<h1>Direct tax collections rise driven by stronger corporate tax receipts and lower refund outflows, boosting fiscal cash flows.</h1> Net direct tax receipts increased 7.1 per cent to Rs 22.8 lakh crore till March 17, driven by higher corporate tax mop up and reduced refund outflows; corporate tax rose about 13 per cent while non corporate receipts rose about 3 per cent. Advance tax rose 6.4 per cent in four tranches despite a marginal decline in non corporate advance tax, and gross direct tax collection also increased against the government's Revised Estimates target.