +135,7 @@ def generate_ics_from_events(
 
         # Required fields
         event.add("uid", f"rostio-event-{event_data.get('id')}@rostio.app")
-        event.add("dtstamp", datetime.utcnow().replace(tzinfo=ZoneInfo("UTC")))
+        event.add("dtstamp", utcnow().replace(tzinfo=ZoneInfo("UTC")))
 
         # Event times
         start_time = event_data.get("start_time")
diff --git a/api/utils/cost_tracker.py b/api/utils/cost_tracker.py
index 4d7dd1ee..0c089b89 100644
--- a/api/utils/cost_tracker.py
+++ b/api/utils/cost_tracker.py
@@ -7,12 +7,12 @@
 - Auto-pause at budget limit (optional)
 """
 
-from datetime import datetime
 from typing import Any
 
 from sqlalchemy.orm import Session
 
 from api.models import SmsUsage
+from api.timeutils import utcnow
 
 
 class CostTracker:
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ def track_usage(
             Dictionary with budget status and alert info
         """
         # Get or create usage record for current month
-        month_year = datetime.utcnow().strftime("%Y-%m")
+        month_year = utcnow().strftime("%Y-%m")
 
         usage = (
             db.query(SmsUsage)
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ def check_budget(self, db: Session, organization_id: int) -> dict[str, Any]:
         Returns:
             Dictionary with budget status
         """
-        month_year = datetime.utcnow().strftime("%Y-%m")
+        month_year = utcnow().strftime("%Y-%m")
 
         usage = (
             db.query(SmsUsage)
diff --git a/api/utils/sms_rate_limiter.py b/api/utils/sms_rate_limiter.py
index f20f3948..9fb97f01 100644
--- a/api/utils/sms_rate_limiter.py
+++ b/api/utils/sms_rate_limiter.py
@@ -8,10 +8,12 @@
 """
 
 import os
-from datetime import datetime, timedelta
+from datetime import timedelta
 
 import redis
 
+from api.timeutils import utcnow
+
 
 class SmsRateLimiter:
     """Redis-based rate limiter for SMS messages."""
@@ -114,7 +116,7 @@ def reset_count(self, person_id: int) -> None:
 
     def _seconds_until_midnight(self) -> int:
         """Calculate seconds until midnight for expiration."""
-        now = datetime.utcnow()
+        now = utcnow()
         midnight = (now + timedelta(days=1)).replace(hour=0, minute=0, second=0, microsecond=0)
         delta = midnight - now
         return int(delta.total_seconds())