Which term describes the inequality in tax burdens among different income levels?

The term that accurately describes the inequality in tax burdens among different income levels is tax incidence. Tax incidence refers to the analysis of the effect of a particular tax on the distribution of economic welfare. It looks at who ultimately pays the tax and how the burden is shared among different groups, reflecting how the tax impacts various income levels differently.

When assessing tax incidence, policymakers can evaluate whether a tax disproportionately affects lower or higher income individuals, which in turn can inform discussions on fairness and equity within the tax system. This concept is significant for understanding economic disparities influenced by taxation, allowing for informed decisions about tax policy and reform aimed at reducing inequities.

The other options relate to tax concepts but do not capture the essence of the question as effectively. Assessment level refers to the ratio of the assessed value to the actual value of property, tax burden distribution would relate to how the overall tax burden is allocated among different categories, and tax equity pertains more broadly to the fairness of the tax system as a whole rather than the specific inequality in burdens related to income levels.