Job Discussion Forums

okyokotokyo · Joined: 18 Nov 2006 Posts: 10

Hello,
I moved to Tokyo last year. The international school I got a job with granted me a three-year work visa. After the first year, I quit. Now, I teach only private lessons. My monthly income from private lessons is about 176,000 yen.

Someone told me that they heard it's illegal to live in Japan if you're not working for a company. Can someone please tell me more information about this, if you know?

The only way I can understand it being illegal is because taxes are not being paid on my income. I tried to go the ward office to figure out the tax situation last month, but they waved me away because of (1) the language barrier (I can barely discuss taxes coherently in English) and (2) my job ended in July, so I think I was probably still in the system as having paid taxes up to July.

Now it is August, and I'm concerned about one day going to the bank to find my accounts have been garnished by the government to pay backtaxes (this happened to a friend in my same ku).

It seems like I could just claim to be looking for a job for a few months and therefore have no income to tax.

So, my questions are:
1. If I have a work visa, am I required to work for a company?
2. How likely is it that the government will become interested in my not paying taxes for a while?
3. How do I report taxes on private lessons?
4. Has anyone been in a similar position?

The situation is slightly complicated by the fact that things keep coming up where I need to leave the country for a couple weeks to a month at a time (relatives getting married back home, vacations, etc.), and at those times I am truly not making any income to tax. (Maybe that's not complicating the situation at all, but it's another thing to consider.)

I appreciate your help.

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

From the immigration web site Q&A.
http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/zairyuu/qa.html

okyokotokyo · Joined: 18 Nov 2006 Posts: 10

Thanks a lot for your help.

As for how I live on such income: While I am making subsistence wages now, my last job paid really well so I have a lot of (dwindling) savings. I haven't noticed any change in lifestyle except that I had to stop shopping so much. I eat out more often than I should and spend a lot at the bar maybe twice a month, but other than that I usually just stay home and read, write, or study Japanese. The most annoying expense for me lately is train fare. And utilities.

I wonder if I got a part-time job if that would count as "engaging in my intended activity"? If so, I wonder if I'd have to meet a certain quote of hours, like 15-20 hours a week. I mean, there are "part-time jobs" that are only teaching like one Saturday a month or something, but it just doesn't seem like the government would consider that any better than not working at all.

I have two more months before my legality expires so I guess it's something I need to research more. Thank you, though.

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

If you already have a visa, then it doesn't matter much if you work PT or FT, so there is no real "bare minimum" number of hours you must work just to retain the visa. (again, confirm this with immigration if you like)

As for spending a lot on trains, is that for your private lessons? I would charge for that as part of the fees.

southofreality · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 579 Location: Tokyo

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

southofreality,
Do you know anyone who has actually created a sole proprietorship and used that to get self-sponsorship?

Yawarakaijin · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Middle of Nagano

Little off topic. Has anyone ever been asked/suggested to get a sole proprietorship by their boss. Mine floated it to me a while back and while on the surface it seemed like a good idea, my spidey sense started tingling a bit.

I would still continue to work for him but I am guessing that I wouldn't technically be an employee of his anymore. I'm just wondering if there is some kind of 3 year rule coming into effect. Most teachers havent stayed with our organization as long as I have.

I wonder if after 3.5 years of full time employment there is something kicking in that would have him suggest that I register as a sole proprietorship. Perhaps something to do with having to enroll me in the pension system ,as a sole proprietorship I imagine that responsibility would become mine and mine alone. Perhaps it is because letting long term employees go is difficult, should the situation ever arise.

Just to be clear though. My boss has never been anything less than a stand up guy and has been very generous to me and all other employees. It just seems that perhaps applying as a sole proprietorship would be weakening my situation both financially and perhaps in terms of stability as well.

southofreality · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 579 Location: Tokyo