- CFA Exams
- CFA Level I Exam
- Topic 2. Economics
- Learning Module 3. Fiscal Policy
- Subject 2. Roles and Objectives of Fiscal Policy
CFA Practice Question
If the government uses a discretionary fiscal policy to combat a recession and the tax rate is not changed, the policy will most likely lead to a ______.
B. budget deficit
C. budget surplus
A. balanced budget
B. budget deficit
C. budget surplus
Correct Answer: B
To combat a recession, the discretionary fiscal policy is to increase government expenditures at the same time that tax revenues are lower than normal (since the economy is in a recession, corporate profits and personal income taxes are lower than before).
User Contributed Comments 4
User | Comment |
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surjoy | Excellent question. |
Raok | when it said tax rate is not changed, that means they are at a budget surplus? Or else why does the question have to specificy state tax rate is not changed |
leftcoast | Raok - They could be at a deficit, surplus or have a balanced budget before hand. Where they start from doesn't really matter all that much. If government expenditures are increased and the tax rate remains the same it will most likely lead to a budget deficit, regardless of where you started from. I suppose if they were running a very large surplus you could end up with a balanced budget or a small surplus. But the question asked what is most likely. |
KarenMaciel | Discretionary fiscal policy govt spending and taxation during recession- govt needs to spend more to stabilize the economy without tax increase- this would result in budget deficit |