A Payroll Tax Is Imposed on Two Types of Labor

question 155

Multiple Choice

A payroll tax is imposed on two types of labor: carpenters and laborers. In the short run, the elasticity of labor supply of carpenters is much less elastic than the elasticity of labor supply of laborers. Which of the following is true?

• A) In the short run, carpenters will bear a larger share of the payroll tax than laborers.
• B) In the short run, laborers will bear a larger share of the payroll tax than carpenters.
• C) In the short run, carpenters and laborers will bear the same share of the payroll tax, but in the long run, laborers will bear a larger share of the payroll tax than carpenters.
• D) There is not enough information to determine the relative shares of the payroll tax for carpenters and laborers in either the short run or the long run.

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Definitions:

Federal Employees

Workers who are employed by the federal government of a country, undertaking tasks and responsibilities dictated by governmental agencies.

Independent Regulatory Agency

A federal agency created to enforce and regulate laws in specific sectors, operating independently from the executive branch.

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for implementing and enforcing laws, headed by the president and including the cabinet and other officials.

Cabinet Department

A major administrative unit in the executive branch of the federal government, headed by a secretary who is a member of the president's cabinet.