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利益 剰余 金
[rieki joyokin] - retained earnings

利益剰余金 (rieki joyokin) refers to "retained earnings" in English. In accounting and finance, retained earnings are the portion of a company's net income that is not distributed to shareholders as dividends but is instead kept within the company for reinvestment in the business or to pay off debt.

These retained earnings accumulate over time and are recorded on the company's balance sheet under shareholders' equity. They are an important indicator of a company's financial health and its ability to generate profits and reinvest in growth opportunities. Companies might use retained earnings to fund new projects, expand operations, purchase assets, or improve their products and services.

By retaining a portion of the profits, companies can ensure they have sufficient funds to support their strategic objectives and handle any financial challenges that may arise. Therefore, rieki joyokin plays a crucial role in sustaining the long-term viability and success of a business.


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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

利益剰余金 (rieki joyokin) refers to "retained earnings" in English. In accounting and finance, retained earnings are the portion of a company's net income that is not distributed to shareholders as dividends but is instead kept within the company for reinvestment in the business or to pay off debt.


Retained earnings is 利益 剰余 金 (rieki joyokin) in Japanese.




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