---
title: "What tax auditors check, common violations, and the cost of accountant support"
url: https://memocore.ai/memos/6a5f642263d783ad687094f2
project: "Doing Business in Japan"
tags: "tax-filing, japan-business"
updated_at: "2026-07-21T12:20:50.868Z"
---

# What tax auditors check, common violations, and the cost of accountant support

The tax office can request ATM camera footage if it suspects cash transfers — one of the tools used to check large cash operations during an audit. Common violations found during audits include: restaurant, taxi, and cafe expenses without justification; missed income; December income that accidentally lands in the wrong fiscal year; duplicated expenses; and lost receipts. Paying a 税理士 to accompany an audit usually comes at a high hourly rate — jokingly called a "jackpot" for the accountant in the chat; having a certified accountant's signature on the return lowers the odds of an audit and partially shares responsibility during a review.