India's net direct tax climbs 13% to ₹13.38 lakh crore by mid‑October

Net direct tax collection rose 13.21% to about ₹13.38 lakh crore between April 1 and October 14, FY27, as corporate taxes surged. Corporate tax mop‑up increased 20.58% to over ₹5.99 lakh crore. Non‑corporate tax, paid by individuals, firms and HUFs, grew 5.83% to roughly ₹6.92 lakh crore. Collection from securities transaction tax (STT) swelled 52% to ₹46,840 crore in the same period. Refund issuances jumped 24.22% year‑on‑year to ₹2.65 lakh crore. On a gross basis, total direct tax collection rose 15% to ₹16.03 lakh crore, comprising corporate tax of ₹7.53 lakh crore and non‑corporate tax of ₹8.03 lakh crore. Higher corporate earnings and active market trading boosted both tax receipts and the amount refunded to taxpayers. ## Context Direct tax includes taxes on income and profits, such as corporate and individual taxes, while STT is levied on securities trades. A rise in collections usually signals stronger fiscal health and compliance.