Chapter 17: Problem 47

What is a potential problem with a temporary tax increase designed to increase aggregate demand if people know that it is temporary?

Short Answer

Expert verified

A potential problem with a temporary tax increase designed to increase aggregate demand is that if people are aware of its temporary nature, they may postpone their spending and consumption until the tax increase ends, expecting a lower tax burden in the near future. This behavior may lead to lower aggregate demand than anticipated, negating the intended stimulative effect of the tax increase on the economy.

Step by step solution

Understand the purpose of the tax increase

A temporary tax increase is aimed at increasing government revenue in the short term. The government may want to do this in order to boost economic growth or spend on particular sectors during a time of need, such as during a recession.

Understand Aggregate Demand

Aggregate demand (AD) refers to the total demand for goods and services within an economy at a given price level and within a specific period of time. An increase in aggregate demand may lead to economic growth and a decrease in unemployment.

Identify the potential problem with temporary tax increase

If people know that the tax increase is temporary, they might adjust their behavior accordingly. In this case, they may choose to postpone their spending and consumption until the tax increase ends, as they expect a lower tax burden in the near future.

Analyze the effect on Aggregate Demand

The postponement of spending and consumption due to the temporary tax increase may have an adverse effect on aggregate demand. If people postpone their spending, businesses will suffer from lower sales, which in turn reduces their production levels. As a result, aggregate demand in the economy may not increase as intended, and the temporary tax increase may not achieve its intended goal of stimulating the economy.

Conclusion

A potential problem with a temporary tax increase designed to increase aggregate demand is that if people know it is temporary, they may postpone their spending and consumption, leading to lower aggregate demand than anticipated and potentially negating the intended stimulative effect of the tax increase on the economy.