Licensed Tax Accountant (税理士) — Japan
Japan Withholds
20% of Your Pension Payment. Get It Back.
Japan Withholds 20% of Your Pension Payment. Get It Back.
We handle the entire process online — registration, filing, and international transfer — for a flat fee of ¥22,000.
Licensed tax accountant (税理士 No.151201)
Licensed tax accountant (税理士 No.151201)
Fully online — no visit to Japan required
Fully online — no visit to Japan required
Refund sent to your bank via Wise
Your personal data is handled
securely and never shared
Money-back guarantee if no refund is issued
Money-back guarantee if no refund is issued
What Is It?
The Lump-sum Withdrawal
Payment Tax Refund (退職所得の選択課税)
The Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment Tax Refund (退職所得の選択課税) is a procedure that allows foreign nationals who have left Japan to reclaim the 20.42% withholding tax deducted from their lump-sum pension withdrawal.
Claims must be filed within 5 years of receiving the payment, and must be submitted by a licensed Japanese tax accountant (税理士) on your behalf.
What Is It?
The Lump-sum Withdrawal
Payment Tax Refund (退職所得の選択課税)
The Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment Tax Refund (退職所得の選択課税) is a procedure that allows foreign nationals who have left Japan to reclaim the 20.42% withholding tax deducted from their lump-sum pension withdrawal.
Claims must be filed within 5 years of receiving the payment, and must be submitted by a licensed Japanese tax accountant (税理士) on your behalf.
Customer Stories
Real Stories. Real Refunds.
People who've already reclaimed their 20%.
People who've already
reclaimed their 20%.
"My Japanese wasn't good enough to handle the paperwork on my own, so I had given up on claiming my refund. LOOK UP took care of everything — it was done much faster than I expected, and ¥185,000 was transferred to my account."
"My Japanese wasn't good enough to handle the paperwork on my own, so I had given up on claiming my refund. LOOK UP took care of everything — it was done much faster than I expected, and ¥185,000 was transferred to my account."
🇻🇳
Nguyen T.H.
Nguyen T.H.
Technical Intern · Machining · 3 years in Japan
Technical Intern · Machining · 3 years in Japan
Refund: ¥185,000
"I found out about this service three years after returning home. I thought it was too late, but they told me I could still apply within 5 years. I'm so glad I didn't give up — the refund came through without any issues."
"I found out about this service three years after returning home. I thought it was too late, but they told me I could still apply within 5 years. I'm so glad I didn't give up — the refund came through without any issues."
🇨🇳
Wang X.L.
Wang X.L.
Technical Intern · Machining · 3 years in Japan
Technical Intern · Machining · 3 years in Japan
Refund: ¥154,000
"I didn't know I could handle everything after returning to Indonesia. The refund was sent via Wise, so I received it directly without needing a Japanese bank account. The whole process was seamless."
"I didn't know I could handle everything after returning to Indonesia. The refund was sent via Wise, so I received it directly without needing a Japanese bank account. The whole process was seamless."
🇮🇩
Rizky A.P.
Rizky A.P.
Technical Intern · Construction · 5 years in Japan
Technical Intern · Construction · 5 years in Japan
Refund: ¥257,000
*Names are shown as initials for privacy. Refund amounts vary depending on salary, work period, and individual circumstances.
Before You Use Any Service
Using an unlicensed agent is illegal — and the risk is yours.
Using an unlicensed agent is illegal — and the risk is yours.
Many foreign nationals turn to informal brokers found through social media, community groups, or personal connections to file their Japanese tax return. This is common — but it is also illegal under Japanese law.
In Japan, filing a tax return on behalf of another person is a legally protected activity reserved exclusively for licensed tax accountants (税理士). Using an unlicensed individual — even if they charge nothing — is a violation of Japan's Tax Accountant Act (税理士法第52条).
Many foreign nationals turn to informal brokers found through social media, community groups, or personal connections to file their Japanese tax return. This is common — but it is also illegal under Japanese law.
In Japan, filing a tax return on behalf of another person is a legally protected activity reserved exclusively for licensed tax accountants (税理士). Using an unlicensed individual — even if they charge nothing — is a violation of Japan's Tax Accountant Act (税理士法第52条).
Penalties apply to those providing the service, but the consequences for you as the client can also be serious:
Penalties apply to those providing the service, but the consequences for you as the client can also be serious:
Legal Risk
Legal Risk
Submitting a tax return prepared by an unlicensed person may be deemed invalid by the Japanese tax authority.
Submitting a tax return prepared by an unlicensed person may be deemed invalid by the Japanese tax authority.
Filing Errors
Filing Errors
Unlicensed agents lack the expertise to apply the correct tax treatment (退職所得の選択課税). Errors can result in a reduced or rejected refund.
