What is the scope of becoming an Income Tax Officer in India???
Dear Sahil,
There are two ways of becoming an Income Tax officer in India. If you are a graduate below the age of 30, you can apply for the Combined Graduate Level Examination conducted by the Staff Selection Commission. If you pass the test, you can get appointed as Inspector of Income Tax under Central Board of Income Tax (Income Tax Dept. Govt.of India). This is a Group 'B' Post and carrries a grade pay of Rs. 4600 according to VIth pay Commission. After putting at least 5 years of experience you beocme eligilbe for promotion to Income Tax Officer with on a pay scale of Rs. 9300-34800, with a grade pay of Rs. 4800 or 54,00/- This will come to more than Rs. 60000 in current scale.
Another, and far better alternative is to crack the civil services exam conucted by the UPSC and opt for Indian Revenue Services. In this case, your initial appointment will be as Asst.Commissioner of Income Tax, a Group A post on a pay scale of Rs. 15,600-39,100 with a grade pay of Rs. 54,00/- The benefit is that being an organised service like IAS or IPS, you are assured of time-bound promotion, which means that you will automatically become eligible for promotion, after a stipulated period of service, provided your annual performance report is always good and there is no adverse remark against you.
If you join at an early age, you an rise up the ladder through Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, Additional/Joint Commissioner of Income Tax, Commissioner of Income Tax, Principal Commissioner of Income Tax, Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, and finally Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax.
If you retire in top postions, you stand the chance of being appointed as the chairman of various tribunals and appellate authorities.
Another advantage is that the government will give you paid leave to complete professional examinations that aid you in discharge of your duties more professionally. You also get governement accomodation, depending on your seniority in service.
From the initial posting onwards, the job roles are highly demanding and require personal integrity of a high order. With the government taking various measures to tackle illegal wealth, the requirement of Income Tax officials, which right now is woelfully short, is bound to go up substantially, opening up more avenues for promotion.
So prepare well for Combined Graduate Level Examination conducted by SSC or Civil Services Examination by the UPSC and rest assured of a well paid and secure job. Best of luck!