RetireJapan

Hello all,

While I see that this is being partly addressed in the Taxes section, it wasn't clear to me how to post a new message there, so I'm throwing a "Hail Mary" and hoping that I'm not violating posting rules or being redundant by making this a new post.

This pertains to domestic Japanese taxes. I'm looking to upgrade to the Blue form, as I have had some expenses that are work-related and that definitely could qualify for deduction, perhaps to the point where they might exceed the standard deduction on the ordinary tax filing form.

I've seen something along the lines of how you have to apply to begin filing this form, and if it's possible, I'd like to go for this in this upcoming tax filing season. But I've also seen that this may not necessarily be so straightforward - that it takes time to process an application, and/or that you apply one year, but only then to go for the following year (if I am understanding this correctly"). I've scouted around the web trying to find what the facts are, but so far, finding those facts haven't yet seemed to be so straightforward. Tax accountants are expensive even for consultation, and the ones I've seen seem to cater more to medium-to-large-sized businesses or entrepreneurs more than individuals.

So I'd like to ask anyone here in the know about this. I've been filing routinely through the NTA website, so I can manage navigating through it. Thank you in advance to anyone who may know, or who can point me in the direction of those who do know.

You didn't state your status; are you registered as a sole proprietor or incorporated? As an Individual Taxpayer, do you have business income, real-estate income, or forestry income for which you might qualify for the Blue Form?

See

https://www.nta.go.jp/english/taxes/ind ... /12010.htm

https://www.tax.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/book/ ... k2022e.pdf

If you are a Company Employee with a salary, and no other business, then you cannot use the Blue Form, and the expenses that you can claim are (extremely) limited.

If you have business income, real-estate income, or forestry income, you can make an application to the Tax Office to be allowed to submit the Blue Form.

An Individual Taxpayer who has business income, real-estate income, or forestry income may file a Blue Return in the same manner as a corporate taxpayer, with the approval of the Tax Office.
A Blue Return Taxpayer must keep a journal, a general ledger, and other necessary books, and record all transactions affecting assets, liabilities, and capital in the books clearly and in good order according to the principles of double entry so that taxable income can be calculated correctly.

The Taxpayer must also settle accounts on the basis of the records, prepare balance sheets, profit and loss statements and other statements, and keep the books and documents for seven years (five years for certain documents).

If you are not familiar with the required documentation, you would have to consult a Tax Accountant to do the paperwork for you.

New applicants for the blue return must submit the "Application for Filing the Blue Return" to a District Director of Tax Office with jurisdiction over the location of their address by March 15 of that year.

So, you would have to file by March 15, 2023 to file the Blue Return for 2023 in March 2024.

https://www.nta.go.jp/taxes/shiraberu/s ... ku/r04.htm

https://www.nta.go.jp/taxes/tetsuzuki/s ... nai/09.htm

Application Form to be Submitted to you Local Tax Office
https://www.nta.go.jp/taxes/tetsuzuki/s ... h28/10.pdf

Thank you Tkydon - this is something that has occurred to me over some time as I've considered this, and you've just confirmed what had occurred to me. In fact, I am a salaried employee with four different employers, though I have had expenses that are out-of-pocket for the work I've had. Yet in looking at what the aoshinkoku requirements are, the threshold for deductions are still higher than what my standard deduction is for the white form.

I have more questions, but it is for me for now to explore what those are around the web. I'm going to check out the links you've included and go from there.

Thank you once again for this.