Road tax in Karnataka is determined by the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation Act. The amount payable as tax depends on a number of variables including vehicle age and engine capacity.
When you decide to purchase a car or a bike in any state, there are two prices that you are presented with. The first is the ex-showroom price and the second the on-road price. The on-road prices in Karnataka (Capital City: Bangalore) are actually the price that the manufacturer determines plus the cost of registration, taxes due (central and state) and the cost of insurance for the vehicle. When it comes to taxes on vehicles registered in Karnataka, the amounts of taxes levied are determined by the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation Act. The act was first introduced in 1957 and has since undergone a few amendments in both 2008, 2010 and 2014. It lays out the guidelines on which the tax is to be calculated for all the vehicles that are sold and/or registered in the state. This is the tax that is commonly referred to as the road tax but is actually the motor vehicles tax.
How to Calculate Road Tax in Karnataka?
The amount of tax charged can depend on a lot of factors that can range from the price of the vehicle to the age and even include the seating and engine capacity of the vehicle. Other than this, the factors that are considered can also be the purpose of the vehicle and the place that it was manufactured. For example, if the vehicle is manufactured in India then the cost of the vehicle will include the price announced by the manufacturer and any other central or state government cess and taxes applicable (excise duty,sales tax, entry tax, etc).
Tax on 2 Wheelers
The tax charged on 2 wheelers is dependent on the cost of the vehicle and the age. As per these guidelines the taxes collected can be
| Vehicle category | Life Time Tax Applicable |
|---|---|
| New vehicle that costs less than Rs. 50,000 | 10% of the cost of the vehicles |
| New vehicles that cost more than Rs. 50,000 | 12% of the cost of the vehicles |
| Vehicles that run on electricity | 4% of the cost of the vehicles |
| Vehicles that are less than 5 years old | 73% to 93% as per clause A |
| Vehicles that are 5 years to 10 years old | 49% to 69% as per clause A |
| Vehicles that are 10 to 15 years old | 45% to 25% as per clause A |
Tax on 4 Wheelers
The tax on 4 wheeler can depend on the use of the vehicle and its classification too. The vehicles we can consider for this segment can include cars and jeeps, vehicles commonly bought for personal use, that have a floor area of up to 5 sq mt.
| Vehicle category | Life Time Tax Applicable |
|---|---|
| New vehicle that costs less than Rs. 5 lakhs | 13% of the cost of the vehicles |
| New vehicles that cost Rs. 5 lakhs to Rs. 10 lakhs | 14% of the cost of the vehicles |
| New vehicles that cost Rs. 10 lakhs to Rs. 20 lakhs | 17% of the cost of the vehicles |
| New vehicles that cost more than Rs. 20 lakhs | 18% of the cost of the vehicles |
| Vehicles that run on electricity | 4% of the cost of the vehicles |
| Vehicles that are less than 5 years old | 75% to 93% as per clause A |
| Vehicles that are 5 years to 10 years old | 49% to 69% as per clause A |
| Vehicles that are 10 to 15 years old | 45% to 25% as per clause A |
Apart from these taxes there are also taxes that are charged on classic and vintage cars registered in Karnataka. The tax is a lifetime tax and needs to be paid only once.
It is:
- Classic cars: Rs. 1,000
- Vintage cars: Rs. 500
Tax on Imported Vehicles
In the case of imported vehicles, the cost of the vehicle to be considered for this tax will be inclusive of things like the cost of the vehicle, the customs duty applicable and any other cost incurred in bringing the vehicle to the state for sale.
Tax on Vehicles registered in Other States
As per the current rules, if someone is operating a vehicle in Karnataka, which has been registered in another state, lifetime tax need not be paid unless the vehicle is used in the state for more than 1 year.
How to pay Road Tax in Karnataka?
The road tax can be paid at the time of registering the vehicle by visiting any of the Regional Transport Offices present in various cities in the state. There you will have to provide the registration documents of the vehicle, along with other supporting document which can include the invoice for the sale of your vehicle. You will also have to fill out a form which will be used to determine the tax that is due.
Karnataka Road Tax FAQs
- What are the documents I will have to submit in order to pay my road tax in Karnataka?
- Proof of address such as Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID, ration card, rental agreement, utility bill, etc
- Form number KMVT14 (if your vehicle is from different state) .
- A copy of the invoice of the vehicle
- Registration certificate of the vehicle
- No Objection Certificate
- A copy of your valid insurance policy clearly stating your vehicle is insured
- Can I pay my Karnataka Road Tax online?
- Will lifetime tax be levied if a vehicle is registered in a different state?
- What are the factors that are taken into consideration while calculating road tax in Karnataka?
- Is it compulsory to get KA registration (Change of Address) after paying road TAX?
Given below is the list of documents you will have to submit in order to pay your road tax in Karnataka:
Unfortunately, there is no online portal where you can pay your Karnataka Road Tax online. You will have to visit the nearest RTO along with the necessary documents and submit them along with a duly signed form and complete the payment. However, there are third-party websites available who will visit the RTO on your behalf and pay your tax. All you have to do is visit the website, fill the necessary forms, and make a demand draft in the name of the website. A representative from the company will visit the RTO office and make the payment and send you the receipt for the same.
No, you would not be required to pay any lifetime tax if your vehicle has been registered in another state but being driven in Karnataka until and unless the vehicle has been on road for more than a year. In that case not only will you have to pay the lifetime tax, but penalties as well.
Some of the factors that are taken into consideration while calculating road tax in Karnataka are the age of the vehicle, the original date on which the vehicle was registered, engine capacity, seating capacity, etc. Apart from that, the purpose behind the vehicle being in the state of Karnataka, and the place at which the vehicle was manufactured are also taken into consideration.
Yes, you will have 30 days to register your vehicle after you have paid your road tax.
