自動車税・軽自動車税 納税通知書: Japan's Annual Car Tax Notice

Who receives it

It goes to whoever is registered on the 車検証 (vehicle inspection certificate) as the owner on 1 April of that year. If you bought the car on 2 April or later, you are not billed for that fiscal year. For cars bought on credit where the dealer keeps title, or some leases, the notice is normally sent to the registered user instead. Nationality and visa status make no difference, if your name is on the registration, the bill is yours.

What to do

1. 1Open the envelope and check that the licence plate number matches your vehicle, then find the tax amount and the due date printed on the payment slip.
2. 2Look at the barcode or QR code on the slip and choose a payment route from the enclosed leaflet, convenience store, bank, post office, smartphone payment app, or credit card site.
3. 3Pay before the due date and keep the paper receipt or the app payment record until your next 車検 (vehicle inspection).
4. 4If your 車検 is coming up soon, read the enclosed notes to see whether you need a 納税証明書 (tax payment certificate) and collect one from the issuing office if so.
5. 5If you have already sold or scrapped the vehicle, changed the registered owner, doubt the amount, or cannot pay in time, contact the issuing office printed on the notice yourself, the prefectural tax office or your city hall tax division.

About the deadline

The due date (納期限) is printed on each payment slip. Nationwide it is often the end of May, but prefectures, municipalities and calendar years differ, so read your own slip rather than assuming. After that date, late charges (延滞金) accrue, a reminder (督促状) is sent, and an unpaid vehicle tax can block your 車検 renewal. An expired slip can often still be paid over the counter, so do not throw it away, ask the issuing office first.

Common misunderstandings

I sold my car in March but still received the notice. Do I have to pay?

The tax follows whoever was registered on 1 April, so the transfer or deregistration may not have been completed in time. Gather the paperwork from the sale and explain the situation to the office printed on the notice. Ignoring it turns into a delinquency in your name.

Are 自動車税 and 軽自動車税 the same tax?

No. They are separate taxes from separate offices: white-plate ordinary cars are taxed by the prefecture, while kei cars, scooters and motorbikes are taxed by your city or ward. If you own both, expect two separate envelopes.

I paid by app or credit card, will that cause problems at 車検?

Those methods do not produce a paper receipt. Electronic confirmation of vehicle tax payment is increasingly available, but it can take days or weeks to register and coverage differs by locality. If your inspection is near, check the enclosed leaflet or ask the issuing office, and request a 納税証明書 if one is needed.

I moved and nothing arrived. Does that mean I do not owe anything?

No. The notice is sent to the address on your 車検証, which does not update automatically when you move your 住民票 (resident record). The tax is still due and late charges still apply, so contact the issuing office for a reissued slip and update the address on your vehicle registration.

Other documents

• ふるさと納税 受領証明書: Japan Furusato-Nozei Receipt & One-Stop Documents Explained
• 源泉徴収票 (Gensen Chōshūhyō): Japan's Withholding Tax Slip
• 住民税 納税通知書: Japan Resident Tax Payment Notice Explained
• Notice from the 税務署 About 確定申告: What to Do
• 固定資産税 納税通知書: Japan's Property Tax Bill Explained