Free Public Finance MCQs with Answers

406 Public Finance MCQs from Economics, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.

Government revenue and expenditure are analysed through taxation, public borrowing, budgets, subsidies, transfers and public debt. The topic explains how fiscal policy affects resource allocation, income distribution, economic stability and growth, while distinguishing direct from indirect taxes, progressive from regressive taxation, and public goods from goods supplied by private markets.

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406 questions · page 17 of 21

  • A. a small deadweight loss and the burden of the tax would fall on the renter
  • B. a large deadweight loss and the burden of the tax would fall on the landlora
  • C. a large deadweight loss and the burden of the tax would fall on the renter.
  • D. a small deadweight loss and the burden of the tax would fall on the landlord

Explanation: With relatively inelastic supply, the quantity of land changes little, so the tax creates a small deadweight loss.

Correct answer: a small deadweight loss and the burden of the tax would fall on the landlord
  • A. generate a deadweight loss that is unaffected by the time period over which it is measured
  • B. cause a greater deadweight loss in the long run when compared to the short run
  • C. None of these answers
  • D. cause a greater deadweight loss in the short run when compared to the long run.

Explanation: Petrol demand and supply are generally more elastic over the long run because people can change vehicles, travel habits, and production…

Correct answer: cause a greater deadweight loss in the long run when compared to the short run
  • A. all taxpayers pay the same amount of tax
  • B. taxes on all goods are levied at the same rate
  • C. taxes are as low as possible
  • D. the system comprises only lump sum taxes
  • E. taxpayers with similar abilities to pay taxes pay the same amount

Explanation: Horizontal equity means treating taxpayers with equal ability to pay equally.

Correct answer: taxpayers with similar abilities to pay taxes pay the same amount
  • A. Proportional tax rate
  • B. average tax rate
  • C. marginal tax rate
  • D. vertical tax rate
  • E. horizontal tax rate

Explanation: The marginal tax rate applies to the next dollar earned, so it directly affects decisions about working, saving, and investing.

Correct answer: marginal tax rate
  • A. efficient
  • B. progressive
  • C. regressive
  • D. proportional

Explanation: Vertical equity requires taxpayers with greater ability to pay to bear a greater tax burden, which is usually represented by a progressive…

Correct answer: progressive
  • A. total taxes paid divided by total income
  • B. the extra taxes paid on an additional dollar or income.
  • C. the taxes paid by the marginal worker
  • D. total income divided by total taxes paid

Explanation: The average tax rate measures the overall share of income paid in tax, calculated as total taxes divided by total income.

Correct answer: total taxes paid divided by total income
  • A. a proportional tax
  • B. a regressive tax
  • C. an equitable tax
  • D. a progressive tax

Explanation: A regressive tax takes a smaller percentage of income as income rises, so its burden falls relatively more heavily on low-income…

Correct answer: a regressive tax
  • A. an excess of government receipts over government spending.
  • B. an equality of government spending and receipts.
  • C. a surplus of government workers.
  • D. an excess of government spending over government receipts.

Explanation: A budget surplus occurs when government receipts, mainly taxes and other revenues, exceed government spending.

Correct answer: an excess of government receipts over government spending.
  • A. will have no impact on tax revenue.
  • B. will always reduce tax revenue regardless of the prior size of the tax
  • C. could increase tax revenue if the tax had been extremely high
  • D. causes a market to become less efficient

Explanation: Under the Laffer-curve idea, a very high tax rate can reduce the tax base and discourage economic activity, so lowering it may increase…

Correct answer: could increase tax revenue if the tax had been extremely high
  • A. none of these answers
  • B. Reagan curve
  • C. Keynesian curve
  • D. Laffer curve
  • E. Henry George curve.

Explanation: The Laffer curve shows the relationship between the tax rate and government tax revenue.

Correct answer: Laffer curve
  • A. the unscrupulous to enter the underground economy
  • B. the elderly to retire early.
  • C. all the things described in these answers.
  • D. second earners to stay home.
  • E. workers to work fewer hoursEconomics

Explanation: Taxes on labor income reduce the reward from working and can encourage fewer working hours, early retirement, non-participation by second…

Correct answer: all the things described in these answers.
  • A. reschedule debt
  • B. get a loan from an international organization
  • C. default on the loan
  • D. any of the above

Explanation: A country facing unsustainable debt may restructure or reschedule payments, seek new official financing, or ultimately default.

Correct answer: any of the above
  • A. World Bank
  • B. International Monetary Fund
  • C. Council on Foreign Relations
  • D. Organization of petroleum Exporting Countries

Explanation: The World Bank provides long-term development financing for projects such as schools, hospitals, transport and roads.

Correct answer: World Bank
  • A. Getting short term loans
  • B. Getting long term loans
  • C. Treasury bill in not credit instrument
  • D. Treasury bill is a govt. tax bill

Explanation: A treasury bill is a short-term government debt instrument, normally issued to meet temporary financing needs and manage cash flow.

Correct answer: Getting short term loans
  • A. Total expenditure is more than total revenue
  • B. Current expenditure is more than current revenue
  • C. Capital expenditure is more than capital revenue
  • D. Total expenditure is more than current revenue

Explanation: A budgetary deficit occurs when the government's total expenditure exceeds its total revenue during a given period.

Correct answer: Total expenditure is more than total revenue
  • A. An increase in indirect taxes
  • B. An increase in managers salaries
  • C. An increase in progressive taxation
  • D. An increase in the rate of inflation

Explanation: Progressive taxation imposes higher tax rates on higher incomes, reducing post-tax income inequality.

Correct answer: An increase in progressive taxation
  • A. Bank loans
  • B. The payment without work
  • C. Tax payments
  • D. Payments made to all factors of production

Explanation: A transfer payment gives income without a current exchange of goods or productive services, such as a pension or welfare benefit.

Correct answer: The payment without work
  • A. Local tax
  • B. Indirect tax
  • C. Direct tax
  • D. Rate

Explanation: A direct tax is imposed on, and normally paid by, the same person or entity on whom the legal burden falls, as with income tax.

Correct answer: Direct tax
  • A. Income on which payment of tax is usually evaded
  • B. Illegally earned money
  • C. Money earned through underhand deals
  • D. None of these

Explanation: Black money generally means income that is concealed to evade tax, so it remains outside the official tax records.

Correct answer: Income on which payment of tax is usually evaded
  • A. Sales Tax
  • B. General Tax
  • C. Local Tax
  • D. Gross Tax

Explanation: Sales tax is charged on the sale of goods and is collected from the customer by the retailer for payment to the government.

Correct answer: Sales Tax