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GST on rent-a-cab and car hire services

Rent-a-cab and car hire have their own GST nuances, especially when you serve companies. This guide covers the rates, reverse charge, and how to invoice car hire so filing stays clean.

Rate structure for renting motor vehicles

Renting of a motor vehicle designed to carry passengers, with the cost of fuel included, is commonly taxed at 5% without input tax credit or 12% with credit, similar to cab services. The fuel-included condition matters, so read your contracts carefully.

ScenarioTypical treatment
Fuel included in hire charge5% (no ITC) or 12% (with ITC)
Vehicle only, fuel billed separatelyMay differ, confirm with your CA

Reverse charge on corporate car hire

When a non-body-corporate supplier hires passenger vehicles (fuel included) to a body corporate, reverse charge can apply and the corporate client pays the GST. Employee-transport and corporate-mobility contracts almost always need this handled precisely.

Self-drive rentals are different

Pure self-drive rentals (customer drives, no driver, no fuel supplied by you) can be treated differently from chauffeur-driven hire. Classify each product correctly, self-drive versus with-driver, because the GST treatment and paperwork are not the same.

Invoicing car hire correctly

Car rental billing gets messy fast: deposits, extra kilometres, fuel adjustments, damage recovery and GST all on one invoice. Rental software computes the charges, applies the right GST, and issues a clean invoice. See our self-drive car rental software and car rental software.

This guide is general information, not tax or legal advice. Rules change; always confirm current rates and rules with a qualified CA and the latest CBIC or RTO notifications before you act.

Software mentioned in this guide

Frequently asked questions

What is the GST rate on rent-a-cab services?

Renting a passenger motor vehicle with fuel included is commonly 5% without input tax credit or 12% with credit. Confirm the current rate and conditions with your CA.

Does reverse charge apply to corporate car hire?

Often yes. Non-body-corporate suppliers hiring passenger vehicles with fuel to a body corporate may fall under reverse charge, so the company pays the GST.

Is GST on self-drive car rental the same as chauffeur hire?

Not necessarily. Self-drive rentals (no driver, no fuel supplied by you) can be treated differently. Classify each product correctly and confirm with your CA.

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