Which of the following accurately describes indirect taxes?

Indirect taxes are those that are not directly paid by an individual or organization to the government, but rather are collected by an intermediary, often at the point of sale. This typically includes taxes on goods and services, such as sales tax or value-added tax (VAT). When consumers purchase goods or services, they pay these taxes as part of the overall cost, which the seller then remits to the government. This mechanism of collection distinguishes indirect taxes from direct taxes, such as income tax, which individuals pay directly based on their earnings.

The other options describe different forms of taxation that do not fit the definition of indirect taxes. Direct taxes, such as income taxes, are based on earnings, while taxes levied specifically on financial institutions are a form of direct taxation targeting that sector. Additionally, taxes applied only to international trade refer to tariffs, which are also considered direct taxes rather than indirect ones. Thus, option B is accurate in defining indirect taxes as those assessed at the point of sale on goods and services.