ward taxes and leaving Japan

[meepalicious]

I've made up my mind to leave Japan sometime this summer.
I've only been here since September, and I moved to Tokyo last October. So… what's the deal with ward taxes? Will I have to pay any? How much can I expect to owe? If I don't have that much in cash, can I arrange to pay it from the States if I have to?

Comments

[korpsy]

I might get flamed for this, but if you never plan on returning then just don't worry about paying anything.

[meepalicious]

I'm not sure what my plans are, but I don't want to burn any bridges behind me.

[angelachibayuy]

Just go to your ward office and explain that you are leaving in July/August and would like to find a way to pay what you owe.

Please don't take the first poster's idea, it gives the rest of us a bad name. (And can black list you if you ever do return) Yeah the government spending sucks, but whether or not you support taxes they are your duty to pay. The office members I have dealt with are always really reasonable so if you explain and give bank account information of your home country to show you are definitely willing to pay I am sure they will appreciate it (because of the large numbers of foreigners who do just leave)