--- title: "Executive Search Firm Services | Professional Executive Search Firm Solutions" description: "Expert executive search firm services covering compliant, reliable, and high-quality solutions tailored to your needs. SAC Code 998511." canonical: "https://busy.in/sac-code-998511/" --- # Executive Search Firm under SAC Code 998511 Part of [SAC 9985: Support services to business](https://busy.in/sac-code-9985/). Executive search firm services under SAC 998511 relate to specialised leadership hiring and headhunting for senior roles in organisations. Search firms study the client’s needs, scan the market, approach shortlisted leaders confidentially and support interviews, reference checks and offer closure. Retainers, success fees and research charges for executive search, leadership hiring and headhunting services should be raised using this SAC code with the right GST rate so that HR budgets and GST input tracking are easy to manage. ## 998511 SAC Code GST rate Under GST, executive search and headhunting services are treated as recruitment and staffing support services. The taxable value usually includes retainers, success based fees, research charges and any agreed travel or assessment costs that are billed to the client as part of the assignment. After the September 2025 changes, executive search and similar recruitment consultancy services that are not exempt typically fall under the standard 18% slab. Clients who are registered and use these services for their business, such as hiring leaders for a company or group, can normally claim input tax credit, subject to general eligibility conditions. **The table below summarises the latest GST rate that normally applies to assignments under this SAC.** | SAC code | Description | New GST rate (from 22 Sep 2025) | Old GST rate (till 21 Sep 2025) | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 998511 | Executive/retained personnel search services | 18% with ITC | 18% with ITC | Recruitment and HR SAC guides and updated 2025 labour-services summaries clearly show 18% GST for executive search. No separate concessional slab is notified for regular commercial supplies. | Firms should make sure that their proposals, agreements and invoices clearly refer to executive search services, carry this SAC and apply 18% GST on taxable consideration so that both parties have clarity on tax treatment. ## Practical classification guidance Executive search firms should use this code when their main work is senior level hiring and leadership headhunting. Other SAC codes in the same heading may be more suitable when the assignment is about general recruitment, bulk hiring, contract staffing, temp staffing or wider HR and payroll outsourcing support. ## Conclusion This code is meant for executive search and headhunting services where firms help organisations find and appoint senior leaders and specialised talent. These services are usually taxed at 18% under GST, and applying the correct code and rate helps both the search firm and the client keep contracts, HR budgets and GST returns aligned. Because leadership hiring often involves cross border searches, stock linked pay and complex fee models, it is sensible to document fee structures clearly and seek expert GST advice wherever transactions cut across countries or group entities. ## Explore more ### Other SAC services under 9985 - [998512: Recruitment Agency](https://busy.in/sac-code-998512/) - [998513: Contract Staffing](https://busy.in/sac-code-998513/) - [998514: Temporary Staffing](https://busy.in/sac-code-998514/) - [998515: Payroll Outsourcing](https://busy.in/sac-code-998515/) - [998516: Temp To Perm Staffing](https://busy.in/sac-code-998516/) - [998517: Co Employment](https://busy.in/sac-code-998517/) - [998519: Labour Supply](https://busy.in/sac-code-998519/) - [998521: Investigation](https://busy.in/sac-code-998521/) - [998522: Security Consulting](https://busy.in/sac-code-998522/) - [998523: Security System Installation](https://busy.in/sac-code-998523/) - [998524: Armoured Car](https://busy.in/sac-code-998524/) - [998525: Security Guard](https://busy.in/sac-code-998525/) - [998526: Dog Training](https://busy.in/sac-code-998526/) - [998527: Polygraph Test](https://busy.in/sac-code-998527/) - [998528: Fingerprinting](https://busy.in/sac-code-998528/) - [998529: Security](https://busy.in/sac-code-998529/) - [998531: Disinfection](https://busy.in/sac-code-998531/) - [998532: Window Cleaning](https://busy.in/sac-code-998532/) - [998533: