Job Discussion Forums

ruggedtoast · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 81 Location: tokyo

Is this true? How many of you on WHVs pay this much tax?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

It's true.

http://www.jawhm.or.jp/eng/faq/main.html
http://www.taxanser.nta.go.jp/12002.htm

BenJ · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 209 Location: Nagoya

I know people who paid this and others who didn't and aren't. Depends on the employer I guess.

ruggedtoast · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 81 Location: tokyo

can you claim any of it back?

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Only if you file a tax return with the tax office at the end of the financial year (about mid-February each year)

If you dont put in a tax return yourself you can't expect to get a refund, simple as that.

G Cthulhu · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2003 12:00 am Post subject:

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

"supposed to" being the operative word. Many of them don't. They are required by law to issue you with a tax withdrawal declaration form 'nenmatsu gensenchoshu' at the end of the year (but not required to file a tax return on your behalf, I believe) but considering some of the lax, slow or sloppy administration by many eikaiwa employers I wouldn't hold my breath expecting them to file a return on your behalf.

gyunyu · Joined: 21 Jun 2003 Posts: 8

I guess I will find out soon enough but can someone hip me to the wheres and whyfores of WHV and how it is represented by a 20% tax. Let's start with the acronym fer instance... White... Hot... uh.. Vespas?

To whom does this apply? Pardon my ignorance, but this didn't come up in the interview.

Thanks.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

WHV is a working holiday visa, which you can get if you are under 30, come from Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Americans can not get it and it is not the same visa as a full-time sponsored work visa. You dont need to have a degree or sponsor for this visa as the purpose is travel and to experience the culture, working part time to fund your travels.

As the working holiday visa is only valid for 6 months and can be renewed ONCE it is assumed you will not work a full financial year, and you MAY pay more in tax each month to make up the difference. If you file a tax return (or your employer does it for you) with the tax office you can expect to get some of this back as a refund, but I don't know how much as it depends on how long and where you worked and is very much 'case-by case' with the tax office.