Suppose an Excise Tax Is Imposed on Two Products X

question 61

Multiple Choice

Suppose an excise tax is imposed on two products X and Y, both of which have identical supply elasticities. The demand for good X is highly elastic, while the demand for good Y is highly inelastic. The deadweight loss (or excess burden) will be

• A) equal in both cases.
• B) larger for good X than good Y.
• C) larger for good Y than good X.
• D) zero in both cases.

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Definitions:

EBIT

Earnings Before Interest and Taxes, a profitability measure for companies that doesn't include costs associated with taxes or interest.

Breakeven Diagram

A graphical representation that shows the point at which total cost and total revenue are equal, with no net loss or gain.

Total Cost

The complete cost of production that includes both fixed and variable costs.

Breakeven

The point at which total costs and total revenues are equal, resulting in no net loss or gain.