Federal tax evasion is a serious crime that places an unfair tax burde

Question

Federal tax evasion is a serious crime that places an unfair tax burden on those members of society who pay their fair share. To reduce the incidence of tax evasion, the government needs to prosecute a few high-profile individuals whose cases will receive substantial media attention.

The argument above relies on which of the following assumptions?

A. The tax system is so complicated that even people who try to comply with it may inadvertently not pay some of their taxes.

B. The average citizen will be less likely to evade taxes after he or she sees a high profile individual prosecuted for tax evasion.

C. Tax revenues collected from high-profile tax evaders will help to alleviate the unfair tax burden on honest citizens.

D. Although it is difficult to secure a conviction on a charge of tax evasion, if the government focuses its efforts on a small number of high-profile individuals, the odds of obtaining a conviction will increase.

E. While there is no universal measure for determining whether a taxation system is “fair” or “unfair,” the current system was constructed by Congress to represent the societal priorities and values of the American people.

Source:  McGraw-Hills GMAT

Vaidya · Answer

Conclusion: Tax evasion will reduce.
Premise: High profile individuals will be persecuted and their cases will receive media attention:

Flow: Media will publicise tax evasion cases >>> Tax evasion will reduce.

The argument introduces a cause and effect relationship. We need something that connects the premise and conclusion.

Option B is the only choice which addresses the premise and conclusion.

Let's negate option B: The average citizen will NOT be less likely to evade taxes after he or she sees a high profile individual prosecuted for tax evasion.
 Simplified: Average citizen is likely to continue evading taxes, DESPITE the media attention given to high profile cases.

This weakens the conclusion that media attention will lead to lower tax evasion.

sobby · Answer

going with B..
Pre thinking would be answering the question that why fed. want "media attention".

JanGMAC · Answer

POE is your friend

A. The tax system is so complicated that even people who try to comply with it may
inadvertently not pay some of their taxes.
- irrelevant
B. The average citizen will be less likely to evade taxes after he or she sees a high profile individual prosecuted for tax evasion.
C. Tax revenues collected from high-profile tax evaders will help to alleviate the unfair
tax burden on honest citizens.
- logic, irrelevant
D. Although it is difficult to secure a conviction on a charge of tax evasion, if the
government focuses its efforts on a small number of high-profile individuals, the odds of
obtaining a conviction will increase.
- logic, small number cannot really make a difference
E. While there is no universal measure for determining whether a taxation system is
“fair” or “unfair,” the current system was constructed by Congress to represent the
societal priorities and values of the American people.
- irrelevant, strong language w/ "no universal measure"

My guess:
 Correct: B

sony1000 · Answer

I am unable to choose answer from my cell...how does it work?

Sent from my SM-G550T using  GMAT Club Forum mobile app

JanGMAC · Answer

I cannot really recall what you mean by that - What do you exactly mean? The pattern for how crossig answers out in general?

kanusha · Answer

Conclusion :  To reduce the incidence of tax evasion , the
government needs to prosecute a few high-profile individuals whose cases will receive
substantial  media attention.

A.  The tax system is so complicated  that even people who try to comply with it may inadvertently not pay some of their taxes. 
B.  The average citizen will be less likely to evade taxes  after he or she sees a high profile individual prosecuted for tax evasion.
C.  Tax revenues  collected from high-profile tax evaders will help to alleviate the unfair
tax burden on honest citizens.
D. Although it is difficult to secure a conviction on a charge of tax evasion, if the
government focuses its efforts on a small number of high-profile individuals, the odds of
obtaining a  conviction  will increase.
E. While there is no universal measure for determining whether a taxation system is
“fair” or “unfair,” the current system was constructed by  Congres s to represent the
societal priorities and values of the American people.

B

shahsuhailp · Answer

This is a Cause and Effect type question.

Author's Conclusion is:
Cause:Prosecution of few high-profile individuals for tax evasion
Effect: Reduction in incidences of tax evasion

In what scenario will author's conclusion hold? 
1) For the given cause there is given effect. 
2) For no cause there is no effect
3) There is no other cause for given effect

Answer: B ...... This choice is line with assumption number (1) ie., for given cause there is given effect.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

Since prosecuting  “a few high-profile individuals”  can have little direct impact on the overall picture of federal tax collection, the only way in which this plan can meaningfully  “reduce the incidence of tax evasion”  is if it creates a widespread indirect impact by deterring a large number of citizens from attempting to evade taxes.

ANSWER: B

Amarja · Answer

Can you please explain why is option C wrong? As it is evident from the argument that the tax evaders(be it either high profile or average citizens) places unfair burden on those members of society who pay their fair share(honest members of the society) ,it seems that C is correct.

VerbalBot · Answer

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Federal tax evasion is a serious crime that places an unfair tax burde

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Federal tax evasion is a serious crime that places an unfair tax burde

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