Verification Status: This article is an explanation based on publicly available information (the editorial team has not personally used or traded the service).
"I wonder what I'm supposed to write on the business registration form…" "I don't have time to go to the tax office, and I'd like to get it done for free if possible." Kenta Tanaka (pseudonym, age 30), who had just started out as a freelancer, was also filled with such anxiety. Even though he was confident in his skills as a web designer, everything from filing paperwork with the government to tax procedures was new to him. Just as he was at a loss staring at the forms, he tried a certain cloud service and completed both his business registration form and Blue Return application in just five minutes—completely free of charge. That service is "Money Forward Cloud Business Registration."
Conclusion: Money Forward Cloud Business Registration is recommended for all sole proprietors who feel anxious about the business startup process. It is completely free, requires no specialized knowledge, and allows you to create a Blue Return application at the same time, so you won't miss out on tax-saving opportunities and can get off to a smooth start.
The True Nature of the "Hassle" of Business Registration and the Risks of Putting It Off
Starting an independent business is an exciting moment, but it also marks the beginning of tedious administrative procedures. Although Tanaka knew in his head that he had to file his business registration, he kept putting it off as he was busy handling daily projects. Looking at various review sites and social media, there were many voices saying, "I don't know how to fill it out" or "I don't have time to go to the tax office."
The law requires that a business registration be submitted within one month of starting a sole proprietorship. There are no penalties for late submission, but to receive approval for the Blue Return system, you must also submit an "Application for Approval of Blue Return" within two months of the start date. If you miss this deadline, you will not be eligible for the maximum 650,000 yen Blue Return special deduction, losing a significant tax-saving opportunity from your first year.
The true nature of the "hassle" Tanaka felt was not just the effort involved, but the anxiety of "being scared because I don't understand it well." How should I describe my business? Do I need to decide on a trade name? Which documents do I need to submit in the first place? He didn't know who to ask about these questions. That's when he discovered Money Forward Cloud Business Registration.
What is Money Forward Cloud Business Registration? A Completely Free, 5-Minute Value
Money Forward Cloud Business Registration is a free cloud-based service offered by Money Forward Inc., a Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime-listed company. It is specifically designed to help you complete your business registration procedures. By simply answering the questions displayed on the screen, you can create up to four types of documents, including the business registration form and the Blue Return application, in as little as five minutes.
The biggest feature of this service is that everything—from registration and document creation to PDF download and e-Tax electronic filing—is completely free. No credit card registration is required, and there is no automatic transition to a paid plan. There is no risk of being charged later despite the "free" claim, making it an incredibly reassuring ally for sole proprietors looking to keep their startup costs at zero.
The documents you can create are as follows:
- Notification of Opening/Closing of a Sole Proprietorship (Business Registration Form)
- Application for Approval of Blue Return
- Notification of Establishment of a Salary Payment Office
- Application for Approval of Special Exception for Withholding Tax Payment Period
A major advantage, especially for tax savings, is that you can create both the business registration form and the Blue Return application simultaneously. Many reviews on various sites mention, "It was a huge help that I could also create the Blue Return application at the same time." Additionally, the service automatically guides you to the correct tax office based on your address, so you never have to worry about which office to submit your documents to.
Furthermore, by linking your My Number Card with the Money Forward Cloud Tax Return app, you can complete the electronic filing via e-Tax. This eliminates the need to visit the tax office in person, allowing you to finish the entire process from home or a café. Since it is completely free to use, there is absolutely no risk, and even first-time users can try it with confidence.
Actual Reputation & Reviews: Overwhelming Praise for Simplicity and Speed
Tanaka first discovered this service through a social media post that read "Free in 5 minutes." Skeptical but curious, he searched for it and found numerous reviews from actual users. Here, we examine the service's real-world performance based on publicly available feedback.
Positive Reviews: Surprisingly Easy and Done in No Time
"I was dreading filing my business registration, but using the 'Money Forward Business Registration' service, I got it done in 5 minutes." (From multiple review sites)
"I used Money Forward Cloud Business Registration. Since I'd already thought about my business name, it went smoothly in under 10 minutes." (From multiple review sites)
"I created the documents with Money Forward's individual business registration, then just took them to the tax office counter. Including the trip to the tax office, it took 30 minutes total." (From multiple review sites)
The common thread in these reviews is a sense of surprise and relief: "It was much easier than I expected." The design—completing documents just by answering questions without any specialized knowledge—is precisely what appeals to beginners like Tanaka.
