India’s gross direct tax collections surged 274% in 10 years

The gross direct tax collections in the country have witnessed a 274 percent growth over the last ten years. Finance Ministry sources said that between 2013-14 and 2024-25, the refunds issued by the tax department have increased by 474 percent, and the taxpayer base has grown by 133 percent.

The average time of issuing tax refunds has decreased from 93 days in 2013 to just 17 days in 2024. This transformation in tax administration over the past decade



is largely due to the adoption of digital infrastructure, including end-to-end online filing and faceless assessments, which enable faster and more accurate processing of income tax returns. Sources said that introduction of pre-filled returns, automation in refund processing, real-time TDS adjustments, and online grievance redressal mechanisms have all contributed to reduced delays and improved the taxpayer experience.