Japan Tax Filing Schedule: Important Dates You Can't Miss

Introduction to Japan's Tax Filing System

Navigating Japan's tax filing system can be complex, especially for corporations operating in one of the world's most regulated business environments. Whether you're managing a multinational subsidiary or running a domestic enterprise, understanding the Japanese tax calendar is essential for maintaining compliance and avoiding costly penalties.

Japan's tax system operates on multiple schedules depending on the type of tax and the nature of your business. While individuals typically follow a calendar year for income tax purposes, corporations have more flexibility in choosing their fiscal year-end. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of all critical tax filing deadlines that corporations operating in Japan need to know, from monthly withholding obligations to annual corporate tax returns. These filings are just one piece of the broader back office infrastructure you'll need when entering the Japanese market.

Why Meeting Tax Deadlines Matters

Missing tax deadlines in Japan can result in significant financial consequences. The National Tax Agency (NTA) imposes penalties for late filing, late payment, and underreporting of taxes. These penalties can range from 5% to 40% of the unpaid tax amount, depending on the severity and nature of the delay. Beyond financial penalties, late filings can damage your company's reputation with tax authorities and potentially trigger more frequent audits.

Additionally, timely tax compliance is often a requirement for maintaining good standing with banks, investors, and business partners in Japan. Many financial institutions review tax compliance records when making lending decisions, and delayed filings can signal poor financial management to stakeholders.

Calendar Year vs. Fiscal Year: What's the Difference?

Understanding the distinction between calendar year and fiscal year is fundamental to managing your tax obligations in Japan. The calendar year runs from January 1 to December 31, while a fiscal year can be any consecutive 12-month period that a corporation chooses as its accounting period.

Most Japanese corporations select a fiscal year ending on March 31, aligning with Japan's traditional business calendar and academic year. However, foreign subsidiaries often choose December 31 to match their parent company's reporting period. Your entity structure influences this decision, as different entities have different considerations. Individual taxpayers and sole proprietors must use the calendar year for income tax purposes.

Your chosen fiscal year-end determines when most of your corporate tax obligations are due, as many deadlines are calculated as a specific number of months after your fiscal year closes. This flexibility allows corporations to distribute their tax compliance workload throughout the year rather than competing for accounting resources during the busy March-April period.

Corporate Tax Filing Deadlines

Annual Corporate Tax Return

The cornerstone of corporate tax compliance in Japan is the annual corporate tax return, which must be filed within two months of your fiscal year-end. For example, if your fiscal year ends on March 31, your corporate tax return is due by May 31. This deadline applies to both national corporate tax and local corporate taxes, including enterprise tax and inhabitants' tax.

The corporate tax return in Japan is comprehensive and requires detailed financial statements, tax calculations, and supporting schedules. Proper chart of accounts management throughout the year makes this process significantly smoother. Most corporations work with certified public tax accountants (zeirishi) to prepare these returns, as the complexity of Japanese tax law makes accurate self-preparation challenging for all but the smallest businesses.

Corporate tax rates in Japan vary depending on company size and income level. As of 2025, the effective corporate tax rate (including national and local taxes) typically ranges from 30% to 34% for most corporations, though smaller companies may qualify for reduced rates on certain income thresholds. Your chosen accounting framework will also influence how you prepare these financial statements.

Filing Extensions and How to Apply

If your company needs additional time to prepare its corporate tax return, you can apply for a one-month extension. This extends your filing deadline to three months after fiscal year-end, though it's important to note that the extension applies only to filing, not to payment.

To obtain an extension, you must submit an application to your local tax office before the original two-month deadline. Valid reasons for extension include delays in shareholder meetings, complex international transactions requiring additional time to reconcile, or temporary absence of key personnel responsible for tax matters.

Even with an extension, you must estimate and pay your tax liability by the original two-month deadline to avoid interest charges. Any underpayment will accrue interest at the statutory rate, currently around 1.4% annually, though this rate is subject to change based on market conditions. Understanding these deadlines is particularly important for newly incorporated companies that must also navigate post-incorporation filing requirements.

