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Basic Question 0 of 2

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 ______.

A. balanced budget
B. budget deficit
C. budget surplus

User Contributed Comments 4

User Comment
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
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Martin Rockenfeldt

Martin Rockenfeldt

Learning Outcome Statements

describe roles and objectives of fiscal policy as well as arguments as to whether the size of a national debt relative to GDP matters

CFA® 2026 Level I Curriculum, Volume 1, Module 3.