■Q: How does the income tax system work in Japan?

■A: In Japan the fiscal year is from January 1 to December 31 and all residents of Japan, regardless of nationality, must pay taxes for income earned during the year. Taxation on income depends on and differs according to a person’s residency status; as such it is divided between resident (an individual having a residence in Japan for one consecutive year or longer) and non-resident (an individual who does not fall under the category of resident). Two forms of payment methods are utilized for income tax in Japan; filing of a tax return in which a taxpayer who is self-employed, self-assesses the income tax to be paid, and the withholding of income tax from a monthly salary before it is received by the employee.

■Income Tax Counseling in English

An English-speaking tax counselor can provide free tax consultations and related information over the phone in complete confidence at the Nagoya Regional Taxation Bureau  (Naka Ward).

Tel: 052-971-2059 Hours: Mon - Fri (09:00 - 12:00 & 13:00 - 17:00); closed on holidays.

Examples of problems they can help with:

• Whether you must file a final return or not.

• What documents to bring to the tax office when filing.

• Whether you are a resident or non-resident taxpayer.

• Whether your income is taxable in Japan or abroad.

• What tax treaties your country has with Japan and whether you may be tax-exempt.

• Questions you may have before going to file at your local tax office.

• Questions you have always wanted to ask in confidence about Japanese taxes.

The Nagoya International Center also provides free Nagoya City Government Consultations, call 052-581-0100 for more information. The NIC will hosts NIC Free Tax Consultations early each year.