First, a little context: I came to Japan in September 2012 on a student visa (with a work permit). While studying, I freelanced for a Swedish newspaper (with no presence in Japan – apart from myself, that is) on the side. I didn't file my taxes last year, as I didn't think I had to.
In October last year, I quit school and got a journalist visa instead (still working as a freelancer).
As the newspaper in question no presence in Japan, my "salary" is paid in Sweden, to my Swedish bank account. This means that Swedish income tax is automatically deducted. Every month, I transfer a sum to my Japanese bank account in order to pay my rent, utilities et cetera.
I'm having a really hard time wrapping my head around whether, and how, I should file my taxes in Japan this year. Specifically:
1. Do I have to pay tax only on the sum I transfer to my Japanese bank account every month (since, if my understanding is correct, apparently only foreign income that is remitted to Japan is taxable in Japan)?
2. At what point did (any part of) my income become taxable – when I got the visa in October, or all the way back in January of last year?
3. If the authorities decide that I owe them Japanese taxes for all the income I earned last year, will I have to pay the entire sum up front, or can it be divided into smaller payments?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
In October last year, I quit school and got a journalist visa instead (still working as a freelancer).
As the newspaper in question no presence in Japan, my "salary" is paid in Sweden, to my Swedish bank account. This means that Swedish income tax is automatically deducted. Every month, I transfer a sum to my Japanese bank account in order to pay my rent, utilities et cetera.
I'm having a really hard time wrapping my head around whether, and how, I should file my taxes in Japan this year. Specifically:
1. Do I have to pay tax only on the sum I transfer to my Japanese bank account every month (since, if my understanding is correct, apparently only foreign income that is remitted to Japan is taxable in Japan)?
2. At what point did (any part of) my income become taxable – when I got the visa in October, or all the way back in January of last year?
3. If the authorities decide that I owe them Japanese taxes for all the income I earned last year, will I have to pay the entire sum up front, or can it be divided into smaller payments?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.