1.
sole proprietor; self-employed person; individual business owner
a person who operates a business on their own without forming a corporation; a legal/tax classification in Japan
個人事業主として開業届を出した。
I filed a business registration as a sole proprietor.
個人事業主は毎年確定申告をする必要がある。
Sole proprietors need to file a tax return every year.
フリーランスのデザイナーとして働いているが、税務上は個人事業主に分類される。
I work as a freelance designer, but for tax purposes I'm classified as a sole proprietor.
Composed of 個人 (individual) + 事業 (business) + 主 (owner; master). This is the official tax and legal term for someone who runs a business without incorporating. In Japan, becoming a 個人事業主 requires filing a 開業届 (business opening notification) with the 税務署 (tax office).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 個人事業主として開業する: to start a business as a sole proprietor
- 個人事業主の確定申告: sole proprietor's tax return
- 個人事業主向け: aimed at sole proprietors
- 個人事業主から法人化する: to incorporate from sole proprietorship
SIMILAR WORDS:
- フリーランス: freelancer — emphasizes the work style; many freelancers are legally 個人事業主
- 自営業: self-employment — broader term covering anyone who runs their own business
- 法人: corporation — an incorporated entity, as opposed to an individual business owner