<h1>Net direct tax collection drops 1.39% to Rs 4.59 lakh crore as advance tax growth slows significantly</h1> Net direct tax collection decreased 1.39% to Rs 4.59 lakh crore during April-June 2025 compared to the previous year, primarily due to slower advance tax collections which grew only 3.87% versus 27% in 2024. Corporate tax collection declined over 5% to Rs 1.73 lakh crore, while non-corporate tax collections increased marginally by 0.7% to Rs 2.73 lakh crore. Securities Transaction Tax rose 12% to Rs 13,013 crore. Refund issuances surged 58% to Rs 86,385 crore, contributing to the net collection decline despite gross collections growing 4.86%.