Job Discussion Forums

aodtohan · Joined: 09 Jan 2010 Posts: 28

Greetings Everyone,

Im actually not married yet, but I heard about that possibility of tax refunds for foreigners in Japan who have Japanese spouses.

How does this work? Do I have to fill up some forms or simply go to the local city office and inquire about it?

I wonder if any of you fellow teachers have benefited from a tax refund.

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

Are you talking about Japanese taxes or taxes from your home country?

If you are married to a Japanese, taxes in Japan depend on whether your spouse files separately. I don't know about any "refund" for my non-working Japanese wife, but she and my kid are listed as dependents.
I think there is a link to Japanese taxes in the FAQ stickies.

For my American taxes, I am required to file for U.S. taxes, and I am required to list them as dependents (so that means they have to get social security cards or equivalents). Any "refund" on my U.S. taxes depends on the usual plethora of factors built into the tax system, but they get cited as X amount of dollars per dependent.

aodtohan · Joined: 09 Jan 2010 Posts: 28

Thanks for the reply, Glenski.

I actually havent been filing my US taxes yet. This is my first job; incidentally its in Japan. What 'equivalent' are you referring to for your Japanese wife?

I was actually referring to Japanese tax. I heard that some foreign nationals married to Japanese spouses are able to get tax refunds. I don't have a clue about their specific circumstances though.

But in your case, since your wife is listed as a dependant, that means that she doesn't have a full time job, right? And as such, does that mean that you pay LOWER taxes in japan [compared to single folk]?

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

Since my wife is not American she can't get a social security number. Instead, she has a Taxpayer Identification Number (weird because she doesn't pay U.S. taxes, but whatever).
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/international/article/0,,id=96696,00.html

Mr_Monkey · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 661 Location: Kyuuuuuushuuuuuuu

You can get a tax refund if you are considered to be self-employed under Japanese tax law.

This had nothing necessarily to do with having a Japanese spouse, but I think it helped in that she could fill out the forms.

I freelanced in Japan for three and a half years - I had three jobs, and received some of my income tax back through what my (Japanese) wife tells me is the kakutei shinkoku system.

I don't know the kanji for it, though. Maybe someone with better Japanese than I can point you in the right direction.

G Cthulhu · Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 9:03 pm Post subject:

G Cthulhu · Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 9:08 pm Post subject:

Bread · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 318

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

Mr_Monkey · Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 661 Location: Kyuuuuuushuuuuuuu

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

As well as people who are self-employed, those who have several part time jobs (particularly on itaku contracts) can (actually have to) file tax returns with the local tax office, and can claim expenses. I get a nice rebate each year, and can even claim part of my NHI payments back. It's usually just enough to cover my city taxes for the year Rolling Eyes

but it's better than nothing.

I have not looked into this too much yet (I'll be finding out more about it next year when I stop working for a while), but I believe that there are tax deductions for dependent spouses, although this has nothing to do with one's nationality.

I have also heard in news reports that the rules on that are likely to change from April next year when they increase the kodomo teate (child allowance) though.

aodtohan · Joined: 09 Jan 2010 Posts: 28

[quote="Glenski"]Since my wife is not American she can't get a social security number. Instead, she has a Taxpayer Identification Number (weird because she doesn't pay U.S. taxes, but whatever).
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/international/article/0,,id=96696,00.html

This is helpful. I see. So does that mean that you still have to apply for your wife's ITIN number? I find it strange, since my future spouse is a Japanese national. And I don't think she has any legal obligations toward the US.

By the way, have you been filing your tax reports via online?

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

Yes, I believe legally I have to supply the TIN (and had to get a SSN for my kid). My wife is Japanese, BTW.

I don't file online. I'm old-fashioned and use the paper trail.

aodtohan · Joined: 09 Jan 2010 Posts: 28

I see. Were you able to get their ITIN and SNN numbers from Japan? I wonder if that process was tedious.

Also, would you still recommend filing tax manually rather that going online?

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

Yes, I got both in Japan. I forget if it was postal mail or email to apply. Read the link.

It's my personal preference to file taxes with paper. I suppose there are reasons to do it online. Go with whatever you feel is better. I can't advise.