Chapter 143. [Shinigami’s Answer]
“Do you think cohabitation is necessary to resolve double taxation?!”
“Oh, come on, Ogu-san! Just because you want to be with Iroha-chan doesn’t mean that’s the case!”
“Well then, let’s hear my story before you complain!”
Angu Ogu extended her hand firmly, indicating ‘Wait’.
While Mai and I exchanged a meaningful look, we positioned ourselves to listen for the moment.
“As a starting point, Japan and America have a ‘tax treaty’. That prevents double taxation. You only need to pay in one of the two countries… in theory.”
“In Ogu’s case, you’re considered a ‘super’ high-income earner, so you meet the conditions, right?”
“It’s not just that. Taxes vary based on where you live, your occupation, and your income. Conditions differ for each person. Well, our line of work is unique, isn’t it?”
“That’s true.”
“Furthermore, in my case, my background and how I debuted are a bit unconventional.”
Wasn’t it about leaving your family home?
And you were already a child of a presidential candidate back then.
“To be honest, the causes are influenced by various conditions. So it’s not easy to pinpoint what’s wrong. But to cut to the chase – we couldn’t avoid double taxation.”
“What?!”
What is this guy talking about?
And what is she even thinking?
“In that case, you can’t just move to Japan, right?! At this rate, taxes will become a huge burden!”
“Well, yes, avoiding it was impossible. But tax professionals tried to ‘mitigate’ it as much as possible. In short…”
“…they ‘incorporated Angu Ogu’ in Japan.”
“Huh?! Wait, you hadn’t incorporated before this!?”
“Well, we had in the U.S., of course. This time, we established a subsidiary company in Japan.”
“Oh, that’s surprising.”
I, too, incorporated ‘Translator Girl Iroha’.
Or rather, if I continue as a sole proprietor with our income, I’ll be crushed by taxes.
“Moreover, by doing this, I can get a ‘business visa’ and live in Japan. Also, we can separate the earnings on a corporate level, managing the subsidiary to minimize its size.”
“It’s like you’re going through a lot of trouble…”
“What do you think it’s for? It doesn’t matter that much now, but…”
“Why? Do you want to participate VTuber events in Japan? Then the American side got excited?”
“Don’t compare me to that! Weren’t you listening to what I said earlier?!”
“Uh, well. I get it, I get it.”
It was just a little joke.
Seriously, it was!
“Sigh… Anyway, because of that, I need to adjust the earnings. As part of that, for a while, I’ll have to split my time between the U.S. and Japan, half and half.”
“I see. You mentioned moving, but it’s not about permanent residency, then.”
“In the future, I’d like to obtain permanent residency or Japanese citizenship. It’s connected to solving the issue. Right now, tax professionals and lawyers from Japan and the US are collaborating to progress the procedures.”
“Oh, I see.”
“But it’s not an immediate thing. It’s a discussion for years ahead. Oh, for my permanent residency, it helps to marry a Japanese person…”
“I-Iroha-chan is still a minor, so that’s not an option! Besides, same-sex marriage isn’t legal in Japan yet!”
Mai interjected into our conversation.
Angu Ogu clicked his tongue with a “Tch”.
“Well, now you get it, Iroha? Both in America and here, I have to provide residences. There’s a need for us to live together.”
“I see.”
Dealing with problems isn’t just about eliminating the root cause, huh
Making things smaller can also be a part of the solution.
The world isn’t just filled with solvable problems.
When you encounter such issues, you need to think flexibly rather than head-on.
“That’s right. As for where to live, we’ll primarily consider Iroha’s situation, so it’s alright. Besides, having me who’s experienced life in America will be convenient, won’t it?”
“Well, um…”
“If you were caught up in an incident and couldn’t handle it, what would you do about missing VTuber events? Iroha, you can rely on me without hesitation.”
“Yeah, that makes sense.”
There’s some truth to that.
If it came to that, I might not be able to survive.
If it’s a problem unique to being abroad, I might not be able to solve it alone.
Besides, Angu Ogu also needs a residence in America.
“Is that… alright, Ogu?”
“Of course. Don’t worry about it. I’m doing this for tax purposes. After all, this is a win-win transaction. And, more importantly, we’re friends!”
“…Right! Thanks, Angu!”
I was moved.
I was about to hug Angu Ogu. Mai, who was standing in between us, yelled, “Stop!”.
“You’re getting cheated! You’re getting cheated, Iroha-chan! Think about it calmly. Ogu-san, while there might be a need for her to live in America, there’s no need for you to live together!”
“Huh?!”
“Also, why is Iroha-chan so grateful for being coerced into living together?”
Now that she mentions it, that’s true. Angu Ogu’s cheeks puffed up with a “Pfft”.
“It was a mistake negotiating where Mai is present. Just a bit more, and I could have…”
“Seriously, no room for mistakes or openings!”
Avoiding double taxation through cohabitation is almost complete nonsense, isn’t it!?
Well, maybe it’s not complete nonsense, but it’s quite a stretch!
“Oh, by the way. I know someone, a VTuber from America who moved to Japan and got hit by double taxation. She even withdrew from Japan…”
“Yeah, I’ve heard that story.”
“…That was just a regular tax treaty application, right?”
“?!?!?!”
“She was even embarrassed about it. Just a ‘carelessness’, and she ended up paying too much. She went through the procedures and got a refund. So she felt relieved. If any of you run into tax troubles, make sure to consult a tax professional!”
“Yes, sir!”
We responded in unison.
That said…
“Hey, Ogu. Should we live together?”
“?!?!?!”
Angu Ogu widened her eyes in surprise.
