Home › Money & Remittance
Money & Remittance

Resident Tax & Tax Refunds in Japan for Foreigners

Published 2026.06.04 ・ Updated 2026.07.02 | MRI Co., Ltd. — Zainichi Life Navi Editorial Team
📚 本記事は確定申告・住民税の「入門・全体像」です。住民税の計算例・帰国時の一括徴収・医療費控除・iDeCo・NISAなどの深掘りは、姉妹サイト「在日マネーナビ｜住民税ガイド」をご覧ください。📚 This article is an introductory overview of tax filing and resident tax. For deeper looks at resident-tax calculations, lump-sum collection on leaving Japan, medical-expense deductions, iDeCo and NISA, see Zainichi Money Navi – Resident Tax Guide.📚 本文是确定申告·住民税的「入门·全貌」。住民税计算例·回国时一括征收·医疗费扣除·iDeCo·NISA等深度内容请见姊妹站「在日マネーナビ｜住民税指南」。📚 Bài này là tổng quan nhập môn về khai thuế và thuế cư trú. Ví dụ tính thuế cư trú, thu một lần khi về nước, khấu trừ chi phí y tế, iDeCo, NISA chi tiết — xem Zainichi Money Navi – Hướng dẫn thuế cư trú.
📌 Key points
  • Foreigners working in Japan also have an obligation to pay income tax and resident tax.
  • Filing a tax return may let you reclaim taxes you overpaid.
  • The article explains who needs to file a tax return, the filing period, and the steps involved.
  • It also explains how the resident tax system works.

Foreigners working in Japan must pay income tax and resident tax. However, you may be able to reclaim overpaid taxes through a tax return.

① Who Should File?

  • Income over ¥20M/year
  • Side income over ¥200,000/year
  • Freelancers and self-employed
  • Those who resigned mid-year (may get a refund)

② Filing Period & Steps

File annually from Feb 16 to Mar 15 (refund applications from Jan 1).

  1. Get withholding tax certificate from employer
  2. Create return form on National Tax Agency website
  3. Submit to tax office (in person, mail, or e-Tax)
  4. Receive refund in ~1-2 months

📄 For the step-by-step tax-return filing procedure, how to fill it in, and comparisons, see our sister site's Zainichi Money Navi – Tax Return Guide.

③ Resident Tax (Jumin-zei)

Resident tax is based on the previous year's income and paid June–May. Employees have it deducted from salary.

Refunds are paid into the bank account you specify, so open one in advance if you don't have it yet.

The pension lump-sum withdrawal you receive on leaving Japan has tax withheld, so you may get a refund by filing a tax return.

Sources

※Rules may change. Please check the official sites for the latest information.

📊 税金をもっと深く（マネーナビ）📊 More on taxes (Money Navi)📊 税务专题（Money Navi）📊 Thuế chi tiết hơn (Money Navi)

住民税の計算例・帰国時の一括徴収・医療費控除などの深掘りは、お金特化の姉妹サイト「在日マネーナビ」が詳しいです。For resident-tax calculations, lump-sum collection on leaving Japan, and medical-expense deductions, our money-focused sister site Zainichi Money Navi has the deeper guides.如需住民税计算例·回国时一括征收·医疗费扣除等深度内容，请见金融特化的姊妹站「在日マネーナビ」。Để xem ví dụ tính thuế cư trú, thu một lần khi về nước, khấu trừ chi phí y tế — trang đồng hành tài chính Zainichi Money Navi có hướng dẫn chi tiết.

在日マネーナビを見る →Visit Zainichi Money Navi →访问在日マネーナビ →Đến Zainichi Money Navi →

Ask our AI Concierge

Chat with our AI about this topic.

More practical guides for life in Japan

Browse all guides →