how much does one make teaching english in japan???
- Thread starter Knives
- Start date
Buddha Smoker
Finally Enlighted One
- 8 Dec 2003
- 827
- 15
- 28
Depends where and what level, etc.. too many factors but maybe I can say about $2000 to $2500 is the average. Somebody care to correct me? I haven't been in the Teaching business in a long time...I'm in the Beef business now...I sell it, etc.
Blue 3
先輩
- 28 Jun 2004
- 35
- 2
- 18
I've heard about many places where the teachers get screwed. Most of these places are small companies that are just getting started. I would suggest that you try going with a big company if you don't want any hassle with visa and adjustment. When you get to Japan, you can always decide to work for a different company. Hopefully, by that point you will have made some connections and you will at least have an idea about what's going on.
Nova starts you out with 250 000 yen during probation. I don't know exactly what other schools do. The big money is with Universities. I've heard of people being paid 400 000 yen. Most of them require at least a Master's degree, however.
Nova starts you out with 250 000 yen during probation. I don't know exactly what other schools do. The big money is with Universities. I've heard of people being paid 400 000 yen. Most of them require at least a Master's degree, however.
- 15 Mar 2003
- 1,147
- 46
- 58
Keep in mind, most of those figure are before taxes. Expect to get hit for around 40,000 yen a month. (I know the US has the income tax exemption, but this applies to US taxes - you still must pay Japanese insurance, pension, income, and residency tax (once a year).
Living in a big city on a 250,000 a year, depending on how much you have to pay and how much your employer picks up, will be a living, but don't expect to be living very large. Still, those wages are huge for people who have no experience teaching...it is almost criminal really
Not a bad gig on balance.
Living in a big city on a 250,000 a year, depending on how much you have to pay and how much your employer picks up, will be a living, but don't expect to be living very large. Still, those wages are huge for people who have no experience teaching...it is almost criminal really
Not a bad gig on balance.
Ewok85
先輩
- 14 Nov 2003
- 2,294
- 44
- 63
Heh, a year, now there would be a challenge
I saw a show where they gave these comedians (1 guy, 2 women) 10,000 yen for a month. The women got aparments and had to pay for food, electricity, water, gas etc while the guy had to live off the land. Was pretty amusing, the women had great cooking ideas, mainly making everything themselves instead of preprepared things (bread etc). The guy was hilarious, im sure he was a little crazy by the end of the show
I saw a show where they gave these comedians (1 guy, 2 women) 10,000 yen for a month. The women got aparments and had to pay for food, electricity, water, gas etc while the guy had to live off the land. Was pretty amusing, the women had great cooking ideas, mainly making everything themselves instead of preprepared things (bread etc). The guy was hilarious, im sure he was a little crazy by the end of the show
Mandylion said:
A tax exemption?!? The US won't actually let you keep your money!
I could have sworn that to get around this you have to claim residency in a US state such as Nevada where they have no income tax. Would claiming US residency also get you out of paying the Japanese insurance, pension, and what not?If you do live in Japan and you are not a native japanese is it true you can't own a house or any type of property?
Buddha Smoker
Finally Enlighted One
- 8 Dec 2003
- 827
- 15
- 28
Genius said:A tax exemption?!? The US won't actually let you keep your money!
If you do live in Japan and you are not a native japanese is it true you can't own a house or any type of property?
Depending on how you get paid, then you are except from taxes and can be claimed as Foreign Earned Income (but you still have to worry about Social Security, etc. and that is where they get you)....is there a special thread about taxes and has it been brought up before?
- 15 Mar 2003
- 1,147
- 46
- 58
Yes, Glenn, I meant 250,000 a month. Thanks for that.
Genius - There are a miriad of was you can qualify for the federal 80,000 dollar income tax exemption. Check with your state for regulations on income earned abroad, but in my experience states tend to tax income earned in the US and within their jurisdications (but again check, I am not a tax expert). Of course, if you still have property in the US, and your state has property tax (or other assets in the US like some types of IRA's, bonds, investments etc.) then you get to pay up. And any money you transfer back to the US may be subject to duty (tax) depending how it is done and how it is depositied.
It is fairly easy to obtain and maintain proof of US residency. Registering to vote is by far the fastest and easiest. Plus you get to vote by absentee ballot, which is a lot faster than standing in line. Plus, you then do not need to own property in that state to be counted as a resident, which frees you from any state property tax.
You are still liable for all Japanese taxes, though some occupations and nationalities can apply for further exemptions. Also your employer might cover these expenses, depending on your contract. Also some taxes, like the pension tax, can be refunded when you leave Japan, with some exceptions and regulations.
Sorry for the long, off-topic post, but a search for tax info on JREF didn't turn up much (though cursory it was indeed).
