The Furusato Nozei Program, or Hometown Tax Donation Program, is a tax incentive scheme by the Japanese government to support the development of smaller, less funded municipalities.
Taxpayers can choose to donate to a city, prefecture, municipality or cause that they want to support, such as social and environmental programs and aid in times of disaster.
In return, taxpayers are exempted from a portion of their income and resident taxes and get to enjoy gifts such as wagyu, melons, sake and other premium local specialties delivered to them as a token of appreciation.
Passionate about the environment? Contribute to your favorite city’s environmental program. Believe in the power of education? Help a local town’s school building fund.
Explore and experience Japan’s best local specialities, from fresh Hokkaido crabs to golden Miyazaki mangoes, all from the comfort of your home.
Minus a 2,000 JPY one time out-of-pocket payment, you’ll receive a tax deduction that covers the rest of the total donation cost, up to your eligible donation amount.
4 Million JPY
42,000 JPY
40,000 JPY
1. Sobetsu city, Hokkaido
2. Kosai city, Shizuoka
3. Semboku city, Akita
4. Yamanakako village, Yamanashi
1. Coexisting with volcanoes initiative
2. “Children are the future” fund
3. Nature conservation
4. Local tourism promotion program
Yukimegumi Milled Rice
6kg
Lake Hamanako Unagi
Qty 3
Beer set
1 Rank in National Beer Contest
Lake Yamanakako Ham Assortment Set
7 Million JPY
86,000 JPY
85,000 JPY
1. Miki town, Kagawa
2. Fujieda city, Shizuoka
3. Taketomi town, Okinawa
4. Yamagata prefecture
5. Izumizaki village, Fukushima
6. Ooko town, Ibaraki
7. Suzaka city, Nagano
8. Kutchan town, Hokkaido
1. Local tourism development
2. Environmental protection
3. Local city development fund
4. Sports park building fund in support of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics
5. “To become a city that is world renowned for being healthy anddeveloped” program
6. Promotion of children’s education with Takara Sen University
7. Development of the Hokkaido Shinkansen Kutchan station and surrounding areas
8. “Leave it to the Mayor” local area development fund
Olive pork slices
4kg
Nanaya premium matcha gelato A set
Iriomote Island peach pineapple
4kg
Yamagata Tsuyahime and Haenuki rice
5kg each
Ham assortment set
Hitachi wagyu
500g
Kawanaka Island white peach
Organic pure white corn
Yes, they can. Anyone who pays income and residential taxes – even students and part-time workers – can participate in the program. However, if your income does not meet the amount prescribed by the government, you will not be eligible fora tax deduction. Use the Furumaru simulation feature to calculate an estimate of your deduction based on your income here.
There is no maximum amount. You can contribute as much as you can afford. However, there is a limit to the amount that you can deduct depending on your income, etc. Additionally, if the contribution is 2,000 JPY or less, it is not eligiblefor a deduction, as an out-of-pocket payment of at least 2,000 JPY is required.
No, it is not paid for each contribution, but is instead the amount to be paid out-of-pocket for all contributions a one-year period.
It depends on the type of thank you gift and the time of your contribution application. Thank you gifts are generally delivered 2 to 4 weeks after payment is confirmed. However, please understand that additional time may be required for productsthat are only shipped in certain seasons or during the New Year period.
Residential tax deductions are deducted from residential taxes paid after June in the year following your contribution.
The refunds will be issued in approximately 4 to 6 weeks from the filing deadline. For more details, please visit the National Tax Agency website.
You can receive the refund in two ways:
For more details, please visit the National Tax Agency website.