Job Discussion Forums

[dove]

I admit it--I've been teaching private lessons for years and I've never claimed the income. In my defense, I never relied on them, never taught too many, never considered them more than some extra spending money. But now I have a rather highly-paid private lesson, twice a week. I feel I should start claiming the income. Does anyone now how I go about this? Do I have to draw up a contract? Submit receipts at the tax office?

Thanks!

[fluffyhamster]

I've not heard 'claim' as opposed to 'declare' income, but that could just be my idio(t)lect talking! Anyway, why would you want to start doing that? (Are you intending to sponsor your own visa or something?). I mean, what if they start asking questions about and possibly investigating previous years? (Yup, hamsters can be cautious if not paranoid creatures! ).

Heh, sorry that I can't answer your question though - in Japan I've only ever been employed by others (who've obviously deducted and paid whatever tax "for me")!

[Glenski]

Here is the 2009 Income Tax Guide for Foreigners in Japan (in English). That should help.
http://www.nta.go.jp/tetsuzuki/shinkoku/shotoku/tebiki2009/pdf/01_44.pdf

[Hoser]

Not to hijack the topic but what are the odds of "getting caught"? I think about this sometimes as I teach a fair number of privates and usually make about 100,000 yen per month which is not an insignificant amount of cash. I'm not a huge spender either which means that I rarely touch my actual paycheck. I'm worried that the government tax guys might suddenly do an audit of my bank details and ask me why I never withdraw any money from my bank account.

[Insubordination]

Do you give receipts for your tuition? If not, then I wouldn't worry about it.

[TokyoLiz]

www.gaijintax.com

Great source of info on taxation, obligations and advantages.

[Hoser]

A very interesting link! I'm going to check it out more later.