A principios de año.

Early this year, early last year, early next year.

I am going to sell my car early this year.

We went to the beach early this year.

He bought a new car early last year.


In News:

"Maybe also a bit of profit-taking after the gains late last year and early this year."
 Yahoo News.

"An eerily similar set of disputes broke out early last year, in the immediate aftermath of the American troop withdrawal."

 Middle East Online.