Note that MUX-Y and MUX-X Comparing a Quantity tax to an Income tax Charlie's utility over X and Y is given by U=XY. The prices of each good is $1 and his income is $100. The government is contemplating whether to use an income tax or a quantity tax to collect some money from Charlie. The government wants to know which policy Charlie would prefer for a given amount of tax revenue. a. How much of his income will Charlie allocate for good X? What is the demand for X? the demand for Y?

ENGR.ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
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Chapter1: Making Economics Decisions
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a,b,c,d

# Comparing a Quantity Tax to an Income Tax

### Utility Function and Tax Policy Considerations

**Utility Function:**  
Charlie's utility over goods X and Y is given by the function \( U = XY \).  
The prices of each good are $1, and Charlie’s total income is $100.  
The government is considering using either an income tax or a quantity tax to collect revenue from Charlie.

**Marginal Utilities:**  
- \( MU_X = Y \)  
- \( MU_Y = X \)  

The government wants to determine which policy Charlie would prefer for a given amount of tax revenue.

### Discussion Questions

a. **Allocation and Demand:**
   - How much of his income will Charlie allocate for good X?
   - What is the demand for X? What is the demand for Y?

b. **Quantity Tax Scenario:**
   - Assume the government imposes a quantity tax of $1 for each unit of X that Charlie purchases. 
   - Determine how many units of X and Y he will consume.

c. **Table Completion:**
   - The table below is to be filled with details on consumption and utility under different tax scenarios.

|     | X | Y | U |
|-----|---|---|---|
| **No tax**         |   |   |   |
| **Quantity tax of $1** |   |   |   |
| **Income tax of $....**|   |   |   |

d. **Equivalent Income Tax:**
   - What is the income tax equivalent to the quantity tax of $1?

e. **Affordability Comparison:**
   - Is the consumption bundle under the quantity tax affordable under the income tax?

f. **Table Completion:**
   - Fill in the last row of the table with appropriate values.

g. **Graphical Representation:**
   - Use the provided graph grid to represent the two policies.
   - Determine which policy the government should implement.

### Graph Description

The graph consists of a grid of squares intended for plotting consumption bundles under different scenarios. Students should illustrate changes in consumption of goods X and Y under no tax, quantity tax, and income tax scenarios, potentially using different colors or patterns for clarity.
Transcribed Image Text:# Comparing a Quantity Tax to an Income Tax ### Utility Function and Tax Policy Considerations **Utility Function:** Charlie's utility over goods X and Y is given by the function \( U = XY \). The prices of each good are $1, and Charlie’s total income is $100. The government is considering using either an income tax or a quantity tax to collect revenue from Charlie. **Marginal Utilities:** - \( MU_X = Y \) - \( MU_Y = X \) The government wants to determine which policy Charlie would prefer for a given amount of tax revenue. ### Discussion Questions a. **Allocation and Demand:** - How much of his income will Charlie allocate for good X? - What is the demand for X? What is the demand for Y? b. **Quantity Tax Scenario:** - Assume the government imposes a quantity tax of $1 for each unit of X that Charlie purchases. - Determine how many units of X and Y he will consume. c. **Table Completion:** - The table below is to be filled with details on consumption and utility under different tax scenarios. | | X | Y | U | |-----|---|---|---| | **No tax** | | | | | **Quantity tax of $1** | | | | | **Income tax of $....**| | | | d. **Equivalent Income Tax:** - What is the income tax equivalent to the quantity tax of $1? e. **Affordability Comparison:** - Is the consumption bundle under the quantity tax affordable under the income tax? f. **Table Completion:** - Fill in the last row of the table with appropriate values. g. **Graphical Representation:** - Use the provided graph grid to represent the two policies. - Determine which policy the government should implement. ### Graph Description The graph consists of a grid of squares intended for plotting consumption bundles under different scenarios. Students should illustrate changes in consumption of goods X and Y under no tax, quantity tax, and income tax scenarios, potentially using different colors or patterns for clarity.
Expert Solution
Step 1

Utility function : U = X*Y 

Px = Py = 1 

Therefore , Budget Constraint : x + y = 100

Optimal consumption demand for any good is achieved at the point where marginal rate of substitution is equal to the price ratio .

 

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