How tax-free works (simplified)
Tax-free shopping typically means consumption tax is exempted at purchase. The exact flow and display can vary by store, so the calculator focuses on the three inputs that most often change the result.
What affects the result
- Price display: tax-included vs tax-excluded
- Category: general goods vs consumables
- Store policy: whether a tax-free service fee is deducted
Examples that match the calculator
- Example 1: Tax-included ¥5,500 for general goods at a standard shop becomes a pre-tax amount of ¥5,000, so the estimated refund is ¥500.
- Example 2: Tax-excluded ¥5,000 for general goods at a department store with a 1.55% fee gives an estimated refund of ¥422.
- Example 3: Tax-excluded ¥600,000 for general goods is capped at ¥500,000 for calculation on this site, so the estimated refund is ¥50,000.
FAQ
I only know the tax-included price. What should I do?
Use the calculator with the tax-included option to convert the amount into a pre-tax estimate.
Do service fees always apply?
Not always. Some stores, especially department stores, may deduct a tax-free service fee.
Is the result exact?
It is an estimate. Store policy, category handling, and final checkout rules can still change the actual amount.