2. Demand elasticity and the size of deadweight loss associated with taxation

The following graph shows the supply and demand curves for Airbnb rentals in the hypothetical economy of Luxuria in 2010, two years after Airbnb launched; the equilibrium quantity of rentals was 80 rooms per day, and the equilibrium price was $140 per room. At that time, Luxuria was enforcing tax regulations on the market for hotels, but it hadn't yet initiated a tax arrangement on room rentals through Airbnb.

On the following graph, use the green rectangle (triangle symbols) to indicate the tax revenue the government could have collected in 2010 if it had levied a $15-per-room tax on Airbnb rentals. (Note: You willnot be graded on your placement of this area on the graph.)

Realizing that there is a great potential for increased tax revenue, government officials in Luxuria began discussing how they could align Airbnb rentals with hotel stays from a tax perspective. Fast-forward to 2018, at which time Luxuria has finally made tax arrangements with Airbnb to levy a $15-per-room tax on rentals. However, now the market conditions have changed. More hosts have now entered the Airbnb market, and awareness of this hotel alternative has increased demand. The following graph shows the demand and supply curves for Airbnb rentals in 2018.

Use the green rectangle (triangle symbols) to illustrate the area representing the revenue raised by a $15-per-room tax. Then use the black point (cross symbol) to shade the area representing the deadweight loss generated by this tax.

The demand for Airbnb rooms has not only shifted to the right, but it has also become relatively NEED TO ANSWER WITH MORE OR LESS elastic since 2000.

Comparing the market for Airbnb rentals for the two years is complicated by the fact that the graph depicts three changes: total demand increases, total supply increases, and the slope of the demand curve changes. To isolate the effect of elasticity on deadweight loss and government revenue, consider the following scenario:DemandADemandA andDemandBDemandB, respectively, on the following graph).

Use the objects to the right of the graph to help you determine the potential deadweight loss and revenues generated by the same $15 tax in 2030 under each scenario and enter these values into the following table. (Note: You willnot be graded on your placement of any of the objects on the graph.)

Scenario	Deadweight Loss	Tax Revenue
(Dollars per day)	(Dollars per day)
A
B

Under scenario A, demand is relativelymore elastic, and the tax results in alarger deadweight loss andlower government revenue than under scenario B. This suggests that all other things being equal, the government should tax industries with a relativelylower elasticity of demand if it wants to minimize deadweight loss.