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Kaigyou Todoke (開業届): how to register as self-employed in Japan

If you already work for yourself in Japan — delivery, construction, beauty, freelance — you most likely need to file the 開業届 (kaigyou todoke, notification of business start). This guide covers what it is, the deadline and how to file.

Short answer

The 開業届 registers you as a 個人事業主 (sole proprietor) with your local 税務署 (tax office). The deadline is 1 month from starting your activity. Filing late carries no fine, but without it you can't use the 青色申告 (blue return), worth up to ¥650,000 in deductions per year.

Why this matters more than it looks

  • Without the 開業届 on file, you can't apply for the 青色申告 (blue return) — losing up to ¥650,000 of deduction every year.
  • Proving your income gets harder exactly when you need it: visa renewal, loans, renting, daycare.
  • At visa renewal, immigration asks for 課税証明書 and 納税証明書 (tax certificates). Someone who never registered or filed struggles to produce them.
  • You end up mixing personal and business money from day one — and untangling it later costs far more time.

How to file, step by step

  1. 1

    Gather your details

    Your name exactly as on your residence card, your address (納税地, place of taxation), start date and a short description of your activity (職業).

  2. 2

    Fill in the form

    The 開業届 is a one-page form from the 国税庁. eKOJINjp fills the official document with your data, in your language.

  3. 3

    Request the 青色申告 at the same time

    Also file the 青色申告承認申請書 (blue return application). Same day, no extra cost, and it's what unlocks the bigger deduction.

  4. 4

    Submit at the 税務署

    In person, by mail or through e-Tax. Keep a stamped copy — banks and immigration often ask for it.

Common mistakes

  • Putting it off and missing the 青色申告 deadline (2 months from starting, or March 15) — the deduction is gone for that first year.
  • Writing your activity (職業) too vaguely; describe what you actually do.
  • Not keeping the stamped copy of the filed form.
  • Assuming registering means paying more tax. Registering doesn't create tax — profit does.

How eKOJINjp helps

We fill your 開業届 and the 青色申告 application

You answer simple questions in your language and eKOJINjp generates the official 国税庁 forms already filled in, ready to submit. After that, the app keeps your receipts and entries organized all year.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the deadline for the 開業届?

One month from the start of your activity. Filing later is possible and carries no fine, but it delays your right to the 青色申告 (blue return).

Is there a fee to file?

No. Filing the 開業届 at the 税務署 is free.

Can I file even after working for months (or years)?

Yes. Many people regularize later. State your real start date; if there are past undeclared years, get those periods organized before filing.

I have a work visa. Can I be a 個人事業主?

It depends on your residence status: some allow self-employment, others require permission (資格外活動許可). Confirm your status before starting.

Does the 開業届 change my health insurance?

Not automatically. What changes things is leaving a job with 社会保険 (company insurance) for the 国民健康保険 (national insurance) — that follows employment, not this form.

What do I file alongside it to get the bigger deduction?

The 青色申告承認申請書. Without it you stay on the 白色申告 (white return), which has no deduction of up to ¥650,000.

Keep reading

Kakutei Shinkoku (tax return)Aoiro Shinkoku (blue return)

Informational content based on public material from the 国税庁 (Japan's National Tax Agency). Rules can change each tax year.