Re: Applying for a Spouse Visa
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2024 4:48 pm
If your Wise Account is registered to an overseas account holder, then there is no limit to the amount that can be kept in the Wise Account (I don't think).
But, if the Wise Account is registered to an account holder with a Japanese Address, the balance can temporarily exceed the maximum, but there is a maximum balance of Y1M or equivalent for long-term balance.
https://wise.com/help/articles/3GBSRou4 ... e-in-japan
https://wise.com/help/articles/2899986/ ... ing-limits
You should consult a Qualified Professional to make sure you do not fall into a Tax Trap by transferring funds to Japan.
The details will depend entirely on YOUR circumstances.
It is good that it is the beginning of the Tax Year - The Tax Year in Japan runs from 1 Jan to 31 Dec.
Transferring Funds is not in and of itself a Taxable Event.
But it may trigger Tax Liability against other Taxable Events in the same Tax Year.
It is good that it is the beginning of the Tax Year, so you will not have had too many (or Any) potentially taxable events so far this tax year
But you may well have potentially taxable events in the rest of this tax year, and you don't want to have to pay Japanese tax unless you have to.
It would be best if you could have transferred funds to Japan in the calendar year before the calendar year in which you move to Japan, while you were both still not resident in Japan. (e.g. Transfer Funds in 2023, relocate in 2024...)
Next best would be to transfer funds to Japan before you move to Japan, or bring funds with you when you arrive, but before you establish residence.
It will be very difficult or almost impossible to open a bank account in Japan until you have your Spouse Visa, Permission to Remain under the Immigration Status of Spouse, a registered address (establish residence), a Zairyu Card (new version of old Foreigner Registration Card), and a 'My Number' Card (Tax Identification Number - equivalent to a US Social Security Number or UK National Insurance Number), so that makes it very hard.
You have to be very careful using a spouse's bank account, as Japan does not generally consider Common Assets, (unless the names are jointly on the deed of a property, etc.) (No joint bank accounts, only an account owned by one spouse with a family card for the other spouse), and so if not done properly may expose the Spouse with the Bank Account to Gift Tax.
You definitely want to have clear demarcation between the assets belonging to each spouse before moving to Japan so that you are not exposed to Gift Tax Liability.
Those are just some thoughts.
You should consult a Qualified Professional to make sure you do not fall into a Tax Trap by transferring funds to Japan.
The details will depend entirely on YOUR circumstances.
But, if the Wise Account is registered to an account holder with a Japanese Address, the balance can temporarily exceed the maximum, but there is a maximum balance of Y1M or equivalent for long-term balance.
https://wise.com/help/articles/3GBSRou4 ... e-in-japan
https://wise.com/help/articles/2899986/ ... ing-limits
You should consult a Qualified Professional to make sure you do not fall into a Tax Trap by transferring funds to Japan.
The details will depend entirely on YOUR circumstances.
It is good that it is the beginning of the Tax Year - The Tax Year in Japan runs from 1 Jan to 31 Dec.
Transferring Funds is not in and of itself a Taxable Event.
But it may trigger Tax Liability against other Taxable Events in the same Tax Year.
It is good that it is the beginning of the Tax Year, so you will not have had too many (or Any) potentially taxable events so far this tax year
But you may well have potentially taxable events in the rest of this tax year, and you don't want to have to pay Japanese tax unless you have to.
It would be best if you could have transferred funds to Japan in the calendar year before the calendar year in which you move to Japan, while you were both still not resident in Japan. (e.g. Transfer Funds in 2023, relocate in 2024...)
Next best would be to transfer funds to Japan before you move to Japan, or bring funds with you when you arrive, but before you establish residence.
It will be very difficult or almost impossible to open a bank account in Japan until you have your Spouse Visa, Permission to Remain under the Immigration Status of Spouse, a registered address (establish residence), a Zairyu Card (new version of old Foreigner Registration Card), and a 'My Number' Card (Tax Identification Number - equivalent to a US Social Security Number or UK National Insurance Number), so that makes it very hard.
You have to be very careful using a spouse's bank account, as Japan does not generally consider Common Assets, (unless the names are jointly on the deed of a property, etc.) (No joint bank accounts, only an account owned by one spouse with a family card for the other spouse), and so if not done properly may expose the Spouse with the Bank Account to Gift Tax.
You definitely want to have clear demarcation between the assets belonging to each spouse before moving to Japan so that you are not exposed to Gift Tax Liability.
Those are just some thoughts.
You should consult a Qualified Professional to make sure you do not fall into a Tax Trap by transferring funds to Japan.
The details will depend entirely on YOUR circumstances.
