Use Tax Return Preparers to file returns before deadline: IT department

The Department of Income Tax has asked all tax payers to make appropriate use of Tax Return Preparers (TRPS) to file their income tax returns by August 31, 2015, the deadline set by it.

In half-page advertisements appearing in all papers on Monday, the department has said that the use of TRPS will make the tax return preparation both "simple and convenient".

Highlighting the benefits of using TRPS, the department says TRPS are certified and trained by them to help individual; and HUF tax payers, including salaried employees and senior citizens, to prepare and file their income tax returns.

Listing the services it offers through the TRPS route, the department said

(1) Tax return preparation is free of cost for new tax payers

(2) For regular tax payers, it says, there is a nominal charge for using TRPS, and

(3) Tax return preparation can take place in your home or at your doorstep by placing what the department calls a "Home Visit Request in the Home Visit Tab" on the TRPS website.

The advertisement also informs that to locate the nearest TRPS, all tax payers must call the TRPS helpdesk toll free number (1800-102-3738) from Monday to Saturday between 10 am and 6 pm

The department further informs that the TRPS facility is currently available in 400 Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Chennai, Kolkkata, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Patna, Kanpur, Guwahati, Ranchi, Nashik and Indore.