<h1>Net Direct Tax Collections Rise by 5.77% in First Two Months of 2009-10 Fiscal Year; Refunds Also Increase Significantly.</h1> Net direct tax collections for the first two months of the 2009-10 fiscal year increased by 5.77% to Rs.24,158 crore from Rs.22,840 crore. Corporate taxes rose by 5.56%, and personal income tax, including various levies, grew by 5.92%. However, the Securities Transaction Tax and Fringe Benefit Tax decreased by 24.75% and 5.57%, respectively. Refunds increased by 26.19%, with non-corporate taxpayer refunds rising by 61.7%, due to improved return processing. May 2009 saw a 16.88% growth in tax collections, contrasting with a 3.19% decline in April 2009.