Question

Suppose that the U.S. government decides to charge cola consumers a tax. Before the tax, 45 million cases of cola were sold every month at a price of $6 per case. After the tax, 39 million cases of cola are sold every month; consumers pay $7 per case (including the tax), and producers receive $3 per case.

The amount of the tax on a case of cola is $ per case. Of this amount, the burden that falls on consumers is $ per case, and the burden that falls on producers is $ per case. True or False: The effect of the tax on the quantity sold would have been the same as if the tax had been levied on producers.
A. True
B. False

Answer 1

Tax on a case of cola is $4 per case.

The burden that falls on consumers is $1 per case.

The burden that falls on producers is $3 per case

False. This is due to the fact that producers already carry a greater share of the tax burden.

Step-by-step explanation:

Tax on a case of cola = Amount that consumers pay after the tax has been charged - Amount producers receive = $7 - $3 = $4 per case

Burden on consumers = Amount consumers pay after the tax has been levied - Amount consumers pay before tax was levied = $7 - $5 = $1 per case

Burden on producers = Tax on a case of cola - Burden on consumers = $4 - $1 = $3 per case

False. This is due to the fact that producers already carry a greater share of the tax burden.