The tax office (税務署) — what you can actually do there
Most employees never need to come. But the moments that do bring you here — your first year, a second job, money sent home, a certificate for your visa — are exactly the ones nobody explains.
-
Your first year — do you even need to file?
With one employer and nothing unusual, the company settles your income tax in December and you file nothing. Worth confirming rather than assuming: the exceptions below are common among new arrivals.
What to say at the counter
今年、日本に来ました。確定申告は必要ですか。 Kotoshi, Nihon ni kimashita. Kakutei shinkoku wa hitsuyō desu ka. I came to Japan this year. Do I need to file a tax return? 会社が年末調整をしてくれます。私も申告が必要ですか。 Kaisha ga nenmatsu chōsei o shite kuremasu. Watashi mo shinkoku ga hitsuyō desu ka. My company does the year-end adjustment. Do I still need to file? -
The company did not do it — filing yourself
Joined mid-year, left a job, or holding two jobs? Then nobody squared your tax and the filing is yours. The window is mid-February to mid-March, for the year before.
What to say at the counter
途中で入社したので、年末調整ができませんでした。 Tochū de nyūsha shita node, nenmatsu chōsei ga dekimasen deshita. I joined the company mid-year, so no year-end adjustment was done. アルバイトを掛け持ちしています。申告は必要ですか。 Arubaito o kakemochi shite imasu. Shinkoku wa hitsuyō desu ka. I work more than one part-time job. Do I need to file? 確定申告に来ました。 Kakutei shinkoku ni kimashita. I am here to file my tax return. 初めてなので、書き方を教えてください。 Hajimete na node, kakikata o oshiete kudasai. It is my first time — please show me how to fill it in. 源泉徴収票はこれです。 Gensen chōshūhyō wa kore desu. Here is my withholding slip. -
You send money home — the dependant deduction
Relatives abroad you support can cut your taxable income, but only with transfer records and proof of relationship. This is the deduction foreign residents most often miss, and it is worth real money.
What to say at the counter
母国の家族に送金しています。扶養控除は受けられますか。 Bokoku no kazoku ni sōkin shite imasu. Fuyō kōjo wa ukeraremasu ka. I send money to family back home. Can I claim the dependant deduction? 送金の証明は何が必要ですか。 Sōkin no shōmei wa nani ga hitsuyō desu ka. What proof of the money transfers do you need? 国外の家族を扶養に入れたいです。 Kokugai no kazoku o fuyō ni iretai desu. I want to claim family overseas as dependents. -
Getting money back — medical costs and other deductions
Heavy medical bills, a home loan, hometown-tax donations: you claim these, not your employer. Refunds reach your bank account a few weeks after filing.
What to say at the counter
医療費が高かったので、医療費控除を受けたいです。 Iryōhi ga takakatta node, iryōhi kōjo o uketai desu. My medical bills were high — I want the medical expense deduction. この控除について教えてください。 Kono kōjo ni tsuite oshiete kudasai. Please explain this deduction to me. 還付金はいつ振り込まれますか。 Kanpukin wa itsu furikomaremasu ka. When will the refund be transferred? -
A tax certificate for your visa renewal
Immigration wants proof you have paid. Income tax certificates come from here; residence tax certificates come from your city hall — this is exactly why people get sent back and forth.
What to say at the counter
ビザの更新に使う納税証明書がほしいです。 Biza no kōshin ni tsukau nōzei shōmeisho ga hoshii desu. I need a tax payment certificate for my visa renewal. -
Going freelance or opening a business
The business-opening notification and the blue-form application that unlocks bigger deductions are both filed here. The blue form has a deadline, so ask about both on the same visit.
What to say at the counter
フリーランスになります。開業届を出したいです。 Furīransu ni narimasu. Kaigyō todoke o dashitai desu. I am going freelance — I want to file the business-opening notification. -
Much later: leaving Japan mid-year
Leaving partway through a tax year can mean appointing a tax agent or filing early. Only relevant at the end of your time here — but handle it before you fly, not after.
What to say at the counter
日本を離れます。納税管理人の届出は必要ですか。 Nihon o hanaremasu. Nōzei kanrinin no todokede wa hitsuyō desu ka. I am leaving Japan. Do I need to appoint a tax agent?
The half nobody prepares for. These come at you in Japanese — recognise them and the visit is easy.
What the clerk will ask you
| マイナンバーはお分かりですか。 Mai nanbā wa owakari desu ka. Do you know your My Number? | |
| 源泉徴収票はお持ちですか。 Gensen chōshūhyō wa omochi desu ka. Do you have your withholding tax slip? | |
| 収入は給与だけですか。 Shūnyū wa kyūyo dake desu ka. Is salary your only income? | |
| 申告は今年が初めてですか。 Shinkoku wa kotoshi ga hajimete desu ka. Is this your first time filing? | |
| 還付金の振込口座を教えてください。 Kanpukin no furikomi kōza o oshiete kudasai. Please give me the account for the refund transfer. |
Audio synthesized with VOICEVOX:Meimei Himari at standard pace for shadowing; real conversations run faster and carry accents.
Finding your branch
Your office is assigned by where you live. Look yours up on the official list rather than walking into the nearest one.