As against a steep 17.5 percent higher tax collection budgeted for the full year, the government could mop-up only 4.7 percent more so far this year, with the direct tax kitty growing to Rs 5.50 lakh crore as of September 17, up from Rs 5.25 lakh crore a year-ago. The lower mop-up reflects the deepening slump in demand and overall growth. In the first quarter the GDP slowed to a six-year low of 5 percent. Of the Rs 5.50 lakh crore collections, advance tax rose a tepid 7.3 percent to Rs 2.20 lakh crore from Rs 2.05 crore, according to sources at the taxation department. It can be noted that the budget had set a direct tax mop-up target of 17.5 percent for the full year, while the same for indirect taxes are set at 15 percent. "Total tax collection till date is Rs 5.5 lakh crore compared to Rs 5.25 lakh crore in the same period last year. Net tax collection is around Rs 4.5 lakh crore as compared to Rs 4.25 lakh crore as of date," a senior tax official told PTI on Wednesday.