Tax Return Preparer Scheme? How TRPs Work

Tax Return Preparer Scheme seeks to assist small and marginal taxpayers in preparing and filing their tax returns by creating a legion of ‘Tax Return Preparers’ (TRPs). It was conceptualized by the Income Tax Department (ITD) and launched in 2006-07.

TRP (Tax Return Preparer) is trained professional from Income Tax Department. He will assist you in filing your return by visiting your doorstep with marginal fees of around Rs.250 !!!

Role of TRPs / Work of TRPs

  1. An eligible person may, at his option, furnish his return of income under section 139 of the Act for any assessment year after getting it prepared through a Tax Return Preparer: Provided that the return of income for an assessment year shall not be prepared and furnished through a Tax Return Preparer, if :
      1. An eligible person is carrying out business or profession during the previous year relevant to such assessment year and accounts of the business or profession for that previous year are required to be audited under section 44AB of the Act or under any other law for the time being in force;

    OR

      1. An eligible person is not resident in India during the previous year relevant to such assessment year:

    Provided further that an eligible person shall not furnish a revised return of income under sub-section (5) of section 139 of the Act for any assessment year through a Tax Return Preparer unless he has furnished the original return of income for that assessment year through such or any other Tax Return Preparer:

    Provided also that a return of income which is required to be furnished in response to a notice under clause (i) of sub-section (1) of section 142 or section 148 or section 153A of the Act shall not be prepared and furnished through a Tax Return Preparer.

  2. The Tax Return Preparer shall prepare and furnish the return of income to the Assessing Officer having the jurisdiction over the concerned assessee or to any other officer or agency as may be directed by the Resource Centre with the approval of the Board and hand over the acknowledgement of having furnished the return to the concerned eligible person.

Eligibility Criteria to become a TRP?

    1. Qualification:  Candidates should possess a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in any of the following subjects:
      • Law (LLB)
      • Economics (B.A. / B.Sc.)
      • Statistics (B.A. / B.Sc.)
      • Mathematics (B.A. / B.Sc.)
      • Commerce (B.Com.)
      • Management/ Business Administration (BBA / BBM)
    2. Age:  Candidates between the age of twenty-one (21) and thirty-five (35) years shall be eligible to apply.

 

  1. An eligible person may, at his option, furnish his return of income under section 139 of the Act for any assessment year after getting it prepared through a Tax Return Preparer: Provided that the return of income for an assessment year shall not be prepared and furnished through a Tax Return Preparer, if :
      1. An eligible person is carrying out business or profession during the previous year relevant to such assessment year and accounts of the business or profession for that previous year are required to be audited under section 44AB of the Act or under any other law for the time being in force;

    OR

      1. An eligible person is not resident in India during the previous year relevant to such assessment year:

    Provided further that an eligible person shall not furnish a revised return of income under sub-section (5) of section 139 of the Act for any assessment year through a Tax Return Preparer unless he has furnished the original return of income for that assessment year through such or any other Tax Return Preparer:

    Provided also that a return of income which is required to be furnished in response to a notice under clause (i) of sub-section (1) of section 142 or section 148 or section 153A of the Act shall not be prepared and furnished through a Tax Return Preparer.

  2. The Tax Return Preparer shall prepare and furnish the return of income to the Assessing Officer having the jurisdiction over the concerned assessee or to any other officer or agency as may be directed by the Resource Centre with the approval of the Board and hand over the acknowledgement of having furnished the return to the concerned eligible person.