Which term refers to taxes that producers pass to consumers as part of product pricing?

The term that refers to taxes that producers pass on to consumers as part of product pricing is known as indirect taxes. Indirect taxes are levied on goods and services rather than on income or profits directly. These taxes are included in the price of products, which means that consumers ultimately bear the burden of these taxes when they purchase goods. For example, sales tax can be considered an indirect tax because the seller includes it in the total price paid by the consumer, but the seller pays that tax to the government.

In contrast, direct taxes are those imposed directly on personal or corporate income, such as income tax or property tax, where the taxpayer bears the burden of the tax directly without it being passed through to consumers. Corporate taxes specifically refer to taxes on a corporation’s profits and do not directly influence consumer pricing in the way that indirect taxes do. Sales taxes are a specific type of indirect tax, but the broader category encompasses all types of taxes that can be transferred to the consumer, reinforcing the idea that indirect taxes fit the definition more comprehensively.