STPI units may get its tax benefits extended

The software bigwigs - TCS, Infosys, and Wipro - may be for a pleasant surprise in the forthcoming Budget. The government may extend the Software Technology Parks of India scheme beyond March 31, 2009. Under this scheme, any unit of a software company is located in an STPI area, gets income tax exemption on its export earning for a period of 10 years. However, as per the sunset clause, this benefit will expire by March 31, 2009. The government may extend the deadline by a few years. The Nasscom wants it to be extended for another 10 years.