To most daily commuters taxis are a saviour. Especially around cities where there are limited choices on transportation taxis form the easiest and the most accessible commuting means. Indeed the working segment of our society is hugely benefited because taxis are here. 

Different types of taxis available around Australia 

Taxi services have undergone changes to offer maximum convenience to passengers. These days we are no longer restricted to the choice of hailing flying cabs. Yes! The basic cabs are still here but along with that we have radio taxis or otherwise those that are availed by means of app. Local taxi operators in Wyndham have diversified their offerings. They are now available online. With just the tap of your phone you can avail cab services from a reliable taxi operator and enjoy your trip. 

It can be said that the cabs are no longer the four-wheeled transport you would earlier avail by hailing them from the streets. Besides, their routes of operations have also changed. Cabs now operate across urban and rural routes making it possible for passengers to avail the service from anywhere.

GST and online cab services 

GST is applicable on online cab services. GST is valid on cab services offered by a company which operates through both way communications from a central office. The service is then enabled for tracking by means of GPS. 

Moreover service tax is imposed on these online cab services which is otherwise non applicable on metered taxis. 

How the GST is influencing online cab services 

Since GST is applicable on online cab services, passengers ought to pay for it other than the fare for the distance covered. The rides are subject to service tax, which means the taxi operator must register for GST so that the invoices generated after the ride also includes the GST amount added to the fare. Basically, GST is a certain percentage levied on the fare which is charged to the rider. Hence the fare which the passenger should pay will include GST. 

However, these days the Government of Australia has become a bit lenient on passengers. There is a drop in ride fares and it seems like passengers are enjoying such huge discounts. The special pricing is urging foreign travellers in Australia to avail more rides on taxis for sight-seeing across Melbourne. 

Know more about Reverse charge mechanism 

According to the RCM or Reverse Charge Mechanism radio taxis or online taxi operators are accountable for paying GST calculated under the RCM. 

Earlier years have seen radio taxis being partially accountable for RCM. Under this category, those availing the service would have to pay around 50% if the taxi operator didn’t avail the abatement. However, in case if the taxi operator avails such abatement, the rider will need to pay 100% of the service tax which is calculated on the abate value. 

How does it work? 

The process may seem confusing for readers. However we will still like to explain. Online taxi operators will appoint a driver to carry passengers. Since drivers will be offering the chauffeur service to the company, the latter will pay them a share of the amount collected as fare from passengers. The taxi operator will pay a certain amount to the driver and deposit a minimum amount to the Government as tax. The operator will further collect this amount from the passenger based on the fare. The chief aim of the Government is to ensure that taxi operators are brought under an organised taxing segment.

Hence this is how tax is imposed on online taxi ride fare. 

Author's Bio: 

The author runs a local taxi company in Wyndham. In some recent blogs the author has brought to notice certain key aspects of taxing norms imposed on cab rides.