What are overhead costs?

Overhead costs are expenses that are necessary for the general operation of a business but are not directly tied to the production of goods or services. These costs can include things like rent, utilities, administrative salaries, and other operational expenses that support the overall functioning of the business. Choice B accurately captures this concept by stating that overhead costs are required to operate legally and efficiently, as these costs provide the foundational support necessary for a business to function.

Other options do not describe overhead costs accurately. For instance, costs that directly relate to the production of goods or services would typically be classified as direct costs, not overhead. Similarly, focusing solely on employee salaries overlooks the variety of other expenses that fall under overhead. Variable costs, on the other hand, are linked to production levels, distinguishing them from fixed overhead costs that remain constant regardless of production volume. Thus, the understanding of overhead costs as essential operational expenses is best represented by option B.