Negative Reviews: Some Complaints About E-Filing Limitations
"Money Forward Cloud Business Registration—if you're going to call it 'cloud,' then handle the submission to the tax office too... Why do I have to print, stamp, and mail it?" (From multiple review sites)
As this review shows, while the service supports e-Tax electronic filing, it doesn't cover all cases online. Depending on the situation, you may need to print, stamp, and mail the documents or take them directly to the tax office. However, since document creation is completely free, the value remains substantial even accounting for the extra effort of printing and mailing.
Pros and Cons Overview
Based on publicly available information, here are the main advantages and disadvantages of this service:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Completely free to use (no credit card required) | My Number Card required for e-filing |
| No specialized knowledge needed; just answer questions to create documents | Separate "Tax Return App" required for e-filing |
| Can create business registration and Blue Return application simultaneously | May require printing, stamping, mailing, or in-person submission depending on situation |
| e-Tax compatible, allowing submission without visiting the tax office | Limited document storage and customization features |
| Robust chat and email support | Money Forward ID registration required |
| Over 100,000 cumulative users | Separate paid tax return software needed for Blue Returns after submission |
Overall, the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. The most common reactions are surprise that "it's this capable for free" and praise for the convenience of "getting it done in 5 minutes." However, there are a certain number of complaints about e-filing limitations, so it's a good idea to check your preferred submission method before using the service.
Thorough Comparison with Other Services: Differences from freee Opening and the NTA Creation Corner
The means to create a business registration form are not limited to Money Forward Cloud Business Registration. Tanaka also looked into "freee Opening" and the "NTA Creation Corner" for comparison. Here, based on publicly available information, we compare the three options and summarize which type of person each is best suited for.
| Comparison Item | Money Forward Cloud Business Registration | freee Opening | NTA Creation Corner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | Completely free | Free | Free |
| Estimated Creation Time | As fast as 5 minutes | A few minutes ~ | May take a bit longer |
| Electronic Filing (e-Tax) Support | Supported (app integration) | Supported | Supported |
| Simultaneous Creation of Blue Return Application | Possible | Possible | Possible |
| Support System | Chat, email | Chat, email | Primarily self-service |
| Operating Company | Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market | Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market | National Tax Agency (NTA) |
| Automatic Guidance for Filing Tax Office | Yes | Yes | Yes |
freee Opening is also a free cloud service for creating business registration documents, and functionally, there is no major difference from Money Forward Cloud Business Registration. However, on several review sites, comments praising Money Forward's interface design and thorough support stand out. Additionally, Money Forward offers smooth integration with its accounting software, making it a more natural choice for those seeking consistency, including post-registration bookkeeping tasks.
On the other hand, the NTA Creation Corner is a completely free tool provided by the government. Its reliability is unquestionable, but it has many input fields, which can be somewhat challenging for beginners. It is suitable for those who are confident in their tax knowledge or who specifically want to use an official government tool. However, for cases like Tanaka's, where the user "doesn't know what to write," the guided services of Money Forward or freee come out on top.
Money Forward Cloud Business Registration is the optimal choice for those who want to complete the registration process as quickly as possible, those who want to proceed with peace of mind while receiving support, and those who are also considering using accounting software after registration. For those who simply want to use an official government tool or who already have a tax accountant, the NTA Creation Corner will suffice.
How It Works: 6 Steps from Registration to Submission
Even if you’re told “it only takes 5 minutes,” it’s natural to feel uneasy if you can’t picture the actual screens. Let’s walk through the process Mr. Tanaka followed, broken down into six concrete steps.
Step 1: Register a Money Forward ID
Start by entering your email address to create a free Money Forward ID. If you already use other Money Forward services, you can log in with that existing ID.
Step 2: Enter Basic Information
Fill in your name, address, date of birth, and other basic details in the form. If you scan your My Number Card, some information will be auto-filled, saving you even more time.
Step 3: Enter Your Start Date and Business Description
Answer questions like “When did you start your business?” and “What type of business is it?” Since industry options are provided, you’ll have little to worry about. If you have a trade name, enter it here — but it’s not required.
Step 4: Select Blue Return
When asked “Do you wish to file a Blue Return?” simply select “Yes,” and the Application for Approval of Blue Return will be created simultaneously. By choosing “Yes” here, you secure the right to claim deductions of up to ¥650,000 — so there’s no reason not to.
Step 5: Review the Details
A preview of the completed documents will appear. Take this opportunity to carefully check for any typos, misspellings, or input errors.
Step 6: Submit
There are two ways to submit. One is to print the PDF and bring or mail it to your local tax office. The other is to use your My Number Card and the Money Forward Cloud Tax Return app to file electronically via e-Tax. With e-filing, you can complete the process from home. Note that e-filing requires a My Number Card and a compatible smartphone. If you don’t have them, choose mailing or in-person submission.
Since Mr. Tanaka had a My Number Card, he chose e-Tax e-filing. Following the app’s guidance, he finished the entire procedure in about 30 minutes. Because everything is completely free and goes this smoothly, there’s zero risk — you can try it with total peace of mind.
