Subsidies are provided by governments to stimulate certain economic activities or to aid in the achievement of larger national objectives. They are typically implemented as cash payments such as grants, tax breaks or even low-interest or guaranteed loans. Subsidies can help communities that are disadvantaged gain access to healthcare, education, or housing. They also offer benefits to businesses, such as lower taxes and purchases by the government of their products.
Many critics of subsidy programs point to the deceitful incentives that result from them. They claim that subsidies cause firms to make donations to political campaigns and to demand preferential treatment by the policymakers. They also note that subsidies can hinder innovation and inefficiency by making companies that depend on them less likely to invest in new technology or adjust their business model to meet customer needs.
Regardless of the intended purpose, the effect of these subsidies can be difficult to estimate and could result in significant costs that are not evident in projections of the government. They could also hinder more equitable and efficient public spending.
For instance when governments provide subsidies to energy production, they are able to make solar panels cost-effective for homeowners and aid companies that sell them by lowering their sales prices or providing tax credits. They can also promote the consumption of a good or service, for instance by giving families subsidies that help pay for a portion of their health insurance premiums. Similarly, a government can encourage people to take out federal student loans by offering that they will be able to repay them at low rates and offering perks like deferment or flexible repayment schedules.