Unlicensed agents lack the expertise to apply the correct tax treatment (退職所得の選択課税). Errors can result in a reduced or rejected refund.
Permanent Records
Permanent Records
Japan keeps detailed tax records. An invalid or incorrectly filed return doesn't disappear — it stays on file and can complicate any future dealings with Japanese tax authorities. Fixing mistakes made by unlicensed agents from abroad is difficult, costly, and sometimes impossible.
Japan keeps detailed tax records. An invalid or incorrectly filed return doesn't disappear — it stays on file and can complicate any future dealings with Japanese tax authorities. Fixing mistakes made by unlicensed agents from abroad is difficult, costly, and sometimes impossible.
The only safe option is to use
a licensed Japanese tax accountant (税理士).
That is exactly what we are.
The only safe option is to use a licensed Japanese tax accountant (税理士).
That is exactly what we are.
The only safe option is to use
a licensed Japanese tax accountant
(税理士).
That is exactly what we are.
Why Trust Us
A licensed Japanese tax firm.
Every return filed by a registered professional.
Government-Licensed
Operated by 米満建太郎税理士事務所,
a registered Japanese tax accounting firm. Licensed by the Japanese government.
Zero Data Risk
Your personal information is
handled exclusively by
our licensed tax accountant.
Never shared with third parties.
Your personal
information is
handled exclusively by
our licensed tax accountant.
Never shared with third parties.
Money-Back Guarantee
If your tax refund is not issued, we return your full service fee — no questions asked.
Filing a tax return on someone's behalf
is one of the most legally sensitive things a professional can do.
That is precisely why Japan reserves it for licensed tax accountants — and precisely why you should verify who you trust with it.
Filing a tax return on someone's behalf is one of the most legally sensitive things a professional can do.
That is precisely why Japan reserves it for licensed tax accountants — and precisely why you should verify who you trust with it.
Kentaro Yonemitsu
（米満建太郎）
Licensed Tax Accountant（税理士）
Registration No. 151201
Tokyo Tax Accountants' Association
— Kitazawa Branch
東京税理士会 北沢支部
LOOK UP ACCOUNTING
（米満建太郎税理士事務所）
lookup-accounting.com
How Much Can You Get Back?
How Much Can You Get Back?
How Much Can You Get Back?
Have you already received your payment?
Have you already
received your payment?
Check your Decision Notice for the line labelled:
「所得税額及び復興特別所得税額」
(Income Tax and Special Reconstruction Tax)
👉 That figure is what we aim to recover for you.
Check your Decision Notice for:
「所得税額および復興特別所得税額」
(Income Tax and Special
Reconstruction Tax)
👉 That amount is what you can get back.
Typical Refund Amounts
Work Period
Work
Period
1 year
1 year
2 years
2 years
3 years
3 years
5 years
5 years
Avg ¥200k/mo
Avg ¥200k/mo
~¥24,000
~¥24,000
~¥49,000
~¥49,000
~¥73,000
~¥73,000
~¥122,000
~¥122,000
Avg ¥250k/mo
Avg ¥250k/mo
~¥30,000
~¥30,000
~¥61,000
~¥61,000
~¥91,000
~¥91,000
~¥153,000
~¥153,000
Avg ¥300k/mo
Avg ¥300k/mo
~¥36,000
~¥36,000
~¥73,000
~¥73,000
~¥110,000
~¥110,000
~¥183,000
~¥183,000
*Estimates only. Actual refund amount is shown on your Decision Notice.
*Working 6–8 years? Your refund may be significantly higher — check your Decision Notice for the exact amount.
Did you know?
You have up to 5 years from the date you received your lump-sum withdrawal to claim your tax refund.
Without proper support,
your refund is simply left behind.
When you left Japan, 20.42% was automatically deducted from your Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment as tax.
But here's what most people don't know:
Japanese tax law allows you to reclaim
almost all of it.
Without proper support,
your refund is simply left behind.
When you left Japan, 20.42% was automatically deducted from your Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment as tax.
But here's what most people don't know:
Japanese tax law allows you to reclaim
almost all of it.
WITHOUT US
Payment
Payment
¥750,000
Tax withheld
Tax withheld
−¥153,150
Reclaim
(if applicable)
Reclaim
(if applicable)
Amount received
Amount received
¥596,850
WITH US
Payment
Payment
¥750,000
Tax withheld
Tax withheld
−¥153,150
Reclaim
(if applicable)
Reclaim
(if applicable)
+¥153,150
Amount received
Amount received
¥750,000
How It Works
Simple 5-Step Process
Fully online. Handled by a licensed tax accountant.
1
Pay the Service Fee
Complete your payment of ¥22,000 via Stripe. Secure checkout. All major cards accepted.
2 minutes
2
Fill In Your Details
You'll receive a link to our intake form. Provide your personal information and upload a copy of your Decision Notice and passport.
