The country’s gross direct tax collections for the financial year 2025-26 rose by 4.86 per cent to about 5.45 lakh crore rupees as of June 19 compared to about 5.19 lakh crore rupees in the same period last year. However, net direct tax collections saw a marginal decline of 1.39 per cent, dropping to over 4.58 lakh crore rupees. The fall is primarily attributed to a sharp 58 per cent jump in refunds issued, reflecting faster processing and improved taxpayer services.

According to data released by the Income Tax Department, advance tax collections during the period stood at over 1.55 lakh crore rupees, registering a growth of 3.87 per cent. This was led by a 5.86 per cent increase in corporate advance tax payments, even as collections from non-corporate taxpayers declined by 2.68 per cent.