I have been living in Japan for about four years now. In December 2023, the company I was working for was acquired by another company, and I got laid off. In January 2024, I received a severance pay of about 23M. Then, in July, I got a residence tax bill of 2.3M. I was shocked but found out it was based on last year's income, so I paid. I don't speak Japanese and don't think I will find a good-paying job in Japan. I was told I would have to pay another 2.4M next year if I didn't cancel my visa by the end of the year. (Residence tax on severance pay) I don't plan to work in Japan. My Japanese wife and newborn son will stay in Japan, but I plan to stay here on a tourist visa and travel back and forth to US or some other part of Asia every 3 months.
Just wondering if i am overlooking something.
Can I still get Shakaihosho back? (Social Security) Will they subtract the residence tax from it, so I will end up paying the residence tax anyway?
What happens to my sampo contributions?
I do spend a significant amount of time in US. Father had a stroke last year so i stay with him couple of months out of the year.
Also, my wife loves her job and plans to go back to work as soon as possible, but my being here will cause her issues in finding daycare, so she prefers that I cancel my residence card.
by Visible_Honeydew1187