Job Discussion Forums

wayne432 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 255

Is it that time of year to file income tax returns again in Japan... or am I getting ahead of myself?
Also, how does one handle this again? I remember people saying it was as painless as walking to the city office and filling out some quick forms, but I couldn't find the thread anymore.
Any help appreciated, thanks.

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

Deadline for income taxes in Japan is March.

If your company/school does your taxes for you (typically for a FT employee), then you do nothing.
If you do it yourself, you should have papers on this somewhere. It's available online, too.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

You are getting ahead of yourself- tax filing season in Japan is from mid February to mid March, although you have longer if you don't actually owe money to the tax department. The tax year is Jan-Dec so the 2010 tax year hasn't finished yet- for this year you can start filing from February 2011.

It may be different in less populated areas, but I have always had to go the tax office to file, which is nowhere near the ward/city office.

It's not as painless as just filling out some simple forms- as well as filling out some very complicated, kanji-ridden forms (I always get the tax office staff to guide me through this) you need tax and income certificates from all your employers, and if you are eligible to claim expenses, a summary of those expenses, preferably divided into categories- I make up a spreadsheet, and keep all the receipts on hand in case they ask for them (they haven't yet).