If you're an Indian business renting GPU cloud compute, the short answer is: GST applies at 18% either way, but whether you get a proper Indian GST invoice — and therefore whether you can claim Input Tax Credit (ITC) — depends entirely on whether the provider is an India-registered entity.
Which SAC code applies to GPU cloud rental
GPU cloud rental is a hosting/IT-infrastructure-provisioning service, which falls under SAC 998315 in India's GST classification. Some providers may instead invoice under SAC 998314 (IT design and development) if the offering is bundled with software services, but 998315 is the more accurate code for pure compute rental. Businesses with annual turnover above ₹5 crore must show the full 6-digit SAC code on every invoice; smaller businesses can use the 4-digit heading. Either way, the applicable rate is 18%.
India-incorporated providers: you get a normal GST invoice
Providers incorporated in India — in our tracked set, that includes E2E Networks, Jarvislabs, AceCloud, Cyfuture, Leapswitch, and Yotta — register for GST under Section 22 of the CGST Act once their turnover crosses the threshold (₹20 lakh in most states), and issue standard tax invoices carrying their GSTIN and the SAC code. If you're a GST-registered Indian business, you can claim the 18% as ITC on this exactly the way you would for any other business expense — provided the invoice carries both your GSTIN and theirs.
Global marketplaces: reverse charge, not a normal invoice
Providers like RunPod and Vast.ai are not India-registered entities. When a GST-registered Indian business buys a digital service from a foreign, non-India-registered provider, the tax liability shifts to the buyer under the Reverse Charge Mechanism (RCM) — specifically Section 5(3) of the IGST Act. In practice this means: you self-assess 18% IGST on the invoice amount, pay it yourself, and then claim it back as ITC in the same return cycle, provided the compute is used for taxable business purposes. You won't see GST as a separate line item on the provider's invoice — the obligation to calculate and remit it is entirely yours.
If your business isn't GST-registered, or you're an individual buying compute for a side project, RCM self-assessment technically still applies once you cross registration thresholds — this is one of the more commonly missed compliance gaps for solo developers and small teams using foreign GPU marketplaces.
Place of supply and CGST/SGST vs IGST
For India-incorporated providers, whether you're charged CGST+SGST or IGST depends on whether the provider's registered state matches your billing state (place of supply). This doesn't change the total rate — still 18% — only how it's split on the invoice, which matters for your GSTR-2B reconciliation.
Recordkeeping
Under Section 35 of the CGST Act, invoices, contracts, and payment proof need to be retained for at least six years. This applies regardless of whether you're claiming ITC on a domestic invoice or self-assessed RCM — keep both sets of records.
What to actually check before signing up
- Ask directly whether the provider is India-GST-registered and will issue a standard tax invoice with their GSTIN, or whether you'll need to self-assess RCM.
- Confirm the SAC code they use on invoices (998315 is the closest fit for pure compute rental).
- If you're using a foreign marketplace, build RCM self-assessment into your accounting workflow from day one rather than discovering the gap at audit time.
This is general information based on published GST rules as of mid-2026, not tax advice. Confirm your specific situation with a chartered accountant, especially around RCM timing and ITC eligibility for your use case.