Training tax return preparers

NIIT, a leading IT trainer, has been roped in by the Department of Income Tax (DIT), Ministry of Finance, to foster resources for widening the base of income tax payers, by creating trained and certified Tax Return Preparers (TRPs) across the country.

It will utilise its nationwide network to test nearly 50,000 graduates across 100 locations, in the pilot phase. Of these, 5000 selected candidates will undergo a rigorous training programme on income tax filing procedures and MS Office, for familiarity with computers. The trained candidates will be referred to as 'Certified Tax Return Preparers' and obtain a unique Identification Number from the DIT. The TRPs are meant to file returns of income tax assessees in the lower-income category.

In this unique STE (Source-Train-Enable) programme, NIIT will provide special training material on the subject, developed by Taxman, a leading publishing house dealing exclusively in tax-related matters. To ensure quality outcome of the training, all TRPs would have access to a web-based knowledge portal, for any special support while
filing the returns, throughout the year. A unique feature of this exercise is the extensive use of e-learning for TRPs through the portal for one year, post their certification.

Elaborating on the new initiative, P. Rajendran, Chief Operating Officer, NIIT said, "By partnering with DIT for this unique initiative, NIIT will not only assist the government in achieving its set goals in this domain but also provide a career opportunity for a large number of the country's unemployed youth.

"Graduates in remote corners of the country now have a good opportunity to gain self-employment and work towards a better future," he added.

Graduates interested in this scheme can apply before November 24, 2006, by visiting www.trpscheme.com — TNS