This site uses cookies.
Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site,
while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used.
For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
How do I register a Trading Name if I work from Japan?
Thread poster: Stuart Carthy
Stuart Carthy Japan Local time: 23:31 Japanese to English
Oct 17, 2013
Hello
I'm starting out as a freelancer. I live in Japan and I am English. I will be working for agencies around the world but I don't know where I should register my trading name or how.
Additionally, what about tax / vat. For example, If I work for a British agency but I pay tax in Japan - what happens to the money the agency pay me?
Can anyone give me any pointers?
Subject:
Comment:
The contents of this post will automatically be included in the ticket generated. Please add any additional comments or explanation (optional)
Alex Farrell (X) Japan Local time: 23:31 Japanese to English
Don't worry about VAT
Oct 17, 2013
Hi Stuart,
Don't worry about VAT. If anyone asks for a VAT number, just tell them it doesn't apply because you are based in Japan. They won't withhold any tax and you can pay the Japanese government normally.
As for registering a "trading name," what exactly do you mean? Are you running a business entity, or is it just you, a guy named Stuart? Whatever the case, you are living in Japan, so I think any registration requiring a physical location should be in Japan.
Subject:
Comment:
The contents of this post will automatically be included in the ticket generated. Please add any additional comments or explanation (optional)
sycamine Malaysia Local time: 22:31 Member (2012) English to Japanese
Some information
Oct 17, 2013
Hello Stuart,
Unless you are incorporated, registration is not necessary.
However, if you submit "Kaigyo-todoke (Business Set Up Form)" to a tax office as a "Blue applicant", you can enjoy more tax benefits. (There are two types of self-employment called "Blue" and "White". A Blue applicant must prepare financial statements based on double-entry accounting. A white applicant prepares simpler statememts. If you do not submit "Kaigyo-todoke", you are automaticall... See more
Hello Stuart,
Unless you are incorporated, registration is not necessary.
However, if you submit "Kaigyo-todoke (Business Set Up Form)" to a tax office as a "Blue applicant", you can enjoy more tax benefits. (There are two types of self-employment called "Blue" and "White". A Blue applicant must prepare financial statements based on double-entry accounting. A white applicant prepares simpler statememts. If you do not submit "Kaigyo-todoke", you are automatically regarded as a white applicant.)
And if you have a copy of "Kaigyo-todoke", you can open a bank account with the registered trading name. (However, not all banks allow an account with a trading name).
Taxes vary among coutries. As far as I know, Japanse and Thai companies must withhold some amount from payment. You have to declare the withheld amount to adjust your income tax later.
The contents of this post will automatically be included in the ticket generated. Please add any additional comments or explanation (optional)
Stuart Carthy Japan Local time: 23:31 Japanese to English
TOPIC STARTER
Trading name
Oct 17, 2013
Hi
Thanks for the replies guys. They were really useful. The VAT number thing was great to know. I'll also check out the link.
What I mean buy 'trading name' is, I want to name my services something other than my full name. I will not be working with anyone else. I want to work as a sole trader from Japan and use a different name to sound more professional.
[Edited at 2013-10-17 14:11 GMT]
Subject:
Comment:
The contents of this post will automatically be included in the ticket generated. Please add any additional comments or explanation (optional)
Create customer quotes and invoices from within Trados Studio
Trados Business Manager Lite helps to simplify and speed up some of the daily tasks, such as invoicing and reporting, associated with running your freelance translation business.
Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business
Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.