Job Discussion Forums

[skirmish]

Hi All

I will probably be leaving Japan for good soon, and have been here for over a year, so Im guessing I have this dreaded city tax thing coming.
To be honest, Im not going to pay it, but I have heard stories that they can hold you up at the airport for not paying it?
Does anyone have any info on this?
Cheers

[earthmonkey]

[bornslippy1981]

A lot of people don't pay it, and get home just fine.

Did you have your garbage picked up during your stay? Did you ever need help from the police, be it some sort of criminal matter or directions?

Perhaps now there's no connection between city offices and immigration, but there could be in the future. Wouldn't it be great to return in 10 years for a holiday, and you find out you owe taxes plus interest?

I'm not saying this will happen, but taxes do get used for some things, and when one gaijin doesn't pay, it makes others look bad.

[skirmish]

[bluefrog]

You will have no problem leaving the country.
I think you should pay the tax though.

I didn't pay the tax for 2 years and lived in 2 different wards. The ward I lived in most recently seized the money without notifying me and charged me a seizure fee. The ward I lived in BEFORE that worked out a payment plan with me and takes it out of my paycheck monthly so the payments are smaller.
The problem I have is that the tax is applied inconsistently. I know people who haven't paid it in a decade. They don't make it easy for foreigners to pay it by not providing comprehensive info on it in English and making us pay it in 4 lump sums. As more foreigners come to the country the system will have to change.

[callmesim]

I'm hugely confused with city tax.

If someone could help me out that would be great.

I arrived in March 06 and plan on leaving in May 07. I live in Naniwa ward in Osaka. So, come March next year, I'll have to pay city tax. Is that right? And roughly how much would it be? Anyone know?