So I’ll preface this with yes, I’m dumb and was 100% playing fast and loose with something I probably shouldn’t have.
I came to Japan in Jan of this year on a student visa, working remotely for a US company. Officially in the US, my hours were cut to 28/week to respect my working permissions on my Zairyu card. I had originally only intended to be here for 6 months, then extended to 9, and I have now landed a job offer here and intend to stay for multiple years at least. My new job will sponsor my visa and handle domestic Japanese taxes going forward, but I am now in the situation where I want to understand what my legal obligations are for the work I did this year.
I have been paying taxes in the US, and all money made in the US stayed in the US. I did not remit any money made this year into Japan. My understanding is that, if I left before the end of the year, I would just be liable for US taxes. However, my staying here now complicates things and I am more concerned about staying on the up-and-up on my legal obligations here, especially since I am looking to fast track PR via an HSP visa.
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With that info in mind, who is the right person to reach out to here? A US-Japan CPA? A tax lawyer? Go to the ward office?
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