Interim Corporate Tax Payments

In addition to your annual filing, most corporations must make an interim corporate tax payment at the six-month mark of their fiscal year. This prepayment is due within two months of the end of your first six-month period. For instance, if your fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31, your interim payment is due by November 30.

The interim payment amount is typically calculated as half of the previous year's total corporate tax liability. Alternatively, corporations can choose to file an interim tax return based on actual results for the first six months, which may be beneficial if your current year's profits are significantly lower than the previous year.

Interim payments apply to national corporate tax, local corporate inhabitants' tax, and enterprise tax. These prepayments are credited against your final tax liability when you file your annual return, and any overpayment is either refunded or carried forward to the next period.

Consumption Tax (Shohi Zei) Schedule

Annual Consumption Tax Filing

Consumption tax, Japan's equivalent of value-added tax (VAT), is currently set at 10% for most goods and services, with a reduced 8% rate for certain food items and newspapers. Corporations subject to consumption tax must file an annual consumption tax return within two months of their fiscal year-end, the same deadline as corporate income tax.

Not all businesses are required to file consumption tax returns. Small businesses with taxable sales below 10 million yen in the base period (typically two years prior) are generally exempt from consumption tax obligations, though they can voluntarily register as taxable entities if it's advantageous for their business.

The consumption tax return calculates the difference between consumption tax collected on sales and consumption tax paid on purchases. If you've collected more tax than you've paid, you remit the difference to the tax authorities. Conversely, if you've paid more than collected—common for exporters or businesses with large capital expenditures—you can claim a refund.

Interim Payment Requirements

Similar to corporate tax, consumption tax also has interim payment requirements, though the frequency depends on your previous year's tax liability. The interim payment schedule is designed to ensure steady tax revenue throughout the year and reduce the burden of a single large year-end payment.

If your previous year's consumption tax liability exceeded 4.8 million yen but was less than 48 million yen, you must make quarterly interim payments. These are due within two months after the end of each three-month period. Companies with consumption tax liability exceeding 48 million yen in the previous year must make monthly interim payments, due by the end of the month following each one-month period.

Monthly vs. Quarterly Filing Options

For businesses with substantial consumption tax obligations, monthly interim payments provide better cash flow management and reduce the risk of a large year-end tax bill. Monthly filers must submit payment by the last day of the month following each monthly period—for example, April's consumption tax is due by May 31.

Quarterly interim payments follow a similar pattern, with payments due within two months of each quarter-end. The amount of each interim payment is typically one-quarter (for quarterly filers) or one-twelfth (for monthly filers) of the previous year's annual consumption tax liability.

Companies can also elect to calculate interim payments based on actual results for each period rather than using the previous year's figures. This option requires filing an interim return for each period and can be beneficial during periods of declining sales or increased deductible expenses.

Withholding Tax Payment Deadlines

Monthly Payment Schedule

One of the most frequent tax obligations for Japanese corporations is withholding tax on employee salaries and payments to certain vendors. Employers must withhold income tax from employee wages and remit it to the tax authorities by the 10th day of the month following payment. For example, withholding tax on January salaries must be paid by February 10.

This monthly obligation applies to withholding on employee salaries, bonuses, and certain payments to non-employees such as professional fees paid to lawyers, tax accountants, and other service providers. The withholding rates vary depending on the type of payment and the recipient's tax status.

For non-resident individuals and foreign corporations receiving payments from Japanese sources, withholding tax rates are typically 20.42% unless reduced by an applicable tax treaty. Corporations must carefully track these payments and ensure proper withholding to avoid penalties and potential liability for unpaid taxes. For companies building teams in Japan, understanding these obligations is part of broader HR compliance requirements.

