Planning on applying for HSMP, dont know anything yet. help!

Hello,
I am an IT professional with over 10 years of experience and have worked in India, Japan, USA, Germany, Nederlands and Thai.

Now I want to see how is work in UK.

Learnt about this HSMP and want to go for it.
Quick understanding is that UK authorities will look at my past 15 months. But I left my work in US in dec 06. Since then I have been in India and not working. What do I need to show as income proof. However for the last year I have tax returns filed for US, and pay slips and all that.
Please advice.

Also I have a masters degree in computer applications. I also have US master's equivalency certified. Can I use the same for UK or do I need to get educational qual evaluated from agency in UK (NARIC). I also need to know where do I get info about applying it for certification from NARIC. How soon can I apply for HSMP in UK. I want to do it in first week of May. I believe I can get organized with all papers and necessary docs. But has anyone made a checklist that will help me do things quickly. Please let me know.

Cheers all.
Naren.