“Purchase revenue stamps” and “Fixed amount postal money orders”
When you are applying for issuance of any tax documents by
post, or when you get the visa result at the Immigration Office, you may hear
the 2 terms "Purchase revenue stamps（収入印紙）"
and "Fixed amount postal money orders（定額為替）", do you know what they are?
These will be
necessary knowledge while you stay in Japan, especially when you get involved
in taxation applications or visa applications. In this article, BOW would like
to introduce to you what these terms are and where to purchase them!
・Purchase revenue stamps（収入印紙）
A revenue
stamp is a document issued by the Japanese government to collect taxes, fees,
and other fees that become national revenue and is simply called a stamp. The face
value is printed on the surface, and the shape is similar to that of a postage
stamp. They are used in many business situations, for example, to pay stamp tax
and registration tax when a contract is a taxable document or when the face
value of a receipt exceeds a certain amount.
There are 31
types of revenue stamps with different denominations. The denominations range
from 1 yen to 100,000 yen. In most cases, only 200-yen revenue stamps can be
purchased at convenience stores, etc. If you need other denominations, purchase
them at a post office or legal affairs bureau.
Please note
that there are some points to note regarding the payment method at the time of
purchase. Revenue stamps, like stamps, can only be purchased with cash.
Transportation electronic money or credit cards cannot be used for payment.
Unlike stamps, purchased revenue stamps cannot be refunded in cash. However,
unused revenue stamps or revenue stamps affixed to documents that are not
taxable can be exchanged at the post office. Please note that soiled revenue
stamps or revenue stamps affixed to tax documents cannot be exchanged.
・Fixed amount postal money orders（定額為替）
This is a
method that converts cash into a fixed amount of money order. You can apply for
this at your local Japan Post Bank or post office savings counter, along with the
designated fee. Depending on your need, there will be 12 types of fixed-amount
money orders: 50 yen, 100 yen, 150 yen, 200 yen, 250 yen, 300 yen, 350 yen, 400
yen, 450 yen, 500 yen, 750 yen, and 1000 yen.
If you want
to buy 1,500 yen in a fixed amount of money order, you can say, "Please
give me a fixed amount of money order. One 400 yen, one 1000 yen." (定額小為替（ていがくこがわせ）をください。1000円を一枚、500円を一枚。)
and the post office staff will issue you 400 yen and 1,000 yen certificates.
》Example:
For 2,500 yen worth of the fixed amount of exchange
1,000-yen x 2
sheets (fee 400 yen) + 500-yen x 1 sheet (remittance fee 200 yen) = Amount paid
at the counter 3,100 yen
・Fixed
amount postal money order fee: 200 yen per sheet
・Reissue
fee of fixed amount postal money order: 200 yen per sheet
*Fees include
consumption tax (including local consumption tax).
Fixed-amount
money order certificates are valid for 6 months from the issue date. If the
validity period has passed, you will need to request a reissue of the fixed
amount of postal money orders.
When you
apply for jobs introduced by BOW, BOW will support you in taxation application
and visa application if you have any questions! Let's check the opening job
vacancies at BOW and apply even if you still lack experience!