Semi-Annual Payment Option for Small Businesses

Recognizing the administrative burden of monthly withholding tax remittance on small businesses, the Japanese tax system offers a semi-annual payment option. This special provision, known as the "Nōki no Tokurei" (special provision for payment deadlines), is available to businesses with fewer than 10 employees who regularly receive salary payments.

Under this option, eligible employers can remit withheld taxes twice annually rather than monthly. Withholding from January through June is due by July 10, and withholding from July through December is due by January 20 of the following year. This significantly reduces administrative burden and allows small businesses to focus on core operations.

To use this option, you must submit an application form to your local tax office. Once approved, the authorization remains in effect until you notify the tax office of changes or exceed the employee threshold. Many small businesses find this option particularly valuable, as it reduces the number of tax-related transactions from twelve to just two per year.

Other Regular Tax Obligations

Fixed Asset Tax (Kotei Shisan Zei)

Fixed asset tax is a municipal tax levied on real property and depreciable business assets owned as of January 1 each year. Unlike national taxes, fixed asset tax is administered by local governments, and rates vary by municipality, though they typically hover around 1.4% of the assessed value.

Tax notices are generally sent out in April or May, and payment is typically divided into four installments. While specific due dates vary by municipality, the common schedule is late April or early June for the first installment, late July or early August for the second, late December for the third, and late February for the fourth.

For businesses owning significant property or equipment, fixed asset tax represents a substantial ongoing obligation. The tax applies not only to land and buildings but also to machinery, equipment, and other tangible business assets with acquisition costs exceeding certain thresholds.

Residence Tax Payments

Corporate residence tax (法人住民税) is a local tax based on your company's corporate income and the number of employees. It consists of two components: a per-capita levy based on your company's capitalization and employee count, and an income-based levy calculated as a percentage of your national corporate tax.

The filing deadline for corporate residence tax aligns with your corporate tax return deadline—within two months of fiscal year-end (or three months if you've obtained an extension). However, like other taxes, there are interim payment requirements if your previous year's liability exceeded certain thresholds.

Different municipalities may have slightly different rates and calculation methods, so corporations with offices in multiple locations must carefully track their obligations in each jurisdiction. Tokyo, for instance, has different rates than other prefectures, and rates can also vary between cities within the same prefecture.

Year-End Tax Adjustment Deadline

The year-end tax adjustment (nenmatsu chōsei) is a reconciliation process for employee withholding tax. Employers must review the total withholding from each employee throughout the calendar year, compare it to their actual annual tax liability, and either refund excess withholding or collect any shortfall.

This process must be completed by the end of December, typically with the December salary payment. The final reconciliation documents and withholding tax summary must be submitted to the tax office by January 31 of the following year. You must also provide each employee with a withholding slip (源泉徴収票, gensen chōshū-hyō) showing their annual income and withheld taxes.

Year-end adjustment is mandatory for most employees who receive only salary income and don't need to file their own tax returns. It accounts for various deductions employees are entitled to, including social insurance premiums, life insurance premiums, and dependent deductions. Accurate year-end adjustment ensures employees pay the correct amount of tax without needing to file individual returns.

Penalties and Extensions

Late Filing Penalties

The Japanese tax system imposes several types of penalties for non-compliance, with severity increasing based on the nature and extent of the violation. The basic late filing penalty (無申告加算税, mushinkoku kasanzei) is typically 15% of the unpaid tax amount for returns filed after the deadline but before the tax office contacts you. If the tax office initiates contact before you file, the penalty increases to 20%.

For particularly serious cases involving deliberate concealment or tax evasion, a heavy additional penalty (重加算税, jūkasanzei) of 35% to 40% may be imposed on top of the base penalty. This severe penalty is reserved for cases involving falsified records, intentional omissions, or other fraudulent activities designed to evade tax obligations.

Beyond percentage-based penalties, interest charges (延滞税, entaizei) accrue on unpaid tax amounts from the original due date until payment. The interest rate is adjusted periodically but generally consists of two tiers: a lower rate for the first two months after the deadline (currently around 2.4% annually) and a higher rate thereafter (around 8.7% annually).

