Direct tax collection rises 13.6% to Rs 7.43 trn in Apr-Dec, refunds up 17%

Refunds worth Rs 1.3 trillion paid during the period, 17% higher than previous year, reveals CBDT data

The government collected income tax revenue amounting to Rs 7.43 trillion in April to December 2018-19, 13.6 per cent higher than that collected in the same period of the previous financial year, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said in a release on Monday. 

Gross collection grew faster at 14.1 per cent, the reason, officials said, being faster payout of refunds. Refunds worth Rs 1.3 trillion were paid in April-December, 17 per cent higher than the previous year. As for advance tax, its collections grew 14.5 per cent over previous year to touch Rs 3.64 trillion. 

Available data suggests that collections