While studying in Japan or South Korea, international students may receive notices about taxes, health insurance, pension contributions, electricity, water, gas or mobile phone bills. If they do not understand the contents, check the payment deadlines or ignore the notices, they may encounter difficulties in meeting their payment obligations.

This guide explains how to identify notices, check the information, determine which organisation to contact and keep the necessary documents.

1. GUIDANCE FOR JAPAN

Resident Tax – 住民税

Resident tax is administered by local authorities and is generally calculated based on income from the previous year and the applicable regulations. International students who earn income from part-time work should carefully check any tax notices they receive.

Check the amount due, tax period, payment deadline and payment method. If you do not understand why you have been asked to pay tax or believe the amount is incorrect, contact the tax department of the local authority named on the notice.

National Health Insurance – 国民健康保険

International students who are required to join Japan’s National Health Insurance system must pay the relevant premiums according to the local authority’s notices. The amount may vary depending on individual circumstances, income and applicable regulations.

Check the billing period, amount due, payment deadline and insured person's details. If you move house, change your residence status or experience another change that may affect your insurance, ask the relevant authority whether you need to update your records.

Official information: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_21895.html

National Pension – 国民年金

People residing in Japan who fall within the applicable age range may be required to participate in the National Pension system, depending on their residence status and other relevant conditions.

If you receive a pension contribution notice but cannot afford to pay, do not simply ignore it. Contact the pension office or local authority to ask whether you qualify for an exemption, reduction or deferment and how to apply. An exemption or deferment is not automatically granted simply because an application has been submitted. You must confirm the outcome.

Official information: https://www.nenkin.go.jp/tokusetsu/English/gaikoku-kokutetu.html

Electricity, Water, Gas and Mobile Phone Bills

Check the customer's name, service address, billing period, amount due and payment deadline. If you have already paid, keep the receipt or transaction confirmation. If you move out or stop using a service, check that the relevant contract has been properly cancelled.

2. GUIDANCE FOR SOUTH KOREA

Tax Notices – 세금

When you receive a tax notice, identify the issuing authority, type of tax, tax period, amount due and payment deadline. If you are unsure why the tax has been charged, contact the authority named on the notice or the relevant tax office to verify the information before making payment.

National Tax Service of Korea – official English website: https://www.nts.go.kr/english/main.do

National Health Insurance Premiums – 건강보험료

International students who are required to participate in South Korea’s National Health Insurance system should pay attention to premium notices and payment deadlines. The deadline should be checked on the notice; do not assume that every case has the same payment date.

Check your name, identification or insurance details, amount due, billing period and payment instructions. If the amount appears unusual, you are unsure whether you are required to participate, or you have difficulty paying, contact the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) for guidance.

Official website: https://www.nhis.or.kr/english/

Electricity, Water, Gas and Mobile Phone Bills

Check the billing period, amount due, payment deadline and service provider details. If you live in a dormitory or shared accommodation, establish whether the bill is your personal responsibility or is already included in your rent. Do not transfer money solely in response to an unverified message or an unclear payment request.

3. CHECKLIST FOR TAX NOTICES, INSURANCE BILLS AND INVOICES

Use the following checklist whenever you receive a notice to avoid overlooking important information.

Step 1: Check the details

☐ Type of notice: tax, insurance, pension, electricity, water, gas, mobile phone or another charge.

☐ Issuing organisation: the name of the government authority, local authority, insurance provider or service provider.

☐ Recipient details: check that your name, address and personal identification details are correct.

☐ Amount due: confirm the total amount and billing period.

☐ Deadline: identify the final date for payment.

☐ Payment method: check where to pay, the bank account details or the official payment instructions.

☐ Contact details: find the official telephone number, address or website to use if you need clarification.

Step 2: Decide what to do

☐ If the details are correct and you understand the payment obligation, pay by the deadline using the official instructions.

☐ If you do not understand the notice or the amount, contact the issuing organisation. Do not make assumptions.

☐ If you suspect the notice is fraudulent, verify it through the organisation’s official website or telephone number. Do not rush to transfer money or disclose personal information.

☐ If you cannot afford to pay, contact the relevant organisation before the deadline to ask about possible payment arrangements, extensions or support schemes. Do not assume that requesting assistance automatically exempts you from payment.

☐ If you have already paid, keep the receipt or transaction confirmation.

Step 3: Record the information for follow-up

• Country: Japan / South Korea

• Type of notice: ................................................

• Issuing organisation: ........................................

• Amount due: ...................................................

• Payment deadline: ..........................................

• Date of contact or verification: ...........................

• Outcome: ........................................................

• Payment date: .................................................

• Transaction reference or receipt number: ...............

4. DOCUMENTS INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS SHOULD KEEP

Whenever you receive and deal with a notice, keep the following records:

• A copy or complete photograph of the notice, including the reverse side if it contains relevant information.

• Receipts, invoices or payment confirmations.

• Text messages and emails exchanged with the issuing authority or service provider.

• Documents confirming any exemption, reduction, deferment or adjustment, where applicable.

• Official contact details for the organisation responsible for the matter.

Organise documents into categories such as tax, insurance, pension and household bills. You can keep digital copies on your phone or in personal cloud storage, while ensuring that your personal information and identification numbers remain secure.

5. WHO SHOULD YOU CONTACT IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO?

First, look for the name of the authority or organisation that issued the notice. If you still do not understand it, ask your school, support organisation or someone with the relevant language skills to help you read and interpret the contents.

However, questions about the amount payable, legal obligations, exemptions, reductions or deadlines should be confirmed directly with the competent authority.

Parents in Vietnam can also remind their children to photograph the notice and seek help promptly if they encounter difficulties. Students should not ignore a notice simply because they cannot understand the Japanese or Korean text.

Remember this simple principle: Read carefully – check the deadline – verify with the correct organisation – keep the evidence.

Taking action early can help international students reduce the risk of missing payment deadlines and manage their lives abroad more confidently.

THÔNG TIN LIÊN HỆ (CONTACT INFORMATION)

CÔNG TY CỔ PHẦN TOHOKU SÔNG ĐÀ
Songda Tohoku Joint Stock Company

Address: L02-L01, Area A, Duong Noi Urban Area, Duong Noi Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam
Hotline: 0989 044 852
Email: tohokusongda2014@gmail.com
Website: https://tohoku.vn