256. Application for registration.—

(1) Any person, who wishes to have his name entered as an authorised incometax practitioner in the register, shall apply to the Chief Commissioner of Income-tax or Commissioner of Income-tax within whose area of jurisdiction he has been practising.

(2) The application shall be made in Form No. 171 and shall be accompanied by documentary evidence regarding his eligibility for income-tax practice under section 515(3)(a)(v) or (vi) or (vii) or (viii).

(3) The applicant shall also furnish such further information as the Chief Commissioner of Income-tax or Commissioner of Income-tax may require in connection with the disposal of the application.

(4) Where a person is already registered as income-tax practitioner under the Income-tax Act, 1961(43 of 1961) (as it existed prior to its repeal) holding a valid certificate of registration as on 31st March, 2026, he shall continue to be a registered income-tax practitioner under section 515, but he shall be required to update his details by filing application referred in sub-rule (1) by the 30th September, 2026, and in such a case, upon filing such application, the registration shall be granted by the concerned authority under section 515, if the application is complete in all respects.