Genius - There are a miriad of was you can qualify for the federal 80,000 dollar income tax exemption. Check with your state for regulations on income earned abroad, but in my experience states tend to tax income earned in the US and within their jurisdications (but again check, I am not a tax expert). Of course, if you still have property in the US, and your state has property tax (or other assets in the US like some types of IRA's, bonds, investments etc.) then you get to pay up. And any money you transfer back to the US may be subject to duty (tax) depending how it is done and how it is depositied.
It is fairly easy to obtain and maintain proof of US residency. Registering to vote is by far the fastest and easiest. Plus you get to vote by absentee ballot, which is a lot faster than standing in line. Plus, you then do not need to own property in that state to be counted as a resident, which frees you from any state property tax.
You are still liable for all Japanese taxes, though some occupations and nationalities can apply for further exemptions. Also your employer might cover these expenses, depending on your contract. Also some taxes, like the pension tax, can be refunded when you leave Japan, with some exceptions and regulations.
Sorry for the long, off-topic post, but a search for tax info on JREF didn't turn up much (though cursory it was indeed).
oh god, thats just another way for the US to steal your money. i'm 17 now. I highly doubt social security will still be around when i'm ready to retire. does other countries have a social security system? i don't see the importance and siginifiance of even having a social security system when in all likelyhood people my age won't recieve any benefits from it. rather we are the ones who are going to be funding it for the people who are going to be retiring within the next 10-20 years.Buddha Smoker said:
- 15 Mar 2003
- 1,147
- 46
- 58
Japan's social security system is called the pension system. It is multi-layered and in just as much trouble as the US's social security system.
I didn't think you had to worry about social security while you were in Japan, since you were already paying into a form of social security in Japan, and the IRS, while it would seem to be the opposite, really doesn't like to charge people twice. Is this wrong? Nothing about social security comes in the tax packets from the IRS each year; and those contain every possible federal form you could ever wish...
Also, it would seem the two systems do not yet overlap, as in 2005 the pension system and social security are going to join into an arrangement where quarters of work done in either Japan or the US can count towards both systems. Don't ask me for details, this memo was only one page long and on the wall of the American Citizens office at the consulate-general in Osaka.
I didn't think you had to worry about social security while you were in Japan, since you were already paying into a form of social security in Japan, and the IRS, while it would seem to be the opposite, really doesn't like to charge people twice. Is this wrong? Nothing about social security comes in the tax packets from the IRS each year; and those contain every possible federal form you could ever wish...
Also, it would seem the two systems do not yet overlap, as in 2005 the pension system and social security are going to join into an arrangement where quarters of work done in either Japan or the US can count towards both systems. Don't ask me for details, this memo was only one page long and on the wall of the American Citizens office at the consulate-general in Osaka.
- 18 Jan 2004
- 288
- 9
- 28
U.S. taxes, je les aime !
Take a look at the IRS Code and you will find something like,
窶弋o provide relief from double taxation for U.S. citizens working in foreign countries, the tax law allows individuals two options. First, taxpayers may include the foreign earned income in their taxable income, calculate the U.S. tax on the income, and take a tax credit for any foreign taxes paid. The amount of the allowable foreign tax credit is the lesser of the actual foreign taxes paid or the U.S. tax that would have been paid on the foreign earned income.
Under the second option, individuals may exclude up to $80,000 in foreign earned income for each full year they work in a foreign country. An individual must be either a bona fide resident of the foreign country or must be present in the foreign country for 330 days in any 12 consecutive months to obtain the foreign earned income exclusion.窶
And according to U.S. tax expert Kevin E. Murphy, selection of the most tax-advantageous option will depend on the amount of income earned abroad as well as the relative marginal tax rates between the foreign country and the United States. Thus, to select the optimal choice in a given situation, both options must be calculated to determine which one results in the lower net tax payable.
Here is an example:
Jim worked as a NOVA teacher in Japan during the whole year of 1983. He earned US$71,000 from this job and paid US$17,000 in tax to the appropriate Japanese government. Jim was single, and his taxable income without considering his $71,000 salary was US$30,000. Should he elect the tax credit or the exclusion option?
Jim should elect the option that minimizes the amount of U.S. tax paid on the foreign income.
(I)If he elects to take the foreign tax credit, his taxable income is $101,000 ($71,000 + $30,000) and his tax liability is $7,615.
Foreign tax credit:
Tax on $101,000 - $14,625.00 + [30% * ($101,000 - $67,700)] = $24,615
Credit for Japanese taxes paid = (17,000)
Net tax due = $24,615 - $17,000 =$7,615
From the Tax Rate Schedules, if a single taxpayer窶冱 income over $67,700 but not over $141,250, the tax is $14,625.00 + 30% of the amount over $67,700. Tax Rate Schedules vary each year; you have to check the current year.
The foreign tax credit cannot exceed the amount of U.S. tax that would have been paid on the Japanese income. In Jim83窶冱 case, the U.S. tax on the Japanese income is $17,304 [$24,615 * ($71,000 / $ 101,000)] and Jim is allowed a credit for the $17,000 of actual Japanese taxes paid.
