Final answer:
Treasury bills have all of the mentioned characteristics except for being exempt from taxation by states. The answer is option C.
Step-by-step explanation:
Treasury bills have all of the following characteristics EXCEPT:
They are exempt from taxation by states.
Treasury bills, also known as T-bills, are short-term debt instruments issued by the U.S. government. They are quoted on a discount yield basis, meaning they are sold at a discount to their face value and mature at their face value. The bid for T-bills is typically lower than the offer, as investors bid to purchase them at a discount. Additionally, T-bills are not exempt from taxation by states. They are subject to federal income tax, but exempt from state and local taxes.