Govt checks

[GomiGirl]

Just had a letter from the ward office about a former employee. They are wanting to know when they left and also they want us to provide their bank account details. I think this is a big heavy handed. And it makes me uneasy.

Am guessing that they are wanting to chase up ward tax but I am feeling really uneasy about this. We will be fined ¥100,000 if we don't answer this letter. This guy is still working for us as a contractor from Canada.

Advice?

[IparryU]

If you deducted tax from his salary and paid it off... i am not sure why they would want to penalize you for him evading taxes...

quite simply, you can(?) refuse to give account details as it is part of employer-employee confidentiality agreement.

[yanpa]

(?)

You a lawyer?

AFAIK (and no I'm not an expert), resident tax is always one year in arrears. Stupid system I know, but who'd've thought local government would go after a presumably common source of taxpayer delinquence? I'm sure the tax authorities in other countries are happy to turn a blind eye on people dodging a year or so of tax after skipping the country. If that is what happened.

Anyway personally I'd reply with something of precise vagueness like "XXX is no longer working with us and we are unable to supply his contact details", bu then TIJ and we ain't in Kansas any more so I might feel happier doing that after receiving qualified advice.

[GomiGirl]

Yes but as I said, we are still using him now as a free lance contractor on a few projects.

[Coligny]

Yes but as I said, we are still using him now as a free lance contractor on a few projects.

are you required by law to keep the banking information of a former employee ?

if not... say the computer HD with all those data crashed... shoganai...

[GomiGirl]

We are paying him into his bank here until his visa officially runs out in March or something.

His contract with us in an independent contractor and he is responsible for all and any taxes on his own. However, it just makes me uneasy to be the private investigator for the state collection agency.

[yanpa]

Does your company have an accountant or someone of that ilk who might be more familiar with this kind of thing?

[Yokohammer]

First, I'd call the ward office directly to confirm whether they actually sent said letter.

Then, if they did, I'd tell 'em that he's left but that we can't supply bank details unless the police or prosecutor's office requires them. I can't see how the ward office would have authority to demand bank details, and I don't think you'd get into any trouble by challenging them on this.

But seriously, I'd want to know if the letter is legit first. All kind of weird scams going around. The 100,000 yen fine sounds rather far-fetched too, to be honest. But you never know.

So: do not call any numbers provided on the letter, call the ward office's actual number direct.