So, Who Is This Really For? Why Money Forward Cloud Business Registration Is the Right Choice
If you’ve read this far and are wondering, “Could this work for me?” here’s a breakdown of who Money Forward Cloud Business Registration is especially recommended for—and who it’s not.
Who It’s For
- Those who want to keep startup costs to an absolute minimum: It’s completely free, with no credit card registration required. There’s no automatic transition to a paid plan, so you can try it with peace of mind.
- Those who feel anxious about preparing documents: Just answer the questions, and the documents are completed automatically—no specialized knowledge needed.
- Those considering filing a Blue Return: You can prepare your business registration and Blue Return application at the same time, so you won’t miss out on tax-saving opportunities.
- Employees with side business income: It supports registration procedures for side businesses, allowing you to handle everything from your smartphone during your free time.
Who It’s Not For
- Those who already have a tax accountant: Since your accountant handles the paperwork, you don’t need to prepare it yourself.
- Those who don’t have the necessary equipment for electronic filing (My Number card, compatible smartphone) and find mailing cumbersome: If you don’t use e-Tax, you’ll need to print, mail, or deliver the documents in person.
- Those who need extensive customization: The document storage and customization features are limited, so if you have special circumstances, it’s best to consult directly with the tax office or a professional.
If you’re still worried—“Is it really free?” or “Isn’t electronic filing difficult?”—rest assured. Registration and document preparation are completely free, with no automatic switch to a paid plan. And electronic filing is designed so that even first-timers can follow the app’s guide without getting lost. Why not check the latest compatibility info on the official site to see for yourself?
Summary: Try It for Free First, and Streamline Your Business Registration Process
By using Money Forward Cloud Business Registration, Mr. Tanaka was able to reduce the time and cost of the registration process to zero, allowing him to focus on his core web design work much sooner. More than anything, being freed from the anxiety of "this is such a hassle" was the biggest factor in giving him a strong start after going independent.
Money Forward Cloud Business Registration is backed by the reliability of a company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market and a track record of over 100,000 users. It is completely free, requires no specialized knowledge, and can even prepare your application for the Blue Return system simultaneously. For anyone taking their first steps as a sole proprietor, this service provides powerful support for that initial move.
The deadline for submitting your business registration notification is within one month of starting your business. The deadline for applying for the Blue Return system is within two months. Missing these deadlines could mean losing out on deductions of up to 650,000 yen. That's why the moment you think of it is the right time to act. Since you can try it for free, there is absolutely no risk. Why not start by registering for free on the official website?
Please note that the information in this article is based on publicly available data as of July 2026. For specific tax-related decisions, please consult a qualified tax accountant or other professional. Furthermore, this service is a back-office support service specialized in business registration procedures and has no connection whatsoever with loans or factoring.
Methodology and Disclosure
Verification Method: This article is based on publicly available information as of 2026-07-30. The editorial team has not signed up for or used the services reviewed. All content is based on public information (official websites, third-party reviews, and user feedback). Service details, fees, and promotions are subject to change, so please check the official information before signing up.
Publisher Information: The editorial policy and evaluation criteria for this article are outlined in the Editorial Policy, and the verification procedures are described in the Evaluation Methodology. If you find any errors, please report them via our contact form.
Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, and our site may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Compensation does not affect our reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it really completely free to use?
Yes, it is completely free. No credit card required, and there are no costs for document creation, PDF download, or e-Tax electronic filing. There is no automatic upgrade to a paid plan.
Can I use it for a side business?
Yes. If you are starting a sole proprietorship as a side business, you can use this service to create your business registration and blue return application for free. Just enter your business details correctly.
What do I need for e-Tax filing?
You need a My Number card and the separate MoneyForward Cloud Tax Return app. It works with smartphones or PCs that have a card reader function.
How do I submit the documents after creating them?
You can file electronically via e-Tax, or print, stamp, and mail or hand-deliver to the tax office. Depending on your situation, online completion may not be possible, so check in advance.
Can I create the blue return application together with the business registration?
Yes, you can create them at the same time. This service allows you to create up to four types of documents at once, including the blue return application. Submitting them together is recommended for tax savings.
Is a MoneyForward ID required?
Yes, it is required. You need to register for a MoneyForward ID to use the service, but it is free to create and used for document creation and storage.
How long are created documents stored?
The official storage period is not specified, but you need to save the downloaded PDF yourself. Long-term cloud storage is not guaranteed, so be sure to save locally.
How can I contact support?
You can contact support via chat or email. Despite being completely free, support is robust, making it easy for beginners to use.
Sources
This article is based on publicly available information as of 2026-07-30.
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