~10 minutes
3
We Register as Your Tax Agent
Our licensed tax accountant registers as your 納税管理人 (tax agent) with the Japanese tax authority on your behalf.
We handle this
4
We File Your Tax Return
We prepare and submit your tax return (退職所得の選択課税) on your behalf through Japan's official online filing system.
We handle this
5
Refund Transferred to Your Bank
Once the Japanese tax authority processes your return, your refund is transferred to your bank account via Wise. A transfer fee (approx. USD 5–10) will be deducted from your refund. This is an actual expense; we do not add any profit to this.
2–4 months after filing
We will Handle Everything
We will Handle Everything
by a licensed professional.
Tax Agent Registration (納税管理人)
We register as your official tax agent with the Japanese tax authority, giving us the legal right to act on your behalf.
Tax Return
Preparation
Our licensed tax accountant prepares your tax return applying the correct treatment (退職所得の選択課税) to maximise your refund.
Tax Return
Filing
We submit your return through Japan's official online filing system on your behalf. Fully online — no paper, no post.
International
Transfer via Wise
Your refund is transferred directly to your overseas bank account. We handle the coordination with Wise.
How It Works
Simple 5-Step Process
Fully online. Handled by a licensed tax accountant.
1
Pay the Service Fee
Complete your payment of ¥22,000 via Stripe. Secure checkout. All major cards accepted.
2 minutes
2
Fill In Your Details
You'll receive a link to our intake form. Provide your personal information and upload a copy of your Decision Notice and passport.
~10 minutes
3
We Register as Your Tax Agent
Our licensed tax accountant registers as your 納税管理人 (tax agent) with the Japanese tax authority on your behalf.
We handle this
4
We File Your Tax Return
We prepare and submit your tax return (退職所得の選択課税) on your behalf through Japan's official online filing system.
We handle this
5
Refund Transferred to Your Bank
Once the Japanese tax authority processes your return, your refund is transferred to your bank account via Wise. A transfer fee (approx. USD 5–10) will be deducted from your refund. This is an actual expense; we do not add any profit to this.
2–4 months after filing
We will Handle Everything
by a licensed professional.
Tax Agent Registration
(納税管理人)
We register as your official tax agent with the Japanese tax authority, giving us the legal right to act on your behalf.
Tax Return
Preparation
Our licensed tax accountant prepares your tax return applying the correct treatment (退職所得の選択課税) to maximise your refund.
Tax Return
Filing
We submit your return through Japan's official online filing system on your behalf. Fully online — no paper, no post.
International
Transfer via Wise
Your refund is transferred directly to your overseas bank account. We handle the coordination with Wise.
Requirements
You just need
2 documents
to get started
You just need 2 documents
to get started
Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment Decision Notice
(脱退一時金支給決定通知書)
Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment Decision Notice
(脱退一時金支給決定通知書)
View Sample
The document you received from Japan Pension Service showing your payment amount and the tax that was withheld.
The document you received from Japan Pension Service showing your payment amount and the tax that was withheld.
Passport
(Photo Page)
Passport (Photo Page)
Clear photo of the page with your photograph and personal information.
Clear photo of the page with your photograph and personal information.
Am I Eligible?
You can apply if all of the following are true:
You can apply if all of the following are true:
You have already received your lump-sum withdrawal payment (脱退一時金)
You hold the Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment Decision Notice (脱退一時金支給決定通知書)
You hold the Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment Decision Notice
(脱退一時金支給決定通知書)
You have a valid passport
You have a bank account that can receive international transfers
It has been less than 5 years since you received the payment
If you have not yet applied for your lump-sum withdrawal, you need to do that first.
If you have not yet applied for your lump-sum withdrawal, you need to do that first.
Pricing
Transparent Pricing
Lump-sum Withdrawal Tax Return
¥22,000 (≈ $150 USD)
¥22,000
(≈ $150 USD)
tax included
Tax agent registration (納税管理人)
Tax return preparation and filing (退職所得の選択課税)
Refund transferred to your bank via Wise
Money-back guarantee if no refund is issued
A transfer fee (approx. USD 5–10) will be deducted from your refund.
This is an actual expense; we do not add any profit to this.
FAQ
Common Questions
Common Questions
Ready to Claim Your Refund?
Every year, thousands of former foreign workers in Japan leave this money unclaimed.
Don't be one of them.
Every year, thousands of former foreign workers in Japan leave this money unclaimed. Don't be one of them.
Secure Payment via Stripe
Licensed Tax Accountant
Refund via Wise
Ready to Claim Your Refund?
Every year, thousands of former foreign workers in Japan leave this money unclaimed.
Don't be one of them.
Secure Payment via Stripe
Licensed Tax Accountant
Refund via Wise