Under the GST regime, businesses continually seek ways to optimise input tax credits while abiding by tax regulations. One area that often invites questions is the GST input for cars purchase for companies. Along with reducing the tax burden, ITC has several benefits and it positively impacted the automobile industry in India.

In this blog, we will discuss the specifics of the Input tax Credit under GST, along with its exceptions, impacts on cars and many more. 

GST Rate on Cars

The applicable GST rate on cars for personal use ranges between 5% and 12%. The tax rate is levied not only on the motor cars, vehicles or bicycles but also on the parts. Let us discuss the division of GST rates on cars in detail:

Instances of vehicles where the applicable rate of GST is 5%:

• Motorised and non-motorised carriages
• Accessories and replacement parts of the above-mentioned carriages

Instances of vehicles where the applicable rate of GST is 12%:

• Cars driven by fuel cells like hydrogen fuel cell technology
• Hand-driven and animal-driven vehicles like rickshaws, and bullock carts
• Cars that are driven by electric motors. This includes two and three-wheelers as well.

Instances of vehicles where the applicable rate of GST is 18%:

• Vehicles that are used by physically challenged people
• Perambulators and its replacement parts

Instances of vehicles where the applicable rate of GST is 28%:

• Moped bikes or motorcycles (with or without sidecars)
• Accessories and replacement parts of moped bikes, inclusive of the sidecars
• Motor vehicles driven by petrol or diesel for transportation of people and racing cars

GST Rate Based on Fuel Type

The GST rate on cars also depends on the engine capacity tax rate. Let us take a look at the table below to understand the rates better:

Type of Vehicles	Capacity of the fuel tank	Pre-GST rate	Post-GST Rate
A vehicle driven by petrol	below 1.2 Litre	31.6%	28%
Vehicles driven by diesel	More than 1.5 Litre	34.25%	32%
Vehicles are driven by both Petrol-diesel	Petrol over 1.2 L and Diesel over 1.5Litre	45.7%	44%
Bigger than a 4-metre vehicle driven by both petrol-diesel	Any type	56%	44%
Electric vehicles	NIL	21.5%	13%

Compensation Cess in GST Act

A type of charge that is applicable only on certain goods in addition to the required GST rate is known as a compensation cess. It is introduced to compensate the manufacturer or the producer states for the probable loss of revenues. The goods when you can levy compensation cess are:

• Aerated water
• Different types of fuel such as ovoids, coal, etc.
• Motor vehicles

However, it is important to remember that under the current GST provisions, compensation is not levied on goods that other countries export from India. Taxpayers who have composition scheme registration also do not have the liability to pay compensation cess.

Cess Applicable on Cars

Here is a table where the GST rate on automobiles has been mentioned along with the application compensation cess:

Type of Vehicle	GST Rate	Compensation Cess	Total Tax
Petrol/CNG/LPG vehicle less than 1200cc and less than 4 metres in length	28%	1%	29%
Petrol/CNG/LPG car less than 1200cc and more than 4 metres in length	28%	15%	43%
Petrol/CNG/LPG car over 1200cc	28%	22%	50%
Diesel cars less than 1500cc and length of less than 4 metres	28%	3%	31%
Diesel cars less than 1500cc and length that is more than 4 metres	28%	20%	48%
Diesel cars with over 1500cc engine capacity, bigger than 4 metres in length, ground clearance of at least 170mm	28%	22%	50%
Electric Cars	12%	Nil	12%
Vehicles used as an ambulance	28%	Nil	28%
Three-wheeler motorised automobiles	28%	Nil	28%
Fuel Cell Vehicles	12%	Nil	12%
Mopeds with engine capacity of a maximum 350cc	28%	Nil	28%
Motorcycles with engine capacity of more than 350cc	28%	3%	31%

Impact of GST on Vehicle Industry

The Goods and Services Tax has managed to create a positive impact on the vehicle industry of India. Let us see how:

• Indirect taxes like excise taxes and VAT were a combined rate of 26.50% to 44% on the sale of automobiles or transfer of vehicles, which was comparatively higher than the GST rate of 18% to 28%. The current rates of taxation are comparatively lower. Hence, there has been a reduction in tax burden since the implementation of GST.
• GST has enhanced the supply chain mechanism which led to cheaper cost of vehicles and replacement parts. In addition, Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) covers the payment of excise on stock transfers.

Exemptions to Implication of GST on Cars

The exemption of the rates of Goods and Services Tax on cars:

• Traders who deal with used vehicles are required to pay the difference between the amount of buying price and selling price. This helps to eliminate the double taxation system.
• In case the margin comes down to zero, then there is no need for the dealer to make the payment. Additionally, if you purchase used cars from dealers who are not registered then you are exempted from paying GST by the government.
• For vehicles of physically challenged people, the rate of GST is Nil.

Cases Where ITC on Motor Vehicle Is Not Available

According to the general rule, you are ineligible to claim credit of input tax in case the concerned motor vehicle has a seating capacity of 13 or less, including the driver seat. It includes vehicles mostly driven for business purposes.

Exceptions to ITC on Motor Vehicle Conditions

There are conditions where you can claim to input tax credits on particular motor vehicles. These are exceptions to the general rule (as discussed above):

• Cars for Transportation of Passengers: You can claim ITC on cars that are used for transportation of passengers having a seating capacity of 13 or more including the driver. They should be business motor vehicles. For instance, purchasing a vehicle and using it as Ola/Uber or running any kind of cab business.
• Cars for Transportation of Goods: You can claim the input tax credit on cars that are used for the transportation of goods. For instance, tempos, trucks or any goods carriers.
• Automobiles Used for Driving Training: Businesses can claim ITC on vehicles that they use for imparting training on driving. These vehicles are mainly a part of driving school which are used for business purposes and to provide driving lessons to learners.
• Vehicles to Supply Other Vehicles: You can claim input tax credit on the purchase of vehicles intended to run a business that supplies other vehicles. For instance, car dealership business. In this case, the seating capacity of the vehicle does not hold any significance.

Conclusion

The claimant of ITC on motor vehicles is subject to not only certain conditions but also limitations. You are not eligible to claim ITC if the vehicles are not used for business purposes like the transportation of passengers, goods, or the supply of some other vehicle.

Hence, you must be aware of all the provisions of GST input on car purchases for company to ensure GST compliance and enjoy tax benefits.

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