For those of you who haven’t heard, you might want to take note of the requirement for U.S. citizens to file your 1040. Most expats assume that since they get deductions and credits that effectively wipe out any tax debt, that they do not need to file. That’s not true. In fact, in order to get the deductions and credits at all, you must file on time. You can do this by mail, or by visiting the IRS office at the embassy or one of the consulates. Expats get an automatic 2-month extension on filing, so our deadline is June 15th. If you want another 2-month extension up to August, there’s a form you can file, and another form if you want another extension after that. But you do have to file sometime.

The forms to file are your 1040 and the 2555. The 2555 is the one to get you the $80,000 deduction (does not cover income from U.S., such as interest income or dividends). After you file the first time, the IRS sends you the book and the forms. You can also get them online; here’s the 2555.

The Tokyo embassy is located in Akasaka. The closest train station is Tameiki-Sanno, on the Namboku and Ginza lines, or you could go to Kokkai Gijido-mae, on the Marunouchi and Chiyoda lines. (Here’s a fairly good English-language subway map, by the way.)

You can expect a pretty sizable security contingent, of course. A good number of police vehicles are always camped out nearby (above), and the entrance has several security personnel for both pedestrians and vehicles. At the main gate, you will be asked for an I.D. and your bag(s) may be checked.

You can then walk into the main compound. The first doors you will come to are for the visa services; pass those by and go up the stairs until you come to the second entrance. A U.S. marine is always on guard there in a bulletproof station; you have to give him I.D., which he holds while you’re inside, and he gives you a visitor pass.

A Japanese security guard then takes your bags and belongings through a scanning device, while you walk through the metal detector. Various items are not allowed inside, like cell phones, cameras, etc.–there’s a list right there. I just lump everything I have into my backpack, except for the forms I’m filing, then have the guard check it at his station, and pick it up when I leave.

Once through the entrance, you have to wait while the IRS staff member comes to take you to the office; no visitors may walk unescorted in the building. You might have to wait until a number of people come through before he leads you all to the office. In the office, the staff will check and then certify your 2 copies, and you’re done. You can also visit them for forms or other materials.

Once finished, you wait until the staff member escorts you back to the door, pick up your stuff, and then you’re done.

This visit, I was treated to an interesting sight–a sole demonstrator outside the embassy entrance. A fellow in his 20’s, he was holding up a photo placard of injured children (presumably from Iraq), and was shouting stuff like “THERE ARE NO WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION!” and “YANKEE GO HOME!”

Never seen that before at the embassy, but in light of recent events, I’m kinda surprised it was just one guy.