Tax Return in Japan 2026: File for ¥0 with Best 3 Accounting Software (English Hack Guide)

If you received a notice about "Kakutei Shinkoku" (Final Tax Return), don't panic.

Gone are the days of waiting for hours at a crowded tax office. In 2026, you can file your taxes from your home, in your pajamas, using e-Tax. However, the government's official e-Tax website is notoriously difficult to use.

The smart way—used by almost all Japanese freelancers—is to use Cloud Accounting Software . These tools connect to your bank account, automatically categorize expenses, and send the data directly to the tax office.

But which one is best for non-Japanese speakers?

In this guide, we compare the top 3 services (Yayoi, freee, Money Forward) and teach you the "DeepL Hacks" to use them in English.

Quick Verdict: Which Software Should You Choose?

We compared them based on Cost, Ease of Use (for non-Japanese speakers), and Automation.

Feature	1. Yayoi (Yayoi Kaikei)	2. freee (freee Kaikei)	3. Money Forward
Best For	Budget Seekers (I want it FREE forever)	Beginners (I prefer modern UX)	Savers (I use MF personal app)
Cost (White)	¥0 / year (Forever)	¥11,760~ / year	¥10,800~ / year
Cost (Blue)	¥8,000~ (1st year free)	¥11,760~ / year	¥15,360~ / year
DeepL Translation	Excellent (Simple layout)	Good (Modern UI translates well)	Good (Clear labels)
Bank Sync	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
English App	❌ No	❌ No (Web OK)	❌ No

1. Yayoi (Yayoi no Hakushoku Shinkoku)

The Champion of "Cost Performance"—Actually ¥0 Forever.

If you are filing a "White Return" (White Form) and want to spend ¥0 for your entire freelance career, Yayoi (White Return Plan) is your only choice.

They offer a "Forever Free Plan" for White Returns. Even for the "Blue Return" (which gives you a larger tax deduction of up to 650,000 JPY), the first year is free, then about ¥8,000/year. The interface is traditional but very simple, which actually makes it excellent for translation hacks. Simple Japanese translates cleanly without breaking the layout.

Pros:

• Completely free for White Return (no trial period—just forever free)
• Trusted by 2M+ businesses (No.1 market share in Japan)
• Simple layout = Clean translation via DeepL
• AI-powered auto-categorization of expenses

Cons:

• UI looks a bit old-fashioned (Windows 95 style)
• Blue Return plan requires payment after Year 1
• No mobile app

It is the safest entry point for anyone worried about costs.

2. freee (freee Kaikei)

The "UX Master" for Modern Users—¥980/month.

If you are willing to pay ¥980/month (approx. $7 USD) to save time and stress, choose freee.

Unlike Yayoi's traditional form-based approach, freee doesn't require bookkeeping knowledge. It asks you questions like "Did you spend money on transport?" and you just click Yes/No. This chat-style interface is intuitive and translates well.

Important Note: The freee mobile app does NOT support English (despite what some customer service reps might claim). Use the website version only, which translates clearly with browser tools.

Pros:

• Easiest UX for non-accountants (chat-style Q&A)
• Modern interface with mobile support (website, not app)
• Great for visual learners
• Excellent customer support (phone + chat)

Cons:

• ¥980/month minimum (vs. Yayoi's ¥0)
• Mobile app is Japanese-only
• Menu items can cut off when using Google Translate (DeepL is better)

If you value time over money, this is the modern choice.

3. Money Forward Cloud

Best for Personal Finance Geeks—¥900/month.

If you already use the "Money Forward ME" app to track your personal household spending, Money Forward Cloud integrates seamlessly. You can automatically separate Business from Personal expenses. It's also the cheapest paid option at ¥900/month for the minimal plan.

Pros:

• ¥900/month (cheapest paid option)
• Excellent integration with Money Forward ME personal app
• Clean design translates well
• Great cost performance for side-hustlers

Cons:

• Requires some knowledge of accounting terms
• Not as beginner-friendly as freee
• No true English interface

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🛑 CRITICAL HACK: How to Use Them in English (DeepL Method)

None of these tools officially support English. But thousands of foreign engineers in Japan use them every year. Here's the real way to do it.

