Government jobs have become one of the preferred career options for the majority of the youth. One such desired Government job in India is to become an Income Tax Officer in India.
Have you ever wondered what the possible criteria to become an Income Tax Professional or an Income Tax Inspector in India are?
This blog provides head to toe information on how to become an Income Tax Officer in India.
About Income Tax:
Income Tax is defined as the direct tax charged on an individual's or entity's income. The Income Tax Department is a government agency that works directly under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
This agency is responsible for undertaking direct tax collection of the government. A professional working under the department is called an Income Tax Officer (ITO) or an Income Tax Inspector. ITO is one of the topmost positions or designations under the Ministry of Finance in India.
ITO's are authoritative professionals or Inspectors of the Income Tax Department dealing with various tax-related issues or matters of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). CBDT is a department of the Central Government of India that is responsible for all tax matters.
How to Become an Income Tax Officer:
Candidates aspiring to become an Income Tax Officer in India must be below the age of 30 years. They must appear and qualify for the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC).
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) is an authorised exam conducting body responsible for recruiting Income Tax Inspectors as it falls under the direct supervision of the Central Government.
The minimum academic requirement for a candidate to be recruited as an inspector is to be a graduate of any discipline.
Income Tax Officer Qualification:
To become an Income Tax Officer, candidates must fulfill the eligibility requirement as specified by the Central Government of India:
| Nationality | Indian |
| Age Limit | 18-27 Years |
| Income Tax Officer Qualification | Bachelor's Degree |
| Income Tax Officer Qualifying Examination | Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (SSC-CGL) Examination |
| Exam Pattern | Preliminary Exam Main Exam |
| Minimum Height | 157.5 (Male Candidates) 152 (Female Candidates) |
Top 10 Degree Colleges in India:
Undertaking any Bachelor's degree at a top college, can make one pursue to become an Income Tax Officer. Following are the top 10 colleges that provide the best degree education for the candidates in India:
| Colleges | Location |
| Miranda House | Delhi |
| Lady Shri Ram College for Women | New Delhi |
| Christ School of Commerce, Finance, and Accountancy | Bangalore |
| Madras Christian College (MCC) | Chennai |
| Kristu Jayanti College | Bangalore |
| Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira | Howrah |
| Mount Carmel College | Bangalore |
| Presidency College | Bangalore |
| PSGR Krishnammal College for Women | Coimbatore |
| M S Ramaiah College of Arts, Science, and Commerce | Bangalore |
Income Tax Inspector Exam:
About SSC CGL:
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) - Combined Graduate Level (CGL) is a National Level entrance exam conducted for recruiting staff for various posts in Ministries, Government Departments and Organizations under the Government of India.
The exam is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission, established in 1975 for recruiting staff for different Group B and Group C positions under the Ministry. To become an Income Tax Officer, candidates must appear and clear the SSC CGL exam.
SSC CGL Eligibility Criteria:
The SSC CGL eligibility requirements are as follows:
- Aspiring candidates to be eligible for the SSC CGL exam must have passed a Bachelor's Degree from any recognized institution or University.
- The minimum age limit for applying is 18 years, and the maximum age is 27 years for the General candidates.
- For SC/ ST candidates, the relaxation period is of 5-years and 3-years relaxation period for OBC candidates.
- Aspirants must also clear the Physical fitness test to become an Income Tax Officer or Income Tax Inspector.
Stages of Income Tax Inspector Exam:
- Preliminary Examination:
A preliminary exam is a qualifying examination conducted by the examination body. The scores obtained by the candidates in this exam will not be added to the final marks.
- Main Examination:
It is the critical part of the examination which consists of two parts - Part A (Main Exam) and Part B (Personal Interview). This exam can be taken by the candidates who have qualified for the preliminary examination.
- Personal Interview:
Personal Interview is the final stage of SSC CGL for the selection of Income Tax Inspectors. Candidates who have qualified both the stages are eligible for the final stage of the examination. Under this stage, the interviewer will test the candidate's mental fitness and awareness about taxation.
Income Tax Inspector Selection Process:
The selection process is divided into Four stages where the applicants will have to perform well in all the stages. Following are the selection procedure to become an Income Tax Officer in India:
| Exam Tier and Type | Mode of Examination |
| Tier 1 MCQ | Online |
| Tier 2 MCQ | Online |
| Tier 3 Descriptive Paper (English/ Hindi) | Offline |
| Tier 4 Skill Test | Offline |
SSC CGL Cut Offs:
Being one of the most intricate jobs under the Central Government of India, the SSC CGL cut-offs are generally higher than any other exams to become an Income Tax Officer in India. Following are the estimated SSC CGL cut offs for different category candidates:
| Category | Cut-offs |
| General | 578.75 |
| OBC | 557.75 |
| ST | 511.50 |
| SC | 515.25 |
| OH | 489.50 |
| HH | 473.00 |
| Ex-Serviceman | 482.50 |
Role of Income Tax Officer:
Income Tax Inspectors are liable to work directly under the Department of Income Tax operating under the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). CBDT is a statutory authority that takes care of the happenings of taxes in the country.
Becoming an Income Tax Officer comes with huge responsibilities. An Income Tax Officer ensures to contribute in gathering multiple information related to the taxes filed by the public.
They are responsible for the received taxes from businesses and the citizens. The role of Income Tax Officer includes sending notices and conducting checks for fraud and other illegal financial activities. They are also assisting and guiding people in tax related queries and issues.
- Investigation:
They are responsible for conducting raids on any individuals and business organizations who have not filed or filed false Income Tax Return (ITR).
- Assessment:
The role of an Income Tax Officer includes assessing the correct income of those who have filed their ITR. They are eligible to call tax payable citizens for necessary information and complete an income tax assessment determining the filed ITR.
Income Tax Officer Salary in India:
As per the official website, the Income Tax Officer Salary in India ranges from Rs. 9,300 to Rs. 34,800 based on their professional experience. Income Tax officers are also paid Grade pay that ranges from Rs. 4,800 to Rs. 5,400.
Conclusion:
Now that you know how to become an Income Tax Officer in India, strive hard and pursue the desired education with excellent guidance. Make sure you are the one to reduce corruption in the Nation.
