Useful information and tools for freelances based in Japan. 2026-06-14T00:00:00Z https://japantaxcalculator.com/news/ Jordy Meow 2026-06-14T00:00:00Z tag:japantaxcalculator.com,2026-06-14:combined-residence-card-and-my-number-begins

Japan started rolling out an integrated residence card and My Number card (特定在留カード) for foreign residents, merging two cards into one.

2026-06-01T00:00:00Z tag:japantaxcalculator.com,2026-06-01:calculator-updated-for-the-2026-tax-cuts

Japan's 2025 and 2026 tax reforms raised the basic deduction and the employment income deduction, lifting the tax-free income line to about ¥1.69 million and nudging up everyone's take-home pay. Our calculator now uses the new figures.

2026-05-29T00:00:00Z tag:japantaxcalculator.com,2026-05-29:immigration-fee-ceilings-raised

A law enacted on 29 May 2026 raised the legal caps on immigration fees (permanent residence up to ¥300,000; change or renewal up to ¥100,000). The actual amounts you will pay are still to be fixed by government order, so treat the caps as maximums, not the price.

2026-04-15T00:00:00Z tag:japantaxcalculator.com,2026-04-15:language-requirement-starts-for-the-engineerspecialist-visa

From 15 April 2026, customer-facing roles under Japan's most common work visa require Japanese ability around CEFR B2, with extra paperwork for smaller (Category 3 and 4) employers. Purely technical roles are generally unaffected.

2026-04-01T00:00:00Z tag:japantaxcalculator.com,2026-04-01:joint-custody-becomes-possible-after-divorce

A Civil Code reform in force since 1 April 2026 lets divorcing parents choose joint parental authority (共同親権), ending Japan's long-standing sole-custody-only system. A statutory minimum child-support scheme launched alongside it.

2025-12-19T00:00:00Z tag:japantaxcalculator.com,2025-12-19:crypto-tax-reform-takes-shape

Japan set out plans to tax certain crypto assets like shares, at a flat rate of around 20% with loss carryforward, instead of the current up-to-55% income treatment. It is being phased in toward 2028.

2025-10-16T00:00:00Z tag:japantaxcalculator.com,2025-10-16:business-manager-visa-overhauled

From 16 October 2025, the company-owner visa requires ¥30 million in capital (up from ¥5 million), at least one full-time employee, a real office, and JLPT N2 level Japanese. It is effectively closed to solo freelancers now.

2025-10-01T00:00:00Z tag:japantaxcalculator.com,2025-10-01:furusato-nozei-loyalty-points-banned

Since 1 October 2025, furusato nozei portals can no longer hand out their own bonus loyalty points on donations. The core tax benefit is unchanged; only the extra point campaigns are gone.