Making it easier for taxpayers to prepare their tax returns, the Income Tax Department has widened the scope of work of Tax Return Preparers (TRPs), as they can now prepare and furnish TDS and Service Tax returns as well apart from normal income tax returns.

The Central Board of Excise and Customs has already amended its Service Tax Act to enable TRPs to prepare and furnish service tax returns on behalf of the tax payers.

The training programme for TRPs will be started by the Central Board of Direct Taxes, CBDT said in a release.

While the first batch of income tax and TDS training module for the TRPs will be conducted from March 4 to 9 and the second batch from March 13 to 18, training for TRPs on Service Tax will be completed by April 10, it said.

After the training completed by April 10, TRPs can prepare and file Service Tax returns due on April 25 this year, it added.

The move to authorise TRPs to prepare for TDS and service tax returns will increase their area and scope of work, their remuneration and also help increase compliance to tax laws, CBDT said.

Tax Return Preparer Scheme was launched in 2006 to help small tax payers and HUF (Hindu Undivided Family) in filing income tax return and also to provide employment to unemployed graduates by providing them training.