1.
hometown tax donation program
A Japanese tax system that allows individuals to make donations to local governments of their choice in exchange for tax deductions and regional specialty gifts in return.
ふるさと納税をした。
I made a hometown tax donation.
ふるさと納税の返礼品でお米をもらった。
I received rice as a return gift from the hometown tax program.
年末になると、ふるさと納税の申し込みが増える。
Applications for the hometown tax donation program increase toward the end of the year.
WORD FORMATION:
ふるさと (hometown) + 納税 (tax payment)
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
Introduced in 2008 to help revitalize rural areas by allowing taxpayers to redirect a portion of their taxes to local governments outside their place of residence. Despite the name, it functions as a donation system rather than a direct tax. Donors receive 返礼品 (return gifts) — typically regional specialties like meat, seafood, rice, or fruit — making it popular as a way to get local products while reducing taxes. Applications peak in December as people rush to make donations before the tax year ends.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- ふるさと納税の返礼品: return gift from hometown tax
- ふるさと納税を申し込む: to apply for hometown tax
- ふるさと納税サイト: hometown tax donation website