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Tax Burden and Deadweight Loss
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Which of the following statements accurately describe the relationship between tax burden and deadweight loss? Select all that apply.

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Choose the Best Answer

A

A tax burden is always larger for consumers than producers.

B

The more inelastic the demand or supply, the larger the tax burden on that side.

C

Deadweight loss occurs when taxes distort market equilibrium leading to a reduction in total welfare.

D

Deadweight loss is eliminated when taxes are not imposed.

E

Both consumers and producers can share the tax burden equally regardless of the elasticity of demand and supply.

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

The tax burden refers to the cost that individuals and businesses bear due to taxes, while deadweight loss is the economic loss that occurs when a tax causes a reduction in the quantity of goods traded in the market. When a tax is imposed, it can lead to higher prices for consumers and lower prices for producers, which can discourage buying and selling. This decrease in market activity creates a deadweight loss because it results in fewer transactions than would happen without the tax. For example, if a tax on a popular product makes it too expensive for some buyers, they may choose not to purchase it, leading to a loss of sales that could have benefited both the seller and the buyer. Thus, a higher tax burden often leads to greater deadweight loss, as it distorts market behavior and reduces overall economic efficiency.

Detailed Explanation

Other options are incorrect because This suggests that consumers always pay more tax than producers; This implies that if demand or supply is unchanging, one side will always pay more tax.

Key Concepts

Tax Burden
Deadweight Loss
Elasticity
Topic

Tax Burden and Deadweight Loss

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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