(II) Under the exclusion option, Jim窶冱 taxable income was $30,000 ($71,000 + $30,000 -$71,000) and his tax liability is $4,446.
Exclude $71,000 from taxable income:
Tax on $30,000 - $38,92.50 + [27% * ($30,000 - $27,950)] = $4,446
From the Tax Rate Schedules, if a single taxpayer窶冱 income over $27,950 but not over $67,700, the tax is $3892.50 + 27% of the amount over $27,950.
The exclusion option results in a tax saving of $3,169 ($7,615 - $4,446).
The above example is extremely simple. However, if you still don窶冲 get it after reading it three or four times, you might be better off to pay a specialist to file your return because some people who work overseas may be qualified for credits and deductibles like scholarships and moving expenses.
Since I don窶冲 consider myself as a tax expert, I am not qualified to answer any more tax-related question.
Have a good read http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/faqs !
Take a look at the IRS Code and you will find something like,
窶弋o provide relief from double taxation for U.S. citizens working in foreign countries, the tax law allows individuals two options. First, taxpayers may include the foreign earned income in their taxable income, calculate the U.S. tax on the income, and take a tax credit for any foreign taxes paid. The amount of the allowable foreign tax credit is the lesser of the actual foreign taxes paid or the U.S. tax that would have been paid on the foreign earned income.
Under the second option, individuals may exclude up to $80,000 in foreign earned income for each full year they work in a foreign country. An individual must be either a bona fide resident of the foreign country or must be present in the foreign country for 330 days in any 12 consecutive months to obtain the foreign earned income exclusion.窶
And according to U.S. tax expert Kevin E. Murphy, selection of the most tax-advantageous option will depend on the amount of income earned abroad as well as the relative marginal tax rates between the foreign country and the United States. Thus, to select the optimal choice in a given situation, both options must be calculated to determine which one results in the lower net tax payable.
Here is an example:
Jim worked as a NOVA teacher in Japan during the whole year of 1983. He earned US$71,000 from this job and paid US$17,000 in tax to the appropriate Japanese government. Jim was single, and his taxable income without considering his $71,000 salary was US$30,000. Should he elect the tax credit or the exclusion option?
Jim should elect the option that minimizes the amount of U.S. tax paid on the foreign income.
(I)If he elects to take the foreign tax credit, his taxable income is $101,000 ($71,000 + $30,000) and his tax liability is $7,615.
Foreign tax credit:
Tax on $101,000 - $14,625.00 + [30% * ($101,000 - $67,700)] = $24,615
Credit for Japanese taxes paid = (17,000)
Net tax due = $24,615 - $17,000 =$7,615
From the Tax Rate Schedules, if a single taxpayer窶冱 income over $67,700 but not over $141,250, the tax is $14,625.00 + 30% of the amount over $67,700. Tax Rate Schedules vary each year; you have to check the current year.
The foreign tax credit cannot exceed the amount of U.S. tax that would have been paid on the Japanese income. In Jim83窶冱 case, the U.S. tax on the Japanese income is $17,304 [$24,615 * ($71,000 / $ 101,000)] and Jim is allowed a credit for the $17,000 of actual Japanese taxes paid.
(II) Under the exclusion option, Jim窶冱 taxable income was $30,000 ($71,000 + $30,000 -$71,000) and his tax liability is $4,446.
Exclude $71,000 from taxable income:
Tax on $30,000 - $38,92.50 + [27% * ($30,000 - $27,950)] = $4,446
From the Tax Rate Schedules, if a single taxpayer窶冱 income over $27,950 but not over $67,700, the tax is $3892.50 + 27% of the amount over $27,950.
The exclusion option results in a tax saving of $3,169 ($7,615 - $4,446).
The above example is extremely simple. However, if you still don窶冲 get it after reading it three or four times, you might be better off to pay a specialist to file your return because some people who work overseas may be qualified for credits and deductibles like scholarships and moving expenses.
Since I don窶冲 consider myself as a tax expert, I am not qualified to answer any more tax-related question.
Have a good read http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/faqs !
Buddha Smoker
Finally Enlighted One
- 8 Dec 2003
- 827
- 15
- 28
See, I don't worry about it because I have a tax attorney and he takes care of everything for me. I file taxes with the States for various reasons and I have my ways around the Japanese ones too. You just have to learn how to scam the scammers. They still try but that is why I have the tax attorney.
They still try but that is why I have the tax attorney.
Blue 3
先輩
- 28 Jun 2004
- 35
- 2
- 18
Genius said:
You're young. It's a good idea to start saving your money now. A hundred bucks a month is enough to start with. You have to be committed to this, too. I'm guilty of not continuing to add to my mutual funds and I really regret it. When you start working, you should visit a bank and they will assist you with a plan that would suit you.
...speaking from experience.
