The Central Board of Excise and Customs has constituted a Committee to suggest modalities and prepare a Scheme for implementation of 'Service Tax Return Preparer Scheme'. The 'terms of reference' for the Committee are specified as under:

'To study the Tax Return Prepare Scheme as implemented by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and make recommendations to Board as regards manner of implementation of similar Scheme in Service tax; including, inter alia, the following;

(ii) To make specific recommendations on the following points:

(a) The educational and other qualification to be possessed and other conditions required to be satisfied by a person to become Service Tax Return Preparer;

(b) The manner of selection of Service Tax Return Preparer and incentive / remuneration to Service Tax Return Preparer;

(c) Training and examination of selected candidates for issuance of certificate as service tax return preparer; the need for outsourcing of training and manner thereof; preparation of training material/handbook; preparation of material for publicity of the Scheme;

(d) Code of conduct and duties and obligation of the Service Tax Return Preparer;

(e) Manner of review of performance and arranging of refresher course for tax return preparer;

(f) Manner of preparation of and furnishing of service tax return by the Service Tax Return Preparer.

(g) Other issues enlisted in sub-rule (4) of the proposed section 71 of the Finance Act, 1994.'

Suggestions are invited from all the stake holders and public such as service providers, manufacturers, traders, trade associations and federations, tax experts, individuals etc. on the aforesaid terms of reference to facilitate the Committee to propose a Scheme which would be beneficial to the stake holders including the government.

You suggestion may be sent to Shri Pawan K. Sinha, Additional Director (Member—Secretary), latest by 16th April, 2008 on the following address:

E-Mail: [email protected]
Directorate General of Service Tax,
9th Floor, Piramal Chambers, Jijibhoy Lane,
Parel, Lalbaug,
Mumbai 400 012

FAX:24178515, 24102587
Tel: 2410 2584/86/89 [PBX] and 24181420 (Direct)
Sd /

H.K. MITTAL
ADDITIONAL DIRECTOR GENERAL 9th April, 2008

Service Tax Return Preparer Scheme invites stakeholder input on qualifications, selection, training and conduct for preparers. A committee will frame a Service Tax Return Preparer Scheme to define eligibility, selection, incentives, training and certification, code of conduct, performance review and the manner of preparation and furnishing of service tax returns; stakeholder submissions are invited to inform final scheme modalities.