Why is it Tough to Teach Students About Taxes?

Let’s dive into a surprisingly tricky topic to teach: tax incidence. In this episode, we explore why this seemingly simple concept trips up so many students, how elasticity shapes “who pays,” and what strategies actually help the idea stick. It’s a candid mid-semester check-in that’s full of travel stories, fall-break frustrations, and creative teaching analogies.

In this episode, we discuss:

* Why tax incidence is frustrating to teach compared to other topics.

* How elasticity determines the division of tax burdens between buyers and sellers.

* Whether professors should “nudge” bette...