Direct tax kitty rises 274% to ₹27.03 lakh cr in 11 yrs

India’s gross direct tax collection jumped 274% to ₹27.03 lakh crore in FY25 from ₹7.22 lakh crore in FY14 with refunds surging 474% to ₹4,76,743 crore in 2024-25 as against ₹83,008 crore in 2013-14, signifying improved compliance, tech-driven tax administration and voluntary contributions from new taxpayers, according to government data.

- Rajeev Jayaswal

“Ease of compliance and expeditious refunds saw significant expansion in the tax base in the last one decade,” an official said citing data of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). Over 88.9 million taxpayers paid income-tax returns (ITRs) in the assessment year 2024-25, a 133% jump from 38 million about 11 years ago, the official, who did not wish to be named, said. An assessment year (AY) is the year between April 1 and March 31 in which income-tax assesses file tax details for their income earned in the previous financial year.