How do user fees function similarly to taxes?

User fees function similarly to taxes primarily because both are designed to fund government services. While taxes are collected from citizens and businesses to support a wide array of public services, such as education, infrastructure, and public safety, user fees are typically charged for specific services that the government provides, such as park entry, garbage collection, or water usage.

These fees ensure that the costs of providing these services are covered, and they can help to allocate resources more efficiently by charging users directly for what they consume. This responsibility to fund government functions aligns user fees with the overall purpose of taxation in maintaining and enhancing public services and infrastructure, even if the mechanisms of collection and application differ.