Amaravati, Sep 1 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh commercial tax collections rose by nearly 11 per cent to over Rs 4,983 crore in August, an increase of more than Rs 485 crore compared to the corresponding month of 2025.

Babu A, chief commissioner of state tax, Commercial Taxes Department, said the southern state recorded total commercial taxes collections of Rs 25,450 crore up to August 2026, up from Rs 21,558 crore a year earlier, a rise of 18 per cent.

"In August 2026, total CT (commercial taxes) collections stood at Rs 4,983.84 crore, up 10.79 per cent (Rs 485.41 crore higher than in August 2025), continuing the strong performance seen through the first half of FY 2026-27," Babu said in an official press release.

Net GST collections in August 2026 rose by 6.43 per cent year-on-year, from Rs 2,977 crore in August 2025 to Rs 3,168.65 crore, he said.

Cumulatively, Babu said Net GST collections up to August 2026 rose to Rs 16,452.62 crore, up from Rs 13,971 crore during the comparable period in 2025, registering a growth rate of 18 per cent.

He said net GST collections reflect consumption within the state, adding that it was driven by improved tax compliance, stronger enforcement, enhanced revenue monitoring and broader economic activity.

"New initiatives introduced during the year - AI-based data analytics, AI-powered scrutiny, AI-based IGST reversals, UPI-based analytics enforcement, DISCOM-linked registration verification and Aadhaar-integrated expansion of Profession Tax - generated significant incremental revenue, strengthening August 2026 collections," said the chief commissioner of state tax.

Elaborating on revenue performance in August 2026, Babu said petroleum VAT rose by 21 per cent year-on-year to reach Rs 1,681 crore and professional tax by more than seven per cent to Rs 45 crore.

Likewise, he said VAT on liquor rose to Rs 84 crore in August 2026. From April to August 2026, VAT on petroleum increased by more than 20 per cent to Rs 8,281 crore, said Babu.

For August 2026, he said the Government of India (GoI) has settled IGST of Rs 1,980 crore, an increase of Rs 367 crore or nearly 23 per cent more than the corresponding month of 2025.

The IGST settlement is a testament to robust economic activity, strengthened tax compliance, and sustained developmental momentum in the state, he said.

Further, Babu said the Commercial Taxes Department has made technology the cornerstone of its enforcement strategy, deploying an AI and data analytics ecosystem that has transformed the pace, precision and productivity of tax administration.

AI-powered scrutiny, Aadhaar-based authentication, performance dashboards, inter-departmental data sharing, digital payment enablement and predictive analytics were employed.

August 2026 growth was led by automobiles & parts, plastics, and machinery and machinery appliances, while Net GST was pulled down by mineral products (Cement), pharmaceutical products, and electrical machinery, among others, where rates were reduced on the implementation of GST 2.0 reforms, said Babu.

Through intelligent enforcement, technology integration, and proactive compliance, Andhra Pradesh continues to set a benchmark for modern tax administration and is well-positioned for sustained and accelerated revenue growth in FY27, underpinning the State's developmental ambitions, Babu added. PTI STH ADB