Corporate tax returns are due in two months; the two extension rules have different application deadlinesA company's tax return is basically due within two months after its year-end closing
A corporate tax return is in principle due within two months after the end of the business year, and payment is due on the same date. An extension when the accounts are not finalized requires an application within 45 days after the end of the business year, while the special rule under the articles of incorporation requires an application by the end of the business year. In both cases, interest tax is charged on corporate tax paid under the extension.
Key points
- The standard filing and payment deadline is within two months after the end of each business year.
- If the accounts cannot be finalized because of a disaster or similar cause, an application filed within 45 days after the end of the business year allows the head of the tax office to set a date and grant an extension (Corporate Tax Act Art. 75).
- If, under the articles of incorporation or similar rules, the ordinary general meeting is regularly not convened within two months, an application filed by the end of the business year allows an extension (Corporate Tax Act Art. 75-2).
- Under either extension, interest tax is charged if corporate tax is paid under the extension.
- A corporation that uses the corporate tax special rule can file a notification for extending the consumption tax filing deadline, which extends the consumption tax filing deadline by one month (a separate procedure; to be filed by the end of the business year).
What to do in practice
- Check when your articles of incorporation schedule the ordinary general meeting, and if there is a standing reason why filing within two months is difficult, consider applying for the special rule by the end of the business year.
- If you also need a consumption tax extension, file the notification for extending the consumption tax filing deadline separately from the corporate tax special rule.
A company calculates its money for the year (closing the books) and reports the result to the tax office. Usually it has to be filed within two months after the day the year ends. A company whose shareholders' meeting is late, for example, may be able to get more time if it asks in advance.
- April 1A new year begins
- March 31 of the next yearThe year ends (closing date)
- May 31 of the next yearThe standard filing and payment deadline (within two months)
Points
- Basically, you file and pay the tax within two months after finishing the year's calculations.
- If there is a reason, such as a late meeting, you may be able to ask for more time.
- Even with more time, a tax like "interest" is charged for paying later.
What the words mean
- Closing the books
- Adding up the money coming in and going out over one year.
- Interest tax
- A tax that works like interest for the time you were given extra.
- National Tax Agency (NTA): NTA: Outline of corporate tax and filing guide (October 2024, Reiwa 6)
- National Tax Agency (NTA): NTA: C1-17 Application for the special extension of the filing deadline under the articles of incorporation
- National Tax Agency (NTA): NTA: No. 6610 Filing deadline for consumption tax returns of corporations
This article summarizes and explains materials published by government agencies and is not advice on any individual case. Rules can change, so for actual procedures and decisions always check the latest original materials and consult professionals such as tax accountants or labor and social security attorneys. English, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese versions are translations prepared from the Japanese articles for convenience. If anything differs, the Japanese text and the original source take precedence.