How to Request an Extension

While extensions are available for certain tax filings, the process and eligibility criteria differ by tax type. For corporate tax returns, as mentioned earlier, you can request a one-month extension by submitting the appropriate application before the original two-month deadline. The application must include a valid reason, such as pending shareholder approval or complex international transactions requiring additional preparation time.

Extension requests should be submitted to your jurisdictional tax office, either in person, by mail, or increasingly through electronic filing systems. Once approved, the extension is typically granted without significant scrutiny, though the tax office reserves the right to deny extensions that lack adequate justification.

It's crucial to understand that extensions apply only to filing deadlines, not payment deadlines. Even with an approved extension, you must estimate your tax liability and submit payment by the original deadline to avoid interest charges. Conservative estimation is advisable, as overpayments are refunded with interest, while underpayments accrue additional charges.

Interest on Late Payments

Interest on late tax payments in Japan operates on a tiered system designed to encourage prompt payment while remaining somewhat reasonable for taxpayers facing legitimate cash flow challenges. The statutory interest rate is adjusted periodically based on market conditions and is generally lower than commercial lending rates.

For the first two months after a payment deadline, the interest rate is relatively modest—currently around 2.4% per annum, though this rate changes based on the Bank of Japan's base rate. After two months, the rate increases significantly to approximately 8.7% per annum. These rates apply to the outstanding tax balance and accrue daily until full payment is received.

Interest charges are automatic and non-negotiable. Unlike penalties, which may sometimes be reduced or waived under exceptional circumstances, interest represents the time value of money owed to the government and is consistently applied. This makes timely payment financially prudent, as even a few months' delay can add substantial costs to your tax obligation.

E-Tax and Digital Filing Benefits

E-Tax Deadline Advantages

The National Tax Agency's electronic filing system, known as e-Tax (イータックス), has become increasingly sophisticated and offers several advantages over traditional paper filing. While e-Tax doesn't extend your filing deadlines for most taxes, it does provide greater flexibility in the timing of submission, as you can file electronically until midnight on the deadline date rather than worrying about business hours at tax offices.

For certain filings, particularly those with complex attachments or large data volumes, e-Tax can significantly streamline the submission process. The system allows you to upload supporting documentation electronically, eliminating the need to physically transport boxes of paper records to tax offices. This is particularly valuable for corporations with multiple subsidiaries or complex group structures requiring consolidated reporting.

E-Tax also provides immediate confirmation of receipt, giving you verifiable proof that your filing was submitted on time. This electronic confirmation can be crucial in the rare event of disputes about filing dates or lost paperwork. The system maintains a complete record of all submissions, which can be accessed for several years after filing. Setting up your corporate bank account early also facilitates smoother tax payment processing.

How to Set Up Electronic Filing

Setting up e-Tax requires obtaining several digital credentials and completing a registration process. First, you'll need to obtain a digital certificate (電子証明書, denshi shōmeisho) from an approved certification authority. Companies can use corporate digital certificates issued through various providers authorized by the Japanese government.

Once you have a digital certificate, you must register with the e-Tax system through the National Tax Agency's website. The registration process requires providing your company's corporate number (法人番号, hōjin bangō), tax identification details, and information about your authorized representatives. After registration, you'll receive login credentials that allow access to the e-Tax portal.

Many corporations use specialized tax software that integrates with e-Tax, allowing seamless preparation and submission of returns. These software solutions often include validation checks that identify potential errors before submission, reducing the risk of rejected filings or triggering tax office inquiries. Your tax accountant or zeirishi can typically assist with both the technical setup and ongoing use of the e-Tax system.

Key Takeaways and When to Seek Help

Key Takeaways

Successfully managing your corporate tax obligations in Japan requires careful planning and consistent attention throughout the year. The most critical points to remember are that most corporate tax deadlines are calculated relative to your fiscal year-end, typically falling two months after closing your books. Monthly withholding tax obligations require ongoing compliance regardless of your fiscal year, and consumption tax interim payments vary in frequency based on your previous year's tax liability.

