The Centre's net direct tax collections have recorded a 41.2 per cent increase in April 1-January 31, 2007 to Rs 1,56,429 crore against Rs 1,10,780 crore in the same period in the previous year.

An official release said that corporate taxes increased by 48.6 per cent to Rs 97,787 crore.

Personal income-tax (including fringe benefit tax) was up by 27.5 per cent at Rs 54,185 crore. Securities transaction tax and banking cash transaction tax stood at Rs 3,812 crore and Rs 404 crore, respectively. Fringe benefit tax collections grew by 41.6 per cent at Rs 3,984 crore.

Net direct tax collections have grown by 41.2 per cent so far, outpacing the targeted growth of 27.5 per cent as per the Budget Estimates for fiscal 2006-07.