Where to file your refund claim and what you need first

You claim a tax refund in Japan through the National Tax Agency's online system, called e-Tax. The system is available year-round, but most foreign visitors file during the refund season, which runs from mid-January through mid-March each year. You do not need to be in Japan to file — you can submit your claim from anywhere with internet access.

Before you start, gather your documents: your passport or residence card, the original receipts or invoices showing the items you bought and the tax you paid, your bank account details (for the refund to be deposited), and proof of your address outside Japan if you are a non-resident. If you bought items at multiple stores, keep all receipts separate and organized by store and date.

The refund applies to consumption tax (called shouhizei) that you paid on goods at the point of sale. You cannot claim back tax on services, food eaten in restaurants, or accommodation. The minimum purchase threshold is 5,000 yen per store per day, and you must have left Japan within two months of the purchase date to be may be able to access.

Key Takeaways

  • File through e-Tax, the National Tax Agency's online system, which accepts claims year-round but processes fastest during January through March.
  • You need original receipts showing the store name, purchase date, items, and tax amount — photocopies or photos are not accepted.
  • The refund covers consumption tax only on goods purchased in a single store on a single day totalling 5,000 yen or more.
  • Non-residents must file within two months of leaving Japan; residents cannot claim refunds on consumption tax at all.
  • Refunds are deposited to a Japanese bank account you specify, or transferred to an international account through a Japanese bank partner.

Setting up your e-Tax account and logging in

Go to the National Tax Agency website at nta.go.jp and select the e-Tax portal. You will need a user ID and password to log in. If you do not have these, you can register as a new user directly in the system — the process takes about 10 minutes and requires your passport number and a valid email address.

When you register, the system will ask whether you are a resident or non-resident of Japan. Non-residents should select that option, as the refund process is slightly different. You will also be asked to choose a login method: you can use your user ID and password, or link your account to a digital certificate if you have one. The user ID and password method is simpler for most foreign visitors.

Once your account is created, log in and navigate to the consumption tax refund section. The menu is available in English, though some older pages may only appear in Japanese. If you get stuck, the National Tax Agency has an English-language helpline that operates during business hours.

Entering your purchase details and uploading receipts

In the refund form, you will enter information for each store where you made purchases: the store name, the date of purchase, the total amount spent, and the consumption tax amount. The system will calculate your refund based on the tax rate in effect on the date you bought the items — this was 10% for most goods from October 2019 onwards, though some items like food are taxed at 8%.

The system requires you to upload images or scans of your original receipts. Each receipt must show the store name, the purchase date, a list of items (or at least a category), the subtotal, the tax amount, and the total paid. If a receipt is missing the tax amount, you can calculate it yourself: multiply the subtotal by 0.10 for the 10% rate or 0.08 for the 8% rate. The system accepts PDF, JPG, and PNG files, and each file must be under 5 MB.

If you bought items on the same day at the same store but received multiple receipts, combine them into one entry in the form — the system treats them as a single purchase. If you bought items at the same store on different days, enter each day separately.

Providing your bank account details for the refund deposit

The system will ask where you want the refund deposited. You have two options: a Japanese bank account, or an international transfer through a Japanese bank partner. If you have a Japanese bank account (from a previous stay, or opened during this visit), you can provide those details directly — the refund will arrive within two to four weeks of approval.

If you do not have a Japanese account, you can request an international transfer. The system will route your refund through a partner bank, which will then send it to your home country bank account. This process takes longer — typically four to eight weeks — and may involve a small currency conversion fee charged by the receiving bank. You will need your SWIFT code and IBAN (or the equivalent account identifier for your country) to complete this option.

Double-check the account details you enter. If the bank rejects the transfer because of an error, the National Tax Agency will hold the refund and contact you to correct the information. This can add several weeks to the process.

Submitting your claim and tracking approval status

Once you have entered all your purchase information, uploaded your receipts, and provided your bank details, review the form one more time. The system will show you the total refund amount it has calculated. Click submit, and the system will generate a confirmation number — save this number, as you will need it to track your claim.

After submission, your claim enters a queue for review. The National Tax Agency typically processes claims within two to four weeks during the January-to-March refund season, though claims submitted outside this period may take longer. You can check the status of your claim at any time by logging back into e-Tax and entering your confirmation number.

If the National Tax Agency needs more information — for example, if a receipt is unclear or a purchase date does not match your passport entry stamp — they will contact you by email. Respond as quickly as you can, as delays in providing additional documents can push your refund back several weeks.

What happens if your claim is rejected or incomplete

The most common reason for rejection is missing or illegible receipts. If the tax amount is not clearly printed on a receipt, or if the store name is unclear, the system may ask you to resubmit. Some stores, particularly small shops or market vendors, do not issue receipts with tax amounts itemized — in these cases, you cannot claim a refund for that purchase.

Another common issue is the two-month window: if you left Japan more than two months before filing your claim, you are ineligible. The National Tax Agency checks this against your passport exit stamp. If you are a resident of Japan, you cannot claim consumption tax refunds at all — the system will reject your claim if your residence status shows you live in Japan.

If your claim is rejected, the system will explain the reason in your account. You can then correct the information and resubmit. There is no limit on the number of times you can resubmit, so do not give up if your first attempt is rejected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim a refund if I bought items but did not get a receipt at the time?

No. The National Tax Agency requires the original receipt as proof of purchase and tax payment. You cannot reconstruct a receipt or use a credit card statement instead. If you did not receive a receipt, contact the store and ask if they can issue a duplicate — some stores will do this if you have the credit card or cash transaction details.

What if the receipt shows the total price but not the tax amount separately?

You can calculate the tax yourself and enter it in the form. If the receipt shows a total of 11,000 yen and was issued after October 2019, the tax is 1,000 yen (10% of 10,000). The system accepts calculated amounts as long as they are mathematically correct for the tax rate in effect on that date.

How long does it take to receive the refund after approval?

If you provided a Japanese bank account, the refund arrives within two to four weeks of approval. If you requested an international transfer, add another two to four weeks for the transfer to clear in your home country. Currency conversion may add a small fee on the receiving end.

Can I file a claim if I am still in Japan?

You can file while in Japan, but you must leave Japan within two months of your last purchase date for the claim to be processed. The National Tax Agency checks your passport exit stamp against the purchase dates on your receipts.

What if I made purchases in multiple prefectures — do I file separate claims?

No. You file one claim that includes purchases from all stores and all prefectures. The system groups them by store and date, so organize your receipts that way before you start filling out the form.