Another new year has come and gone, which means tax season is approaching for Americans. Filing a tax return is hardly a pleasant task at the best of times, and recent changes in various taxation laws have left many people confused.

Calvin Tong, an American taxation expert and long-term resident of this country, spoke to The Japan Times about the latest information and how it relates to those residing in Japan.

Tong started out as a securities broker, then switched gears to work as a tax specialist in Tokyo for two of the global "Big Four" accounting firms for some 20 years. He currently works as an independent tax consultant.