Cleaning](https://busy.in/sac-code-998533/) - [998534: Water Tank Cleaning](https://busy.in/sac-code-998534/) - [998535: Sterilization](https://busy.in/sac-code-998535/) - [998536: Chimney Cleaning](https://busy.in/sac-code-998536/) - [998537: Exterior Building Cleaning](https://busy.in/sac-code-998537/) - [998538: Vehicle Cleaning](https://busy.in/sac-code-998538/) - [998539: Professional Cleaning](https://busy.in/sac-code-998539/) - [998540: Packaging](https://busy.in/sac-code-998540/) - [998541: Parcel Packing](https://busy.in/sac-code-998541/) - [998542: Coin Packing](https://busy.in/sac-code-998542/) - [998549: Packaging Solutions](https://busy.in/sac-code-998549/) - [998551: Travel Reservation](https://busy.in/sac-code-998551/) - [998552: Tour Package Booking](https://busy.in/sac-code-998552/) - [998553: Convention Centre Booking](https://busy.in/sac-code-998553/) - [998554: Cinema Ticket Booking](https://busy.in/sac-code-998554/) - [998555: Tour Operator](https://busy.in/sac-code-998555/) - [998556: Tourist Guide](https://busy.in/sac-code-998556/) - [998557: Tourism Promotion](https://busy.in/sac-code-998557/) - [998559: Travel Management](https://busy.in/sac-code-998559/) - [998591: Credit Rating](https://busy.in/sac-code-998591/) - [998592: Collection Agency](https://busy.in/sac-code-998592/) - [998593: Customer Support](https://busy.in/sac-code-998593/) - [998594: Office Administration](https://busy.in/sac-code-998594/) - [998595: Mailing](https://busy.in/sac-code-998595/) - [998596: Event Management](https://busy.in/sac-code-998596/) - [998597: Landscape Maintenance](https://busy.in/sac-code-998597/) - [998598: Information](https://busy.in/sac-code-998598/) - [998599: Business Support](https://busy.in/sac-code-998599/) ### All SAC headings - [99: All Services Accounting](https://busy.in/sac-code-99/) - [9954: Services in building & construction](https://busy.in/sac-code-9954/) - [9961: Services in wholesale trade](https://busy.in/sac-code-9961/) - [9962: Services in retail trade](https://busy.in/sac-code-9962/) - [9963: Accommodation, food & beverage services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9963/) - [9964: Passenger transport services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9964/) - [9965: Goods transport services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9965/) - [9966: Rental services of transport vehicles](https://busy.in/sac-code-9966/) - [9967: Supporting services in transport](https://busy.in/sac-code-9967/) - [9968: Postal & courier services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9968/) - [9969: Electricity, gas & water supply services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9969/) - [9971: Financial & related services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9971/) - [9972: Real estate services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9972/) - [9973: Leasing or rental services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9973/) - [9981: Research & development services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9981/) - [9982: Legal & accounting services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9982/) - [9983: Professional, technical & business services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9983/) - [9984: Telecommunications & broadcasting supply services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9984/) - [9985: Support services to business](https://busy.in/sac-code-9985/) - [9986: Support services to agriculture, hunting, forestry & more](https://busy.in/sac-code-9986/) - [9987: Maintenance, repair & installation services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9987/) - [9988: Manufacturing services on physical inputs](https://busy.in/sac-code-9988/) - [9989: Services in publishing, printing & bookbinding](https://busy.in/sac-code-9989/) - [9991: Public administration & other services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9991/) - [9992: Education services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9992/) - [9993: Human health & social care services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9993/) - [9994: Sewage & waste collection](https://busy.in/sac-code-9994/) - [9995: Services of membership organizations](https://busy.in/sac-code-9995/) - [9996: Recreational, cultural & sporting services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9996/) - [9997: Other Services](https://busy.in/sac-code-9997/)