Working in South Africa for a corporation in Japan

By Mark 04 April 2022

Can I live in South Africa and work remotely for a company in Japan?

Yes, it is possible, however we usually recommend double-checking the following points:

  1. The company in Japan is a legitimate company and you are not a contractor.
  2. You will be working for a company in Japan and not for a company in South Africa.
  3. You have the appropriate visa and work permit.
  4. The company in Japan is willing to sponsor you and you have the necessary documents to support your request.
  5. The company in Japan is willing to pay you a fair wage and provide you with a work permit.

How to find remote work in Japan while living in South Africa?

Usually, it is feasible to get remote jobs in Japan even though you are located in South Africa. For that we have listed some of the best remote jobs in Japan which are suitable for South Africans.

The Japanese economy is one of the most dynamic in the world. Japanese companies are known for their innovation and quality. The Japanese have a very high standard of living.
The Japanese economy is a highly developed one, and it has been growing for a long time. Japan is a country that has a very high standard of living and a high standard of education.

How to get paid in South Africa when working remotely for a corporation in Japan?

You can get paid in South Africa even if you are working for a company in Japan, however , you have to be careful about the details of the working arrangement.

In the past, the only way to get paid in South Africa was to work for a South African company or for an international company that has a branch in South Africa.
However, the new tax law passed by the South African parliament in December last year, the CGT (CGT is the acronym for the Consolidated General Tax Act) has opened up a new avenue for South Africans to get paid in South Africa.

So, what is the CGT?
CGT is the new tax legislation that came into effect on 1 April 2017. It was aimed at making South African companies more competitive and reducing the tax burden on business.
The CGT requires a company to withhold tax on all income earned in South Africa. The CGT also applies to the dividend received by a company from a foreign company.
So, if you work for a company in Japan, and you are paid in Japanese yen, and you receive a dividend in South African rand, the CGT applies to the dividend you receive.
This means that if you are working for a company in Japan, and you are paid in Japanese yen, and you are receiving a dividend in South African rand, then you are required to pay tax on the dividend in South Africa.

How do taxes work in South Africa if I’m working remotely for a company South Africa?

When working remotely in South Africa for a firm based in Japan, taxes might be tricky, therefore it is important to know what is required of you as a South African citizen.

If you are working for a South African firm in South Africa, the tax situation is fairly simple.

  1. If you are an employee and you are paid in South African Rands, then you will be taxed on the basis of your personal income tax.
  2. If you are self-employed and you are paid in South African Rands, then you will be taxed on the basis of your personal income tax.
  3. If you are a consultant and you are paid in foreign currency, then you will be taxed on the basis of your personal income tax.
  4. If you are a freelancer and you are paid in foreign currency, then you will be taxed on the basis of your personal income tax.
  5. If you are a freelancer and you are paid in South African Rands, then you will be taxed on the basis of your personal income tax.
  6. If you are an employee and you are paid in foreign currency, then you will be taxed on the basis of your personal income tax.