When the accounting records for a Japanese office are maintained in the home country headquarters, the accounting records must comply with Japanese tax regulations. The following accounting information is a summary of the requirements in Japan.

Source Documents

Original source documents must be available in Japan for tax audits.

Required Documentation

The following items must be attached to the tax return when filing:

• Detailed account schedule for each balance sheet account
• Equity movements
• Cash and bank balances
• Directors' compensation
• Rent paid during the year
• Contributions
• Miscellaneous income and expenses

Other Supporting Documentation

The following items are required for preparation of the tax return:

• Withholding tax on interest
• Other taxes and licenses paid
• Large and Small assets
• Dividends received
• Offices by prefecture
• Headcount
• Corporate tax payment status

Consumption Tax Reports

Consumption tax-paying companies must provide detailed reports of both consumption tax received and consumption tax paid, which must agree with the balance sheet.

Entertainment Expenses

Entertainment expenses must be booked in the accounts separately from other expenses, such as travel expenses, as entertainment expenses are not deductible expenses under under Japan tax law.

Inventory Accounting

Inventory methods applied in the accounts must conform to Japanese permitted inventory accounting methods.

 

 

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