[eLTAX / PCdesk (desktop)] Filing a Corporate Municipal Tax "Interim Return": from checking pre-filing data to creation, signing, submission, and confirming successful receipt

Local taxes for corporations — with eLTAX (PCdesk) you tend to end up asking "which button was it again?" every time.

This time, using the interim return (yotei shinkoku) for corporate municipal tax as an example, I've put together the flow from checking messages (pre-filing data) to creating the filing data and signing it, with screenshots.

What you'll learn from this article

・The entry points for "create a filing" and "check messages"

・How to read pre-filing data (notices)

・The actual screen transitions in PCdesk from creation to signing to submission

・Where to confirm "successful" after submitting

0. Preparation

Since pre-filing data can't be downloaded from eLTAX's PCdesk (web version), you need to install PCdesk (desktop version) beforehand.

1. First, check eLTAX's main menu (the entry points)

When you enter eLTAX, there are broadly the following entry points.

・Filing-related procedures (creating, signing, and submitting filing data)

・Message inquiry (notices from local governments, receipt completion notices, etc.)

2. "Pre-filing data" arrives as a message: check it first

Around the time for interim returns, you may have received a message about "pre-filing data" from the local government. Roughly speaking, it's like a draft (or guidance) for your filing.

Where the messages are

Go to the Message inquiry menu → Message inquiry (self).

In the list you'll find items such as "Notice regarding pre-filing data" and "Filing receipt completion notice."

Open a message and you can see the tax item and amounts

When you open it, it may state the tax item (e.g. corporate municipal tax, interim return) and the tax amount to be filed and paid.

3. Create the filing data (choosing how to create it)

Next, actually create the filing data. Enter from the main menu via Filing-related procedures.

Partway through creation, you're asked "how do you want to create it?"

・Create by manual entry (enter and build it within PCdesk)

・Create using national tax information (importing files linked from e-Tax and similar)

This time, since we've obtained pre-filing data, choose "Create by manual entry."

Then set the fiscal year.

4. Procedure information and form check (align the local government, tax item, and year)

Next, check the procedure information (submission destination, tax item, filing category, fiscal year, etc.) and the form.

The points to look at here are around these:

・Local public entity (submission destination): city, ward, etc.

・Tax item: corporate municipal tax, etc.

・Filing category: interim return, etc.

・Fiscal year: start and end dates of the target period

・Form: the interim return form, plus others as needed

5. Creation results list → check the contents (to the edit screen)

When input is finished, the created data appears in a list.

Click Next to go to content confirmation and editing.

6. Attach a signature

Before submitting, the filing data needs an electronic signature. Proceed from the "Sign" tab in the data list.

The signature method depends on your environment, but for example:

・Use an IC card / USB token — e.g. the Public Personal Authentication Service (Individual Number Card)

・Use other media (a certificate file) — specify the file plus a password

Things to check, for example:

・Issuer (Public Personal Authentication Service, etc.)

・Address (prefecture, municipality)

・Validity period (is it still valid?)

7. Submit: select the signed data and click "Send"

Once signing is done, the target data should show as "Signed" on the submission tab. Tick it and submit.

Points:

・Is the creation status "Signed"?

・Do the submission destination, tax item, and target period match?

8. Confirm "successful" in the submission results list (done)

After submitting, you can check the result in the submission results list. If "Successful" appears here, the submission process is OK for now.

As the screen also says, the final receipt status can be checked in the message box as well.

(A receipt completion notice may arrive later.)

Final summary (nail these and you won't get lost)

✅ The flow (ultra-short)

1. Check the pre-filing data (notice) via Message inquiry

2. Create the filing data via Filing-related procedures

3. Sign: select the certificate → check the expiry date via certificate display

4. Submit: send the data that shows as signed

5. Confirm "Successful" in the submission results

6. (Just in case) check whether a receipt completion notice has arrived in Messages

✅ Checklist for where people stumble

・Sort out whether your entry point is "filing" or "messages" — which one do you want right now

・The filing category is set to "interim return"

・The target period (fiscal year) matches

・You checked the certificate's expiry date before signing

・The creation status shows "Signed" before submitting

・The submission result shows "Successful"