Japan Qualified Invoicing System: What it is and how to request access

What you'll learn

If you're registered for Japan’s Consumption Tax (JCT), you may have heard about Japan’s new invoicing system. In this guide, we'll explain what it is, when it applies, and how to get access—along with important information on the one-off cost involved.

What is Japan’s Qualified Invoicing System?

As of 1 October 2023, Japan has introduced a qualified invoicing system for consumption tax (similar to VAT). This system requires businesses to issue qualified invoices if they want their business customers to be able to deduct input tax.

Only businesses that are registered as Qualified Invoice Issuers can issue these types of invoices. This is particularly relevant for B2B sellers—especially if your customers ask you to provide these qualified invoices.

Do I need to register for the invoicing system?

You don’t need to register automatically when you register for JCT.

However, if:

• You sell to Japanese businesses (B2B), and

• They want to deduct input tax,

Then you must register as a Qualified Invoice Issuer to meet their invoicing requirements.

How to request access through Taxually

We can handle your invoicing system registration with Japan’s National Tax Agency—but this is a separate process from standard JCT registration and comes with a one-off fee.

To request access:

1. Reach out to your Taxually account manager or open a support ticket via your dashboard.

2. Let us know if you want to register as a Qualified Invoice Issuer in Japan.

3. We’ll confirm your eligibility, guide you through any documents required, and take care of the registration with the tax authority.

Once registered, your business will be listed in the public database of qualified issuers maintained by the Japanese tax authority.

What it costs

Registration for the qualified invoicing system is not included in your standard JCT setup. It involves:

• A one-off Taxually service fee

• No additional local government fee (as of now)

We’ll confirm the exact cost before starting the process—no surprises.

How long does it take?

• The process usually takes 4–8 weeks from the time all documents are received.

• You’ll receive confirmation once your Qualified Invoice Issuer status is active.

Need Help?

If you're not sure whether you need access to the invoicing system—or if a customer has requested a qualified invoice—just reach out. We’ll explain what’s needed and handle the paperwork for you.