From the Commissioner

The mission of the NTA is “to help taxpayers meet their tax responsibilities
properly and without difficulty”. To succeed in this mission, the NTA endeavors
to provide enhanced service to taxpayers as well as to conduct proper and fairtaxation and collection so that taxpayers feel that tax laws are applied fairly toeveryone.
In addition, in tandem with development of the globalization of the economyand ICT, Japan’s tax administration environment has been changing considerably.
Amidst such circumstances, we have been implementing various measures tocontinuously pursue the NTA’s mission.
In terms of enhancing taxpayer service, the NTA offers helpful information totaxpayers about tax filing and payment via the NTA website and other sources inan easy-to-understand manner, and the NTA has also taken a number of steps tomake the filing and payment procedures more accessible to taxpayers utilizing
ICT, including online national tax return filing and payment system (e-Tax) as wellas filing assistance on the NTA website.
To be more specific, starting January 2019, the NTA will implement a system
which will simplify the use of e-Tax for individual taxpayers, enabling wage
earners to file for refunds by deducting medical expense and Hometown tax (taxdeduction for donations to prefectures or municipalities of your choice) throughsmartphones and other devices. Under such efforts, the NTA is striving toenhance convenience for all taxpayers.
In addition, concerning the My Number System, the NTA will continue toenhance efficiency of administrative tasks and examine ways in which to further
improve taxpayers’ convenience through effective use of My Number andCorporate Numbers.
In terms of achieving proper and fair taxation and collection, we are taking
rigorous actions against large and vicious fraudulent cases, thereby protecting
the rights and interests of taxpayers. At the same time, we are promoting
voluntary enhancement of corporate governance regarding tax matters at large
enterprises in order to maintain and improve the level of tax filing.
In recent years in particular, amid further globalization and complication of
the economy, public interest has been significantly growing in international
tax avoidance cases due to the disclosure of the so-called “Panama Papers”,”Paradise Papers” and progress in the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS)
Project.

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National Tax Agency Report 2018

With the addressing of international taxation being set as an important task,
the NTA has been working on the enhancement of information collection andutilization, and cooperation with foreign competent authorities. We also havebeen actively conducting examination, etc., after establishing and expandinga system for specialized areas. We will continue to appropriately deal with theact of hiding assets overseas and international tax avoidance performed by theaffluent taxpayers and corporations that conduct cross-border transactions.
Every member of the staff at the NTA is dedicated to help taxpayers file tax
returns and pay tax due properly and without difficulty, through various measures
as stated above.
To expedite implementation of such measures, taxpayers’ understanding andtrust in tax administration are essential.
In June of last year, the NTA consolidated and announced the “Future Vision ofTax Administration” in an effort to highlight the future vision of tax administrationthat is to be sought from the perspective of transparency of tax administration,with recognition to the importance of making solid progress towards itsrealization.
The NTA provides information on our various activities, policy initiatives, andother issues in the most lucid manner possible through the NTA website, press
releases, and other opportunities.
The NTA Report is one of such efforts and explains our activities anddevelopments for the previous year together with statistical data and otherreferences.
I would appreciate it if this “National Tax Agency Report 2018” would help you
to better understand us and the NTA.

June 2018

Takeshi Fujii
Acting CommissionerNational Tax Agency, Japan

National Tax Agency Report 20182