Filing of 2014 income-tax returns began on the 16th. Palaceside Building's usual free tax consultation (hosted by the Kojimachi Corporate Association and the Kojimachi branch of the Tokyo Tax Accountants Association) is being held from the 16th in the open space beside the first-floor main entrance. For three days through Wednesday the 18th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., tax accountants from the Kojimachi branch take turns answering questions, mainly about filing returns.
Anyone who had income from two or more places in 2014, or side income such as manuscript or lecture fees of 200,000 yen or more, must file. Many people also get some tax back if they had high medical costs, took out a housing loan, or donated to charity. Hometown tax (furusato nozei) has grown, but for 2014 you still need to file to recover the tax (from 2015 a no-return system is planned; the related law has not yet been amended).
If you have questions, this is the time to ask. Anything is fine: what you do not understand about filing, how to fill in the forms, and more. Some people use the PCs on site to learn e-Tax.
It is not directly about income-tax filing, but interest in inheritance tax has risen. From January 1, 2015 the rules change: (1) the flat deduction falls from 50 million yen to 30 million; (2) the per-heir deduction falls from 10 million yen times the number of statutory heirs to 6 million times that number; (3) the top rate rises from 50% to 55%. If inheritance worries you, please ask freely.
This year's filing window runs through Monday, March 16.