AAR: ‘School bus fees exempt from GST’

Mumbai. Sep 19, 2023

The Authority for Advance Rulings (Tamil Nadu) has held that transport services for students and staff of certain schools will not be subject to GST. Thus, fees collected by the service provider directly from the parents will also not be subject to any GST.

In this case, Muniyasamy Abhinaya (who was not registered under GST) sought a ruling on his proposed transport service. He submitted that the service will be provided under agreements with certain schools. The bus and van permits will be in the name of these schools. He will be receiving payments for pick-up and drop-off of students directly from parents, while the school will pay him for providing such services to their staff.

The AAR bench held that these services will be exempt, as detailed in a 2017 notification. This notification exempts transportation services to educational institutions.

[The Times of India]