What is a tax consultant?
Reviewed by Ranga & Company
Tax consultant: A tax consultant prepares and files tax returns, handles GST and TDS compliance, plans taxes and represents clients before the tax department. Unlike a practising CA, a tax consultant cannot sign audit reports.
At a glance
- Typical work
- ITR, GST and TDS filings, tax planning, notice replies, bookkeeping
- Cannot
- Sign statutory or tax audit reports or CA certificates
- GST representation
- Enrolled GST practitioners can file returns on clients' behalf
- Fees at Ranga & Company
- ITR from ₹1,200; GST returns from ₹799 a return
What a tax consultant does
- Prepares and files income tax, GST and TDS returns
- Plans taxes: regime choice, deductions, advance tax and capital gains
- Replies to notices and appears as an authorised representative where the law allows
- Keeps books and runs payroll for small businesses
Questions to ask before you hire
- What exactly is included in the fee: revisions, notices, annual returns?
- Who will handle my file in July and September, the peak months?
- How do you share and store my documents?
- Who signs audits or certificates if I need them?
Common mistakes
- Choosing purely on the lowest fee and finding notices and revisions billed extra
- Sharing portal passwords over open chat without any agreement on data handling
Frequently asked questions
Is a tax consultant the same as a CA?
No. A CA is a member of ICAI and can sign audits and certificates. A tax consultant handles returns, compliance and advice but cannot sign audit reports.
How much does a tax consultant charge for ITR filing in Jodhpur?
It depends on your income sources. Ranga & Company's published ITR filing fee starts at ₹1,200; returns with business income or capital gains cost more.
Can a tax consultant reply to income tax notices?
Yes, for most notices. For tax audits or certificates, a practising CA is needed.
Related terms
Get help with this
Related services
- ITR Filing in JodhpurFrom ₹1,200
- Tax Advisory in JodhpurCustom pricing
- GST Return Filing in JodhpurFrom ₹799 / return
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