The gross direct tax collection grew by around 26 per cent during the month of April to August of the current financial year. According to an official release, direct tax collection rose to 1,54,360 crore rupees during these months from 1,22,618 crore rupees in the corresponding period last year.The collection of corporate taxes was up by 29.72 per cent to 96,597 crore ruppes while the gross collection of income tax was up by 19.91 per cent. The net tax collections, however, dropped 3.37 per cent to 96,738 crore rupees during the first five months due to higher refunds.