New Delhi: Optimistic of a higher revenue collection in April-June, the government has instructed the Tax Department to refund all pending amounts due to tax-payers by July 15, while expediting the computerisation drive to streamline administration and simplify procedures.

"I have reason to be upbeat about the tax collections. The collections for Income Tax and Corporation Tax have been good," Central Board of Direct Taxes chairman P K Sarma told reporters on June 21.

He also said advance tax collections were also better in the initial months of this fiscal.

The overall tax collections grew at around 20 per cent in the first two months, official sources said, adding that Direct Tax mop up was higher by 19 per cent at about Rs 3,150 crore in April-May 2002.

Corporation Tax collection was growing by 16 per cent while Income Tax was up by 6.66 per cent in the previous two months.

Revenue collections, especially direct taxes, would have been higher but for the hefty refund of Rs 5,034 crore during the first two months.

Referring to the hefty refunds, Sarma said, "We have issued instructions to all commissionerates to complete tax refunds by July 15."

The move is part of CBDT's efforts to facilitate taxpayers and ensure higher tax compliance.

Sarma also said that the Tax Department has expedited the computerisation drive to ensure correct assessment of the tax and its refund.

PTI