Question

The demand for salt is inelastic, and the supply of salt is elastic. The demand for caviar is elastic, and the supply of caviar is inelastic. Suppose that a tax of $1 per pound is levied on the sellers of salt, and a tax of $1 per pound is levied on the buyers of caviar. We would expect that most of the burden of these taxes will fall on .
a. buyers of salt and the buyers of caviar.
b. buyers of salt and the sellers of caviar.
c. sellers of salt and the sellers of caviar.
d. sellers of salt and the buyers of caviar.

Answer 1

Answer:

In the case of the salt,the salt buyers would bear most of the tax burden and for caviar,the sellers would bear most of the tax burden.Hence,the correct answer is option b. or buyers of salt and the sellers of caviar.

Explanation:

In the case of salt,the supply is more elastic than the demand which implies that the salt sellers are relatively more responsive to salt price change in the market.Therefore,if any tax is imposed on them,it would basically translate into higher production cost for the sellers and due to price elasticity of supply,the sellers would pass the tax to the salt consumers who are comparatively less price sensitive.Now,since the consumer demand for salt is inelastic and the consumers are relatively price insensitive,the consumers won't perhaps mind paying a higher market price for salt including the extra tax.Hence,in this instance,the tax burden would fall on the salt buyers or consumers.

On the other hand,based on the same line of argument,the tax burden would fall on the sellers of caviars as the price elasticity of caviar supply is less than that of the caviar demand.In this case,the caviar sellers are less sensitive about changes in market price of caviars and thus,won't mind paying a relatively higher production cost/expense which is inclusive of the tax burden.Due to higher price elasticity of demand or price responsiveness,the cavier consumers would be reluctant to bear the tax burden and pass it onto the sellers.