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インボイス制度
[Inboisu seido] - invoice system

インボイス制度 (Inboisu seido) in Japan is an invoice system that began on October 1, 2023, and is designed to ensure accurate accounting and tax compliance. Officially called the "Qualified Invoice System" (適格請求書等保存方式), this system requires businesses to issue and store invoices that meet specific criteria to claim input tax credits on consumption tax.

Qualified invoices must include the issuer's name and registration number, the transaction date, details of the transaction indicating any reduced tax rate items, the amount and tax rate, the tax amount for each tax rate, and the recipient's name. Only businesses registered as "Qualified Invoice Issuers" can issue these invoices, and registration involves submitting an application to the tax office, available only to taxable businesses. Exempt businesses must register if they wish to issue qualified invoices.

The system affects both sellers and buyers. Sellers need to ensure their invoices comply with the new standards, and buyers need to collect these invoices to claim tax deductions. The system aims to prevent tax evasion and errors by ensuring that all taxable transactions are properly documented and reported.

Both issuers and recipients of qualified invoices must keep these documents for seven years. This can be done electronically or in physical form, as long as all required information is preserved and accessible for tax audits.

The introduction of the インボイス制度 is significant as it changes the way businesses handle consumption tax. Companies need to update their accounting practices and software to comply with the new requirements. Those dealing primarily with exempt businesses may need to reconsider their business relationships due to potential changes in tax liability.


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See Also

経費   [keihi] - expenses or business expenses

In Japanese, the term 経費 (keihi) refers to "expenses" or "business expenses." These are the costs incurred in the process of running a business. Keihi can include a wide range of expenditures such as rent for office space, utilities like electricity, water, and internet, employee salaries and wages, office supplies, travel expenses, marketing and advertising costs, and depreciation of assets. Properly tracking and managing keihi is essential for maintaining accurate financial records, budgeting, and ensuring compliance with tax regulations. In Japan, businesses must be meticulous in documenting and categorizing their expenses to maximize tax deductions and maintain transparency with the tax authorities.

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滞納   [tainou] - the failure to pay taxes

滞納 (tainou) refers to the failure to pay taxes or other required payments by the due date. This can lead to several consequences depending on the type of payment and the length of the delay.

For example, if national health insurance premiums are overdue, the individual might initially receive reminders and then a "資格証明書" (qualification certificate) instead of a regular insurance card, requiring them to pay medical costs upfront and seek reimbursement later. Continued non-payment can result in loss of benefits, such as high-cost medical expense coverage, and potentially lead to asset seizure if the overdue amounts remain unpaid​.

In the case of local taxes like resident tax, late payments result in additional charges called 延滞金 (entairyou), which accumulate daily based on the amount owed and the length of the delay. Persistent non-payment can lead to more severe actions, including the seizure of assets like bank accounts or property.

For fixed asset taxes, the penalties are similar. An initial interest rate is applied for the first month of delay, which increases significantly after this period. If payments are not made even after receiving several reminders, the authorities may ultimately seize assets to cover the unpaid taxes​

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特段   [tokudan] - special

特段 (tokudan) is a Japanese term that translates to "special" or "particular" in English. It is used to describe something that is out of the ordinary or requires specific attention. For example, you might hear it in phrases like 特段の事情 (tokudan no jijou), meaning "special circumstances," or 特段の理由 (tokudan no riyuu), meaning "particular reason."

In business contexts, 特段 might be used to refer to exceptional conditions or considerations that need to be addressed separately from the usual procedures or rules.

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Frequently Asked Questions

インボイス制度 (Inboisu seido) in Japan is an invoice system that began on October 1, 2023, and is designed to ensure accurate accounting and tax compliance. Officially called the "Qualified Invoice System" (適格請求書等保存方式), this system requires businesses to issue and store invoices that meet specific criteria to claim input tax credits on consumption tax.


Invoice system is インボイス制度 (Inboisu seido) in Japanese.




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