What is the primary source of revenue for the government to pay for public goods?

Taxes are the primary source of revenue for the government to fund public goods and services. Public goods, such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare, require consistent and reliable funding, which taxes provide through various mechanisms—like income taxes, sales taxes, and property taxes.

The collection of taxes enables the government to allocate resources efficiently to meet the needs of society. Through taxation, governments can redistribute wealth, manage public expenditures, and invest in necessary services that benefit the entire population. This system helps in achieving a degree of equity and ensuring that essential services are available to all citizens, regardless of their ability to pay individually.

Loans and treasury bonds, while they can provide funding for specific projects or initiatives, do not generate ongoing revenue like taxes do. They typically represent debt that must be repaid, whereas taxes are a direct source of income for government operations. Private donations, although beneficial for funding some initiatives, do not provide a sustainable or adequate source of revenue for government-level public goods on a large scale.