Job Discussion Forums

pjm · Joined: 04 Mar 2005 Posts: 17

Does the immigration department check whether you paid your Japan taxes last year while they are deciding whether or not to renew your work visa? Do they refuse to renew if you haven`t paid your taxes?

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

They are seperate, but they should. Pay your taxes!

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

for a spouse visa, yes.
I had to supply information on the taxes I paid last year.
My wife went to the city hall to get the documents in order for me to get a new spouse visa.

BradS · Joined: 05 Sep 2004 Posts: 173 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Here's a related question:

I've been here for almost 2 years and havn't paid tax. Noone's asked me too. I got a smallish yellowy box-something in the mail that my Japanese friend said I would need but that's all.

Do they send the forms to my house? Is there a tx day in Japan that everyone has to go to the office for? When I moved to Kasakabe, the city office gave me maps and all that but NO information on important information like taxes or anything legal.

Is there a deadline?

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

do you work part-time or full-time?
With a full-time job, the tax will be deducted from your salary.

BradS · Joined: 05 Sep 2004 Posts: 173 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Full time. Ah, okay. That makes sense then. Just afraid that all the important stuff was sent to me in kanji which I normally throw away as it looks the same as the junk mail we get. Wink

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

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

well Brad, I didn`t pay tax my first two years because of the tax treaty with the US.
Maybe you are in the same boat.
But after 2 years, taxes must be paid. National taxes start first, and you start paying the local taxes after two and a half years or so.

It would make sense for you to get something in the mail stating that you will have to start paying local taxes. It is probably just a reminder.

pjm · Joined: 04 Mar 2005 Posts: 17

I was working for an American Language School franchise and the owner did not hold back any taxes from my pay. My assumption is that this ALS branch wasn`t submitting the proper paper work for its employees to the government. It doesn`t matter to me now that I have escaped that employment situation. The issue for me is the largish tax bill I now have for the entire year`s income with American Language School. Instead of paying monthly, as is the legal responsibility of your employer, I now have to pay a full year of taxes.
I intend to pay the taxes. Second question; does the tax office allow a person to pay a largish tax bill on a monthly basis, or does one have to pay it all in one shot?
I have no issues with the ALS - American Language School owner. He`s just trying to make a buck/ yen wherever he can. More power to him. Except I end up with a very inconvenient situation on my hands.

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