This applies to first year JETs only
Last week, you all should have received an envelope from the Citizen'sTax Division asking you to pay local citizen's tax. For first years, the amount should be around 25,000 yen...

You don't have to pay this tax as there is a clause which exempts foreigners who stay in Japan for less than a year.

But what you do have to do is to get your supervisor to ring the tax authorities in your local area so that he/she can tell the tax authorities that you will be leaving. Then you and your contracting organisation (CO) will be exempt from paying this.

If you have paid it or your CO has asked you to pay it, don't worry as you will be refunded for the full amount by your CO. In the end, it will only be your CO losing out on 25,000 yen, not you.

Some of you might be wondering what happens if you stay in Japan after your contract has finished to do some travelling and you end up staying in Japan longer than a year? Anyone who is planning to stay in Japan a little longer, I would pay the tax now and get your CO to refund you for the amount so you don't have to worry about it afterwards. It seems that most COs are under the impression that they have to pay this tax for you regardless if you are 1st year or 3rd year so let them live under that illusion!

So to summarise:

If you are a first year and leaving in July, then you don't have to pay this tax and your CO doesn't have to pay.

If you might be staying on and do end up in Japan a longer than a year, pay the amount and get your CO to reimburse you so that there are no hassles afterwards.

If you have any questions, get back to me.

-Justin