New Delhi, November 10, 2006: NIIT, Asia’s largest IT
trainer, has been roped in by 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 across the country.
NIIT will utilize 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 Dept. of Income Tax. The Tax Return Preparers 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 Tax Return Preparers 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 Tax Return Preparers, through the portal for one year, post their
certification. This will help in continuous updation of skills in tax
matters.
Elaborating on the new initiative, Mr. 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 the large number of 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.
The new initiative is under Income Tax Department’s Tax Return Preparer
Scheme (TRPS) and is aimed at raising the level of awareness and compliance
amongst marginal tax payers. Under DIT’s action plan for F.Y. 2005-2006, 15% new
assessees are expected to be added over the existing pool of nearly 3 crore
assessees on its roll. The Department expects to add nearly 50 lakh new
assessees during the current year.
Graduates interested in this scheme can apply before 24th November, 2006 by
visiting
www.trpscheme.com.
About NIIT
NIIT, Asia’s largest IT trainer, offers learning and knowledge solutions in
30 countries. Leading IT magazine Dataquest has conferred upon NIIT, the
Top IT Training Company Award 2006.
Rated among India's Superbrands (2003-05), NIIT’s education offerings
include: GNIIT, an industry-endorsed programme for students seeking careers in
the IT segments; NIIT Edgeineers, training programmes on advanced technologies
for IT professionals and skill up gradation programmes for engineering
graduates.
In the Corporate Solutions Business, NIIT’s offerings are bolstered by its
SEI CMM Level5 assessed learning services capability. The Corporate Solutions
Business offers integrated learning solutions that include strategic consulting,
learning design, content development, learning delivery, learning technology
services and learning administration.
NIIT’s customers include many Fortune 500 companies, universities,
technology companies, training corporations and publishing houses.
For further information, contact;
Shivanjali Singh, NIIT Limited, 85, Sector 32, Institutional Area, Gurgaon;
Phone: +91 124 4293044, 4293000; Fax: +91 124 4293333; Email:
shivanjali.singh@niit.com Or