Electronic filing through e-Tax is becoming increasingly important and offers practical advantages in terms of convenience and record-keeping. Timely compliance is far less expensive than catching up after missing deadlines, as penalties and interest can substantially increase your effective tax burden.

Building a tax calendar specific to your company's fiscal year and tax profile is highly recommended. Work with your accounting team to map out all deadlines at the beginning of each fiscal year, and set internal deadlines several weeks before official due dates to allow time for review and unexpected complications.

When to Consult a Tax Professional

While this guide provides a comprehensive overview of Japan's corporate tax filing schedule, the complexity of Japanese tax law means that most corporations benefit significantly from professional tax guidance. Consider engaging a certified public tax accountant (zeirishi) if your company has international transactions, operates in multiple jurisdictions, undergoes restructuring, or faces any unusual tax situations.

A qualified zeirishi can help optimize your tax position, ensure accurate compliance with frequently changing regulations, and represent you in communications with tax authorities. The cost of professional tax services is generally far outweighed by the value of avoiding penalties, identifying legitimate tax savings opportunities, and maintaining good relationships with tax authorities.

Early consultation is particularly important when making significant business decisions such as choosing a fiscal year-end, establishing new subsidiaries, entering new business lines, or making large capital investments. Tax considerations should be integrated into strategic planning rather than addressed only at filing time.

Individual Income Tax Filing Schedule

Annual Filing Deadline (Kakutei Shinkoku)

While this guide focuses primarily on corporate tax obligations, individuals who own businesses or have certain income sources must also file annual income tax returns. The individual income tax filing period, known as kakutei shinkoku (確定申告), runs from February 16 to March 15 each year for the previous calendar year's income.

This deadline is particularly relevant for corporate executives who receive income from multiple sources, foreign nationals working in Japan, individual business owners, and landlords with rental income. The filing must be submitted to the tax office that has jurisdiction over your residence as of January 1 of the filing year.

Who Needs to File a Tax Return?

Not all individuals are required to file income tax returns in Japan. Employees whose sole income is salary from a single employer and who have completed year-end adjustment typically don't need to file. However, you must file if you have side business income, rental income, capital gains from asset sales, income from multiple employers, annual salary exceeding 20 million yen, or if you're claiming deductions not available through year-end adjustment.

Foreign residents and non-residents with Japanese-source income also have specific filing requirements. Non-residents are typically subject to withholding tax on Japanese income but may need to file returns to claim refunds or reconcile their final tax liability. Permanent residents must report worldwide income, while non-permanent residents report Japanese-source income and foreign-source income paid in or remitted to Japan.

Estimated Tax Payment Dates

Individual taxpayers whose tax liability isn't fully covered by withholding may need to make estimated tax payments. The individual income tax system includes a prepayment mechanism for certain types of income, particularly business income and rental income.

Estimated tax payments (予定納税, yotei nōzei) are typically required if your previous year's income tax exceeded a certain threshold. The total estimated payment is divided into two installments: the first due by July 31 and the second by November 30. These prepayments are credited against your final tax liability when you file your kakutei shinkoku, with any balance due by March 15 or any overpayment refunded.

Conclusion

Navigating Japan's tax filing calendar requires attention to detail and careful planning throughout the year. By understanding the relationship between your fiscal year and various tax deadlines, maintaining accurate records, and establishing systematic compliance procedures, you can ensure your corporation meets all obligations while minimizing administrative burden. Remember that tax compliance is not merely about avoiding penalties—it's about building a foundation of financial responsibility that supports your business's long-term success in the Japanese market. Whether you manage tax matters in-house or work with professional advisors, staying ahead of deadlines and maintaining open communication with tax authorities will serve your organization well. Strategic and informed tax management is more than a compliance necessity—it is a cornerstone for lasting business achievement in Japan.