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Japan  Income Taxes and Tax Laws

Taxation of an individual's income in Japan is progressive. In other words, the higher the income, the higher the rate of tax payable. The tax rate for an individual in 2009 is between 5% - 40% There are reduced rates of tax for certain income earners. Japan corporate tax in 2009 is currently fixed at 30% and, again, there is a reduced rate of tax for certain corporations it is important to point out that the effective tax, for individuals and corporations, is higher as a result of the other local taxes that exist in Japan. Japan Individual Income Tax An individual pays tax on his income as a wage-earner or as a self-employed person. Tax for an individual who meets the criteria of a "permanent resident" in Japan will be calculated on his income in Japan and abroad. A foreign resident who is employed in Japan pays tax only on income earned in Japan. Generally speaking there are three classes of tax payers: Permanent resident. Non-permanent resident (those who have been living in Japan for less than five years). Non-resident. The following table shows Japan individual income tax rates for 2009: Tax Base (Yen) Tax 1 - 1,950,000 5% 1,950,001-3,300,000 10% 3,300,001 - 6,950,000 20% of base exceeding 3,300,000 6,950,001-9,000,000 23% of base exceeding 6,950,000 9,000,001 - 18,000,000 33% of base exceeding 9,000,000 18,000,001 and over 40% of base exceeding 18,000,000 Notes:    1. The rates above are before 6% Japan municipal tax. And 4% prefectural tax, 10% in total.    2. Japan's individual income tax rates including local taxes are among the highest tax rates in the world. The effective top marginal tax rate is around 50%.    3. Non residents pay for salary income in Japan 20%. Capital Gains Capital gains for companies in Japan are added to regular income. The rate of tax imposed on capital gains is identical to the tax on regular income. Nevertheless, it important to point out the rate of tax on capital gains in the following instances: Japan Capital gains from the sale of real estate For individuals , gains from sale of real estate are taxed at 39% for short term gains and at 20% for long term gains . Japan Capital gains from the sale of shares The tax rate for shares traded by a company in Japan is 10% (7%-income tax, 3%-local tax).The tax rate for sale of other shares is generally 20%. Japan Reporting Dates The tax year in Japan is the calendar year ending on December 31st. An Individual An employee - as the individual's tax is deducted by his employer, there is no obligation to file an annual return for an income of less than 20 million yen per annum. When an employee earns income from two sources, or additional income as a self-employed person in excess of 200,000 yen, he is obliged to file an annual return. A self-employed person - is obliged to report and pay tax on income for the current year no later than March 15. When the results for the previous year show a net tax obligation (as against tax deducted at source) of at least 150,000 yen, two advance payments must be made in the following year on July 31st and November 30th, each advance payment being 1/3 of the total net tax for the previous year. A Company A company is bound to report and pay within two months of the end of the tax year (it is usually possible to request an extension of an additional month). Japan Corporate Tax In 2009 Japan national corporate tax is 30%. Corporate tax on income below 8 million yen is 22% on condition that the total equity is less than 100 million yen. In addition to corporate tax (a national tax) there are two classes of local tax paid by the corporation:       1) Inhabitant Tax.       2) Enterprise Tax. These two classes of local tax significantly increase the rate of Japan corporate tax, so that it may, in actual fact, reach 41%. 42% in Tokyo. While Inhabitant Tax is not recognized as a deductible expense, "Enterprise Tax" may be deducted as an expense. Income from a dividend - is not classed as regular income. A dividend received by one company from another Japanese company, when the holding in the payer's equity is 25% or more, only 50% of the dividend income will be added to the regular tax. Japan Deduction of Tax at Source Japan Taxation of Employees Japan Income Tax The employer is obligated to deduct tax at source from a salaried worker in accordance with the tax tables. The employer is obligated to pay the income tax to the authorities by the 10th of the month after the month of payment. When paying a salary to a foreign resident, 20% should be deducted at source. Japan Social Security The social security covers matters such as health insurance, pension insurance, unemployment insurance and more. The rates are as follows: Employer - 13.255% Employee - 12.375% Dividend, Royalties and Interest in Japan When payments of the following sorts are made to non- residents, deductions must be made at source at the following rates:   % Dividend 20 Royalties 20 Interest 20 Japan Other Deductions Benefits to senior employees - mainly bonuses and compensation paid to employees are allowable as an expense. Nevertheless, payments of unreasonable amounts to directors will not be allowed as an expense. Entertainment expenses - the allowance on these expenses is calculated according to a formula that takes account of the amount of the company equity; the percentage allowed as an expense shall in no case exceed 90% of the expense, or a maximum of 3.6 million yen a year. Donations - as a general rule, donations to public or government institutions are allowable as an expense. Research and development - a credit of 20% is given for research and development plus additional credit for the excess of R&D expenses over those of the previous years. In any event, the total combined credit is limited to 30% of the corporation tax. Transactions between affiliated parties - such transactions are defined as being between 2 parties when the percentage holding, whether direct or indirect, between the companies is 50% or more. Reasonable proof of the price of the transfer between the affiliated parties is demanded from the taxpayer. As a rule, the law specifies 3 methods of calculating the reasonability of the price of the transfer. Interest expenses - there is a limit to the interest allowable to companies with an overseas obligation to foreign shareholders of 50% or more when the amount of the obligation is more than 3 times the amount of the equity. Offsetting losses - a company that meets the requirements of the blue form return is eligible to offset the loss forward for the following seven years. Japan Depreciation of Fixed Assets In most cases either the straight line method or the declining balance method are allowed. Depreciation is allowable at the following rates: Class of Asset No. of years depreciated Buildings 50 Air conditioners 15 Sailing vessels 12-15 Aircraft 5-10 Computers 4-5 Machinery and equipment 6-22 Patents 3-10 Goodwill 5 Mining rights 5-8 Comments: An asset that costs less than 200,000 yen shall be depreciated over 3 years. An asset that costs less than 100,000 yen shall be fully depreciated in the year of purchase.

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