Money & Cards
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Last updated: June 21, 2026
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Tax software comparison has strong freelancer and side-work intent, so filing and money setup sit together.
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Wait, do I have to go to the Tax Office and fill out Japanese forms by hand? That sounds like a nightmare...
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.
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 |
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:
Cons:
It is the safest entry point for anyone worried about costs.
The ONLY software that is FREE FOREVER for White Returns. Risk-free way to start. No credit card required.
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:
Cons:
If you value time over money, this is the modern choice.
Most intuitive UI for non-accountants. Start your free trial—no credit card required.
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:
Cons:
Seamlessly sync with your household budget app. Start free trial—1 month, no CC required.
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.
DeepL translates 3x more accurately than Google and doesn't break Japanese software interfaces.
Step 1: Install DeepL Chrome Extension (Free)
Step 2: Translate the Accounting Site Page
Result: Crystal-clear English text without layout collapse. You can now read every menu, label, and instruction.
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.
"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:
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.
Tax season 2026:
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:
Total time investment: ~10-15 hours spread over January-March.
Zero cost. No credit card required for White Return plan. Bank connection is optional but recommended.
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.
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A: Options: (1) e-Tax (free, official — Japanese only, complex UI), (2) freee 確定申告 (paid, ¥980/month, Japanese/English supported), (3) マネーフォワード クラウド確定申告 (paid), (4) やよいの青色申告 (for business owners). For simple salary earner returns with deductions, e-Tax is sufficient with some navigation patience.
A: freee 確定申告 has partial English support and is the most foreigner-friendly option. The official e-Tax system is Japanese only. Some tax accountants (税理士) offer English-language consulting services for ¥30,000–80,000 per filing for more complex situations.
A: 青色申告 (blue form) requires more detailed bookkeeping but offers a ¥650,000 special deduction (full e-Tax filing) or ¥100,000 deduction — significantly reducing taxable income. 白色申告 (white form) is simpler but has no special deduction. Freelancers and self-employed people should use 青色申告.
A: Yes. e-Tax has a smartphone app (スマート申告) that guides you through the process. You can use it with a My Number Card and NFC-enabled smartphone. freee also has a mobile app. Smartphone filing is increasingly popular and the process has improved significantly since 2022.
A: Foreigners can claim the 医療費控除 (medical expense deduction) just like Japanese nationals. If your household's total medical expenses (including OTC medicine under セルフメディケーション特例) exceed ¥100,000 or 5% of your income in a year, the excess is deductible. Keep all receipts throughout the year.
CEO / Native Japanese Expert
Updated on: June 21, 2026
※ The information in this article is accurate as of the time of writing. Laws and regulations may change, so please always check official sources for the latest information. We assume no liability for any damages resulting from the content of this article.
