Job Discussion Forums

[nomad50]

I got this nifty contract from Westgate, paying JPY 275000/month.
Then I see that non-residents pay 20% income tax, and, further, a JPY 81, 400 will be deducted should the teacher choose to live in Westgate housing. This leaves approximately JPY 140000 to live on. Hmmmm. Is this really feasible in Japan? Am I missing something here? What gives?

[ripslyme]

20% tax? Whoa. My tax is significantly less.

81,400 to live in Westgate Housing?!? And I thought the Nova apartment was a rip.

[Glenski]

20% income tax withholding is only for people on working holiday visa, I thought. And, Westgate doesn't hire WHV holders. Something is up.

[JJJJJ]

Although it has been several years since I was employed by Westgate, an experience I would not wish on anyone, I distinctly remember paying a tax premium that I thought was excessive and above any I had previously paid in that country. When I enquired of HRD, I was told that if I remained in Japan for less than a year, my tax deductions would be returned upon my departure. As I chose to leave Westgate at the end of three months, I asked again about a tax refund. This time I was told that I would have to return the following year in order to collect and I was issued a number of stipulations, none of which I can remember, although I definitely remember that it appeared these requirements were issued so that it would be impossible to meet their demands. This recent enquiry reminded that for a while I was definitely curious about the whereabouts of those tax deductions. Is there a "legal eagle" who knows the answer? In the late 90s in Tokyo, there was an attorney working primarily for foreign teachers; he was very much needed.

[mineposa2]

I got this in an email:

As you will be notified in the Instructor Handbook, the new income tax
rate has been implemented from 2007. However, we have been trying to
maximize our instructors' salary amount after tax deductions as the
income tax rate for nonresidents has been raised significantly with the
new policy. We have been discussing with the government tax regulating
authority regarding the residency status and the income tax rate to be
considered as same as the previous year (3-4%). We are very glad to
inform you that we are able to apply the resident status tax rate (3-4%)
to your salary for the spring term. Also, we will send you another
message at a later date for more details and regarding the required
procedures.


I asked if they were informing me of this because it was subject to change, no response. Awaiting handbook and contract. Will be combing the fine print.

[zorro (3)]

I just dug out a payslip from Westgate. My tax was 12,500 for one month. I'll let you do the calculations.
Incidentally, I got two months tax back from them at the end of the contract. As JJJJ says though, they only do this in the Autumn term.

[Glenski]

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=48101