Job Discussion Forums

[santafly]

My potential employer just told me that I don`t have to pay the 15% resident/citizens tax my first year in Japan, I only have to pay it my second year if I want to stay for a 3rd year.

whats the real story?

[santafly]

and on further investigation, can I get a refund of my income tax at the end of the year? is it a straight forward easy to accomplish process or is it difficult?

thanx

[Apsara]

The resident's tax is usually around 8%, not 15%. You have to pay it in your second year regardless of whether you plan to stay another year or not, although people do skip the country without paying it.

Whether you get a tax refund depends on what kind of contract you have- if you have an "itaku" contract (usually part-time/ casual worker, i.e. with no benefits such as transportation reimbursement), then you can apply for a rebate from Feb to Mar of the following year. It can be somewhat complicated even if your Japanese is good due to all the tricky vocabulary related to income and taxes, but the people at the tax office will usually help you sort it out.

If you are a full-time employee than you are unlikely to be eligible for a rebate unless you have dependents.

[Glenski]

Japanese taxes were due on the 15th of this month. If your employer didn't fill them out, you have to.

[Apsara]

I'm thinking santafly hasn't even arrived in Japan yet, Glenski, but your advice might be useful for next year.

[santafly]

I`m in saitama

[Apsara]

Ok then- did you just arrive or were you here and working last year?