Logical Reasoning

PT4 · S4 · Q1 With the passage of the new

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With the passage of the new tax reform laws, the annual tax burden on low-income taxpayers will be reduced, on average, by anywhere from $100 to $300.

Conclusion (clearly)

Tax reform is in the interest of low-income taxpayers.

Evidence

With the passage of the new tax reform laws, the annual tax burden on low-income taxpayers will be reduced, on average, by anywhere from $100 to $300.

Evaluate

The argument is suggesting a Recommendation: Tax reform should be supported because it's supposedly beneficial to low-income taxpayers. The evidence provided is the reduction in annual tax burden ($100 to $300) for low-income taxpayers.

To weaken this argument, we need to find a reason why low-income taxpayers might not benefit as much as the conclusion suggests, or why the reduction in tax burden might be offset by other negative effects.

It's important to consider both the financial benefits and any other economic impacts the tax reform might have that could harm low-income taxpayers. We might ask ourselves,

Goal

Let's find an answer that presents an aspect of the tax reform that could harm or disadvantage low-income taxpayers, offsetting or outweighing the positive impact of the tax reduction.

1.

Which one of the following, if true, most undermines the conclusion above?

  1. Tax reform, by simplifying the

    Opposite Impact (strengthens)

    In addition to saving money on taxes themselves, tax reform would also save money on fees paid to accountants. This helps the author, as it introduces another upside of tax reform.

    1% picked this

  2. Correct

    Tax reform, by eliminating tax

    Why this is right

    This answer suggests that the elimination of tax incentives may increase rents by about $40 per month for low-income taxpayers, amounting to $480 per year. This increased cost would likely eclipse the $100 to $300 tax savings, leaving them worse off, and thus undermines the claim that tax reform is in their interest.

    Skill tested: Weaken · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

    94% picked this

  3. Low-income taxpayers have consistently voted

    Opposite (if anything)

    The historical voting patterns of low-income taxpayers for candidates who support tax reform do not address whether the new tax reforms are specifically beneficial to them. But, if anything, it makes it seem like maybe they are and maybe that's why low-income taxpayers vote for such candidates.

    2% picked this

  4. The new tax reform laws

    Opposite Impact (strengthens)

    In addition to saving money on taxes themselves, tax reform would also let people deduct childcare from their taxes. This helps the author, as it introduces another upside of tax reform.

    3% picked this

  5. Under the new tax reform

    Opposite (if anything)

    We know the average savings for low-income taxpayers is $100-300. This gets more into the details and says that for many, they will suddenly have to pay no taxes. Technically this isn't adding anything new, but if anything, this helps the author, as it sounds like another upside of tax reform.

    1% picked this

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