microeconomics

There are different types of taxes and different purposes for changing taxes. Often the purpose of a tax is simply to raise revenue for the government and its activities of providing public goods and subsidizing goods that yield positive externalities. Sometimes, however, the purpose of changing the taxing and spending behavior of the government is to help stabilize the economy. In subsequent modules, we will discuss important macroeconomic variables and how they can help gauge macroeconomic health. We will also look at what is called Fiscal Policy, which is the deliberate use of the spending and taxing powers of the government to achieve macroeconomic stability. For example, if the economy is going into a downturn, discretionary fiscal policy would recommend tax cuts and/or greater amounts of government spending. Of course, this brings in other issues of concern, such as the budget deficit and national debt.

For now, research some instances in U.S. economic history when there was some change in a tax. If one views a transfer as a reverse tax, where payment flows from the government to households and businesses, the Economic Impact Payments of early to mid-2020 (also known as the "Stimulus Checks") can be seen as an example. These transfers were made in order to soften the economic blow of coronavirus restrictions and were part of a greater Fiscal Policy response to a sudden economic downturn.

Discuss at least two examples you found of a change in a tax. First, explain the tax itself, and then the change that occurred. What do you think was the main reason for this tax change? If enough time has passed, can you assess the impact of this tax and the change? Did it achieve its purpose? Why or why not? How did the change affect the deadweight loss associated with the particular tax?

outlining the state of the macroeconomy and explaining how fiscal policy can be used to improve it. Specifically, you are to play the role of a junior economic statistician at Statistics Canada, and one of your tasks is to analyze and interpret economic data and report on the Canadian macroeconomic situation. Go ahead and read the scenario. Good luck! Scenario You are employed by Statistics Canada as a junior economic statistician, and you subscribe to the modern view of how the macroeconomy works. Your boss, the chief economic statistician, is preparing for an important meeting with the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada to discuss the state of the country's economy. Among the matters to be discussed are the country's macroeconomic performance and how fiscal policy can help to improve it. Since the chief economic statistician is extremely busy with other issues, you have been asked to provide some of the information required for the meeting.

The following economic data are available to you. Cyclical unemployment is at 4%.

$million

Rent 30

Household consumption expenditure 1,500

Corporate income taxes 80

Undistributed profits 20

Net exports 10

Dividends 40

Consumption of fixed capital (depreciation) 200

Interest 90

Indirect business taxes less subsidies 180

Compensation for employees 1,420

Government consumption expenditure 400

Proprietors' income 100

Specifically, to prepare for this meeting, the chief economic statistician wants you to:

Calculate the income-based GDP.

Calculate the expenditure-based GDP.

Calculate investment. (d) Calculate the recessionary gap.

Use the AD/AS model to explain how an appropriate fiscal policy can be used to attain potential GDP.

In addition to the above tasks, the chief economic statistician has asked you to remark on the main problems of huge public debt caused by fiscal policy, which will also be discussed at the meeting. You are to present your report to the chief economic statistician