Job Discussion Forums

[melonpie]

hehe. Well, I tried researching the whole thing is just so confusing to me. I'm a dual citizen of Canada and the US, and I've never filed taxes before. I'll be in a few modeling agencies when I go back to Japan on a Working Holiday Visa, doing mainly TV and Magazine work. I just want to be prepared before I arrive in Japan to prevent any screwing overs, and I'm terrified of the whole tax proccess, and was wondering if someone could direct me to a website or anything that would help me out with the whole taxing process thing? What exactly am I to do?
Also, being a dual citizen, would I be filing taxes with Canada or the US? My family resides in the US and handle all the taxes from there. Confusing confusing. Also, exactly what taxes do I need to keep up with to make sure I don't get into any trouble? Also, I am attending SCAD (Savannah College of Arts and Designs) through an online program (Graphic designs - unnecessary tidbit of info :] ) and the last time I was a student in Japan I was told that I don't have to do anything with taxes at all. But I don't know if this would still apply to me attending a US based college.

Anyways, any light shed on this would be greatly appreciated :] thank you much.

Sorry if I asked a stupid question, I'm just confused by this whole thing ^^;;

[G Cthulhu]

[melonpie]

Tax residency? Thank you.

I didn't know what specifically which question to ask anyone, and how exactly to ask it, so I was hoping someone could she any light at all on this.

Thanks a bunch, I will research this right away and go to the proper place to inquire about this. :]

Thank you.

[johanne]

If you are an American residence you pay American tax. From what I understand from Americans I work with your have to file every year, but your first $80,000 is tax free. If you are not a resident of Canada you don't pay taxes. Hope that helps

[melonpie]

Thank you so much johanne! Yes it helps tons :] And thanks for being friendly about it ^^

Thanks thanks!

[Glenski]

The amount American are exempt from will vary every year. For 2007 taxes it was $85,700, not $80,000. Not that I'd expect a model in Japan to make anywhere near that much to matter, but let's be accurate here.

Look at the other thread for more info and links to tax info.
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=59848

[melonpie]

Glenski is right about those wages ;p Unless you're already up there and you have a big name in the business, or your look is very popular with clients, models don't ~usually~ make that much :] Unless someone were to get straight commercials/movies and every single one of them were main roles (which does happen), with tons of fashion shows, then you would be making very well over that as main role jobs (for small name models) are usually ￥200000~￥500000 per job and each job can run anywhere from 1 hour to 2 or 3 days, of course movies are longer and you'll end up getting paid more if shoot time takes a long while. And when I say main role in regards to movies, I mean an off side character that shows up a good amount in the movie (point is get 2-3 jobs or so like that in a month, which has happened many times before, and you've already made more than enough to get by on for that month). For small appearances and smaller jobs, like magazine shoots etc, it can be (normally) anywhere from ￥10000~￥80000 and getting jobs like that just once in a while does -not- add up :] getting them almost everyday does though, and even with at least 1 good paying job, you've just enough for that month. ^^

Thanks for the link Glenski and accuracy! And I guess if you ever feel the urge to try out fashion modeling, you can always come back here ;p hehe just kidding.

Anyways thanks a bunch everyone, I now know the answer I was looking for =) You were all a big help!

[G Cthulhu]

[melonpie]

G Cthulhu, I already took your advice and consulted someone who deals with taxes like this and I have an appointment scheduled to see them in person (friend of the family's). =) So that's why I said I have all the answers I needed.

Thank you though for clearing it up.

[Glenski]

[melonpie]