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Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a form of single, unified tax imposed on goods and services with different rates ranging from 18% to 40%. It has replaced multiple indirect taxes like VAT and excise duty. It ensures a uniform taxation structure within the economy.
Have you ever wondered why the on-road price of a car is substantially higher than its showroom price? It’s not just due to insurance or registration. The primary reason is that the on-road price of the car is inclusive of GST.
In this article, you’ll understand how GST is calculated on cars, the current applicable rates on different vehicles and common misconceptions about GST on cars.
1. GST is calculated on the basis of the ex-showroom price based on vehicle type, size and category.
2. Small cars (less than 1200cc petrol / 1500cc diesel) are taxed at 18%. Small cars attract lower tax than large cars/SUVs
3. Large cars and SUVs with an engine capacity of more than 1200cc petrol and 1500cc diesel are levied at 40%.
4. GST at the time of selling pre-owned cars is calculated only on the net margin.
The GST has been introduced within the Indian economy to impose a single unified tax on goods and services. It has replaced indirect taxes such as value-added tax (VAT) and excise duty. It applies to the selling price of the car when you purchase it.
GST is calculated on the basis of the ex-showroom price based on vehicle type, size and category. Let’s say you are buying a Maruti Swift, which runs on petrol with an ex-showroom price of ₹5,00,000, and the applicable GST rate is 18%. In that case, you will be required to pay the total price of ₹5,90,000. Therefore, it indicates that you’ll be paying a sum of ₹90,000 as tax on the car value of ₹5,00,000.
Similarly, in case you are buying a mid-sized SUV such as the Hyundai Creta with an ex-showroom price of ₹10,00,000. Then, the on-road price inclusive of the GST rate of 40% would be ₹14,00,000. Actual on-road price may vary due to additional charges such as compensation cess, registration, insurance, and other applicable charges.
GST rates vary based on the type and specifications of the car. GST applies to the sale of a car at a uniform rate of 18%. However, in the case of the sale of used cars, the applicability of GST depends on whether the seller is registered or an unregistered dealer. The sale of used cars from unregistered dealers is exempt from GST. GST on a used car is based on the profit margin.
The following are the benefits of implementing GST on Cars:
Before September 2025, most cars attracted 28% GST plus a compensation cess of 1%–22%, meaning the total tax burden on large SUVs could reach 50%.
GST on cars is typically 28%, along with an additional compensation cess depending on the vehicle type, size, and engine capacity. For electric vehicles, GST is 5%, making them more affordable compared to petrol and diesel cars.
Let’s say, you have bought a small car with an engine capacity of less than 1200cc petrol, 1500 cc diesel or a length up to 4000mm, then GST will be levied at the rate of 18%, which was earlier 28%, in addition to cess. In case you have bought large cars and SUVs with an engine capacity of beyond 1200cc petrol, 1500cc diesel or a length above 4000mm, it will be subject to a GST rate of 40%, as against the previous 28%, in addition to cess. Electric vehicles (EVs) are taxed at the rate of 5% irrespective of the engine capacity.
GST on cars based on vehicle type
| Vehicle Type | Engine Capacity | GST rates |
| Petrol, LPG & Diesel Cars | Less than 1200cc petrol Less than 1500cc diesel/ Less than 4000mm length | 18% |
| Petrol, LPG & Diesel Cars | Above Threshhold | 40% |
| Electric Cars | 5% |
Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India.
If you are purchasing a car for personal use, the following documents are required:
However, if a car is being purchased for business use, the additional documents, such as GST Registration Certificate, company PAN card and Authorised Signatory ID proofs, are required.
You can use online platforms to check GST rates and updates. Among the online platforms, the government-owned portals, specifically gst.gov.in and CBIC GST, are among the most reliable platforms for extracting the applicable rates and legal updates on GST.
You can use these digital platforms to quickly navigate the recent GST rates, documents and legal updates, if any. These platforms help in validating accurate information and staying compliant with the current legal regulations.
Reality: Varied types of GST rates are levied depending on the type of vehicle, such as used cars, electric vehicles and others.
Reality: GST at the time of selling used cars is calculated only on the net margin, i.e. the difference between the selling price and the written-down value of the car.
Reality: No GST is charged when a car is sold at a loss. For instance, if the car is sold at a loss of ₹1,00,000, no GST will be levied.
The GST has reshaped the automotive sector of India by developing a uniform taxation structure. The launch of GST 2.0 reform has simplified the taxation structure. Under the new framework, the GST on small cars has drastically reduced to 18%, and on large-sized cars, a simplified rate of 40% is levied.
Further, with the removal of cess, the calculation of tax has become relatively simpler. It helps you to clearly understand how the final price is estimated.
Since electric vehicles are taxed at a preferential rate of 5%, it aligns with the government initiative to promote a sustainable source of automobiles and reduce over-dependence on petrol and diesel.
In a nutshell, GST has made car taxation in India structured and easy to understand. The process is simple and transparent. As a buyer, you can now easily see how much tax you are paying while buying a car, rather than dealing with multiple indirect taxes.
GST on cars is based on vehicle type, its engine capacity and categories such as diesel, petrol and others. Small cars are levied a GST rate of 18%. However, large cars are levied at a rate of 40%.
Yes, there exist certain exemptions under GST, specifically when the vehicle is purchased by a person with 40% more disability. A concessional rate of 18% is levied against the standard rate of 28%. Other than that, electric vehicles are levied at a concessional rate of 5% and public utility vehicles such as ambulances are levied at a rate of 18%.
GST applies to both goods and services, whereas sales tax applies to the sale of goods only. GST, unlike sales tax, is levied at every stage of value addition from manufacturing to sale. The sales tax is levied on the final purchase price.
In case of doubt, you should check the invoice and observe the GST rate applied, showroom price, on-road price and additional cess levied for luxury cars. If the issue still persists, raise the issue with the dealer and request a breakdown of the GST calculation.
In the case of used cars, GST is charged on the profit margin, i.e., the difference between the selling price and the purchase price. Let’s say if a dealer has bought the car for ₹300,000 and sells it for the price of ₹5,00,000. GST applies only on the profit margin i.e. ₹200,000 at 18%.
The GST refund process depends on when the cancellation occurs and who processes the refund. If the order is cancelled before the car is delivered or the invoice is issued, no GST adjustment is required, since the booking was cancelled prior to the preparation of the invoice or car delivery. However, if the car purchase is cancelled after the invoice is issued but before delivery, the dealer will issue a credit note, and GST will be reversed on the portal.
GST directly impacts how much you pay for your car loan because it increases the on-road price.
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