The Problem with Google Translate

• ❌ Yayoi Official Support explicitly warns: Using Chrome's built-in translator can break the interface because Japanese text gets retranslated, causing layout collapse.
• ❌ freee: Menu items are cut off, leaving you to guess which button to click.

✅ The Solution: Use DeepL Instead

DeepL translates 3x more accurately than Google and doesn't break Japanese software interfaces.

Step 1: Install DeepL Chrome Extension (Free)

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Go to the Chrome Web Store and search "DeepL Translate".
3. Click "Add to Chrome" (Free version is fine).
4. Pin it to your toolbar for quick access.

Step 2: Translate the Accounting Site Page

1. Open your Yayoi / freee / Money Forward dashboard on Chrome (PC only —not mobile).
2. Click the DeepL extension icon in your toolbar.
3. Select "Translate this page".
4. Choose "English" from the dropdown.

Result: Crystal-clear English text without layout collapse. You can now read every menu, label, and instruction.

Step 3: Save This Glossary Bookmark

Even with DeepL, specific accounting terms sometimes confuse translation. Bookmark this page and reference it when entering expenses.

Japanese (Kanji)	Reading	English Meaning	Example / Where You'll See It
売上	Uriage	Sales / Revenue	Your freelance income; "Received payment from Client X"
消耗品費	Shoumouhin-hi	Supplies / Office Supplies	PC, mouse, pens, notebooks (<¥100k per item)
通信費	Tsushin-hi	Communication / Telecom	Wi-Fi bill, SIM Card, postal stamps
旅費交通費	Ryohi-Kotsu-hi	Travel / Transportation	Train, taxi, hotel (for business trips)
会議費	Kaigi-hi	Meeting Expenses / Meals	Coffee with a client, business lunch
交際費	Kousai-hi	Entertainment Expenses	Dinner, drinks with business partners
地代家賃	Chidai-Yachin	Rent	Office rent OR % of home rent if working from home
外注工賃	Gaichu-Kochin	Outsourcing Fees	Payment to other freelancers or contractors
備品費	Bihin-hi	Equipment / Fixtures	Desk, chair, monitor (>¥100k per item)
雑費	Zappi-hi	Miscellaneous	Small expenses that don't fit elsewhere

Pro Tip: Make a CSV file or Google Sheet with these terms + your regular expense categories. Copy-paste it into the software each time.

🎯 Frequently Asked Questions

"Can I use DeepL on mobile?" ❌ Unfortunately, no. DeepL for mobile is paid and these software interfaces aren't optimized for mobile translation anyway. PC/Laptop only for serious filing.

"Do I need a My Number Card?" ✅ YES, if you want to e-File (電子申告). If you use e-File (which most foreigners do to skip the tax office), you'll need:

1. My Number Card (apply at your local ward office).
2. A smartphone with IC card reader support (most modern smartphones have this).
3. 1-2 weeks to receive your card after applying.

No My Number Card? You can still file at the tax office or print and mail documents.

"Can I switch software mid-year?" ✅ Yes. Start with Yayoi (free), and if you hate it, sign up for freee's free trial in December. All three tools let you import bank data, so switching is easy.

📅 Timeline: Do This NOW (Before 3/15)

Tax season 2026:

• Feb 16 – Mar 15: Filing deadline (Kakutei Shinkoku submission deadline)

Why start today? Server speeds slow to a crawl in mid-February when everyone rushes. You need time to connect your bank account (usually 1-3 days) and organize receipts.

Our Advice:

1. Register for Yayoi NOW (takes 5 minutes, always free).
2. Connect your bank account (takes 10 minutes).
3. Let the AI auto-categorize transactions.
4. Submit via e-Tax.

Total time investment: ~10-15 hours spread over January-March.

Final Word: The Foreigners Who File Taxes Win

Every year, thousands of foreign freelancers in Japan file taxes successfully using these tools. You are not alone. The hardest part is the psychology—thinking you need a tax accountant (which costs ¥50,000-¥150,000).

You don't. These tools + this guide = everything you need. Start today. File by March 15. Keep your money.