Net direct tax collections dip 1.39% to Rs 4.59 lakh crore on higher refunds

India’s net direct tax collection fell 1.39% to ₹4.59 lakh crore so far this fiscal due to slower advance tax inflows and a surge in refunds. Corporate tax collections declined over 5%, while STT registered a 12% increase

New Delhi: Net direct tax collection so far this fiscal dipped 1.39 per cent to Rs 4.59 lakh crore, on slowdown in advance tax mop-up and higher refunds, government data released on Saturday showed.

Advance tax, which is an indicator of corporate profitability and income of individuals, grew a meagre 3.87 per cent to Rs 1.56 lakh crore between April 1-June 19, 2025. In the comparable period in 2024, advance tax collection had recorded an annual growth of 27 per cent.

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Advance tax paid by corporates saw a growth of 5.86 per cent to Rs 1.22 lakh crore, while those by non-corporates, including individuals, HUFs and firms, dropped 2.68 per cent to Rs 33,928 crore.

Advance tax is paid in four installments — in June, September, December, and March. Refund issuances increased by 58 per cent to Rs 86,385 crore till June 19, this fiscal.

Gross direct tax collection stood at Rs 5.45 lakh crore so far this fiscal, logging a growth of 4.86 per cent from the year-ago period. Overall, the net direct tax collection kitty stood at about Rs 4.59 lakh crore in the fiscal till June 19, 2025, registering a 1.39 per cent dip from Rs 4.65 lakh crore collected in the corresponding period in 2024.

During April 1-June 19, 2025, net corporate tax collection witnessed a slowdown at about Rs 1.73 lakh crore, a decline of over 5 per cent year on year. Non-corporate tax collections, which include mainly personal income tax, however, recorded a slight increase of 0.7 per cent to Rs 2.73 lakh crore. Securities Transaction Tax (STT) grew 12 per cent to Rs 13,013 crore during the period.

In the current fiscal (2025-26), the government has projected its direct tax collections at Rs 25.20 lakh crore, up 12.7 per cent year on year. The government has collected 18.21 per cent of its direct tax target till June 19. The government aims to collect Rs 78,000 crore from STT in FY26.