The Finance Ministry has informed Congress Parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor that his suggestion to increase the tax exemption limit for pension up to Rs. five lakh would be examined during the ongoing preparations for the Union Budget 2018. <br/><br/>Responding to a letter written by Mr Tharoor, Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla said the suggestion is being examined. <br/><br/>The Minister further said that a pensioner, who is above 80 years, is not required to pay tax, if the total income, including pension, does not exceed Rs. five lakh. <br/><br/>A pensioner, who is a senior citizen, aged 60 to 80 years — is exempt from income tax if the income, including from pension, does not exceed Rs. three lakh.<br/><br/>The work for preparation of the General Budget has already commenced.<br/><br/>