NEW DELHI: Direct tax collection increased 24.8% in the April-June quarter while indirect tax collection was up 30.8% compared to that a year ago, data released by the government on Friday showed.In the first quarter of the current financial year the government managed to raise almost 20% of the amount budgeted for the entire year. Total direct tax collection was pegged at Rs 1.24 lakh crore while indirect taxes added up to Rs 2 lakh crore.The receipts in the case of direct taxes saw a spike because of a change in the requirements for advance tax payment even in respect of individuals in the budget last year. Earlier, individuals paid advance tax thrice, in September December and March From the current year, individuals are also supposed to pay four instalments of advance tax at the rate of 15%, 30%, 30% and 25% in June, September, December and March of every fiscal. Corporation tax collection was up 13.5% while that of personal income tax was up 29.8%. However, after adjusting for refunds, the net growth in corporation tax amounted to 4.43% and that of personal income tax was 48.75% compared to the previous year’s figures. “This increase is mainly due to large refunds made in the previous year as compared to the current year,” the income tax department said in a statement.The sharp increase in indirect tax collection resulted from the additional duty levied on petrol and diesel, increase in service tax and some increase in customs duty. While central excise collections were up 50% in April-June, customs kitty grew 15.5% and service tax was higher by 20.8%.