Introduction: No More Points, But Still Worth It
"Rakuten used to give 30% points back on furusato nozei donations—now that's gone, why bother?"
This is a common reaction, but it's based on a misunderstanding.
Yes, from October 2025, all major furusato nozei portals were banned by the Ministry of Internal Affairs from offering points (Amazon points, Rakuten points, PayPay points) as incentives for donations. The government ruled this practice strayed too far from the system's original purpose of supporting regional economies.
But the core benefit of the system hasn't changed: donate your tax money to local governments, pay only ¥2,000 out of pocket, and receive local goods worth approximately 30% of your donation amount. That math still works.
What Changed vs. What Remains
What's Gone (as of October 1, 2025)
| Portal | Discontinued Benefit |
|---|---|
| Rakuten Furusato Nozei | Up to 30%+ Rakuten points on donations |
| Furunavi | Up to 8% Amazon gift cards |
| Satofull | PayPay point campaigns |
What Remains
- ✅ Tax deduction mechanism: Donation amount − ¥2,000 deducted from income/residence taxes
- ✅ Local goods: Worth ~30% of donation amount
- ✅ Credit card regular points: Not subject to regulation—still valid!
- ✅ One-stop special: File without a tax return (for up to 5 municipalities)
2026 Strategy Playbook
Strategy 1: Credit Card Selection Is Now Your Only Differentiator
With portal points gone, the card you use for donations is the only additional benefit available.
| Card | Cashback Rate | Best Portal Pairing |
|---|---|---|
| Rakuten Card (standard) | 1.0% | Rakuten Furusato Nozei |
| Rakuten Premium Card | 1.0–1.5% | Rakuten Furusato Nozei |
| PayPay Card Gold | Up to 2.0% | PayPay-linked portals |
| Amazon Pay | Up to 1.0% | Furusato Choice, etc. |
Recommendation: If you're already in the Rakuten ecosystem, sticking with Rakuten Card + Rakuten Furusato Nozei requires the least extra effort.
Strategy 2: Know Your Deduction Cap
Approximate annual deduction limits by income (single, no dependents):
| Annual Income | Approximate Cap |
|---|---|
| ¥5 million | ~¥61,000 |
| ¥6 million | ~¥77,000 |
| ¥8 million | ~¥129,000 |
| ¥10 million | ~¥176,000 |
⚠️ These change significantly with dependents and mortgage deductions. Always use an official simulator to calculate your exact cap.
Strategy 3: Choose Everyday Consumables as Gifts
Now that points are gone, the value of the gifts themselves is what matters. Maximize by choosing things you'll definitely use:
- Rice (10–20 kg bags): Something everyone buys—replaces a monthly expense
- Wagyu beef or seafood subscriptions: Upgrade your food quality while saving
- Daily necessities (toilet paper, detergent): Direct substitution for household spending
- Travel vouchers: Offset family trip costs with tax money
Avoid: Hobby items or specialty goods you might not finish—unspent gifts effectively reduce your return.
One-Stop Special: Key Rules
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Municipality limit | Up to 5 municipalities (more than 5 requires filing a full tax return) |
| Application deadline | Must arrive by January 10 of following year |
| If you file a tax return | One-stop application becomes invalid; include furusato nozei in your return instead |
If you have medical expense deductions or a first-year mortgage deduction, you must file a tax return—so one-stop won't apply, and you'll need to keep your donation certificates.
Watch: Rakuten's Legal Challenge
Rakuten Group has filed an administrative lawsuit against the points ban, arguing that prohibiting companies from voluntarily offering points to customers exceeds the government's regulatory authority. A ruling is expected sometime in 2026.
If Rakuten wins, some portals may resume point rewards. For now, build your strategy assuming points won't return—if they do, it's a bonus.
Conclusion: Simpler, Still Solid
Furusato nozei has shifted from "absurdly good with points" to "straightforwardly good without them." The three-step playbook for 2026:
- Calculate your exact deduction cap (use the official simulator)
- Pick one credit card and concentrate donations through it
- Choose gifts you'll actually consume (rice, meat, daily goods)
"Points gone, therefore not worth it" is the wrong conclusion. "Points gone, but done right, it's still a strong deal" is the correct one.
References: Ministry of Internal Affairs: Furusato Nozei Overview | Official Simulator - Furusato Choice
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