Find a Licensed Professional
When you need personalized advice, here's how to find an English-speaking 税理士, FP, or lawyer in Japan.
When you need a professional
FinBuddy covers a lot of ground — but some situations require a licensed professional who can review your specific circumstances, file documents on your behalf, or represent you before the tax office. Here is how to decide.
| Situation | FinBuddy (free) | Professional needed |
|---|---|---|
| General tax overview | Yes | No |
| Filing simple 確定申告 | Tools help | Optional |
| Complex multi-income filing | General info only | Yes (税理士) |
| Cross-border taxation | General info only | Yes (税理士 + intl tax expert) |
| Starting a business (法人設立) | General info | Yes (税理士 + 司法書士) |
| Buying property | General info | Yes (不動産会社 + 税理士) |
| Estate / inheritance planning | General info | Yes (税理士 + 弁護士) |
Types of professionals
税理士 Certified Tax Accountant
Tax filing, tax advice, and representation before the tax office. Licensed under 税理士法 (Certified Public Tax Accountant Act). Only a registered 税理士 can legally file a tax return on your behalf or provide specific tax advice for compensation.
ファイナンシャルプランナー (FP) Financial Planner
Financial planning, insurance review, investment strategy, and retirement planning. CFP (Certified Financial Planner) or AFP certified. FPs look at your overall financial picture and help you make a plan — but they cannot file taxes for you.
弁護士 Lawyer / Attorney
Legal matters, contract disputes, inheritance, divorce, visa issues, and litigation. Licensed under 弁護士法. Needed when there is a legal dispute or when legal contracts must be drafted or reviewed.
司法書士 Judicial Scrivener
Property registration (登記), company registration, and certain legal document preparation. Essential when buying real estate or incorporating a company (法人設立) in Japan.
社会保険労務士 Labor and Social Insurance Attorney
Labor law, social insurance, pension procedures, and employment regulations. Helpful if you have disputes with an employer about benefits, need help with pension procedures (especially 脱退一時金), or are setting up payroll for a business.
How to find English-speaking professionals
Finding a professional who speaks English and understands the challenges foreigners face in Japan's financial system can be difficult. Here are the best places to search.
税理士ドットコム (zeiri4.com)
Japan's largest tax accountant matching service. You can filter by English-speaking, location, and specialty. Free to use — the 税理士 pays the platform fee.
ココナラ (coconala.com)
Freelance professional marketplace. Tax consultation services starting from around ¥5,000. Search for "English 税理士" or "English tax consultation."
日本税理士会連合会
The official Japan Federation of Certified Public Tax Accountants directory. Search by region and specialty. The most authoritative source for finding a licensed professional.
Tokyo English Life Line (TELL)
Non-profit supporting the international community in Japan. Offers referrals to English-speaking professionals including financial advisors and legal professionals.
Your ward office (区役所)
Many ward and city offices hold free tax consultation events (無料税務相談), especially around February-March. Some specifically offer English sessions. Call ahead to check.
Embassy referral lists
Many embassies maintain lists of English-speaking professionals (lawyers, tax accountants, notaries). Check your embassy's website or contact them directly.
Google search
Search for English speaking 税理士 [your city] or English tax accountant Tokyo. Many English-speaking 税理士 maintain bilingual websites specifically targeting the foreign community.
Expected costs
Fees vary widely depending on the complexity of your situation, the professional's experience, and whether they specialize in serving foreigners. English-speaking professionals may charge a premium. Below are typical ranges.
| Service | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Simple 確定申告 filing | ¥30,000 – ¥80,000 | Freelancer or employee |
| Complex filing (multi-income) | ¥80,000 – ¥200,000 | Investments, property, foreign income |
| Monthly advisory (個人) | ¥10,000 – ¥30,000/month | Ongoing support for individuals |
| Monthly advisory (法人) | ¥20,000 – ¥50,000/month | Corporate / business |
| One-time consultation | ¥5,000 – ¥30,000 | Per hour |
| FP consultation | ¥5,000 – ¥20,000 | Per session |
Tips for working with a 税理士
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Prepare documents in advance — gather your 源泉徴収票, receipts, bank statements, and any foreign income documentation before the first meeting. This saves time and money.
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Use FinBuddy guides to understand the basics first — the more you understand about your own situation, the less time (and money) you spend having basics explained during a paid consultation.
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Ask about English communication — can they communicate by email in English? Are meetings conducted in English? Some professionals are comfortable reading English documents but prefer meetings in Japanese.
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Get a quote before engaging — reputable professionals will provide a clear fee estimate after understanding your situation. Be wary of anyone who cannot give you a price range upfront.
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Ask if they handle foreign income and tax treaties — not all 税理士 are experienced with international tax situations. If you have income from abroad, investments in foreign brokerages, or are from a country with a tax treaty (租税条約) with Japan, make sure your 税理士 has relevant experience.
FinBuddy tip
Important
FinBuddy does not endorse, recommend, or receive compensation from any specific professional or service listed on this page. All resources are provided for informational purposes only. Always verify that a professional is properly licensed before engaging their services. You can verify 税理士 registration at the 日本税理士会連合会 website.
Not sure if you need a professional?
Try our free AI-powered tools first. FinBuddy can help you understand your tax situation, calculate deductions, and decide if professional help is needed.