What is Furusato Nozei / Hometown Donation Program?

 

Have you ever heard of “Furusato Nozei” (ふるさと納税 literally translated to “Hometown Donation Program“)?

You may recognize this as a measure to reduce your tax amount. But what is it actually? In this page, you’ll find what “Furusato Nozei” really is.

Furusato Nozei is a donation to municipalities you would like to give financial support and the amount of donation that exceeds 2,000 JPY will be refunded.

Most of the municipalities send you various items you pick such as rice, beef and something like that in return.

So it can be said that you get items with your 2,000 JPY.

Furusato Nozei was introduced to reduce the gap in tax revenue between urban and rural areas.

 

目次-Contents-

How and when is it refunded?

Actually, most of the amount you donate is not refunded.

The amount of Inhabitant tax you are supposed to pay next year will be reduced.

In general, the amount of Inhabitant tax is determined based on your income in the previous year.

If you’re employed, Inhabitant tax deducted every month from June 2019 to May 2020 will be determined based on your income in 2018.

If you donate to municipalities as “Furusato Nozei”, the most of the amount that exceeds 2,000 JPY will be reduced from the Inhabitant tax amount.

 

How do you do “Furusato Nozei”?

There is a website that introduces municipalities that do Furusato Nozei.

You can search not only from municipality but also from items you would like such as foods and beverages.

The name of the website is “Furumaru”. ⇒Browse items here

Be careful, there is a limit how much you can enjoy tax reduction.

The amount is determined based on your income, your family structure and so on. ⇒Simulator Tool

When you find where to donate, then make a payment.

Credit cards are acceptable as well.

You’ll get items in return in a month usually.

You will receive the receipt of your donation as well as items.

It is necessary when you do final tax return.

If you are employed by a company and don’t have 200,000 JPY annual income or more from your side job,

the One Stop Exception system 「ワンストップ特例制度」 can be applied.

Basically, you need to do the tax return to enjoy the tax reduction.

But you are exempt from this procedure if the One Stop Exception system is applied.

As mentioned above, Furusato Nozei is really beneficial for various reasons.

So don’t miss your chance! 


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