New Delhi, Aug. 12 -- India's direct tax collections showed early signs of strain in the first five months of the ongoing fiscal year (2025-26), with higher refunds tempering revenue growth, data from the Income Tax Department showed on Tuesday.

Net collections, spanning corporate tax, non-corporate tax, securities transaction tax, and other levies, stood at Rs.6.64 trillion, down 3.95% from Rs.6.91 trillion a year earlier.

Refunds rose nearly 10% to Rs.1.35 trillion, a surge that may signal stronger compliance or weaker advance payments from top taxpayers.

Non-corporate tax, paid by individuals and smaller firms, the largest revenue source, fell to Rs.4.43 trillion from Rs.4.83 trillion.

Corporate taxes rose to Rs.3.33 trillion from ...