Intellectual laziness… if tariffs and taxes were the same thing there wouldn’t be a need for different words. As previously stated, they appear in entirely different sections of the US Code. Even conceptually they are entirely different animals:
Key Differences Between Tax and Tariff
Purpose: Taxes primarily fund government expenditure, while tariffs regulate international trade.
Scope: Taxes apply to domestic transactions and income, whereas tariffs affect imports and exports.
Revenue Generation: Taxes generate revenue for the government, while tariffs may generate revenue or protect domestic industries.
Impact: Taxes redistribute wealth and influence economic behavior, while tariffs impact the cost and availability of imported goods.
Administration: Taxes are administered by government agencies, while tariffs involve customs authorities and international trade organizations.