Ending Tax Delinquency in Mie Prefecture:

Intensified collection and seizure of assets belonging to tax delinquents during the months of December and January

Failure to pay taxes owed to the prefecture not only puts financial strain on the prefecture and negatively affects public services, it is also unfair to those who fulfill their tax obligations.

The eight prefectural tax offices in Mie will be conducting thorough tax collection and asset seizures in accordance with the law during the months of December and January. These seizures of assets are aimed at individuals who refuse to pay prefectural taxes, despite having the financial means to do so.

The details of this period of intensified collection and seizure can be found below.

１　Duration　　December 2012~January 2013 (2 months)

２　Initiative Details

　        （１）Collection and seizure procedures:

Individuals who have not paid their taxes will receive a notice warning them about the possibility of collection and seizure. Individuals who do not pay the amount that they owe voluntarily after receiving this notice will have their savings, assets, salary, sales earnings, life insurance benefits, motor vehicle, and/or real estate holdings seized.

※In the event of motor vehicle seizure, a wheel clamp or “boot” may be attached to the vehicle to prevent operation.

※Seized motor vehicles and real estate will be sold via internet auction, and the funds acquired will be used to pay the individual’s unpaid taxes.

      （２）Increasing public awareness about the initiative:

Banners announcing this initiative will be displayed at the Mie Prefectural Government Building and at each Prefectural Office Building.

３　Miscellaneous　　

All individuals who have failed to pay taxes owed to the Prefectural Tax Office are eligible for collection and seizure. However, this initiative will focus particularly on individuals who have failed to pay a large portion of the motor vehicle taxes that they owe.

（Definition of terms and additional information）

○Collection and seizure:

The process of valuing, confiscating, and converting (to cash) assets belonging to an individual who has failed to pay taxes, despite being sent warnings after the payment period has expired. Funds acquired through this process are used to pay the amount in taxes owed by the individual.

○Main taxes collected by the Prefectural Tax Office:

Motor Vehicle Tax, Individual Enterprise Tax, Real Estate Acquisition Tax, etc.

○Motor vehicle tax collection statistics for the April 2012-March 2013 fiscal year (as of October 2012)

Collection rate　98.1%

Total value of unpaid taxes　approximately 530,000,000 yen

○Number of collection and seizure cases during the April 2011-March 2012 fiscal year　　

5,755 cases (1,841 cases from December 2011 to January 2012)