Chapter 143. [Shinigami’s Answer]
“Do you think cohabitation is necessary to resolve double taxation?!”
“Oh, come on, Ogu-san! Just because you want to be with Iroha-chan doesn’t mean that’s the case!”
“Well then, let’s hear my story before you complain!”
Angu Ogu extended her hand firmly, indicating ‘Wait’.
While Mai and I exchanged a meaningful look, we positioned ourselves to listen for the moment.
“As a starting point, Japan and America have a ‘tax treaty’. That prevents double taxation. You only need to pay in one of the two countries… in theory.”
“In Ogu’s case, you’re considered a ‘super’ high-income earner, so you meet the conditions, right?”
“It’s not just that. Taxes vary based on where you live, your occupation, and your income. Conditions differ for each person. Well, our line of work is unique, isn’t it?”
“That’s true.”
“Furthermore, in my case, my background and how I debuted are a bit unconventional.”
Wasn’t it about leaving your family home?
And you were already a child of a presidential candidate back then.
“To be honest, the causes are influenced by various conditions. So it’s not easy to pinpoint what’s wrong. But to cut to the chase – we couldn’t avoid double taxation.”
“What?!”
What is this guy talking about?
And what is she even thinking?
“In that case, you can’t just move to Japan, right?! At this rate, taxes will become a huge burden!”
“Well, yes, avoiding it was impossible. But tax professionals tried to ‘mitigate’ it as much as possible. In short…”
“…they ‘incorporated Angu Ogu’ in Japan.”
“Huh?! Wait, you hadn’t incorporated before this!?”
“Well, we had in the U.S., of course. This time, we established a subsidiary company in Japan.”
“Oh, that’s surprising.”
I, too, incorporated ‘Translator Girl Iroha’.
Or rather, if I continue as a sole proprietor with our income, I’ll be crushed by taxes.
“Moreover, by doing this, I can get a ‘business visa’ and live in Japan. Also, we can separate the earnings on a corporate level, managing the subsidiary to minimize its size.”
“It’s like you’re going through a lot of trouble…”
“What do you think it’s for? It doesn’t matter that much now, but…”
“Why? Do you want to participate VTuber events in Japan? Then the American side got excited?”
“Don’t compare me to that! Weren’t you listening to what I said earlier?!”
“Uh, well. I get it, I get it.”
It was just a little joke.
Seriously, it was!
“Sigh… Anyway, because of that, I need to adjust the earnings. As part of that, for a while, I’ll have to split my time between the U.S. and Japan, half and half.”
“I see. You mentioned moving, but it’s not about permanent residency, then.”
“In the future, I’d like to obtain permanent residency or Japanese citizenship. It’s connected to solving the issue. Right now, tax professionals and lawyers from Japan and the US are collaborating to progress the procedures.”
“Oh, I see.”
“But it’s not an immediate thing. It’s a discussion for years ahead. Oh, for my permanent residency, it helps to marry a Japanese person…”
“I-Iroha-chan is still a minor, so that’s not an option! Besides, same-sex marriage isn’t legal in Japan yet!”
Mai interjected into our conversation.
Angu Ogu clicked his tongue with a “Tch”.
“Well, now you get it, Iroha? Both in America and here, I have to provide residences. There’s a need for us to live together.”
“I see.”
Dealing with problems isn’t just about eliminating the root cause, huh
Making things smaller can also be a part of the solution.
The world isn’t just filled with solvable problems.
When you encounter such issues, you need to think flexibly rather than head-on.
“That’s right. As for where to live, we’ll primarily consider Iroha’s situation, so it’s alright. Besides, having me who’s experienced life in America will be convenient, won’t it?”
“Well, um…”
“If you were caught up in an incident and couldn’t handle it, what would you do about missing VTuber events? Iroha, you can rely on me without hesitation.”
“Yeah, that makes sense.”
There’s some truth to that.
If it came to that, I might not be able to survive.
If it’s a problem unique to being abroad, I might not be able to solve it alone.
Besides, Angu Ogu also needs a residence in America.
“Is that… alright, Ogu?”
“Of course. Don’t worry about it. I’m doing this for tax purposes. After all, this is a win-win transaction. And, more importantly, we’re friends!”
“…Right! Thanks, Angu!”
I was moved.
I was about to hug Angu Ogu. Mai, who was standing in between us, yelled, “Stop!”.
“You’re getting cheated! You’re getting cheated, Iroha-chan! Think about it calmly. Ogu-san, while there might be a need for her to live in America, there’s no need for you to live together!”
“Huh?!”
“Also, why is Iroha-chan so grateful for being coerced into living together?”
Now that she mentions it, that’s true. Angu Ogu’s cheeks puffed up with a “Pfft”.
“It was a mistake negotiating where Mai is present. Just a bit more, and I could have…”
“Seriously, no room for mistakes or openings!”
Avoiding double taxation through cohabitation is almost complete nonsense, isn’t it!?
Well, maybe it’s not complete nonsense, but it’s quite a stretch!
“Oh, by the way. I know someone, a VTuber from America who moved to Japan and got hit by double taxation. She even withdrew from Japan…”
“Yeah, I’ve heard that story.”
“…That was just a regular tax treaty application, right?”
“?!?!?!”
“She was even embarrassed about it. Just a ‘carelessness’, and she ended up paying too much. She went through the procedures and got a refund. So she felt relieved. If any of you run into tax troubles, make sure to consult a tax professional!”
“Yes, sir!”
We responded in unison.
That said…
“Hey, Ogu. Should we live together?”
“?!?!?!”
Angu Ogu widened her eyes in surprise.
