Denpyo Blog

In-depth guides on Japan tax filing (確定申告), blue return (青色申告) benefits, 電子帳簿保存法 compliance and expense tracking — written for freelancers and small business owners.

Articles in this category

Japan Prepayment Tax (Yotei Nozei) Guide for Freelancers 2026

Japan Prepayment Tax (Yotei Nozei) Guide for Freelancers 2026

Confused by the tax prepayment notice from Japan's tax office? This guide explains how Yotei Nozei works, 2026 payment deadlines, and how to apply for a reduction if your income has dropped.

Tax Filing Guide
May 12, 2026
3 min read
Japan's Simplified Consumption Tax (Kanizei): Should Freelancers Choose It? [2026 Guide]

Japan's Simplified Consumption Tax (Kanizei): Should Freelancers Choose It? [2026 Guide]

Japan's simplified consumption tax system (簡易課税制度) lets small businesses calculate VAT using a deemed purchase rate instead of tracking every expense. We explain the deemed rates by industry, comparison with standard tax, and how to register — with worked examples for freelancers.

May 12, 2026
4 min read
Japan's Electronic Bookkeeping Law & Denpyo: Automate Your Compliance

Japan's Electronic Bookkeeping Law & Denpyo: Automate Your Compliance

How Denpyo automatically satisfies the 3 requirements of Japan's Electronic Books Preservation Act — with practical workflows for freelancers and small businesses.

Tax Filing Guide
April 14, 2026
7 min read
Japan Invoice System October 2026 Changes: Consumption Tax Deduction Drops to 50%

Japan Invoice System October 2026 Changes: Consumption Tax Deduction Drops to 50%

The Qualified Invoice System (Tekikaku Seikyu Hakko Houshiki) was introduced on October 1, 2023, and represents a significant overhaul of Japan's consumption tax system. The system's most critical feature is that businesses must retain qualified invoices to claim consumption tax deductions.

April 12, 2026
10 min read
Life Insurance Premium Deduction 2026: Complete Guide to Seimei Hoken Deduction, 3 Categories & ¥120,000 Tax Savings

Life Insurance Premium Deduction 2026: Complete Guide to Seimei Hoken Deduction, 3 Categories & ¥120,000 Tax Savings

If you have life insurance in Japan, you may be eligible for up to ¥120,000 in annual income deductions (seimei hoken-ryō kōjo). This translates to significant savings on both income and residence taxes. Yet many people don't claim this deduction. Proper application often results in tax refunds or reductions worth tens of thousands of yen.

February 4, 2026
11 min read
Home Office Deduction (家事按分) Japan 2026: Calculate Work-From-Home Expenses

Home Office Deduction (家事按分) Japan 2026: Calculate Work-From-Home Expenses

Learn how to calculate Japan's home office deduction (kajianbu) for remote workers. Deduct rent, electricity, and internet using floor area or time-based allocation methods.

February 3, 2026
5 min read
Receipt Storage Requirements Guide for Japan 2026

Receipt Storage Requirements Guide for Japan 2026

You must keep receipts for a long time even after filing your taxes in Japan — 7 years if you are a blue return filer, 5 years for white return filers. This guide covers valid documents, digital storage rules, and what to do if you lose a receipt.

February 2, 2026
13 min read
Expense Categories (勘定科目) Guide for Japan Freelancers 2026

Expense Categories (勘定科目) Guide for Japan Freelancers 2026

Complete guide to Japanese expense categories (kamoku) for tax filing. Learn how to classify receipts correctly for travel, supplies, entertainment & more.

February 1, 2026
7 min read
2026 Housing Loan Deduction Guide | First-Year Filing for Japan Mortgages

2026 Housing Loan Deduction Guide | First-Year Filing for Japan Mortgages

Bought a home in Japan? Learn how to claim the housing loan deduction in your first year. Required documents, calculation methods, and e-Tax filing steps.

January 28, 2026
11 min read