Overview

Fixed asset tax (固定資産税) is a municipal tax levied on land, buildings, and depreciable assets (business equipment, machinery, etc.) based on ownership as of January 1 each year. Declaration: If you own depreciable business assets, you must file a declaration (償却資産申告) with your municipal office by January 31. This is required even if your total assessed value falls below the exemption threshold (免税点). Land and buildings are taxed automatically based on property registration records — no declaration is needed. Exemption thresholds (免税点): No tax is levied if the total assessed value per municipality is below: • Land: ¥300,000 • Buildings: ¥200,000 • Depreciable assets: ¥1,500,000 Payment: Tax is paid in four quarterly installments, but payment dates vary by municipality (e.g., the standard is April/July/December/February, while Tokyo's 23 wards use June/September/December/February). Payment bills (納付書) are sent by the municipal office.

Key things to know

• Depreciable assets declaration is due January 31 each year • Filing is required even if below the exemption threshold (免税点) — but no tax is owed • Land and buildings do not require a declaration (taxed automatically via registration records) • Payment is in 4 installments, but dates vary by municipality • Payment bills are sent by the municipal office — you do not need to calculate the amount yourself • City planning tax (都市計画税) may also be levied together in urban planning zones • Small-value depreciable assets (under ¥100,000 per item, etc.) may be excluded from declaration

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